RTHK: British lawmaker's murder 'an act of terrorism'

The Metropolitan Police has said that the murder of British lawmaker David Amess in Essex on Friday has been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by its Terrorism Command.

Amess, 69, from Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday in the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement early on Saturday that the early investigation had revealed a "potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism".

A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and detectives said specialist counter-terrorism officers were leading the initial investigation.

"As part of the investigation, officers are currently carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and these are ongoing," the police said, adding that it is believed that the suspect in custody acted alone.

Politicians described the attack as an assault on democracy.

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we have lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague," said Johnson, who rushed back to London from the west of England after the news broke.

Armed police swooped on the church and paramedics fought in vain to save the lawmaker's life on the floor of the church, where a sign says: "All are welcome here: where old friends meet and strangers feel at home".

"Tragically, he died at the scene," Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington told reporters. He said police at the time of the incident did not believe there was any immediate threat to anyone else.

He gave no other details about the killing, the second fatal attack on a British lawmaker in their constituency in the last five years, which has prompted questions about the safety of politicians.

Broadcaster Sky News said the arrested man was understood to be a British national of Somali heritage. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-10-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: Shenzhou-13 crew arrive at space station

Three taikonauts successfully docked with China's new space station on Saturday on what is set to be Beijing's longest crewed mission to date and the latest landmark in its drive to become a major space power.

The three blasted off shortly after midnight from the Jiuquan launch centre in the Gobi desert, the China Manned Space Agency said, with the team expected to spend six months at the Tiangong space station.

The space agency declared the launch a success and said the crew "were in good shape".

The Shenzhou-13 vessel carrying the three completed its docking with the radial port of the space station less than seven hours after the launch.

The mission, which is expected to last twice as long as a previous 90-day visit, will involve the crew setting up equipment and testing technology for future construction on the Tiangong station.

Mission commander Zhai Zhigang, 55, a former fighter pilot who performed the country's first spacewalk in 2008, said the team would undertake "more complex" spacewalks than during previous missions.

The crew include military pilot Wang Yaping, 41, who is the first woman to visit the space station after becoming China's second woman in space in 2013.

The other team member is People's Liberation Army pilot Ye Guangfu, 41.

China's heavily promoted space programme has already seen the nation land a rover on Mars and send probes to the moon.

Tiangong, meaning "heavenly palace", is expected to operate for at least 10 years. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-10-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: Asean bars Myanmar junta from regional summit

A Southeast Asia summit this month will invite a non-political representative from Myanmar, Brunei said on Saturday, sidelining the leader of the military junta in an unprecedented move for the group.

The decision by foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), at an emergency meeting on Friday night, marks a shift for the bloc, which has traditionally favoured a policy of engagement and non-interference.

The meeting was called to address the failure of Myanmar's junta, which seized power in February, to adhere to a peace roadmap it had agreed to with Asean in April, aimed at tackling the fallout from the coup led by Min Aung Hlaing.

International pressure has been building on Asean to take a tougher position on Myanmar's failure to take the agreed steps to end the violence, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue with its opponents.

More than 1,000 civilians have been killed by Myanmar security forces and thousands arrested, according to the United Nations, amid a crackdown on strikes and protests which has derailed the country's tentative democracy and prompted international condemnation.

In a statement, Asean's current chair Brunei said a non-political figure from Myanmar would be invited to the October 26-28 summit, after no consensus was reached for a political representative to attend.

"As there had been insufficient progress... as well as concerns over Myanmars commitment, in particular on establishing constructive dialogue among all concerned parties, some Asean Member States recommended that Asean give space to Myanmar to restore its internal affairs and return to normalcy," Brunei said.

The statement did not mention Min Aung Hlaing or name the non-political figure to be invited in his stead.

Brunei said some member states had received requests from Myanmar's National Unity Government, formed by opponents of the junta, to attend the summit. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-10-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: CE confident in HK as I&T hub

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said she is confident that Hong Kong's future innovation and technology (I&T) development will turn the city into an international I&T hub.

Mrs Lam made the remarks at the award presentation ceremony of Hong Kong's first ever City I&T Grand Challenge, organised by the Innovation & Technology Commission with the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation.

She noted that in the past four years, the Government has adopted an eight-pronged approach to develop I&T, with over $130 billion allocated to implement various projects so far.

In her 2021 Policy Address, Mrs Lam pointed out that Hong Kong's I&T industry is flourishing and to sustain the good momentum, the city is keen to develop a more comprehensive I&T ecosystem.

The Policy Address also announced further measures, including providing an additional 150 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis plan for I&T use, developing the San Tin Technopole and setting up the InnoLife Healthtech Hub.

The Chief Executive expressed confidence that turning Hong Kong into an international I&T hub would complement its position as a global financial centre in driving its future economic development.

Under the theme of Innovating for Hong Kong's New Normal, the City I&T Grand Challenge invites different sectors of the community to develop I&T solutions focusing on environmental sustainability and social connectivity.

The event has received more than 740 submissions from over 1,250 local and non-local contestants on an individual or team basis.

Winners of the university/tertiary institute and open groups will be given financial support for research and development as well as professional training sessions for refining their I&T solutions for trials at designated venues such as government departments or public organisations.

In his welcoming remarks at the finale, Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit said the event aims to explore I&T solutions that are closely related to people's daily lives and answer the needs of specific communities.

Mr Sit added that he strongly believes I&T talent should be developed from an early age and promote young people's care about society's needs and make the best use of their knowledge to solve the public's problems.

Click here for the list of winners.

This story has been published on: 2021-10-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hanoi to host Vietnam-Singapore forum for senior energy industry leaders

A Vietnam-Singapore forum specifically for senior energy industry leaders is scheduled to be held on October 21 in Hanoi in order to discuss how to maintain growth and sustainability, even during crises and challenging contexts.













The key topics on the agenda for discussion are global energy sector development and trends, challenges, opportunities, and strategic implications for the nation. This is along with methods for navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic as adopted by leading regional corporations such as Temasek Holdings and Sembcorp Industries.



Speakers include influential regional leaders such as Douglas Foo, president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, chairman of the Vietnam-Singapore Business Council, and a nominated Singapore MP. He will be joined by Vu Minh Khuong, associate professor at the National University of Singapore, Fadah Alsagoff, management team member and head of enterprise development at Temasek Holdings, Singapore, and Wong Kim Yin, group president & CEO of Sembcorp.



Pham Thi Thu Hang, CEO of VIETSTAR Training and Consulting JSC, one of the forums organisers, stated the forum offers a prime opportunity to both Vietnamese and Singaporean businesses to share their experiences, create value, and further boost the good relationship between the two countries.



We will make efforts and focus our resources to make Vietnam-Singapore Board Forum successful and bring practical values, she said.



Co-organised by the Paris Graduate School of Management, the forum will run with the title of Enhancing Resilience, Strategy Formulation and Execution in the New Normal: Singapore Experience for Energy Industry and will be held at the Fortuna Hotel Hanoi in conjunction with Zoom webinars in both nations.
Quang Binh receives first tourists

The central Quang Binh Province, which is home to UNESCO-protected Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the world's largest cave Son Doong, has just welcomed its first visitors after resuming tourism activities on October 15.













Tourists exploring a cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang



The first six domestic tourists arrived on Friday evening on a Vietnam Airlines flight from HCM City. They followed a three-day-two-night package tour organised by the Oxalis Adventure Company. The tour will take them to sites such as Chay Lap Farmstay and the Tu Lan cave system in Phong Nha-Ke Bang.













Director of Quang Binh Provincial Tourism Department, Nguyen Ngoc Quy welcome the tourists at Dong Hoi Airport on October 15



On October 15, Quang Binh received two flights from HCM City with nearly 100 passengers. To attract more visitors, local authorities have removed the mandatory quarantine regulations.



Tourists to the province would only be allowed to join tour packages with no more than 20 people and comply with pandemic prevention measures.



Besides Quang Binh, some other localities including Con Dao, Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Sapa, and Thanh Hoa have also opened their doors to fully vaccinated domestic tourists.



Tourists must be fully vaccinated, with the second dose administered at least 14 days before arrival or have a certificate showing they had recovered from Covid-19. They also need to show a negative Covid-19 test result using the PCR method within 72 hours before departure.
Leading German politicians call for resistance against Trump policies

Leading German politicians on Tuesday called for resistance against the politics of US President Donald Trump in the wake of a G7 summit that failed to produce a unanimous agreement on climate change.

GALLERY

"The times when we could fully rely on others are to a certain extent over," she said at an event in Munich.

Berlin (dpa) - It is "the order of the day to oppose this man with everything that we stand for," Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz, who is challenging Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germanys September election, said at a party event.At the G7 summit in Taormina, Italy over the weekend, Trump announced that it would take more time to say whether the US is going to renege on a Paris climate accord that limits greenhouse gas emissions."Those who do not oppose these US policies will become complicit," Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who also serves as Merkels deputy, told Rheinische Post newspaper on Tuesday."Whose who accelerate climate change through less environmental protection, sell more weapons in conflict zones, and have no interest in solving religious conflicts through diplomacy, are endangering peace in Europe," he said.The comments come after Merkel acknowledged in the wake of the G7 summit that Trumps presidency had upended Europes traditional alliance with the US."The times when we could fully rely on others are to a certain extent over," she said at an event in Munich.
Xi calls for joint efforts with Singapore on post-pandemic development

Xinhua) 09:13, October 16, 2021

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China and Singapore should work jointly to address the new task of post-pandemic development.

During his phone conversation with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Xi said that the current socio-economic development of both countries and the bilateral relations are standing at a new starting point in history.

Both sides should set store by the well-being of the two peoples as well as the prosperity and development of the region, and jointly address the new task of post-pandemic development so as to continue offering the people satisfactory results, Xi said.

As close neighbors and partners, China and Singapore understand and trust each other politically, advance with the times in cooperation, and learn from each other through exchanges, Xi said.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have helped each other and taken on the challenge in solidarity, and have pushed forward bilateral cooperation against the odds, which has demonstrated the vitality and resilience of China-Singapore relations, he noted.

China, he added, is ready to work with Singapore to keep high-level exchanges and strategic communication, strengthen joint prevention and control, resume personnel exchanges in a prudent and orderly manner, deepen cooperation in such fields as research and development of vaccines and drugs, and nurture new pacesetters of cooperation in digital economy and green sustainable development among other areas.

China welcomes the Singaporean side to get deeply involved in China's process of fostering a new development pattern, so as to continuously lift the quality and level of bilateral cooperation, he said.

Meanwhile, Xi stressed that against the backdrop of profound changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the international community, especially developing countries, are facing multiple challenges.

China and Singapore have common ideas and shared interests on the major issue of safeguarding multilateralism and achieving common development, he noted.

China, he said, is willing to work with Singapore to strengthen multilateral cooperation, build a global community of development with a shared future, and enable the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to take effect as scheduled, so as to inject impetus into regional and even global economic recovery.

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said China is ready to work with Singapore and other ASEAN countries to push forward the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

For his part, Lee extended congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and once again on the centenary of the Communist Party of China.

Despite great changes in the international situation, Singapore-China relations have always maintained a sound momentum of development, he said.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore and China have cooperated closely and supported each other, with bilateral trade growing significantly against headwinds, and Belt and Road cooperation and the construction of the new land-sea corridor making remarkable achievements, he added.

Singapore, he said, hopes to work with China to maintain personnel exchanges, tap into the potential to expand practical cooperation in such fields as digital economy, green development, green finance and climate change.

Singapore is ready to work with China to successfully carry out activities celebrating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, and advance ASEAN-China relations for more tangible outcomes, so as to bring more benefits to the people in the region, Lee added.

Singapore welcomes and supports China's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will contribute to regional prosperity and development, he said.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
China to further enhance human rights protection: officials

Xinhua) 11:15, October 16, 2021

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has made great progress in terms of human rights protection, and the Communist Party of China (CPC) will continue its efforts in advancing the cause of human rights, officials said Friday at a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of the country's first white paper on human rights, "Human Rights in China."

Over 70 people, including officials, representatives from grass-roots organs, scholars and experts, attended the symposium, which was held by China's State Council Information Office.

The white paper is a significant milestone in the cause of human rights in China, said Jiang Jianguo, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Noting the great achievements of respecting and protecting human rights made by the CPC over the past 100 years, Jiang stressed efforts to further uphold a people-centered development philosophy and enhance human rights protection.

Li Ning, deputy head of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said that China's legislative work has seen continuous progress over the past years to better safeguard people's economic, social and cultural rights.

China fulfills its international human rights obligations and conducts extensive international cooperation on human rights, said Li Xiaomei, special representative for human rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
China honors model military veteran

Xinhua) 13:39, October 16, 2021

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen individuals and two groups selected from China's retired military personnel have been honored for their contributions to the country's development.

Officials from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission presented them with certificates of "the most beautiful veterans" at a ceremony on Friday.

The authorities also released their heroic stories of promoting rural vitalization, fighting COVID-19 and guarding the country's borders, among other endeavors.

The annual selection of model military veterans was launched in 2018 to express respect for military personnel and recognize their contributions to peacetime development.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
Foreign trade of China's Hunan on the upswing

Xinhua) 13:40, October 16, 2021

CHANGSHA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The imports and exports of central China's Hunan Province increased to 425.1 billion yuan (about 66 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of 2021, an increase of 28.4 percent year on year, according to Changsha Customs.

Data showed that from January to September, Hunan's exports reached 293.3 billion yuan, up 34.9 percent, while imports stood at 131.8 billion yuan, an increase of 16 percent.

During the period, private enterprises were the main force that promoted the growth of foreign trade, with rise in the export of mechanical, electrical and labor-intensive products, while soybeans and iron ore saw a significant increase in import.

The province saw its trade with countries along the Belt and Road amount to 122.8 billion yuan in the first nine months of this year, rising 19.8 percent year on year.

From January to September, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remained the largest trading partner of Hunan, posting a trade volume of 66.9 billion yuan, up 19.3 percent year on year. Meanwhile, bilateral trade volume with the United States soared 96.6 percent to 61 billion yuan.

The Customs said that the growth of foreign trade of Hunan was due to a series of supporting polices rolled out by the provincial government.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
(COP15) COP15 holds sub-forum on ecological civilization of Qinghai-Tibet plateau

Xinhua) 13:46, October 16, 2021

KUNMING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) held a sub-forum themed ecological civilization and security of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau on Friday.

About 120 experts and scholars from home and abroad participated in the forum online and offline.

Yao Tandong, chief scientist of China's second comprehensive scientific expedition to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, called for efforts to promote the protection and restoration of the Earth system by integrating mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grass and glaciers in his speech.

Also at the forum, the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) released a report on the innovation and development of the Belt and Road, covering research results including joint efforts to combat COVID-19, green development and food security.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is known as "the roof of the world." As Tibet has a vital role to play in ensuring China's ecological security, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the region's ecological and environmental protection.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
Representatives attend plenary session of 2nd United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference

Xinhua) 14:11, October 16, 2021

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa addresses the plenary session via video during the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference held in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2021. The three-day conference, from Thursday to Saturday, underscores the importance of sustainable transport to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Representatives from 171 countries gathered online and in person for the event. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
China donates COVID-19 vaccines to Burundi

Xinhua) 14:22, October 16, 2021

Workers convey China-aided COVID-19 vaccines at an airport in Bujumbura, Burundi, Oct. 14, 2021. China has offered 500,000 Sinopharm doses of COVID-19 vaccines to help Burundi fight the pandemic. (Photo by Evrard Ngendakumana/Xinhua)

BUJUMBURA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has offered 500,000 Sinopharm doses of COVID-19 vaccines to help Burundi fight the pandemic.

The handover ceremony took place Thursday at the office of the Extended Vaccination Program in Mukaza district in the commercial capital Bujumbura. Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhao Jiangping and Burundian officials including Health Minister Thaddee Ndikumana attended the ceremony.

"This donation proves the existence of traditional cooperation between Burundi and China. We had asked for a donation of COVID-19 vaccines from China. Today the donation has reached us. We are grateful," said Thaddee Ndikumana in his speech during the ceremony.

"Since January 2020, China donated medical equipment for the prevention and the fight against the pandemic, mainly protective kits and the screening equipment for coronavirus," said Ndikumana.

Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhao Jiangping said the donation testified to the friendship between the two countries.

"After the outbreak of the pandemic, China and Burundi tried their best to combat the pandemic together. China was among the first countries that donated medical equipment to prevent and fight COVID-19," said Zhao.

She underlined that China will remain on Burundi's side in the fight against the pandemic.

Earlier this week, Ndikumana told a press conference that beneficiaries of COVID-19 vaccines will be older people, health agents, travelers and anyone who will "voluntarily" express the need to be vaccinated.

Each person who will request to receive the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine will receive two doses in order to boost the immunity against the pandemic, said Ndikumana.

Burundi has been battling against new cases in the Bujumbura municipality and in the northern provinces of Ngozi and Kirundo.

Since Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye took office in June 2020, the government has stepped up measures against COVID-19, including the mass screening campaign and reducing the price of soap with government subsidies.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
China becomes Ireland's 4th largest source of imported goods in 1st 8 months

Xinhua) 15:10, October 16, 2021

DUBLIN, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China replaced Germany to be the fourth largest source of imported goods for Ireland in the first eight months of this year, according to the data released by Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Friday.

In the January-August period, Ireland imported a total of 4.81 billion euros (about 5.58 billion U.S. dollars) worth of goods from China, making the Asian country the fourth largest trade partner of Ireland in terms of imports, showed the CSO figures.

The three biggest sources of imported goods for Ireland in the period were the United States (10.09 billion euros), Britain (9.77 billion euros) and France (6.69 billion euros). Germany, which was the fourth largest source during the same period last year, came fifth with 4.71 billion euros this year.

The CSO figures also showed that China maintained its position as the fifth-largest export market for Ireland in the first eight months of the year. Ireland exported 7.65 billion euros worth of goods to China during the period, ranking after the United States (33.11 billion euros), Germany (12.21 billion euros), Britain (11.41 billion euros) and Belgium (8.36 billion euros).

In the January-August period, Ireland imported a total of 63.21 billion euros worth of goods, up 15.79 percent over a year ago, while its total value of exported goods was 106.95 billion euros, down 1.51 percent year-on-year, according to CSO figures. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji)
Chinese and Russian warships transit simulated mined sea area during the naval exercise Joint Sea-2021 on the morning of October 15. The China-Russia joint naval exercise kicked off in waters near Russia's Peter the Great Bay on the afternoon of October 14, which focused on such training subjects as communications, mine countermeasures, air defense, live-fire shooting at maritime targets, joint maneuvering and joint anti-submarine missions. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Sun Jingang)
The Suwon District Court on Thursday cleared Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung of abuse of power for ordering his now-dead older brother to be sectioned in a mental hospital, spreading fake news during election campaigns and other offences.

The court accepted that Lee repeatedly prodded public health officials to have his brother sectioned but found no abuse of authority although the process" was pursued rather aggressively." It also ruled that there was no evidence that Lee knew the information he was disseminating was false.

The trial drew nationwide attention since it was widely viewed as a verdict on Lee's political career. Lee was hotly tipped as a future presidential contender before a series of scandals engulfed him to taint his squeaky-clean image.

The case will now go to appeal.

Prosecutors earlier dropped charges against Lee's wife for opinion-rigging in the runup to the last presidential primary of the Minjoo Party, but the cloud of an extramarital affair with actress Kim Bu-sun a decade ago still hangs over his head.
President Joe Biden has made the government's cybersecurity response a top priority for the most senior levels of his administration following a series of attacks this year that threatened to destabilize U.S. energy and food supplies.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the average amount of reported ransomware transactions per month in 2021 was $102.3 million, with REvil/Sodinokibi, Conti, DarkSide, Avaddon, and Phobos the most prevalent ransomware strains reported.

Suspected ransomware payments totaling US$590 million were made in the first six months of this year, more than the $416 million reported for all of 2020, U.S. authorities said on Friday, as Washington put the cryptocurrency industry on alert about its role in combating ransomware attacks.

 Avoiding U.S. Sanctions

Seeking to stop the use of cryptocurrencies in the payment of ransomware demands, Treasury told members of the crypto community they are responsible for making sure they do not directly or indirectly help facilitate deals prohibited by U.S. sanctions.

Its new guidance said the industry plays an increasingly critical role in preventing those blacklisted from exploiting cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions. "Treasury is helping to stop ransomware attacks by making it difficult for criminals to profit from their crimes, but we need partners in the private sector to help prevent this illicit activity," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.

The new guidance also advised cryptocurrency exchanges to use geolocation tools to block access from countries under U.S. sanctions. Hackers use ransomware to take down systems that control everything from hospital billing to manufacturing. They stop only after receiving hefty payments, typically in cryptocurrency.

 Large Scale Hacks

This year, gangs have hit numerous U.S. companies in large scale hacks. One such attack on pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline led to temporary fuel supply shortages on the U.S. East Coast. Hackers also targeted an Iowa-based agricultural company, sparking fears of disruptions to grain harvesting in the Midwest.

The Biden administration last month unveiled sanctions against cryptocurrency exchange Suex OTC, S.R.O. over its alleged role in enabling illegal payments from ransomware attacks, officials said, in the Treasury's first such move against a cyptocurrency exchange over ransomware activity.
The White House said Friday it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign nationals effective Nov. 8, ending historic restrictions that barred much of the world from the United States.

Restrictions on non-U.S. citizens were first imposed on air travelers from China in January 2020 by then-President Donald Trump and later extended to dozens of other countries, without any clear metrics for how and when to lift them. Curbs on non-essential travelers at land borders with Mexico and Canada have been in place since March 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. airline, hotel and cruise industry stocks rose on Friday's news, including American Airlines, up 1.9 percent; Marriott International, up 2.2 percent; and Carnival, up 1.3 percent.

The United States had lagged many other countries in lifting such restrictions, and allies welcomed the move. The U.S. restrictions have barred travelers from most of the world, including tens of thousands of foreign nationals with relatives or business links in the United States.

The White House on Tuesday announced it would lift restrictions at its land borders and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico for fully vaccinated foreign nationals in early November. They are similar but not identical to requirements announced last month for international air travelers.

Unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from entering the United States from Canada or Mexico at land borders. Canada on Aug. 9 began allowing fully vaccinated U.S. visitors for non-essential travel.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 67F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.
Woburn, MA (01801)

Today

A few showers this morning with mostly sunny conditions during the afternoon hours. High 48F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low 28F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Recent Developments in the Cyprus Problem

Note: Following are links to articles and web pages which have been published on other WWW sites, not related to HR-Net. Availability of Articles.

Cyprus, Turkey, and the EU expansion (December 9-18, 1997)



Associated Press Turkish Cypriot leader crosses into Greek-controlled south Cyprus for first time in 27 years (12/29/2001 16:01)

ClariNet-AFP Arab warn Israel-Palestinian truce to collapse unless observers deployed (Mon, 18 Jun 2001 12:50:07 PDT)

BBC BBC News | Europe | Hopes for talks over Cyprus (Feb 28)

ClariNet- AFP Turkish troops threaten to shoot Greek reporters in divided Cyprus (Mon, 18 Dec 2000 10:00:22 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Turkish Cypriot parliament backs Denktash's boycott of peace talks (Sat, 16 Dec 2000 16:20:09 PST)

Reuters No talks unless Turkish Cyprus recognised-Denktash (16 Dec 00)

Reuters UPDATE 1-U.S. urges Denktash to attend Cyprus talks (14 Dec 00)

Reuters U.S. urges Denktash to attend Cyprus talks (14 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP British and UN troops increase patrols after arrest of Greek Cypriot (Thu, 14 Dec 2000 16:10:14 PST)

Reuters State Department cautions Turkish Cypriot leader (14 Dec 00)

Reuters Ankara promises $300mln in aid to northern Cyprus (14 Dec 00)

Reuters Denktash blasts U.N. renewal of forces on Cyprus (14 Dec 00)

Reuters INTERVIEW-Turkey's EU vow on Cyprus put to the test-Clerides (14 Dec 00)

ClariNet- AFP Denktash threatens new restrictions on UN troops in northern Cyprus (Thu, 14 Dec 2000 9:20:14 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Ankara launches three-year aid plan to strengthen Turkish Cyprus (Thu, 14 Dec 2000 7:30:08 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Denktash threatens new restrictions on UN peacekeepers in northern Cyprus (Thu, 14 Dec 2000 6:40:20 PST)

Reuters UN Council renews Cyprus force amid lingering row (13 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Greek Cypriot arrested in Turkish-occupied north on drug charges (Wed, 13 Dec 2000 10:50:52 PST)

Reuters Greek Cypriot held after dispute over Turk arrest (13 Dec 00)

Reuters UN official still has hope for new Cyprus talks (11 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Cyprus happy with EU summit reference to island (Mon, 11 Dec 2000 10:00:15 PST)

Reuters New uprising erodes settler security, morale-Fatah (09 Dec 00)

Reuters UPDATE 3-EU reform summit opens amid street violence (07 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Turkish radio banned for 180 days for insulting Denktash (Thu, 7 Dec 2000 8:20:18 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Denktash refuses to cooperate with UN force in Cyprus (Wed, 6 Dec 2000 8:30:14 PST)

Reuters UN may call Cypriots in to settle peacekeeping row (06 Dec 00)

Reuters Annan recommends renewal of U.N. force in Cyprus (05 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Annan recommends extension of UN force on Cyprus (Tue, 5 Dec 2000 18:00:17 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Cyprus peace talks still alive despite Turkish Cypriot leader: UN (Tue, 5 Dec 2000 11:40:17 PST)

Reuters UN Cyprus envoy says talks invitation still stands (05 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Greece hails EU-Turkey accord as "step forward" (Tue, 5 Dec 2000 8:50:15 PST)

ClariNet- AFP Turkish Cypriot government orders end of strike in crucial sectors (Tue, 5 Dec 2000 6:20:31 PST)

Reuters Denktash sees end for U.N.-sponsored Cyprus talks (04 Dec 00)

Reuters Greece vows to help rival Turkey join EU (04 Dec 00)

ClariNet- AFP Greek Cypriot government condemns Turkish side rejection of talks (Mon, 4 Dec 2000 14:00:13 PST)

Reuters UPDATE 1-EU ministers reach deal on enlargement, Turkey (04 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Turkish Cypriot leader to shun UN-mediated talks (Mon, 4 Dec 2000 13:20:15 PST)

ClariNet-AP U.S. Picks Its Bosnia Peakeepers (Mon, 4 Dec 2000 10:40:02 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Turkish Cypriot leader to shun UN-mediated talks (Mon, 4 Dec 2000 10:30:18 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Turkish Cypriot leader to shun UN-mediated talks (Mon, 4 Dec 2000 9:50:20 PST)

Reuters EU foreign ministers hold last pre-Nice meeting (04 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Strike paralyses Turkish side of Cyprus (Mon, 4 Dec 2000 6:20:31 PST)

ClariNet-AFP Sixty Lebanese sentenced for "collaboration with Israel" (Sat, 2 Dec 2000 7:30:06 PST)

Reuters U.N. envoy De Soto in Cyprus to promote talks (03 Dec 00)

ClariNet-AFP Hope for new round of Cyprus talks: US ambassador (Sat, 2 Dec 2000 16:10:07 PST)

ClariNet-AFP UN envoy hopeful over jeopardized Cyprus peace talks (Sat, 2 Dec 2000 6:50:04 PST)

ClariNet-AFP UN will not modify Cyprus solution proposals, says envoy (Fri, 1 Dec 2000 6:30:15 PST)

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King County, Washington is the hub of gun control extremism in the Pacific Northwest and by no small coincidence, according to new violent crime data released by County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg's office, it is also seeing a "sharp spike" in gun-related violence.

Almost immediately after the announcement, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, which is headquartered in King County, came out swinging.

"Nothing more clearly illustrates gun control's lack of success than the situation in King County," noted CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. "It is reflective of the national trend revealed in the FBI Uniform Crime Report for 2020, showing murders up by 30 percent nationwide. If restricting the gun rights of law-abiding citizens worked, this should not be the case."

He took a swipe at the Seattle-based and billionaire-backed gun prohibition lobby which has pushed through two restrictive gun control initiatives since 2014.

"Let's look at the embarrassing data," Gottlieb said in a prepared statement. "According to the report, this year's 73 gun-related homicides in King County so far have already surpassed last year's total of 69, and there are still more than two months to go in 2021. Last year Seattle saw 52 murders, and the year before that there were 35. Seattle's gun tax took effect in 2016, and that year the city reported just 19 murders."

He reminded the media that anti-gun Initiative 594, mandating so-called "universal background checks" on all firearms transfers in Washington State, was passed in 2014. .....
Christopher Walken has insisted he didn't come "remotely close" to landing the role of Han Solo in the 'Star Wars' franchise.

Harrison Ford, 79, first portrayed the fan-favourite space smuggler in the original trilogy starting with 1977's 'Episode IV: A New Hope'.

And the 78-year-old Oscar-winner has insisted he wasn't director George Lucas' second choice for the part in the blockbuster sci-fi franchise.

In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, he said: I did audition [for Star Wars] but I dont think I came remotely close to getting the job.

About 500 other actors auditioned, so it wasnt as if it was down to me and somebody else.

The 'Deer Hunter' star also auditioned for Ryan O'Neal's role of Oliver Barrett IV in the 1970 flick 'Love Story', but admitted he wasn't the man for either of the movies.

Christopher added: I was lucky [to have been rejected from both films] because Id have been awful in them."

Meanwhile, Stephen Merchant recently revealed he flew to the US to meet the 'Annie Hall' star because he wanted him to play a role in 'The Outlaws'.

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The co-creator of 'The Office', 46, had to take the drastic measure to convince Christopher, who has no mobile phone or email address, to be in his BBC One series.

He said: "Chris doesnt use phones and he doesnt have a computer, so it was a bit hard to contact him. I ended up having this very glamorous weekend where I went to Los Angeles to go to the SAG Awards for that film 'Jojo Rabbit'.

"On the way back, someone said, Chris can see you on your way home.'

"So I flew from this glamorous award ceremony to New York, and then drove up to Connecticut, and met Chris at his house. We spent hours just chewing the fat and the next thing I knew he agreed to do it."

Christopher plays the role of unreformed con-artist and womaniser Frank in the drama, which centres a group of lawbreakers in Bristol who are thrown together to complete a community service sentence.

Stephen - who wrote the script and directed the series - took on the role of Greg, a lawyer who is caught soliciting in a car park.

The series will air on BBC One later this year and will also be available on Amazon Prime Video.
Press Release

October 15, 2021 Dela Rosa stresses bona fide intent to run for president, ready for one big fight PRESIDENTIAL candidate and incumbent Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa reiterated his sincerity in his candidacy to become the next president of the Philippines, as he promised opponents a "one big fight." Dela Rosa, the standard-bearer of the ruling party PDP-Laban in the May 2022 elections, stated this when he was told in an online interview that an unnamed election lawyer allegedly said that the senator could be declared a nuisance candidate because he had stated his willingness to back out from the presidential race if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio decides to run for president. "[Kung] sabihin ba niya, 'yung nuisance candidate ba ay hindi nagpapakita ng sinseridad sa kanyang pagtakbo?Hindi ba ako sincere sa aking pagtakbo ngayon? I'm very sincere, but I'm open as a team player," the PDP-Laban standard-bearer said on Wednesday. "I am open to any changes that may happen before November 15. Pero kung sinseridad ang tinatanong niya, sabihan mo 'yang election lawyer na 'yan, 'Come here and open my heart. Tingnan mo ang nasa loob ng puso ko kung hindi ko ba gustong maging Pangulo ng ating bansa. Tingnan mo, you scrutinize my heart kung nagdududa ka sa aking sinseridad.' Sabihan mo 'yang election lawyer na 'yan," the senator added. November 15 is the deadline for the substitution of candidates in the May 2022 elections. For his part, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez clarified recently that merely declaring willingness to be substituted in the election does not make one a nuisance candidate. "A mere declaration to the contrary wouldn't, in my opinion, be sufficient to overcome the intention to run which is manifested in the verified COC (certificate of candidacy),"Jimenez said. The Mindanaoan Senator said that he might be considered an underdog given that he had the shortest time to prepare and was the last to declare his candidacy, but he will carry on and give his opponents "a one big fight." "We are in for a one big fight at lalaban po ako. Hindi po ako aatras. Wala pa akong inatrasan na laban...at tuluy-tuloy po ito. Kahit na sabihin mong underdog tayo, I still promise to give them a one big fight. One good fight." Dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police, ran and won in the 2019 senatorial election where he garnered 19 million votes and ranked fifth.
Press Release

October 16, 2021 De Lima pays tribute anew to Gascon, says he was one of her staunchest, most dependable defenders Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima shared that she will always be grateful to the late Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Chito Gascon for being one her staunchest and most constant and dependable defenders. In her tribute for Gascon entitled "A Farewell to My Colleague, My Friend, My Defender," read on her behalf by her Chief of Staff, Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali, via a video recording that was played during the separate necrological services held by the Commission on Human Rights and the Liberal Party, both held on 15 October 2021, De Lima said she is honored to have met, worked with, and been on the receiving end of Gascon's compassion for human rights victims and commitment to human rights advocacy. "On a personal note, kung meron mang silver lining sa mga pinagdaanan natin nitong mga nakaraang taon, it is that I got to know Chito on a more personal level, not as a fellow human rights advocate, but as a victim and one of my staunchest and most constant and dependable defenders," she said. As one of the critics of the rampant extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses under the current administration, Gascon, like De Lima, had been on the receiving end of attacks from Duterte in the last five years. While one can spend years speaking about defending human rights, and advocating for justice for victims, De Lima maintained that nothing can ever prepare someone "for being a victim yourself." "The helplessness is real, no matter how strong you think yourself to be. Panghihinaan ka talaga ng loob, and in those times, strength not only comes from within, but also from those who are there to help," she shared. "And Chito was there for me. A defender and a victim, yes, but fellow human rights advocates from beginning to end," she added. De Lima said she thanks Gascon for being one of those who continued to see her as a fighter, and not just a survivor of abuse. "He was there for me because he knew that I was an innocent victim of political reprisal and persecution, owing much to my own work as a human rights advocate," she said. "He helped keep my story alive in the minds of allies here and abroad. He acted as my de facto ambassador in various international fora (acting as advocate and co-champion), such as UN, and NGOs based mostly in Geneva, New York/Washington, and Brussels (EU HQ)." "He told not just my own story of victimization, but also the root cause of it as a defender of human rights, rule of law and democracy. Hindi n'ya nakakalimutan kung bakit ako napadpad sa PNP Custodial Center nitong huling apat at kalahating taon. He fought for me as a victim, and as a defender," she added. The former Justice Secretary and Gascon have worked together in the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Judicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances established under AO 35. They have also worked, traveled and represented the Philippines together as part of the Official Delegation for the 2012 Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which De Lima was assigned to lead. Recently, De Lima filed Proposed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 932 honoring Gascon for his invaluable contributions in upholding, protecting and promoting human rights exemplified by his crusade to stand for the sanctity of justice and human rights even amid rising threats of repression.
Press Release

October 16, 2021 Gordon welcomes 3 presidential bets' support for his 2022 Senate bid Senator Richard J. Gordon today welcomed his inclusion as an official common candidate in the respective senatorial slates of three presidential candidates in his bid for a second term in the Senate this upcoming election on May 9, 2022. Gordon, who chairs the Bagumbayan - Volunteers for New Philippines (BVNP), said he is grateful for the endorsement of presidential candidates, Vice President Leni Robredo and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, for his re-election bid. "I am grateful to Vice President Robredo, Senators Lacson and Pacquiao for choosing us to be part of their senatorial line-up. Clearly, this is an expression of their confidence and trust to our no-nonsense brand of leadership," he said. "It is also a strong proof that they acknowledge the hardwork we do at the Senate, especially our relentless fight against government corruption despite the incessant attacks hurled against him for doing his sworn duty," he added. Gordon, a lawyer by profession, chairs three committees in the Senate - the Committees on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (blue ribbon), on Justice and Human Rights, and on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. Robredo called Gordon as a key ally in the fight against corruption, the latest is the Senate probe on the alleged anomalous deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical, an upstart company with links to former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang. Due to his probing way of ferreting out the truth during Senate investigations, Gordon had been on the receiving end of brazen public attacks led by Mr. Duterte himself and his minions and paid trolls. His inquiries did not go unnoticed as Gordon's recommendations in previous Senate Blue Ribbon investigations against the customs and immigration bureaus have led in the filing of charges of numerous former government officials and employees. "Malinaw na hindi siya mananahimik laban sa kurapsyon," said Robredo, who introduced Gordon as the first senatorial candidate to add up to her earlier list of senatorial team. "Matapang siyang sumasangga at nangunguna sa imbestigasyon ukol sa bilyong-bilyong pisong pondo ng gobyerno na napunta sa kwestiyonableng mga kontrata habang milyon-milyong Pilipino ang nag-aabang ng ayuda," she added. Various personalities have likewise conveyed support for Gordon in his senate bid such as Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law Dean Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, also a television and radio presenter, who said in a social media post that Gordon is the "most experienced" among the senatorial candidates. Early this week, Senators Lacson and Pacquiao have also named Gordon in their respective senatorial slates. The three lawmakers have worked together during the 17th and 18th Congress. Gordon, who is also a volunteer chairman of the Philippine Red Cross since 2004, said he believes that the endorsement of three presidential candidates can further boost his opportunities of serving the Filipinos more and better. "Sa tulong ng ating mga kababayan, ang ating adhikain laban sa katiwalian ay magpapatuloy. Tayo ay gagawa ng mas maraming batas at imbestigasyon upang makapagbigay-ginhawa sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino," he said. As a veteran lawmaker, Gordon has filed 116 Senate resolutions and 146 bills, 48 of which have become law. While in the Senate, he brought with him his rich experiences as former mayor of Olongapo City (1980-1986, 1988-1993), former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (1992-1998), and former tourism secretary (2001-2004).
Press Release

October 16, 2021 Lacson Bares Return of 'Kotong' Amid Pandemic More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-bares-return-of-kotong-amid-pandemic From cash to a cut of one's fruits and vegetables: This is how "kotong" has evolved amid the pandemic, with corrupt policemen now giving vendors in Divisoria a list of items they should fork over. Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson disclosed this on Saturday, citing a conversation he had with vendors selling wares in Manila's Divisoria commercial district. "Ngayon daw iba na. Ang pulis, for some reason, may listahan na bawa't pondohan sa lugar na pinagtitindahan. Listahan na binibigay. Ito dapat inyong ibigay, gulay, prutas, paninda. Balik na naman tayo. Day-to-day corruption (Kotong is back but in a different form. For some reason, police now present vendors with a list of items they should give them, such as a cut of the fruits, vegetables or whatever they are sending)," Lacson, who had eradicated the kotong culture in the Philippine National Police when he headed it from 1999 to 2001, said in an interview on DZRH radio. He said the answer to this should not only be punishment for the erring policemen, but also leadership by example - which he was credited for in reforming the PNP. During his stint as PNP chief, Lacson said vegetable traders transporting their goods from La Trinidad in Benguet to Divisoria or Balintawak had to shell out P1,000 to "kotong cops." When Lacson kicked out these rogues from the service, this resulted in savings for the vendors, who no longer had to charge extra for their vegetables just so they can meet the "quota" from the extorting policemen. "Subliminal na ama ko naging jeepney driver pero hindi yan ang top reason ko to go after kotong (It might be subliminal that my late father was a jeepney driver. But that is not the top reason for me to go after kotong cops)," he said. Lacson said this day-to-day corruption as shown by the return of "kotong" is one reason why the government and the public cannot turn a blind eye to corruption. On the other hand, Lacson said corruption is also harming our teachers through the poor implementation of distribution of government subsidies for them. He added the government may need to tweak its microfinancing program for teachers, so they would not resort to borrowing money from loan sharks - to the point of pawning their salary ATM cards. Lacson said this is why he and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III had agreed to practice leadership by example should they win the 2022 elections. "This we commit ourselves, we reached this point in our lives. The only selfish motive remaining in our bones is to leave a good legacy," he said.
Press Release

October 16, 2021 Lacson Pushes Emergency Employment, Local Food Terminals to Help Address Joblessness More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-pushes-emergency-employment-local-food-terminals-to-help-address-joblessness The government should prioritize setting up an emergency employment program and food terminals in each region to address the problem of joblessness, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday. Lacson said these are among the interim adjustments that the government must make to cope with the effects of the pandemic on our health and economy - while continuing to focus on controlling Covid and curbing corruption. "Kung interim, sa emergency employment, government internship. Or sa mga mas mataas ang qualification, pwedeng kausapin ang private sector na tanggapin sa internship program nila. Gamitin na ring opportunity sa pag-harness ng kanilang skills (In the interim, we can have an emergency employment program where graduates and undergraduates undergo internship in government offices. The government can also tap the private sector to take graduates and undergraduates with higher qualifications. This will also give the public and private agencies the opportunities to harness the graduates and undergraduates' skills)," he said in an interview on DZRH radio. He said this approach will not only harness the skills of young Filipinos, but use the internship program as an opportunity for skills training while continuously making adjustments in the government's response to control Covid-19. "We cannot effectively address joblessness due to the closure of businesses amid the pandemic, if we don't reopen the economy," Lacson pointed out. Meanwhile, Lacson also pushed for the setting up local food terminals in each island group or region, to help farmers and boat operators who lost their livelihood due to the pandemic. "Ang food terminal natin sa Taguig napakalaki, almost barren ang lupa. Hindi ba pwedeng mag-create sa bawa't island group may food terminal? Bawa't region may food terminal (Our food terminal in Taguig is big but its land is almost barren. We can create a food terminal for each island group or region)," he said. This can be complemented by government providing farmers with inputs such as seeds, fertilizer and irrigation. Lacson was one of the main authors of what is now the Free Irrigation Law - even as he lamented only two-thirds of the three to four million hectares of land in the Philippines has enough irrigation. But Lacson maintained all these should also go hand in hand with ongoing efforts to control Covid, as well as curb corruption. The government should also avoid overregulation of the private sector while implementing budget reform to prioritize research and development and the use of information and communications technology. He said that while farmers may need two to three years to feel the benefits of government subsidies, they may not get to feel it at all due to corruption. "Ang overarching dito, talaga kailangan ayusin ang Covid response natin kasi napakasama. Babalik tayo sa No. 1 problem sa ating bansa which is corruption. Ang binibiling palay nakikinabang ang importers, karamihan di natin kababayan, ito ang pumapatay sa ating magsasaka (The overarching theme is that we must refine our Covid response because it is simply bad. We go back to our No. 1 problem, corruption. We import rice but only importers - most of whom are not Filipinos - benefit at the expense of our farmers)," he said. Lacson pointed out the problem is not limited to rice importation, with the Philippines having become a nation of imported goods instead of maximizing its food production capabilities through agriculture. "We are a nation of imported goods. Instead of maximizing our food production through agriculture, warehousing and processing and marketing, we are fixated on importing even food items that our farmers and scientists and researchers are capable of mass producing," he said.
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[October 15, 2021] TD SYNNEX Earns the Microsoft Business Applications 2021-2022 Inner Circle Award FREMONT, Calif. & CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TD SYNNEX, a global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem announced their legacy company, Tech Data, has won the prestigious Microsoft Business Applications 2021-2022 Inner Circle award, an honor reserved for the top 1% echelon of Microsoft Business Application Partners worldwide. Membership in this elite group is based on sales achievements and performance with a high standard of excellence by delivering solutions that help organizations transform and accelerate their success. "We are fortunate to have a strategic partner in Microsoft who recognizes the value our combined efforts bring to the Business Application partner eco-system," said Sergio Farache, chief strategy officer, TD SYNNEX. "In partnership with Microsoft, TD SYNNEX is passionate about providing vertical industry expertise, innovation, repeatable value-added solutions and services around the Business Application and Power Platform cloud stack to our global community of customers as they undergo a fundamental digital transformation" "In a year of deep business transformation for every company and every industry on the planet, it is extremely rewarding to be able to recognize Microsoft Business Applications partners from every corner of the world that accelerated our joint customers' digital transformation and drove unsurpassed customer success," said Cecilia Flombaum, Microsoft Business Applications Ecosystem Lead. "Our Inner Circle members are chosen based on their business performance as well as capabilities as an organization, whether that's creating IP, developing solutions, or having an industry leading focus on digital transformation. Microsoft is honored to recognize TD SYNNEX for their achievements this past year, their dedication to our customers, and their innovation around the Microoft Cloud." About TD SYNNEX?

TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) is a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT?ecosystem. We're an innovative partner helping more than 150,000 customers in 100+ countries to maximize the value of technology investments, demonstrate business outcomes and unlock growth opportunities. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Fremont, California, TD SYNNEX' 22,000 co-workers are dedicated to uniting compelling IT products, services and solutions from 1,500+ best-in-class technology vendors. Our edge-to-cloud portfolio is anchored in some of the highest-growth technology segments including cloud, cybersecurity, big data/analytics, IoT, mobility and everything as a service. TD SYNNEX is committed to serving customers and communities, and we believe we can have a positive impact on our people and our planet, intentionally acting as a respected corporate citizen. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive employer of choice for talent across the IT ecosystem. For more information, visit? www.TDSYNNEX.com ?or follow us on? Twitter ,? LinkedIn ,? Facebook ?and? Instagram .?? Safe Harbor Statement?

Statements in this news release that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release.?The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release.?  2021 SYNNEX Corporation.? TD SYNNEX, the TD SYNNEX Logo, and all other TD SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation.? Other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.? Media?Contacts??

Robyn?Itule??

Director?of?Communications,?Americas??

(727) 275-5236??

Robyn.Itule@techdata.com? ? View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/td-synnex-earns-the-microsoft-business-applications-2021-2022-inner-circle-award-301401515.html SOURCE TD SYNNEX

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It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the sudden passing of our best friend, beloved father, brother and uncle, Thomas Edward Wettengel, on October 11, 2021, at his home in California, Maryland.



Tommy was born to Constance Walker Wettengel and Edmund Weston Wettengel, Jr. on October 25, 1963, in Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. As Tommy grew up, he chose to spend his life and raise his family in St. Mary's County.



Tommy is survived by his son, Jeffrey Wettengel (fiancee Caroline); his daughter, Christina Seeley (Tim); his brother Michael Wettengel (Teena); his sister Cindy Greb (fiance Tim); his nieces and nephews Bryan, Kelsey (Frankie), Bradley, Ben (fiancee Jacki), Samantha, and Alexandra; and so many wonderful friends and family.



Tommy graduated from Great Mills High School in 1981 and spent much of his life working with his family to help build the beautiful Wildewood Community - where so many families still call home. Tommy always took such pride in his work and always wanted to help create and build homes that he knew would stand the test of time.



Although Tommy spent most of his life in St. Mary's County, his life was full of adventures A from crabbing in a canoe with his brother when he was little to helping his son catch a world record blue marlin; from watching over his little sister to walking his beautiful daughter down the aisle; from building minibikes with his dad and brother to building and racing cars to restoring old cars with friends; from digging in the dirt to mastering every piece of heavy equipment he could; from starting a computer repair company in the 80s to designing and drawing beautiful custom homes; from hunting quail in Georgia to hunting checkered flags at Potomac Speedway in Budd's Creek, Maryland; from driving a little whaler in the Bay as a kid to helping charter sailboats and sportfishing boats across the ocean.



He loved his family, his community, and wanted to take care of everyone A from volunteering in his community to running on the Lexington Park Rescue Squad to helping tirelessly during and after natural disasters; from plowing roads during snowstorms to delivering water, food, and supplies to those stranded after hurricanes. Wherever he was in the world, he was always only a phone call away.



Tommy lived his life to the extreme A but it was the quiet moments he enjoyed most, soaking in his friends and family, watching the sunrise A wherever he was at the time.



In all of his life adventures the greatest of them all was watching and helping guide his two children as they grew into incredible adults. His love and pride for his children showed in everything he did. He made sure he was always there for them, he encouraged them in everything they did, and felt so privileged and honored that they called him dad.



Tommy had an infectious personality, smile, and warm heart A he was a combination of the best traits of everyone he knew. He was loving, kind, compassionate, encouraging, strong, funny, loyal, ambitious, daring, and had unwavering integrity and character. Tommy was everyone's "no matter what" A he would do anything for anyone, no matter what!



To our family & friends A carry him close to your hearts and do something kind and fun every day. To Jeff & Christina A thank you for bringing him the greatest of joy in his lifeA believe in yourselves and take care of each other. To Tommy A thank you for teaching us all how to love selflessly, work a little harder, and play a little moreA rest easy, we've got this.



The family will celebrate Tommy by hosting a reception on Sunday, October 31st from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the new outdoor Pavilion on the St. Mary's River at Historic St. Mary's City. In the event of inclement weather, the reception will be moved into the historic St. Mary's City State House (next to the Pavilion). We ask that if you are not able to attend but would like us to share a special story or memory, please send it to us and we will share it on the 31st. The Pavilion and State House are located at 1676 Old State House Road, St. Mary's City, MD 20686. Interment will be private.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680.




Nina Marie DiGregorio, 39, of Leonardtown, MD passed away on October 9, 2021.



She was born on August 13, 1982 to Denyse Marie (Tory) DiGregorio of Leonardtown, MD.



Nina attended T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA and then moved to Southern Maryland with her mother shortly after the birth of her daughter. She was employed in the grocery industry for most of her career, currently with Weis Markets as a Seafood Specialist. She took great pride in her work, keeping everything immaculate and always a fresh selection of seafood. She had many loyal customers who she shared tips for cooking seafood and various recipes. She took great pride in her work always striving for excellence. She was always improving store sales wherever she was assigned. She was a wicked baker and loved making Christmas Cookies. She was known for her chocolate chip cookies and monkey munch. She loved the beach, always vacationing in Ocean City. She had an extensive collection of horror movies and kept them alphabetized. She was an avid shot glass and hat collector. She was also a Minion aficionado! She was enchanted with the Egyptian Pantheon. Her other hobbies included going to dinner with her friends, she especially loved sushi and crabs; working out at SMAC Gym; getting tattoos; and going to her niece's softball games equipped with multiple varieties of sunflower seeds. She loved her pet dogs, Boog and Little Boy Blue. However, her greatest love was for her daughter, Aryah, whom she loved spending as much time as she could with, especially lunches out, long car rides, and road stops at Dunkin'.



In addition to her mother, Nina is also survived by her daughter, Aryah Fox of Mechanicsville, MD; sister, Taryn McGinty (William) of Lusby, MD; her nieces, Penelope McGinty, Denyse McGinty, Trinity McGinty, Evelyn McGinty; her step-father, Brian Hall; and many extended family and friends.



Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., with a Life Celebrated Service celebrated by Dana DiGregorio at 3:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be private.



Condolences may be made to the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.



Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.
Three Russian inhabitants of the International Space Station are preparing to depart for Earth on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the rest of the Expedition 65 crew worked on a variety of life science activities as well as important orbital plumbing duties on Friday.

Russia's Soyuz MS-18 crew ship will return to Earth just after midnight Eastern time on Sunday with Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and spaceflight participants Yulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko. They will undock from the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module on Saturday at 9:14 p.m. EDT. Next, they will soar through the atmosphere in the Soyuz descent module. Finally, the Soyuz parachutes will deploy above Kazakhstan bringing the trio to a safe landing at 12:36 a.m. Sunday (10:36 a.m. Kazakh time).

Novitskiy spent Friday wrapping up packing station hardware, science experiments and personal items inside the Soyuz vehicle. The three-time station resident from Roscosmos also tested the lower body negative pressure suit that may help him more quickly adjust to gravity after returning to Earth.

Meanwhile, science and maintenance continued as usual aboard the orbital lab. The crew members had a busy schedule on their hands today working on vein scans, orbital plumbing, and microbial analysis.

Station Commander Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) scanned the leg, neck and heart veins of Flight Engineer Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration during the morning using an ultrasound device. Doctors on the ground assisted the duo in real time for the Vascular Aging study that is exploring why astronaut's veins show accelerated aging characteristics after a long-term space mission.

NASA Flight Engineers Shane Kimbrough and Mark Vande Hei worked throughout the day configuring the station's new toilet located in the Tranquility module. Kimbrough also performed simulated robotic maneuvers for a cognition test, while Vande Hei worked on a CubeSat deployer before transferring cargo inside the Cygnus space freighter. NASA Flight Engineer Megan McArthur spent the afternoon inside the U.S. Quest airlock installing a deck panel.

Cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov partnered together for a microbial study in the station's Russian segment during the afternoon. The duo collected and stowed samples of microbes living on the station for further analysis.

At 5:02 a.m. EDT today, Russian flight controllers conducted a scheduled thruster firing test on the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft that is scheduled to return to Earth Saturday night with three crew members aboard. The thruster firing unexpectedly continued after the end of the test window, resulting in a loss of attitude control for the International Space Station at 5:13 a.m. Within 30 minutes, flight controllers regained attitude control of the space station, which is now in a stable configuration. The crew was awake at the time of the event and was not in any danger.

Flight controllers are continuing to evaluate data on the station's brief attitude change due to the thruster firing. NASA and Roscosmos are collaborating to understand the root cause.

Joey Roulette of the New York Times had the following quote from Russian mission control "'Oleg, take it easy, the station was turned by 57 degrees, no big deal,' a Russian mission control official in Moscow was quoted as saying to the astronaut by Interfax, a Russian news agency. 'We had to make sure that engines are in order, this is important.'"

"'Station, Houston space-to-ground two, we see the loss of attitude control warning,' NASA mission control in Houston alerted its astronauts on the station, instructing them to begin emergency procedures in the crew's warning book. Flight controllers regained control of the station within 30 minutes, Ms. Cheshier said."

Coverage of the Soyuz MS-18 crew's farewells, undocking, and landing will air live on NASA TV, the agency's website, and the NASA app at the following times tomorrow (all EDT):

4:15 p.m. - Farewells (at about 4:35 p.m.)

9 p.m. - Soyuz undocking and a replay of hatch closure (undocking at 9:14 p.m.)

11:15 p.m. - Deorbit burn (11:42 p.m.) and landing (12:36 a.m.)

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Gregg McNair will harness four horses on Saturdays $1.8 million Super Final night at Woodbine Mohawk Park, capping off his fifth Johnston Cup-winning season as the Ontario Sires Stakes programs leading trainer.

I used to follow it quite a few years ago, and geez it was a hard thing to win, said McNair, who won his first three titles from 2012 to 2014 and his fourth in 2019. Its quite a thing to say that youve won it a few times. Were sure happy about that.

With four more opportunities to pad his lead, McNair currently has 209 points earned through 92 starts, 14 wins, 11 seconds and 14 thirds. His Ontario Sires Stakes starters  22 pacers and seven trotters, 21 two-year-olds and eight three-year-olds  earned $467,469 competing at the Grassroots and Gold Series levels. Trainer Blake MacIntosh wrapped up his Ontario Sires Stakes season with 199 points and Dr. Ian Moore currently sits third with 192 points and a pair of Super Final starters left to compete.

Leading the way for the McNair Stable in 2021 was two-year-old pacing filly Fade Out, who makes her bid for a Super Final title from Post 4 in Saturdays second race. The Sportswriter daughter will be joined by two-year-old trotting filly Needa Little Magic, who has Post 1 in the third race, and three-year-old pacing geldings Century Heineken and Bettor Sun, who fire away from Posts 2 and 6, respectively, in the ninth race.

It was kind of a mixed year we had, I didnt feel like we had that good a season, but I guess we raced a lot of horses, said McNair, who lives outside of Guelph, Ont. We had a good bunch of three-year-old pacing colts. They kind of carried us along all year I guess. They were nice colts, that Century Heineken and Stonebridge Rex and Jimmy Connor B and Bettor Sun, they all have records, I think, better than 1:50.

The trainers son, Doug McNair, will steer Sunshine Beach gelding Bettor Sun, and Chris Christoforou will be in the race bike behind Bettors Delight son Century Heineken on Saturday, as they tackle Pepsi North America Cup winner Desperate Man and reigning Super Final champion Bulldog Hanover in the $225,000 season finale. The younger McNair will also steer Fade Out, while Scott Zeron makes a return to Super Final night to handle Kadabra homebred Needa Little Magic.

McNair has already started teaching this years crop of yearlings their early lessons and expects to have about 15 youngsters in the barn when the sale season comes to an end. In addition to Fade Out, Needa Little Magic and Grassroots Semi-Finalist Socks N Crocs, he also has a handful of two-year-olds that showed some ability, but were put away early to grow and mature.

When they are done for the year, they are done. Especially the two-year-olds, they let you know, said McNair, who credits his staff for keeping a close eye on each young horses health and happiness throughout the four month Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) season. When its time to shut them down, its time to shut them down. You sure hate to see them end on a bad note.

With the 2021 title, McNair moves into a tie with Ross Henry for the most Johnston Cup victories. Hall of Fame horseman Bob McIntosh is the all-time leader with eight titles. McIntosh and McNair also sit one-two in all-time OSS earning and wins.

The Johnston Cup was established in 1993 in memory of Bruce Johnston, the publisher of The Canadian Sportsman, and is awarded yearly to the leading trainer in the provincial program based on a point system that awards one point for each OSS starts, four additional points for each win, three for each second and two for each third-place result.

The eight $225,000 Super Finals will go postward in Races 2 through 5 and 7 through 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park this Saturday, Oct. 16. The Campbellville, Ont. ovals first race goes postward at 7:00 p.m. The crew from COSA TV will provide live coverage from Mohawk, and that live stream will be available on the SC website.

To view entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click on one of the following links: Saturday Entries  Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).

(With files from OSS)
Global Disciples Hosts Live NationsWorship 2022 Event

Followers of Jesus from Africa, Asia, and the Americas to Participate in Live Worship Experience at Dove Westgate in Ephrata, PA



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Global Disciples

Oct. 15, 2021



LANCASTER, Penn., Oct. 15, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- NationsWorship, a live worship experience with participants from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, will be held at Dove Westgate church in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, as well as live streamed across the world on November 19, 2021. Global Disciples, with partners in 62 countries, will host the worship event. Those interested in joining the celebration should register at globaldisciples/nationsworship.



The worship experience features the song "Glory to the Righteous One" referencing Isaiah 24:16. It was written specifically for NationsWorship by the celebrated Rwandan duo James and Daniella and will be produced as a video with worshipers from other nations. NationsWorship is an opportunity to gather together a chorus of praise and worship from around the world. It was first held last year as a virtual event but will be presented live for the first time this year.







Tim Bentch, Global Worship Specialist with Global Disciples, says the theme of the event is From the Ends of the Earth, We Hear Singing:

"While the world is experiencing a relentless pandemic, political division, war and devastation, the songs of people in desperate circumstances still ring true giving praise to our God. With NationsWorship, we can take our focus off our problems that distract and divide us and, instead, worship Jesus in unity with brothers and sisters across the world. With our songs, we say, nothing will divide us, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ."

NationsWorship will include:

The live worship experience at 7:30pm ET, 4:30 pm PDT, Dove Westgate Church, 1755 W. Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522



Live Streaming at 7:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. PDT



Repeat broadcasts at 10:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. PDT



On demand availability through January 15, 2022

In addition, churches can host a live NationsWorship event. Watch parties are also encouraged. Registration is required for both the in-person and online events. For more information, go to globaldisciples/nationsworship.



Global Disciples

Global Disciples assists in the development of locally-sustainable trainings in discipleship-mission, small business and leadership, which result in reproducing fellowships of believers. We equip, connect and facilitate cooperation in the global Body of Christ among clusters of churches in 62 nations focused on reaching those least-reached with the Gospel. We believe that local expressions of the Body of Christ in close proximity to least-reached people are best able to reach them so that every person has an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus Christ. For more information, go to globaldisciples.org.



SOURCE Global Disciples



CONTACT: Sherry Lee, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, 404-903-0380, sherry.lee@globaldisciples.org



Related Links



NationsWorship 2021 Promo Video


Saudi Arabia's futuristic $500-billion city Neom has announced extensive findings from a joint mission with non-profit ocean exploration organisation, OceanX, following the most adventurous assessment of the northern Red Sea to date.

The six-week expedition took place aboard the OceanXplorer, the most advanced exploration, research and media vessel ever built.

The expedition generated scientific research into marine ecosystems, megafauna, brine pools and coral reef conservation and regeneration.

On the scientific discoveries, CEO Nadhmi Al Nasr said: "Neom goes beyond just being a global destination for investment, technology, tourism, or industrial and commercial sectors, by partnering with scientists, and international scientific and academic institutions for research and exploration."

"Today, we announce that the joint mission efforts have made significant achievements in the identification of previously unknown natural areas, as well as unprecedented global scientific discoveries," he stated.

Al Nasr said: "Neom was an ideal location for the expedition, as it meets all the key objectives of Vision 2030, such as sustainability and the balance between urban development and environmental preservation."

"As Neom plays a crucial role in realizing the Vision 2030, it was necessary to present humanity with a new global destination that encompasses all the elements for a futuristic cognitive society that advance people and places, while preserving the environment," he noted.

Findings, captured over 960 hours of underwater research and mapping more than 1,500 sq km of the seabed in high resolution 3D, have established a baseline measure of biodiversity and habitat vitality that will allow Neom to pursue its goal of both conserving and improving the health of surrounding ecosystems.

The 30-person crew of world-renowned scientists, oceanographers and researchers included four Neom experts, five from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (Mewa), five King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) experts, 11 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology researchers and five National Geographic explorers.

Key findings include:

*Discovery of an ocean pinnacle 635 m high (as tall as any of the world's biggest skyscrapers except the Burj Khalifa)

*Two sightings of a large squid, caught on camera and not previously observed in the region

Discovery of the world's most northern deep sea brine pool (dense bodies of water that have a salinity that is three to eight times greater than the surrounding ocean)

*Recording coral reefs that are resilient to climate change

*Identification of 341 fish species in the waters of Neom, 68 that are native to the region and 18 that are globally threatened

*Eight new species were recorded and over 600 sq km of biodiversity hotspots for fishes and corals discovered

*Confirmed presence of 12 species of megafauna in Neom waters including whale sharks, dugong, turtles and dolphins

*Discovery of three ancient maritime and shipwreck sites

Dr Paul Marshall, Head of Nature Reserve at Neom, said: "The global ocean system is in crisis, but the damage is reversible. This partnership with OceanX reinforces Neom's commitment to science, conservation and safeguarding the planet."

"We believe that not only conserving, but improving, the health of our marine ecosystems, particularly our coral reefs, are key to our future and our success. This world-first expedition sets the stage for Neom's ambitious conservation programme, which aspires to accelerate the transition to societies that live in harmony with nature," he added.

Dr Marshall said: "The findings of this expedition go far beyond the region and will support global efforts to protect and conserve marine ecosystems around the world, shedding light on the biological characteristics and oceanographic conditions necessary for survival in light of changes due to the global climate change crisis."

Dr Vincent Pieribone, Chief Scientist and Vice Chairman at OceanX, said: "We are committed to exploring places few others have been before and sharing our discoveries with the world. This joint mission has not only had a meaningful impact on the conservation of ecosystems in the northern Red Sea but it has also produced a number of scientific discoveries of regional and global significance."

OceanX combines science, technology and media to explore and raise awareness for the oceans and create a community engaged with protecting them.

Using advanced underwater filmmaking tools, each moment of discovery was documented and updates from the expedition were shared with local schools, as well as OceanX's global audience.

A nine-part series covering the expedition will be launched on Neom's YouTube channel and OceanX's social media channels.-TradeArabia News Service
Demand for natural gas in the wider Arab region is rising at its "fastest" pace, with a steady annual growth rate of 4.8 percent, according to Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (Oapec).

Demand for gas in the region eclipses global demand by more than two-fold, the second highest in the world in terms of growth. It is second only to the Asia-Pacific region, the Kuwait-based oil group said during a virtual event hosted by industry journal Petroleum Economist over liquefied natural gas (LNG) output in the region, according to Kuwaiti news agency Kuna.

Power generation in the region forms 52 percent of total consumption, with the region's energy transition plans heavily reliant on LNG import projects, chief among them Arab states' forays into LNG terminal construction, said Oapec.

It espoused the merits of LNG output expansion in improving energy efficiency by up to 39 per cent as part of efforts to reduce dependence on oil and petroleum products.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Some 50,000 protesters take to the streets in support of the former president jailed on corruption charges after returning from his Ukrainian exile. Since then, "Misha" has been on a hunger strike. The Georgian Patriarchate calls for Saakashvilis release, urging the parties to engage in political reconciliation.

Tbilisi (AsiaNews)  A large demonstration in support of Mikheil Saakashvili was held on Thursday in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi.

The former president was jailed by Georgian authorities upon his return to the country ahead of the 2 October local elections. Multiple charges had been pending against the former head of state.

Two days ago, thousands of supporters of the founder of the pro-Western United National Movement took to the streets. His party failed to come on top of the ruling pro-Russian Georgian Dream party.

According to media reports, at least 50,000 people gathered to demand Saakashvilis release.

The popular politician lived in exile in Ukraine for years. During that period time, he became a Ukrainian citizen and got involved the countrys its political life, serving as Governor of Odessa.

Some of the banners carried in the crowd read: Freedom for Misha" and "No to political persecution.

Saakashvili's main ally and current United National Movement leader, Nika Melia, read a statement from the former president, in which he calls on all opposition forces to unite and vote on 30 October for opposition candidates taking part in the runoffs.

Saakashvili is accused of committing various offences during his term of office as president. Since his return, he is also accused of illegally crossing the Georgian border, which he did by hiding in a pick-up truck.

Once in a Tbilisi prison, he began a hunger strike, which has now lasted for 13 days. On Monday, rumours spread that his health had taken a sudden turn for the worse, drawing a crowd to the prison where he is detained.

Following this, prison authorities issued a statement to reassure the public that he was doing fine, confirmed by subsequent visits by Saakashvilis relatives and lawyer. Nevertheless, the prisoner remains very determined to assert his arguments.

Justice Minister Rati Bregadze, Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze, and some representatives of the countrys parliament yesterday named a four-member medical commission who, together with the detainee's personal doctor, will monitor his state of health.

Some Orthodox bishops, members of the Synod of the Patriarchate of Georgia, signed a petition, circulated by the United National Movement, calling for the former head of state to be set free.

According to Interfax, hierarchs like Metropolitan of Akhalkalaki Nikoloz (Pachuashvili), Bishop of Margveti Melchizedek (Khachidze), and Metropolitan of Vani and Bagdati Anton (Buluhiya) have joined the call.

Metropolitan Nikoloz also issued a statement to the press. In it, he says that "there are no sinless men, and the current government leaders must not detain by force political leaders from previous period because, in his opinion, the country will not grow if every new leader arrests his predecessor.

After meeting the former president in prison, Nikoloz said he hoped that after Saakashvili's release a new era in Georgia's history can begin, when politicians of the past and present can find a common language and abandon the rhetoric of hatred in order to reconcile in mutual Christian forgiveness.

Metropolitan Anton also spoke out, suggesting that Saakashvili be placed under house arrest until the end of his trials.

A petition has already been signed by more than 11,000 people, including culture and labour leaders. Other groups are submitting similar petitions for his release.

By contrast, current Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said he was "very bitter about the media circus created around Saakashvilis return, which only heats up social tensions before the second round of elections, in which the oppositions are destined to lose without extenuating circumstances. This is why they say he's sick, even though he eats half a kilo of honey a day.

An opponent, Eki Kherkheulidze, accused the prime minister of more manipulation. After visiting the former president in his cell, she said that he only takes a cup of tea a day with a single teaspoon of honey.

As several commentators have noted, the controversy surrounding the hunger strike allows Saakashvili to "exchange his considerable physical weight for greater political weight", thus managing not only to influence the runoff but also drawing the countrys attention and keeping somehow the Georgian Dream regime in check.

At this point only a pardon by President Salome Zourabichvili could somehow deflate the hype over her predecessors detention and his rise to the status of national hero.
by Giorgio Bernardelli

The PIME missionary was shot to death on 17 October 2011 after a life defending the rights of local tribal communities whose lands continue to be threatened. The children who attended school thanks to him remember. For Fr Geremia, who continues his work, our cry for justice is still keeping Fr Faustos memory alive and is nurturing hope.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Commemorations are currently underway in the Philippines to remember Fr Fausto Tentorio, a PIME missionary who was assassinated 10 years ago on the morning of 17 October 2011 in the Arakan Valley, Mindanao Island.

For more than 30 years the Italian-born clergyman had dedicated himself to defending the rights of local tribal communities. The Manobo and the other groups that Fr Tentorio served have not forgotten this.

Thus, on the occasion of this anniversary, they have posted online a series of memories, poems, and songs written mainly by the children who attended the schools opened by this missionary in and around the Arakan forest.

This is one way to remember that the challenges to which Fr Fausto dedicated his life are as relevant today as ever.

In the forests of Mindanao, the race to grab the timber and underground resources by seizing tribal land has never stopped.

This was further encouraged by the recent decision of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to end the moratorium on new mines.

Those who, like Fr Tentorio, try to resist are still getting killed. And such deaths are still going unpunished. The trial of the suspects in the death of the Italian missionary is still going nowhere because of the paralysis of the Philippine justice system.

I was Fausto's closest collaborator, writes Fr Peter Geremia, friend and confrere of Fr Tentorio, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary. Fr Geremia is continuing Fr Tentorios work in the Arakan Valley.

I believe he was killed to stop our service to tribal people and block their organisations from claiming their lands and their rights as children of God.

This is why his friends and I are still carrying out the programmes we started with him. We continue to fight for justice in the courts as well, coping with many obstacles and even threats.

We have been tempted to stop, but I believe that our efforts and our prayers, our songs and our testimonies, our cry for justice are still keeping Fr Faustos memory alive.

"He has become a sign of hope, a sign of liberation from oppression and despair, the sign that we can transform the killing of a servant of the poor into a challenge to follow his example.

Like him, a missionary, I have followed the example of Christ who continues to be with us as we carry out his mission.

Fr Tentorios family has also become involved. After seeing the love of the people for the missionary at his funeral in Mindanao, they set up an association, Non dimentichiamo p. Fausto (Let's not forget Fr Fausto), which stands as a bridge of solidarity between Italy and the Philippines.

We support 400 children in Manobo schools created by my uncle in the Philippines, said the slain clergymans nephew Andrea Tentorio. But it is equally important that Fr Fausto not be forgotten in Italy because the life he gave still has a lot to say to all of us as well.
The Abeka Academy in Suzhou and a private school in Zhenjiang were the target. Dozens of people were arrested, including children and parents. Last month, the police took action against a Christian music school in Harbin. The government is cracking down on after-school courses.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Police in Jiangsu made a series of arrests in connection with the activities of two Christian educational institutions, ChinaAid reports.

This points to a growing and coordinated effort by the government to crack down on Christian educational programmes.

On Tuesday, police in Suzhou arrested five representatives of the Abeka Academy, including the director of the Chinese branch Wang Jian.

Affiliated with the Pensacola Christian College in the United States, the academy offers home schooling courses around the world. The books provided by the Abeka Academy are based on the teachings of the Bible.

According to ChinaAid, local authorities deem the academy's programme a violation of Article 24 of the Chinese Constitution. The fact that it is very popular among Chinese Christians is what prompted the police intervention.

The day after the raid, police also moved against a Christian school in Zhenjiang. Officers took 10 children, three teachers and three parents into custody. The pupils were released immediately, but as of last Thursday, nothing was known of the other detainees.

A similar action took place last month in Harbin (Heilongjiang) when police arrested all the staff and several students of the Maizi Higher Institute, a Christian music school. The school principal was among the people detained.

Since last spring, the authorities have imposed limits on private schools that offer after-school courses, a business worth US$ 118 billion in 2019, expected to grow to US$ 151 billion in 2025.
Francis released a video message to the participants of the second session of the 4th World Meeting of Popular Movements (EMMP), underway online today. The social doctrine of the Catholic Church highlights principles such as the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods, solidarity, subsidiarity, participation, and the common good. These are all ways in which the Good News of the Gospel takes concrete form.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  In a video message, Pope Francis invites participants in the 4th World Meeting of Popular Movements, underway today online, to put the economy at the service of peoples and build a lasting peace based on social justice and care for the common home.

In a long message addressed to those groups that he defines as a grassroots alliance, present mainly in Latin America, Francis urges them to "dream" of a just society and "act" to obtain some concrete measures that may allow for significant changes, such as A basic income (the UBI) or salary so that everyone in the world may have access to the most basic necessities of life, or the reduction of the working day so that more people can have access to the labour market.

The speech starts from the realisation that the pandemic has delivered disease and death. In many countries, governments reacted. They listened to the science. However, the pandemic has also led to the scourge of the food crisis.

[S]evere destitution has increased; and the price of food has risen sharply. The numbers relating to hunger are horrific, and I think, for example, of countries like Syria, Haiti, Congo, Senegal, Yemen, South Sudan. But hunger is also felt in many other poor countries of the world, and not infrequently in the rich world as well.

At the same time, We also experience[d] resistance to the changes we need and long for, many forms of resistance that run deep, that are rooted beyond our strength and decisions. They are what the Social Teaching of the Church calls structures of sin; these too we are called to change, and we cannot overlook them in the moment of thinking of how to act.

Personal change is necessary, but it is also indispensable to adjust our socio-economic models so that they have a human face, because many models have lost it. And thinking about these situations, I make a pest of myself with my questions. And I go on asking. And I ask everyone in the name of God.

I ask all the great pharmaceutical laboratories to release the patents. Make a gesture of humanity and allow every country, every people, every human being, to have access to the vaccines. There are countries where only three or four per cent of the inhabitants have been vaccinated.

The Holy Francis asks financial groups to allow poor countries to assure the basic needs of their people and cancel [their] debts while urging the great extractive industries [. . .] to stop destroying forests, wetlands and mountains, to stop polluting rivers and seas, to stop poisoning food and people.

He goes on to ask the great food corporations to stop imposing monopolistic systems of production and distribution that inflate prices and end up withholding bread from the hungry; and tells arms manufacturers and dealers to completely stop their activity and technology giants to stop exploiting human weakness, peoples vulnerability, for the sake of profits.

Likewise, the pontiff urges telecommunications giants to ease access to educational material and communication media to stop the logic of post-truth, disinformation, defamation, slander and the unhealthy attraction to dirt and scandal, and to contribute to human fraternity and empathy with those who are most deeply damaged.

Finally, In the name of God, Francis calls on powerful countries to stop aggression, blockades and unilateral sanctions against any country anywhere on earth.

Thus, he says No to neo-colonialism. Conflicts must be resolved in multilateral fora such as the United Nations. We have already seen how unilateral interventions, invasions and occupations end up; even if they are justified by noble motives and fine words.

These goals are part of the so-called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), backed by the United Nations, to be achieved by pushing governments and others. This system, writes Francis, with its relentless logic of profit, is escaping all human control. It is time to slow the locomotive down, an out-of-control locomotive hurtling towards the abyss. There is still time.

[I]t is up to governments to establish tax and redistribution schemes so that the wealth of one part of society is shared fairly, but without imposing an unbearable burden, especially upon the middle class. Generally, when conflicts arise in this matter, it is the middle class that suffers most.

For Francis, the protests that followed the death of George Floyd are the expression of a collective Samaritan. Hence, he urges people to be like the Good Samaritan, to tend attentively to all those who are stricken along the way, and at the same time, to ensure that many more join in.

The Pope cites Catholic social doctrine in which we find principles such as the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods, solidarity, subsidiarity, participation, and the common good. These are all ways in which the Good News of the Gospel takes concrete form on a social and cultural level.

In such a context, he mentions the principle of solidarity. Solidarity not only as a moral virtue but also as a social principle: a principle that seeks to confront unjust systems with the aim of building a culture of solidarity that expresses, the Compendium literally says, a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.

Another principle is to stimulate and promote participation and subsidiarity between movements and between peoples, capable of thwarting any authoritarian mindset, any forced collectivism or any state-centric mindset. The common good cannot be used as an excuse to quash private initiative, local identity or community projects.

Therefore, these principles promote an economy and politics that recognise the role of popular movements, the family, groups, associations, local territorial realities; in short, for that aggregate of economic, social, cultural, sports-oriented, recreational, professional and political expressions to which people spontaneously give life and which make it possible for them to achieve effective social growth.
Mom says you get two birthdays. The firs one is the day you are born. The second is the day you leave home and give birth to yourself.

-- Tilla (chapter 1)



Importance: This is Tilla's interpretation of what is happening to her when she is at the airport preparing to fly to Jamaica with Mia, leaving Marie behind. This is a major step in Tilla's coming-of-age because she can imagine nothing more monumental at this moment. The scene is significant because Tilla echoes most of these exact thoughts as she is leaving Jamaica for Canada after having endured a literal hurricane and the storm of learning her father has a partner and son in Jamaica.

Even though Herma is the oldest and seemingly the highest in ranking of the house, around my father, she becomes the help.

-- Tilla (chapter 3)



Importance: Herma and Tilla were in the midst of their first altercation when Tyson entered. Tilla noted a...
Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi Catholic Church

+Michael Miabesue Bibi, Bishop of Buea has condemned the brutal murder of a 6-year-old pupil, Enondiale Tchuengia Carolaise on Thursday, October 14, 2021, as well as the lynching of the gendarme who committed the act.

The Bishop says Enondiale Tchuengia Carolaise was a class one pupil of the Catholic University Institute of Buea Academy of Talents (CUIB A&T) Primary School Molyko, Buea.

He adds that he witnessed with shock, sorrow, horror and fright, the deformed head on the lifeless body of the schoolgirl six-year-old who was brutally murdered at about 7:50 a.m. on Thursday.

The innocent child was shot dead by a gendarme officer opposite the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral, Molyko, Buea, as her mother was accompanying her to school, said Bishop Bibi.

The angry crowd caught the gendarme officer who carried out the act as he attempted to escape and lynched him to death, he added.

The Bishop of Buea announced in a communique that the late Carolaise was buried around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Saint Anthony of Paduas Parish Cemetery Buea Town.

The Diocese of Buea shall organize a special Mass to pray for her in the nearest future, he said.

As we prepare to celebrate a funeral mass for this little angel, I join my voice to so many others in condemning the horrific shooting at a car that led to the death of an innocent child simply because the driver did not comply with security checks, said +Bibi.

I equally condemn the killing of the gendarme officer who committed the act by the mob, because no one has the right to take away human life, he added.

He says the church has always upheld the right to life for every individual. This right flows from the fact that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:27), and thus possesses human dignity, no matter the circumstances, he expounded.

Even when people by their actions dishonor the dignity of others, or deprive them of human life, as in the case at hand, we must still recognize their human dignity and right to life, which cannot be lost even by the vilest offense, the Bishop preached.

He regretted that the civilian population has continued to pay the price of the reckless actions of shocking violence either from the security forces or the armed groups since the outbreak of the ongoing crisis, and this has in one way or another, contributed to radicalizing some of them.

He called on state forces to exercise restraint as he extended his condolences to the grieving families.

Hear him: I feel the pains of the family of the late Carolaise and those who have lost their loved ones in similar circumstances. I urge the security forces to show more restraint in carrying out security operations that could put at risk the lives of innocent civilians. I extend my condolence to the bereaved families and urge you all to pray for the dead. Let us continue to pray for justice, peace, and harmony in our country.
Jokesters say of Columbus that he didnt know where he was going when he left; didnt know where he was when he got there; and didnt know where hed been when he returned. True as that may be, the example of Columbus should be a lesson to us all that pursuit of an idea can have inspiring, even game-changing, consequences, some good and some not so good. But when the consequences are both inspiring and game-changing, we should make sure they are kept alive for the education and inspiration of those who follow.
As evidenced by the 80% of county residents 18 and over who have gotten their first doses of two-shot vaccines, Bishai said many have overcome their skepticism of the inoculation. But there are still those who remain unconvinced of the vaccines safety and efficacy. Those convictions  that the vaccine is dangerous or ineffective  can be rooted in misinformation that circulates on social media, according to Bishai.
The Arundel Marching Band under the direction of band director Ian Burns practices Friday afternoon. The Arundel High School Marching Band and Arundel Instrumental Music Association will host their 2021 Maryland Marching Band Association Wildcat Spectacular competition on Saturday, October 16, 2021 (Paul W. Gillespie/Capital Gazette)
If the attack was carried out by IS, it would be the first major assault by the extremist group in southern Afghanistan since the U.S. departure enabled the Taliban to consolidate control of the country. Recent attacks in the north, the east and the Afghan capital have cast doubt on the Talibans ability to counter the threat posed by IS.
Workers covered by the order, employed by the departments of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Veterans Affairs and Human Services, now have until Oct. 26 to receive their first dose, and those receiving the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine must receive their second shot by the end of November. Those deadlines have been moved back from Oct. 14 and Nov. 18, respectively.
Heres Richards: One of the things that has been driving me insane is how everyone keeps issuing this fatuous argument that, Its called acting for a reason. Thats not what any of us are talking about. None of us is saying that any actor cant do a certain role. I would never say cis people cant play trans  ideally, if we were in a world in which trans people had a fair shot at all kinds of work like everyone else, I would probably care less about who plays trans people on screen. I would just be interested in the quality of their performance, if all else were equal.
When the Kennedy Center doles out those coveted rainbow-striped medals Sunday to members of the legendary rock outfit the Eagles, some of the band's fans won't have the warm fuzzies. Some Eagles devotees are upset about the Kennedy Center's decision to give the award to four members of the Eagles (Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy Schmit and the late Glenn Frey) - and not to three onetime members the fans say contributed to the band's sound and some of its best songs.
While some residents are sorry to see the track go, many still view the closure of Arlington High School in 1984 as the most unfortunate chapter of the villages history, along with the shuttering two years later of Forest View High School on the south side.
Catanzara has said there are enough FOP members willing to follow his direction that should the city place them on no-pay status, about 50% of the Chicago police force would not be at work. But neither he nor the city have said how many officers have currently indicated their status in the city portal.
Joshua James, who lived in the 9900 block of South LaSalle Street in Fernwood, Sunday was identified as the man who was fatally shot, according to information from the Cook County medical examiners office. Police said he was 29; the medical examiners office said he was 39. It was not immediately clear which agency had James correct age.
Also known as the Move Over Law, Scotts Law has been on the books since 2001 and is named for Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed by a drunken driver while working at the scene of a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway in December 2000.
Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, spent more than $8.2 million from July through September, campaign finance reports showed. The first-term Democrat, who spent $171 million of his own money to defeat one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018, is again self-funding his campaign and had nearly $24.7 million available in his campaign fund at the start of October.
Choreographer Liu Yan, who has used a wheelchair since an accident while rehearsing for the Beijing Olympics, has released a book based on groundbreaking research on dance gestures made from the wrist up.



Dancer-choreographer Liu Yan was considered one of China's leading classical dancers before her vertebrae was severely injured during a rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which left her paralyzed below the waist.

Her peers had nicknamed her "the first pair of legs of classical Chinese dance" in reference to her refined technique.

Decades later, Liu has adjusted to using a wheelchair and is a Beijing Dance Academy professor.

She recently released a new book in Beijing, titled Impression of Hands, about her research on classical Chinese dance's hand gestures, with a focus on the murals of Dunhuang's renowned Mogao Grottoes in Northwest China's Gansu province.

The book, which features photos of various hand gestures performed by Liu, also serves as her report as a postdoctoral researcher for the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"With this new book, we gave Liu Yan another nickname-'the first pair of hands of classical Chinese dance'," says Beijing Dance Academy president Guo Lei, adding that Liu's investigation has filled in a gap in academic research.

"She never stops continuing to dance and trying to push the art form's boundaries. She is a great example, which inspires her students."

Chinese Dancers Association president Feng Shuangbai says: "We usually research different dance forms, such as ballet, and traditional Chinese and contemporary genres. Deep research on classical Chinese dance's hand gestures is an achievement."

Feng was also Liu's professor when she pursued her doctoral degree at the Chinese National Academy of Arts.

Liu says her research on the topic started in 2010, two years after she bid farewell to the stage as a dancer. She explains that researching classical Chinese dance allows her to "continue to dance in a different way".

In 2014, Liu published her first book, Dance With Hands, focusing on the hand gestures of Peking Opera-a traditional Chinese art form with a history of more than 200 years that UNESCO recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. It brings together such art forms as singing, dancing, martial arts and acrobatics. She's also devoted to dance therapy and offers dance training to children with special needs.

"This new book delves deeper into hand gestures, especially my research about the dancers portrayed in Dunhuang's murals and Buddhism's influence on classical Chinese dance, which reflect how hands and fingers were used in Chinese dances created thousands of years ago," Liu says.

She also studied with Zheng Xiaoyun, director and research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Religions.

"When I traveled to Dunhuang, I watched many dance shows inspired by Mogao Grottoes' murals," Liu recalls.

"The dancers vividly bring those murals alive onstage by imitating the moves of the characters portrayed in those paintings, including hand gestures."

The native of Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has studied classical Chinese dance since age 9. She graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy in 2003, and has won national awards and appeared at galas as a solo dancer.

After withdrawing from the limelight, Liu established the Liu Yan Arts Special Fund in 2010 to help students living in poverty, orphans and migrant workers' children through art education.

She launched her dance studio in 2019. This summer, she staged her debut directorial dance drama, Jing Yan, which featured colleagues and students from the Beijing Dance Academy on the creative team.
Chen Sa has been a fan of Frederic Chopin since she first started to learn to play piano at age 9.



She has performed many of his works during her career and developed a deeper understanding of the composer as she grew up and grew into her life as a professional musician.

In 2019, Chen toured nationwide, performing a program of 21 nocturnes by Chopin. She planned to record an album featuring these pieces in Berlin, Germany, in March 2020. But her plan was postponed due to the COVID pandemic.

She spent hours at home practicing the works of various composers during the period during the outbreak when live concerts were canceled or suspended.

But the idea of recording the Chopin album lingered in her mind.

Several months ago, she spent three days finally recording the album, Chopin's 21 Nocturnes, in the concert hall of the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The record was released by Decca, a label under Universal Music Group, on Sept 23.

It's Chen's second album released by Decca after one in 2017, featuring 24 preludes by Claude Debussy.

Chopin's 21 nocturnes for solo piano, composed between 1827 and 1846, are considered to rank among the finest short solo piano pieces.

"Chopin's 21 nocturnes hold an important place in the contemporary concert repertoire," Chen says.

"Many great pianists have performed and recorded them. I was allowed to explore the greater emotional depth of these pieces after the tour in 2019."

The musician immersed herself in Chopin's music for 12 hours on the first day of recording the nocturnes album.

Chen describes the experience as "zero gravity".

The second day saw the pianist return to her usual state of calm and quiet. She wrapped up recording in the middle of the night and felt instant relief.

"I had a good night of dreamless sleep," Chen adds.

"Musicians always have regrets about their recordings. I do, too. I was unworried about having not fully expressed myself, rather than feeling anxious, after recording. Maybe a decade later, I'll record them again."

Unlike many albums featuring the nocturnes that order the songs according to the composer's notes, Chen sequenced them based on her own understanding.

"They connect with one another in their own ways to me. They're dreamlike, mood-filled and very personal," says Chen.

The Chongqing native's mother was a professional dancer, and her father was a French horn player and keyboardist. Chen started to play violin at age 6 and started piano lessons from veteran music educator Dan Zhaoyi at age 9.

Chen achieved fame after winning fourth place as the youngest contestant at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1996. The following year, she enrolled in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with a full scholarship.

In 2000, she took fourth at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. And a year later, she released her debut album, Chopin Impression. Her second album, Chopin's Complete Waltzes, came out in 2006.

Chen received the Crystal Award at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2005.

She later studied at Hochschule fur Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover in Germany, where she received her PhD in piano performance in 2007.

In 2015, her album Memories Lost, featuring modern Chinese compositions, offered audiences a fresh experience with Chinese musical instruments. BBC Music Magazine described the album as "the most interesting and successful recording of new Chinese music so far".

Since 2016, the pianist has received invitations to serve as a judge for such prestigious competitions as the Leeds International Piano Competition and the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.
China replaced Germany to be the fourth largest source of imported goods for Ireland in the first eight months of this year, according to the data released by Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Friday.

In the January-August period, Ireland imported a total of 4.81 billion euros (about 5.58 billion U.S. dollars) worth of goods from China, making the Asian country the fourth largest trade partner of Ireland in terms of imports, showed the CSO figures.

The three biggest sources of imported goods for Ireland in the period were the United States (10.09 billion euros), Britain (9.77 billion euros) and France (6.69 billion euros). Germany, which was the fourth largest source during the same period last year, came fifth with 4.71 billion euros this year.

The CSO figures also showed that China maintained its position as the fifth-largest export market for Ireland in the first eight months of the year. Ireland exported 7.65 billion euros worth of goods to China during the period, ranking after the United States (33.11 billion euros), Germany (12.21 billion euros), Britain (11.41 billion euros) and Belgium (8.36 billion euros).

In the January-August period, Ireland imported a total of 63.21 billion euros worth of goods, up 15.79 percent over a year ago, while its total value of exported goods was 106.95 billion euros, down 1.51 percent year-on-year, according to CSO figures. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars)
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday it is necessary for China and the European Union (EU) to strengthen strategic communication, and jointly promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, which is in the interests of both sides.

He made the remarks in a phone conversation with European Council President Charles Michel.

Xi also said that China and the EU are two major independent forces, and comprehensive strategic partners.

Xi pointed out that since the start of this year, the international situation has witnessed new changes, and the China-EU relationship has also encountered new problems.

China and the EU, he stressed, should perceive each other correctly, and stay committed to dialogue and cooperation and to mutual respect and mutual benefit.

He suggested that the two sides deepen policy communication in green and digital fields, expand areas of practical cooperation, actively synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the global EU Connectivity Strategy, and strengthen communication and cooperation on issues such as climate change and biodiversity conservation.

The EU and its members are invited to actively participate in the Global Development Initiative, and work together with China and other countries to help developing countries achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at an early date, he added.

Noting that China and the EU are different in history, culture, social systems and stages of development, Xi said it is not surprising that they have some competition, disputes and differences, which should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.

China, he added, is always sincere in developing relations with the EU, and meanwhile resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests.

He expressed the hope that the EU will uphold strategic autonomy, distinguish between right and wrong, and work with China to push forward the development of China-EU cooperation.

For his part, Michel said recent developments in the international situation have made the EU and its members more aware of the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy.

Although the EU and China have different political systems and development models, they both support multilateralism, and the two sides need to cooperate in fighting the pandemic, promoting economic recovery, addressing climate change and safeguarding regional peace and stability, he added.

Noting that sustained development of the EU-China strategic partnership serves the common interests of the people on both sides, Michel said the EU is willing to work with China to increase dialogue and interaction in the spirit of mutual respect, and manage differences in an effective and proper manner.

The EU abides by the one-China policy and has never changed its policy on Taiwan-related issues, he said, adding that the EU will uphold strategic autonomy in handling international affairs.

The EU is willing to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in such fields as green and digital economy, carry out exchanges and cooperation on the Global Development Initiative, and maintain close communication and coordination on major international issues.

In addition, Michel briefed Xi about the EU's view on the situation in Afghanistan.

Xi stressed that China respects Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, respects every country's independent choice of its path and system, and advocates coexistence of and mutual learning between different civilizations.

China has always been playing a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the Afghanistan issue, Xi said, adding that the international community should create a favorable external environment for Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction.
China has made great progress in terms of human rights protection, and the Communist Party of China (CPC) will continue its efforts in advancing the cause of human rights, officials said Friday at a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of the country's first white paper on human rights, "Human Rights in China."

Over 70 people, including officials, representatives from grass-roots organs, scholars and experts, attended the symposium, which was held by China's State Council Information Office.

The white paper is a significant milestone in the cause of human rights in China, said Jiang Jianguo, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Noting the great achievements of respecting and protecting human rights made by the CPC over the past 100 years, Jiang stressed efforts to further uphold a people-centered development philosophy and enhance human rights protection.

Li Ning, deputy head of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said that China's legislative work has seen continuous progress over the past years to better safeguard people's economic, social and cultural rights.

China fulfills its international human rights obligations and conducts extensive international cooperation on human rights, said Li Xiaomei, special representative for human rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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A Russian anti-submarine ship tracked down a U.S. naval destroyer and prevented the foreign vessel from violating Russia's territorial waters in the Sea of Japan on Friday, Russian Defense Ministry's Zvezda broadcasting service said in a statement.

The destroyer USS Chafee approached Russia's territorial waters and attempted to cross the state border after operating in the Sea of Japan for several days, Zvezda reported.

Russia's anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs tracked down the foreign warship, issued a warning notifying the destroyer about the inadmissibility of such actions, and had to drive the intruder from the territorial waters when the U.S. warship didn't change its course following the warning.

The U.S. vessel changed direction and turned back later when the Russian warship was less than 60 meters away.

The U.S. destroyer's actions were a gross violation of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea as well as the 1972 Soviet-U.S. Agreement on the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the High Seas, Zvezda added.

The Russian Defense Ministry later summoned the Defense Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow over the violation of the Russian state border by the U.S. destroyer.
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Another batch of four million doses of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, purchased by Myanmar, arrived in Yangon on Friday, according to a release from the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.



China has supplied 26.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Myanmar as of Friday, of which 5.9 million doses were donated by China, the release said.

According to the Ministry of Health's figures on Friday, the number of COVID-19 infections has risen to 485,646 in Myanmar after 1,329 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

With 42 new deaths, the death toll was recorded at 18,297, the ministry said.

The daily test positivity was registered at 7.6 percent on Friday and over 4.59 million samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far.

A total of 437,855 recovered patients have been discharged from hospitals as of Friday.

Myanmar detected its first two COVID-19 positive cases on March 23 last year.
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A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday slammed reported "vile" U.S. practice of hiring paid posters to spread rumors to discredit China.

Zimbabwe's media have revealed that the U.S. government, through such means as funding relevant agencies in hosting seminars, is paying private media journalists 1,000 U.S. dollars for every story they publish to discredit Chinese companies who invest in Zimbabwe.

In response, spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily press briefing, "1,000 U.S. dollars could have been spent in funding a poor Zimbabwean student or helping Zimbabwe purchase 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. But the U.S. government chose to hire paid posters to spread rumors with the money, which is vile, as media outlets put it."

Zhao said that for some time, the United States has gone to great lengths, including paying for lies, to discredit China and hurt China-Africa relations.

"The reports fully show that African countries and the whole international community are clear-eyed about the United States' flagrant dissemination of disinformation, and revolt at the United States' despicable and unscrupulous fabrication of lies and smears," the spokesperson added.

Noting that China and Zimbabwe enjoy a long-standing friendship, Zhao said Chinese companies' investment in Zimbabwe has played a positive role in promoting the country's economic recovery and development and improving people's livelihoods. "Our practical cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples," he said.

"What stands in clear contrast is that the United States has long been imposing illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, and using funds to corrupt the media and fabricate negative reports on China at their behest," Zhao said, adding that such a comparison makes the situation all too clear.

"We urge the United States to stop shouting empty slogans and speaking falsehoods, and do more concrete things for African people, including those in Zimbabwe, so as to play a constructive role in Africa's economic recovery and development," Zhao said.
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Part one of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) closed Friday in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, setting the stage for the adoption of an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the resumption of the meeting in 2022.

A total of 2,918 delegates in Kunming, as well as 2,478 via video link, participated in the High-Level Segment, the Ecological Civilization Forum and other activities, according to the organizers.

The conference saw the adoption of the Kunming Declaration, where Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) committed to negotiating an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework that can bend the curve of biodiversity loss.

It was announced that China will take the lead by investing 1.5 billion yuan (about 233 million U.S. dollars) to establish a Kunming Biodiversity Fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries.

An initiative of "protecting biodiversity and building a global ecological civilization" was also issued, calling on all parties to uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and work together to build a beautiful world in harmony with all species.

Thirty-six Chinese banking and financial institutions and 24 foreign banks and international organizations issued a joint declaration on support for biodiversity conservation by banking and financial institutions, further stepping up efforts to support biodiversity.

"With the conclusion of the first part of COP15, we have taken a critical step towards writing a new chapter for our planet and for our societies," said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the CBD.

"The adoption of the Kunming Declaration, and the strong political direction provided by many ministers has put us firmly on the path to the adoption of an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework that will engage the entire world in the task of putting nature on a path to recovery by 2030," she added.

Huang Runqiu, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment and COP15 President, said global environmental governance is facing unprecedented challenges and the international community must work together to strengthen cooperation on the construction of global ecological civilization and biodiversity conservation in order to achieve sustainable world development and all-round human development.

"As the president of COP15, I sincerely hope that the parties will maintain this valuable spirit of cooperation at part two of COP15, give strong support to my work and advance the process of the Convention. I will earnestly perform my duties as president of COP15, work together with all parties, translate consensus into practical action, and actively promote the attainment of important achievements, such as the post-2020 global biodiversity framework," he said.
October 16, 2021

 A NASA probe has embarked on a 12-year mission to visit a record number of small worlds, exploring for the first time a group of asteroids that may be the leftover remains from the creation of our solar system.



The spacecraft, named "Lucy," launched Saturday (Oct. 16) atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 5:34 a.m. EDT (0934 GMT) liftoff began the mission's journey to the Trojans  two swarms of asteroids that lead and follow Jupiter in its orbit around the Sun.



"We're going to be visiting the most asteroids ever with one mission," said Cathy Olkin, deputy principal investigator for the Lucy mission at Southwest Research Institute, at a pre-launch press briefing. "We're going to be flying past seven Trojan asteroids [and one main belt asteroid] in this epic journey of nearly 4 billion miles."



Lucy was named after a fossilized hominid skeleton that was found in Ethiopia in 1974. Like its namesake, which provided new insights into humanity's evolution, the NASA mission anticipates that the Trojan asteroids  the "fossils" of our solar system  will advance what we know about the outer planets' origins.



Donald Johanson, the paleoanthropologist who is co-credited with the discovery of the Lucy fossil 47 years ago, was invited to see the spacecraft prior to its launch and was in Florida to see it leave Earth on Saturday.



"I don't think I'll ever be able to look up at Jupiter again the same way I did before," Johanson told Space.com about the connection between the mission and his discovery. "That, for me, is something that was utterly and totally unanticipated in my life."





Trojan tour
The video shows Detective Borona coming into view one second later on Benham Avenue about a half a cars length behind Stukes who was immediately back on his feet and who resumed running away. Meyer wrote.  Detective Borona continued about a cars length down the sidewalk next to the signpost where the rifle lay on the ground. At that point, Detective Borona shot again at Stukes, causing Stukes left arm to fly up. Although Stukes continued to run away down the street and out of camera view, this second shot by Detective Borona hit Stukes in the back and soon proved fatal after Stukes collapsed some distance away.
How unlikely is it? America is in economic collapse, with failing infrastructure, looting, and death and gangs everywhere. A man quits his family; under duress, his wife heads with their daughter to the womyns commune her mother founded. Its ... worse. There are no men, but babies are being born  all girls.
Lubbock, TX (79409)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High 67F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 43F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.
Allocated by the Ministry of Coal in 2016, the Suliyari Coal Block of APMDC will produce five million tonnes of coal annually when fully operational. (Representational image: DC)

New Delhi: Amid concerns regarding a power crisis in the country, Andhra Pradesh has sought support from the Madhya Pradesh government to operationalise the Suliyari coal block located in Singrauli district.

Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) has put the development of its Madhya Pradesh based Suliyari Coal Block on fast track.

Allocated by the Ministry of Coal in 2016, the Suliyari Coal Block of APMDC will produce five million tonnes of coal annually when fully operational. This will secure critical fuel for Andhra Pradesh's power projects at a reasonable cost while also ensuring revenues for the government of Madhya Pradesh and job opportunities for its people.

APMDC commenced operations of the Suliyari block last month but not progressing at the desired pace on account of concerns raised by some of the locals.

Andhra Pradesh government's Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das wrote to Iqbal Singh Bains, Chief Secretary of the government of Madhya Pradesh, stating that APMDC has obtained all statutory permits and approvals such as environmental clearance, forest clearance and executed the mining lease agreement with the government of Madhya Pradesh required to start the mine.

"Early commencement of mining operations will lead to significant revenues to the Madhya Pradesh State Government in terms of the reserve price, statutory levies and taxes. Besides speedy commencement of mining operations will bring substantial benefit to Waidhan region of Singrauli district in terms of socio-economic development, employment opportunities etc," Das wrote to Bains.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is monitoring the progress of the mine on daily basis as early operationalisation of the coal block will contribute towards the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan embraced by the country under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister. On Andhra Pradesh chief minister's instructions, a high-level delegation led by the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of APMDC visited the site last week and resolved all issues with villagers, local legislators and district administration.

Suliyari Coal Mine with the support of district administration should be able to contribute to resolving the coal shortages that the country is facing, said the Andhra Pradesh government.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi on Thursday assured that there would be no shortage of coal for electricity production and the temporary shortage of coal was due to rain.
VHP stated that it has been organizing 'Trishul Deeksha' every year. (Twitter)

Mangaluru: Political parties and progressive thinkers have criticised the 'Trishul Deeksha' program organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district on Thursday.

Photos of youth with saffron shawls holding Trishul and taking the oath to protect the society from love jihad, terrorism were making rounds on social media on Thursday night.

This was strongly criticized by progressive thinkers and some political party leaders.

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has questioned the silence of the police and has demanded strict action against those involved in this.

"The police should have booked a suo motu case in connection to this. But they seem to have turned blind on this. The police should immediately book a case and arrest them," SDPI district president Athavulla Jokatte said.

"They are wrong if they feel they can create fear through such a program. We will ensure the peace and harmony of the region are unaffected," he added.

However, VHP stated that it has been organizing 'Trishul Deeksha' every year.

"We organize the Trishul Deeksha during our training camp held in April-May every year. But for the last two years, it was not held due to Covid. So we decided to hold it with the Shastra Pooja (Ayudha Pooja) on Thursday. It is nothing new," VHP Mangaluru Division secretary Sharan Pumpwell told Deccan Chronicle.

"This is not a sharp weapon that can cause fatal injury to anybody. It is a small steel material resembling Trishul. The Trishul Deeksha is not conducted by violating any norms. The program is a symbolic event held to build confidence among the youth," he said.
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Democrats are getting more upset with President Joe Biden's lack of progress in discussions with moderate Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema over the cost of a huge spending bill that Biden conceded on Friday would need to be less than $3.5 trillion.

Democrats have been fighting among themselves in recent weeks, with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal, who are endorsed by Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, slugging it out.

Despite Pelosi's admission that the budget reconciliation may not cost that much, progressives have stayed strong in their demand that it cost $3.5 trillion. When it gets to the floor, moderates, on the other hand, have promised not to vote for that price tag.

Sen.Sinema remains in opposition of Biden's spending bill

Biden also conceded on Friday that the Democratic Party will "likely" not get the entire $3.5 trillion agenda, NY Post reported.

According to The Hill, Congress is getting frustrated with the lack of progress in discussions, with one Democratic senator claiming Sinema and Machin have both "left the president hanging." Sinema talked with the outlet on the record, anonymously, to "vent about the lack of progress."

Since September, the president has visited Sinema and Manchin individually at the White House. Although Manchin has proposed a top line of $1.5 trillion, Sinema has yet to publicly state how far she is ready to go.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, has consistently denied discussing the specifics of the negotiations with the press, directing to Sinema to speak for herself.

Sinema stated this week that she would not back the multi-trillion dollar social spending bill unless Congress passed a bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Another Democratic senator chastised Sinema for calling Pelosi's decision to postpone last month's vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill "inexcusable."

Read Also: Joe Biden Urges Companies To Ease Supply Chain Bottlenecks as White House Fails To Guarantee Arrival of Christmas Presents

Biden suggests possible compromise to reach a deal

While many Democratic Senators recognize the moderates' leverage, they are getting dissatisfied with Biden's negotiating style, rather than Sinema and Manchin's, according to a Democratic Senate staffer.

Biden has unofficially suggested a price tag of $2 trillion as a possible compromise. Many Democrats are becoming upset with the pair because they want to pass the bill as soon as possible so that new government benefits may be implemented before the midterm elections next year.

However, talks have stalled, partially due to Sinema's opposition to raising tax rates for people and major corporations. The party is pushing the budget proposal via a reconciliation process.

This permits Democrats to pass it with a simple majority while avoiding GOP agreement. But, in order for the proposal to pass the 50-50 Senate, Democrats will need both Manchin and Sinema's votes, making unanimity in the upper chamber critical.

Per Business Insider, Biden seemed to imply that another reconciliation bill may be on the way, something that some House Democrats haven't ruled out for next year. The White House did not reply to a request for comment.

Related Article: Nancy Pelosi Scolds Reporters, Saying They Should Do a Better Job in Selling Reconciliation Package



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Satellite pictures showed China is upgrading and reinforcing its air bases closest to Taiwan along its southeastern coast, signaling Beijing is intensifying its plans to take the island by force.

The upgraded infrastructure at three air bases in Fujian province would give the People's Liberation Army Air Force with long-term logistical air combat support after it conducted 149 sorties within Taiwan's air defense identification zone in four days starting on October 1.

Work on aircraft shelters and strengthened weapons storage began early last year and proceeded uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to images obtained by Planet Labs and initially reported by American tech and military site The Drive.

China-Taiwan tensions raise fears war

Picture taken on October 2 showed four reinforced hangars under construction, all connected directly to the runway for fast dispersal, development at Longtian airfield has included extensions and modifications for air defense installations, the runway, apron, and bunkers.

Per SCMP, a neighboring Huian facility, 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Taiwan's vast subterranean Chiashan airfield in Hualien, was also observed with similar building activity. The air defense installations, bombproof aircraft shelters, and hangars are designed differently than those at Longtian.

At Zhangzhou, where the Eastern Theatre Command's air force commander is stationed, a new ground-to-air missile defense facility has also been built.

China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has threatened to use force to reclaim it, with military invasion exercises taking place on a regular basis. In the photos, four airplane buildings can be seen being constructed at one end of Longtian Airbase, which will be the sole protected aviation infrastructure on the site.

The shelters would also help keep China's planes and overall preparedness hidden from prying eyes, with the advancements in satellite imagery. The development of administrative buildings and perhaps barracks at the site also indicates an increase in military personnel.

The pictures show the building of three storage bunkers at Huian Airbase, which are presumably for munitions and minor runway expansions. Meanwhile, a new surface-to-air missile defense station is being built at Zhangzhou airfield, making it the third at the same area.

Read Also: Boris Johnson, Wife Carrie Spend Luxury Trip in Southern Spain Amid UK's Energy Crisis

Chinese official defends military drills near Taiwan

According to The Drive, the specialized surface-to-air missile defense stations at the three air bases have been actively rotating equipment and training. China's improvements to its air bases indicate that the military's operational capability is being increased, as well as the concealment of its assets and operations.

China stated earlier this week that it had conducted beach landing and offensive exercises in the province on the mainland that borders Taiwan. Tensions between Taiwan and the mainland have remained high.

"Taiwan independence forces" cooperating with "foreign troops" sparked the maneuvers, according to Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the mainland government's Taiwan Affairs Office.

"Through this salami slicing, the Chinese are trying to change the status quo and normalize the situation," said Hoo Tiang Boon, coordinator of the China program at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, The Sun reported.

Experts believe that a direct battle is improbable at this time, but as the future of self-ruled Taiwan becomes more of a powder keg, a blunder or miscalculation may spark a conflict when Chinese and American goals clash.

China wants to reclaim control of the strategically and symbolically significant island, while the US views Taiwan as part of a larger Chinese challenge, as per Newsweek via MSN.

Related Article: Taiwan Refuses To Bow To Pressure From China as President Tsai Ing-wen Pledges To Do "Utmost" To Defend The Country

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@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Americans planning to make changes to their Medicare Plan have less than two months left. Keep in mind that some plans and prices changed compared to the 2021 Medicare Advantage Plan.

The Medicare enrollment period officially started on Friday and will continue to remain open until December 7. Eligible applicants will have four main parts of Medicare to choose from, depending on the insurance coverage they need.

2022  ratings for #Medicare health & drug plans are now available at https://t.co/s8R9HEoccw. Use star ratings to look at the quality of health & drug plans as you compare coverage options during #MedicareOE (Oct 15  Dec. 7). pic.twitter.com/CYThU37LOC  Medicare.gov (@MedicareGov) October 8, 2021

According to AS, these four parts are:

Part A: Insurance coverage over hospital stays, hospital service, and skilled nursing care

Part B: Insurance coverage over outpatient services like doctor visits, prescribed medicine expenses, and medicine administered services by medical professionals

Part C: Extra coverage over vision, hearing, dental and health and wellness programs

Part D: Extra coverage over self-administered prescriptions.

As previously mentioned, the average price budget for each plan is subject to change due to ongoing circumstances. However, at the time of writing, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) workers and insurers have yet to confirm these changes.

2022 Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare tweeted an update for some of its plans in 2022. They said health and drug plans are now available, with an updated "star rating" feature that should determine its overall quality. Five-star ratings will mean high-quality plans, while three-star ratings should be registered with caution.

#MedicareOE starts tomorrow! Its your opportunity to compare 2022 plans and choose whats best for you. You may even find a less expensive plan to meet your needs! Preview plans available in your area at https://t.co/dsV8iBdfGg. pic.twitter.com/jdUHctZ2vh  Medicare.gov (@MedicareGov) October 14, 2021

All available programs for 2021 and 2022 should be available on their website. To check on these plans, simply head over to Medicare official website. Remember to log in to your Medicare account or sign up as first-timers.

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Medicare Plan Enrollment: Requirements and Price

AS also pointed out that the demand for these plans has grown over the last few years, and approximately a third of its members already hold an Advantage Plan. This change might be related to the recent enrollment increase of applicants with chronic-related conditions.

Some changes members should look out for are the following:

CMS announced that a number of 2022 Medicare Advantage Plans for chronically ill members would have a 19 to 25 percent increase in payments.

The average monthly premium might decrease from $21.22 to $19 per month.

Innovation Center's Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model might also offer customized benefits to more than 3.7 million people in the U.S.

1000 new Medicate Advantage Plans would follow the VBID model.

Medicare also noticed that one of three members is diabetic. To support their members, CMS launched the "Part D Senior Savings Model" with a goal to bring down the price of insulin. Two unnamed paramedical companies signed to this model and promised increasing supply for members. They expect "a thirty-day supply of a broad set of plan-formulary insulins costs no more than $35" per AS.

However, overall premiums for Part D plans are predicted to increase from $31.74 to $33.



Related Article: Fourth Stimulus Check 2021: $1100 California Payments Waiting Time, $2000 Online Petition Update
LINA Korea's headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of LINA Korea



By Park Jae-hyuk



Cigna is facing intensifying protest from LINA Korea's executives and employees for its recent decision to sell the life insurer to Chubb, which has Ace Insurance and Chubb Life Korea as its Korean operations.



"Cigna denied rumors several times about its sale of LINA, expressing its intention to continue managing the Korean operation through the announcement of a plan to set up a digital non-life insurance company here," LINA executives said in a statement, Thursday. "However, it abruptly notified its unilateral decision."



The executives criticized the U.S. headquarters for not listening to LINA employees about its decision on the amount of bonuses to be paid in compensation for the sale.



"Cigna has yet to inform us of the specifics of the bonuses, welfare and our status after the sale," a LINA employee told The Korea Times, Friday. "We organized a council to talk with the U.S. headquarters."



He added that the employees will form a union if they fail to reach an agreement with Cigna.



LINA executives also vowed to protest against the U.S. headquarters if the acquisition deal prevents employees from being paid what they viewed as a fair amount in recognition of their service. The executives called on Cigna to offer a bonus that meets the amount employees are seeking.



Cigna is said to be considering giving 400 percent of the monthly salary to each employee before the deal is finalized and an additional 200 percent a year later, in order to minimize the exodus of its workforce.



LINA staff, however, were not satisfied with the amount, given that the company's net profit last year reached 357.2 billion won ($302 million), the third-largest among life insurers here. The Korean subsidiary of Cigna has also paid 1.1 trillion won to the U.S. headquarters in dividends over the past 10 years.



In addition, the price of LINA accounts for at least 60 percent of the $5.75 billion that Cigna will earn from its latest decision to sell its operations in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Turkey.



The valuation of LINA is even estimated at up to $5 billion, according to some market insiders.






Cold wave alerts were issued for most of the country Saturday as an Arctic air mass brought unseasonably chilly weather, according to the state weather agency.







The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said the cold wave warnings will be in effect for about a dozen central cities and counties from 9 p.m. while Seoul and most other parts of the country will be under cold wave advisories.







This is the first time in 17 years that a cold wave alert has been issued for Seoul in October.







Cold wave advisories and warnings are issued when morning lows are expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius and minus 15 degrees, respectively, for more than two consecutive days, or when major damage is expected due to a sharp drop in temperature.







Morning lows ranged from 11 degrees to 12 degrees across the country, while afternoon temperatures are expected to be from 11 degrees to 20 degrees, according to the KMA.







On Sunday, the temperature is forecast to be from minus 3 C to 7 C in the morning and from 10 C to 16 C in the afternoon.







In Seoul, the morning low is forecast to drop to zero on Sunday, the lowest for mid-October since Oct. 19, 1957.







The unseasonable cold snap came as the Arctic chill from the North Pole descends to South Korea and the subtropical high pressure goes away, the weather agency has said.







The chilly weather is expected to continue for about a week, the agency added. (Yonhap)


Rep. Kim Gi-heyon, floor leader of the conservative main opposition People Power Party, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting of the party held at a regional branch in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Joint Press Corps



By Jung Da-min



The floor leader of the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is facing a barrage of criticism for objecting to an anti-discrimination bill proposed by the minor progressive Justice Party and some lawmakers of other liberal political camps.



In a meeting with the leaders of some Christian groups at the National Assembly, Wednesday, Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon stated his commitment to preventing the passage of the bill that aims to ban all forms of discrimination. He was responding to calls from the Christian leaders who expressed concerns that the bill goes against their religious doctrine which does not accept homosexuality.



"I am well aware of the problems of this anti-discrimination law, and will actively prevent the passage of the bill as the floor leader of the main opposition party," Rep. Kim told the religious leaders. "We need to gather general opinions from church groups of the country to deliver to presidential contenders so they can draw up their policy pledges to deal with this issue."



The anti-discrimination bill is aimed at banning all kinds of discrimination based on all kinds of reasons including gender, disability, age, language, country of origin, sexual orientation, physical condition, academic background and religion. A law comprehensively banning discrimination has been the subject of discussions at the National Assembly since 2007. But six previous attempts to pass such a bill, long-sought by human rights groups, have fallen afoul of some conservative Christian groups that oppose homosexuality. The seventh attempt to establish the law was made last year and is still pending in the 21st National Assembly.



The remarks by the PPP floor leader immediately drew criticism from members of the country's liberal bloc.





Minor opposition Justice Party leader Yeo Young-kug, second from right, and floor leader Rep. Bae Jin-gyo, attend a rally calling for the legislation of an anti-discrimination law, at the National Assembly in Seoul, June 29. Korea Times file



The South Korean Coalition for Anti-discrimination Legislation, composed of members of different rights groups, issued a statement, Friday, condemning Kim for making discriminatory remarks against sexual minorities.



"We demand the PPP's leadership to clarify its stance on the anti-discrimination law if its floor leader's remarks were the party's official stance on the matter," read the statement. "If the PPP's official stance is to block the legislation for the realization of equal rights guaranteed in Article 11 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, then the PPP is not eligible to be a political party of the country."



Kang Min-jin, head of the Justice Party's youth division, also criticized Kim's remarks, Thursday. "The essence of Kim raising his voice against the anti-discrimination law by saying he would prevent it no matter what is nothing but a mixture of begging for votes and aggravating hatred," Kang said.





Kang Min-jin, head of the minor opposition Justice Party's youth division / From Kang Min-jin's Facebook page
By Robert Neff





A Korean gentleman in a smoky alley circa 1912 / Robert Neff Collection

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a popular subject in letters home or to local newspapers was Western visitors' perceptions of cleanliness in Korea. While there may have been some truth to their observations, most appear to have been exaggerations  if not fabrications  to amuse their audience.



In the 1860s, a sailor (an occupation at the time that was not exactly associated with cleanliness) asserted that Koreans "appear to regard filthiness as a virtue" and that "their appearance would testify that water was unknown to them." An Englishman malignantly declared to his American companion, Richard A. Little, that "the dirtiest man he ever met was a clean Korean."



Later, in 1904, when Little visited Korea he wrote:



"I do not indorse his remark, or even encourage anybody to smile at it. Still I found the Koreans, sampan [boat] men at least, were pleasantest to study when one stood well to windward of them."



His amusing but caustic pen was not reserved just for his Korean hosts. In early 1904  during the early months of the Russo-Japanese War  finding a hotel room was no easy task. When Little asked for a room at a hotel, the French proprietor was rather reluctant to rent one to him.



"[The proprietor] said there was one small room. I said promptly I would take it. He looked at me. I am 6 feet 4 inches high. He said the room was very small. I took it again. The room was small  I discovered that at night when I tried to get into it. But I opened the hall door and made my bed on the floor with my feet in my room and my head well out in the hall. The other boarders coming up to their rooms in the night manifested a disposition to walk on my face. So I reversed my position and slept with my feet in the hall and my head in my room. They then stepped on my feet. So I cunningly constructed a barrier by putting my steamer trunk in the hall and placed my feet behind that. The guests who came in late at night hit the trunk as they stumbled heavily along in the darkness and plunged forward entirely over my feet without touching me at all or disturbing me in the least."





The Hotel du Palais in Seoul circa 1899 / Robert Neff Collection



The startled guests cursed him in various languages  including Portuguese, Japanese, Norwegian, German and "in other tongues that I could not comprehend, so that I cared not how terrible their words. I heeded them not, but turning over fell again into the deep sweet slumber that comes only to the innocent and good."



While staying at the hotel, Little met two other Americans who were stranded in Korea. They had chartered a small Chinese junk in Shanghai to take them to Jemulpo (modern Incheon) and each had paid a most princely sum  150 yen or about $75. Both men were miserable and were more than willing to pay twice that amount to return to China.



When questioned as to why they had come to Korea, one man  somewhat embarrassed  confessed that he was a traveling salesman. The salesman may have read an account by William Griffis (regarded as the leading expert on Korea in the 1880s) who claimed Korea had an "entire ignorance of soap" and decided to take advantage of this "ignorance."



Arriving with a small stock of "high grade, perfoomed [sic] toilet soap" he gave a bar to one potential Korean client who promptly took three bites out of it before the salesman could stop him. "If I hadn't stopped him, he'd a chewed it all up," declared the toilet soap peddler.



What became of the traveling salesman is unclear. He probably did not find a market for his goods, not because the residents of Korea were uninterested in soap, but soap was readily available in the foreign-owned stores in Seoul and the open ports.





A group of Korean gentlemen in the early 1900s / Robert Neff Collection



These negative impressions of Korean hygiene are somewhat disingenuous. The average Korean was (judging from the accounts) extremely fastidious about their clothing and spent large amounts of money to stay in style. Western visitors often commented about how healthy and clean their Korean hosts' teeth were and there are a couple of accounts of Western gold miners being invited to go bathing with their Korean counterparts in the various warm springs about the country. While the Western gold miners often turned down these invitations, in all fairness, their refusal was probably due to their own prudish views in regards to the naked body.



In her 2003 book "Challenged Identities: North American Missionaries in Korea, 1884 to 1934," Elizabeth Underwood noted that Korean visitors to the United States also found fault with the hygiene of their American hosts  except they were more polite and forgiving and kept their rude comments to themselves. When a group of Koreans visited New York in the early 1910s, they found the smell to be "unendurable" but "with ever ready courtesy, resolutely suppress[ed] the look of disgust, and account[ed] for the strange effluvia by the charitable assumption that it must be due to our wearing woolen clothes so much and never washing more than the inner clothes." One can imagine the Korean visitors' shock when they were compelled to enter their American hosts' homes with their shoes on.



Dirty floors and clothes can be scrubbed clean with some effort but it takes a lot of work to scrub away ignorance and deliberate misrepresentations.





A group of resting farmers circa 1900s / Robert Neff Collection
ASM's rare earth mine site in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia / Courtesy of ASM



Strategic partnership with ASM creates stable, direct supply chain for rare earth metals



By Anna J. Park



Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) is a critical metal producer, with a strong strategic partnership with Korea. The relationship between ASM and Korea is based on a shared history of collaboration and innovation. It is a partnership that enables the metals ASM produces to be directly used in Korean industry to manufacture a wide range of advanced consumer and industrial products such as electric vehicles which are essential for the future of the worldwide energy transition currently underway.



The business relationship between ASM and Korea commenced with a joint venture technology development agreement with an innovative Korean metal processing company called Ziron Tech. ASM acquired Ziron Tech in November 2020. In April 2020, Ziron Tech received a government grant to build a pilot metal plant in Korea.



Following the success of the pilot plant, ASM now has a commercial plant under construction in Ochang with support from North Chungcheong Province. In July this year, the company further deepened that strategic relationship by signing a financing deal with a consortium of three Korean private equity firms to invest in ASM's polymetallic rare earth and critical mineral deposit called Dubbo Project. The success of the Dubbo Project will significantly de-risk Korea's rare earth supply chain in the coming years and ensure that the Asian country will continue to make products needed for both today and the future.



The Korea Times sat down with David Woodall, managing director of ASM, in Seoul. Woodall shared the company's vision and goals as well as the special business relationship the company has with Korea. It was interesting to hear Woodall speak about the history of the company starting with the Dubbo deposit, discovered in Australia decades ago, to a global supplier of critical metals essential for clean energy transition, electric vehicles and consumer electronics.





David Woodall at ASM's rare earth mine site in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia / Courtesy of ASM

Beginning of 'The Dubbo Project'



In the 1950s, a massive deposit of various metal elements was found in Toongi, 25 kilometers south of Dubbo in central-western New South Wales, Australia. The deposit turned out to contain rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium along with zirconium, niobium, and hafnium. Fast forward to 2021, and these critical metals have become essential for advanced green and clean technologies.



"What makes these metals critical today is that they are used in all our most powerful, futuristic tools. They help power our phones and computers; they are in wind turbines and electric cars. They have unusual electrical and magnetic properties that make our tools lighter, stronger and faster," Woodall explained.



The Dubbo Project is a $1billion plus flagship resource of ASM. Owning 3,700 hectares of land that includes the metals deposit, ASM aims to produce critical metals in an efficient and eco-friendly way that minimizes the environmental carbon footprint.



"Initially Alkane Resources, which is a predominantly gold company, owned both a gold mine and a critical metals deposit. Last year, the board decided to split the company into a gold company and a critical metals company, and ASM was separately listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Our objective is clear, to become a leading global supplier of critical metals. This means developing the Dubbo Project, and using products from Dubbo, but also other products from third parties to produce critical metals in ASM metal plants. These critical metals are essential for electric vehicles, electronics, wind turbines, defense and aerospace, and a whole lot of other things," Woodall said.



Partnership with Korea



While ASM was searching for strategic partners around the world to facilitate its envisioned global metal production, the company happened to meet a Korean professor from Chungnam National University in 2018, who had an idea about clean metal processing technology. That meeting later developed into ASM's acquisition of a 95-percent stake in Ziron Tech in 2020  now Korea Strategic Materials Technology, boasting an innovative metallization process.



In that same year, ASM received a $4.5 million Korean government grant to build a plant in Ochang, located in North Chungcheong Province. The grant was part of the Korean government's strategic $4 billion plan to de-risk the country's global supply chain of rare earth metals by finding an alternate source of supply.



Despite the ever-growing demand for rare earth metals for the development of key industries of the future, the global supply is dominated by China. Given the importance of securing a stable supply chain of key metal materials like rare earth elements for the growth of future industries, it is more than necessary for a country to diversify the source of their rare earth imports to de-risk their supply chain.





Chairman of ASM Ian Gandel, first from the left, President Asia at ASM Frank Moon, second from the left, MD of ASM David Woodall, first from the right, pose for the photo at ASM's Ochang plant. / Courtesy of ASM



"The Korean government was one of the first governments in the world to realize that if it didn't resolve the supply of critical metals into Korea, it would impact its manufacturing businesses," Woodall said, adding that the Korean government was clear in its goal to de-risk that supply chain so that it could become more self-sufficient. "It was a very strategic decision by the government."



ASM's unique "mine to metal" strategy allows "direct" supply through its vertically-integrated production process of critical metals. ASM will be the first company outside China that undertakes all steps to produce critical metals end-to-end: from the mine, through multiple processing and refining stages, metallization, alloy and metal powder production.



"At ASM, not only will we produce metal oxide, we produce metal, so we can totally de-risk Korea's supply chain. Most oxides go to China to be turned into metal, but we don't have to do that. We can actually produce metal for Korea in Korea," the managing director stressed.



He further explained that rare earth metals produced from the Dubbo Project have the potential to supply about 50 percent of the Korean market's current demand. At present, most of the demand is met by supplies coming from China. The unique advantage to Korea of ASM is that it facilitates a full end-to-end supply chain on a bilateral basis.



After proving the viability of the metal production from the pilot plant, ASM is currently building its first commercial metal plant in Ochang, with a timeline of full production of strategic metals and rare earth alloy products by mid-2022. A total of 5,200 tons of the metals are expected to be produced each year, including neodymium ferro-boron (NdFeB) strip alloy, dysprosium, zirconium alloy and titanium powder.



The Ochang metals plant is also expected to enjoy logistical advantages with its close proximity to major manufacturers in Korea. In addition, offtake negotiations are currently in progress with potential customers, such as titanium product and permanent magnet producers, which would bolster ASM's unique "mine to metal" integrated production business, while benefiting the Korean offtake partners. An offtake agreement is made between a producer and a buyer involving product purchases or sales before the construction of a factory.



"Everything is being delivered well, ASM should start making profits by the end of next year from the metal plant in Korea," Woodall said.





Participants pose for a photo after signing a financing deal between ASM and a consortium of Korean investors at the Australian Embassy in Seoul on July 19. From left, Australian Ambassador to Korea Catherine Raper; CEO and Founder at ACE Capital Partners David Ko; CEO of Cerritos Holdings PS Ra; CEO and Founder of Kamur Partners Jerry Kwak; Chairman of ASM Ian Gandel; Australia's Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Investment Dan Tehan; and ASM MD David Woodall. / Courtesy of ASM




Australian policed said Saturday they had seized the largest heroin shipment ever detected in the country, worth an estimated A$140 million ($104 million), and arrested a Malaysian national over the importation of the illegal drug.







The 450-kg (990-pound) shipment  as heavy as a grand piano  was detected in a sea freight container of ceramic tiles sent from Malaysia and addressed to a Melbourne business, police said in a statement.







Officers did not name the arrested man, a typical practice in Australia unless police deem the identification of the suspect in the interest of a victim's family or the public.







The man was charged with importing and attempted possession of a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment, police said.







The Australian Federal Police was working with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), said Krissy Barrett, Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Southern Command.







"We continue to work together in identifying and disrupting transnational organized crime syndicates that seek to harm both our nations and generate millions of dollars of profits from criminal activity," Barrett said in a statement.







Police estimated the interception of the heroin saved 225 lives, based on estimates that there was one death in the Australian community for approximately every 2 kilograms of heroin consumed. (Reuters)






Myanmar's junta chief will be excluded from an upcoming ASEAN summit, the group said Saturday, a rare rebuke as concerns rise over the military government's commitment to plans on defusing a bloody crisis.







Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed at an emergency meeting late Friday that Min Aung Hlaing will not be invited to the October 26 to 28 summit, current ASEAN chair Brunei said.







The bloc, widely considered a toothless organization, took a strong stand after the junta rebuffed requests for a special envoy to meet with all parties concerned  a phrase seen to include ousted civilian leader Ang San Suu Kyi.







The statement noted "insufficient progress" in the implementation of a five-point plan agreed by ASEAN leaders in April to end turmoil following a coup in February, when some member states recommended giving "space to Myanmar to restore its internal affairs and return to normalcy."







It was decided "to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar" to the summit, "while noting the reservations from the Myanmar representative," the statement said. (AFP)


An image of murdered British Conservative lawmaker David Amess is displayed near the altar in St Peters Catholic Church before a vigil in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, Oct. 15. AP-Yonhap



A British lawmaker was stabbed to death in a church Friday by an assailant who lunged at him during a meeting with voters from his constituency, a killing police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack.



David Amess, 69, from Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday in the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London.



A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and detectives said specialist counter-terrorism officers were leading the initial investigation. Politicians described the attack as an assault on democracy.



"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we have lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague," said Johnson, who rushed back to London from the west of England after the news broke.



Armed police swooped on the church and paramedics fought in vain to save the lawmaker's life on the floor of the church, where a sign says: "All are welcome here: where old friends meet and strangers feel at home."



"Tragically, he died at the scene," Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington told reporters. He said police at the time of the incident did not believe there was any immediate threat to anyone else.



"It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this may have been a terrorist incident. As always they will keep an open mind," he said.



He gave no other details about a possible motive for the killing, the second fatal attack on a British lawmaker in their constituency in the last five years, which has prompted questions about the safety of politicians.



Broadcaster Sky News said the arrested man was understood to be a British national of Somali heritage.





People attend a vigil to murdered British Conservative lawmaker David Amess in St Peters Catholic Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, Oct. 15. AP-Yonhap



Long-serving lawmaker



Colleagues from across Parliament expressed their shock and paid tribute to Amess, one of Britain's longest-serving lawmakers, for his commitment to his constituents, with whom he held regular meetings on the first and third Friday of the month.



Flags on all British government buildings will be flown at half-mast in tribute.



Amess, married with five children, was first elected to parliament to represent the town of Basildon in 1983, and then nearby Southend West in 1997. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his public service in 2015.



His website listed his main interests as "animal welfare and pro-life issues." He was popular with lawmakers and known for his active contributions to debates  often about issues relating to his Essex constituency or animal rights.



Bob Hazel, secretary of a local residents' group, said Amess regularly chatted with commuters on the train from London.



"He wouldn't be stuck behind a book or a newspaper, he would be talking to people and he was that sort of person. He was really approachable and he's going to be very, very much missed," Hazel told Reuters.



In Amess's last contribution to the House of Commons last month, he asked for a debate about animal welfare.



Residents left flowers beside the church with a tribute: "David Amess RIP Such a gentleman xxx."





Police officers block a road near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, where British Conservative lawmaker David Amess died after being stabbed at a constituency surgery, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, Oct. 15. AP-Yonhap


Salary $73,632.00 - $112,507.20 Annually Location (Sequoia Plaza) *ART Bus Accessible*, VA Job Type Full-Time Department Department of Human Services Job Number 6347-22B-DHS-EM Closing 12/31/2021 11:59 PM Eastern Position Information Please note: We are recruiting for current and future vacancies in the following areas:



Aging & Disability Services Division

Child & Family Services Division

Behavioral Healthcare Division



Arlington County Government is creating a talent pool to be used to fill current and future vacancies in the field of Behavioral Health Therapy at multiple levels following the standards for licensure set forth by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Complete just one application to be considered for openings throughout the recruitment window of October 15, 2021 - December 31, 2021.



For more information about the Arlington County Department of Human Services, please visit DHS



We are seeking licensed Behavioral Health Therapists for various divisions within DHS. Although positions may be underfilled at the Non-VA Licensed or Resident/Supervisee, licensure must be earned within three years of hire. The Department of Human Services will provide supervision to staff in pursuit of licensure. The applicable salary range for each designation is as follows: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST (LICENSED): $73,632.00 - $112,507.20

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST (NON-VA LICENSED): $64,084.80 - $97,947.20

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (RESIDENT/SUPERVISEE): $64,084.80 - $97,947.20 Applications submitted during the open period will be considered continuously for vacancies which become available through December 31, 2021. Openings may be for full- or part-time opportunities, and the population served may vary in age or circumstance depending upon the specific program area within the Department of Human Services.



Responsibilities for Behavioral Health Therapists (Licensed) may include the following: Conducting initial intake evaluations or assessments to determine level of care needed;

Providing crisis intervention and facilitating psychiatric admissions;

Developing and implementing treatment plans;

Establishing effective therapeutic relationships with clients;

Providing individual consultation and/or family therapy as well as facilitating groups;

Case management and care coordination;

Linking clients with case management services and/or referring to community resources;

Participating as a team member providing coordinated care of services;

Traveling to serve clients in the community;

Delivering, counseling, and monitoring medication given to clients; and

Competing extensive medical records to ensure compliance with clinical, funding, and program licensing regulations/standards. Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Selection Criteria Note : Please refer to the guidelines for registration and licensure set forth by the Virginia Department of Health Professions prior to completing this application.



Minimums:

Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): Possess one of the following professional licenses from the Virginia Department of Health Professions: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW. Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed): Possess a license in a jurisdiction other than Virginia and are performing supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management and counseling work while awaiting licensure from the Virginia Department of Health Professions of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline: (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW);

License must be obtained within 90 days of hire; and

While awaiting licensure from the State of Virginia (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW), must meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child (QMHP-C) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire. Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): Perform supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management, and counseling work as a trainee in order to obtain one of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline in the state of Virginia: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Must meet the educational requirements to obtain a temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (for LPC or LMFT) or Resident in Clinical Psychology (for LCP), or register as a Supervisee in Social Work (LCSW) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions within 90 days of hire;

Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child (QMHP-C) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire; and

Obtain appropriate licensure within three years of hire. Education: Completion of the requirements for obtaining a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, Art Therapy, or other directly related clinical discipline with internships and practicum requirements specified by the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

Special Requirements The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or ability to use alternative modes of transportation. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record.



Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record and criminal history which may include an NCIC check, a Virginia State Police background check, an FBI fingerprint background check, and/or a Virginia Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Central Registry search.



An online application is required. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the application process. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additional Information Applications received: Not all programs served will have Behavioral Health Therapist vacancies during this time. Applicants need apply only one time to be considered during the advertised time period. To request access to update your application, please contact (see application details) or call (see application details).



Bilingual: Some job openings may be designated as bilingual in English and Spanish to deliver services to Spanish speaking-families, including interpreting when needed. An assessment of Spanish proficiency will be required before a candidate can be appointed to the bilingual position(s). The incumbent in the position(s) will receive the language pay premium on all hours worked and on paid leave hours.



Work Hours: Specific work hours will be discussed during the interview process with the supervisor to meet program and client needs. Some positions may require holidays, nights, and/or weekend shifts. Arlington County Government employee benefits depend on whether a position is permanent, the number of hours worked, and the number of months the position is scheduled.



Specific information on benefits and conditions of employment can be found on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: (see application details)



Permanent, Full-Time Appointments

All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:



Paid Leave : Vacation leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases every three years until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. There are eleven paid holidays each year.



Health and Dental Insurance : Three group health insurance plans are offered - a network open access plan, a point-of-service plan, and a health maintenance organization. A group dental insurance plan is also offered. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. A discount vision plan is provided for eye care needs.



Life Insurance : A group term policy of basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance is available with rates based on the employee's age and smoker/non-smoker status.



Retirement : The County offers three vehicles to help you prepare for retirement: a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service. The County also contributes to this plan.



For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)) . The County also matches your 457 contribution, up to $20 per pay period, in this plan. The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to set aside money on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your base pay.



Other Benefits: The County also offers health, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; long-term care insurance; tuition assistance; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other employee benefits.



Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:

Part time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.



Limited Term Appointments:

Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.



Temporary Regular Appointments:

Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.



Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:

Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.


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Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note que le Offshore Petroleum Bill sera presente au Parlement, de la signature dun Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement avec lAllemagne, de donner le nom de Port Louis Cruise Terminal au nouveau quai pour les bateaux de croisieres, 451 cas actifs de la Covid-19 dans le pays au 15 octobre 2021 entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Offshore Petroleum Bill into the National Assembly. The object of the Bill is to repeal the Petroleum Act, a legislation which dates back to the year 1970, and replace it with a new and more appropriate regulatory regime for the conduct of petroleum activities in the seabed and subsoil areas of the maritime zones of Mauritius, such as the prospecting, exploration, retention and production of petroleum. The Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration of the Prime Ministers Office shall, amongst its other functions, be the regulatory body for petroleum activities in the maritime zones of Mauritius and shall, inter alia,:

(a) regulate, monitor and oversee petroleum activities;

(b) be responsible for the issue of prospecting permits, exploration licences, retention licences and production licences;

(c) negotiate, on behalf of the Government, prospecting agreements and petroleum agreements;

(d) facilitate the conduct of petroleum activities;

(e) develop strategies and policies to minimise and manage the impacts of petroleum activities in the marine environment;

(f) advise the Minister in the formulation, planning and management of policies in relation to petroleum activities; and

(g) do such other things as may be necessary for the conduct of petroleum activities.

In addition, all sovereign rights to petroleum contained in the seabed and subsoil areas of the maritime zones shall vest, and shall always be deemed to have been vested, in the State of Mauritius.

2. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius signing a Protocol with the Federal Republic of Germany to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two countries. The objective of the current Protocol is to amend the DTAA so that it complies with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project recommendations. The Protocol, would incorporate in the Agreement, the following new provisions:

(a) a statement in the Preamble to emphasise that the intention of both countries is to eliminate double taxation, without creating opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance;

(b) the possibility for a taxpayer to have recourse to arbitration where a tax dispute cannot be resolved by the competent authorities within a period of three years after the case has been referred for consideration; and

(c) to clarify the cases which are not eligible for arbitration.

3. Cabinet has agreed to the adoption of an injury protocol for reporting, handling and administration of injury and illness at the workplace in Ministries and Departments. The protocol would greatly help public organisations to put in place an effective reporting and recording mechanism. The benefits accruing from the adoption of the protocol include, amongst others, the following:

(a) improvement of compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act;

(b) paving the way for the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System in accordance with the norms of ISO 45001;

(c) avoiding complex litigations; and

(d) enhancement of the image of Government as a caring employer.

4. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Joint Declaration for extension of the existing Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Chair in Ayurveda, between the University of Mauritius and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of the Republic of India, for a period of three years. The Memorandum of Understanding provides, inter alia, for a Chair in Ayurveda to be set up at the University of Mauritius to:

(a) undertake academic and research activities in Ayurveda, in accordance with the requirements of the University of Mauritius;

(b) act as credible source of AYUSH related information for the Republic of Mauritius; and

(c) advocate the safe use of Ayurveda in the Republic of Mauritius.

5. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a framework for collaboration and mutual cooperation between the Construction Industry Development Board and the University of Mauritius. The following areas would be covered:

(a) collaboration in research, teaching and learning in fields of common interest;

(b) collaboration in the exchange of educational resource materials and publications that are of mutual interest;

(c) identification of special short-term academic programmes and projects of mutual benefit to both institutions;

(d) development and running of short courses aimed at capacity building of SME contractors operating in the construction industry;

(e) development and running of short courses for consultants operating in the construction sector;

(f) organisation of Continuing Professional Development programmes, including training sessions and workshops, to cater for the needs of local contractors; and

(g) research work on topics that are relevant to the needs of the construction industry.

6. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping would sign an amended Small Scale Funding Agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme in relation to the implementation of the project Assessment of Blue Carbon Ecosystem (Seagrass) around the island of Mauritius: Relevance for Marine Spatial Planning. The main objectives of the project would be:

(a) the production of a map depicting the distribution and diversity of seagrass species in the lagoons of Mauritius;

(b) the establishment of long-term monitoring stations; and

(c) the collection of data on seagrass and the carbon storage capacity of the different species of seagrass around Mauritius.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the inauguration of the Ground Station of the first Mauritian Satellite on 07 October 2021 and of action being taken by the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation to pursue Governments agenda in the field of Space Research and Technology. With a view to controlling and commanding the Mauritian Nano Satellite, a Ground Station together with related antennas, has been set up at the Ebene Heights Building, on the premises of the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council. The satellite is able to take pictures of Mauritius and its surroundings when it passes over the region. The Ground Station is also able to capture data from other low orbiting satellites and is helping to build capacity in satellite/space technology.

The official inauguration of the Ground Station was performed by the Prime Minister, in the presence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, the High Commissioner of the Republic of India and other officials on 07 October 2021.

8. Cabinet has agreed to the proposal of the Mauritius Ports Authority to name the new cruise terminal facility in the port area at Les Salines as the Port Louis Cruise Terminal. The Mauritius Ports Authority is undertaking the construction of a cruise terminal building at Les Salines which comprises the terminal building and the associated area for passenger cars, taxis and shuttle buses. The project is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2022. The cruise terminal would be fully operational by mid-next year in time to cater for the 2022/2023 cruise season.

9. Cabinet has taken note that the 32nd National Crisis Committee on Wakashio was held recently. The purpose of the Committee was to look into the restarting of the removal of the aft part of the Wakashio wreck, which could not be carried out since March 2021 due to bad sea state and weather conditions. The National Crisis Committee was apprised that Lianyungang Dali Underwater Engineering Co Ltd and Hong Kong Lidada Ocean Engineering Co Ltd, which had been appointed by Japan P&I Club and the owner, had mobilised the logistics and were ready to restart the operations. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre would be on site at Blue Bay Command Centre for coordination purposes as from the start of the wreck removal operations.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security in the context of the World Food Day, celebrated on 16 October every year to mark the foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The theme for this year is Our Actions are Our Future. Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life. At national level, the theme chosen is Manz Seki Nou Prodwir, Prodwir Seki Nou Manze.

The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security would organise an Agricultural Exhibition and a Culinary Competition on 16 October 2021 at the Plaine des Papayes Multipurpose Complex. The agricultural exhibition/fair would involve the participation of the Agricultural and the Forestry Services, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, the Agricultural Marketing Board and other parastatal bodies. They would have the opportunity to showcase their activities and the numerous services they offer. Fruit trees, decorative and endemic plants, vegetables, day old chicks and agro-processed foods would be sold at promotional prices to the public. Fruit Fly baits would also be distributed freely to visitors. The objective of the Culinary Competition is to promote local products and dishes.



11. Cabinet has taken note that 1,111 applications for Premium Visa have been received as at 30 September 2021 and 750 applications which fulfilled the required criteria, have been approved.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing across the world. Some 240 million cases have been reported globally, of which 217.3 million persons have been successfully treated.

With regard to Mauritius, as at 14 October 2021, there were 451 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 31 were admitted at New ENT Hospital including five on ventilators. Over the period 07 October to 13 October 2021, 20 deaths were attributed to COVID-19.

Cabinet has also taken note that there were two active cases in Rodrigues. Both were returning Rodriguans who were in quarantine.

Cabinet has further taken note of progress in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. As at 13 October 2021, 884,765 persons had received a first dose of vaccine (representing 69.9 percent of the population). 831,918 persons had been fully vaccinated (representing 65.7 percent of the population). 10,968 persons had received a booster dose. 20,124 adolescents aged between 15 to 17 years had received a first dose of vaccine.

Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Health and Wellness has made the following Regulations/Notices 

(a) Consolidated COVID-19 (Amendment) Regulations 2021;

(b) Notice under Regulation 4(2)(d) of the Consolidated COVID-19 Regulations 2021; and

(c) Notice under Regulation 14(a) of the Consolidated COVID-19 Regulations 2021.

13. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture on 27 October 2021 at La Tour Koenig, Pointe Aux Sables to mark the 35th Anniversary of the Centre. The 35th Anniversary coincides with the celebration of La Journee Internationale Creole, and the following activities would be organised:

(a) projection of a video clip on the history of the Centre from its official inauguration on 27 October 1986 to date;

(b) projection of a video clip on La Tour Koenig and its conversion by the Centre into an Art Space;

(c) unveiling of an inaugural plaque by the Prime Minister and launching of the Lespas Lar at La Tour Koenig;

(d) opening of an exhibition on the creation of the Centre with emphasis on the inauguration of the Centre by Late Sir Anerood Jugnauth; and

(e) a Sound and Light Show with mapping on La Tour Koenig.

14. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with ISM (Mauritius) Ltd on 20 October 2021 at the

Ex-Military Hospital, Port Louis following the completion of Phase 1 of the Intercontinental Slavery Museum Project. The following activities would be organised at the ex- Military Hospital, Port Louis:

(a) a slam on slavery entitled Rakont mwa gran mama;

(b) a presentation of a documentary on the Ex-Military Hospital, Lopital Militer, Enn Fitir Sit de Konsians;

(c) the launching of the publication on the outcome of the public consultation exercise; and

(d) a guided visit of the rehabilitated Wing A of the Ex- Military Hospital and exhibition on the outcome of the Public Consultation exercise entitled Ki mize lesklavaz pou enn lil Moris modern.

15. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change would hold a two-day Consultative Workshop on Plastic-Free Mauritius: Defining the Roadmap with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme Country Office, on 18 and 19 October 2021. The aim of the Workshop is to provide a forum for national dialogue among key stakeholders to forge the way towards the elaboration of the roadmap. The platform would serve to raise awareness on the measures, policies, and institutional and legal framework to tackle plastic pollution; identify existing gaps and opportunities; and take on board the suggestions of key stakeholders towards the development of the roadmap.

As a side-event to the Workshop, an expo-vente was also being planned to sensitise members of the public on plastic products that have been banned under the Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020 and the Environment Protection (Banning of Plastic Bags) Regulations 2020.

16. Cabinet has taken note of the status of road capital projects being implemented across the island by the Road Development Authority as at 30 September 2021, for which an amount of Rs3.9 billion is available in the current financial year.

17. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Finance, Economic Plannng and Development participated in the 2021 Edition of the Sovereign Investor Forum, held virtually by Standard Chartered Bank on the sidelines of the 2021 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. The Sovereign Investor Forum is an annual event whereby sovereign countries representatives update international investors on the latest economic developments and opportunities in their respective countries. More than 500 major investors participated in the conference and they represent the largest and most impactful investors in the world. These investors include sovereign investment funds, development banks, asset managers, commercial banks, insurance companies and corporate treasuries.

The Minister gave an insight on the macro-economic situation as well as the opportunities for investment in Mauritius. He also provided an overview of the strong measures taken to minimise the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

18. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities to the United Arab Emirates, in the context of the Expo 2020 Dubai. The Minister participated as Speaker and Panelist at the Session Advancing RE Transition in SIDS: Challenges, Opportunities and COP26. The Session in which the Minister participated was a two-part event, hosted by the Government of UAE, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Masdar, and focused on improving access to finance the global energy transition with a spotlight on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). During the first part of the event, the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform was launched. During his intervention, the Minister elaborated on the major achievements in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in Mauritius.

The Minister had a joint meeting with the Director-General of the ADFD and the Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Export Office and discussed the assistance of ADFD to Mauritius and strengthening of the collaboration to enable implementation of critical projects for the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities to meet its targets for Renewable Energy. The Minister also met the Director-General of IRENA and the CEO of Masdar. The Masdar City has been intelligently designed to offer the highest quality of life within the lowest environmental footprint.

19. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change to Paris, where he attended the economic event Ambition Africa 2021. The event was organised by the French Ministere de lEconomie, des Finances et de la Relance. The Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change was one of the four speakers for the Round Table discussions on the theme Eau et dechets: quels enjeux souleves par la crise sanitaire?. In his intervention, he laid emphasis on the supply/availability of potable water on practically the whole island and the role of Government in the distribution of drinking water. The private sectors contributions in the implementation of water treatment and infrastructural projects were also highlighted.

He also discussed on the concept of the Extended Producer Responsibility to involve the importers and producers of electrical and electronic goods for their sustainable use and disposal. The Minister seized the opportunity to meet Mr Charles Trottman, Director of Trois Oceans, a major department of the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) responsible for AFD funded projects in the Small Island Developing States in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and discussions focused on climate change, its impact on Mauritius and the challenges of the island to implement climate change adaptation projects funded by the AFD.

20. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the National Wage Consultative Council, with Mr Beejaye Coomar Appanna as Chairperson.

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Le Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture a eu le feu vert pour organiser le 27 octobre 2021 La Journee Internationale Creole qui marquera aussi le 35 ans du centre qui se trouve a La Tour Koenig, Pointe Aux Sables

Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture on 27 October 2021 at La Tour Koenig, Pointe Aux Sables to mark the 35th Anniversary of the Centre.

The 35th Anniversary coincides with the celebration of La Journee Internationale Creole, and the following activities would be organised:

(a) projection of a video clip on the history of the Centre from its official inauguration on 27 October 1986 to date;

(b) projection of a video clip on La Tour Koenig and its conversion by the Centre into an Art Space;

(c) unveiling of an inaugural plaque by the Prime Minister and launching of the Lespas Lar at La Tour Koenig;

(d) opening of an exhibition on the creation of the Centre with emphasis on the inauguration of the Centre by Late Sir Anerood Jugnauth; and

(e) a Sound and Light Show with mapping on La Tour Koenig.
Le gouvernement a donne son aval le 15 octobre 2021 a ce que ce nom soit attribue au nouveau quai qui va servir aux bateaux croisieres a partir de la seconde partie de 2022.

Cabinet has agreed to the proposal of the Mauritius Ports Authority to name the new cruise terminal facility in the port area at Les Salines as the Port Louis Cruise Terminal. The Mauritius Ports Authority is undertaking the construction of a cruise terminal building at Les Salines which comprises the terminal building and the associated area for passenger cars, taxis and shuttle buses. The project is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2022. The cruise terminal would be fully operational by mid-next year in time to cater for the 2022/2023 cruise season.
DeGuerin confirmed that Durst had been hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Durst has been held in a wing of USC Medical Center under the watch of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department throughout the trial, but it was not immediately clear if he was still in that facility or when or where he became infected with the coronavirus.
At the Nov. 2 election, Allentown voters will be asked to approve a referendum to remove a section of the charter that says: English shall be the official language of the city of Allentown and the language in which city business shall be conducted, unless otherwise required by applicable state and/or federal law or regulation.
Another strategy of diversion is to make an early decision not to prosecute at all. This could be accomplished at the arrest point, right at the police station. The Police-Assisted Diversion Program used in Philadelphia, for example, gives police officials the discretion to divert certain offenders away from the criminal system and towards social services.
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International

Myanmar junta chief Hlaing excluded from ASEAN summit

Gen Min Aung Hlaing

London, Oct 16 (Agencies) | Publish Date: 10/16/2021 12:56:22 PM IST

The army general who seized power in Myanmar in February has been excluded from an annual summit of regional leaders later this month.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) agreed to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar instead of Gen Min Aung Hlaing, BBC reported.

It is a unprecedented move for the 10-member bloc, which traditionally avoids interfering in its members affairs.

Asean said the military had not done enough to end the turmoil in Myanmar.

In August, Gen Min Aung Hlaing named himself prime minister and said the countrys state of emergency would be extended as fighting between the army and militia forces opposed to the military coup continued.

Asean said in a statement that an emergency meeting of its foreign ministers on Friday was unable to reach a consensus on whether the military should represent Myanmar at the summit held between 26-28 October.

The group said Myanmars military leaders had refused to fulfil promises of dialogue and de-escalation and said its representative had been banned from meeting the deposed and imprisoned civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

The statement - issued by Brunei, which is hosting the summit - said the situation in Myanmar was having an impact on regional security as well as the unity, credibility and centrality of Asean.

In April, Asean urged Gen Min Aung Hlaing to end the violent crackdown in the country and to release political prisoners.

The BBCs Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the decision to exclude the general from the summit, which will also be attended by US President Joe Biden and other world leaders, is a significant blow to the military governments hopes of eventual international recognition.

There have been no indications yet, our correspondent adds, that the military is willing to reduce the use of violence against the opposition and to start negotiating with them.

Asean did not name the Myanmar representative it was inviting to participate in the summit.

Demonstrations spread across Myanmar following the February coup. Security forces responded with a brutal crackdown, killing more than 1,000 people and detaining more than 6,000, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
National

Singhu border lynching: 2nd person arrested

Sarabjit Singh, being taken back to police custody after the court ordered for his 7-day remand, in Sonipat. (PTI)

Sonipat (Hr)/Amritsar (Pb), Oct 16 (PTI) | Publish Date: 10/16/2021 12:44:56 PM IST

Victims family demands high-level probe

A second member of the Sikhs Nihang order was arrested on Saturday in connection with the lynching of a Dalit labourer at the farmers protest site at Singhu on Delhi-Haryana border, even as the victims family questioned the attackers claim that he had committed sacrilege and demanded a high-level probe into the episode.

The mortal remains of Lakhbir Singh were cremated at his native village in Punjabs Tarn Taran amid tight security in the presence of his close family members. No Sikh priest was present to perform Ardas (Sikh religious prayer) and no one from his village Cheema Kalan attended the last rites. Sarabjit Singh, arrested on Friday for the brutal killing of Lakhbir Singh, was produced before a Sonepat court in Haryana and remanded in police custody for seven days.

Hours later, Narain Singh was also arrested by the Amritsar Rural police at Amarkot village near Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district, police said.

Narain Singh, however, claimed that he had informed the police that he was surrendering.

Talking to the media before his arrest, Narain Singh was unrepentant and said that Lakhbir Singh had been punished for sacrilege. He said that the accused in the Bargari sacrilege incident in Punjab were yet to be arrested, but now if somebody will commit such a heinous crime he would be punished on the spot.

Narain Singh was given a robe of honour and a garland of currency notes by some people when he paid obeisance in the Amarkot Gurdwara before his arrest. According to police, Sarabjit Singh has claimed the involvement of a few more people in the gruesome killing, which has sparked outrage and has triggered calls for action to clear the protest sites on Delhis borders where farmers have been camping since last November to press for the scrapping of the Centres three agri laws.

Haryanas Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and senior BJP leader Rattan Lal Kataria said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is leading the farmers agitation, cannot escape the responsibility for what happened at their protest site.

It was a barbaric crime. Police are already at job conducting investigations into the case..But 40 leaders (SKM leaders) cannot escape from their responsibility, Dushyant Chautala, who is leader of the JJP, which is a coalition partner of the ruling BJP in Haryana, said.

Kataria, a former Union Minister, said, the incident was similar to the killings carried out by the Taliban.

The responsibility of any incident happening at the protest site (of farmers) lies with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the MP from Ambala said.

The SKM had issued a statement on Friday distancing itself from the incident and said that it wanted to make it clear that both the parties to the incident, the Nihang group and the victim, have no relation with the Morcha.

Farmer union leaders asserted on Saturday that the incident will have no impact on the agitation and said they will upgrade security by installing CCTV cameras and increasing the number of volunteers at the protest sites. Punjabs Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge to find out actual cause of the incident and alleged it was an attempts to sabotage the farmers agitation. Randhawa, who also holds the Home Department portfolio, in an official statement, said that this is a very sensitive issue, which is related to the religious beliefs of the people and associated with the farmers who had been peacefully protesting from almost a year against the draconian farm laws of the central government.

The body of Lakhbir Singh was found on Friday tied to a barricade at the Singhu border with a hand chopped off and multiple wounds caused by sharp-edged weapons.

Hours after the crime, Sarabjit Sigh, wearing the blue robes of the Nihang order, claimed that he had punished the victim for desecrating a Sikh holy book.

Questioning his claim, the victims wife Jaspreet Kaur and sister Raj Kaur said Lakhbir Singh had a deep respect for the holy Guru Granth Sahib.

He was a god-fearing man who could not never think of desecrating a holy book... Whenever he used to go to a Gurdwara, he would pray for the well-being of his family and the society, said Jaspreet Kaur. He had no criminal record and there was no report of him being a bad character, the victims family said and demanded a high-level probe into the entire episode to bring out the truth.

Jaspreet and Raj Kaur said even if it is assumed for a moment that Lakhbir had done something wrong, those who killed him in such a barbaric manner should have given him time to prove his innocence, or they could have handed him over to the police.

At no stage could they be the deciding authority while running their own self-styled court which pronounced punishment and then murdered him inhumanly. Where does the law of land prevail here? said his grieving sister.

His wife Jaspreet Kaur and three daughters aged 12, 11 and eight years live in a small temporary house made of mud and bricks in village Cheema Kalan, around 50 km away from the holy city of Amritsar. His son passed away two years ago.

The family was barely managing two square meals a day when Lakhbir was alive and would work in the village fields or in the grain market of Tarn Taran district for his livelihood.

Who will come forward to look after his family now and what about the future of his children..who will help them, lamented his sister Raj Kaur.

Sonipats Deputy Superintendent of Police Virender Singh said the total number of accused in the crime could be more than five.

We produced Sarabjit before the court. The accused has been remanded in seven days police custody by the court, he said over the phone.

The accused has pointed to the involvement of four more people in the case and taken their names...we are conducting further investigations in this regard. We have to make some recoveries from the arrested accused including the weapon used in the crime and the clothes he was wearing, he said.

Earlier on Friday, in a video clip that surfaced on social media, some Nihangs were seen standing around the victim with his severed left hand close to his head. The group was heard accusing him of desecrating a Sikh holy book.

A case of murder was registered at the Kundli police station in Sonipat in connection with the lynching incident.

Around 15 Dalit outfits submitted a memorandum to the National Commission for Scheduled Caste Chairman Vijay Sampla on Saturday demanding stringent action against the culprits.

These included the Akhil Bharatiya Khatik Samaj, Akhil Bharatiya Berwa Vikas Sangh, Dhanak Welfare Association and other organisations of Dalit employees and professionals.

Political parties across the board have condemned the incident and demanded a thorough probe.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said that the incident was extremely sad and shameful and demanded that the victims family be given compensation.

The brutal murder of a Dalit youth from Punjab at Delhis Singhu border is extremely sad and shameful. The police must take the incident seriously and take strong action against the accused persons.

The BSP demands that the Dalit chief minister of Punjab should give a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to the aggrieved family, as was done in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Congress had said that it was the governments responsibility to investigate the lynching, while the BJP asserted that anarchic elements are using farmers for their politics.

The saffron party on Saturday hit out at the opposition party for not raising the issue at the Congress Working Committee meeting.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned if the opposition party stood with the Talibani mindset behind the killing.

For the sake of petty and cheap vote bank politics, opposition parties, especially the Congress, will maintain a deafening silence on this key issue.

They will not have the courage to call spade a spade because it does not suit their political narrative, Bhatia said while also attacking BKU leader Rakesh Tikait for his reported remarks that organisers cannot be blamed for such an incident.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which is leading the charge at Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, said on Saturday that more cameras would be installed and there shall be a change in the deployment of volunteers at the protest site in the wake of the Friday incident.

It has been decided now that such volunteers shall be deployed only by SKM at protest sites, BKUs media in-charge Dharmendra Malik told PTI.

It was also decided that the groups or individuals who are participating in the movement but hold ideologies that are different from the SKMs policies shall be asked to vacate the protest sites or adopt the agendas of the farmers collective, he added.

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary of BKU (Lakhowal), alleged that the incident was a ploy to divert attention from the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

They pick up one or two incidents and say you are growing violent. We are not growing violent. We have been consistently peaceful.

Its the governments tactics hoping that incidents like this will weaken the movement, that ultimately it will disperse, but it is not going to happen. We will only grow stronger. Our core value is of non-violence, farmer leader Kavitha Kuruganti of the Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch said.

Hundreds of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and UP, have been camping at the Delhi borders since November 26 last year, demanding the repeal of the three new farm laws.

While the agitating unions have been expressing fear that the laws would do away with the Minimum Support Price system, leaving farmers at the mercy of the corporations, the government has been projecting them as major agricultural reforms.

Over 10 rounds of talks between the two sides have failed to break the deadlock.

The Supreme Court had stayed the implementation of the laws in January.
International

Taliban to step up security at Shiite mosques after attack

Kabul, Oct 16 (Reuters) | Publish Date: 10/16/2021 12:55:23 PM IST

Taliban authorities pledged to step up security at Shiite mosques after the second Islamic State attack in a week on worshippers killed more than 40 people in the Afghan city of Kandahar on Friday.

The hardline Sunni group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on the Fatima mosque in Kandahar which saw a group of suicide bombers shoot their way into the mosque before blowing themselves up among the worshippers.

A health official said the casualty toll from the attack stood at 41 dead and 70 wounded but the toll could still rise further. Some of the wounded are in a critical condition and we are trying to transfer them to Kabul, he said.

The head of Kandahar police said units would be assigned to protect the Shiite mosques which have so far been guarded by local volunteer forces with special permission to carry weapons.

Unfortunately they could not protect this area and in future we will assign special security guards for the protection of mosques and Madrasas, he said in a statement posted on Twitter by a Taliban spokesman.

The attack on the Fatima mosque, the largest Shiite mosque in Kandahar, also known as the Imam Bargah mosque, came a week after a similar attack on a mosque in the northern city of Kunduz, which killed as many as 80 people.

Attacks on Shiite mosques and targets associated with the Hazara ethnic minority, who make up the biggest Shiite group in Afghanistan, were regular occurrences under the former Western-backed government.

There has been deep shock as the attacks have continued since the Taliban seized power in August, tarnishing the movements claim to have brought peace to Afghanistan after decades of war.

Since the takeover, Islamic State has conducted dozens of operations, from small scale attacks on Taliban targets to large-scale operations such as Fridays suicide bombing, killing scores of civilians.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-15 04:31:15|Editor: huaxia

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An airplane of ITA (Italian Airline Transport) is sitting at the ramp of Rome's Fiumicimo airport in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

ROME, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Italy's flagship airline Alitalia operated its final flight on Thursday, a day before being replaced by a new national company.

Departing from Cagliari, Sardinia, and landing at Rome's Fiumicino airport in the evening, Alitalia's last flight put an end to a 74-year-long history that has seen both great success and serious financial troubles.

Founded in 1946 as a national airline, Alitalia started operating domestic flights in May 1947, carrying an average of 10,000 passengers per year.

It developed in a relatively short time, and by 1957 was one of the world's 12 largest airline companies, with a fleet of 37 aircraft and 3,000 employees. By 1960, when it was the official carrier of the Rome Olympic Games, the company was transporting up to one million people per year.

After strengthening its fleet with larger aircraft in the 1980s, for the next decade it carried an average of 25 million passengers annually.

However, the state-owned company has long been in financial trouble, and has always been bailed out by the Italian government.

Although direct public aid was stopped by the EU in 2006, Alitalia still received a type of public aid through emergency loans.

In 2014, 49 percent of the company was purchased by Etihad Airways -- the United Arab Emirates' national airline -- in order to save it from bankruptcy. Other investment deals followed, but failed, leaving the company in financial trouble.

It was finally put into state administration in 2017, and kept operating mainly through the injection of public money. However, the coronavirus pandemic dealt Alitalia its final blow, despite an injection of capital worth some 1.35 billion euros (1.56 billion U.S. dollars) that was allowed by the European Commission since it was considered in line with market conditions.

Earlier this year, Alitalia announced it would stop selling tickets by Aug. 25, while waiting for its successor ITA (Italian Airline Transport) to be launched.

ITA will start operating on Oct. 15, as agreed between the Italian government and European authorities earlier this year.

According to its industrial plan for 2021-2025, the airline will start operating with a fleet of 52 aircraft serving 44 destinations. By 2025, it is expected to cover 74 routes. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-15 16:51:20|Editor: huaxia

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The Security Council holds a meeting on Colombia at the UN headquarters in New York, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Violence and land issues continue to pose challenges to the implementation of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), said the top United Nations (UN) envoy for Colombia on Thursday.

"We continue to follow security issues in various regions with utmost concern. It is particularly grave that the very areas prioritized for the agreement's implementation ... are the ones facing the direst situations," said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.

To date, 296 men and women who laid down their arms in good faith have lost their lives, mostly because of the actions of illegal armed actors and criminal organizations, he told the Security Council in a briefing.

Conflict-affected communities, former combatants and social leaders still bear the brunt of the actions of illegal armed actors taking advantage of a limited state presence, poverty and illicit economies. Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities are being disproportionately affected by all kinds of violence, from killings of their leaders to displacements and confinements. This situation demands the urgent and simultaneous implementation of all security guarantee provisions of the agreement, he said.

Five years into the implementation of the peace agreement, there is broad consensus on the essential role that land plays to anchor the reintegration process, especially with regards to housing and productive initiatives, said Massieu.

He had witnessed the anxiety of former combatants over investing additional resources and their frustration due to cost overruns, given that they operate on rented land.

The important efforts made by the government to acquire land for former combatants are worth redoubling so that the endeavors of more former combatants across the country can take root, he said.

"However fruitful the early stages may have been, the long-term success of initial investments is contingent upon the agreement's promise of reshaping rural Colombia by establishing sustainable development opportunities and state services and institutions for communities whose expectations remain unfulfilled," he further said.

Preserving what has been achieved, making progress on pending tasks and overcoming implementation challenges will depend, to a large extent, on the parties' ability to implement the elements of the peace agreement. Their isolated implementation would be insufficient to deactivate the factors that underpinned decades of armed conflict and to achieve the peace agreement's transformative potential, he said.

Even amid great challenges, the Colombian peace process continues to demonstrate, with vivid examples, the benefits of putting an end to the conflict through a negotiated agreement and ensuring that victims' rights remain a priority, said Massieu. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 00:06:29|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday slammed reported "vile" U.S. practice of hiring paid posters to spread rumors to discredit China.

Zimbabwe's media have revealed that the U.S. government, through such means as funding relevant agencies in hosting seminars, is paying private media journalists 1,000 U.S. dollars for every story they publish to discredit Chinese companies who invest in Zimbabwe.

In response, spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily press briefing, "1,000 U.S. dollars could have been spent in funding a poor Zimbabwean student or helping Zimbabwe purchase 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. But the U.S. government chose to hire paid posters to spread rumors with the money, which is vile, as media outlets put it."

Zhao said that for some time, the United States has gone to great lengths, including paying for lies, to discredit China and hurt China-Africa relations.

"The reports fully show that African countries and the whole international community are clear-eyed about the United States' flagrant dissemination of disinformation, and revolt at the United States' despicable and unscrupulous fabrication of lies and smears," the spokesperson added.

Noting that China and Zimbabwe enjoy a long-standing friendship, Zhao said Chinese companies' investment in Zimbabwe has played a positive role in promoting the country's economic recovery and development and improving people's livelihoods. "Our practical cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples," he said.

"What stands in clear contrast is that the United States has long been imposing illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, and using funds to corrupt the media and fabricate negative reports on China at their behest," Zhao said, adding that such a comparison makes the situation all too clear.

"We urge the United States to stop shouting empty slogans and speaking falsehoods, and do more concrete things for African people, including those in Zimbabwe, so as to play a constructive role in Africa's economic recovery and development," Zhao said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 00:36:17|Editor: huaxia

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Workers remove the old rails during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Hungarian section of the modernization of Budapest-Belgrade railway in Kiskunhalas, Hungary, on Oct. 15, 2021. The project for the modernization of the Budapest-Belgrade railway was initially agreed on in 2013 at the China-Central and Eastern European countries leaders' meeting in Bucharest. The railway has a total length of 350 km. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

KISKUNHALAS, Hungary, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Hungary will become a logistics center in the region after the modernization of Budapest-Belgrade railway, Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology Laszlo Palkovics said here on Friday during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Hungarian Section of the modernization of Budapest-Belgrade railway.

The ceremony was attended by Palkovics, Serbia's Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Tomislav Momirovic and Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Qi Dayu. Ning Jizhe, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, attended the ceremony via video link.

"Railways will clearly be in the focus of Hungary's transport development efforts in the next 10-15 years, with the upgrade and capacity expansion of the Budapest-Belgrade line as one of the priority investments," Palkovics said.

With the renovation of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, Hungary will offer the fastest transport route for Chinese goods between Greek ports and Western Europe, becoming a logistics center in the region, according to the Hungarian minister.

For his part, Ning said that the railway project will promote the connectivity between Hungary and Serbia and other European countries, help the two countries build a regional transport and logistics hub, give a strong boost to European infrastructure and economic growth along the route, and enhance the well-being of the European people.

The project is also of great significance for the connection of the "Belt and Road" initiative to European development strategies and the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe, Ning added.

"It could be said that the railway is beneficial to our three countries, to Central and Eastern European countries, and to the entire Europe," he said.

The project for the modernization of the Budapest-Belgrade railway was initially agreed on in 2013 at the China-Central and Eastern European countries leaders' meeting in Bucharest. The railway has a total length of 350 km. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 07:47:46|Editor: huaxia

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A foreign buyer (R) talks with an exhibitor during the 130th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2021. The five-day session kicked off here on Friday. It's the first time the fair is held online and offline concurrently. Nearly 8,000 global enterprises will participate in offline exhibitions of the fair. Meanwhile, around 26,000 companies from home and abroad will participate online, with a record number of 2.82 million exhibits submitted. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 17:00:22|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the farms and land reclamation administrative bureau of Jiansanjiang, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A bowl of rice might not sound like a heavy burden, but for the leader of the world's most populous country, a man who has known real hunger, it is a great weight to carry.

In 1969, Chinese President Xi Jinping, a teenager at the time, left Beijing for the rugged, rural village of Liangjiahe in northwest China. He would spend the next seven years living and working alongside the community; he would see people struggling to put food on the table.

When the annual spring plowing began, the women and children would beg for food in other villages, leaving what little sustenance they had at home for the men, who had to fill their stomachs to work the land.

The community lived hard lives year-round. There was always hoeing, herding, and hauling to do, and at the end of a long day, the dimly lit, flea-infested caves barely offered any 'home comfort.'

Xi once asked villagers what would be their goals for an ideal life. Their replies would stay with him long after he left the village.

First, they said, was enough chaff to feed themselves so they wouldn't have to beg. Second, they craved grains such as sorghum rice and corn meal, and third -- a seemingly unattainable dream at that time -- was to have rice and flour on the table at any time, with a meal of meat regularly: Their happiness was a full "rice bowl."

This story is why, throughout his career, Xi has visited the kitchens of China's underprivileged communities, lifting a pot lid or opening a fridge, or taken time to venture out into the fields to check the crops and chat with farmers.

Photo taken on Oct. 12, 2021 shows a farmer operating a rice harvester in Wanchang Town of Yongji County in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

In 2018, during once such inspection, of a paddy field in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, Xi picked some ears of rice and said, "Chinese people should hold their rice bowls firmly in their own hands, with grains mainly produced by themselves."

Less than two years later, a global health emergency would make the significance of this statement more critical than ever. In February 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world food market was beginning to struggle, yet, under Xi's direction, China held its rice bowl securely. That year it celebrated a bumper harvest for the 17th year in a row.

Hunger is now a distant memory for the villagers of Liangjiahe and hundreds of millions of others across the country. One extreme, however, should not be replaced by another, and Xi has rolled out policies to address reckless food waste.

Many people of Xi's generation remember hunger, as the president once said. The experience in his youth influences his attitude to food.

"When I was young, I was strictly taught by my family not to waste any food, even a single grain of rice," he has said. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 19:20:20|Editor: huaxia

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NICOSIA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding on Saturday to promote the electrical interconnection of the two countries and ensure energy supply for Cyprus, an official statement said.

The memorandum of understanding provides for the timely granting of permits for the technical studies and laying of the undersea interconnector cable.

The statement, issued by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, said the project will help in lifting Cyprus' energy isolation, ensuring energy supply, and will also strengthen the effort to further develop renewable energy sources.

The interconnection is part of a wider scheme to electrically interconnect Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, already agreed between the governments of the three countries in the context of their tripartite regional cooperation agreement, the statement said.

An electrical interconnection is also planned between Israel, Cyprus and Greece.

Cyprus and Greece have established tripartite cooperation agreements with almost all countries in the eastern Mediterranean and beyond, such as Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Serbia and Armenia. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 01:30:30|Editor: huaxia

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A staff member checks an employee's COVID-19 Green Pass at the entrance of a workplace in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 15, 2021. The latest anti-pandemic protocol requiring all workers in the Italian job market to hold the Green Pass proving COVID-19 vaccination entered into force on Friday. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

ROME, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The latest anti-pandemic protocol requiring all workers in the Italian job market to hold the Green Pass proving COVID-19 vaccination entered into force on Friday.

The Italian government introduced the rule on Sept. 16, then gave companies and employers one month to adjust.

The Green Pass is the certificate showing proof that a person has received at least one dose of the vaccine, or is fully immunized, or has recovered from the infection, or has tested negative in the last 48 hours.

The new rule is now in force for all workers in both private and public sectors.

The rule provides that any worker who fails to show the Green Pass will be put on unpaid leave, but could not be dismissed. They could also face a fine of up to 1,500 euros (1,740 U.S. dollars) for not complying.

Employers would be held responsible for checking their workers enter their job posts with the Green Pass.

While the majority of Italy's population accepted it as necessary to further proceed towards normal life, the move met with protests by some parts of the society.

Sit-ins and rallies were registered in some cities on Friday, the largest of which in the two main ports in the country's northwest and northeast -- Genoa and Trieste, respectively.

Some 5,000 protesters were involved in Trieste, where some of the major harbor's activities were affected, regional governor Massimiliano Fedriga told private all-news TV channel Sky TG24.

Traffic disruption was reported before the ports of Genoa and of Ancona (central Italy). Smaller protests were also seen in Rome, Milan, Turin, and Venice.

Yet, people opposing the vaccination and the mandatory green pass made a minority in the country, as 80.8 percent of the target population -- those aged above 12 -- have fully immunized, and over 85 percent had a first dose, according to the Health Ministry.

Italy is the first European Union country to go this far in terms of anti-COVID protocols in the job market. The government had moved gradually in an earlier phase, making vaccines mandatory only for workers in essential sectors such as health care and education.

However, many remained reluctant, and with the beginning of autumn and the need to boost the economy as much as possible, such stringent regulation was deemed as a necessary further push to the ongoing vaccination campaign, which remains strongly recommended but not mandatory.

At least 8 million people aged above 12 have yet to receive the first vaccine dose, according to the latest report provided by the country's coronavirus emergency commissioner Francesco Figliuolo. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 19:23:45|Editor: huaxia

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by Maria Spiliopoulou

SPETSES, Greece, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Summer is over, but the cafes and restaurants flanking the cobblestone streets of the tiny port of Dapia on Greece's Spetses island, are still teeming with patrons.

The Spetses Town is off limits to private cars, but visitors can take horse-drawn carriage rides along the seafront promenade, marveling at the glamorous Poseidonion Grand Hotel and the sprawling mansions lining the seafront.

Local officials and hoteliers agree that tourism growth this year exceeded expectations both in Spetses, an affluent island of some 4,000 inhabitants located in the eastern part of the Peloponnese, and nationwide.

Tourism revenues were higher than previously forecast, giving a strong boost to Greece's 2021 gross domestic product (GDP). Revenues for this year are expected to clock in at nearly 12 billion euros (13.9 billion U.S. dollars), Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias told the Greek national broadcaster ERT recently.

In record-breaking 2019, Greece registered 32 million tourist arrivals and 18 billion euros in tourism receipts.

Based on these results, this autumn the Greek government revised its GDP growth target for 2021 to 6.1 percent from 3.6 percent.

Officials and analysts are confident that the tourism sector, a key pillar of Greece's economy that has withstood the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, will post even more impressive results in the near future, further supporting the country's economic recovery.

The 2022 tourism season may reach 2019 levels, Yiannis Retsos, president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), told a forum in Athens on Tuesday.

Mayor of Spetses Panagiotis Lirakis is likewise optimistic.

"This year, tourism in Spetses performed better than ever," he told Xinhua during a recent tour of the Spetses Museum.

Housed in the Mansion of Chatzigiannis Mexis, a seafarer who was a member of the island's ruling class in the early 19th century, the museum exhibits archaeological findings dating back 4,000 years and illustrates Spetses' maritime tradition and the leading role it played during the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in 1821.

"We believe that year-round tourism is feasible thanks to the mild climate. We started with a four-month tourism season and have extended it to eight months already," Antonis Vordonis, Managing Director of Poseidonion Grand Hotel and president of the municipality's tourism committee, told Xinhua.

While last year was spent in pandemic mode, this year has been a very good one, Vordonis stressed. The hotel occupancy rate in Spetses stood at 70 percent in June, exceeded 85 percent in July and reached 90 percent in August.

Similar figures were recorded across the country as well. In late September, the occupancy rate in hotels and similar accommodations across the country stood at 63 percent, Kikilias said on Open TV, a free-to-air television station.

The country's strict coronavirus protocols have proven to be effective, officials and entrepreneurs agree. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-17 03:16:32|Editor: huaxia

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by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel's departure from the European political scene may cast a shadow over the difficult relationship between Turkey and the European Union (EU), experts said.

Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday held talks in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul. Under a "cordial atmosphere" described by the local media, the two leaders discussed ties between Turkey and Germany, Turkey's membership bid to the EU, irregular migration, and a series of regional issues.

On one hand, it is no secret that the long-serving chancellor was opposed to Turkey's accession to the European bloc. Turkey's EU membership talks are currently blocked as a result of tensions with Greece and Cyprus.

On the other hand, Merkel used conciliatory rhetoric toward Ankara despite divergent interests on many issues.

Merkel is set to leave power once a new government is in place in Berlin following general elections, and this could mean a new approach to Turkey, according to analysts.

"We need to be realistic. Merkel's absence will be a significant loss for Turkey. Her well-balanced approach toward Turkey was instrumental in reducing tensions between the EU and Turkey, and also in bilateral ties," former Turkish ambassador Uluc Ozulker said.

"Without the stability that Merkel incarnated, bilateral relations and Turkey's ties with the EU are poised to face snags and uncertainty," Ozulker said on private broadcaster NTV.

In 2016, Merkel clinched a deal between the EU and Turkey, which successfully decreased the number of migrants crossing the Aegean Sea toward Europe. As part of the deal, Turkey received financial support.

Turkey, a key transit point for asylum seekers on their way to Europe, hosts more than 4 million refugees, including over 3.6 million Syrians, within its borders.

According to a source close to the Ankara government, Turkey needs the EU, its biggest trade partner, while Germany and the EU need Ankara to pursue a "balanced and mutually satisfactory migration policy."

Afghanistan is another issue where the parties need each other following the Taliban's takeover, it said. The Taliban has engaged in diplomatic dialogue with both Berlin and Ankara.

This source also remarked that the new German government is expected to be more sensitive on human rights, rule of law and personal freedoms issues.

This scenario might irritate Erdogan who has frequently accused the EU of failing to support his country's struggle against "terrorists" after a botched coup in 2016.

According to independent foreign policy analyst Tulin Daloglu, current disagreements inside the EU may also have an impact on the future of Turkey-EU relations after Merkel leaves office.

"Europe is entering an area of uncertainties," she told Xinhua, adding that "the United States has shifted its security pact from Europe to East Asia."

Given the uncertainties facing the bloc, the expert said that Turkey may also have additional troubles concerning its decades-long strategy to be a member of the union. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 09:59:34|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton's health indicators are "trending in the right direction," but he will continue to receive treatment at a Southern California hospital for one more night, his spokesperson said Friday.

Clinton, 75, was admitted Tuesday evening to the University of California (UC) Irvine Medical Center in Orange County for a non-coronavirus-related infection.

His white blood count has decreased significantly, tweeted his spokesperson Angel Urena Friday afternoon, adding that Clinton will remain in the hospital overnight to "receive further IV antibiotics."

Clinton was in an intensive care section of UC Irvine Medical Center, though not receiving "ICU care," KABC-TV, the West Coast flagship station of the ABC television network, quoted an aide to the former U.S. president as saying Friday.

The aide told reporters at the hospital that Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but is on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Clinton was in Southern California for a private reception and dinner for the nonprofit Clinton Foundation. After meeting with friends in Orange County on Tuesday, he reported feeling fatigued, an aide to the former U.S. President was quoted as saying by The Los Angeles Times.

Clinton, a member of the Democratic Party, served as the 42nd U.S. president from 1993 to 2001. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 18:02:44|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Experts are worried that it might be difficult to get the shots in those young arms as the authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for U.S. children aged 5 to 11 is approaching, The Guardian has reported.

Only one third of U.S. parents showed their willingness to vaccinate their child right away once a vaccine is available for their age group, Kaiser Family Foundation has found.

Getting people of all ages jabbed is a crucial part of ending the pandemic, Dr Saad Omer, an infectious disease epidemiologist and director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, was quoted as saying.

The cumulative number of child COVID-19 cases in the United States has surpassed 6 million, according to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-17 05:47:16|Editor: huaxia

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SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire starting Friday from a prescribed burn in Santa Cruz County, U.S. northern California, was 83 acres (about 0.33 square km) large and 25 percent contained, fire officials said on Saturday.

The Estrada fire, burning between Watsonville and Morgan Hill above Hazel Del Road near Santa Clara County, was "part of the" Estrada Ranch Prescribed Burn, according to Cecile Juliette, a spokesperson for the San Mateo and Santa Cruz Unit (CZU) of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Prescribed burns are "intended to reduce fuel accumulations and restore and enhance grassland," officials said in a statement.

Officials said there will be a full investigation to determine what went wrong.

Four zones in Santa Cruz County are still under an evacuation order because of the blaze. Enditem
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has cleared Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni and the Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, of any wrongdoing regarding corruption allegations that were levelled against them.

Last year, residents questioned Clr Mgunis leasing of a 3,5 hectare piece of land at Lower Rangemore under a 25-year lease at $165 per month rent. The local authority had received 24 objections where a total of 33 different issues were raised from residents regarding the lease.

In their objections, the residents among other concerns alleged that the mayor had used his privileged access of information to make an application for the said property. The residents claimed that this was an illegitimate deal that promoted clientelism, patronage and capture.

Mr Dube on the other hand was on the radar of the anti-graft body over his purchase a commercial stand, in Selborne Park as part of his proposed conditions of service. The Town Clerk already had another stand adjacent to the one he was being offered.

According to a letter from Zacc chairperson, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, dated 5 October 2021, the anti-graft body noted that all the resolutions were done above board. Justice Matanda-Moyo revealed that the commission had held a rapid compliance spot check on the allocation of stands following the issues that were raised between 14 and 18 September last year.

The findings were that the council resolved to offer a commercial stand for which the Town Clerk was expected to pay the full price. Furthermore the council was to purchase a new vehicle which the Town Clerk was to buy at 25 percent net book value.

With regards to the mayors 25 year lease for 3,5 hectare agriculture land at Lower Rangemore, the findings were that, the mayor is allowed to apply for urban agriculture land like any other Bulawayo resident and be subjected to same rentals which are prevailing in that area, reads part of the letter.

The Zacc chairperson said the body will soon be carrying out a comprehensive compliance and systems review at the Bulawayo City Council, after which they will now be carrying quarterly monitoring and evaluation.

During the review exercise an implementation matrix will be produced which will be shared by the team to management and councillors on their exit interview. Furthermore, signing of the implementation matrix will be held between the City of Bulawayo and Zacc, which will pave way for quarterly monitoring and evaluation of the matrix, said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

Commenting on the outcome, Clr Mguni said it put to rest speculation that they had selfishly awarded themselves the land. He said the quarterly review would help them ensure that their systems were above board and help deter any council employee or councillor from involving themselves in any corruption.

This vindicates us as a city and puts to rest some speculations that we are involved in corrupt practices and we engage in unprocedural selfish award of land to ourselves at the expense of service delivery.

To us it was also a good opportunity to have our systems benchmarked against best practices and we are glad that going forward we will now go to the next phase where the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission will work with our team to develop further tools for systems compliance review and the drawing up of an implementation matrix that we will co-manage its operation.

We want to thank Zacc for the opportunity that they have given us to develop our systems and to work on all our policies that require compliance with principles of accountable governance and prudent use of public resources, said Clr Mguni. Sunday News


WHAT initially started as a social networking group to keep Zimbabwean women in touch while in foreign lands, has since blossomed into a huge multi-million dollar investment.

The women involved in the huge investment are the faces behind Qoki Zindlovukazi- a well-known organisation which is changing lives in Matabeleland.

These women are basically millionaires in South African rand terms and they have invested in the property sector, farming and energy, among other sectors.

Qoki was formed in December 2016 by a group of about 30 women initially to help each other invest as they worked abroad.

The women committed themselves and bought their first house which boosted their confidence in the power of numbers after a seminar a few months down the line.

After the property seminar which birthed the vision to invest in immovable property, the women have never looked back and today they are the pride of Matabeleland and Midlands where they come from.

Now they are more than 5 000 and if an investment opportunity comes up, it is floated around and those interested invest.

With contributions starting from 20 pounds, the women have grown from strength to strength and are now owners of properties and businesses in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In one of their major projects, 10 Qoki women invested their savings and bought mansions known as Soho Units in Sandton, Johannesburg, a multi-million-rand business idea which is flourishing in the neighbouring country. The mansions are valued at R1,5 million each.

A hundred more in South Africa have been contributing towards Qoki Villas located in Germiston just to secure decent accommodation for their families.

In Zimbabwe, Qoki through their projects has secured pieces of land in Bulawayo for the construction of town houses and the projects are underway.

The plan is to construct as many town houses in Burnside, Woodville, Riverside and along Airport Road for their members. The ladies have also partnered and started a company called Synergy Energy which specialises in logistics and has trucks and fuel tankers in Zimbabwe.

Qoki ladies have also secured 30 hectares of land to construct Esigodini Girls College, which was bought by 30 of their members to meet educational needs of women and girls.

To mitigate health challenges faced by communities in the region, Qoki opened a health care centre at corner Fife Street and 11th Avenue in Bulawayo and the clinic offers kidney dialysis, postnatal care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment and also offers support for domestic abuse survivors.

Last year when Bulawayo was battling a cholera outbreak which was worsened by erratic water supplies, Qoki women supplied affected residents in Luveve and Gwabalanda with clean water.

Besides property investments, Qoki women are also involved in farming business.

They have a tomato canning business in South Africa where they produce ketchup and other tomato products.

Plans are underway to introduce the same concept in Zimbabwe.

Qoki Zindlovukazi founding leader, Ms Sithule Tshuma who is from Lupane and is based in the United Kingdom, said the plan is to invest as much as possible into property and make more female millionaires from Matabeleland.

Property was one of the first projects undertaken by Qoki ZiNdlovukazi in 2017 after the organisation was founded in 2016.

Our first strategy was to help each other earn money for deposits to buy houses in the United Kingdom and then we moved into buying houses in Zimbabwe where we used funds raised through contributions to pay off mortgages. It has been years of hard work as a team and everyone is now seeing the results, she said.

The women collaborate with anybody who is passionate about rebuilding the region and making it great again.

Women can participate in any project depending on their interests and financial resources.

Any member of Qoki can identify a need or project that is of interest to them which is then brought to the table (qoki platform) and those who are keen to pursue the venture join the group which then takes the project further, said Ms Tshuma.

She said the organisations main objective is to bring together women with a common interest to implement a given project.

In the midst of all that we ensure that we strike a balance by sharing jokes, teaching each other about things of common interest, hosting Christmas parties, hosting business workshops, business showers, supporting each other even during bereavement, said Ms Tshuma.

She said all members contribute equally to their investments as they are equal partners depending on location and the specific project that they are interested in.

Ms Tshuma said even in the construction of townhouses and villas, all costs are shared equally and members are tasked to contribute a certain amount to fund the project.

As women who have spent many years abroad and learned from other communities about how to restore their communities at home and the necessity of investment, we have been able to work together as a group in business.

Within our organisation, we also believe in the potential of networks to help women with microeconomic ventures succeed. We are naturally kind and empathetic, and we uphold the Ubuntu attitude that our mothers instilled in us, said Ms Tshuma.

She said last week, their parents and relatives toured a piece of land which was recently bought for the construction of town houses in Woodville.

It was refreshing to see our parents view the land where we will construct our retirement homes because we will not live in the diaspora forever.

One day we will have to come back home hence the need for all these property investments that we are engaged in.

In addition, as we grow as women, we continue to give back to the community and the people who have helped us to become what we are today, she said.

Ms Tshuma said she grew up in Lobengula, one of Bulawayos oldest suburbs in the city and her background ignited her passion to empower those around her.

She said their challenges include time differences as some members are in the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and Dubai.

Although many are quick to dismiss that financial prosperity doesnt come in numbers where money is involved, Ms Tshuma says unity in numbers has kept the Qoki members happy and satisfied in all their endeavours.

Ms Tshuma recently won a Community Development Award at the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards UK 2021 for founding and leading Qoki whose projects are changing lives in Zimbabwe especially in Matabeleland.

Despite the fact that I was already dealing with women from all over the world on a daily basis, this has helped me broaden my skills and knowledge and be able to deliver evidence-based practice when playing a role in rebuilding our community.

I was also honoured to be one of the presenters at Kaizen Summit, the worlds largest and most influential online gathering of Visionary African Leaders. said Ms Tshuma.

She said said through Qoki, women in the diaspora have also managed to rekindle the spirit of Ubuntu and togetherness which they inherited from back home in Zimbabwe.


A number of Zimbabweans have made in-roads into the Rwandan agriculture sector over the past few years and have transformed its landscape. Sunday Mail Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo (VR) had a discussion with Zimbabwean tobacco farmer and merchant Mwachiyei Dumbarimwe (MD) who has pioneered tobacco production in Rwanda. Below are excerpts of the discussion.

V.R: Than you for accepting the invitation for a chat. Before we go further, please tell us briefly about yourself.

MD: My name is Mwachiyei Dumbarimwe a holder of Masters in Leadership and Management. I have vast experience in the tobacco industry .

I pioneered tobacco farming from scratch in Rwanda. I started the tobacco project in December 2019 in the Nyamasheke Western province of Rwanda using Ugandan seed. We later condemned the Ugandan seed and opted for the Zimbabwean seed as it showed fruitful results.

Initially we started with the conventional method for 240ha yielding 2,8t per ha. I invited a tobacco research board consultant to help in barn construction. Right now the Nyamasheke project has a capacity of 300ha per year.

During the 2021 season, I launched other company projects in the Eastern province of Rusheshe for a capacity of 120ha and last week in Musanze, Northern province for a capacity of 180ha.

I have also started outgrower scheme in the Eastern province covering the districts of Bugesera, Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma and Nyagatare.

A lot of farmers are keen to join as we are offering the best prices in Africa. Of late, I have started floatbed seedbed which has proved successful and the yield is above 3,5t per ha. Here we deliver direct to the factory for the manufacture of cigarettes mostly for export.

I hope by the end of 2022, I will be producing 4 000t to meet the demand of the factory.

I am putting systems where I hope to recruit four Zimbabwean provincial agronomists and two working in the factory.

VR: You have really done well. For how long have you been in Rwanda and how has been your stay?

MD: Like I said, I came here in December 2019. It is almost two years now, but I have achieved my five-year strategic plan.

Rwanda is so peaceful. As foreigners tinobatwa semazai (we are treated very well). They need our expertise.

VR: How is the tobacco sector in Rwanda faring?

MD: The tobacco sector is in its infancy and my company is the sole buyer. I am seeing other companies on board as Rwanda has ease in doing business.

VR: What additional experiences can you share with us above what you mention at the beginning of our conversation?

MD: The agricultural sector is just starting in Rwanda. I am proud Zimbabweans are at the forefront in agriculture. I am in tobacco, some are into poultry, some in dairy, some cereals with RICA, some macadamia nuts, one into flowers, one into fishery. I was impressed when I visited Shava (a farmer) doing seed maize and layers. All these Zimbabweans have partnered with Rwandans.

One major thing of interest here is that all agricultural inputs are subsidised.

Tourism and construction are the major activities in Rwanda.

VR: How are you faring as an investor in this country?

MD: So far so good my sister. I have already started agro-tourism back home. Home is always the best Victoria.

I am always impressed by our Ambassador Mhamha Professor Charity Manyeruke. She visits our projects and we have time to interact.

VR: What opportunities are here for Zimbabweans from your perspective?

MD: A lot of opportunities are available for Zimbabweans. So far Zimbabwean teachers are required.

My advice is to partner with a Rwandan both in Rwanda and in Zimbabwe. The agricultural sector has opportunities especially in poultry and piggery. There is a ready market locally and in Congo.

VR: How big is the tobacco sector in Rwanda?

MD: My factory has a capacity of processing 10t of tobacco a day which translates to approximately 4 000t per annum.

I need to work tirelessly to meet this. With the coming in of six Zimbabweans on board, we will make it!

VR: What would you say are your major score points?

MD: I have managed to produce the best qualities of Virginia tobacco from Kutsaga varieties Krk 22, 23, 70, 74 and 76. I have also managed to lure 11 Zimbabweans here in the fields of agriculture, tourism and consultancy.

VR: Awesome! Any challenges you have faced in all this?

MD: The major challenge here is unavailability of tobacco inputs. I import all my materials from Zimbabwe. This is an opportunity for Zimbabweans to venture into agro-dealing.

My second challenge is language barrier. While I was at Nyamasheke, I had one graduate trainee speaking English, the rest was sign language. But now I can speak 40 percent of Kinyarwanda. But business wise, no challenges as I am empowered to implement my project.

VR: From your perspective, what opportunities exist in agriculture and the rest of the Rwandan economy that Zimbabweans can exploit:

MD: Company registration is online. Within two days you will have a registered company. Business loans are easily accessed from banks. Local labour is cheaper and they work hard.

Remember, Rwanda is a hilly country, thus most of the work is done by workforce than machinery.

Too many opportunities in agriculture. There is shortage of meat, eggs, pork, maize, soya.

Agricultural companies are few and small.

I have never seen a funeral parlour here. These are the other opportunities for companies like Nyaradzo funeral company. Teachers from Zimbabwe now have their opportunity too as it was officially announced by His Excellency President Paul Kagame.

VR: Whats your take on current relations between Zimbabwe and Rwanda?

MD: I am impressed. The ministry of Defence came, Ministry of Transport came. Of late the Ministers of Tourism, Foreign Affairs and Industry were here. Look, within a day in less than one hour, six MOUs were signed.

More than 80 Zimbabweans attended the conference Rwanda-Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference held recently). I was happy to interact with the gurus from Zimbabwe during the conference.

There is need to organise an agricultural conference to explore more opportunities.

VR: You participated in the trade and investment conference. How would you describe it?

MD: The trade and investment conference was a success. I didnt think a lot of people would attend under the Covid-19 conditions.

This was impressive. The presentation done by Allan Mujuru was fantastic and more investors will be seen soon.

VR: What benefits if any, accrued from the conference?

MD: The interaction and networking were my major benefits. Back home l am partnering with a Rwandan in the field of Agriculture.

One impressive thing in Rwanda is that there are no middle-men. No Makoronyera here. There is more on value addition and less imports.

VR: Where do you see Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the next five years?

MD: Rwanda-Zimbabwe investments are going to grow. Zimbabwe is going to benefit more in information technology and tourism. On the other hand, Rwanda will benefit from agriculture and education.

VR: Great, thank you so much for your time Mr Dumbarimwe .

MD: Urakoze (Thank you). I hope next time you will visit all the agricultural projects being spearheaded by Zimbabweans in Rwanda.

Rwanda is open for doing business! Sunday Mail
Everything, for all these people, has been so distorted, said Ruck, 65. Socially, theyre crippled. They have no idea how the real world works. They have no idea what regular people go through. And I think thats true for anybody at this level of wealth  they just dont really have a clue about what really goes on.
The crime ring went into high gear between April and October of 2020 when cars sat parked on streets for weeks on end as many New Yorkers stayed home during the height of the pandemic in the New York City area. The crew was able to make off with 45 cars in six months in the city and Westchester County.
When I saw him, my heart broke, she said. He was sitting in that wheelchair and looked so sick. I remember him turning around and giving a help me look. I saw the tears in his eyes. He was a beautiful person. And that was the last time I ever got to see him.
Three weeks before his death, Nisayah was busted for gun possession after he was seen with a .38-caliber pistol sticking out of his waistband at Park Ave. and E. 181st St., just a few blocks from where he was killed, police said.
Shortly after, a 24-year-old man involved in the same shooting walked into Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hip. He was transferred to an uptown hospital where he is expected to survive, police said.
There was a lot of people, in my opinion, that should have intervened; somebody should have done something, Bernhardt said, according to the AP. It speaks to where we are in society; I mean, who would allow something like that to take place? So its troubling.
One person of interest was taken into custody at the scene, but Jones said that were not sure if that is a witness or a suspect. There is still a lot of investigation to be done.
The jury didnt buy Smiths lawyers argument that his client was mentally ill, and the teen was sentenced to nine years to life behind bars. He is currently housed in the Catskills at the medium-security Woodbourne Correctional Facility.
The van was previously used to transport prisoners to jail, so it could not be opened from the inside, according to WAFF. It was converted into an evidence van, but hadnt been used since March 2021. Police said it should not have been left open.
George and Claudia used their platforms to blast former President Donald Trump when he unsuccessfully ran for reelection in 2020. They made friends and enemies alike. Kellyanne was a Trump adviser who advocated for the conservative leader on Twitter, which also met with mixed reactions. But the response to Georges announcement of Skippers death was largely civil, if not sad, as other Twitter users posted photos of pets theyd lost.
The truth is, Vince fell and broke ribs when he fell, his guitarist later told the crowd from the stage. Now that sucks for us and him. He was so excited to be here. He lives in Tennessee, he added.
One of the deaths was Morris Black, who was shot to death in Texas in 2001. Durst admitted killing Black but claimed self-defense. He was acquitted of murder but convicted of evidence tampering for dismembering Black with an ax, saw and knives and then dumping the parts in Galveston Bay. Blacks head was never recovered.
Their so-called surgeries set British MPs apart from lawmakers in other countries where the governed rarely  if ever  get to meet those who govern them. Being able to drop by, even without an appointment, to chat with and perhaps to chide those in power helps keep British politicians engaged with their communities and allows voters to raise and vent about problems that otherwise could fester if ignored.
Prosecutors say the donation was secretly bankrolled by Russian tycoon Andrey Muraviev as part of a $1 million campaign finance scheme to funnel cash to American politicians who Parnas and Fruman thought would make it easier for them to obtain licenses to sell recreational marijuana in at least five states.
Adams won Democrats confidence in the June primary by being clear-eyed about the citys challenges, especially the need to swiftly turn back a riptide of violence that threatens to pull too many New Yorkers under. (No, its not the late 1980s or early 90s yet, but saying that is cold comfort to those who suffer.) While many candidates pandered to progressive activists by taking future growth for granted and making impossible promises on government spending, Adams offered himself as a relative pragmatist, unshy about catering to the businesses on whose fortunes New York City will rise or fall. Equally important, he has shown a willingness to learn and embrace creative solutions to our biggest problems, rather than eternally reaching for off-the-shelf solutions wrapped in easy slogans.
A second easy fix suggested by Mayor de Blasio was hardly noticed, but vastly more consequential. The mayor suggested we can address the crisis at Rikers by getting the court system up and running, thereby facilitating more guilty pleas and lowering the population of detainees awaiting trial on Rikers. While the mayors approach may be well-intentioned, and opening the court system is an admirable goal  the Constitutions Sixth Amendment ensures the right to a speedy trial, after all  encouraging guilty pleas compels pre-trial detainees to make an impossible choice between their constitutional right to trial and their safety.
Star Wars star and Twitter sensation Mark Hamill seems to be in no hurry to follow in the footsteps of Star Trek actor William Shatner, who took a joy ride on one of billionaire Jeff Bezos rockets this week. He also wonders why so many of his fellow Earthlings are anxious about getting rid of him for a while.
The 88-year-old star told BBC Radio that Best Sellers, which hit theaters last month, will likely be his last. The Oscar-winning Englishman said he hasnt actually acted in two years, but the film is only now making the rounds. He says a spine problem and weak legs have slowed him down. Though according to Caine, who is a published author, he will continue telling stories.
The real question is: Why would you want to tie the hands of the Florida Bar? Robert Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University, asked. They should be able to investigate any member of the Florida Bar at any time whenever there is any question as to whether or not that officer has committed an act that could get them disciplined. ... Why would you ever want to wait?
They spend more on their hotels, they spend more on their purchases and they spend more because they dont come as often, he said of international visitors from far away places like Britain, Brazil and the Middle East. [Coming here] is a big event for them, and if its a big event, theyre more inclined to stay longer and spend more. Ultimately thats good for our economy and good for our employment.
The I-Drive resort area has a large volume of walking traffic. We have found that the mix of pedestrians walking on our sidewalks and motorized scooters passing, many times at high rates of speed, has become a safety concern, she said in an email. Many of our stakeholders have witnessed numerous incidents with scooters and pedestrians and [they] do not believe it is a good fit in our pedestrian-friendly environment.
A couple of good incentives are built into the current system: It rewards family members who step up to care for grandkids, nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters when mom and dad cant. It also requires that a child lives with the tax filer for six months in order to claim any credit. But the proposed changes would send out payments after a child resided with someone for only two weeks, and would allow various adults to claim the same child, although not in the same month.
The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With November being Native American Heritage Month, do you think East Carolina University has increased its efforts to recognize and honor Native and Indigenous cultures and students, faculty and staff on campus.

Survey
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
The Guardian, October 15, 2021

By Abdul Rauf Wafa in Kandahar and Emma Graham-Harrison

A suicide bombing at a mosque in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 47 people and injured more than 80, in the second major attack on Shia worshippers in Afghanistan in a week.

The Imam Bargah mosque was particularly crowded when the attackers struck, because the community had been holding memorial prayers for the victims of the previous bombing, in northern Kunduz province.

Fridays attack, like the previous bombing, was claimed by the Islamic States local affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which has a long history of attacking Afghanistans Shia minority.

Four men arrived around 1.00pm local time (0930 BST) detonating at least one bomb at the mosque gate and two more among two more among worshippers inside, witnesses said.

It was prayer time when the sound of three to four shots was heard and right after that an explosion happened in the mosque, said Basir Ahmadi, who was waiting outside Kandahars main hospital for news about injured relatives.

The blasts left blood smeared across the green prayer hall, where dazed and injured survivors sat waiting for help among the bodies of those who died. Glass in the doors and windows was blown out.

Kandahar is the Talibans heartland, and this is the first time in recent years that its minority Shia residents have been directly targeted in a terror attack there.

The bombing came a week after a similar suicide attack at a mosque in northern Kunduz province killed at least 46 people. That attack was claimed by a local branch of Islamic State. We [Shia] are finished, we are so misfortunate, said Ali Reza, weeping outside Mirwais hospital after learning that his cousin had died.

The killings, and other IS bombings  including an attack on a gathering of senior Taliban in Kabul  are undermining the Talibans claim they have brought security to Afghanistan after decades of war.

Their leaders have presented the chance of peace as a key benefit of their rule, as Afghans pay a high economic price for the abrupt national takeover by a group whose commanders are on UN terror sanctions lists.

They are yet to win recognition of their government from any other country and the national economy is collapsing after the abrupt end to international support, hitting services from the army and police to healthcare and education.

People were only happy about the Taliban because they thought there would be security. However, now there is neither security nor employment opportunities for people, said one social activist who asked not to be named.

Life is becoming difficult and risky in Afghanistan for every Afghan, especially for Shias as Isis are only targeting Shia Muslims in Afghanistan. The world communities must help Afghanistan and Afghans in this terrible time.

Since the Taliban took control, IS has claimed a string of attacks across the north and the east, where they are largely based at present. This bombing, in the Talibans southern stronghold, represents an even stronger challenge to the new government.

Because of a rise in attacks on Shias across Afghanistan in recent years, the Imam Bargah mosque had armed guards until two months ago, Ahmadi said. It is the largest serving the citys Shia community and draws hundreds of worshippers to prayers, making it an obvious potential target.

The militants promise that they had brought security to a city particularly badly affected by the last two decades of conflict, and their desire to tighten control over a country awash with weapons after years of war, may have left the mosque exposed.

Before the Taliban took over, there were some Shia guards outside the mosque. However, the Taliban collected all guns from these security guards and now there are no people to guard this big mosque although there is obvious risk to Shia people in Afghanistan, he said.

At the Mirwais regional hospital, a surgeon, Mohammad Rafiq, said 32 dead had been brought to the hospital, but other bodies had been taken home directly from the mosque. There were also at least 80 injured, and his staff were overwhelmed with victims and short of blood for transfusions.

The hospital does not have the capacity to treat more casualties now and therefore the ones who are not severely injured are referred to private hospitals in the city, he said. A call for blood donations brought an overwhelming response, with dozens of men, both Sunni and Shia, lining up outside the hospital to donate.

The Taliban government offered condolences to the victims families and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice, said a statement from its spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid.

The majority of sectarian attacks on Shia civilians in recent years have been attributed to the regional Islamic State affiliate.

The group, under its extreme interpretation of Islam, does not consider Shia to be Muslims, and has targeted them for killings wherever it operates.

The Taliban have not claimed any sectarian attacks in recent years, although they persecuted the Hazara minority who make up most of the countrys Shia, when they ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s.
Posted by Liam on at 08:51 AM CST

Greetings,fans! Were continuing our coverage of theprequel saga with a week dedicated to. Make sure to check out our  Expand Your Mind  section exploring the films development, and our  Timeline Breakdown  explored other connections to theuniverse. Stay tuned for more coverage ofwhen our Force Facts offer some fun trivia about the film. Make sure to check out Bobbys videos adding additional commentary, and exploring the coolestmerchandise for collectors.Today with our Character Profile, were spotlighting the chief antagonist ofwho became Palpatines new apprentice after the presumed death of Darth Maul. Lucas selected legendary British actor Christopher Lee for the role. Lee has portrayed some of the most famous villains in film history. He is best known for his role as Dracula in the 1950s Hammer horror films (alongside Grand Moff Tarkin actor Peter Cushing),, and as the James Bond villain Scaramanga inand the dark wizard Sauraman intrilogy.Lee returned to voice Dooku in the 2008 theatrical film, but Corey Burton took over the role for the series (Burton also voiced Cad Bane and Ziro the Hutt among others). The name Dooku itself is derived from the Japanese word doku, meaning poison; Tyrannus comes from the Greek word Tyrannos, known as the leader of a city-state who won rulership through betrayal. Dooku was developed as the central antagonist ofafter the conception of a shape-shifting villain became Zam Wessell, and the idea of a female villain was abandoned.Dookus backstory in the Expanded Universe fleshed out his days before his descent into darkness. Unlike most Jedi, Dooku grew up outside of the order to rich parents on his homeworld of Serrano before being adopted as an apprentice. A few Expanded Universe storylines introduced Jedi Master Thame Cerulian as Dookus master, but later storylines reversed the backstory to officially make Dooku a direct apprentice of Yoda.As a youngling, Dookus best friend Lorian Nod became his chief rival as the two aimed to be adopted by Jedi Masters. After a bitter competition in which Nod was unveiled as a cheater, Dooku grew hardened by the betrayal, and Nod was expelled. Nod held on to his animosities towards Dooku, later becoming a fearsome space Sepratist. He would return to threaten the Jedi Order with an attempted kidnapping of Republic officials while Dooku trained Qui-Gon, and Qui-Gon later exposed Nods corrupt ascension to the government of the planet Junction V. Dooku himself slew Nod during the Clone Wars, when he attempted to join the Galactic Republic after rejecting the Sepratist movement.The new canon has continued to explore Dookus complicated relationship with the dark side. Cavan Scotts audio novelexplored more of Dookus childhood, and how his relationship with Sifo-Dyas grew as the two developed as Jedi Masters. The novel, adapted from storylines planned forbefore the series was cancelled, depicted an even more brutal Dooku who survives an attempted assassination at the hands of Quinlan Vos and Asajj Ventress.Dooku is unique amongvillains. His distinctive curved lightsaber made his duels even more engaging, and his senior age gave him a knowledge of the Force not possessed by other Sith. His story is a tragic one; while once a promising hero, he grew corrupted by his pursuit of Sith holocrons and artifacts. Palpatine was able to court his ambition, yet never intended for him to rule at his side. Lee himself made critical changes to Dookus death in; he insisted a man of his nobility would never plead for Anakin to spare his life, and the lines were cut.What do you think,fans? How does Count Dooku rank among your favoritevillains? What are some of your favorite Dooku moments from? Let us know in the forums , and as always, may the Force be with you!
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Film: Sardar Udham (Streaming on Amazon Prime); Duration: 162 minutes.

Director: Shoojit Sircar. Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Shaun Scott, Stephen Hogan, Banita Sandhu, Kristy Averton and Amol Parashar.

Rating: ****

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919 may be an incident etched in the memories of all Indians owing to its mention in our history textbooks, but not many know about the valour and sacrifice of Sardar Udham Singh, an ordinary lad from holy city, who witnessed this tragedy up close and personal.

He was haunted by the memories of that traumatic day for 21 years before he took revenge by assassinating Michael O'Dwyer, the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, upon whose orders General Dyer opened fire.

How Udham Singh joins Bhagat Singh's Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and moves to London and there, with the help of others who are a part of the revolutionary movement, including a British woman, Eileen Palmer, eventually manages to shoot O'Dwyer and his trial thereafter, form the crux of this film.

The tale is straightforward, albeit narrated at a languid pace, but the plot, narrated in a non-linear manner, goes back and forth in time to establish the rationale behind Udham's resolve and provide a glimpse of his early life and his journey as a revolutionary.

The film belongs to Vicky Kaushal, who essays the title role with subtlety and an underlying ferocity, all at once. He is a man with a single-minded mission and never loses focus.

Each year of the wait to achieve his goal is a struggle and he portrays that with brutal honesty -- whether it is seeking refuge under various aliases or doing odd jobs to buy time or hone his skills. His body language, broken English, unbridled confidence and fearlessness, all exude the aura of a revolutionary and freedom fighter.

The screenplay by Shubhendu Bhattacharya is taut and well-researched, throwing light on several historical facts unknown to many. The period is recreated with honesty and one is transported there.

The dialogues are crisp, yet hard-hitting, particularly O'Dwyer's scathing speech at Caxton Hall before he is shot, reiterating that "It is the right and the duty of the British to rule India". One can feel Udham Singh's anger upon hearing these words, further strengthening his resolve.

The cinematography by Avik Mukhopadhyay is atmospheric and enriches the scenes with unparalleled brilliance. His lens brings alive each frame with candour and the story with it. Particularly noteworthy is the heart-wrenching Jallianwala Bagh massacre scene where the pain and pathos of those injured and dying are palpable.

The end of the film, maybe known to us and predictable, but the surge of patriotism and the awe-inspiring feeling for Udham Singh is something Shoojit Sircar manages to arouse in each viewer. The dauntless unremorseful Udham Singh, with Bhagat Singh's photograph in his clenched fist as he lies motionless, becomes an everlasting memory.

Overall, with a runtime of 162 minutes, there are moments when you feel the viewing is a bit tedious.
Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, interim President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday slammed party leaders for speaking to the media.

In her opening remarks, she said: "I have always appreciated frankness. There is no need to speak to me through the media. So let us all have a free and honest discussion. But what should get communicated outside the four walls of this room is the collective decision of the CWC."

Sonia Gandhi's statement comes after after senior party leader Kapil Sibal had recently said that "there is no president in our party, so we do not know who is taking all the decisions. We know it, yet we don't know, one of my senior colleagues perhaps has written or is about to write to the interim president to immediately convene a CWC meeting so that a dialogue can be initiated".

In her remarks on Saturday, she also said the party is ready for the internal elections.

"The entire organisation wants a revival of the Congress. But this requires unity and keeping the party's interests paramount. Above all, it requires self-control and discipline. I am acutely conscious of the fact that I have been interim Congress President ever since the CWC asked me to return in this capacity in 2019. We had thereafter, you may recall, finalised a roadmap for electing a regular President by June 30, 2021."

But due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, this deadline was extended indefinitely by the CWC in its meeting held on May 10, she added.

"Today is the occasion for bringing clarity once and for all. A schedule for the full-fledged organisational elections is before you."

She also praised young leaders for taking over leadership role

"In the last two years, a large number of our colleagues, particularly the younger ones have taken on leadership roles in taking party policies and programmes to the people, whether it be the agitation of farmers, provision of relief during the pandemic, highlighting issues of concern to youth and women, atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis and minorities, price rise, and the destruction of the public sector. Never have we let issues of public importance and concern go unaddressed."

Regarding the farmers protests, the Congress interim President said: "The shocking incidents at Lakhimpur Kheri betrays the mindset of the BJP, how it perceives the Kisan Andolan, how it has been dealing with this determined struggle by Kisans to protect their lives and livelihoods.

She said that the economy continues to be a cause of great concern in spite of the government propaganda and the only answer the Centre seems to have for the country's economic recovery is selling off national assets built with great effort over the decades.

"The public sector has had not just strategic and economic objectives, it has had social goals as well, as, for instance, empowerment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and development of backward areas. But all this is in jeopardy with the Modi government's single-point agenda of 'Becho, Becho, Becho'."

She said that prices of essential commodities, including food and fuel continue to rise unabated.

"Could anyone in the country ever imagine that petrol prices would be over 100 Rs rupees a litre, diesel would be nearing the Rs 100 a litre mark, a gas cylinder would cost Rs 900 and cooking oil would be Rs 200 a litre. This is making life unbearable for people across the country."

Sonia Gandhi also condemned the killings in Jammu and Kashmir and said minorities clearly have been targeted.

"This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We have done so and I do so again this morning. Jammu and Kashmir has been a Union Territory for two years. The entire responsibility for bringing the perpetrators of these barbaric crimes to justice is that of the Union government. Restoring social peace and harmony and confidence amongst the people in Jammu and Kashmir rests with the Modi government too.

"There has always been a broad consensus on foreign and neighbourhood policy in our country. But that consensus has been damaged because of the Prime Minister continued reluctance to take the Opposition into confidence in any meaningful manner. Foreign policy has become a diabolical instrument of electoral mobilisation and polarisation. We face serious challenges on our borders and on other fronts. The Prime Minister telling the opposition leaders last year that there had not been any occupation of our territory by China and his silence ever since is costing our nation dearly," she added.

The Congress faces many challenges but, "if we are united, if we are disciplined and if we focus on the party's interests alone, I am confident that we will do well".
The second accused and a Nihang Sikh, identified as Parminder Singh, in the Singhu border lynching incident, on Saturday surrendered at a gurdwara before the police in Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district in Punjab amidst the presence of a huge sympathizers.

The local police had to show patience to allow the accused to surrender on his own after paying obeisance and performing rituals in the shrine.

Earlier, he had announced to surrender after paying obeisance at Akal Takht in Amritsar.

Parminder Singh has been named in the murder of Lakhbir Singh, who had allegedly committed sacrilege at the farmers' protest site on Singhu border on the periphery of the national capital on Friday.

His wife accompanying him at the time of surrender told the media the family has no remorse and no regret over the act of her husband.

"It was an act to punish over sacrilege. Whoever indulges in an act of sacrilege, we will treat them in this manner," she added.

Police officials told IANS the accused has been later handed over to Haryana Police for further investigation.

Earlier, another Nihang Sikh, identified as Saravjeet Singh, took the responsibility for the brutal murder and surrendered before Haryana Police. He was produced before a court on Saturday and was remanded to police custody for seven days.

The incident took place in the wee hours of Friday on the Singhu border dividing Haryana and Delhi when Lakhbir Singh (30), a resident of Tarn Taran district in Punjab, was seen carrying the Sarbloh Granth -- a holy Sikh religious scripture -- by a Nihang Sikh man.

Lakhbir was then accused of desecrating the Sarbloh Granth. The arguments soon turned violent and the man's hand was allegedly chopped off amid the chaos.
One person was killed and 30 others were injured in attacks on temples in Bangladesh's Noakhali.

The incident took place on Friday in Chowmuhani area where Section 144 has been imposed to keep the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the Hindu leaders in Bangladesh announced they would not immerse Durga idols in protest against the vandalism of the JM Sen Hall's puja venue, in the presence of police. They also demanded the removal of a police officer.

Advocate Rana Dasgupta, leader of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council, called a half-day strike on Saturday in Chittagong.

"Details will be announced in the press conference on Saturday afternoon in Chittagong Press club," Dasgupta told IANS on Friday evening.

Following the Friday prayers, a group of people held a meeting at the gate of Andarkilla Jummah mosque and then marched towards JM Sen Hall in a procession, according to witnesses.

The procession broke through police barricades at the intersection and then attempted to breach the locked gate of JM Sen Hall.

Then they proceeded to throw brickbats and rip apart puja banners on the walls around the street.

Advocate Kankan Dev, one of the witnesses told IANS: "We had the plan to start to immerse the idols in the sea after 2.30 p.m. Suddenly we saw them coming... and all the police officers disappeared while the mob was throwing brickbats and tearing down festival banners."

Amid the violence, female devotees protected the idol from the attackers.

"The leaders of the council, which had organised the puja celebration at JM Sen Hall, declared that they will not carry out immersion of the idols to end the festival unless the police officials punished for the security is ensured," Dasgupta told IANS.

"Immersion begins from 11 a.m. every year. But the government directed us to get out of the pavillion after 2.30 p.m. this time around due to the Friday prayers. Is there any assurance of safety on the streets when our idols, pandals, and pavilions are being attacked?

"Let the government speak of our safety, then we will immerse the idols. Until then, no pandals in Chittagong metropolitan will carry out idol immersions," he added.

At around 3 p.m., Dasgupta arrived at the JM Sen Hall intersection and expressed solidarity with the puja celebration council.

Announcing the strike from 6 a.m to 12 p.m. (Saturday), and vowing to continue demonstrations, he said: "We are ready to shed blood if anyone attempts to hinder our demonstration."

AJM Nasir Uddin, General Secretary of Chittagong City Awami League urged the devotees to withdraw their announcement.

The devotees protested against his anti-people and anti-Hasina role. Later, Nasir took away the idols of JM Sen Hall with police protection to immerse the idols of Goddess Durga which annoyed the Hindu devotees.

Meanwhile, Saleh Mohammed Tanvir, Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), and SI Bijoy Basak additional commissioner of Chattogram police (south) asked Dasgupta to withdraw his strike demand.

In response, he said: "As chief of CMP, you have denied protecting the minority and their temple... We want justice against the atrocity and attack on the minorities. If we cannot get justice, this Bangladesh will be ruined like Afghanistan."
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We are told there are two main types of tests in use. They are PCR and Lateral Flow test, while Antigen Test result can also mean active infection. This test looks for the protein specific to the virus, instead of the genetic material as in PCR.

by Victor Cherubim

Coronavirus testing has become part of everyday life for many in the UK and around the world, in the continuing drive to tackle the pandemic and return to normality, if there is any such a thing called normal.

Of the 45,212,813 people in UK as of 12 October 2021 to be precise being double vaccinated, PCR samples/swabs are now being redirected to other labs, perhaps, due to human error. Researchers state as many as 43,000 people in England & Wales may have been wrongly tested as COVID-19 negative because of errors at the PCR Testing Centre - Immensa Health Clearing, Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands. Nerves are growing in Government over the rising cases in recent weeks, in England.

It has taken a month to identify the fault that has come to light now. Those still infected are being asked to re-take another COVID-19 test. This error could mean many thousands of infected with COVID-19 were wrongly told to stop isolating and could well have infected others, stated Professor Alan McNally, from the University of Birmingham. Admission of guilt is perhaps, far better than silence.

The different types of COVID-19 Tests

We are told there are two main types of tests in use. They are PCR and Lateral Flow test, while Antigen Test result can also mean an active infection. This test looks for the protein specific to the virus, instead of the genetic material as in PCR.

That no test is 100 percent perfect or precise, as today Scientists are researching whether a new variant could be responsible for the anomaly and/or the PCR can miss cases that have S gene dropout, which was found in the Kent variant, labelled Alpha variant. Who knows?

PCR means Polymerase Chain Reaction is a Laboratory test to detect genetic material from a specific organism such as a virus or bacteria. This test only detects the presence of a virus, only if you have the virus at the exact time of the test. It could also detect fragments of the virus even after you are no longer infected.

PCR analyses your upper respiratory specimen by nasal or throat swabs or saliva sample.

PCR has revolutionised the study of DNA to such an extent that its creator, Kary B. Mullis was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1993.

LFT is a rapid Lateral Flow Test, helps to find cases of COVID-19 in people who may have no symptoms but are still infectious and can give the virus to others. A test pack can be collected from a pharmacy and usually involves taking a sample from your throat or nose, using a swab and you get the personal result in 15 minutes depending on the type of LFT.

From 24 October 2021, fully vaccinated passengers and those arriving in Britain must have a LF, while rapid LFT are currently widely used in England by schools and workplaces.

After a positive LFT, the official NHS guideline today is to take a PCR to confirm COVID-19.

There is always something making Medicine history

As we worry about COVID-19, we also mark 2021 as the historic centenary of the discovery of Insulin. We honour the revolutionary innovation by John Macleod, Sir Frederick Banting, Charles Best and James Collip. The life changing impact that Insulin has had around the world has been immeasurable.

We were told back in the early twentieth century, the onset of Diabetes posed grave consequences for anyone unfortunate to receive a diagnosis. With the common prognosis being just one year to live.

The innovative work of these pioneers changed the landscape of the treatment for diabetes and turned it into a manageable condition. Since then, the use of Insulin has allowed people living with diabetes to live full lives.

We are now told Diabetes will be the next epidemic triggering more cases by 2030 in the UK.

Dr. Quinton Fivelman, Chief Scientific Officer at London Medical Laboratory has warned that people can do more to avoid the risk of COVID-19 and Diabetes comorbidity by taking early action both for COVID Antibody and other tests as well as the Diabetic Test which measures the level of HbA1C, a biomarker in peoples blood.

Life is made for living and not only for taking tests unlimited. However, as the saying goes,

Prevention is better than cure.




Is there a government? This is the question one asks oneself on seeing how helpless the public has become vis-a-vis powerful businesses who exploit them with impunity.

by Manik De Silva

Hardly a day passes without huge increases in commodity prices being reported. Prices are rising so rapidly without any discernible increase in economic activity that one wonders whether the country is being tipped into stagflation. The government is behaving like an inebriated lifeguard who watches a drowning man flailing, instead of throwing a lifeline. Powerful businesses are having a field day, jacking up as they do prices according to their whims and fancies. Businessmen determine the prices of their products and services, and announce them at press conferences, making one wonder whether there are any consumer protection laws in this country. There is no one the hapless consumer can turn to. What is this world coming to when a government looks on while the people are being fleeced so savagely?

Consumers have been suffering heavy blows, one after another, during the past so many weeks, and the latest one has come from the local dairy product manufacturers including a state-owned company; they have jacked up the prices of the locally produced milk powder by Rs. 225 and Rs. 200 a kilo. The new prices are Rs. 1,170 and Rs. 1,165 a kilo, according to media reports. These price hikes have left one puzzled.

Three main reasons the milk powder importers have given for increasing the prices of their products are the increases in milk food prices in the international market, the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, and the escalation of freight rates. True, there have been some cost increases, but the question is whether they are so high as to warrant such massive increases in the prices of imported milk powder here. The milk powder importers obviously emulated the rice millers who have become a law unto themselves; they, too, created a scarcity and won their demand for unprecedented price hikes. Now, imported milk powder sells at Rs. 1,195 a kilo. People expected the local dairy companies, which heavily market their Sri Lankan-ness, to act reasonably, only to be disappointed.

How come the prices of locally produced milk powder have risen so sharply? The domestic milk powder manufacturers have claimed their costs have also gone up. Their argument is not convincing. The onus is on the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to reveal to the public whether the increases in the prices of local milk powder are actually due to increases in production costs, or whether the domestic dairy product manufactures have sought to make the most of the situation; consumers feel that they are being exploited. An explanation is called for.

The general consensus is that the CAA has become so politicised and impotent that it only provides a rubber stamp for unscrupulous big businesses with political connections. Will it try to prove its critics wrong by taking up the cudgels for the public?

Is there a government? This is the question one asks oneself on seeing how helpless the public has become vis-a-vis powerful businesses who exploit them with impunity.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the Easter Sunday bombings (2019), in its report, says one of the reasons for the serious security lapses which led to the carnage was that the then government was dysfunctional. True, the yahapalana government became a metaphor for dysfunctionality and ineptitude. The present dispensation, whose leaders promised a strong government to protect the interests of the public, does not look any different in spite of having a two-thirds majority in Parliament; confusion is reigning at the upper echelons of government. Ministers are running around like headless chickens, and the public is at the mercy of profiteers who enjoy unbridled freedom to do as they please.

Let the ruling politicians be told that they are digging their own political grave.

Manik De Silva is the editor in chief of Sunday Island, a weekly based in Colombo
Taken together with a sharp increase in union strikes, the mass resignations of individuals indicate a deep worker dissatisfaction across the nation.

by Sonali Kolhatkar

On September 14, a young woman in Louisiana named Beth McGrath posted a selfie Facebook video of herself working at Walmart. Her body language shows a nervous energy as she works up the courage to speak on the intercom and announces her resignation to shoppers. Everyone here is overworked and underpaid, she begins, before going on to call out specific managers for inappropriate and abusive behavior. I hope you dont speak to your families the way you speak to us, she said before ending with f**k this job!

Perhaps McGrath was inspired by Shana Ragland in Lubbock, Texas, who nearly a year ago carried out a similarly public resignation in a TikTok video that she posted from the Walmart store where she worked. Raglands complaints were similar to McGraths as she accused managers of constantly disparaging workers. I hope you dont talk to your daughters the way you talk to me, she said over the store intercom before signing off with, F**k the managers, f**k this company.

The viral resignations of these two young women are bookending a year of volatility in the American workforce that economists have branded the Great Resignation. Women in particular are seen as leading the trend.

The seriousness of the situation was confirmed by the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report showing that a record 2.9 percent of the workforce quit their jobs in August, which is equivalent to 4.3 million resignations.

If such a high rate of resignations were occurring at a time when jobs were plentiful, it might be seen as a sign of a booming economy where workers have their pick of offers. But the same labor report showed that job openings have also declined, suggesting that something else is going on. A new Harris Poll of people with employment found that more than half of workers want to leave their jobs. Many cite uncaring employers and a lack of scheduling flexibility as reasons for wanting to quit. In other words, millions of American workers have simply had enough.

So serious is the labor market upheaval that Jack Kelly, senior contributor to Forbes.com, a pro-corporate news outlet, has defined the trend as, a sort of workers revolution and uprising against bad bosses and tone-deaf companies that refuse to pay well and take advantage of their staff. In what might be a reference to viral videos like those of McGrath, Ragland, and the growing trend of #QuitMyJob posts, Kelly goes on to say, The quitters are making a powerful, positive and self-affirming statement saying that they wont take the abusive behavior any longer.

Still, some advisers suggest countering the worker rage with bonding exercises such as Gratitude sharing, and games. Others suggest increasing trust between workers and bosses or exercis[ing] empathetic curiosity with employees. But such superficial approaches entirely miss the point.

The resignations ought to be viewed hand in hand with another powerful current that many economists are ignoring: a growing willingness by unionized workers to go on strike.

Film crews may soon halt work as 60,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced an upcoming national strike. About 10,000 employees of John Deere, who are represented by the United Auto Workers, are also preparing to strike after rejecting a new contract. Kaiser Permanente is facing a potential strike from 24,000 of its nurses and other health care workers in Western states over poor pay and labor conditions. And about 1,400 Kellogg workers in Nebraska, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee are already striking over poor pay and benefits.

The announced strikes are coming so thick and fast that former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich has dubbed the situation an unofficial general strike.

Yet union representation remains extremely low across the United Statesthe result of decades of concerted corporate-led efforts to undermine the bargaining power of workers. Today only about 12 percent of workers are in a union.

The number of strikes and of striking workers might be far higher if more workers were unionized. Non-union workers like McGrath and Ragland hired by historically anti-union companies like Walmart might have been able to organize their fellow workers instead of resorting to individual resignations. While viral social media posts of quitting are impactful in driving the conversation around worker dissatisfaction, they have little direct bearing on the lives of the workers and the colleagues they leave behind.

One example of how union organizing made a concrete difference to working conditions is a new contract that 7,000 drug store workers at Rite Aid and CVS stores in Los Angeles just ratified. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 negotiated a nearly 10 percent pay raise for workers as well as improved benefits and safety standards.

And when companies dont comply, workers have more leverage when acting as a collective bargaining unit than as individuals. Take Nabisco workers who went on strike in five states this summer. Mondelez International, Nabiscos parent company, saw record profits during the pandemic with surging sales of its snack foods. So flush was the company with cash that it compensated its CEO with a whopping $16.8 million annual pay and spent $1.5 billion on stock buybacks earlier this year. Meanwhile, the average worker salary was an appallingly low $31,000 a year. Many Nabisco jobs were sent across the border to Mexico, where the company was able to further drive down labor costs.

After weeks on the picket line, striking Nabisco workers, represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, returned to work having won modest retroactive raises of 2.25 percent, $5,000 bonuses and increased employer contributions to their retirement plans. The company, which reported a 12 percent increase in revenue earlier this year, can well afford this and more.

Taken together with mass resignations, such worker strikes reveal a deep dissatisfaction with the nature of American work that has been decades in the making. Corporate America has enjoyed a stranglehold over policy, spending its profits on lobbying the government to ensure even greater profits at the expense of workers rights. At the same time, the power of unions has fallena trend directly linked to increased economic inequality.

But now, as workers are flexing their power, corporate America is worried.

In the wake of these strikes and resignations, lawmakers are actively trying to strengthen existing federal labor laws. Business groups are lobbying Democrats to weaken pro-labor measures included in the Build Back Better Act that is being debated in Congress.

Currently, corporate employers can violate labor laws with little consequence as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lacks the authority to fine offenders. But Democrats want to give the NLRB the authority to impose fines of $50,000 to $100,000 against companies who violate federal labor laws. Also included in the Build Back Better Act is an increase in fines against employers that violate Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which is a business lobby group that wants anything but democracy in the workplace, is deeply concerned about these proposed changes and sent a letter to lawmakers to that effect.

It remains to be seen if corporate lobbyists will succeed this time around at keeping labor laws toothless. But as workers continue to quit their jobs, and as strikes among unionized workers grow, employers ignore the warning signs of rage and frustration at their peril.

This article was produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute.

Sonali Kolhatkar is the founder, host and executive producer of Rising Up With Sonali, a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. She is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute.
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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(0x7f3fddd25288)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdddb7fa8)', '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(0x7f3fddd25288)') 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(0x7f3fdddb7fa8)') 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(0x7f3fddd8c7e8)') 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(0x7f3fdddb7fa8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdddb7fa8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd38aeb0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fddd04b38)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fddd04b38)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
ARRL: Sept 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program report

The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between the ARRL and FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service. This is the VM Program report for September 2021.



Technician operators in Mansfield, Ohio; Avon Park, Florida, and Pulaski, Tennessee, received Advisory Notices after making numerous FT8 contacts on 20 meters. Technician licensees do not have operating privileges on 20 meters.



A Volunteer Monitor in Mission Viejo, California, received a Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard Certificate of Appreciation for his efforts in locating a defective transmitter on Marine Radio Channel 16 that was blocking emergency communications on that channel.



A former licensee in Durham, North Carolina, received an Advisory Notice for operating under a call sign and license cancelled by the FCC.



An operator in White Pine, Tennessee, received an Advisory Notice regarding operation on 7.137 MHz, a frequency not authorized under his General class licensee.



Operators in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and New Albany, Indiana, received Good Operator Notices for exemplary operation during 2021 and for regularly assisting other operators with transmitter adjustments and amateur radio procedures.



The VM Program made one recommendation to the FCC for case closure.



VM Program statistics for August showed 2,008 hours on HF frequencies and 2,642 hours on VHF frequencies and above, for a total of 4,650 hours.

 Thanks to Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Administrator, Volunteer Monitor Program



Source ARRL https://arrl.org/






What's a long length of LAN cable ? A transmitter, of course

LAN cables can be sniffed to reveal network traffic with a $30 setup, says researcher

What's a long length of electrical wire? A transmitter, of course



An Israeli researcher has demonstrated that LAN cables' radio frequency emissions can be read by using a $30 off-the-shelf setup, potentially opening the door to fully developed cable-sniffing attacks.



Mordechai Guri of Israel's Ben Gurion University of the Negev described the disarmingly simple technique to The Register, which consists of putting an ordinary radio antenna up to four metres from a category 6A Ethernet cable and using an off-the-shelf software defined radio (SDR) to listen around 250MHz.



"From an engineering perspective, these cables can be used as antennas and used for RF transmission to attack the air-gap," said Guri.



His experimental technique consisted of slowing UDP packet transmissions



over the target cable to a very low speed and then transmitting single letters of the alphabet. The cable's radiations could then be picked up by the SDR (in Guri's case, both an R820T2-based tuner and a HackRF unit) and, via a simple algorithm, be turned back into human-readable characters.



Nicknamed LANtenna, Guri's technique is an academic proof of concept and not a fully fledged attack that could be deployed today. Nonetheless, the research shows that poorly shielded cables have the potential to leak information which sysadmins may have believed were secure or otherwise air-gapped from the outside world.



He added that his setup's $1 antenna was a big limiting factor and that specialised antennas could well reach "tens of metres" of range.



"We could transmit both text and binary, and also achieve faster bit-rates," acknowledged Guri when El Reg asked about the obvious limitations described in his paper [PDF]. "However, due to environmental noises (e.g. from other cables) higher bit-rate are rather theoretical and not practical in all scenarios."



One obvious further research technique would be to look at sniffing information over network cables at their full operational speeds, Guri having acknowledged that slowing live network traffic down to levels used in his experiment would be impractical. His full paper, however, noted: "Transmitting UDP packets doesn't require higher privileges or interfering with the OS routing table. In addition, it is possible to evade detection at the network level by sending the raw UDP traffic within other legitimate UDP traffic."



The academic's previous research included a technique for turning DRAM into a form of wireless transmitter, as part of his work looking at ways of pwning air-gapped networks.



How to leak data via Wi-Fi when there's no Wi-Fi chip: Boffin turns memory bus into covert data transmitter

Spoof an Ethernet adapter on USB, and you can sniff credentials from locked laptops

GCHQ and Cable and Wireless teamed as Masters of the Internet

NSA coughs up secret TEMPEST specs

Professor Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey observed: "What this shows is that even an unplugged Ethernet cable can radiate energy which is detectable."



He added: "The paper is a nice piece of work and reminds us that whilst you might think something is air-gapped, it might be chattering away over the airwaves. People used to laugh at the great clunky terminals used in secure environments but they arose for a reason: TEMPEST."



TEMPEST, as we reported 20 years ago, was originally a US government scheme for reducing the amount of RF emissions generated by computer equipment. Today it's been adopted as a NATO standard, with the UK's National Cyber Security Centre having a public webpage about it.



"Often," observed Woodward, "modern security systems look for data leaving the network to know that they have an intruder. But if it's leaving on some unmonitored channel (over the air) then it has a low probability of intercept by the security measures."



https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/14/lantenna_ethernet_cable_rf_emissions/
Despite the voluminous haul, many critics have pointed out that ICIJ maps of where these elites and crooks hail from and/or reside are heavily weighted towards Russia and Latin America  for example, not a single corrupt politician named is based in the US.

by Kit Klarenberg

Hailed as shedding new light on the global elites complex financial arrangements, the Pandora Papers pose many questions  not least where are the Americans? Are the authors unwilling to bite the hidden hand that fed them?

On October 3, the Washington, DC-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) announced the leak of almost three terabytes of incriminating data on the use of offshore financial arrangements by celebrities, fraudsters, drug dealers, royal family members, and religious leaders the world over.

The ICIJ led what it called the worlds largest-ever journalistic collaboration, involving over 600 journalists from 150 media outlets in 117 countries, to comb through the trove of 12 million documents, dubbed the Pandora Papers.

Among other things, the data reveals the use of tax and financial secrecy havens to purchase real estate, yachts, jets and life insurance; their use to make investments and to move money between bank accounts; estate planning and other inheritance issues; and the avoidance of taxes through complex financial schemes. Some documents are also said to be tied to financial crimes, including money laundering.

While the publication of articles related to the documents bombshell contents is only in its early stages, the Consortium promises that the records contain an unprecedented amount of information on so-called beneficial owners of entities registered in the British Virgin Islands, Seychelles, Hong Kong, Belize, Panama, South Dakota and other secrecy jurisdictions, with over 330 politicians and 130 Forbes billionaires named.

Despite the voluminous haul, many critics have pointed out that ICIJ maps of where these elites and crooks hail from and/or reside are heavily weighted towards Russia and Latin America  for example, not a single corrupt politician named is based in the US. The organization itself notes that the most significantly represented nations in the files are Argentina, Brazil, China, Russia and the UK  which seems odd, when one considers the Consortium identified over $1 billion held in US-based trusts, key instruments for tax avoidance, evasion, and money laundering.

Then again, past blockbuster releases by the ICIJ, and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), its chief collaborator, have contained similarly incongruous omissions. For instance, in March 2019, the latter exposed the Troika Laundromat, through which Russian politicians, oligarchs, and criminals allegedly funnelled billions of dollars.

The OCCRP published numerous reports on the connivance, and detailed information on the many millions laundered via major Western financial institutions in the process, including Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase. However, not once was HSBC ever mentioned  despite the Troika having openly advertised the bank as its agent partner, and then-OCCRP data team head Friedrich Lindenberg publicly conceding that HSBC was incredibly prominent in all of the Troikas corrupt schemes.

The reason for this extraordinary oversight has never been adequately explained, although one possible answer could be that the OCCRPs reporting partners on the story were the BBC and The Guardian. The former was headed by Rona Fairhead from 2014 to 2017, who also served as non-executive director of HSBC between 2004 and 2016. Meanwhile, the latter has long enjoyed a lucrative commercial relationship with the bank, which is surely vital to keeping the struggling publications lights on.

The April 2016 Panama Papers investigation, jointly led by the ICIJ and OCCRP, revealed how the services of Panamanian offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca had been exploited by wealthy individuals and public officials for fraud, tax evasion, and to circumvent international sanctions. The pairs reporting, and resultant media coverage, focused heavily on high-profile individuals such as then-UK prime minister David Cameron, who profited from a Panama-based trust established by his father.

A key promoter of the Papers most lurid contents was billionaire Bill Browder. What the convicted fraudster, and indeed a vast number of news outlets that featured his comments about the leak, have consistently failed to acknowledge was that he himself is named in Mossack Fonsecas papers, linked to a large number of shell companies in Cyprus used to insulate his clients from tax on vast profits he amassed for them while investing in Russia during the tumultuous 1990s, and disguise ownership of lavish properties he owns abroad.

As Browder has testified, he enjoys an intimate relationship with the OCCRP, having engaged them in his global crusade against Russia since his unceremonious ban from entering the country in 2005. Furthermore, many other mainstream outlets, including Bloomberg and the Financial Times, which he has likewise used as pawns in his Russophobic propaganda blitz, have reportedly declined to publish stories about his dubious financial dealings.

Such evident reluctance to bite the hand that feeds could well explain why the Pandora Papers appear largely silent on the offshore dealings of wealthy US nationals and US-based individuals.

Take for instance the fortunes of eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and investor George Soros, which reportedly total at least $11.6 billion and $7.5 billion respectively  no information implicating them in any questionable scheme has yet been unearthed. It may not be a coincidence that both provide funding to the ICIJ and OCCRP via their highly controversial Luminate and Open Society philanthropic enterprises.

The OCCRPs roll call of financiers offers other reasons for concern  nestled among them are the National Endowment for Democracy and United States Agency for International Development, both of which avowedly serve to further US national security interests, and have been embroiled in numerous military and intelligence operations to destabilize and displace foreign enemy governments since their very inception. Moreover, though, there are disturbing indications that the OCCRP itself was created by Washington for this very purpose.

In June, a White House press conference was convened on the subject of the fight against corruption. Over the course of proceedings, a nameless senior administration official announced that the US government would place the anti-corruption plight at the center of its foreign policy, and wished to prioritize this work across the board.

They went on to state the precise dimensions of this anti-corruption push [remained] to be seen, but it was expected that components of the intelligence community, including the director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency, would be key players therein.

Their activities would supplement existing, ongoing US efforts to identify corruption where its happening and take appropriate policy responses, by [bolstering] other actors such as investigative journalists and investigative NGOs already receiving support from Washington.

Well be looking at what more we can do on that front There are lines of assistance that have jump-started [investigative] journalism organizations, they stated. What comes to my mind most immediately is OCCRP, as well as foreign assistance that goes to NGOs.

These illuminating words, completely ignored at the time by Western news outlets, have gained an even eerier resonance in light of recent developments. Indeed, they seem to establish a blueprint for precisely what has transpired, courtesy of the OCCRP, the very organization it jump-started and financially supports to this day.

For its part, the media merely state that the ICIJ obtained the documents, their ultimate source unspecified. As such, its only reasonable to ask  is the CIA behind the release of the Pandora Papers?

The writer is an investigative journalist exploring the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions. Follow him on Twitter @KitKlarenberg
The Taliban have pledged to restore peace and security after decades of war and have also given the U.S. assurances that they will not allow the country to be used as a base for launching extremist attacks on other countries.
Is it only because Ive personally experienced the horror I have that I can see the lifesaving value of Alyssas Law? What will it take to make teachers and staff aware of Alyssas Alert and to see the value of this program? To everyones benefit, the SaferWatch app allows users to report an emergency only while on campus. The app does not track an individuals location on or off school grounds. The only time a users location is shared with first responders is when that user presses the panic button during an emergency while on campus. When calling 911, the 911 center knows your location in order to dispatch units. Similarly, the app can instantly send your exact location and details to 911, saving critical minutes during an emergency. The app costs nothing to use and there is no downside. Teachers who have the SaferWatch app do say they feel safer.
By the end of the year, renters in South Florida will be paying an average of 40% of their income to their landlords, according to a forecast from Zillow. Already this year, rents have risen an average of 14% and are projected to grow by another 8-9% before the year is over, according to data from the Costar Group, a provider of commercial real estate information.
Swimming Monkeys: Revelation (Book 2 in the Swimming Monkeys Trilogy)

Written by: Steve Hadden

Available In: eBook|Paperback

Author Website: http://www.stevehadden.com/

A Shocking Revelation The Governments Worst NightmareAn Impossible Rescue

Ryan Webster, a champion swimmer turned fugitive, has kept the promise hed made to his dying grandfather and rescued a new species of monkey from their burned out home in the Amazon jungle. But the explosive secret they carry is about to be exposed. Its a secret that the President of the United States doesnt want revealed. Recruited by the government to confirm their worst fears, the countrys top geneticist is obsessed with securing his own immortality and will do anything to achieve that goal.

Trapped in the custody of a relentless FBI agent chosen to lead the governments cover-up, Ryan must find a way to rescue the monkeys hes promised to protect, before they suffer unthinkable torture in the name of mankind.

Swimming Monkeys: Revelation extrapolates the explosive potential within the human genome into a powerful and entertaining thriller about a young mans commitment and the thin line between right and wrong.
Global steel demand will grow by 4.5% in 2021 and reach 1,855.4 Mt after 0.1% growth in 2020, according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).

In 2022, steel demand will see a further increase of 2.2% to hit 1,896.4 Mt, stated worldsteel in its short-range outlook released by its economic committee, led by its chairman Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, also the Emirates Steel CEO, at its bi-annual meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

The forecast assumes that, with the progress of vaccinations across the world, the spread of variants of the Coronavirus will be less damaging and disruptive than seen in previous waves.

Commenting on the outlook, Al Remeithi said: "2021 has seen a stronger than expected recovery in steel demand, leading to upward revisions in our forecast across the board except for China. Due to this vigorous recovery, global steel demand outside China is expected to return earlier than expected to its pre-pandemic level this year."

"Strong manufacturing activity bolstered by pent-up demand is the main contributor. The developed economies have outperformed our earlier expectations by a larger margin than the developing economies, reflecting the positive benefit of higher vaccination rates and government support measures," he stated.

"In the emerging economies, especially in Asia, the recovery momentum was interrupted by the resurgence of infections," he added.

Al Remeithi said: "While the manufacturing sectors recovery remained more resilient to the new waves of infection than expected, supply-side constraints led to a levelling off of the recovery in the second half of the year and are preventing a stronger recovery in 2021."

"But with high backlog orders combined with a rebuilding of inventories and further progress in vaccinations in developing countries, we expect steel demand will continue to recover in 2022," he added.

According to him, steel demand recovery in the GCC fell short of expectations on the back of reduced construction activity due to fiscal consolidation efforts.

"However, in 2022, with rising oil prices and the pandemic under control, steel demand is expected to rebound more strongly. Egypt's steel demand was negatively affected by the suspension of construction licenses in overcrowded urban areas. However, the government's other mega projects have cushioned the pandemic's impact and have supported recovery in 2021," he added.

There have been marked signs of deceleration in the steel using sector's activity since July, leading to a steel demand contraction of -13.3% in July and then -18.3% in August.

The sharp deceleration is attributable to the slowing momentum in the real estate sector and the government cap on steel production.

Real estate activity has weakened due to tough government measures on developers' financing introduced in 2020. Chinese steel demand will have negative growth for the rest of 2021.

As a result, overall steel demand is expected to decline by -1.0% in 2021. No growth in steel demand is expected in 2022, said the report.

On the US market, the worldsteel outlook said the demand was aided by the strong performance of the American automotive and durable goods sectors.

The momentum in the construction sector is weakening with the end of a residential construction boom and sluggish non-residential sector activities.

The recovery in steel demand in the EU that started in the second half is gathering pace, with all steel-using sectors exhibiting a positive recovery despite continuing waves of infection, stated the report.

On the Indian scenario, the worldsteel outlook said since July, a healthy recovery has resumed for all sectors. As a result, India's steel demand suffered only a minor downward revision and will show a strong recovery in 2021.

Indias steel demand will reclaim the 100 million tonnes mark this year, it added.

According to worldsteel, steel demand in the developing economies excluding China continued to recover in 2021, aided by the recovery in commodity prices and international trade.

However, new Covid waves combined with low vaccination levels and a slow recovery in international tourism restrained developing economies.

In 2022, as vaccinations progress, conditions in the developed economies are expected to improve.-TradeArabia News Service
Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, has signed a MoU with Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), the foremost investment attraction and promotion agency under the presidential office of the African nation, to promote all-round economic cooperation, bilateral trade and investment.

Through this agreement, the two parties aim to create an attractive environment for SMEs and encourage the exchange of trade missions with all-rounded preparation, including assistance with business programs, facilitating corporate networks and information exchange between the two authorities, stated Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of Dubai South, Logistics District after signing the deal with Yofi Grant, CEO of GPIC at the Expo 2020 in the presence of Khalifa Al Zaffin - Executive Chairman Dubai Aviation City Corporation.

At a brief launch on the expo grounds in Dubai, some of the high-Level representative and speakers attended the event namely: Honorary Yaw Osafo-Maafo - Senior Presidential Advisor, Office of the President, H.E AlHaji Ahmed Ramadan - Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the UAE, Yofi Grant, CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and other senior officials.

EZDubai, the e-commerce zone strategically located at the heart of Dubai South Logistics District, has represented the UAE in various Africa-UAE business events to promote the emirates latest innovations, technical advancements as well as optimal service solutions leading the regions e-commerce industry.

Ahmad said: "It gives us immense pleasure to ink a bilateral agreement with GPIC to promote a lucrative environment for SMEs to prosper and strengthen economic ties. Our leadership have chalked an effective, long-term strategic road map for us and it is our time as industry leaders, to lay the foundation for both communities to achieve optimal results."

"The agreement comes on the heels of the mega event, Expo 2020 Dubai, which seeks to pave the way for resilient global economy and enable robust business connectivity," he stated.

Grant said the Expo presented a wonderful opportunity to outdoor Ghanas numerous opportunities to investors around the world.

Ghana, has officially become the "Commercial and Trade Hub of Africa, as it hosts the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area - hailed as the world's largest free trade bloc. The country ranks among the top in West Africa for ease of doing business, offering investors a conducive business environment bolstered by solid economic fundamentals, dynamic policies, and political stability.

According to the UNDP, the country has made significant progress in poverty reduction and thus becoming the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 1, which is the ambitious target of halving extreme poverty.

"The countrys participation in the Expo will promote governments priority sectors, comprising; housing and construction, manufacturing, technology and digital economy, tourism and creative arts, agric and agro-processing, as well as health," he added.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov participated in an online meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State. The meeting discussed a number of topical issues relating to development of cooperation within the CIS as well as a number of draft joint documents.

The meeting chaired by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko was also attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of Moldova Natalia Gavrilitsa, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairman of the Executive Committee, CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov delivered a speech at the meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State. According to the Turkmen leader, the priority tasks facing the CIS include building up economic interaction, using the aggregate industrial, resource and technological potential of the CIS to achieve stable positions in global processes and implement the strategy of economic development of the CIS until 2030.

Among the priorities of this strategy the President of Turkmenistan singled out such areas as transport, fuel and energy complex, communications, industrial cooperation, trade, innovation and technology. Addressing the summit participants, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan is fully prepared to continue close cooperation within the CIS.

The summit resulted in adopting a number of decisions to deepen cooperation in the humanitarian, migration and other areas of interaction.

 TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021
Dhaka, Oct 16 (UNI) With the dead body of a young member who was lynched by a radical mob on Friday, members of the ISKCON and Hindu community members in Noakhali, Bangladesh, protested against the arson and vandalism of their temple by Islamist fanatics and demanded justice from the authorities.

With the body of ISKCON member Partha Das who was killed on Friday at the protest venue, members of the ISKCON Bangladesh held banners demanding justice and answers from the administration on why their temple was not protected from the mob.

ISKCON International in a letter of support on Saturday, said: We are deeply saddened by the violent mob attack on the ISKCON temple and its devotees in Noakhali, Bangladesh. We firmly stand in solidarity with the devotee community and call upon the Government of Bangladesh to immediately ensure their safety and well-being.

The letter was signed by Gauranga Sundar Das, the Communication Director of ISKCON International.

Earlier, the ISKCON society said the body of Partha Das who was lynched by a mob of frenzied radicals on Friday was found in a pond next to the temple. It urged action by the Bangladesh government in the matter.

It is with great grief that we share the news of a ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people. His body was found in a pond next to the temple.

We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action in this regard.

Shri Partha Das, 25 years, was an enthusiastic devotee and liked by all in the community.

We pray to Sri Krishna to grant him shelter, and prayers for strength in this hour of grief to all the family members and devotees.

On Friday, Islamist radicals after the Jummah prayers went on a vandalisation spree, including in Noakhali where they set fire to the ISKCON temple, including the statue of ISKCON founder Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Radharamn Das, Vice President and Spokesperson ISKCON Kolkata, in tweets said that a 500-strong Muslim mob gathered outside the ISKCON Temple in Noakhali and smashed the deities inside the temple and set the temple on fire.

They also destroyed the idol of Durga Devi in front of the ISKCON Temple. Our devotees fought: many are critical, he posted.

Videos and photos of the arson and vandalism went viral on social media.

Das requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina immediately.

On Saturday, Das wrote to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, requesting that the UN immediately condemn the cycle of violence against the Hindus and other minorities of Bangladesh and to send a delegation to Bangladesh.

The attack on the ISKCON temple took place a day after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned that those behind the violence on Hindu temples and Durga Puja pandals in Cumilla would be hounded out and dealt with severely.

UNI/RN
Islamic State-Khorasan claims responsibility for twin suicide bombings at Kandahar mosque

Kabul, Oct 16 (UNI) The Islamic State-Khorasan has claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombings at a Shiite mosque in Kandahar that killed 62 worshippers and left 75 others injured, many of them critically, during Friday prayers.

The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) jihadist group said that two suicide bombers carried out separate attacks in different parts of the Fatimieh Mosque during Friday prayers.

"The first suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest...in a mosque hallway, while the second suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest in the mosque's centre," IS-K said in a statement released on its Telegram channels.
PM announces repeal of Farm Laws, SKM remains cautious, mixed reactions from Opposition 19 Nov 2021 | 3:31 PM New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) Prime Minister Narnedra Modi took the nation by surprise on Friday as he announced that the three controversial farm laws would be repealed, evoking reactions from all quarters, with most welcoming the decision. see more..

India logs 11,106 new Covid-19 cases, 459 deaths 19 Nov 2021 | 3:12 PM New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) India has recorded 11,106 new Covid-19 cases during the past 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. see more..

Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' on Friday 19 Nov 2021 | 2:47 PM New Delhi Nov 19 ( UNI ) The air in Delhi-NCR continued to remain in the 'very poor' category on Friday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) stagnated at 363 around noon, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). see more..

Repealing farm laws: Priyanka Gandhi questions PM's intention 19 Nov 2021 | 12:46 PM New Delhi Nov 19 (UNI) Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Friday questioned the timing and intention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he announced repeal of the three contentious farm laws in Friday morning in an address to the nation on Guru Nanak's Jayanti. see more..


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Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-15 21:25:55|Editor: huaxia

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A student walks after getting a vaccine COVID-19 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 15, 2021. Sri Lankan health authorities on Friday began administering the COVID-19 vaccines on school students between the ages of 18 and 19 with the Pfizer doses amidst a large-scale vaccination program ongoing in the country since January. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan health authorities on Friday began administering the COVID-19 vaccines on school students between the ages of 18 and 19 with the Pfizer doses amidst a large-scale vaccination program ongoing in the country since January.

Health officials said the vaccines were administered to the students in three educational zones in capital Colombo and vaccination centers received a satisfactory response as youngsters walked in with their identification cards.

The vaccination program will continue over the weekend and health officials encouraged all students in the targeted age group to take the jabs.

Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said the vaccines on the 18 and 19 year age groups began to be administered as the Education Ministry prepared to re-open schools after months of closure due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country's Education Ministry said last week that students of grades 1 to 5 in schools with a student population of 200 or fewer may soon be able to go back to school, as early as the end of October. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-15 23:17:21|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers found 11 bodies of students who were drowned at a river in Indonesia's West Java province during a school activity of combing the river on Friday, an official at the local rescue office said.

As many as 150 students of Mts Harapan Baru junior high school conducted the boy scouts activity along the river bank of Cileureur Leuwi Ili in Desa Utama village in Ciamis district on Friday, but 21 of them fell into the river.

Fortunately, 10 of them survived, press officer at the provincial search and rescue official Seni Wulanadari said.

"Eleven others were found dead and two of the survivors were injured and have been treated at a hospital," she told Xinhua via phone.

Rescuers, policemen, personal of the disaster agency and other authorities are coordinating to find out whether there are more missing students, the officer said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 08:07:20|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack at a mosque in Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, which reportedly killed more than 30 and wounded dozens of others on Friday.

"Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including despicable attacks on places of worship," the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The government and people of Pakistan convey their support, and heartfelt condolences, to the people of Afghanistan and stand in solidarity with them in this hour of grief, the statement added.

According to local media, the explosions occurred inside a Shiite Muslim mosque at midday when hundreds of worshippers were offering Friday prayers. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 13:18:20|Editor: huaxia

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People dig graves during a funeral for victims of a suicide explosion in Kandahar city, southern Afghanistan, Oct. 16, 2021. The death toll from Friday's suicide explosions inside a mosque in Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, has risen to 47, while 90 others were wounded, a local official confirmed on Saturday. (Photo by Sanaullah Seiam/Xinhua)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Friday's suicide explosions inside a mosque in Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, has risen to 47, while 90 others were wounded, a local official confirmed on Saturday.

Haifz Sayyed from the Cultural and Information Directorate of local government told Xinhua that the explosions occurred inside a Shiite Muslim mosque building at midday when hundreds of worshippers were offering Friday prayers.

He confirmed that the death toll has risen to 47 while 90 others wounded in the attacks. Earlier reports said 32 people died and 68 injured.

Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to a statement from the group cited in multiple reports.

The IS statement said two assailants were involved in the deadly attacks. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 15:57:30|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has recorded 1,643 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 336,508, the country's health ministry said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 14 more COVID-19 patients aged over 40 have died in the past day, raising the death toll to 1,454, the ministry said.

Currently, there are over 74,700 active COVID-19 cases in the country, and about 350 of the patients are in serious condition, according to the ministry.

The resurgence of the virus has continued due to the highly contagious Delta variant, although 65.7 percent of the country's total population have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, the health ministry said.

The country's health authorities have urged the public to avoid mass gatherings, wear masks in public areas and receive a booster shot. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-16 21:00:59|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian and Pakistani military commanders have agreed to cooperate in manufacturing military vessels and submarine maintenance, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

In a visit to Pakistan Navy's shipyards in the port city of Karachi on Friday, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, visiting Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, was briefed on the process of building warships, boats and submarines.

The military officials of the two neighbors agreed to work together on the construction and maintenance of ships and submarines, according to the report.

The two sides also agreed to share experiences in various naval fields to fight against drug trafficking and terrorism, as well as exchange students.

According to a similar report by the official IRNA news agency, the military officials of Iran and Pakistan also stressed for regional cooperation for ensuring the security in the region.

In the meantime, Baqeri drew upon the importance of maritime security at the common sea borders by conducting joint exercises.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Baqeri arrived in Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Wednesday for talks on promotion of ties. Enditem
El MEF retorno exitosamente al mercado de capitales domestico, colocando bonos soberanos por un total de S/170 millones, con el objetivo de obtener recursos para el financiamiento de proyectos de inversion publica.



?? Conoce mas en la nota: https://t.co/fjLPaR6w5n pic.twitter.com/Gp5XtLKTtG
To that end, the two institutions have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will cover aspects such as the promotion of political participation of women, youth, and the peoples.

The MoU will also focus on crisis management and the fight against misinformation, as well as infodemic, that is, too much information about a particular topic.

In addition, both the JNE and the UNDP will work to promote transparency and accountability of political groups participating in elections, as well as the strengthening of non-violent political participation of citizens in the exercise of their political rights.

The MoU was signed by JNE Chairman Jorge Luis Salas and UNDP Resident Representative in Peru Bettina Woll.

The head of the electoral board underscored that the support provided by the UNDP was very useful in the health context derived from the COVID-19 pandemic and from the disinformation campaign launched against the JNE.

For her part, Woll noted that joint efforts with the electoral entity will promote governance in the Peruvian society.

Ante la proximidad de las Elecciones Regionales y Municipales 2022 #ERM2022, el #JNE y el @PNUDperu suscribieron un Memorando de Entendimiento que permitira optimizar la planificacion, gestion y supervision de los procesos electorales. ?? https://t.co/Pl9RW29xJL pic.twitter.com/65cxKYQL9r
"Nuestro reto es que los recursos del pais tienen que ser para el pueblo. El Peru se cambia al lado de la poblacion, luchando con ellos y trabajando por el bien comun", presidente @PedroCastilloTe durante la inauguracion de la infraestructura vial urbana en Caspizapa, San Martin. pic.twitter.com/2rNvHqEeq9
TEHRAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Chief of Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri will lead a high-ranking military delegation to Moscow at the invitation of Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, IRNA reports.

Major General Baqeri is scheduled to discuss and exchange views with the Russian officials on the development of cooperation and joint defense and military relations, the fight against terrorism and regional and international changes.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Army of Artsakh is denying reports that some of its positions and a command post are besieged.

The information spread by some Facebook users on besieged positions and a command post are false, the Defense Army said in a statement, adding that these fake manipulative reports seek to mislead the public.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Healthcare Anahit Avanesyan doesnt rule out the possibility of changing the frequency of the PCR test requirement for unvaccinated employed citizens from the current twice-a-month to weekly.

Speaking to reporters, Avanesyan stressed that the newly initiated requirement which came into effect October 1 is effective.

The ministry is now looking into the experience of other countries.

Speaking about the pace of vaccinations, she said that around 17,000 people got the jab on October 15 alone. This is a repeating figure. This high indicator was maintained over the past week and we expect that the number of people getting vaccinated will further increase next week, she said.

Avanesyan said the healthcare system is deploying around 1900 new beds for COVID-19 patients, but warned that resources arent unlimited.

We must do everything we can to maximally suppress the spread of the disease in the next two or three weeks, she said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The situation at the eastern border of Armenia is peaceful and stable at the moment, and the recent military escalation in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact where an Azeri attack left 6 Armenian troops wounded did not impact the stability of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army Corps of the Armenian Armed Forces Colonel Hayk Petrosyan told reporters at a military post.

Colonel Petrosyan, who is in charge of the military morale of the 2nd Army Corps, stressed that his troops are a combat-ready formation capable of fulfilling any military objective. He said that any adversary provocation will receive adequate assessment from the Armenian military.

We are now located in one of the military positions of the army corps protection area where border protection is conducted. The combat position is being equipped, its already in the final phase, there are observation posts, firing positions where on-duty troops are observing the adversarys movement with the purpose of assessing and controlling the nature of its potential actions, Colonel Petrosyan said.

He said that the latest provocation against their positions took place on July 28, when Azerbaijani servicemen attacked a military position near Vardenis, but were repelled.

Nevertheless, he added, despite the post-war military-political situation and significant changes of the line of contact the Azerbaijani militarys conduct hasnt changed.

The adversary is the same adversary, he said. The 2nd Army Corps, which is deployed at this border, is a combat-ready formation capable of fulfilling any objective. This was proven during the military actions of the 44-day war. Particularly now the army corps is capable of neutralizing any adversary provocation, the colonel said.

As a seasoned military expert I can assure you that the adversary is evaluating the military formations and military bases which stand in front of it. If the adversary were to think that they could fulfill some kind of an objective they will definitely go for it. We are not allowing this, we will thwart it with relevant actions, the colonel said.

Photos by Hayk Manukyan

Reporting by Aram Sargsyan

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft with three astronauts to the national orbital station, Tass informs.

October 16, 2021, 10:21 China launches Shenzhou-13 spacecraft with three astronauts to national space station

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 16, ARTSAKHPRESS: The spacecraft was launched atop a Changzheng (Long March) 2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan launch center in the country's north at 00:23 a.m. Saturday local time (7:25 p.m. Moscow time).

The current manned launch is the second this year. The astronauts will stay in orbit during six months or twice as long as the previous time.

On September 20, China launched the Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft to deliver food, propellant, spacesuits for spacewalks and other materials for the crew of the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship.

In April, China orbited the core module of its national space station. Three crewmembers of the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft worked aboard the national space station from June 17 to September 16. Over this period, the taikonauts (the name of spaceflight participants accepted in China) made two spacewalks to assemble equipment.

Overall, the assembly of all of the space stations systems will require about twelve months and will be completed in 2022. Chinas space station will have a mass of over 90 tonnes and accommodate three astronauts and up to six people upon a crew change. The space station will have a service life of about ten years.

After the basic elements of the Chinese space station are formed, China will orbit the Xuntian autonomous module with an optical telescope. Its mirror will have a diameter of two meters. The module will be furnished with its own thrusters and is expected to dock to the space station intermittently for repairs, refueling and equipment maintenance.
The Minister of Defense and Commander of the Defense Army of Artsakh General-major Kamo Vardanyan visited the servicemen who were wounded during the October 14 ceasefire breach committed by Azerbaijani troops.

October 16, 2021, 12:22 Artsakh Defense Minister visits wounded servicemen of latest Azerbaijani attack

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 16, ARTSAKHPRESS: At the Stepanakert Central Military Hospital, Minister of Defense Vardanyan thanked the servicemen for their service and wished speedy recovery.

General-major Vardanyan also visited the military position which was targeted by the Azeri forces on October 14 and assessing the operative-tactical situation on the spot, give instructions on further actions.
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On Thursday, Sept. 30, a journey that began in 2005 came to a long-sought end. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 704, of Cayuga County, witnessed the assembly of the Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Centerport Aqueduct Park at 2462 Route 31 in the town of Brutus. Chapter No. 377 out of Dryden joined the Cayuga County chapter on this celebrated day. A dry eye was hard to find as all in attendance witnessed a one-of-a-kind memorial taking shape before their eyes. A memorial dedicated to remembering the sacrifices of our Vietnam veterans and their families, honoring the service of each veteran and teaching future generations that there is a cost to freedom.

Each panel of the memorial has a story to tell:

 The two front outside panels depict some of the armaments and military equipment used in Vietnam, as well as our warriors and support personnel in various roles.

 The two front inside panels contain the facial images of the 29 Cayuga County veterans killed in Vietnam along with their dates of death, town, city or village of origin, where interred and their branch of service.

 The center panel has a detailed map of Vietnam showing the location of each one of our county's dead. It also puts the country of Vietnam in perspective with Southeast Asia.

 The rear center panel of the memorial carries the 40-year history of our involvement in that country.

 The rear two inside panels reflect the loss of life by those men and women in uniform who served in Vietnam and died upon their return because of their service. These are perpetual panels, and names will be added as the effects of various exposures and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Not all of the members of Chapter No. 704 who began this venture were there to see it finally happen. Eugene Davis, Robert McDuffie, Kent Howland, James Miller, Tom Minnoe, Melvin Spurling, Raymond Riley, Luigi Lombardi, Richard Spriggs, Leonard Brewster and Francis E. Bell Jr. come to mind. I cannot help to think they are smiling down to all of us for a job well-done.

'Dream come true': Monument ceremony honors Cayuga County Vietnam veterans BRUTUS  The effort to get the Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument started with Nick Valenti putting $5 in a nonprofit 501(c)(3) 

Nicholas C. Valenti is a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 704, of Cayuga County.

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SAN FRANCISCOGay adult studio Falcon/NakedSword is celebrating its golden anniversary of Falcon Studios by inviting fans to a free live taping of Play: Live on Wednesday, Oct. 27 in New York City.

The event will be held at The Q (theqnyc.com), Frankie Sharps new nightlife hotspot located at 795 8th Avenue, New York City. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m.

Fans will get a chance to watch a gay porn game show hosted by award-winning director Marc MacNamara, featuring Falcon/NakedSword exclusives Cole Connor and Devin Franco, along with Rafael Alencar and Andre Donovan as they compete in six rounds of dirty games to see who comes out on top.

Also scheduled to appear are Falcon/NakedSword exclusives Max Konnor and Colton Reece, Next Door exclusive Trevor Harris, and adult performers Boomer Banks, Alam Wernik, Ty Mitchell, Ricky Roman and Leo Forte. Queer Sister Roma and Falcon/NakedSword president Tim Valenti will also host. The event will also feature music by DJ Fabrice Ketalar (Hustlaball), along with a cocktail reception, gay porn swag, the nearly nude Go-Go Gods, surprise guests prizes and more.

The event, sponsored by Falcon/NakedSword, NextDoor Male and Mr. Man, is free to the public and attendees must present evidence of vaccination and a valid identification card to enter. To attend, fans must register by clicking here.

Those attending must agree to the events terms and conditions which include that you acknowledge that there will be adult themes and you may appear on camera during the live video recording in progress.
COVID-19 cases in Coconino County fell for the second consecutive week, according to the Friday dashboard data report. While the overall transmission level is still high, percent positivity, case rates and incidence of COVID-like illness in hospitals (CLI) are continuing a downward trend.

The county reported a total of 353 new cases this week.

Percent positivity is still in the moderate level of transmission at 6.8%, down from 7.1% last week. The threshold to move to a low transmission rate is 5% or less. Coconino County has a case rate of 249.5 cases per 100,000, still more than double the high transmission threshold (100 cases per 100,000), but lower than last weeks rate of 274.2 cases per 100,000.

Northern Arizona University reported lower percent positivity this week, as well, in its Wednesday report of tests done on campus. Of the 3,649 tests, 4.4% had positive results, with 58.6% of positive tests coming from NAU-affiliated individuals. Percent positivity at the university has been decreasing by around 0.6% over the past four weeks (since Sept. 18).

The university announced Friday that it will mandate COVID vaccinations for its employees, including student-workers. NAU will require employees to upload their vaccine documentation by Dec. 8, along with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

In a statement posted on NAUs website, university President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera and Vice President Josh Mackey wrote that the mandate was implemented to comply with requirements from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force.

We respect individual opinions regarding the vaccine, and will permit religious and disability or medical accommodations as allowed by federal law, the statement said.

The statement cited President Joe Biden's executive order regarding on compliance with federal COVID-19 workplace guidance and said the universities have hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts, funding critical research, employment and educational efforts."

NAU is currently working to finalize the details and plans to have more information available by Tuesday.

CLI in county hospitals is at 6.4% (last weeks rate was 7.2%). Of the 13 hospitalized COVID patients reported this week, most are between the ages of 20 and 44, followed by 55- to 64-year-olds. No COVID-related deaths were reported for the week.

According to Northern Arizona Healthcares Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) Hospital Census data, accessed Oct. 15, the hospital had 33 COVID patients. Of FMCs 268 licensed beds, 224 were listed as occupied, as well as all of its 41 critical care beds.

The delta variant is still the most prevalent in Coconino County, with 1,110 cases being reported to date. The dashboard report now divides variants into those being monitored and variants of concern, with delta currently being the only variant in the latter category.

The City of Flagstaff reported 250 cases since last week and has a cumulative positivity yield of 9.3% since the start of the pandemic. It also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the county (second to Williams, which has vaccinated 46.6% of its population), with 54.5% of the population being fully vaccinated at the time of the report.

Transmission in Flagstaff schools followed the county numbers, according to the schools report. Flagstaff charter schools and the Flagstaff Unified School District both reported moderate positivity yields (6% and 6.2%, respectively) and high case rates (268 cases per 100,000 for both).

Weve kind of plateaued, FUSD Superintendent Michael Penca said in a board meeting Tuesday about the previous weeks data. Were seeing those cases stay really consistent in the high category.

Metrics in K-12 schools are all lower than last weeks numbers, with charter schools reporting 313 cases per 100,000 and 6.7% positivity. FUSD reported 312 cases per 100,000 and a positivity yield of 6.8% for the same week.

McKenzie Bevirt, FUSDs chief health administrator, said in the board meeting that the districts first vaccine clinic hosted at Coconino High School on Oct. 1 was a huge success.

More than 100 people were vaccinated against COVID at the event (a combination of first, second and booster doses), about half (of whom) were between 12 and 17 years old. Another has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Most K-12 schools in Flagstaff are on fall break this week and have not reported updated COVID numbers.

Arizona health officials on Friday reported 2,399 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 38 more deaths. Coconino County added 109 cases and zero deaths, bringing its totals to 22,208 cases and 353 deaths.
A Flagstaff massage therapist had his license temporarily suspended by state regulators on Friday after failing to report two charges of sexual abuse ongoing in the Flagstaff Justice Court.

The charges stem from an incident in 2020, when a woman accused Timothy Williams, 67, of inappropriately touching her breasts during a massage.

The woman told the Arizona Daily Sun that she reported the crime to the Flagstaff Police Department in April, prompting a five-month police investigation. The charges were filed in the Flagstaff Justice Court on Monday, Aug. 30, and the case is ongoing.

Williams faced similar accusations nearly two decades ago in 2002 while working as a physical therapist when another woman claimed she was sexually assaulted. The woman reported to authorities that Williams invited her to his home for a massage and later touched her genitals about halfway through the session.

The suspension of Williams massage therapy license prevents him from practicing until an ongoing investigation is completed. The 2020 allegation is under investigation by the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy, which voted on Friday to approve an emergency suspension of Williams' license during a board meeting.

Theres enough concerning items here that, for public safety, I think we need a suspension, board member Michael K. Tapscott said.

Williams' license suspension will now move to an evidentiary hearing in front of a state administrative law judge within 60 days. During the upcoming hearing, Williams will be given the opportunity to submit evidence and arguments on his behalf.

According to an overview of the boards initial review, a history of disciplinary actions from state regulators dating back more than two decades factored into Williams suspension.

Williams was present for the board meeting Friday and disputed an allegation that he knowingly falsified information on his application for a massage therapy license submitted in 2011. He was issued a massage therapy license that year by members of the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy.

When Williams submitted his application for licensing, the board alleges he falsified his application by failing to disclose past disciplinary action and legal convictions.

The board said Williams failed to disclose a 2002 felony charge and a probationary order issued in 1994 by another state regulatory board, the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy, for engaging in a sexual relationship with a client.

Williams said during the board review Friday that he did not mention the felony conviction in 2002 on his application because it was later set aside by a Coconino County Superior Court judge in 2004. He said the failure to notify of his 1994 probationary order was an oversight on his behalf.

The board alleges Williams also failed to notify state regulators of his current sexual assault charges within 10 days, as mandated by state law. Williams said he thought the board was notified by his legal counsel, and that an attorney had recused himself from the ongoing sexual assault case.

During initial review, the board said it contacted Williams for a telephone interview. In that interview, Williams allegedly admitted to the ongoing charges, but stated he was unaware of the 10-day reporting requirement.

The board said Williams also admitted to surrendering his physical therapy license voluntarily in 2002 -- which he did not report on the 2011 application for his massage therapy license.

The board noted during its review that letters had been received in support of Williams, including a letter from Mary Kuzell-Babbitt, the wife of former Flagstaff mayor and congressional candidate Paul Babbitt.

Records from the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy corroborate that Williams has faced past disciplinary action. A summary of disciplinary action from the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy in 2002 states Williams voluntarily surrendered his physical therapy license that year.

The summary cites a conviction of sexual assault, along with unethical conduct and failure to receive informed consent, all violations of state law for active license holders. A past report from the Arizona Daily Sun shows Williams owned and operated the Flagstaff business Uniformity the year his physical therapy license was surrendered.

Police investigation

The woman who reported Williams to the FPD told investigators in April that she was concerned with treatment she received at the business Well-being and Transformation in January 2020, according to a police report released to the Arizona Daily Sun.

She told officers she sought treatment from Williams because she was going through chemotherapy. She said Williams told her he was a lymph node specialist and had touched her bare breasts.

At first, she thought Williams practice was a part of a standard cancer treatment procedure, she told officers. But after learning of past allegations against Williams, noting a Daily Sun police log she came across from 2002, she questioned her experience. Her concerns grew after visiting two other specialists who did not touch her breasts.

Andrew White, an investigator with the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy, spoke to officers and said touching of the breast should require a waiver to be signed and added that any touching would not include the nipple or areola, according to the police report.

A police officer noted in the report that the woman appeared distraught and unsettled about her experience. She advised officers that she knew Williams' patients included multiple other women and children.

The woman told officers she spoke to a friend who also received treatment from Williams. She said the friend had told her about a tailbone adjustment she received from Williams that involved him inappropriately touching her.

The friend was contacted by a police investigator and reported she had received treatment for a broken tailbone. She told the investigator that, when asked, Williams would manually align her coccyx. The woman no longer sees Williams but said she was a patient from 2017 to 2018 and had the procedure done five or six times. She told police she did not have any complaints about him.

According to the police report, White told an officer the treatment was "outside the scope of [Williams] license.

The police report notes that investigators spoke with the executive director of the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy, Karen Donahue, who explained that therapy would have required additional study and course specific to that adjustment.

At the conclusion of the police report, it states that investigators recorded a phone call between Williams and the woman who reported her concerns to the department in April. The investigator said Williams said on the phone that he had worked on the womans breasts and that he had received training to do so.

The investigation was closed and forwarded by the Flagstaff Police Department to the Coconino County Attorneys Office for charging.

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Dear EarthTalk: Can the American lobster fishermen survive new restrictions on their activities thanks to the endangered species listing of the Atlantic right whale?

-- A.N. Smith, Bourne, MA

For centuries, North Atlantic right whales were aggressively hunted for their meat and their oil, which was used to keep lamps lit and to make soap. These iconic 50-foot long dark blue and white whales were even named the right whale to hunt, as they were often found near the shore, can only swim slowly (6 mph), and float when killed. But by the early 1900s they had become a rare sight and in 1935 the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations, banned hunting them. But the population failed to rebound, and in 1970 the U.S. added the Northern right whale to its new Endangered Species List.

Despite these protections, only 400 remain, and human interactions still present the greatest threat, with entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes the leading causes of mortality. Since 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has documented 34 dead whales (21 in Canada; 13 in the U.S.), and 16 whales with serious injuries from entanglements or vessel strikes. In an attempt to conserve and rebuild the population, NOAA announced new regulations in August 2021 on the Maine lobster and Jonah crab industries, including the closure of large parts of the Gulf of Maine to lobstering between October and January and requiring more traps per trawl to reduce the overall number of lines in the water.

Not surprisingly, the fishing industry isnt happy.

This is incredulous, says Crystal Canney, executive director of Protect Maines Fishing Heritage Foundation (PMFHF). The whale deaths are not in Maine at the hands of Maine lobstermen...instead of saving right whales, what this decision has done is endanger not only the livelihoods of many of our lobstermen and women but also their lives, she adds.

The Maine Lobstermens Association (MLA) is also apprehensive about the new regulations. In a statement, the group maintains that a historic number of right whales have died in Canadian waters over the past five years and yet Canada has not implemented protections comparable to the U.S. Furthermore, the latest scientific evidence points to a change in right whale migration patterns, away from Maine waters and into Canada and other areas. According to NOAA Fisheries, the Maine lobster industry has not had a documented entanglement with a North Atlantic right whale in over 17 years and has never been known to kill or seriously injure a right whale, notes the MLAs Patrice McCarron. She adds that NOAAs new regulations are just the first round of economic impacts and that future restrictions will likely destroy Maines iconic lobster fishery.

Meanwhile, environmental advocacy group Oceana says the new rules dont go far enough, stressing that potentially fatal entanglements are still likely, particularly for juveniles, the fastest growing segment of the right whale population.

EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

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All year, global headlines announced one climate disaster after another  drought, wildfires, flooding and extreme weather. This year it got personal: two favorite swimming spots went dry while multiple fires blazed around Flagstaff. When the rains came, a new brown river flashed through my neighborhood, leaving tons of mud and a new normal.

On average, worldwide temperatures have already risen 1.9F (1.1C) since 1850. Some parts of the Southwest are up 2F. This is actual, measured warming. By 2050 business-as-usual could mean Arizona will be 3.6 to 8.1F warmer.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) says that if we keep emitting CO2 at current rates, we will reach over 2.7F (1.5C) of warming by 2040. This is warmer than humans have ever experienced and will further destabilize climate. Staying below 2.7F (1.5C) improves the odds of avoiding irreversible tipping points like loss of major ice sheets and release of stored carbon from thawing permafrost. Each fuels further warming.

But the IPCC also says that cutting emissions in half by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050 will likely keep us below a 2.7F (1.5C) rise.

So, whats a person to do? Of the greenhouse gases that impact climate, carbon dioxide is the biggest player. Its released mostly by burning oil, gas, and coal. No way around it, burning less will slow the warming.

Decarbonizing a fossil fueled world is where we come in. It will take commitment to a quiver of strategic arrows aimed at global, national, regional and local targets. Improved energy efficiency is an easy target. Reforestation and regenerative agriculture naturally pull carbon from the air to store in trees and soil. Emerging technologies will surely have a place in the mix. But replacing fossil fuels with low and ultimately no-carbon energy will be key. Electrification across the economy using reliable clean energy like solar and wind will transform transportation, buildings and industry.

But can we make this massive transformation in time? The IPCC and economists alike say that an economy-wide driver like a price on carbon will be essential. Regulatory approaches help, but are more complex, slower, and typically impact only slices of the economy. For example, clean energy standards address only electric utilities. Mileage standards just impact transportation.

Carbon pricing is powerful. It increases the cost of fossil fuels, motivating consumers to use less and switch to lower carbon fuels. A steadily increasing price moves investors toward clean energy. Its a price correction that accounts for fossil fuels climate impacts as it accelerates the clean energy transition.

A variety of carbon pricing strategies exist, but the most transparent assess a fee on fossil fuels based on their carbon content. The fee is paid by extraction companies, who pass the increase along to customers, reaching most sectors of the economy.

A good price starts low to avoid an initial shock and increases predictably over time to reduce emissions at the rate we need. Models show that $15/ton CO2 initially, raised $10/year, reduces emissions at close to the IPCCs recommended rate. Paired with a dividend paid to people, a carbon price protects our most vulnerable from rising energy costs.

Of the developed countries, only the U.S. and Australia do not have a carbon price. China has adopted carbon pricing in some provinces and is working on a national price. Russia is too. Both are motivated by the EUs proposed carbon border adjustment that may go into effect next year.

A border adjustment evens the playing field for imports and exports. Essentially, a business importing carbon intensive products into a country with a carbon price must pay the price at the border if their home country doesnt have a similar carbon price in effect. China and Russia are working on national carbon prices to avoid paying the EU at their border. The adjustment should motivate us too, the EU is a major U.S. trading partner.

Several carbon pricing bills are currently in Congress, and the Senate is considering a carbon price in this falls budget reconciliation package. To put a big climate solution to work right away, urge Senators Sinema and Kelly and Congressman OHalleran to include a fair, transparent carbon price in this years budget reconciliation bill.

Shawn Newell is a local business owner and volunteer leader of Citizens Climate Lobby Flagstaff. For more info on the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, visit www.NAZCCA.org/volunteer.

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Black-necked cranes are seen at Ruoergai Grassland in Ruoergai County, Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Ngawa, Sichuan Province. (Photo/VCG)

The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) kicked off on Monday afternoon in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Flowers formed a girl with open arms in front of the gate of the main venue, implying the symbiotic land of all things.

China is listed as one of the 12 countries with special abundant biodiversity in the world due to the rich species.
Bob was born and raised in Montana; Sylvia in Maine. After high school, they both joined the Navy where they met at Camp Pendleton and married at Oceanside in California. Following their honorable discharges, Bob attended Mortuary School in California. They moved to Bob's hometown of Forsyth after graduation to work the family business Beals Furniture & Mortuary. They purchased the business in 1981 and later sold to their son Bob Jr. when they retired. Bob and Sylvia were both active in the American Legion and they made history as being the first couple to hold the office of State Commander for consecutive years. Bob played the bagpipes with the Billings & Miles City bands. They have traveled extensively and are blessed with their many adventures.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  New York real estate heir Robert Durst, who days ago was sentenced in a two-decade-old murder case, has been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19, his lawyer said Saturday.

Defense Attorney Dick DeGuerin said he was notified that Durst was admitted after testing positive for the coronavirus. DeGuerin said he didn't know Durst's condition and was trying to find out more details.

Durst, 78, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without a chance of parole for the murder of his best friend more than two decades ago. Durst, who has numerous medical issues, sat in a wheelchair with a catatonic stare during much of the sentencing hearing.

"He was very, very sick in the courtroom," DeGuerin said Saturday.

He was convicted in Los Angeles Superior Court last month of first-degree murder for shooting Susan Berman point-blank in the back of the head at her home in December 2000.

The killing had been a mystery that haunted family and friends for 15 years before Durst was arrested in 2015 following his unwise decision to participate in a documentary that unearthed new evidence and caught him in a stunning confession.

DeGuerin said Thursday that Durst will appeal.

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UPPER DARBY, Pa. (AP)  A woman was raped by a stranger on a commuter train in suburban Philadelphia in the presence of other riders who a police official said "should have done something."

Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt of the Upper Darby Police Department said officers were called to the 69th Street terminal around 10 p.m. Wednesday after the assault on the westbound train on the Market-Frankford Line.

An employee of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority who was in the vicinity as the train went past called police to report that "something wasn't right" with a woman aboard the train, Bernhardt said.

SEPTA police waiting at the next stop found the woman and arrested a man. The woman was taken to a hospital.

Bernhardt called the victim an "unbelievably strong woman" who provided police with a lot of information. She did not know her attacker, he said.

"She's on the mend," Bernhardt said. "Hopefully she will get through this."

The entire episode was captured on surveillance video that showed other people on the train at the time, Bernhardt said.
When Stanfel found out a friend she had visited later tested positive for COVID, she immediately got a test at her doctors office. It took five days to learn she had tested negative.

Montanas public health lab is in Stanfels city, but state health department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said the volume of tests since early August has regularly exceeded the labs capacity. As such, theyve had to prioritize tests from hospitalized or symptomatic people and send other specimens to private labs, a process that can stretch the wait time for results to up to seven days.

In New York City, where mobile-testing vans are parked in every borough and in-person home testing is offered, residents are reporting quick turnaround for molecular tests because the labs analyzing their samples are close by.

For example, in Manhattan, Justin Peck got back from a road trip to Canada on a Tuesday night, walked about five minutes to a mobile-testing van on Wednesday, and had PCR results by Thursday morning, clearing him just in time to go to work for the first time in 18 months as a dancer in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.
Montanas senators praised the USDA funding, which also includes a separate $398,000 grant and a $618,000 loan to upgrade the community of Choteaus water system.

Water is life, and ensuring that folks in rural Montana have reliable access to clean drinking water is absolutely critical to keeping our rural communities strong, said Sen. Jon Tester in a statement. Small towns and tight knit communities are what make Montana so special, and securing a steady supply of clean drinking water will boost economic growth in Harlowton and Choteau and help protect our Montana way of life for generations to come.

Im glad to see Montana communities receive these resources to support water infrastructure and delivery across the state, which is especially important for our rural communities, Sen. Steve Daines said in a statement. This funding will help ensure Montanans have reliable access to clean and safe water.

The money is part of the December COVID Relief and Omnibus spending bill, which is a contributing factor in the need to raise the nations debt ceiling. Last week, Daines voted against raising the debt ceiling calling it fiscal insanity.
A legislative attorney has advised Republican leaders that they lack the authority to appoint a joint committee to probe election security during the interim, as requested by GOP lawmakers last month  but indicated the Senate could go it alone.

In a memo sent Friday afternoon to Senate President Mark Blasdel and House Speaker Wylie Galt, staff attorney Jaret Coles wrote that while the Senates rules allow the president to unilaterally appoint a special committee in that chamber during the interim, the House rules require a majority vote for the speaker to do so.

In September, 86 of the states 98 Republican lawmakers signed a letter to the two Republican leaders requesting that they appoint a special committee of legislators from both chambers to review the state's election laws. The letter asked that the panel reflect the Republican majorities in the House and Senate  roughly a two-to-one advantage over Democrats.
Dakota has been displayed previously at the State Museum, but it has been in the lab for three years as paleontologists have done more cleaning and preparation.

"There are areas that could not be seen before on Dakota that will be in this new exhibit," Boyd said.

In 1999, teenager Tyler Lyson discovered the duck-billed dinosaur's remains on his uncle's ranch near Marmarth. The specimen was unearthed in 2004, and workers revealed the carcass from the rock in subsequent years.

The new Dakota exhibit will feature part of the specimen, taken apart where it was previously fractured, and placed in life position.

"We have the right arm from about the elbow all the way to the tips of the fingers, which is completely cleaned up, like three-dimensionally on all sides, and it's sitting up in an elevated stand, so you can see all the way around it," Boyd said. "It has all the skin, it's got the fingernails, it looks like an arm sitting there on display."

Previously, Dakota was lying down and wasn't as well-cleaned as now.

"By comparison for people who are like, 'Oh, I've seen Dakota before,' it's like, 'No, you've never seen Dakota like this before,'" Boyd said.
But now, seeing all of your reactions, it just validates my experience and that is so valuable.

Lyon Delsordo worked for Smith in the summer of 2020 at Prime Labs, where he is CEO.

The bulk of Lyon Delsordos speech was focused on what students can do at this time to aid the universitys investigation into Smith. She detailed the type of behaviors or experiences that students have either witnessed or personally experienced and how to report them to the Title IX office.

Those in attendance held signs with slogans of fire Rob Smith, queer and proud, Rob Smith robbed UM, and when will justice be served? The voices of the students chanting, Hey hey, ho ho, Rob Smith has got to go at the conclusion of the rally reverberated through the Oval.

The moment this malicious, hateful, inexcusable blog was discovered, immediate and extensive evaluations should have followed," said Jenny Rokosch, a senior on campus studying environmental science. "The vetting system failed, and our students are suffering the consequences and at the same time are the ones who have to pick up the pieces.
The latest North Dakota coronavirus news: courts, testing and shots.

Supreme Court livestreams

North Dakota's Supreme Court will continue livestreaming oral arguments.

The court recently announced its decision following a public comment period.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the court has carried livestreams on YouTube, at bit.ly/3iKLCuO, even after arguments resumed in-person.

Previous arguments were held via live videoconference.

Flu/COVID-19 clinics

Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health will conduct a drive-thru flu shot clinic at the Bismarck Event Center on Monday, with COVID-19 vaccine also available. The clinic is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3-6 p.m.

Appointments are required to reserve vaccine, and can be scheduled online at https://bit.ly/3lWcAQT or by phone at 701-355-1540. Walk-ins will be accepted based on availability of vaccine. People should wear a mask and bring insurance cards. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health accepts the following insurance: Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica, Medicare Part B, Railroad Medicare, Sanford (except Sanford True Plan) and United Healthcare.

High-dose vaccinations for people 65 and older will be available while supplies last. People requiring high-dose vaccinations can contact Public Health at 701-355-1540 for more information.

People are asked to enter Bismarck Event Center parking lot D (the lot to the south across Bowen Avenue) from Seventh Street and make their way into the Event Center. Vaccinations will be conducted inside.

Custer Health in Mandan is offering flu shot/COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Wednesday, in two Morton County communities:

Hebron school, 400 Church Ave., 7-9 a.m. CDT

Hebron Senior Center, 707 Main St., 9:30-11:30 a.m. CDT

Glen Ullin Senior Center, 110 S. Main St., 12-2 p.m. CDT

Glen Ullin school, 6508 Highway 49, 2:30-4 p.m.

No appointment is necessary, but people can preregister online at www.custerhealth.com. People should bring insurance cards to the clinic.

For a complete list of Custer Health clinics in the region, go to https://www.custerhealth.com/flu-clinic-schedules.

Testing and vaccines

A comprehensive list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units in North Dakota can be found at health.nd.gov/covidtesting.

In Bismarck, PCR and rapid antigen tests are administered Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the strip mall at 2805 Morrison Ave., Suite A. PCR tests also are administered Monday through Thursday from 10-11 a.m. at Northland Health Centers, 914 S. 12th St., Suite 101.

People who have registered for COVID-19 testing through TestReg.nd.gov can access results for tests through a state service called the Citizen Portal. Instructions can be found at https://bit.ly/3jqiudf.

People can go to https://www.ndvax.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them.

Both Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Custer Health in Mandan are offering vaccine to the general public.

To register with Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, go to https://www.ndvax.org and search for a Bismarck vaccination event. For assistance, call 701-355-1540.

Morton County residents should go to https://www.ndvax.org and search for "Custer Health" or call 701-667-3370 to register. Custer Health has a vaccination clinic at 1100 32nd Ave. SE in Units D and E, off Memorial Highway.

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In 2020, many on the right had modest hopes for President Biden.

The hope hinged on the not implausible theory that he would govern as a centrist because that's how he campaigned. Biden did markedly better than Hillary Clinton's 2016 performance with Republican-friendly constituencies. Indeed, 7% of 2016 Republican Trump voters defected to Biden in 2020. Even Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., caught on hidden camera, admitted that Trump-hostile Republicans delivered Wisconsin to Biden, even as they voted for other Republicans on the ballot.

After Biden won, the evenly split Senate and a House with a very small Democratic margin, combined with widespread disgust with Trump's post-election schemes, raised hopes for Biden's centrism. Some even argued that disaffected Republicans should essentially join the Democratic Party. "Why shouldn't anti-Trump Republicans at least consider becoming a kind-of-Old-Republican wing of Joe Biden's Democratic party?" asked Bill Kristol, a proudly anti-Trump conservative.

Fast-forward several months. Biden has not governed from the center. If you think he has, great. We can argue about that another time. But going by the polls and focus groups, a lot of right-of-center voters don't see it that way. Which is why Democrats are facing a midterm bloodbath.

Moreover, the rift caused by Trump's Capitol riot has largely closed in Trump's favor. Most elected Republicans no longer denounce his election lies and refuse to tell the truth about Biden's victory. Worse yet, the GOP establishment is turning a blind eye to state-level efforts to pave the way for Trump to circumvent the popular vote should he run in 2024.

In response to all this, many anti-Trump Republicans want to double down on the vote-for-Democrats gambit. Liberal Republican Christine Todd Whitman and Miles Taylor (the "Anonymous" former Trump administration critic) argue in the New York Times that "Rational Republicans are losing the G.O.P. civil war. And the only near-term way to battle pro-Trump extremists is for all of us to team up on key races and overarching political goals with our longtime political opponents: the Democratic Party."

The only problem: It won't work. Asking right-of-center voters to vote for Democratic senators and representatives who take the opposite positions on abortion, guns, foreign policy, and tax-and-spending issues for "democracy's sake" is a heavy lift, even if you can convince them that democracy is really at stake. Biden has made that lift far heavier by making it clear that he wants right-of-center voters to compromise on everything, while he compromises on little or nothing.

Perhaps there's another way. The primary system is the GOP's Achilles' heel because it makes a mere plurality of the vote a de facto majority of the vote. A recent Pew survey found that 44% of Republicans want Trump to run again. As 2016 showed, that's more than enough to win the nomination in a crowded field. The same dynamic explains why Republican congressional candidates kowtow to Trump -- they're afraid of his primary voters. And right now, there is no countervailing pressure within the party.

So why not create pressure outside of it? Specifically, a third party with a simple, Reaganite conservative platform combined with a serious plank to defend the soundness of elections? For simplicity's sake, think of it as a GOP minus the Trump personality cult.

If a Republican candidate met its requirements, a new party of the right could endorse the Republican, the way New York's Conservative Party does. If not, a non-Trumpy candidate could play the role of spoiler by garnering enough conservative votes in the general election to throw the election to the Democrat.

I have always been -- and remain -- a skeptic of third parties, because they punish the party they have the most in common with. The historian Richard Hofstadter famously quipped, "Third parties are like bees: once they have stung, they die."

But in this scenario, that's a feature, not a bug. The point is to cause the GOP some pain for its descent into asininity. Giving conservatives turned off by both the Democrats and the Trumpified GOP a way to vote their conscience in the general election would put political pressure on Republican candidates to curtail their Trump sycophancy. It would also serve to remind the GOP that if you abandon conservative principles, conservatives might abandon you.

Jonah Goldberg writes for the Los Angeles Times.

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Gov. Doug Burgums proposal to provide tax relief has merit, but his efforts to promote the idea create political risks for him.

The governor suggested recently that the Legislature tap into the states estimated ending fund balance of $1.1 billion to provide $207 million in state income tax relief. It would be done through a $500 income tax credit on returns for 2021 and 2022.

The Tribune editorial board believes this would be beneficial for North Dakotans rebounding from the pandemic who are facing rising prices and an uncertain economy. Unfortunately, for Burgum, the Legislature has shown almost no interest in his proposal.

Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, said theres no support in the Legislature, while House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, said any tax relief should be permanent. Voters in 2008 rejected a ballot measure to cut tax rates by 50%. Since then legislators have reduced the rates.

Public complaints about taxes are common, but its difficult to gauge how much support for tax cuts exists. Burgum is trying to demonstrate that by asking voters to sign a petition in support of his tax relief proposal. Its an unusual tactic by a governor to pressure the Legislature into adopting a proposal.

There are potential pitfalls to Burgums petition effort. He could fail to attract a sizable number of signatures, undercutting the credibility of his tax relief plan. Even if he gets a large number of signees, opponents can argue its easy to get signatures when people havent heard the pros and cons of the proposal.

The biggest danger could be the reaction of legislators to his attempt to go around them by having the public apply pressure. While the Legislature normally meets every two years, it likes to believe its in control all the time.

If the governor deeply offends the Legislature, it could make it difficult for him to get support for future agenda items. Governors in the past have learned theres a certain art to working with the Legislature. Burgum is still trying to perfect that art.

The Tribune doesnt believe the petition effort is wise, simply because it will irk many legislators. We do like the idea of temporary tax relief at a time when people are recovering from the pandemic. It would ease the burden on many people.

Legislators meet next month to decide how to spend federal rescue funds, and it appears the bulk of the money will go to infrastructure projects. Thats fine, because it will benefit the entire state and remove the need to spend some state funds on necessary improvements.

Burgums proposal puts money into North Dakotans pockets. Whether the money is spent, invested or saved, it benefits the economy.

Rep. Jeff Magrum, R-Hazelton, wants to use the federal aid to write checks for nearly $3,000 to every North Dakota resident. The Tribune prefers Burgums idea and believes the federal money should at least partially be used for infrastructure projects.

Legislators shouldnt allow the petition effort to cloud their judgment. They should give the tax relief plan serious consideration.

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I read with bated breath Senator Cramers weekly newsletter on Twitter. He usually tweets something non-bipartisan-like about Democrats; usually prefaced by the term socialist. The 9/27-10/4/2021 tweet was no exception tweeting the phrase Democrats big government socialist agenda.

By now, most know that Cramer supports the $1.2 trillion regular infrastructure bill but not the $3.5 trillion enhanced infrastructure bill. Cramers lack of support for the larger bill cant be over the cost. I will explain my rationale.

The Democrat party supports, amongst other planks, social equality, equal opportunity and social programs.

The GOP supports, amongst other planks, lower taxes, free market capitalism and deregulation.

Republicans are less concerned with funding social programs that assist the elderly, children, single parents and people with disabilities.

Republicans often comment that people receiving these entitlement/welfare/socialist services will become too lazy to work and, thus, will hurt free-market capitalism.

The small bill will help commerce by improving our infrastructure. The large bill will help both infrastructure and the lives of people.

Cramer feels that $3.5 trillion is too costly. But Cramer seemed unconcerned about spending tax money from 2016 to 2020.

Trump, Cramer and the Republicans in congress were willing to increase our federal debt by $7.8 trillion by assisting farmers with subsidies, tax cuts for the rich, and providing special favorable treatment for corporations. This business economic handout is nothing more than corporate welfare or what Cramer calls socialism.

No, Senator Cramer. The $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill cost is your excuse for not supporting the bill; it is not your main reason. Your voting history is proof that you are not afraid of digging into our federal governments coffers.

Henry Lebak, Bismarck

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Thanks almost entirely to the killing of George Floyd, Black Lives Matters approval rating has more than doubled from where it stood four years ago, surging from 27% in 2016 to 57% today. While the slogan wins public support, the racially tinged socialism espoused by the organization Black Lives Matter should concern everyone who cherishes freedom.

BLM proudly proclaims its belief that all black Americans should receive a guaranteed minimum income and free healthcare, schooling, food, real estate, gender reassignment surgery, and abortion; bring an an end to all jails as we know them; disrupt the traditional family; demand reparations on behalf of foreign nations; and form a global liberation movement that will overturn US imperialism [and] capitalism.

Americans could be excused for not knowing that BLM is a political organization with an agenda no less comprehensive than reshaping the entire world. The media have not reported its aims  at least, not in context of the recent riots. In the public imagination, Black Lives Matter is nothing more than a ubiquitous black square on social media platforms. Americans rightly outraged by incidents like the indefensible killing of George Floyd by a police officer with a long history of complaints adopted the slogan to demand proper treatment under the law  one of cornerstones of Western civilization. They often protest to this end and, as long as those protests are peaceful, they are exercising the first freedom enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

However, they have no inkling that Black Lives Matter is not just a maxim or a graphic to be posted online. It is a radical pressure group that embraces a vista of controversial, extremist positions. Those who march under its banner are unwittingly putting themselves in a position to be identified by BLMs activists as endorsing these beliefs.

BLM activists have made no secret of their views. When we started Black Lives Matter, it wasnt solely about police brutality and extrajudicial killing, one of BLMs three co-founders, Opal Tometi, confessed to The New Yorker. The issue was just a spark point to begin calling for the defunding of police, a moratorium on rent, a moratorium on mortgages and utilities and issuing demands relating to housing and education and health-care systems.

To present their demands more completely, the Black Lives Matter Network joined dozens of like-minded groups to found the Movement for Black Lives, sit on its united front, and adopt its policy platform.

[T]he U.S. is a country that does not support, protect or preserve [b]lack life, the M4BL original statement says. And so we seek not reform but transformation. While the planks often amount to little more than platitudes, replete with grammatical errors, the platform offers a clear demand for socialism under the cover of racial reconciliation. The steps the organizations propose include:

Reparations through racial socialism: The M4BL platform, which BLM endorses, states, We demand reparations for past and continuing harms, including both corporate and government reparations for a litany of ills that include food apartheid and racialized capitalism. Government reparations will take the form of a guaranteed minimum livable income for all Black people. M4BL/BLMs universal health care policy mandates that wealthy residents pay for a portion of their services while low-income and working class folks receive free services. The new system will be modeled on France or Germany. Black Americans will also receive government-funded control of food sources, housing and land. Robust reparations programs will include full and free access for all Black people (including undocumented and currently and formerly incarcerated people) to lifetime education at any university, community college, or technical education facility, as well as retroactive forgiveness of student loans.

Replacing education with agitprop and welfare services: Under the M4BL/BLM manifesto, public schools would be transformed from centers of education to the delivery points of intersectional/multicultural studies and comprehensive welfare programs, including free abortion for minors (without specifying a minimum age):

A constitutional right at the state and federal level to a fully-funded education which includes a clear articulation of the right to: a free education for all, special protections for queer and trans students, wrap around services, social workers, free health services (including reproductive body autonomy), a curriculum that acknowledges and addresses students material and cultural needs, physical activity and recreation, high quality food, free daycare, and freedom from unwarranted search, seizure or arrest.

To ensure an intersectional approach, the group continues, the public school budgeting process must include representation from specific populations of people, including formerly and currently incarcerated people.

Defunding the police and ending prisons: BLMs best-known demand is to defund the police. M4BL also proposes an end to arrests of any black students, and an end to all jails, detention centers, youth facilities and prisons as we know them. House arrest would be promoted equally with imprisonment. The government would also expand Pell grant funding to educate inmates and [a]llow access to gender affirming surgeries in penitentiaries at taxpayers expense.

Dismantling the family: Black Lives Matter endorses two contradictory policies: We make our spaces family-friendly, it states. It then looks forward to the destruction of the traditional family:

We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and villages that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.

Children raised in fatherless homes are more likely to drop out of school, abuse drugs or alcohol, be victims or perpetrators of physical and sexual abuse, live in poverty, commit other crimes, and go to prison than those raised in intact, two-parent householdsthe nuclear family structure BLM is warring against. Two out of every three black children live in single-parent families, making them 271% more likely to do so than non-Hispanic white children. To leave this out of racial disparities calculations is reckless, as Thomas Sowell has noted. Without loving families, no society can long govern itself, says Jennifer Roback Morse, the founder of the Ruth Institute and a frequent collaborator with the Acton Institute. BLM agrees but chooses to outsource much of the parents responsibilities to the government.

Start a global liberation movement to overthrow capitalism: The interlinked systems of white supremacy, imperialism, capitalism and patriarchy shape the violence we face, the M4BL/BLM platform states. As oppressed people living in the US, the belly of global empire, we are in a critical position to build the necessary connections for a global liberation movement. Until we are able to overturn US imperialism, capitalism and white supremacy, our brothers and sisters around the world will continue to live in chains.

The BLM-endorsed document adds that its struggle is strengthened by our connections to the resistance of peoples around the world fighting for their liberation.  The movement for [b]lack lives must be tied to liberation movements around the world. It does not list the foreign liberation movements with which it wishes to align. However, they will hold the United States and Israel in contempt.

America is an empire, and American wars are unjust, the M4BL manifesto states baldly. And Israel is an apartheid state. Americas alliance with Israel makes the U.S. complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.it makes US citizens complicit in the abuses committed by the Israeli government. BLM does not state what punishment it would mete out to civilians complicit in genocide. However, it demands lawmakers cut the US military budget by 50%, which will lead to the closure of the over 800 U.S. military bases the U.S. [operates] around the world and the return of troops deployed overseas  a move many Americans, especially libertarians, support.

Higher taxes, with a specifically racial focus: The group writes confusingly that governments have increasingly decreased the use of progressive taxation. As a result, the wealthiest Americans and powerful corporations continue to evade their fair share of taxes, it says. The top 1% of U.S. income earners pay 37% of federal income taxes, and the top 10% pay 47% of all taxes, while the bottom 44% pay nothing. Begin by raising the top marginal rate first to 50 percent and then gradually up to 80 percent, M4BL suggests.

The federal government should focus on taxing bads not goods. BLM would increase the death tax, the capital gains tax, impose new taxes on real estate transfers and financial speculation, and create a national wealth tax. Each state would follow suit by imposing a heavily progressive state income tax on individuals and corporations and 50 state wealth taxes. All tax reform legislation must be drawn up in accordance with racial equity goals to help build the wealth of households of color.

Reparations for drug dealers: M4BL/BLM would legalize prostitution and the possession and sale of all drugs, no matter the quantity. Prisoners convicted of these crimes would be released and their records retroactively expunged. But thats not far enough for Black Lives Matter: Any government savings must be invested into reparations to all people who have been adversely impacted by the drug war and enforcement of prostitution laws. The government must also ensure that people criminalized by the war on drugs are able to participate in legal drug markets where decriminalization has already taken place. Many libertarians support decriminalizing some or all drugs (and prostitution), but they typically envision government regulations on the manufacture and sale of narcotics. One of their most resonant selling points is that repeal of drug prohibition will take the drug business out of the cartels hands. BLM would guarantee the Medellin cartel a piece of the action.

Reparations for foreign nations and terrorist states: The M4BL/BLMs thirst for racialized wealth redistribution doesnt stop at the waters edge. Their manifesto demands reparations for foreign nations, as well. The group insists the U.S. make reparations to countries and communities devastated by American warmaking, such as Somalia, Iraq, Libya and Honduras.

Let incarcerated prisoners, illegal immigrants, and felons vote: The M4BLs voting reforms demand universal voter registration, as well as preregistration for 16-year-olds, enfranchisement of formerly and currently incarcerated people, local and state resident voting for undocumented people, and a ban on all disenfranchisement laws. Felon disenfranchisement laws date back to ancient Greece. M4BLs drive to expand the range of eligible voters sleights the rule of law while favoring core Democratic Party constituencies, which favor more expensive government welfare policies.

This list of policy proposals is far from comprehensive. If anything, BLMs demands are more expansive and government-expanding yet. However, this gives an accurate flavor of the platform Black Lives Matter would implement if given the opportunity. It is not one that should be shared by people of faith or supporters of limited government, unalienable rights, and equal justice under the law.

(Photo credit: Shutterstock)
Challenge the political agenda of the Gates and Ford Foundations, but do not use means that undermine the very rule of law that should be defended. []

A healthy state protects life, secures liberty, and defends property. A totalitarian state does the opposite: it arbitrarily kills, compels, and seizes property.

J. D. Vance recently appeared on Fox News with Tucker Carlson to discuss a verbal altercation between Arizona State University students, one of whom was the recipient of a Ford Foundation fellowship.

The Republican Ohio Senate candidate made a broad critique of foundations and universities that get tax privileges as philanthropies but engage in left-wing political activism. Vance first suggested an extensive examination of the legal, regulatory and tax structures governing nonprofits to ensure they arent merely shell organizations concealing political action groups.

But at the end of the interview, he crossed into dangerous ground advocating government seizure and redistribution of the assets of the Gates and Ford foundations and similar entities that are actively promoting leftist politics, critical race theory, the sexual revolution and the woke agenda.

This an outright rejection of the rule of law, a key idea and tactic of the socialist and leftist agenda he claims to be fighting.

Vance is correct that the Ford and Gates foundations promote harmful ideologies in the U.S. and abroad. The current regulatory structures should be reviewed. But his call to seize assets encourages an authoritarian use of state power that is dangerous and unjust.

Theres also no doubt that the country faces an increasingly dire political situation that goes deeper than electoral politics. The U.S. is in an anthropological battle over the nature of the person, marriage, the rights of parents and the nations democratic traditions.

At this point it appears there will be no place for compromise. The legalization of same-sex marriage, the redefinition of gender and the recent congressional push to codify a right to abortion are gross denials of the separations of powers.

The state is attempting to redefine biological realities and usher in a new ontology of the person that violates reason and science but that requires absolute obedience. The woke agenda seeks to usurp the rights and authority of parents, redefine the meaning of justice and bypass due process and the rule of law. And wealthy foundations often work in various ways to fund this new vision of the person and undermine principles of justice.

To reclaim a richer view of the human person and a vision of society rooted in justice and due process is an ongoing and admirable struggle. And that is why Vances call to seize the assets of his political enemies and redistribute them to his political allies should be rejected.

At a minimum, this is bad political strategy.

While it might get him some votes, it could provoke the current administration to attack conservative groups. But more importantly, Vances proposal is a rejection of the rule of law and the very foundations of the American and British political traditions, from the Magna Carta to the Bill of Rights.

He departs from the medieval tradition of law and due process articulated by thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, and from the principle of impartial justice found in the Jewish and Christian scriptures, from Leviticus to James. Sadly, Tucker Carlson failed to press Vance on his zealous proposal.

Vance argued that conservatives need to wake up to the perverse influence of these multibillion-dollar foundations. Undoubtedly so. But seizing legally acquired assets is an affront to the Fourth Amendment to the Bill of Rights, which protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Would Vance dispose of the Second Amendment or the Sixth Amendment and confiscate guns or deny trial by jury because of the current cultural and political crisis?

Vance is right that something must be done as the left continues its incessant march through our institutions. But righteous anger, spiritedness and enthusiasm must be rooted in prudence and respect for justice.

Sociologist Philip Rief famously wrote that culture is the form of fighting before the firing begins. Yet, as the best of the Western tradition teaches us, not only war, but politics and culture, too, must be fought in accordance with principles of justice.

A leftist relativist approach to justifying an indiscriminate use of power against the enemy undermines constitutional rights and the rule of law, which must be defended at all costs.

This article originally appeared in The Detroit News on Oct. 13, 2021.
https://phys.org/news/2021-10-san-diego-grew-magnet-nobel-quality.html

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

She lived in England during the age of Dickens, taught school in Illinois as America expanded west, wrote for a scrappy newspaper in Detroit after the Civil War, and spent her latter years in San Diego sharing a fortune.

Ellen Browning Scripps was a sharp, generous, worldly person. But she probably never imagined the grand chapter she was writing in the city's history about a century ago when she founded and funded a medical clinic, a hospital and a marine biology station.

Her donations turned out to be seed money that helped transform San Diego into a mecca for science and medical talent, a place where every October there's a good chance someone who does or once did research here will get a call from Stockholm when the Nobel Prizes are awarded.

That point was driven home this month, when three "locals" got the call.

Two had ties to Scripps Research, the elite biomedical institute that arose from the clinic that Scripps created in sleepy La Jolla in 1924. Ardem Patapoutian, a Scripps neuroscientist, won the Nobel in physiology or medicine for helping discover cell receptors that enable people to sense heat, cold, pain and touch. Benjamin List, a German scholar, won the prize in chemistry for developing a better way to create molecules, aiding drug development. It's mostly based on work he did years ago at Scripps.

The third figure is Klaus Hasselmann. a German scientist who shared the Nobel in physics for his insights about Earth's climate and global warming. In the early 1960s, he was a professor at the University of California, San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which rose from the marine station Scripps created in 1903.

At least 27 people who have won the Nobel Prize worked in San Diego at some point in their careers.

Rare air

It's an exclusive club. Fewer than 1,000 people worldwide have been awarded the Nobel since the first prize was conferred in 1901.

This year's recipients will receive, or share, $1.14 million and get a gold medal. The medals are so valuable that UC San Diego put special security precautions in place when one of its economists, Harry Markowitz, donated his Nobel to the school in 2017. He also donated $4 million.

Although Americans are generally aware of the Nobels, few understand what most laureates did to earn one. Broadly speaking, they are conferred on people whose work turns out to be of great benefit to humankind. They are often given to people who moved on from where they did their groundbreaking work, which is true of many of the laureates associated with San Diego.

UCSD chemists Mario Molino and Paul Crutzen helped discover that a class of chemicals known as CFCs was destroying Earth's ozone layer, increasing people's exposure to potentially harmful ultra-violet radiation, earning them a Nobel in 1993.

Markowitz pointed out little understood risks in investing money, especially as it pertains to the stock market.

Scripps Research chemist Barry Sharpless won a Nobel for his insights about molecules, which are indispensable to all living things.

And years before he arrived at the Salk, Francis Crick co-discovered the molecular structure of DNA, a finding he made with James Watson in 1953.

As history notes, Crick marched into the Eagle pub in Cambridge, England, and proclaimed that they had "found the secret of life."

Newspaper fortune

Many are responsible for turning San Diego into the sort of place that nurtures and attracts people with Nobel-worthy talent. Few have been as influential as Scripps, who promoted the city until she died in the 1932, at age 95.

In photos, she can appear delicate and meek. She wasn't.

In 1844, Scripps and her family spent six weeks in a barque sailing from England to America. They made a difficult trek to rural Illinois, where Scripps earned a college degree, something then uncommon among women.

She taught school for years, then delved into the family's newspaper business in Detroit, where she used her financial acumen to help grow the paper, expand its holdings and create linkages between the Midwest and West. She also became a nationally syndicated columnistanother role that was not often filled by women in the 1800s.

She also became prominent in the women's suffrage movement, working to earn women the right to vote.

By the time Scripps moved to San Diego in 1891, she had made a fortune in newspapers and was eager to share it, especially to promote two lifelong interests, medicine and science.

In the 1920s, she founded the Scripps Metabolic Clinic and Scripps Memorial Hospital. But her greatest contribution may have come in 1903, when she helped found a tiny marine biological station.

It evolved into the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which went from obscurity to prominence during World War II when it became an important cog in the Navy's network of research centers.

Scripps helped develop better ways to find and track enemy submarines, and to improve surf forecasting, which proved to be indispensable when Allied forces landed at Normandy during D-Day.

The partnership was largely created by Roger Revelle, a charismatic, ever-on-the-go Scripps oceanographer who worked for the Navy during the war.

He pressed the Navy to invest in the institute, arguing that it needed such expertise, especially in San Diego, which had emerged as one of the largest naval ports in the country. Revelle helped found the Office of Naval Research, which cemented the relationship.

The Navy didn't need a lot of convincing. The institute was filled with rising young stars such as Walter Munk, who would become known as the "Einstein of the oceans" for his scientific contributions. In the 1960s, he helped mentor another young Scripps professorHasselmann, this year's winner of the Nobel in physics.

Revelle also was a bright light. Before the war, he'd started doing climate change research that later led many scientists to refer to him as the "father of the greenhouse effect." Revelle served as director of Scripps from 1950-64, building upon the investments that the Scripps family had made in the station years ago.

Fueled by military, space race

Many sailors and Marines who had passed through San Diego during the war returned to the city when hostilities ended. They were drawn by its beauty and hopes of finding work in local defense and aircraft plants.

Many of them became engineers who helped the Navy shift from the age of propellor-driven planes to jet aircraft. By the late 1940s, the Cold War with the Soviet Union deepened the need for scientists and engineers who worked on nuclear power, jets and missiles. In October 1957, when the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, the space age was underway.

Revelle had been preparing for a moment like this. By the mid-1950s he was pushing the University of California Board of Regents to establish a campus in La Jolla. The issue also was being pressed by important local companies such as General Atomics, which was pursing the peaceful development of nuclear energy.

The Regents authorized the development of institutes in La Jolla that would be heavily focused on physics and engineering. It soon became clear that Scripps Oceanography would become the foundation of a major new research university.

Revelle believed that talent attracts talent. So he began by recruiting a starNobel laureate Harold Urey, the University of Chicago chemist who helped develop the atom bomb during the Manhattan Project.

"Urey was crucial to UCSD's success, for his presence first intrigued and then attracted other excellent faculty members," historian Nancy Scott Anderson wrote in a history of the university.

The other early faculty recruits included Maria Goeppert Mayer, who won the Nobel in physics in 1963, and astronomer Margaret Burbidge, who won the National Medal of Science in 1983.

Further enhancing La Jolla's appeal, Frederic de Hoffmann, director of General Atomics, created a series of summer conferences that drew the biggest names in science, including Nobel laureates Hans Bethe and Glenna Seaborg and astronomer Freeman Dyson, who later spent his winters at UCSD.

The message was clear: La Jolla was the place to be. And Revelle and his collaborators weren't the only ones who capitalized on that.

Jonas Salk, who invented the first reliable vaccine to fight polio, established a private biomedical institute across the street from UCSD in 1963. He wanted to tap into and be part of the rapidly emerging science community in La Jolla.

He told potential faculty that they would have no teaching duties, and that they could pursue any idea they wanted. They could do so from the institutewhich is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in science, set atop a coastal bluffor they could live and work elsewhere as non-resident fellows.

It was a powerful and effective pitch. Early on, the Salk recruited Crick, Salvador Luria, Jacques Monod, and Renato Dulbeccoall of whom had, or would, win a Nobel Prize. Salk also hired famed Manhattan Project physicist Leo Szilard, who was allowed to change his focus to biology.

"My father made it clear that the Salk was going to be intellectually interesting independent of what others were doing," said Peter Salk of La Jolla, one of Salk's three sons. "And he did."

It didn't hurt that San Diego averages nearly 270 days of sunshine a year, and institutes like the Salk have magnificent views of the ocean.

"When I was coming to the Salk I got a call from my real estate agent who said that he'd found an incredible house up on Mount Soledad," Dulbecco told the San Diego Union-Tribune years ago. "The price was about $60,000 and I had to decide that day.

"I bought it."
Industrial designer Rebecca Weiss has won Germany's James Dyson Award which "celebrates, encourages and inspires the designers of new problem-solving ideas." The problem she is trying to solve is the limited number of male birth control options. The proposed solution is a new kind of male contraception device enabling the testicles to be periodically submerged in an ultrasound bath to inhibit sperm motility. Weiss is now on the shortlist for the international prize to be announced next month.

Here's how the device would operate:

The user puts water into the device up to the indicated mark which is set together with a doctor according to individual testicle size. Then the water is heated up to operating temperature. COSO is ready for ultrasound treatment. The user spreads his legs and sits down to place the testicles in the device. The ultrasound process continues for a few minutes. The remaining time can be monitored in real time via the COSO app. After the treatment, the device switches off automatically. The technology of the COSO is based on a study of the Parsemus Foundation from 2012 in which successful research was conducted on ultrasound contraception. So far, the procedure has been applied to animals. Therefore, the technical parameters are hypothetically transferred to humans.

"Coso  The New Way of Male Contraception" (James Dyson Award)
I got an email a while back from a fellow by the name of David Lester, who asked if I wanted to read his graphic novel biography of "an 18th-century dwarf and hunchback who fought a lonely, heroic fight for the abolition of slavery."

If you ever want to get my attention, this is how you do it.

Prophet Against Slavery is written and illustrated by Lester, based on the text from Marcus Rediker's biography, The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist. It's the wild, true story of an historical figure I had certainly never heard about, even though Benjamin Franklin himself would publish Lay's abolitionist treatise. Though Lay was indeed small in stature, he was quite bold and strong in every other way.

Born in 1682 to a humble Quaker family in Essex, England, Lay was a forceful and prescient visionary. Understanding the fundamental evil that slavery represented, he would unflinchingly use guerrilla theatre tactics and direct action to shame slave owners and traders in his community. The prejudice that Lay suffered as a dwarf and a hunchback, as well as his devout faith, informed his passion for human and animal liberation. Exhibiting stamina, fortitude, and integrity in the face of the cruelties practiced against what he called his "fellow creatures," he was often a lonely voice that spoke truth to power.

The opening scene of the graphic novel captures Lay's personality perfectly: he interrupts a Meeting of the Friends to scold his entire Quaker assembly for their hypocrisy in allowing slavery to persist. To make his point, he draws a sword and stabs it through an abolitionist text, which spills blood across the church floor. Later, Lay admits with a chuckle that it was actually just red pokeberry juice.

Even Smithsonian Magazine has a story about this fascinating moment in American history:

Beneath his coat Lay carried a hollowed-out book with a secret compartment, into which he had tucked a tied-off animal bladder lled with bright red pokeberry juice. Because Quakers had no formal minister or church ceremony, people spoke as the spirit moved them. Lay, a Quaker himself, waited his turn. He nally rose to address this gathering of "weighty Quakers." Many Friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey had grown rich on Atlantic commerce, and many bought human property. To them Lay announced in a booming voice that God Almighty respects all peoples equally, rich and poor, men and women, white and black alike. He said that slave keeping was the greatest sin in the world and asked, How can a people who profess the golden rule keep slaves? He then threw off his great coat, revealing the military garb, the book and the blade. A murmur lled the hall as the prophet thundered his judgment: "Thus shall God shed the blood of those persons who enslave their fellow creatures." He pulled out the sword, raised the book above his head, and plunged the sword through it. People gasped as the red liquid gushed down his arm; women swooned. To the shock of all, he spattered "blood" on the slave keepers. He prophesied a dark, violent future: Quakers who failed to heed the prophet's call must expect physical, moral and spiritual death. The room exploded into chaos, but Lay stood quiet and still, "like a statue," a witness remarked. Several Quakers quickly surrounded the armed soldier of God and carried him from the building. He did not resist. He had made his point.

In other words: this dude was a certified badass. Lay was born with some sort of birth defects, and those physical deformities made it unfortunately easy for historians to dismiss his life and work. (The Smithsonian article notes that leading abolitionist historian David Brion Davis wrote him off as a "mentally deranged, obsessive little hunchback.") While Lay is often referred to as a "dwarf," it's not clear that he actually had dwarfism, though he was only about four feet tall, with an extreme spinal curvature caused by a condition kyphosis. One of his fellow Quakers described him physically as such:

His head was large in proportion to his body; the features of his face were remarkable, and boldly delineated, and his countenance was grave and benignant. His legs were so slender, as to appear almost unequal to the purpose of supporting him, diminutive as his frame.

Lester's graphic novel does a tremendous job capturing this visual, and the fiery empathy with which the man carried himself despite his stature. And I am grateful for that: Prophet Against Slavery has exposed me to a truly fascinating bit of undertold American history.

Prophet Against Slavery [David Lester with Paul Buhle and Marcus Rediker / Beacon Press]

Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist [Marcus Rediker / Beacon Press]

The "Quaker Comet" Was the Greatest Abolitionist You've Never Heard Of [Marcus Rediker / Smithsonian Magazine]

All slave-keepers that keep the innocent in bondage [Benjamin Lay / Library of Congress]
Tammy Bullock, now a probate judge in South Carolina, was among a group of people filmed entering the house of a man who had died hours earlier and leaving with his stuff. Cash, guns and other property were reported missing after the man's former associates were caught on camera turning over his property and openly discussing how they might prevent heirs from getting their hands on it. All the while, the dead man's wife, suffering from dementia, was in the house.

Part of the fun is that it's a small town and officials are in on the wheeze. So it's a classic battle of outsiders and a few virtuous locals armed with the factsand the footageagainst the town's corrupt establishment, armed with the levers of power.

Here's part 2 of the 30-minute segment.

And here's the latest update, about the judge being investigated over the lootingand getting detained after allegedly pointing a gun at someone and threatening to kill them. She was inexplicably cited with a traffic violation instead of charged with a crime, a bizarre twist that makes perfect sense when you see that the police chief is a child too dumb to do anything but what he's told.

Great investigative journalism out of Charlotte, however unlikely it is to have a happy ending for the victims. And it's Fox, too, which means the segments have titles like FINAL DISRESPECTS and WHEN PROBATE JUDGES ATTACK.
Oct. 15, 2021

U.S. side of Canadian border to open Nov. 8

The U.S. side of the Canadian border will reopen to vaccinated Canadians on Nov. 8 as America opens more broadly to international travelers, White House officials confirmed to members of Congress on Friday.

The Nov. 8 opening will come nearly three months after Canada opened its land borders to vaccinated Americans.

However, significant differences will remain over how the two nations manage their newly reopened land border crossings.

Federal officials have told the office of Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer that Canadian children will be allowed into America even though they are too young to be vaccinated. Those officials made no mention of a quarantine requirement  and while Canada does not require children to quarantine upon arrival, it does bar them from group settings for their first 14 days in the country.

Children as well as adults traveling to Canada are also required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within the 72-hour period before their arrival in the country, but Canadians arriving in the U.S. will not face a testing requirement.
Those same political observers also note that the last two elected governors of New York  Cuomo and Eliot L. Spitzer  ascended from the Attorney General's Office.

James also journeyed to Syracuse and Rochester this week, only stoking the speculation. And while it may be unfair to pin a political label on her efforts to fight opioid addiction, her new status seems to intensify attention on such causes. Indeed, 14 Democrats from Erie County joined her at the Save the Michaels of the World organization earlier Friday in a sign that elected officials are recognizing her new status. In an emotional event, she announced up to $1.5 billion in funds will be awarded awarded to counties across New York.

The money stems from the James lawsuit filed in 2019, at the time the nations most extensive lawsuit against the opioid manufacturers and distributors. The state blamed them for marketing opioids to doctors, hospitals, health care systems, and others leading to their over-prescription and resulting deaths.

Avi and Julie Israel founded their Save the Michaels of the World organization when their son died of suicide in 2011 after the effects of addiction. On Friday, Avi Israel praised the attorney general for her efforts in obtaining the new lawsuit proceeds that will be used exclusively for opioid addiction purposes.
Along the upper Niagara River around Grand Island leading to the Horseshoe Falls, the river gets squeezed down to a quarter-mile wide, he said. Once it goes over the falls, the river is reduced from a quarter-mile wide down to only about 200 yards wide at the Rainbow Bridge. It gets further compressed as it enters the gorge and goes down through the upper Niagara Gorge from the Whirlpool Bridge to the whirlpool, said Kinney.

"As the water exits the whirlpool, it is only about 90 yards wide at the exit of the Niagara Gorge. So we're taking all of the water that's in the Great Lakes  which is obviously an enormous amount of water  and that's being squeezed down into an area less than 100 yards wide," Kinney said.

"For that much water to be going through that tight of an area, you have to have some pretty crazy currents going through there, and yet it doesn't look menacing at first glance," he added.

Radomski, who has gone hiking in the gorge for about 10 years, said the trails don't actually take hikers that close to the water.

"Now there is a lot of fishing access at Devil's Hole," he said. "I've fished at the edge of the water, and I've actually seen some people wading in the water in some of the areas there, which can be very dangerous."
The strike at Mercy Hospital is more than two weeks old.

But it isn't the only place in the country where health care workers have gone on strike or reached the brink of walking off the job.

'We definitely do have leverage,' Mercy Hospital nurses say amid strike, labor shortage The ongoing worker shortage could provide leverage for CWA as they continue to negotiate with Catholic Health System, hospital employees and labor experts say.

The reasons health care workers cite for striking are similar: They have endured the demands and exhaustion of working through the pandemic and insist hospitals staff up to help shoulder the workload.

They say their complaints about staffing levels and working conditions preceded the pandemic but have moved to the forefront over the past year and a half with greater attention on their work.

The strikes and threatened walkouts are creating more urgency to confront the issues, at a time when hospital systems say they are struggling to recruit workers.

AG claims staffing firm in Mercy Hospital strike lacks license The state Attorney General's Office called for Huffmaster to stop providing its services to Mercy Hospital.

The swirl of worker shortages, the pandemic and the pressures health care workers are under have led some labor disputes to spill over into strikes, said Larry Zielinski, a former Buffalo General Hospital president.

"It just exacerbates the normal labor-management issues that have existed in health care for a long, long time," said Zielinski, an executive in residence for health care administration at the University at Buffalo School of Management.

It comes at a time when employers across the country, in all sorts of industries, are struggling to fill jobs, a dynamic that gives workers some leverage by making it harder for companies to hire replacements for striking workers.

The competition for workers also is forcing some industries to raise wages for lower-paid workers  a factor that has taken on a prominent role in the health care labor disputes, including at Mercy.

As the strike at Mercy continues, Catholic Health faces another pressure point, in the form of the millions of dollars it is paying each week to a staffing firm for temporary replacement workers it is relying upon to keep the hospital open.

+2 Strike benefits kick in for Mercy Hospital workers As about 2,000 striking CWA members support their union's push for a new contract, they are about to receive a financial boost.

More than 2,000 workers are part of the walkout at Mercy, which started Oct. 1. Catholic Health and the Communications Workers of America are continuing to negotiate a total of six contracts covering a total of 2,500 workers at three facilities.

But the Mercy strike is far from the only labor dispute that has led to a strike or is threatening to result in one. Across the country, tens of thousands of health care workers are either on strike or on the verge of one.

 In Worcester, Mass., about 700 nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital have been on strike for seven months. The two sides have failed to reach a return-to-work agreement that would end the walkout.

A complicating factor is that Saint Vincent, which is part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, has permanently hired about 200 replacement workers. That means some of the striking nurses wouldn't return to their pre-strike positions at the hospital.

The hospital contends the two sides have reached an impasse, meaning it believes no further progress can be made in negotiations. The union challenged that declaration as illegal.

 Over 24,000 nurses and other health care workers at Kaiser Permanente in California and Oregon are on the verge of striking, after authorizing their union to call a walkout.

The union must give a 10-day strike notice required by law before a walkout can begin. Strike authorization votes by thousands more Kaiser workers in other states could follow.

 In Hartford, Conn., about 150 unionized group home workers have gone on strike, calling for better pay and affordable health care.

While there have been several strikes by health care workers around the country this year, most of those walkouts have ended in a day or two, Zielinski said. In that way, the strikes at Mercy and in Massachusetts are exceptional, he said.

Strikes have been happening in industries outside of health care, including manufacturing.

About 1,400 workers at four Kellogg's cereal plants around the country are on strike. More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike early Thursday. And about 60,000 TV and film production workers have threatened to walk out Monday, which would be the first nationwide strike in the union's 128-year history.

But Zielinski said there's a reason strikes in health care don't usually last long.

"In health care, you're not producing manufactured goods or a box of cereal," he said. "You're treating people's lives."

Strikes at hospitals in the Buffalo Niagara region are rare. In 2001, 170 registered nurses at then-St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga went on strike for three weeks. That same year, a walkout by 127 registered nurses at Lockport Memorial Hospital lasted five weeks.

"It's not atypical for unions and health care systems to play chicken and issue strike notices and go right down to the bitter end," Zielinski said. "But to actually go over the cliff is unusual because of the fact the people that you're ultimately hurting are the patients. It's mutually assured destruction, and the patients are the big losers."

Matt Glynn

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 15) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now looking into the mass gatherings attended by some presidential aspirants in Batangas for possible health protocol violations.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano did not name names in his remarks at GoNegosyo's Let's Go Bakuna Town Hall on Friday. But presidential aspirants Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao had visited Batangas this week.

The DILG chief flagged the mass gatherings in the province as potential COVID-19 superspreader events.

"I have a report in Batangas just recently that a running politician for a national position went to Batangas and there was a sort of a violation on the provisions of mass gathering so I will be looking into that," Ano said.

Moreno led a gathering of local leaders at the Claro M. Recto Event Center in Lipa City Friday morning.

The event was hosted by one of the province's well-known politicians, Senator Ralph Recto, who pledged to deliver votes to Moreno from vote-rich Batangas.

However, mass gatherings are still prohibited in Batangas since it is under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until October 31.

Meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) and social events in venue establishments are also not allowed until further notice.

Responding to Ano's remarks, Moreno said: "They are entitled to do what they have to do. As far as Batangas is concerned, Senator Ralph Recto and the group and the leadership of the city government of Lipa, they have followed all the procedures."

"All the health protocols as you can see in the spacing and so on and so forth," he added.

As for Pacquiao, he visited Lipa City and Balayan town on Thursday, where he handed out cash and grocery items.

A video he posted on Friday also showed people gathering at a market in Lipa City without physical distancing.

The presidential aspirant has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

The Department of Health is reminding local governments and politicians to follow health protocols during events.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is their responsibility to make sure election related activities do not become superspreader events.

"Naiintindihan natin na this is something that our (politicians) nagkakampanya na kailangan gawin pero kailangan po meron din tayong responsibilidad para sumunod tayo sa mga pamantayan para 'di mapagmulan ng impeksyon ang mga ginagawang activities," Vergeire said.

[Translation: We understand that politicians need to campaign, but they also have a responsibility to follow protocols so that these activities will not become a source of infections.]
(CNN)  The first NASA mission to fly by a total of eight ancient asteroids is ready for launch.

Weather conditions will be 90% favorable on the morning of October 16, when the Lucy mission is set to leave Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:34 a.m. ET. If it doesn't launch at that time, the window for liftoff remains open for 75 minutes.

Lucy will embark on a 12-year mission to explore Jupiter's Trojan asteroid swarms, which have never been observed. The Trojan asteroids, which borrow their name from Greek mythology, orbit the sun in two swarms --one that's ahead of Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, and a second one that lags behind it.

So far, our only glimpses of the Trojans have been artist renderings or animations. Lucy will provide the first high-resolution images of what these asteroids look like.

Lucy is the first spacecraft designed to visit and observe these asteroids, which are remnants from the early days of our solar system. The mission will help researchers effectively peer back in time to learn how the solar system formed 4.5 billion years ago. Lucy's 12-year mission could also help scientists learn how our planets ended up in their current spots.

"At the heart of Lucy is the science and how it's going to talk to us about the Trojans," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

"It's so important to go observe them because these asteroids tell us about a chapter of our own story -- in this case, the history when the outer planets were forming in the solar system," Zurbuchen said. "I'm still amazed by the fact that if you pick up a rock or you look at one of those planetary bodies and you add science to it, it turns into a history book."

Visiting mysterious asteroids

There are about 7,000 Trojan asteroids, and the largest is 160 miles (250 kilometers) across. The asteroids represent the leftover material still hanging around after the giant planets in our solar system, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, formed. Even though they share an orbit with Jupiter, the asteroids are still very distant from the planet itself -- almost as far away as Jupiter is from the sun, according to NASA.

The spacecraft is set to fly by an asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and then it will explore seven of the Trojans. Over the course of its mission, Lucy will end up swinging back to Earth's orbit three separate times for gravity assists that can slingshot it on the right path. That will make Lucy the first spacecraft to travel to Jupiter and return to Earth.

The mission borrows its name from the Lucy fossil, the remains of an ancient human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia in 1974. The skeleton has helped researchers piece together aspects of human evolution, and the NASA Lucy team members hope their mission will achieve a similar feat regarding the history of our solar system.

The Trojans "are held there by the gravitational effect of Jupiter and the sun, so if you put an object there early in the solar system's history, it's been stable forever," said Hal Levison, the principal investigator of the Lucy mission, based at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. "These things really are the fossils of what planets formed from."

Both the fossil and the mission are a nod to the Beatles tune "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," which is why the logo for the Lucy mission includes a diamond.

Over 12 years, Lucy will travel nearly 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) moving at about 400,000 miles per hour (17,881.6 meters per second).

Lucy will specifically visit these asteroids, all named for heroes you might recognize from Homer's "The Iliad": Eurybates, Queta, Polymele, Leucus, Orus, Patroclus and Menoetius.

Eurybates is not one of the Trojans, but it was chosen because it's the largest remnant of an ancient massive collision, meaning that it could reveal a look at what's inside an asteroid. Observations made using the Hubble Space Telescope found that the small asteroid named Queta is a satellite of Eurybates.

Each of the asteroids Lucy will fly by differ in size and color.

"One of the really surprising things about the Trojans when we started to study them from the ground is just how different they are from one another," Levison said. " So if you want to understand what this population is telling us about how the planets formed, you need to understand that diversity and that's what Lucy is intended to do."

A feat of engineering

The Lucy spacecraft is more than 46 feet (14 meters) from tip to tip, largely due to its giant solar panels -- each about the width of a school bus -- designed to keep up a power supply to the spacecraft's instruments. But Lucy also has fuel to help it execute some skilled maneuvers on the way to the asteroids.

It took a team of more than 500 engineers and scientists to conceptualize and build the spacecraft, said Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, Lucy project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

"Lucy will be NASA's first mission to travel this far away from the sun without nuclear power," said Joan Salute, associate director for flight programs at NASA's Planetary Science Division."In order to generate enough energy, Lucy has two very large circular solar arrays that open up like Chinese fans. These open up autonomously and simultaneously, and it happens about one hour after launch."

Lucy will use three science instruments to study the asteroids, including color and black-and-white cameras, a thermometer, and an infrared imaging spectrometer to determine the composition of the asteroids' surface materials. The spacecraft will communicate with Earth using its antenna, which also can be used to help determine the masses of the asteroids.

The instruments will enable the science team to search for moons around these asteroids as well as craters on their surfaces, which can help determine their ages as well as the origin and evolution of the asteroids.

Lucy will fly by the asteroids at about 15,000 miles per hour (6,705 meters per second), about four times slower than when NASA's New Horizons spacecraft zipped by Pluto and the distant object Arrokoth, said Hal Weaver, principal investigator for Lucy's L'LORRI instrument at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

Lucy will also be about 600 miles (965 kilometers) away from each asteroid during its flyby, as opposed to around 2,000 miles (3,218 kilometers) away from the Arrokoth flyby, which means the Trojan images will have four times better resolution.

Once the Lucy mission has finished, the team plans to propose an extended mission to explore more Trojans. The spacecraft will remain in a stable orbit that retraces the path of its exploration between Earth and Jupiter, and it won't have a chance of colliding with either for over 100,000 years. Eventually, if the orbit does grow unstable, it will likely head on a doomed mission to the sun or get kicked out of our solar system.

This story was first published on CNN.com NASA's Lucy mission is ready to launch and explore never-before-seen asteroids
Lipa City, Batangas (CNN Philippines, October 15)  The tandem of Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno and his running mate Dr. Willie Ong on Friday secured the commitment of a key political ally in the vote-rich province of Batangas, which they believe will give them an edge in the 2022 elections.

Moreno and Ong attended the convention of local party One Batangas, headed by senator and Batangas 6th district representative aspirant Ralph Recto.

Recto said with the help of One Batangas, Moreno and Ong will get "at least 750,000 to 1 million" votes from the province. 2019 data from the Commission on Elections showed there are over 1.7 million registered voters Batangas.

"Wala akong kaduda-duda (No doubt) that Batangas will deliver votes for Mayor Isko," Recto said.

One Batangas has majority of the province's top local officials under its wing. Its members are from the Nacionalista Party, the Nationalist People's Coalition, and Moreno's party Aksyon Demokratiko.

Despite their show of support for Moreno, Recto said other aspirants are welcome to campaign in the province.

Moreno thanked local officials in his speech, but also criticized those who he said are focusing too much on political bickering.

"Hindi namin intensyong tumakbo dahil galit kami sa kaaaway nito - dapat pag kaaway niya, kaaway din namin. Hindi po, away pulitika lang yan. Di po makukuha ang solusyon sa pagpapalit ng kulay lamang, di mo yan mareresolba," Moreno said.

[Translation: We are not running because we are angry at their political opponents. We were told their enemy should be our enemy too. That's just political bickering. We cannot solve things just by changing colors.]

Moreno did not name names but appeared to be alluding to Vice President Leni Robredo, who wore pink when she filed her candidacy for president. There was no yellow - the color associated with the Liberal Party.

Robredo had also said Moreno's stance on the Marcos family was among the reasons that pushed her to run for the highest post in the land. On Friday, the Vice President shrugged off the string of attacks against her by Moreno.

"Magpapaka-gentleman na lang ako," Robredo said during the announcement of her senatorial slate. "Ayoko nang pumatol. Mas malaki yung mga problema natin, tingin ko wala naman tong papupuntahan. Gaya ng sabi ko, hindi lang kay Mayor Isko. Ang dami kong nilapitan, para maghanap ng avenue na magkaisa," she added.

[Translation: I'll just be a gentleman. I don't want to comment further on this. We have bigger problems now and this won't lead to anywhere. I reached out to many people in a bid to find avenues for unity - not just to Mayor Isko.]

Moreno, meanwhile, said the local government "followed health protocols and exercised due diligence" in the conduct of the One Batangas convention.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said it is already looking into the mass gatherings attended by some presidential aspirants in Batangas for possible health protocol violations.

Aside from Moreno, fellow presidential hopeful Senator Manny Pacquiao also visited Batangas, where he handed out cash and grocery items to residents and supporters.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16)  The first day of COVID-19 vaccination of children with comorbidities in Metro Manila went well as none of the recipients experienced serious side effects, the Department of Health said Saturday.

The government started its pilot run of COVID-19 immunization for minors on Friday, during which 1,151 were vaccinated, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

"Naging matagumpay po iyong simula ng vaccination rollout for our pediatric population with comorbidities kahapon," Vergeire said in a government briefing.

[Translation: The start of our vaccination rollout for our pediatric population with comorbidities yesterday has been successful].

"Wala po tayong na-i-report na (There was no report of) untoward, adverse reaction among these vaccinated children," she added.

Two brands  Pfizer or Moderna  are approved for emergency use on minors in the country.

Only eight hospitals in the capital region are allowed to administer COVID-19 shots for now as a precaution.
(CNN) -- Counter-terrorism police in the United Kingdom have formally declared the fatal stabbing of British lawmaker Sir David Amess an act of terrorism.

"The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism," according to a statement from Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard on Friday.

Authorities said they believed the suspect acted alone and they are "not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. However, enquiries into the circumstances continue," the statement added.

Amess, a member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, died after being stabbed several times at a constituency meeting east of London.

The 69-year-old member of Parliament, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked at about midday Friday by a man who walked into a meeting with voters from his electoral district being held in a Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

"He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene," Essex police said.

"A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered."

The man arrested on suspicion of murdering Amess is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage, official sources have told the UK national news agency, PA Media, formerly known as Press Association.

The UK's Counter Terrorism Command will lead the investigation into the murder, police said Friday. "It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident. But as always, they will keep an open mind," Ben-Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, told reporters.

The killing was another grim moment in Britain's political history. It marks the second murder of a sitting British lawmaker in five years, after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed in her constituency in 2016, and has reignited discussions about the safety of the UK's elected officials.

The country's political, religious and societal leaders, and its royal family, all condemned the attack and paid tribute to Amess.

Those who knew him described Amess as a dedicated local representative, deeply embedded within his community and disinterested in the careerism of national politics.

Prime Minister Johnson was joined by all of his living predecessors in expressing shock, and lawmakers from every corner of the political spectrum spoke of their sadness, concern, and anger after another of their colleagues was killed while meeting with his constituents.

"We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community," William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues."

'A terrible day for democracy'

Aerial footage showed multiple police officers outside the church and an air ambulance at the scene. A large cordon extended down Eastwood Road, where the church is located, with members of the public gathering behind it and multiple side streets closed off.

Once it became clear Amess was the stabbing victim -- and shortly after, that he had died -- Britain's political establishment united in grief. In a statement from Downing Street, Johnson said the MP "was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics."

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future," Johnson said. "We lost today a fine public servant."

The leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, wrote on Twitter: "Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff."

Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Amess was "a kind and thoroughly decent man" and "the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet."

"Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David's family," Cameron said. Cameron's successor Theresa May added the news was "heartbreaking" and "a tragic day for our democracy."

She described Amess as "a decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties."

And former Labour leader Tony Blair said in a statement to PA Media: "David and I came into Parliament together in 1983. Though on opposite political sides I always found him a courteous, decent and thoroughly likeable colleague who was respected across the House."

"This is a terrible and sad day for our democracy," Blair said.

Flags outside Parliament were lowered to half staff after his death.

Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Amess "a great public servant" who "loved being an MP." Sajid Javid, the UK's Health Secretary, called him "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role."

Amess entered Parliament in 1983, initially representing the Basildon constituency. He served continuously in the House of Commons since then, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the chamber.

Amess was knighted in 2015 for his political service. He supported Britain's departure from the European Union, and his main areas of expertise were animal welfare and pro-life issues, according to a biography on his website.

In March, Amess asked a question in Parliament about how to stop "senseless murders" with knives, after a teenager in his constituency was killed in a knife attack.

He was married and had five children.

Britain's second murdered lawmaker in five years

Within Britain's political bubble and beyond, the murder dredged up painful memories of the shocking killing of Jo Cox five years ago.

That incident rattled the nation and led to calls for lawmakers to receive personal protection when in public -- a sentiment that re-emerged Friday following Amess' death.

"All elected representatives must be able to go about their work without the fear of physical or verbal attacks," Amess' colleague, Conservative MP Eleanor Laing, said in a tweet on Friday following the stabbing. "What has happened to Sir David Amess in Essex today is unforgivable."

Amess was not considered a controversial politician, and despite the length of his tenure, he was not a widely known political figure in the UK.

In a book he wrote last year about being an MP, Amess said Cox's murder was "totally unexpected" and the event had changed the way MPs interact with members of the public, particularly in relation to constituency surgeries.

"These increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians," he wrote.

"I myself have over the years experienced nuisance from the odd member of the general public at my own property. We regularly check our locks," Amess added.

MPs in Britain typically meet with residents in their constituencies face to face during "surgeries," and it is uncommon for them to have a security detail.

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted Friday questions were "being rightly asked" about the safety of lawmakers, adding she "will provide updates in due course."

"This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country," the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle said in a statement sent to CNN. "In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs' security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family, friends and colleagues."

In 2010, Stephen Timms was stabbed during a constituency meeting by a 21-year-old student, who was angry over Timms' previous support of the Iraq War. Timms survived the attack and is still a lawmaker. And in 2000, a Liberal Democrat councilor was murdered at the office of MP Nigel Jones.

Cox's widower, Brendan Cox, wrote the news "brings everything back."

"My thoughts and love are with David's family. They are all that matter now. This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo I hope we can do the same for David now," he said on Twitter.

Cox was killed by a man with extreme right-wing views, just days before the UK's heated referendum on leaving the European Union. That campaign and its fallout raised the temperature of political discourse in the country, and several politicians have since spoken about receiving abuse in person and online.

"This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life," Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of Amess' Conservative Party, said after his stabbing.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Fatal stabbing of British lawmaker David Amess called terrorist incident by UK police".
(CNN)  The US Capitol Police has unleashed a special new member to its patrol: a 3-year-old Labrador named Lila.

Since June, Lila has officially served as a peer support dog for the force, an emotional comfort animal who is part of a broader effort to connect officers with resources and support services they may need -- not just in the wake of the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, but also to deal with the stress and the unpredictability of the job.

Already, officers say Lila is making an important impact.

"The peer dogs were something that we saw came in for us after the 6th," said Jeffrey Albanese, a member of the USCP First Responders Unit and an active member in the peer support program. "To have Lila here now and have our own dog. It really is just a godsend."

On January 6, USCP Officer Caroline Edwards was holding the line on the West Front of the US Capitol as hundreds of people came tearing through the barricades where she was standing. From there, it was hours of hand-to-hand combat she describes as nothing short of "a war zone." Edwards suffered a traumatic brain injury and in the subsequent months says she has at times struggled to recover from both the emotional and physical traumas of that day.

But Edwards -- like a lot of her colleagues -- has found that Lila is making a difference.

"She has helped with hard events that we have had. We brought her in for Brian Sicknick's birthday," Edwards said referring to a fallen officer who died after fighting on the West Front just one day after the insurrection. "We brought her to roll call for his shift, and it just kind of helps people forget for a little bit."

Lila is part of a team along with 4-year-old yellow lab Leo intended to not only give officers a smile, a wagging tail and some affection from a pup, but also be a catalyst to start conversations with officers who may be reluctant to outright ask for help or assistance when they are in need.

"She serves a dual role," said her caretaker and wellness coordinator Dimitri Louis. "She helps to lower anxiety and helps with emotional well-being in general, but she also very good at helping us promote some of the other wellness resources that we have available for the department. ... She allows us to go places that we normally otherwise wouldn't go, have conversations that we normally otherwise wouldn't have."

Lila started her life in training with a different purpose, but a weakness for squirrels helped bring her to the Capitol.

"She started off as a seeing eye dog. She went through the training to be a seeing eye dog, but then, kryptonite: Squirrels. And that became an issue," Louis said. "So she went into a different kind of training to be very comfortable with groups, to be comfortable with crowds. Training that made her more suited for what she does right now."

Support dogs have played an increasingly vital role on Capitol Hill since January even before Lila and Leo became official members of the team. In April, just as the Capitol complex was beginning to recover from the events in January, Officer William "Billy" Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol police force, was killed in the line of duty when a vehicle rammed a barricade outside the US Senate. After his memorial service, several support dogs including Officer Clarence, a St. Bernard, were dispatched to help comfort officers and the entirety of the Capitol Hill community.

"They had dozens of support dogs there that day and they were just going through the line and for a moment, you weren't at another officer's funeral, you were petting a dog," Edwards said. "To me, that's been the most significant thing having them there at those events like that just helps to ease the sadness, and it makes you think of something good."

For now, Lila is largely dispatched by appointments and when the force anticipates there will be a need, but officers say Lila may also become a resource for other departments in crisis too, a way to pay it forward for the support that USCP received in the wake of January 6.

"We've all had bad days," Albanese said. "The minute a dog walks into a room, even for a minute, you kind of forget about it."

Lila is also just a part of the larger effort on Capitol Hill to give officers more support. Since January 6, the job has become more difficult, and officers have worked to build out a peer support program to address some of the challenges officers face day to day.

"The inspiration came from other programs after the 6th and how they came and helped us," Albanese said. "Somehow we have to find a way to pay it forward to these groups who were here for us."

As for Lila, she's continues to earn glowing reviews.

"The therapy dogs provide an additional opportunity for people to reach out to dogs, to other member of Congress," Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon told CNN. "I know there is bipartisan support for therapy dogs."

This story was first published on CNN.com 'It really is just a godsend': Capitol Police welcome peer support dog Lila
(CNN)  Advisers from the US Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend emergency authorization of a booster dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, and a day later did so again for a booster of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine.

The group voted Friday to authorize a booster shot of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine for Americans 18 and older at least two months after they get their first shots. Johnson & Johnson said studies showed boosting at two or six months can bring effectiveness up to 94%.

If the FDA follows its advisers' recommendations, more than 90% of people vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson shot -- nearly 14 million people -- will be eligible for the booster right away.

Meanwhile, Moderna's EUA request mirrored the groups authorized to receive a booster dose of Pfizer's mRNA vaccine. Third doses of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines are already authorized for some immunocompromised people.

Yet some experts are noting that while antibodies may wane over time, the initial two-dose regimen for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is still holding up against severe Covid-19 infection.

Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee that voted, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Thursday that proper expectations need to be set about what vaccines are supposed to do and how they remain effective.

"We have to define what's the goal of this vaccine. If the goal of this vaccine is protection against serious illness, meaning the kind of illness that causes you to seek medical attention or go to the hospital or the ICU, the current vaccines, as two-dose vaccines, are doing exactly that," he said. "So, you don't really need a booster dose, at least as far as those data are concerned."

The committee recommendation for Moderna's booster is the same as the one granted last month for the Pfizer/BioNTech third dose: it's authorized for people older than 65, and people 18 and older who are at risk of severe disease or who live or work in a situation that puts them at a higher risk for complications or severe disease.

Offit said that although he voted to recommend half-dose booster shots for some people six months after their first two doses of Moderna's vaccine, he doesn't think everyone needs one.

"I do worry about the sort of 18- to 29-year-old because that's the group that has a higher risk of myocarditis -- that's inflammation of the heart muscle," he said. "So, without sort of clear benefit that that third dose is necessary, I think we've created this kind of 'third dose fever' in this country because of the way this has played out."

Dr. Michael Kurilla, director of the Division of Clinical Innovation at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, agreed.

"I don't see the need for a let-it-rip campaign for boosters," Kurilla said.

More than 9 million people have received a booster dose of coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is nearly 5% of those who were already fully vaccinated.

The number of people getting booster doses is currently outpacing the number of people getting their first doses of vaccine, according to CDC data. More than a million doses were reported administered Wednesday, but just an average of around 230,000 people are starting the vaccination process each day.

President Joe Biden highlighted progress since July when nearly 100 million eligible Americans remained unvaccinated, but said the nation is in a "very critical period" and urged more to be done.

"We're down to 66 million, still unacceptably high number of unvaccinated people," he said Thursday. "Now's not the time to let up."

The FDA will consider the committee's recommendations, and if an EUA is approved, then the CDC will confer about which groups would be eligible.

Vaccine mandates move forward

As the discussion on boosters continues, experts consistently point to the greater need to inoculate those unvaccinated to get ahead of the pandemic. And while many Covid-19 vaccine mandate campaigns from the public and private sectors have met with success, some agencies are finding pushback from a vocal subset.

In Chicago, the police union president said up to half of the city's officers could be placed on unpaid leave starting Friday because of individuals' failure to report their vaccination status as required by the city. The police department said this week that it will be fully staffed going into the weekend.

Many state employees in Washington are four days away from a deadline for being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and officials will not extend that deadline further.

"If people do make the choice to leave public service, we will replace them," Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.

More than 90% of state employees have provided proof of vaccination, Inslee said, and about two percent more have been given special accommodations that will allow them to remain unvaccinated due to medical conditions or religious convictions.

In Nevada, rural hospital intensive care units stretched to their limits may face a staffing shortage as a vaccine mandate for health care workers kicks in on November 1.

"We know that there are staff members that will refuse to be vaccinated," Joan Hall, president of Nevada Rural Hospital Partners, said in a briefing Thursday. Vaccination rates for employees at their hospitals range from 60% to 90%, Hall said.

But experts have consistently pointed out that areas with higher rates of vaccination are faring better with Covid-19 hospitalizations.

New York City has an indoor vaccine mandate for many businesses, and Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that 85% of adult residents have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

The Covid-19 hospitalization rate in the city's public health system has reached its lowest point since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Dr. Mitchell Katz, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals.

Antiviral pill application will be reviewed

Vaccines have been proven to be the most effective means of Covid-19 protection, yet the measure is a preventative one. An antiviral pill that may help those newly infected is now slated for review next month.

The FDA's Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee will meet November 30 to discuss Merck and Ridgeback's emergency use authorization application for its experimental Covid-19 antiviral drug molnupiravir, the agency announced Thursday.

If authorization is eventually granted, the drug -- which comes in capsule form -- would be the first oral antiviral treatment to fight Covid-19.

Preliminary results showed that 7.3% of 385 patients who received the antiviral were either hospitalized or died from Covid-19, compared with 14.1% of the 377 patients who received a placebo, Merck said earlier this month.

"Through Day 29, no deaths were reported in patients who received molnupiravir, as compared to 8 deaths in patients who received placebo," the statement said.

The FDA noted it doesn't always convene an advisory committee meeting to discuss a potential EUA, but it can when the committee discussion would help inform the agency's decision-making.

"We believe that, in this instance, a public discussion of these data with the agency's advisory committee will help ensure clear understanding of the scientific data and information that the FDA is evaluating to make a decision about whether to authorize this treatment for emergency use," Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "More Covid-19 boosters are on the horizon. But not everyone will need one, experts say."
The Columbus Community Building -- which has only existed in the minds of the people leading the project for the last couple of years -- is finally becoming tangible: The stairs of the building are standing.

It might not seem like much, but it's pretty exciting for the people who have been working on the community building project all along.

"It's exciting to actually see some structure and know that it is happening," Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley said. "It just shows that it's coming together."

The community building will, once finished, be home to the Columbus Public Library, City Hall, a community room, an art gallery, a children's museum and a coffee shop.

City office employees and library staff -- who will eventually move into the community building -- can watch the project's progress from the windows of their respective buildings, just to the east and southeast of the construction site.

"Last week I was downtown at the temporary library location," Columbus Area Children's Museum (CACM) Board Vice President Nikki Behle said. "...I was waiting outside for a minute and I was watching the construction happening where you could see the staircases coming up. It was really cool to see it happening because it's been three years that we've been working on this process."

The projected timeline for completion has the community building opening its doors in 2023.

"(Construction) will probably come to a pretty good standstill here soon -- it kind of depends on mother nature," Bulkley said. "And then it'll kick off, again based on mother nature, in the spring."

Still, Bulkley said, it's nice to see watch the progress.

"We want people to continue to be excited, but it's going to be a long haul," Bulkley said. "There's a lot to happen."

CACM Board President Timothy Kacena told the Telegram on Friday that the Board is working on fundraising right now, and will be for the next several months.

The nearest children's museums are located in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney or Grand Island, something about which the CACM Board members -- many of whom have young children -- are acutely aware. Behle said the museum will be a huge draw for people in nearby communities.

"I started on this board when it first came to fruition about three years ago when the city council approved it and at that point it was all up in the air about where it would be located because the bond had not passed yet for the community building," Behle said. "So when that bond passed (in November 2020), we had to go full gear into design mode. It was kind of a whirlwind."

The first design phase plans for the museum include exhibits and sections that each reflect different facets of the Columbus area community, including agriculture, industry and the Platte and Loup Rivers.

Behle said the CACM Board hopes to raise $2.5 million to cover the costs of the museum's exhibits.

"We're really in the fundraising mode right now. We just need to get those sponsorships sealed so that we can move to the next design phase," Behle said. "...Our next design phase is schematic design, where we would...really go into detail about what is going to be offered in every single exhibit."

Behle said anyone interested in becoming a sponsor is welcome to get in touch with the CACM Board, which they can do by contacting a board member or reaching out to the Columbus Area Children's Museum Facebook page.

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

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" " Are you team Mac or team PC? Future Publishing/Getty Images

It used to be that if you were to wade into the middle of any large technology conference and shout out "Macs are whack" or "Apple rules, Microsoft stinks," you could start a riot. The conflict between Apple supporters and Windows fans raged on college campuses, social networks and internet message boards. Although the hottest days in the flame wars between the two platforms seem to have passed, both platforms have dyed-in-the-wool supporters. These days the two are similar enough that it often comes down to the kind of computer you prefer  or can afford.

Before we get started, we need to establish some definitions. In this article, we're comparing Apple computers running Mac OS X  no hackintoshes to be found here  and computers running the Windows operating system. While the term PC stands for personal computer and could apply to Macs, Windows machines and computers running other operating systems alike, we're using it in the common vernacular as shorthand for a Windows machine.

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Given the passion often displayed by owners of both Windows and Mac computers, you may be surprised to learn what a small share of the global computer market Apple actually controls. While the sales of iPhones, iPods and iPads provide a strong boost to Apple's overall earnings, Macs account for about 8 percent of computers worldwide. In fact, in 2020 the greatest threat to Windows' dominance of the operating-system market became Google's Chrome OS, which at the end of 2020 moved into second place in computer shipments, with Chromebooks accounting for 14.5 percent of shipments. Both Apple and Google ate into Microsoft's market dominance, but at the end of 2020 Microsoft still had the lion's share, with 80.5 percent.

So, in our classic operating-system battle, which is better  Mac or PC? Click through our list of 10 differences between Macs and PCs and decide for yourself.
Carlisles post office is still experiencing staffing struggles, according to a statement from the Carlisle postmaster provided to the borough, and residents can arrange to pick up their mail in-person.

Area residents and businesses continue to report intervals of up to a week between deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service, an issue resulting from what the USPS says is difficulty hiring.

Due to several factors, employee availability has impacted our delivery operations, the postmaster said in the notice published on the borough website.

The Carlisle office is currently undertaking efforts to bring on additional resources to address this situation and will continue to monitor daily performance and ensure that mail delivery is returned to normal as soon as possible. Our office is doing everything it can to resume normal delivery with limited staff.

If residents wish to pick up their mail in-person at the Carlisle office, they should email their name and address to 17013CarlislePA@usps.gov and bring a photo ID with them when they arrive for pickup.

Jeff Wood, owner of Whistlestop Bookshop and one of the downtown business operators who began raising the alarm about mail issues several weeks ago, said not much has changed. Wood received mail Thursday after a week of none, he said.

Our carrier went out of his way because we had not received any, Wood said.

The fear among businesses is that having residents pick up mail will shift the manpower shortage from delivery routes to the post office itself.

The problem is still that they just dont have enough people, Wood said.

Multiple residents from Carlisle and North Middleton Township have also contacted The Sentinel about delays. One resident, who lives in one of the boroughs largest apartment complexes, said he received mail Thursday for the first time in several days, with letters postmarked from Oct. 4.

USPS has scheduled a job fair at the Carlisle Post Office at 66 W. Louther St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27 to fill positions of city carrier assistants, rural carrier associates, mail handler assistants, postal support employees, assistant rural carrier, mail processing clerks and mail handler assistants.

Mail-in ballots

With the possibility of mail delays, state elections officials have reminded voters that they can apply for, receive, complete, and return a mail-in ballot in one stop at local elections office without actually going through the postal system.

Ballots received through the mail should be mailed back as swiftly as possible, and can also be returned in person. Cumberland County also reminded residents this week to be sure to affix the proper postage to their ballots if they are returning them by mail.

In 2020, the first year for mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania, the postage was pre-paid by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Cumberland County Bureau of Elections Director Bethany Salzarulo said in a press release Thursday. This year voters must affix proper postage when returning ballots by mail.

The county election bureau is at 1601 Ritner Highway. Voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballot at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/ballottracking.aspx.

Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com.

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A second man has been arrested and faces 179 charges in connection with a series of car break-ins during 2020 in Lower Allen Township.

Izzy Martinez, 25, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was arrested Oct. 13 and charged with 36 counts each of theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, theft from a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit theft from a motor vehicle. He also faces 35 counts of loitering and prowling at nighttime.

Izzy Martinezs arrest follows the arrest Sept. 27 of Juan Martinez in connection to the same incident.

Juan Martinez, 21, of Harrisburg, faces 36 counts each of theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, theft from a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit theft from a motor vehicle. He also faces 32 counts of loitering and prowling at night.

Warrants have been issued for one other man suspected of being involved in the break-ins.

Police said the break-ins occurred in March, August, October, November and December 2020 in the Rossmoyne Manor, Highland Park, Beacon Hill, Cumberland Park, Spring Lake and Wesley Park Apartments neighborhoods. More than 36 victims had a total of $15,500 worth of property, including electronics, jewelry, weapons and cash, stolen from their unlocked vehicles.

Police said Izzy Martinez, Juan Martinez and the other man were identified through video surveillance collected from the neighborhood and sharing information among local law enforcement agencies. Patrol officers also got the license plate for a suspect vehicle while detectives conducted interviews and cellphone record searches to identify the suspects.

Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt.

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Facebook has been even more unavoidable than usual in recent weeks.

Whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former employee of the social media company, was interviewed on 60 Minutes and appeared before a Senate committee, accusing Facebook of putting profits over safety and backing those accusations with thousands of pages of internal research documents.

On Oct. 4, Facebooks collection of apps, including not only Facebook but also Instagram and Whats App, went down for about six hours. The company said the outage was caused by a cascade of errors.

Then, this week, the family of TV news reporter Alison Parker, who was killed by a former co-worker while reporting for a television station in Virginia in August 2015, filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against Facebook, saying the corporation has not taken down footage of Parkers murder.

How big of a role does Facebook and other social media outlets play in society? This weeks data dump looks at some numbers.

5%

The number of American adults who used at least one social media platform in 2005 according to Pew Research Center.

72%

The number of American adults who used at least one social media platform in 2021 according to the center.

81%

The percentage of American adults who have used YouTube as of February 2021, according to the center.

95%

The percentage of Americans between the ages of 18-29 who have used YouTube, according to the center.

69%

The percentage of Americans who use Facebook, according to the center.

490 million

The number of users that social media platform gained in 2020, according to data collected by Hootsuite.

15.5 million

The number of users social media platforms gained every second in 2020, according to the Hootsuite data.

2 hours and 25 minutes

The amount of time the average user worldwide spends on social media, according to the Hootsuite data.

270 billion

The number of monthly Facebook users, according to the Hootsuite data.

Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt.

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HARRISBURG  An endorsement by former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate race isnt backing down rival Republicans, with one putting up millions for her campaign and another getting a seven-figure pledge from a donor.

Carla Sands, Trumps ambassador to Denmark, loaned her campaign $3 million, according to her first federal fundraising report due Friday.

Sands, 61, has significant personal wealth left over from her and her late husbands California-based real estate investment firm, and her campaign said Friday that the first-time candidate is willing to put more of her personal money into the race.

Another candidate, real estate investor Jeff Bartos, could see significant help from a super PAC supporting him.

Scott Wagner, the GOPs gubernatorial nominee in 2018 and a major Republican campaign donor in Pennsylvania, said Friday that he has pledged $1.5 million to the Bartos-aligned Jobs For Our Future PAC. He could give more in the future to help Bartos, too, Wagner said.

Trump last month endorsed Sean Parnell, a decorated former Army Ranger who penned a memoir of his service in Afghanistan, which became a New York Times bestseller.

But Wagner said he doesnt know how much weight Trumps endorsement holds.

I dont necessarily think its a slam dunk because of an endorsement, Wagner said. Right now, the political winds are shifting pretty quickly.

And while Wagner said the Republican Party is not necessarily moving away from Trump, he also said the election will not be about who Trump endorses.

I think theyre going to vote for the best candidate, Wagner said. Thats what this is all about.

The contest for Pennsylvanias open U.S. Senate seat could be among the nations most competitive next year. For Democrats, it is one of their best chances to gain ground in the Senate since second-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is retiring.

For Republican candidates, a Trump endorsement was seen as a crucial element for success in the GOP primary.

It has not, thus far, brought Parnell a fundraising windfall: on Friday he reported raising $1.1 million in the three months ending Sept. 30. After spending most of it, he had about the same amount left in his campaign account.

And Trumps endorsement has not always carried the day in primaries for open seats.

Last year, for instance, the Trump-endorsed Lynda Bennett got beaten by Madison Cawthorn for a North Carolina congressional seat. In July, Republican Jake Ellzey of Texas won a U.S. House seat, beating the Trump-backed Susan Wright.

The Democratic field is also crowded. John Fetterman, Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor, reported nearly $4.2 million in his campaign account as of Sept. 30 to lead the Democratic fields fundraising.

Its also not clear what value Trumps endorsement has in a general election against a Democrat.

Trump lost Pennsylvania last year by about 80,000 votes, or 1 percentage point, to Joe Biden, who reclaimed the state for Democrats after it became a stepping stone for Trumps ascendance to the White House in 2016.

Sands and Wagners millions dont necessarily have to be spent.

However, Jobs For Our Future PAC  taking a cue from Bartos campaign  has already attacked Parnell on TV and online over allegations in his contentious divorce and custody case unfolding in Butler County court.

Meanwhile, Sands  far from moving away from Trump or saving her money  is running a 30-second TV spot on Fox News that opens with a photo of Trump greeting her in the Oval Office.

Serving on President Trumps economic and foreign policy teams, I helped counter the threats presented by communist China and Putins Russia, she narrates, before going on to attack Biden over three favorite Trump themes: immigration, socialism and police.

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Property owners in Mount Holly Springs could see no increase in the municipal real estate tax in 2022.

Borough Council last week agreed to advertise a proposed $1,052,702 budget for possible adoption on Nov. 8.

Under the budget, the real estate portion of the municipal tax burden will remain at 2.6 mills. This levy makes up the bulk of the total 3.18 mills with 0.341 mills going to the fire tax and 0.239 mills going to the streetlight tax.

The most substantial increase in expenditures will be in the contribution the borough makes to its employee pension plan, said Tom Day, borough manager and police chief. That is projected to go from about $109,000 in the current fiscal year to about $120,000 next year.

When Day started as borough police chief in 2014, the annual contribution was about $56,000. This is something we have kept our eyes on, Day said.

Authority contract

In other business, the council agreed last week to enter into a contract with Hemisphere Operations of Glenville, York County, to operate the borough authority for one year at a cost of $9,750 per month starting Nov. 1.

The groundwork for this outsourcing began after Jim Williams announced his retirement as supervisor of the borough wastewater treatment plant. Not only was Williams certified as a wastewater treatment plant supervisor, he had a license to oversee the operation of the borough water plant.

Williams retirement put the borough in a bind, Day said. Our other plant operators only have the wastewater certification. When a senior employee declined the management position, the borough launched a search for a plant manager certified in both wastewater and water treatment.

We did a very extensive advertisement, Day said. Most of the applicants either never worked in the field or did not have their certifications.

Only one applicant had the management skills the borough was looking for and his employment terms were out of our league, Day said. The other option was to contract out those services to a third-party company.

Five proposals were received ranging from $350,000 to $117,000 per year. The council went with Hemisphere Operations.

Codification

Council last week also finalized the process to update and organize borough ordinances into a revised print and online code book.

In March 2020, the council agreed to pay General Code of Rochester, New York, about $13,500 to codify the ordinances. Half of that expense was offset by a $6,700 grant from the Cumberland County Planning Department.

These are not new ordinances, borough solicitor Mark Allshouse said. General Code helped the borough weed out unnecessary and outdated ordinances to compile what remained into a format indexed and organized by such topics as storm water management, zoning, subdivision and land development regulations and no parking areas.

Borough resident Pam Still served on the committee that worked with General Code. A copy of the code book will be available to the public in the reference section of the Amelia Givin Library, Still said. Reference books do not circulate and can only be used in the library.

COVID relief funds

Lastly, the borough parks and recreation committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at the municipal building, 200 Harman St.

During that meeting, local residents can suggest ideas for the use of $107,000 in COVID relief funds anticipated for 2022. This year, Mount Holly Springs received its first installment of relief funds in about the same amount. That money was put toward improvements at Trine Park, Day said.

In 2022, Day wants to use portions of the second installment to pay the local match on grants that support parks and recreation projects.

My goal is to take that $107,000 and make it more than $107,000, Day said. One proposal is to pave the walking trail in the Butler Street Park behind the municipal building.

We have problems with it washing out and the grass encroaching on it, Day said. Its a maintenance issue.

Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com.

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Officials in Middletown Township have been refusing to produce the records for nearly a year, claiming they were exempt from disclosure under the states open records law. Energy Transfer, the owner of the Mariner East pipeline system, also opposed their release.

A Delaware County judge ruled Friday that the records are public, and ordered the township to turn them over to the owners of a 124-unit apartment complex along the pipeline route.

Energy Transfer subsidiary Sunoco Pipeline LP, which has been installing two new pipelines to take natural gas liquids from the Marcellus Shale gas field in western Pennsylvania to an export terminal near Philadelphia, seized private property at Glen Riddle Station Apartments for the pipeline project.

Glen Riddles owners say pipeline construction has threatened the health and safety of the residents. The pipelines route splits the apartment complex in half.

From Day One, we believed the public had a right to know what discussions and agreements took place between Energy Transfer/Sunoco and Middletown Township, Stephen Iacobucci, a representative of the apartment complexs ownership group, said in a statement Friday. We thank the court for agreeing with us, and we look forward to examining exactly what happened to allow Sunoco to do what it has done to our community.

The state attorney generals office last week charged Energy Transfer with 48 criminal counts related to Mariner East construction, most of them for illegally releasing industrial waste at 22 sites in 11 counties across the state.

A grand jury report cites numerous spills of drilling fluid at the construction site at Glen Riddle.

Additionally, Glen Riddle residents had no drinking water when a water line serving the complex was broken in May during pipeline construction.

Iacobucci called on Sunoco to cease construction until the criminal charges are resolved, saying: They show no regard for the people who live here and have put our communities and environment at risk unnecessarily.

Emails were sent Friday to the Middletown Township manager and a spokesperson for Energy Transfer seeking comment.

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LONDON (AP)  A work by British street artist Banksy that sensationally self-shredded just after it sold at auction three years ago fetched 18.5 million pounds ($25.4 million) on Thursday, a record for the artist.

"Love is in the Bin" was offered by Sotheby's in London, with a presale estimate of 4 million pounds to 6 million pounds ($5.5 million to $8.2 million).

The sale price was three timed the high estimate.

The piece consists of a half-shredded canvas in an ornate frame bearing a spray-painted image of a girl reaching for a heart-shaped red balloon.

When it last sold at Sotheby's in October 2018, the piece was known as "Girl With Balloon." Just as an anonymous European buyer made the winning bid, a hidden shredder embedded in the frame by Banksy whirred to life, leaving half the canvas hanging from the frame in strips.

Sotheby's had described the work created in the stunt as "the ultimate Banksy artwork."

Banksy, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world's best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, "Laugh now, but one day I'll be in charge."

Several of his works have sold for multiple millions at auction. In March, a Banksy mural honoring Britain's health workers, first painted on a hospital wall, sold for 16.8 million pounds ($23.2 million) at a Christie's auction, a record for the artist.

"Girl With Balloon" was originally stenciled on a wall in east London and has been endlessly reproduced, becoming one of Banksy's best-known images.

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Fisher also said staff polled people at the Virginia State Fair this year.

A lot of times, the message you hear is not always the most common but its the loudest. And it may not be the most positive message, such as when they have to slow down to wait for a tractor to move or they see something on the internet that makes them scared or upset about what we do, Fisher said. So, we wanted to give a chance for everybody to talk and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

The guest speaker was Robert Mills, the Virginia Farm Bureau Foundations state board member.

Folks, what I wanted to come here and share with you guys is weve been through a lot of challenges, Mills said. As I think about this pandemic, Im an optimist. As a farmer you have to be an optimist. So, I thought, what kind of positive message could I bring in this pandemic that were in the middle of? I tried to find one good thing that has come out of this. For the first time in my generation, the American people were concerned about their food. Can yall remember the great toilet paper famine of 2020? Well, not only were the shelves empty of toilet paper, they were empty of food.
Two men were seriously wounded Saturday evening when a shooting broke out in a liquor store parking lot, according to the Aurora Police Department.
Seven members of a suspected religious cult who were arrested last week on allegations of abusing a corpse made their first court appearances on Wednesday in Saguache County. Their actions to venerate their deceased leader arent as strange as they might seem, say experts who study such groups.
Moscow, ID (83843)

Today

Rain...changing to snow showers in the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. SSE winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies. Low 31F. W winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph.
What is it about Alabamas leaders that makes them ignore very real, critical challenges in our state while creating non-existent threats that they can decisively stamp out?

It happens often in the Alabama legislature. A lawmaker will catch wind of something taking place in another state  often involving a problem that has never appeared in our state  and they make a big show of introducing legislation to prohibit it.

Now the state school board has taken that page from the legislative playbook, voting in August along race lines to prohibit critical race theory in Alabamas K-12 classrooms.

One would think CRT proponents were at the gates, straining to get in and tell Alabama schoolchildren things the state school board would rather they not know.

But nowhere in Alabama is any teacher following a CRT curriculum. No public school student in Alabama is being subjected to critical race theory, which many officials view with great suspicion.

Historically, critical race theory has been part of university graduate studies, not part of primary or secondary school curricula.

Last week, a group of protesters accused the school board of cheap politics in banning CRT.
In Dec. 2019, Hieu started making his first tiny dish. It was the Vietnamese traditional banh chun (square sticky rice cake), hoping to introduce Vietnamese culture to the Japanese. Then he made some other traditional dishes like bitter melon soup and pho.

To cook tiny dishes, cooking utensils have to be ordered from specialized stores for miniatures in Japan and abroad. Although they are small, their prices are high. For example, a refined metal pot costs VND400,000, higher than the price of a regular pot. Hieu also makes the utensils himself if he cannot find what he wants in the market. Recently, he bought an aluminum plate to make a mold for banh cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice crepe).
A man gets Covid-19 vaccine in Go Vap District in HCMC, August 14, 2021. Photo By VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has announced aid of 500,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, with the hope both nations would overcome the pandemic together.

These vaccines will be delivered to Vietnam as soon as the preparation process is completed, Minister Motegi said Friday, raising the total number of vaccines that Japan has donated to Vietnam to 4.08 million doses, of which most are AstraZeneca vaccines, according to a statement by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam.

"We hope to contribute to bringing vaccines to all Vietnamese people and furthering the efforts of the Covax facility. Japan will continue to expand its support to Vietnam in its vaccine efforts to prevent Covid-19 as quickly as possible," said Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Takio Yamada.

Japan is one of the biggest vaccine benefactors of Vietnam. Most recently, a flight from Japan carrying about 400,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines had landed at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport on Sept. 25.

On Oct.1, 300 vaccine storage refrigerators funded by the Japanese government were also handed to Vietnam via UNICEF.

Over 59 million of Vietnam's 96-million population have been vaccinated, with more than 17.1 million receiving two doses.
ELKO  COVID-19 hospitalizations were down last week at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital  a bright spot in the mixed bag of virus statistics applying to Elko County.

The past seven days have given us reason to hope, said a statement from the hospital. Our total number of COVID-positive inpatients decreased from 47 to 34, which is the lowest number weve seen in a month.

The average age of new patients was 53.

The lower number of patients means that NNRH was able to step down from the fourth and highest level of its patient surge plan (Phase Purple) to the third level (Phase Red). This means we will be able to resume some non-emergency surgeries as early as next week, the hospital stated. That is all good news.

Deaths were up this week, however.

Unfortunately, there were six COVID-positive patients who passed away at our hospital this week, the hospital stated. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of these individuals. Please know that our staff members feel your loss and share your sorrow.

The number of patients requiring care in the ICU held steady this week, at 13.

We still have a long way to go before this pandemic is behind us, NNRH reported.

Elko Countys hospital patient count held relatively steady over the past week. It could include patients that are not at the local hospital. NNRH also receives patients from surrounding counties, and people who have fallen ill while traveling through the region.

As of Thursday night Elko County was reporting 40 hospitalizations, up from 39 last Thursday.

Active cases were on the rise. After dipping below 500 earlier in the week they were back to 538 on Thursday.

The countys per-capita case rate remains high  more than three times higher than Washoe County and more than four times higher than Clark.

Elko Countys test positivity rate stands at 22.4%, compared with the statewide rate of 7.9%.

The delta surge continues to recede across Nevada, with all key COVID-19 metrics declining, state officials reported in Thursdays weekly update.

However, the surge is not over, the bulletin warned. Rural hospitalizations remain near their peak and Nevada is still averaging five times more cases than in June.

We continue to ask our neighbors to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, NNRH stated. Please do your part by wearing a mask in public, maintaining physical distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, and  above all  getting vaccinated.

Nearly 100% of ICU cases at the hospital this week were unvaccinated. Roughly three out of four non-ICU patients were unvaccinated.

The hospital continues to offer outpatient testing for COVID-19 daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A physicians order is required before reporting to the Emergency Departments waiting room.

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Lately, Americans have been watching the news with concern. Thats because tight global supply chains are causing shortages for many everyday products. And at the same time, energy prices are rising dramatically, with supply failing to meet the demands of economies reemerging from the COVID pandemic.

Soaring energy prices are already hammering European and Asian consumers. But they may hit U.S. consumers this winter, too. Gasoline prices are rising, heating oil prices have jumped more than 60 percent in a year, and natural gas costs have doubled in just the past six months.

Along with rising energy prices, the reliability of the nations electricity grid has also become a question mark. Blackouts and power outages have become increasingly common in California, Texas, and other states.

Despite these concerns, the Biden administration is pushing ahead with plans for a carbon-free U.S. power sector by 2035. To do so, the president aims to dramatically increase wind and solar generation  so that the U.S. can reach 80 percent emissions-free power by 2030.

Such a heavy reliance on weather-dependent sources of power will bring immense technical challenges  and the price tag will be extraordinary. But a lack of planning for safe grid reliability is the most troubling.

The Biden administration envisions a program that would offer many billions of dollars for utilities to deploy wind and solar capacity. However, there is no clear planning on how the nation will accommodate all of this new, intermittent power  or provide adequate incentives to ensure simultaneous backup power when the weather doesnt cooperate.

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), likely the deciding Senate vote on the plan, has already warned that, We are going to leave ourselves in a situation by 2030 that we are not going to have reliability.

Grid operators and utilities are equally worried. One regulator from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission  which oversees the nations electricity markets  has warned that the proposal would be like effectively dropping an H-bomb into the middle of them, adding, consequences will be profound, disruptive, and incalculable.

We are already getting a preview of this across the Atlantic. Europes race to dismantle traditional energy infrastructure, curb investment in fossil fuel production, and embrace renewable energy has left it woefully short of the energy it needs this winter  and increasingly dependent on Vladimir Putins natural gas.

U.K. electricity prices have now soared to record levels. Surging natural gas prices and low renewable output have also caused electricity prices in Spain and Portugal to triple over the past six months. And Germanys transition toward full-scale wind and solar power has boosted the countrys electricity prices to three times the U.S. average.

The road ahead calls for caution. Americas energy transition requires careful planning that builds on the shoulders of existing energy infrastructure. Policymakers must ensure reliable and affordable power  instead of clumsily dismantling it. U.S. consumers already face rising energy prices this winter. Bad policy shouldnt serve up another energy crisis as the next course.

Terry Jarrett is an energy attorney and consultant who has served on the board of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Missouri Public Service Commission.

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A little over a year before the 2022 midterm election, Nevada Democrats are worried that Governor Steve Sisolak is seriously vulnerable to a credible Republican challenger in his re-election bid.

A poll conducted by The Mellman Group for The Nevada Independent released October 3 sampled 600 likely voters that closely mirrors the states voter registration.

The results found that only 38% believe Sisolak is doing a good job as Governor, while 60% have a negative view of his job performance (including a 59% negative view on his response to the COVID pandemic.)

The survey reports that a majority of Nevada voters (52%) believe things in the state are on the wrong track. Sisolaks image is upside down with voters. They give him only a 46% favorable against 48% unfavorable rating.

When matched against the two likely GOP frontrunners for governor, Sisolak was found to hold a very narrow lead over former U.S. Senator Dean Heller by 2 points (45.8 percent to 43.3% percent) and in a tie with Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo (44.9 percent to 44.4).

Among non-major party voters who now make up a plurality of registered voters in Nevada, Sisolak placed even with Heller (42.3 percent to 42.1 percent) but trailed behind Lombardo by 5 points (39.6 percent to 44.7 percent).

While Democrats have won the vast majority of statewide races in Nevada since 2016, the poll results support Nevadas status as a purple swing state. Mellman, a highly respected Democratic pollster, forecasts a very close, very competitive, very tough race for Sisolak in 2022.

With nine months until Nevadas June primary election, the Mellman Group survey also sampled 400 likely voters registered as Republicans. The list of candidates included Heller, Lombardo, Reno personal injury attorney and former boxer Joey Gilbert, and North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee.

Heller led the field of Republicans with 31.3 percent of respondents supporting the longtime Nevada politician. Though Lombardo was second-highest among the candidates with 23.2 percent, the results were even when respondents knew both Heller and Lombardo. A larger group of respondents (27.2 percent) remain undecided.

Gilbert was the third most popular choice with 11 percent. Lee received support from 3.3 percent. The three other listed candidates  Dr. Fred Simon, businessman Guy Nohra and perennial candidate Eddie Hamilton  failed to reach 1 percent support.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, who weighed a race for governor, was not included in the poll.

Heller underperformed what would be expected of a former U.S. Senator and statewide elected official, winning only 31 percent of the vote in the poll and leading Lombardo by only eight points. And, the advantage he has currently is based on name ID and disappears among those that know both candidates.

Among Republican primary voters who know both candidates, Lombardo leads Heller by five points. Heller continues to suffer from his refusal to support former President Trump in 2016. And, half of Republican primary voters view Heller as a moderate or liberal.

The reality is, Dean Heller does not have this primary race locked up by any stretch of the imagination. Lombardo has a real shot here, Mellman told a Nevada Independent conference. If [Heller] was running, expecting he would have it locked up, and a clear shot at the general election, he needs to revise those expectations dramatically.

Lombardo has the opportunity to go to the rural counties, go to Washoe County and get better known. If he has the money, if he has the campaign skills to get better known and better liked he has the opportunity to really change the dynamic in that part of the state, Mellman said.

In Clark County, where voters elected him to the nonpartisan position of sheriff in 2014 and 2018, Lombardo led Heller in the poll by 6 points (32.9 percent to 26.9 percent).

Jim Hartman is an attorney residing in Genoa, Nevada. Email him at Lawdocman1@aol.com.

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Stand up against small business tax

Editor:

As Nevada tries to turn the corner on the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, its critical that our elected officials work to promote growth and recovery. Recent data from the Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation found that the recovery is slowing down, making it more important than ever that we focus on the right policies.

But recently, lawmakers in Washington  led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)  are pushing a new Small Business Investment Tax that will hurt the recovery as well as the small business owners, small real estate investors, and retirees that are still feeling the economic pain of the pandemic.

The investments targeted by this tax are the very investments that allow small businesses to survive during periods of uncertainty and grow when times are better. These investments support real estate construction, including affordable housing. Police officers, teachers, and firefighters rely on these investments to fund their pensions so they can enjoy financial security in retirement.

We have a lot of work to do in the months and years ahead. Nevada lawmakers like Rep. Steven Horsford and Rep. Susie Lee have stood up for Nevada businesses and workers by supporting emergency relief funding during the pandemic. I urge them to continue standing up for struggling Nevadans by opposing the Small Business Investment Tax (H.R. 1068 & S.1598).

Steve Sanson

Las Vegas

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On Tuesday the International Monetary Fund downgraded its 2021 US growth forecast by one percentage point, citing the global supply chain disruptions which have hampered the economic recovery in recent months.

The supply chain issues have, in turn, prompted other serious questions of the global trading system with some supermarkets and hospitality businesses struggling to restock when needed. Xavier Naville, author and founder of a food processing company, told Parade: In most cases, youre not dealing with actual food shortages but with disruptions in the supply chain.

The supply chain crisis is inflating the prices for customers and reducing both buying power and consumer confidence. In a report released on Monday, Moodys Analytics warned that a variety of factors have created conditions where food and other essential goods could soon be in short supply.

The report reads: "Border controls and mobility restrictions, unavailability of a global vaccine pass, and pent-up demand from being stuck at home have combined for a perfect storm where global production will be hampered because deliveries are not made in time, costs and prices will rise and GDP growth worldwide will not be as robust as a result.

Truck driver shortage leaves cargo stranded

Moodys report cited a shortage of truck drivers in several key transit points as the weakest link in the current global supply chain. In the United Kingdom the lack of drivers has caused petrol and diesel shortages at gas stations, leaving motorists unable to travel for days.

The shortage of drivers has been linked covid-19, and the lack of universality in the current response to covid-19 across the world. Some nations, like China, are still aiming to prevent all covid-19 cases, while the US and UK have loosened the restrictions this year in an attempt to allow a return to normality.

This imbalance means that drivers and their vehicles are not able to travel as freely as they once were. Moodys analysts wrote: "This presents a serious challenge to harmonizing the rules and regulations by which transport workers move in and out of ports and hubs around the world.

Waiting time at ports has doubled

Truckloads of goods are waiting in distribution centres for drivers, and some of the worlds biggest ports are experiencing a backlog of cargo as the vast global supply chain struggles to adapt to changing conditions.

RBC Capital Markets has published a report analysing the 22 most influential ports in the world and found that 77% of them are experiencing above-average wait times this year. Of those ports, the ones in Los Angeles and Long Beach were found to be the most inefficient of them all.

Globally, the turnaround time for containers has doubled in 2021 in comparison to the figures recorded between 2017 and 2019. Mike Tran, RBC's managing director for digital intelligence strategy, told Insider that there is no easy fix to the problem.

"The issue is non-linear," he said. "It's not just about getting people to work or extending hours. The issue has spread throughout the entire supply chain, each leg of the journey is delayed."
An overview of the event. (Photo: VNA)



Speaking at the event, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said the Vietnamese Party, State and society have increasingly spoke highly of the role of enterprises and businesses owned by women in particular which have made important contributions to Vietnams development.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)



Together with the cause of gender equality, the contingent of female entrepreneurs has been growing stronger, with their firms accounting for 26.5 percent of the total nationwide, placing Vietnam sixth among countries with the highest number of businesswomen.



In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, they actively engaged in prevention and control while making contributions to social welfare, she said.



According to the Vice President, the event afforded participants a chance to share experience and seek ways to step up digital transformation, towards building a healthy and sustainable business environment.

Delegates at the event. (Photo: VNA)



She expressed her belief that the business community will contribute to effective and practical policy planning and enforcement, accelerate business restructuring, including digital transformation, for rapid and sustainable development.



Following the event, the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council held a ceremony to celebrate its 20th founding anniversary (May 8)./.
Addressing the event, Mr. Duong Dinh Bang, interim chairman of BACI, said that implementing the policy of promoting economic cooperation with Laos, on the basis of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, many Vietnamese enterprises have poured investment into and done business in the country.

At the event (Photo: VOV)

According to him, with more than 400 investment projects worth over 5 billion USD, Vietnam is currently the third largest foreign investor in Laos, after Thailand and China.

In recent years, the Vietnamese business community in Laos has not only contributed to the Lao budget but also donated tens of millions of USD to social security activities, developing infrastructure facilities and creating jobs for thousands of Lao labourers.

It has also helped change Lao labourers awareness of shifting from small-scale production to commodity-based production, contributing to creating a new and fundamental orientation to promote sustainable production development in the country.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung praised efforts of the Vietnamese business community in Laos to overcome difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressing his delight at the increasing number of new projects invested by Vietnamese firms in Laos despite the health crisis.

He urged Vietnamese enterprises operating in Laos to update and further promote application of new technologies and digital transformation in order to maximize the efficiency of their production and business activities and effectively adapt to the pandemic.

The diplomat called on Vietnamese businesses to strengthen coordination and support each other, contributing to further tightening the Vietnam  Laos great relationship.

He took the occasion to applaud active contributions of Vietnamese enterprises in Laos to both countries' fight against COVID-19./.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)



In an interview recently granted to a Vietnam News Agency reporter in Jakarta, Anjaiah said Vietnam did quite well in pandemic prevention and control during the early stages of the outbreak and was subsequently not impacted by the pandemic for a long period of time.



However, the more infectious Delta variant has caused the fourth outbreak wave in the nation.



Anjaiah, therefore, recommended that first, like Indonesia, the country should be properly aware of the pandemic and strive to increase its predictability. While it is impossible to wipe out the SARS-CoV-2 virus, countries globally must find a way to live together safely with it.



He suggested that Vietnam should learn lessons from Indonesia in handling the disease, which is to push the vaccination rate as soon as possible, up to 65-70 percent of the national population at best in order to achieve herd immunity.



With a population of over 90 million people, Vietnam needs to vaccinate at least 65-70 million residents. After achieving the goal of giving the first and second shots, the country should then consider planning booster shots to achieve greater vaccine efficacy. Therefore, diversifying vaccine types and ensuring supply should be done as swiftly as possible, he said.



He added that though the pandemic has eased in severity, citizens still need to seriously follow social distancing measures, wear masks, wash hands regularly, and avoid mass gatherings.



The expert expressed his belief that Vietnam could overcome the pandemic quickly thanks to drastic actions by the Government and high public awareness./.
-- The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) drew to an end on Friday.

-- Participants have highlighted the China-proposed philosophy of ecological civilization as a guideline to achieve coexistence between human and nature.

-- Facing biodiversity loss at an alarming rate, many countries are urged to translate their conservation plans into actions at COP15.

KUNMING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, research institutions and private sectors worldwide have gathered in China, virtually or in person, to navigate transformative changes in biodiversity conservation.

As the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) drew to an end on Friday in China's southwestern city of Kunming, participants have highlighted the China-proposed philosophy of ecological civilization as a guideline to achieve harmonious coexistence between human and nature.

This philosophy has directed the overall development of China, the world's second largest economy, to greener ends. And it starts to gain recognition globally as countries are seeking solutions to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change and other crises threatening the survival of humanity.

Aerial photo taken on Sept. 2, 2021 shows a rural road in Dongmiao Township of Du'an Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhou Hua)

FROM DOMESTIC TO GLOBAL

The philosophy of ecological civilization derives from the Chinese perception, or reflection, of the relationship between man and nature.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech at COP15 that "we shall take the development of ecological civilization as our guide to coordinate the relationship between man and Nature. We need to solve the problems brought by industrial civilization, keep human activities within the limits of the ecology and environment, and carry out holistic conservation and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts."

Xi's remarks underscored the values of nature in decision-making, which resonate with other participants at COP15.

Gretchen Daily, an American environmental scientist at Stanford University, quoted Confucius, a philosopher from ancient China, in her speech at the forum.

Gretchen Daily, professor of Stanford University and fellow of National Academy of Sciences of the United States, delivers a speech via video during the Ecological Civilization Forum of the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

"There are three pathways to wisdom: The first is through contemplation, and that is the noblest. The second is through imitation, and that is the easiest. The third is through experience, and that is the bitterest," she said.

She suggested following "Confucius as a guide," calling for taking the "noblest" way to reflect on exploitation of nature without restraint.

"We all know that we can no longer treat nature as free," Daily said.

Ecological civilization that was written into China's Constitution in 2018 has become a unique Chinese approach to green economy on top of ambitious environmental targets. On Wednesday, it was embodied into the Kunming Declaration, the first time that the Chinese philosophy was incorporated into a political document under the framework of the United Nations (UN) multilateral environmental agreement.

The Kunming Declaration is adopted at the High-Level Segment of the first part of 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

This concept "could serve as a template for guiding the global strategic direction, where we need an ecological balance with our planet," said Dechen Tsering, director of UN Environment Programme's Asia and the Pacific Office.

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Themed "Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth," COP15 is the first global conference convened by the UN to highlight ecological civilization.

It is also viewed as a version of sustainable development with Chinese characteristics, which envisages a new path for China's growth and also inspires other countries to achieve their development goals.

Marco Lambertini, director-general of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International, delivers a speech via video during the opening ceremony of the Ecological Civilization Forum of the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

"I think this concept is fundamental because it is deeper than sustainable development," said Marco Lambertini, director-general of the World Wide Fund for Nature International.

"It's putting nature at the heart of our society as recognizing its value as a foundation for our economy, our health, our well-being of individuals. That's a really important and overarching principle and vision," he said.

To practice this philosophy, China has implemented eco-environmental conservation and restoration projects.

According to China's white paper on biodiversity conservation released on Oct. 8, between 2016 and 2020, China had restored 1,200 km of its coastline and 23,000 hectares of seaside wetlands; between 2000 and 2017, China had contributed about 25 percent of global vegetation growth, the biggest share among all countries.

Aerial photo taken on Sept. 8, 2021 shows a wind farm of the Daqing wind power project in Daqing, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

Meanwhile, China has been increasing its use of renewable energy. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, a Belgium-based international trade association for the wind power industry, China broke the world record for most wind power capacity installed in a single year in 2020, with 52 gigawatts of new capacity.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

"The Chinese government has continued to apply a long-term approach to halt and reverse biodiversity loss with multiple disciplinary teams that can offer evidence-based solutions to address socioeconomic complexities and can provide inclusive and accessible policy directions, including the ecological red line policy, which will enable (people) to build a resilient environment able to adapt to future impacts and shocks," said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

FROM COMMITMENT TO ACTION

Facing biodiversity loss at an alarming rate, many countries are formulating conservation plans. They are urged to translate their commitments into actions at COP15.

A spoon-billed sandpiper forages at Xinyingwan mangrove nature reserve in Danzhou City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

To promote common development of all countries, China has promised to build a green, low-carbon and circular economic system, better people's well-being, and uphold a fair and equitable international governance system.

China is moving faster to establish a protected areas system with national parks as the mainstay, Xi said in his speech at COP15.

"When you talk about what does 'Beautiful China' mean, in our mind, it's taking these concrete actions and then turning them into protected areas that allow humanity and nature to live together in a mutually sustaining way," said James Roth, senior vice president for Global Policy and Government Affairs at U.S. nonprofit environmental organization Conservation International.

The concept of ecological civilization, Roth said, "really highlights in our view (of) humanity living in harmony with nature."

At COP15, Xi also announced China's initiative to establish a Kunming Biodiversity Fund and take the lead by investing 1.5 billion yuan (233 million U.S. dollars) to support biodiversity protection in developing countries.

Moreover, Xi said China will release implementation plans for peaking carbon dioxide emissions in key areas and sectors as well as a series of supporting measures, and will put in place a "1+N" policy framework for carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

"President Xi is saying that we need to protect that (ecological) civilization as much as anything else. We cannot just build motorways and new towns. We need to produce a balance with nature. I think it is a great value to the world," said Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club.

French writer and sinologist Lea Bessis said that the world can see China's determination on ecological environment through Xi's speech.

"China will thus serve as an example," Bessis said.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday it is necessary for China and the European Union (EU) to strengthen strategic communication, and jointly promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, which is in the interests of both sides.

He made the remarks in a phone conversation with European Council President Charles Michel.

Xi also said that China and the EU are two major independent forces, and comprehensive strategic partners.

Xi pointed out that since the start of this year, the international situation has witnessed new changes, and the China-EU relationship has also encountered new problems.

China and the EU, he stressed, should perceive each other correctly, and stay committed to dialogue and cooperation and to mutual respect and mutual benefit.

He suggested that the two sides deepen policy communication in green and digital fields, expand areas of practical cooperation, actively synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the global EU Connectivity Strategy, and strengthen communication and cooperation on issues such as climate change and biodiversity conservation.

The EU and its members are invited to actively participate in the Global Development Initiative, and work together with China and other countries to help developing countries achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at an early date, he added.

Noting that China and the EU are different in history, culture, social systems and stages of development, Xi said it is not surprising that they have some competition, disputes and differences, which should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.

China, he added, is always sincere in developing relations with the EU, and meanwhile resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests.

He expressed the hope that the EU will uphold strategic autonomy, distinguish between right and wrong, and work with China to push forward the development of China-EU cooperation.

For his part, Michel said recent developments in the international situation have made the EU and its members more aware of the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy.

Although the EU and China have different political systems and development models, they both support multilateralism, and the two sides need to cooperate in fighting the pandemic, promoting economic recovery, addressing climate change and safeguarding regional peace and stability, he added.

Noting that sustained development of the EU-China strategic partnership serves the common interests of the people on both sides, Michel said the EU is willing to work with China to increase dialogue and interaction in the spirit of mutual respect, and manage differences in an effective and proper manner.

The EU abides by the one-China policy and has never changed its policy on Taiwan-related issues, he said, adding that the EU will uphold strategic autonomy in handling international affairs.

The EU is willing to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in such fields as green and digital economy, carry out exchanges and cooperation on the Global Development Initiative, and maintain close communication and coordination on major international issues.

In addition, Michel briefed Xi about the EU's view on the situation in Afghanistan.

Xi stressed that China respects Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, respects every country's independent choice of its path and system, and advocates coexistence of and mutual learning between different civilizations.

China has always been playing a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the Afghanistan issue, Xi said, adding that the international community should create a favorable external environment for Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction. Enditem

Editor: Zhang Zhou
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will be in Georgia and Ukraine later this month to meet with their leaders, the Pentagon said in a statement.

In Ukraine Austin will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Andrei Taran to "reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The visit will also serve as an opportunity to discuss Ukraine's progress with the implementation of defense and defense industry reforms needed to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations as well as regional cooperation among Black Sea allies and partners," the statement said.

"In Georgia, Secretary Austin will meet with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze to reaffirm U.S. support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and underscore the importance of the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership in addressing regional and global security challenges," the statement said.

Austin will also visit several countries in Europe, including Romania and Belgium. In Romania he will meet with President Klaus Iohannis and Defense Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca. After that he will travel to Brussels for a NATO meeting of defense ministers.
Ukraine's NSDC places 237 individuals on its sanctions list for organizing elections to Russian State Duma in Donbas, Crimea  Danilov

The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine has applied sanctions to atnother 237 individuals for organizing the voting in the Russian parliamentary elections in Crimea and certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said.

"As of today, there is a decision in relation to people directly involved in facilitating the work on the [Russian State Duma] elections in Crimea and in the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. All these people... we continue introducing sanctions [against them]. And today, there were 237 people [...] against whom sanctions were introduced," Danilov said at a press briefing following an NSDC meeting on Friday.

As reported earlier, NSDC on September 17 introduced sanctions against 53 electoral commission members and 33 candidates in the State Duma elections.

The latest elections to the lower house of the Russian parliament were held on September 17-19.
US calls Russia's census in occupied Crimea as attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity

The United States considers the census of Russian population in the temporarily occupied Crimea as another attempt to undermine the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said.

"The United States condemns Russia's census in occupied Crimea as yet another attempt to undermine Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," Price said on his Twitter page.
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) at a meeting on Friday, October 15, approved the Defense Plan of Ukraine, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said at a briefing in Kyiv.

"The first issue that was discussed was that the Defense Plan of Ukraine was approved for the first time in the history of modern Ukraine. This is a major document, which has been worked on for almost two years, which clearly gives answers to the challenges that our country faces today," Danilov said.

In particular, he said the document provides for mechanisms of cooperation between various departments in case of emergencies and the involvement of territorial defense forces.
Ukraine's defense plan approves by NSDC is classified, it to be implemented in case of war  Danilov

The defense plan of Ukraine approved by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) is a classified document and will be implemented in case of war, Secretary of the department Oleksiy Danilov said.

"The NSDC members, of course, saw this document. It is completely secret. This is not a document that appeared in a day or two [...]. We worked on the [defense] plan for two years on behalf of the President of Ukraine. It is a rather fundamental document [...]. But this [document] is in case of war, that's why it has such a name  the defense plan," Danilov told the journalist during the break of the Svoboda Slova (Freedom of Speech) by Savik Shuster television program on Friday.

According to him, the document contains items on cybersecurity and information security.

In addition, the defense plan provides for full interaction of all central government agencies, local authorities, and the military. It also deals with the application of the territorial defense law.

"All these components are brought together into a single coordinate system," he said.

The NSDC secretary said "on this occasion, there will be obligatory large military exercises on behalf of the President of Ukraine."
Eduardo Torobo and Amelin Acosta, migrants from Cuba under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program, walk after crossing from Mexico into the U.S. to continue their asylum request in the United States, in this picture taken from Ciudad Juarez (Photo : REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo)

President Joe Biden's administration is taking steps to restart by mid-November a program begun under his predecessor Donald Trump that forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court hearings after a federal court deemed the termination of the program unjustified, U.S. officials said Thursday.



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The administration, however, is planning to make another attempt to rescind the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly called the "Remain in Mexico" policy, even as it takes steps to comply with the August ruling by Texas-based U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, the officials said.



The possible reinstatement of MPP - even on a short-term basis - would add to a confusing mix of U.S. policies in place at the Mexican border, where crossings into the United States have reached 20-year highs in recent months. The administration said it can only move forward if Mexico agrees. Officials from both countries said they are discussing the matter.



Mexico's foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday that it has expressed a "number of concerns" over MPP to U.S. officials, particularly around due process, legal certainty, access to legal aid and the safety of migrants. A senior Mexican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said "there is no decision at this point" about the program's restart.



Trump, a Republican known for hard-line immigration policies, created the MPP policy in 2019, arguing that many asylum claims were fraudulent and applicants allowed into the United States might end up staying illegally if they skipped court hearings. Biden, a Democrat, ended the policy soon after taking office in January as part of his pledge to take a more humane approach to border issues.



Immigration advocates have said the program exposed migrants to violence and kidnappings in dangerous border cities where people camped out for months https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-IMMIGRATION/MEXICO/mopankddwva/index.html or years in shelters or on the street waiting for U.S. asylum hearings.



Biden in March said that "I make no apology" for ending MPP, a policy he described as sending people to the "edge of the Rio Grande in a muddy circumstance with not enough to eat."



After the Republican-led states of Texas and Missouri sued Biden over his decision to end the program, Kacsmaryk ruled in August that it must be reinstated. The U.S. Supreme Court https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-requires-biden-revive-trump-era-remain-mexico-immigration-2021-08-24, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump, subsequently let Kacsmaryk's ruling stand, rejecting a bid by Biden's administration to block it.



The administration has said it will comply with Kacsmaryk's ruling "in good faith" while continuing its appeal in the case. The administration also plans to issue a fresh memo to terminate the program in the hopes it will resolve any legal concerns surrounding the previous one, officials said.



"Re-implementation is not something that the administration has wanted to do," a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a call with reporters. "But in the interim we are under this obligation of the court."



ADVOCATES UPSET



In a court filing late on Thursday the administration said that "although MPP is not yet operational," they are taking all the steps necessary to re-implement it by next month.



Those steps include preparing courts, some housed in tents, near the border where asylum hearings could be held. The administration said in the filing that these facilities will take about 30 days to build, costing approximately $14.1 million to erect and $10.5 million per month to operate.



The filing said the aim is for MPP to span the entire Southwestern border, which the government deemed preferable to it operating only in certain areas.



U.S. officials held a call with immigration \advocates on Friday, asking them for input on how they could make the MPP policy more humane, according to four people on the call, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Advocates told officials there was no way to make the program safe or humane, the people said, and that the White House would be responsible for any harm suffered by people forced to wait in Mexico for their court hearings.



Officials told advocates they were planning an expedited immigration court docket for people in the program, with the aim of deciding their cases within 180 days, the people said. DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



At the same time, Biden has left in place another policy that Trump implemented in March 2020 early in the COVID-19 pandemic that allows for most migrants caught crossing the border to be rapidly expelled for public health reasons, with no type of asylum screening. One DHS official said that policy will continue.



Mexico has also expressed its concern over this policy, known as Title 42, which the foreign ministry said incentivizes repeat crossings and puts migrants at risk.



In a win for Mexico on a separate front, the United States said this week it will lift https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-says-precise-november-us-border-date-be-decided-2021-10-13 restrictions at its legal ports of entry for fully vaccinated foreign nationals in early November, ending curbs on nonessential travelers during the pandemic.


People visit the Fountain for Survivors, an immersive, 18-foot tall fountain covered in a mosaic of over 365,000 acrylic nails in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)

A New York artist has assembled more than 350,000 acrylic fingernails to create a neon and pale pink grotto - a tribute to surviving the coronavirus pandemic.



"A Fountain for Survivors," enclosed in an 18-foot tall rhinestone-studded cave, was unveiled on Thursday in Times Square, offering visitors a refuge until Dec. 8.



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"Nails are what you do when it's time to maintain," said artist Pamela Council, who has used fountains in their other work exploring the Black experience in the United States.



"Nails is that little special thing that you do for yourself. And I think survivors need that."



The sculpture resonated with many Black visitors who treat nails as an artform, including Michelle Abrokwa, 29, who said the artwork made her think of her sisters and their love of getting their nails done.



"Every day was a new design for them, sort of like a sense of expression for them," Abrokwa said. "So it'd be like, 'OK, on my off-day, I am going to paint my nails this color.' It's kind like a mood ring of sorts."



Visitors may drop a coin-shaped "wishing wafer" into the fountain, which will fizz up to release a healing fragrance.



With New York emerging from lockdown, the Times Square Alliance said it estimated some 10 million pedestrians will see the free exhibit. The city was an early epicenter of the pandemic.



Surviving the loss and lockdown was on the top of Council's mind in creating their work.



"We've all made it this far," they said. "And we all need a spark of joy right now."



Thi story refiles to correct pronoun in paragraphs three, nine and ten.


Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Drone Base/File Photo)

Oil prices settled at a three-year high above $85 a barrel on Friday, boosted by forecasts of a supply deficit in the next few months as the easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions spurs demand.



Brent crude futures settled up 86 cents, or 1%, at $84.86 a barrel. Front-month prices, which touched their highest level since October 2018 at $85.10, hit a weekly rise of 3%, its sixth straight weekly gain.



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U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 97 cents, or 1.2%, to $82.28 a barrel. The was up 3.5% on the week in an eighth consecutive weekly rise.



Demand has picked up with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a further boost from power generators who have been turning away from expensive gas and coal to fuel oil and diesel.



The White House said it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign nationals effective Nov. 8, which should boost jet fuel demand.



Meanwhile, a sharp drop in oil stockpiles in the United States and the member countries of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development is expected to keep global supply tight.



"It will take a trifecta of events to derail this oil price rally: OPEC+ unexpectedly boosts output, warm weather hits the Northern Hemisphere, and if the Biden administration taps the strategic petroleum reserves," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA.



U.S. energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for a sixth week in a row as soaring crude oil prices prompted drillers to return to the wellpad.



The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose 10 to 543 in the week to Oct. 15, its highest since April 2020, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.



The International Energy Agency on Thursday said the energy crunch is expected to boost oil demand by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd).



That would result in a supply gap of around 700,000 bpd through the end of this year, until the Organization of the Petroleum Countries and allies, together called OPEC+, add more supply, as planned in January.


U.S. lawmaker blames Boeing leaders for culture that led to crashes

A Boeing 737 MAX airplane lands after a test flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, (Photo : REUTERS/Karen Ducey)

A senior U.S. House Democrat who oversaw a massive investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX said on Friday the indictment of a former chief technical pilot should not be the end of the accountability in the two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.



"Senior leaders throughout Boeing are responsible for the culture of concealment that ultimately led to the 737 MAX crashes and the death of 346 innocent people," said Representative Peter DeFazio, who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.



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Mark Forkner, 49, was set to be arraigned after being indicted by a grand jury in Texas on six counts of scheming to defraud Boeing's U.S.-based airline customers to obtain tens of millions of dollars for the plane maker.



"Mark Forkner's indictment should not be the end of the accountability for this colossal and tragic failure," DeFazio said.



Boeing did not immediately comment. A lawyer for Forkner did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Congress approved legislation to reform how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies new airplanes and DeFazio said the agency "must work urgently to implement the bipartisan legislation."



DeFazio's September 2020 report said the MAX crashes "were the horrific culmination of a series of faulty technical assumptions by Boeing's engineers, a lack of transparency on the part of Boeing's management, and grossly insufficient oversight by the FAA."



The 737 MAX was grounded in March 2019 after the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 which killed all 157 aboard.



Robert Clifford, a lawyer representing families of relatives killed in the Ethiopian crash, said the Forkner indictment "is a corporate whitewash... This inexcusable type of corporate greed goes far beyond (Forkner) at the company that haphazardly made these aircraft in an effort to increase profits."



In January, Boeing agreed to pay more than $2.5 billion in fines and compensation after reaching a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Justice Department over the MAX crashes, which cost Boeing more than $20 billion.


China's Xi will not attend COP26 in person, UK PM Johnson told -The Times

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech addressing the COP15 biodiversity summit in Kunming, China (Photo : DIVERSITY/Handout via REUTERS)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the COP26 climate summit in person, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been told, The Times newspaper reported.



Britain, which hosts the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, in Glasgow on Oct. 31-Nov 12, is seeking to get big power support for a more radical plan to tackle climate change.



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"It is now pretty clear that Xi is not going to turn up and the PM has been told that," The Times quoted an unidentified British source as saying. "What we don't know is what stance the Chinese are going to take."



The Times said British organisers fear that Xi's decision to stay away could be a prelude to China refusing to set new climate change goals amid an energy crunch.



The Chinese embassy in London could not be reached for immediate comment.



Xi, China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, has not left the People's Republic since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic. He has joined video calls with global leaders.



China is the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter so Xi's absence from discussions - either in person or via video calls - would mark a setback for Johnson's hopes of getting world leaders to agree a significant climate deal.



Xi, 68, who has served as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party since 2012, attended the 2015 Paris climate conference.



Britain's Queen Elizabeth has been overheard saying that she was irritated by world leaders who talk about climate change but then do very little or nothing to address the crisis.



"Extraordinary isn't it. I've been hearing all about COP," the 95-year-old monarch told Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the wife of her son, Charles, Prince of Wales and the presiding officer of the Welsh assembly. "Still don't know who is coming..."



"It's really irritating when they talk, but they don't do," Elizabeth said in a conversation picked up by a microphone.


Egypt and Qatar have signed agreements to supply fuel and basic construction materials to the Gaza Strip, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said following a ministerial meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in Oslo on Wednesday evening.
Supporters of Hamas could face up to 14 years in prison if the British government succeeds in banning the group as a terrorist organisation, the Home Office said on Friday.
The man who died in a botched bomb attack in the northern English city of Liverpool on Sunday had planned the blast for at least seven months, police said Wednesday.
Egypt discussed with the World Bank on Tuesday a $500 million fund for the countrys social housing projects targeting low-income households, the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation announced.

The World Bank first funded Egypt's social housing projects with $500 million in 2015.

According to an official statement, Minister Sahar Nasr discussed the additional fund with the World Banks delegation to Egypt.

Both sides discussed the additional fund to expand the projects' beneficiary base, with the World Bank group praising the major success achieved by the projects.

Nasr pointed to the importance of continued contributions by the World Bank to support Egypts housing sector, especially social housing projects, which she said came as a priority for President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

Nasr added the government is continuing efforts related to executing the social housing programme, to provide housing for citizens at affordable prices.

The World Bank delegation expressed its readiness to provide Egypt with the benefits of its experience related to involving the private sector in social housing projects, describing the Egyptian model in the programme as a success story.

In 2014 Egypt began a project to build a million houses, in an aim to secure suitable residences for low-income families under the countrys Social Housing Fund (SHF).

The World Bank announced in 2015 a $500 million project to improve access to homeownership and rental units for low-income households in Egypt under the SHF, which the bank said would reach 3.6 million people, including an estimated 1.6 million beneficiaries living below the poverty line, over a five year period, the life of the programme.

In February 2018, Egypts housing ministry said that 1.7 million housing units had been built and sold by the government over the past four years.

Nasr also discussed the development situation in Sinai with delegation members.

Both sides agreed on the importance of rapid support by the World Bank to contribute to the development of the Sinai Peninsula to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development for Sinai and job opportunities for its residents.

Egypt has been in talks with the World Bank and others financing resources to develop the peninsula, which lacks basic infrastructure and has a high unemployment rate.

The Egyptian states project to develop Sinai should be completed by 2022 at a cost of some EGP 275 billion ($15.6 billion), presidential aide Ibrahim Mahlab said in April.

The delegation was headed by the World Banks Chief Technical Advisor Loic Chiquier and the World Bank Groups Practice Director for Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Najy Benhassine.

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The meeting with PM Madbouly and Housing Minister El-Gazzar discussed the status of several new housing projects carried out in the New Administrative Capital, the new cities of Alamein, Mansoura, Rosetta and Upper Egypt

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued directives to officials to continue work on finalizing housing projects as per the set timelines and relevant quality standards in accordance with the contracts signed in this regard.

El-Sisi's remarks were made during his meeting Saturday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Housing Assem El-Gazzar.

The president gave orders that ongoing roads projects should be operated after all services required are provided and after ensuring that all elements are ready to provide the best services in the transport field, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

The meeting also touched on the status of several new housing projects that are being carried out nationwide, topped by the New Administrative Capital, the new cities of Alamein, Mansoura and Rosetta in addition to those currently established in Upper Egypt.

The president was also briefed on roads and bridges constructed in Upper Egypt in addition to water treatment projects in its governorates.

During the meeting, the housing minister reviewed the status of the first phase projects of the New Administrative Capital.

El-Gazzar said construction works are going on as per the planned timeline in terms of funding resources, the set dates and actual achievements on the ground.

The housing minister also reviewed the implementation of 52 sewage treatment plants in Upper Egypt with a total capacity of more than a million cubic meters per day to serve about 8 million people there.

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Nasr made her statements during a meeting with a delegation of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Tuesday

Egypt's Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr says that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has directed the government to pave the way for the private sector to participate in establishing social housing units.

Nasr made her statements during a meeting with a delegation of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Tuesday, chaired by the Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Victor Kisob.

Nasr asserted that Egypt's government is looking forward to more private sector participation in housing, adding that the government puts investment in human capital at the top of its priorities, especially housing projects, and that the investment ministry is working with international corporations to provide funding.

Under the umbrella of its Sustainable Development Vision 2030, Egypt has adopted the largest project in its history focusing on establishing 725 housing units over six years in all governorates and cities, with a subsidy between EGP 5,000 up to EGP 25,000, according to the ministry of housing, utilities, and urban communities data.

So far, 345 housing units have been built.

"Egypt's government has made significant efforts to increase investments in the real estate sector through legislative reforms and stimulating real estate financing, in addition to supporting consumer demands on housing units. The government continues its legislative reforms to increase private sector investments in real-estate sector which will improve social standards of poor and medium classes," according to Nasr.

Nasr invited the UN-Habitat delegation to visit Egypt's national projects, which are implemented in accordance with top international standards and are established with a solid infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Kisob explained that UN-Habitat's visit to Egypt is part of the annual consultations meetings of the donor corporations of the UN-Habitat.

"Egypt will benefit from the UN experiences through the Global Land Tool Network that has been established to introduce smart solutions for land governance, involving more than 75 partners in several sectors globally, nationally, and regionally."

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The annual conference will be held under the slogan "Egypt, a regional centre for drug manufacturing  localising drug industry"

Al-Ahram Establishment held another preparatory session in a Cairo hotel on Sunday ahead of the second edition of its pharmaceutical conference scheduled for 16-17 October.

The annual conference will be held under the slogan Egypt, a regional centre for drug manufacturing  localising drug industry.

The session was attended by Abdel Mohsen Salama, chairman of Al-Ahram board of directors, Maged Mounir, editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram Al-Massaei and Al-Ahram Gate, Ezzat Ibrahim, editor-in-chief of Ahram Weekly and Ahram Online as well as Saeed Ghoneim, Director General of Al-Ahram establishment, Ahmed Amer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahram Drug Company, Haitham Salima, Director of Al-Ahram Drug Company, and Howayda Youssef, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram Weekly and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference.

Mahmoud El- Metini, President of Ain Shams University and President of the Conference, Ashraf Hatem, Head of the Health Committee in the House of Representatives, Ayman El-Khatib, Vice President of the Egyptian drug Authority, Hossam Sadek, CEO of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Authority, and Ali Auf, Head of the Pharmaceutical Trade Division, were among the attendees.

Additionally, a number of representatives of international and local pharmaceutical companies, the Egyptian Medicine City, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Takeda, Novartis, Merck, Bayer, Parkville, and Sandoz, Amgen, Eva Pharma, and the Pharmaceutical Holding Company.

This conference will tackle the challenges facing Egypt on the path towards localising the drug industry and turning the country into a regional centre in this regard, said Abdel Mohsen Salama.

The conference will also focus on the civilisational shift Egyptians have witnessed in this regard, Salama said, highlighting the importance of the drug industry, which affects the lives of many Egyptians and can even be considered a matter of national security.



Salama affirmed the need to train Egyptian workers to use modern technology in order to enhance their industry and improve competitiveness.

President of Ain Shams University and head of the conference Mahmoud El-Metini said proposed sessions during the conference include the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on pharmaceutical industries in Egypt.

Proposed sessions also include pharmaceutical research and development and the need to bridge the gap between academic institutions and the pharmaceutical industry.

Sessions may also discuss local manufacturing of raw materials, preclinical and clinical studies in Egypt, bio-pharmaceuticals and the vaccine industry and the challenges facing the biosimilars industry.

El-Metini said many of the recommendations of the conferences first edition have been implemented, calling for the formation of a subordinate committee to follow up on the implementation of the second editions recommendations.

Ashraf Hatem, head of the House of Representatives health committee, affirmed the need to discuss the formulation of executive regulations for the clinical research law launched two years ago.

Hatem, who is also a former health minister, said the conference will also discuss the role of the medical staff in elevating the drug industry in Egypt.

Hossam Sadek, CEO of the Universal Health Insurance Authority, said the conference will include a session to define the difference between the comprehensive health insurance system and the health insurance authority.

Yousri Nawar, chairman of the board and managing director at Pfizer, stressed the importance of internationalizing the Ahram Pharmaceutical Conference, highlighting Egypts achievements in drug manufacturing to the world.

Nawar said Egypt is currently witnessing an improved climate that could allow the country to become a regional centre for drug manufacturing.

Al-Ahram organised and sponsored the first edition of the conference in 2019, prior to the pandemic outbreak.

This year, the conference comes a year and a half after the pandemics outbreak in the country and amid the states steps to produce coronavirus vaccine to cover local needs and export the surplus to the African states.

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Al-Ahrams second annual conference for pharmaceuticals promises to provide an integrated work programme for the localisation of the industry in Egypt .

Under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Al-Ahram Establishment will on Saturday launch the second edition of its annual pharmaceutical conference. The conference, which will take place on 16-17 October, will discuss localising the drug industry in Egypt and providing practical solutions to its problems.

Abdel-Mohsen Salama, chairman of Al-Ahrams board of directors, said the establishment is keen on organising its annual pharmaceutical conference, praising the efforts exerted in the pre-conference preparatory work, including the scale of extensive discussions in its sessions, and the effective participation in terms of numbers and quality of attendees.

The conference represents a pioneering experience in following up on the implementation of the recommendations of the first edition, which were carried out in cooperation with the various sectors of the Health Ministry and all partners organising the event, Salama added.

The conference will be held under the chairmanship of Mahmoud Al-Metini, the president of Ain Shams University, and the honorary presidency of Ashraf Hatem, the chairman of the parliamentary Health Committee.

The opening session of the conference is scheduled to be attended by Abdel-Sadek Al-Shorbagi, the chairman of the National Press Authority; Salama; and Alaa Thabet, the editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram.

Mohamed Awad Tageddin, the advisor to President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi for health and prevention affairs, will also participate in the event.

Al-Ahram, in its 145-year history, has been keen to support the states efforts in upgrading services provided to the Egyptian citizen, especially in healthcare and medicine, according to Salama.

There have been excellent and significant accomplishments in the field of healthcare and medicine in Egypt as acknowledged by various international organisations, Salama stressed.

Thabet said that Al-Ahram has made all the necessary preparations, including organising the preparatory sessions and meetings for the conference in cooperation with partners, to ensure that the event would serve as a permanent platform to shed light on all aspects of the Egyptian pharmaceutical sector in terms of safety and in compliance with the highest standards, as well as opening new markets.

The event will also highlight the fact that Egypt provides the appropriate climate to attract more global partnerships, and Arab and foreign investments, to meet the needs of the Egyptian market and contribute to increasing exports, Thabet added.

The Egyptian market with a population of more than 100 million is promising. There are 165 drug factories operating in Egypt in addition to 40 to 50 new factories under licensing. However, despite the figures, drug exports amount to $300 million, considered a small amount compared to other countries.

Al-Metini stressed that the success of the conference in its first edition testifies to the serious discussions that characterised its sessions and the important recommendations the conference issued.

The second edition will shed light on ways to meet the challenges and risks that the pharmaceutical industry faces and to discuss ways to improve it. It will also discuss ways to develop scientific research and ensure the success of the process of the transfer of technology and localising industry, he said.

A large exhibition will be held on the sidelines of the event, Hossam Zayed, the general coordinator of the conference, said. The exhibition will be held in cooperation with major drug companies: the General Division of Medicines in the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the cosmetics and nutritional supplements division in the General Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry, the Egyptian Society for Research and Drug Manufacturing, and the Export Council for Medical Supplies.

Zayed noted that several preparatory sessions were held in order for the conference to achieve the aspirations and expectations of citizens, doctors, pharmacists, and drug officials.

He explained that the conference will include discussions on the strategic partnership with international companies and the role of the Egyptian Pharmaceutical City, the challenges and opportunities in light of the lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic, and the problems faced by research and development in the sector and the way out.

Participants in the conference will also shed light on universal health insurance and healthcare as well as the future of pharmaceutical exports and the digitisation of the health care sector to support Egypt as a regional centre for the pharmaceutical industry.

Speakers at the conference will include Tamer Essam, the president of the Egyptian Medicines Authority, Major General Bahaa Zeidan, the president of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Ashraf Ismail, the president of the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Control, and Hossam Sadek, the executive director of the Universal Health Insurance.

The event will also see the participation of Amr Mamdouh, the president of the Egyptian Medicine City, representatives of various concerned institutions in Egypt and local drug companies, chairmen of the boards of directors of foreign drug companies operating in Egypt, and representatives of the Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry and Commerce.

The conference will conclude its proceedings by presenting a work plan to localise the pharmaceutical industry and find all the required solutions for many of the problems that hamper this effort, he added.

The first edition of the pharmaceutical conference formed a committee to follow up on the implementation of its work programme, vision, and recommendations in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.

Moreover, the Standing Committee of participants in the conference has submitted the recommendations of the first edition to the concerned authorities who were tasked with following up on their implementation as part of a continuing dialogue and interaction between all parties involved.

The Standing Committee plans to work on implementing the recommendations of the second edition in a similar manner.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on Saturday via the video conference new housing projects nationwide for residents of 22 unsafe areas as part of the government's ongoing efforts to relocate residents of slums to new housing.

During the ceremony, El-Sisi stressed to government officials the need to upgrade and provide all basic utilities in the areas of the new projects to better serve the citizens.

The president urged all government bodies to cooperate in order to reach this goal and create new job opportunities in these new neighbourhoods.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Housing Minister Assem El-Gazzar and Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Ihab El-Far.

El-Far gave a presentation in the event on the progress made in implementing various stages in the Ahalina (Our People) housing project, which is carried out by the Armed Forces Engineering Authority.

He said that newly inaugurated housing units in the Ahalina 2 phase include 34 residential blocks in Salam City east of Cairo, adding that the phase extends over an area of 15 feddans and costs EGP 1.1 billion.

He explained that the authority is overseeing the construction of 3,200 residential units in the Greater Cairo area to serve unsafe areas residents as part of the Ahalina 3. The execution rates in this phase, which extends over an areas of 35 feddans, have reached 45 percent, he announced.

Meanwhile, Ahalina 4 will include 3,700 residential buildings on a total areas of 45 feddans. Work to remove more than 1 million cubic feet of waste in the area is proceeding.

Ahalina 5 is set to start next month and will include three new areas, El-Far added.

Saving arable land

El-Sisi stressed the need of cooperation between the authorities, media, and citizens to stop violations and illegal construction on arable lands in order to protect the country's agricultural capabilities.

"We are losing precious agriculture lands to illegal construction when we are not using our massive desert, which makes up 90 percent of the total area of our country," he stressed.

He said the government is not the only body responsible for stopping illegal construction on agricultural lands, urging the public to educate themselves on the issue.

'Dream big'

The problem of illegal construction dates back to 50-60 years and resulted from fast population growth, the president explained.

"But, why don't you want to dream? Why don't you want to dream for your country and yourselves?" El-Sisi asked, urging the public to reject illegal construction on arable lands and think big.

He said the country can manage without any construction on arable lands if "we develop villages nationwide and increase the pace of building new housing units to accommodate more residents."

Egypt has seen a significant rise in illegal construction in recent decades, with many people constructing multi-storey buildings, including on the agricultural lands, without acquiring the necessary permits or complying with engineering safety standards.

Illegal buildings constitute about 50 percent of the urban clusters in villages and cities countrywide, according to PM Madbouly.

In recent years, the government has been implementing a nationwide campaign to demolish illegal violation buildings on arable lands.

Egypt lost 400,000 feddans between 1980 and 2011, and an additional 90,000 feddans in the past nine years, to building violations and arable land encroachments.

Confronting population growth

The president stressed that no state can keep up with the consequences an increase in population like what we have in Egypt, El-Sisi stressed.

"The current rate of increase in population of two million annually necessitates building more schools and housing units, and generating more jobs," El-Sisi noted.

He called on the government to launch a larger programme to relocate more residents who now live in unsafe areas.

"I dream of building three million new housing units for people at a cost of EGP 500-600 billion," he said.

"The purpose of relocating people who are living in unsafe areas to better and safer homes is to improve their quality of life," he added.

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Two Hindu men have been killed in fresh religious violence in Bangladesh, police officials said Saturday, taking the death toll to six from recent unrest in the Muslim-majority country.

Protests began on Wednesday after footage emerged of a Koran being placed on the knee of a Hindu god during celebrations for the Hindu festival Durga Puja. The minority community make up about 10 percent of the population.

Police said the latest violence occurred in the southern town of Begumganj when hundreds of Muslims formed a street procession after Friday prayers on the final day of Durga Puja.

More than 200 protesters attacked a temple where members of the Hindu community were preparing to perform the last rites of the 10-day festival, local police station chief Shah Imran told reporters.

The attackers beat and stabbed to death an executive member of the temple committee, he said.

On Saturday morning, another Hindu man's body was found near a pond next to the temple, district police chief Shahidul Islam told AFP.

"Two men have died since yesterday's attack. We are working to find the culprits," he added.

Anti-Hindu violence spread to more than a dozen districts across Bangladesh this week after footage emerged on social media of the Koran incident.

At least four people were killed late Wednesday when police opened fire on a crowd of around 500 people attacking a Hindu temple in Hajiganj, one of several towns hit by the disturbances.

At least 150 Hindus were injured across the country, community leader Gobinda Chandra Pramanik told AFP, and at least 80 makeshift temples had been attacked. Authorities did not confirm the figures.

Hindus have often fallen victim to communal violence in the country of 169 million.

Local authorities said they have deployed extra security including paramilitary border guards to control any further unrest.

On Friday violence broke out in the capital Dhaka and Chittagong, prompting police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of brick-throwing Muslim protesters.

High-speed mobile phone internet services were shut down in an apparent bid to prevent the violence from spreading.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met leaders of the Hindu community on Thursday and promised stern action.

"So far around 90 people have been arrested. We will also hunt down all the masterminds," Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.

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Iran has again postponed the planned execution of a man arrested at age 17, media in the country reported on Saturday, after international appeals for his life to be spared.

"Arman Abdolali's sentence which was to be carried out this morning... has been stopped again, and the young man was sent back to prison last night," Etemad newspaper said on its website, without elaborating.

It is the second time within a week that the execution of 25-year-old Abdolali -- who was arrested in 2014 and subsequently convicted of murdering his girlfriend -- has been postponed, according to Iranian media.

The Hamshahri newspaper had said this week that the death sentence had been postponed until Saturday, adding that Abdolali would "probably be executed soon".

Amnesty International had said on Monday that Abdolali was moved to solitary confinement in a prison in Karaj, west of Tehran, in preparation for his execution on Wednesday.

The London-based rights group said he had been sentenced to death twice for murdering his girlfriend but that the execution was stopped both times following an international outcry.

"The Iranian authorities must immediately halt all plans to execute Arman Abdolali," Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement.

UN human rights experts also appealed to Iran to halt the execution.

"International human rights law unequivocally forbids imposition of the death sentence on anyone under 18 years of age," said the Geneva-based UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Iran has denied that its use of the death penalty for crimes committed as minors should be taken as a sign that it violates human rights.

The Islamic republic executed at least 246 people last year, retaining its place as the most prolific user of capital punishment in the region and the second worldwide after China, according to Amnesty.

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Following two procedural sessions two weeks ago, the House of Representatives will get down to business this week, including discussions of amendments that encourage private participation in public development projects as well as international business agreements.

On Sunday, the House will discuss new amendments to Law (67/2010) regulating the participation of the private sector in implementing infrastructure, service and public utilities projects. The amendments were approved by the House's Budget Committee on 11 October.

A report prepared by the committee said the new legislative amendments will allow the private sector to implement works related to designing, funding, implementing, operating, utilising and maintaining public projects. "The amendments also allow the state's administrative system to award contracts to private sector companies in a much easier way to implement most infrastructure projects in areas of transport, electricity, communications, information technology, water, sanitary draining, education, etc," said the report.

The report said the amendments come within the states new strategy of carrying out a number of mega-development housing projects, the most important of which is building the New Administrative Capital. The role of the private sector in these projects is very important and so it is necessary that the Law (67/2010) be amended to give it a larger role in this respect in the coming period, the report said.

The draft amendments were referred to parliament a long time ago, according to Deputy Chairman of the Budget Committee Yasser Omar. Omar said they are ripe for discussion now because it is high time to give a boost to national mega projects which have become beyond the financial capacity of the state and government contracting companies. He added that when new amendments go into effect they will open the door for the private sector to undertake the implementation of a greater number of mega national projects.

Omar also explained that the new amendments will help simplify procedures required for winning project contracts and eliminate administrative obstacles which will make it much easier for private companies to tap into the field of mega projects.

According to Sunday's schedule of debate, the House will also discuss an agreement between Egypt and France on the implementation of a number of top priority projects in Egypt.

On Monday, the House will discuss a draft law aimed at allowing the Egypt Air Holding Company to take loans from banks under guarantees from Minister of Finance.

The agenda on Monday will also include debating an agreement between Egypt and Canada on implementing the project of supporting women to be business pioneers.

MPs will also discuss an agreement between Egypt and the Women Development Organisation which is related to the Islamic Cooperation Organisation.

Minister of Education Tarek Shawki is expected to come to parliament this week to answer questions on the new school year.

A number of MPs such as Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, deputy chairman of the Human Rights Committee, have criticised Shawki for instructing the ministry not to give books to students unless they pay school fees first. Abdel-Aziz said Shawki's orders violate article 19 of the constitution, which state that education is free for all citizens.

Other MPs such as Hanaa Farouk, a member of the parliamentary majority party of Mostaqbal Watan, also complained that the ministry of education has upped school fees too much and beyond the financial capacity of low and average-income families.

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The European Union hopes to approve the new partnership document with Cairo during the upcoming Egypt-EU Association Council's ministerial meetings, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt Christian Berger said Saturday.

The council will convene once discussions with Egypt are completed, Berger told reporters.

The talks focus on exchanging ideas and determining priorities that have changed since 2016, he added.

The new priorities include responses to the coronavirus pandemic, health and vaccines production files, as well as social and green files, the EU diplomat told MENA.

The European Union and the Egyptian Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energy are working to update an energy strategy to focus on renewable, wind, solar and hydrogen energies, he added.

New priority areas also include the economy's digitisation and various artificial intelligence domains, Berger said.

Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Berger called for resuming talks among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.

EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa Annette Weber will visit Cairo within weeks to hold talks with Egyptian officials in this regard, he said. "We believe that the parties can and must reach an agreement. We will do everything possible to reach such a deal."

Berger also praised projects launched in Egypt's New Administrative Capital and other new cities. "Those great efforts will be a strong catalyst for the Egyptian economy in the construction sector."

On investment in Egypt, the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varheli will visit Egypt by the end of October to discuss many issues before the launch of the EU's new investment plan for the southern neighbourhood in February 2022.

Egypt enjoys several advantages in the investment field, especially when it comes to infrastructure, transportation, ease of exporting products and new legislation, he added.

Renewable energy is a promising sector for investment where Egypt already possesses huge potentials, he further added.

Berger also welcomed Egypt's new human rights strategy. "We are ready to share our experience with Egypt in translating its various axes into legislation."

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Egyptian prosecution has referred well-known blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah and two others to the Emergency State Security Misdemeanour Court, Egyptian human rights lawyer Khaled Ali said on Saturday.

In a Facebook post, Ali reported that the trial of Abdel-Fattah, human rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer and blogger Mohamed Oxygen in the case 1356/2018 will start on Monday in Cairo.

The prosecution has accused the three of joining an illegal group whose purpose is to call for the suspension of the provisions of the constitution and laws and to prevent state institutions and public authorities from carrying out their duties.

Abdel-Fattah and El-Baqer were arrested in September 2019.

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Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated on Saturday in the third mid-year coordination meeting between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (AU-RECS) on behalf of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

FM Shoukry delivered the Presidents greetings to the presidents and officials participating in the meeting via video conference, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Shoukry expressed Egypts interest in following-up on progress achieved since the first meeting of the coordination summit that was headed by President El-Sisi in 2019, adding that that summit launched a new path for regional and continental coordination to achieve the development agenda goals in Africa.

The Egyptian foreign minister said that despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it has allowed African countries to boost their cooperation, adding that Egypt has supported the African Center of Disease Control and AU's COVID-19 Response Fund in addition to its continuing support to the African countries during the pandemic

Sameh Shoukry also underscored the vital role of the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD) in allocating the needed resources to invest in the continent's integration agenda, which is not separate from regional integration as the continental development of infrastructure is the cornerstone of integration and free trade area Africa.

El-Sisi could not address the regional meeting in person as he spent Saturday inaugurating new housing projects for residents of 22 unsafe areas as part of the government's ongoing efforts to relocate residents of slums to new housing.

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Egypt condemned on Saturday the murder of UK Member of Parliament Sir David Amess, describing it as a 'heinous attack,' the Egyptian foreign ministry stated.

"We are shocked and saddened by the brutal death of Sir David Amess. We strongly condemn such a heinous attack," Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Hafez tweeted on Saturday.

Hafez added Egypt offered its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, expressing solidarity with the UK government and people.



Conservative MP Sir David Amess died after being stabbed multiple times at a public meeting with his constituency in Essex in a terrorist incident, according to the police on Friday.

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Egypt will soon set up vaccination centres at courts, metro and train stations and traffic directorates as part of the health ministrys plan to widen the vaccination campaign against COVID-19, Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Saturday.

In a cabinet meeting for governors, Zayed stated that the government will soon establish vaccination centres at high turnout public venues to vaccinate citizens more quickly, including mosques and churches on Friday and Sundays.

Egypt has set a goal of vaccinating 40 million people by the end of 2021. The government has already increased the number of vaccination centres in September to 1,100 nationwide.

Providers have administered more than 23.3 million COVID-19 doses nationwide, Zayed said last week.

The health minister also stated that Egypt has a stock of 60.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and that the number would grow to 70 million by the end of the month.

Earlier Saturday, the US Embassy in Cairo announced that over one million doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were on their way to Cairo from the United States.

During the meeting, Zayed also revealed that starting next week the manufacturing technology to produce the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine locally will be transferred to VACSERA, adding that Egypt will start exporting Sinovac/VACSERA next week.

Egypt is planning to manufacture 40 million doses of the Chinese vaccine by the end of the year at VACSERA factories.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly headed the governors meeting, which was attended by Education Minister Tarek Shawky, Local Development Minister Mahmoud Shaarawy and Minister of Housing Essam El-Gazzar.

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Egypt received on Saturday over one million doses of the Pfizer BionNTech coronavirus vaccine donated by the US government via the COVAX initiative, Health Minister Hala Zayed announced.

According to Zayed, Egypt received 1,611,090 doses of Pfizer vaccine.

This is the second of five shipments of the Pfizer vaccine totaling five million doses that Egypt is to receive from the United States, according to earlier statements by the health ministry.

Egypt received the first shipment of 1.6 million doses in late September.

The country is on the shortlist of partner countries to receive US vaccines against the coronavirus, according to the US Embassy.

In late July, Zayed announced that UNICEF granted Egypt 63 special refrigerators to store doses of the Pfizer vaccine and that the units can store nearly 619,000 doses of the vaccine.

Egypt already has a stock of coronavirus vaccines from AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik, Johnson & Jonson and locally produced Sinovac.

Earlier Saturday, Zayed stated in a cabinet meeting for governors that Egypt already has a stock of over 60 million vaccine doses and that number will grow to 70 million doses by the end of this month.

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Russia will lift COVID-related restrictions on flights from its airports to the Egyptian Red Sea resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada starting 9 November, TASS cited a representative of the federal coronavirus prevention headquarters as saying on Thursday.

The decision includes regular and charter flights, the official told reporters.

[It was decided] to lift restrictions on regular and charter flights from Russian airports, from which international flights have been resumed, to destinations in Egypt - the cities of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, the official said.

The Russian decision also includes lifting restrictions on air traffic with the UAE,Austria, Switzerland and Finland.

This comes three months after Moscow canceled the 2015 decree banning Russian airlines from flying to the two Egyptian Red Sea resorts, ending six years of suspension after a deadly Russian plane crash in Sinai in 2015.

Egypt has since upgraded its safety and security measures at all airports nationwide.

In April 2018, Russia resumed flights to Cairo International Airport, but the Russian ban on its flights to Egypt's Red Sea destinations was only lifted in July, as per a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Both Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada received their first direct flights from Moscow on 9 August.

Russian travellers are a major contributor to the country's tourism industry, a key source of hard currency.

Russian tourists in Egypt surpassed 3.1 million in 2014, representing 33 percent of all tourists that year, but they have dropped to average 100,000 tourists per year since the airliner crash in 2015.

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The second round of Al-Ahram Pharmaceutical Conference (APC) opened on Saturday to discuss means to localise the drug industry in Egypt and provide practical solutions to the sector's problems.

Held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the two-day conference takes place over a total of nine sessions.

Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, presidential adviser for health affairs Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, governors, and representatives of pharmaceutical companies are taking part in the event.

The conference is being held under the chairmanship of Mahmoud El-Metini, the president of Ain Shams University, and the honourary presidency of Ashraf Hatem, the chairman of the parliamentary Health Committee.

The second edition sheds light on ways to meet the challenges and risks that the pharmaceutical industry faces and to discuss ways to improve it. It also tackles ways to develop scientific research and ensure the success of the process of the transfer of technology and localising industry, El-Metini said.

Providing safe and effective medicines to ensure better health conditions for Egyptians is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in line with Egypts Vision 2030, he added.

Drug manufacturing is a national security matter and is crucial for advancing the Egyptian economy, El-Metini continued, especially amid the unprecedented global challenges the coronavirus has imposed.

Egypt is a promising market for manufacturing new drugs for several reasons, including the countrys solid infrastructure. There are 159 licensed drug factories, and 80 plants are being built. In the first half of 2021 Egypt sold drugs for EGP 40 billion, with a growth rate of seven percent, and exported medicines for over $250 million, El-Metini stated.

He added that Egypts faculties of pharmacy are rated in the top five spots in Africa.

Egypt is also replete with research centres that seek to share the international scientific community in creating new drugs.

Participants in the conference are also shedding light on the universal health insurance system as well as the future of pharmaceutical exports and the digitisation of the healthcare sector to support Egypt as a regional centre for the pharmaceutical industry.

Al-Ahram Establishment, in its 145-year history, has been keen to support the states efforts in upgrading services provided to the Egyptian citizens, especially in healthcare and medicine, board chairman of Al-Ahram Abdel-Mohsen Salama.

Speakers at the conference include Tamer Essam, the president of the Egyptian Medicines Authority, Major General Bahaa Zeidan, the president of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Ashraf Ismail, the president of the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Control, and Hossam Sadek, the executive director of the Universal Health Insurance.

The event is also seeing the participation of Amr Mamdouh, the president of the Egyptian Medicine City, representatives of various concerned institutions in Egypt and local drug companies, chairmen of the boards of directors of foreign drug companies operating in Egypt, and representatives of the Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry and Commerce.

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Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said the country's academic institutions, universities, and research centres can play a pivotal role in developing the pharmaceutical industry, producing effective pharmaceutical ingredients, and achieving self-sufficiency.

Abdel-Ghaffar made the remarks at the second edition of Al-Ahram Pharmaceutical Conference (APHC), held on 16 and 17 October under the patronage of Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, the chairmanship of Mahmoud El-Metini, the president of Ain Shams University, and the honourary presidency of Ashraf Hatem, the head of the parliamentary Health Committee.

Presenting practical solutions to the challenges facing the Egyptian pharmaceutical industry, over the conferences nine sessions, are Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, Higher Education Minister Abdel-Ghaffar, presidential adviser for health affairs Mohamed Awad Tageddin, governors, officials, and representatives of drug and medical supply companies in Egypt and abroad.

During the opening speech, Chairman of the Board of Al-Ahram Establishment Abdel-Mohsen Salama said President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated that Egypt will be a regional hub for drug manufacturing.

The mega pharmaceutical city Egypt inaugurated is key to providing quality treatment to Egyptians from all walks of life and exporting medicines to Africa and the Middle East through cooperation with international companies, Salama added.

Chief Editor of Al-Ahram AlaaThabet said Egyptians have been aspiring to localise the drug industry for decades. The pharmaceutical sector is vital for the national economy, he stated.

Tageddin, for his part, lauded the role of Al-Ahram in organising the APHC at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll the world over, wreaking havoc on the economic, financial, and health sectors of every country.

During the conference, Tageddin reviewed the Egyptian efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, saying that Egypt had taken pre-emptive steps to contain the crisis.

Tamer Essam, the president of the Egyptian Medicines Authority, said Egypt is paving the groundwork for a strategy for the pharmaceutical sector meant primarily to offer quality treatment for Egyptians.

Egypts Vision 2030 comprises a comprehensive series of plans for better infrastructure, roads, utilities, legislation, and media, Essam added, pointing out that it is necessary for investors and industrialists to formulate a vision to implement projects that contribute to Egypts growth.

Bahaaeddin Zeidan, the president of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, said on the first day of the conference that Egypt has taken tangible steps to localise the pharmaceutical industry, including forming a committee comprising all the authorities concerned to lay out a roadmap for the mass production of medicines in Egypt. The strategy will be based on the vision of the political leadership to overhaul the healthcare system in the country and cooperate with regional and international entities towards this end.

Hatem, of the parliamentary Health Committee, said the APHCs first edition, held in 2019, was the main reason for issuing Law 214 on clinical trials last year, pointing out the law will become effective once its executive regulations are released.

The first edition of the pharmaceutical conference formed a committee to follow up on the implementation of its work programme, vision, and recommendations in cooperation with Egypt's Ministry of Health.

Moreover, the Standing Committee of participants in the conference submitted the recommendations of the first edition to the concerned authorities who were tasked with following up on their implementation as part of a continuing dialogue and interaction between all parties involved.

The Standing Committee plans to work on implementing the recommendations of the second edition in a similar manner.

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Egypts Medicine City is set to play a pivotal role in transforming Egypt to a regional hub for medical production and exports, said Amr Mamdouh, chairman of Gypto Pharma on Saturday.

Mamdouhs remarks came during the first day of the second round of Al-Ahrams Pharmaceutical Conference (APHC) held in Cairo on 16 and 17 October.

The conference, comprising nine sessions, is held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

Mamdouh was speaking during the session titled Strategic Partnership with International Companies and the Role of Egypts Medicine City.

He said the road to localising the pharmaceutical industry begins with putting in place mechanisms for strategic partnerships with global firms.

Egypt is one of the key pharmaceutical markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, representing 16 per cent of the MENA market, said Mohamed Mostafa, Ego Pharmaceuticals regional director for Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The ranking of Egypt is set to advance in the pharmaceutical market from the 30th to the 21st spot by 2025. The country is expected to record the highest growth in MENA as well, he added.

Medicine City is meant to achieve drug security and produce effective and safe medicines. It is also being prepped to become a regional hub for international companies and to venture into biotechnological industries, Mostafa stated.

Yousri Nawwar, Pfizers country manager for Egypt and Sudan and head of the Egyptian Society for Drug Production and Research (ESDPR) spoke at the conference about the opportunities and challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry in Egypt and the localisation of drug manufacturing.

Nawwar said that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed the importance of developing the drug industry to support Egypts Vision 2030. The pharmaceutical industry is not an ambitious economic target only, but the strong defence line for the publics health, which is one of the main goals of the presidential Decent Life initiative.

The ESDPR comprises 22 international pharmaceutical companies operating in Egypt. It seeks to consolidate the strategic partnership with the concerned authorities and various pharmaceutical sectors to help the Egyptian market receive and use modern and innovative treatments.

The coronavirus, he added, has posed as the incentive for leading pharmaceutical companies based on scientific research to cooperate. At present, 4,100 medicines are being developed and researched to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, Nawwar stated.

The ESDPR is committed to working with government authorities to effect policies and draft legislation to develop the pharmaceutical industry, he noted.

Gypto Pharma was not constructed with the aim of monopolising the drug industry, explained BahaaZeidan, the president of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement. Rather, it is meant to facilitate the work of pharmaceutical companies functioning in Egypt.

Zeidan stressed that if international drug companies want to produce medicines in Egypt, Gypto Pharma will offer them all the facilities and support possible.

Egypt is currently working on constructing six internationally credited storage facilities to secure the countrys needs of drugs and medical supplies, he added.

Zeidan revealed that Egypt will organise in June 2022 a conference and exhibition on healthcare in MENA. The event will serve as a meeting point for African countries, that want to exhibit their medical capabilities and their needs, and international companies. The conference will be held under the sponsorship of President El-Sisi.

Ramez Mohsen, head of Janssen Egypt, owned by Johnson & Johnson, said the drug industry requires large, long-term investments.

He said there are many investment opportunities in Egypt in the medical field due to the large population, the big number of public and private hospitals, the scientific research law, and the massive support the state extends to investors.

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President Joe Biden travels to Connecticut on Friday to promote his plan to transform an American child care program that lags behind most of the developed world as part of his multi-trillion dollar legislative agenda.

Part of a national tour to drum up support for his proposals, Biden's second presidential visit to the Constitution State comes during a crucial phase for his historic but controversial spending plans, which face opposition from his own side as well as from Republicans.

The White House said the president would stop first at a child care center in Hartford, to "highlight the importance of investing in child care to keep costs down for working families."

Child care is being held up as critical to the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic -- but the adminstration argues that the United States invests far less in children than comparable economies.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says the nation invests less in early childhood education and care relative to the size of the economy than all but two of the world's 37 leading developed countries.

Meanwhile the cost of child care for the average family in Connecticut is $16,000, according to Hartford's Democratic mayor Luke Bronin.

"What that means is that members of the family can't work because they've got to be home taking care of that child," he told the local Fox affiliate.

"So for a lot of families, having access to affordable child care would be a game changer."

Parents' difficulties in hanging on to jobs also contributes to a wide gender gap in workforce participation between mothers, who still take on the greater burden of care, and fathers.

Strong middle class

Biden is proposing to bridge the gap with federal subsidies for low and middle-income Americans that would cap families' child care expenses at seven percent of their income.

He wants to offer large subsidies to child care centers, raise wages for those who work in the industry and increase child credit from $2,000 to $3,000 a year for children aged over six.

Republicans vehemently oppose White House proposals for a multi-trillion-dollar social spending package that calls for Biden's child care provisions.

The Democrats in Congress have enough lawmakers without Republican help to pass the historic blueprint -- which includes improved benefits for college students and seniors, cash for health care coverage and provisions to help rescue a warming planet.

House liberals balk at cutting the $3.5 trillion top line to $1.5 trillion over 10 years, which a small group of moderates favor.

Biden has told progressives that the end goal should be around $2 trillion as he tries to wrangle sufficient Democratic votes.

This means confronting grueling choices between funding fewer programs for longer periods of time or more programs for shorter stints, in hopes they will be renewed by future Congresses.

Polling shows that as little as one in 10 Americans known specifics about the contents of the plan but Bronin said broad improvements in child care were overwhelmingly popular among Americans.

"It would lift up families across this country, open up pathways to opportunity, make sure that we keep our middle class strong," he told the local Fox affiliate.

"So I hope that everybody in Washington, whatever party they're a part of, remembers at the end of the day this is something that would make a huge difference to the American people and and gets it done.

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Myanmar's junta chief will be excluded from an upcoming ASEAN summit, the group said Saturday, a rare rebuke as concerns rise over the military government's commitment to defusing a bloody crisis.

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed at an emergency meeting late Friday that Min Aung Hlaing would not be invited to the October 26-28 summit, current ASEAN chair Brunei said.

The bloc, widely considered a toothless organisation, took a strong stand after the junta rebuffed requests for a special envoy to meet with all parties concerned -- a phrase seen to include ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The statement noted "insufficient progress" in the implementation of a five-point plan agreed by ASEAN leaders in April to end turmoil following a coup in February.

Some member states recommended giving "space to Myanmar to restore its internal affairs and return to normalcy".

It was decided "to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar" to the summit, "while noting the reservations from the Myanmar representative", the statement said.

Mustafa Izzuddin, a global affairs analyst at consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore, called the exclusion "a political stopgap measure for ASEAN to assuage international criticism".

"Second, it ensures its regional reputation as an organisation that can still play an active role in Southeast Asian affairs," he told AFP.

Izzuddin also said the move sent a "political signal" to the junta "that ASEAN is not one to be pushed around, and that Myanmar must show its seriousness and its commitment to roll out the five-point plan".

Myanmar, mostly ruled by the military since a 1962 coup, has been a thorn in ASEAN's side since it joined in 1997.

Elections in 2015 won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party ushered in the start of civilian rule -- but this was cut short by the coup.

ASEAN has been under international pressure to address unrest that erupted after the putsch, including massive protests; renewed clashes between the military and ethnic rebel armies in border regions; and an economy spiralling into freefall.

The bloc has expressed disappointment at a lack of cooperation from the junta, which continues to crack down brutally on dissent. More than 1,000 civilians have been killed, according to a local monitoring group.

Part of the consensus was to allow a long-delayed visit by a special envoy, Brunei's Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof.

ASEAN has insisted that he meets with all parties concerned, but the junta rejected any proposed meetings with people on trial, among them Suu Kyi, who is facing charges including sedition and flouting coronavirus restrictions during last year's polls.

Member nations had already voiced their disappointment at the path the junta has chosen.

"Malaysia is very disappointed that after six months from April, Minister Erywan has yet to be able to be to go to Myanmar," Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Friday ahead of the meeting.

"If there is no real progress then Malaysia's stance will remain: that we will not want the general to be attending the summit. No compromise on that."

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a tweet after the meeting that her country had proposed that Myanmar "should not be represented at the political level" at the summit until it restores "its democracy through an inclusive process".

ASEAN's key dialogue partners also threw their weight behind the call for the special envoy to meet Suu Kyi.

In a joint statement Friday, the US, Britain, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway and East Timor said they were "deeply concerned about the dire situation in Myanmar", and urged Naypyidaw to "engage constructively" with Erywan.

The junta -- officially known as the State Administration Council -- has promised to hold elections and lift a state of emergency by August 2023.

ASEAN's other members are Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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The fatal stabbing of British lawmaker David Amess was a terrorist incident, police said Saturday, as MPs pressed for tougher security in the wake of the second killing of a UK politician while meeting constituents in just over five years.

Veteran Conservative MP David Amess, 69, was talking with voters at a church in the small town of Leigh-on-Sea east of London when he was stabbed to death on Friday.

Police said they arrested a 25-year-old suspect and were investigating "a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism".

Police have said the investigation is in the "very early stages", though multiple UK media outlets, citing sources, reported that the suspect was believed to be a British national with Somali heritage.

The Sun tabloid reported that the attacker stabbed Amess multiple times in the presence of two women staff, before sitting down and waiting for police to arrive.

Police said they believed the attacker acted alone and carried out searches at two addresses in the London area.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the scene to pay his respects on Saturday, laying floral wreaths outside the church with the leader of the opposition, Labour leader Keir Starmer in a rare show of unity, along with the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle and Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Members of the public also came to lay bouquets next to the police tape surrounding the crime scene.

One bouquet enclosed a handwritten note saying: "RIP Sir David. You did not deserve this."

Britain's politicians were stunned by the highly public attack, which recalled the murder of a pro-EU lawmaker ahead of the Brexit referendum.

In June 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by a far-right extremist, prompting demands for action against what lawmakers said was "a rising tide" of public abuse and threats against elected representatives.

Home Secretary Patel on Friday ordered police across the country to review security arrangements for all 650 MPs.

At the same time the interior minister insisted the attack would not stop MPs from holding face-to-face meetings with residents in the areas they represent.

"We will carry on... We live in an open society, a democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual," she told Sky News after the wreath-laying.

House of Commons Speaker Hoyle promised no "knee-jerk reactions" but told Sky News: "We will take further measures if we need to".

Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP who tried to save a stabbed police officer during a 2017 terror attack near the Houses of Parliament, on Twitter urged "a temporary pause in face to face meetings" until the security review is complete.

Increasing threats

MPs and their staff have been attacked before, although it is rare.

But their safety was thrown into sharp focus by Brexit, which stoked deep political divisions and has led to often angry, partisan rhetoric.

Cox's killer repeatedly shouted "Britain first" before shooting and stabbing the 41-year-old MP outside her constituency meeting near Leeds, northern England.

A specialist police unit set up to investigate threats against MPs in the aftermath said 678 crimes against lawmakers were reported between 2016 and 2020.

Most (582) were for malicious communications, although other crimes included harassment (46), terrorism (nine), threats (seven), and common assault (three).

Separate figures indicated a sharp rise in reports since 2018, including three threats to kill.

Amess himself wrote about public harassment and online abuse in his book "Ayes & Ears: A Survivor's Guide to Westminster", published last year.

"These increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians," he said.

MPs have had to install security cameras and only meet constituents by appointment, he added.

MPs' staff have also spoken of bearing the brunt of abuse.

"I would get in and all I would do is go on Facebook and report death threats and delete them," said Jade Botterill, who worked for senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper from 2013 to 2019.

"I reckon I reported over 1,000 death threats," she said, adding it caused her sleepless nights and fears she would be attacked.

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Afghanistan's Shia minority buried their dead for the second Saturday in a row after another suicide bomb attack on a mosque claimed by the Islamic State group.

Religious authorities in the southern city of Kandahar told AFP the toll from Friday's assault had reached 60, as hundreds of diggers opened row after row of graves in the dusty soil.

The latest massacre came just a week after another IS-claimed attack on Shia worshippers at a mosque in the northern city of Kunduz that killed more than 60 people.

In a statement released on its Telegram channels, the jihadist group said two Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) suicide bombers carried out separate attacks on different parts of the mosque in Kandahar -- the spiritual heartland of the Taliban -- while worshippers prayed inside.

The group, bitter rivals of fellow Sunni Islamist movement the Taliban, who swept back to power in Afghanistan in August as the United States and its allies withdrew, regards Shia Muslims as heretics.

UK-based conflict analysis firm ExTrac said Friday's assault was the first by IS-K in Kandahar, and the fourth mass casualty massacre since the Taliban took Kabul.

Researcher Abdul Sayed told AFP the attack "challenged the Taliban claims of holding control on the country. If the Taliban can't protect Kandahar from an IS-K attack, how could it protect the rest of the country?"

The killings triggered international condemnation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the "despicable attack" and demanded those using violence to restrict Afghans' religious freedom be brought to justice.

At the gravesides, mourner Gul Ahmad told AFP of his grief over his brother's slaying: "He had two little children. He had a home to live in. He had everything. The pain of the loss cannot be described with words."

The all-male crowd brought body after body, shrouded in white sheets, as a dust storm was whipped up by the constant digging.

"The world will remember this. The Islamic world will remember this barbarism, specifically the dignified people of Afghanistan," warned another mourner, Muhammad Agha.

Inside the mosque, after the blast, the walls were pockmarked by shrapnel and volunteers swept up debris in the ornately painted prayer hall. Rubble lay in an entrance corridor.

In the wake of the explosions, Kandahar police chief Maulvi Mehmood said security for the mosque had been provided by guards from the Shia community but that following the "brutal attack" the Taliban would take charge of its protection.

Many worshippers

Witnesses spoke of gunfire alongside the explosions, and a security guard assigned to protect the mosque said three of his comrades had been shot as the bombers fought their way in.

Sayed Rohullah told AFP: "It was the Friday prayer time, and when we were preparing I heard shots. Two people had entered the mosque.

"They had opened fire on the guards and in response the guards had also opened fire on them. One of them committed a suicide blast inside the mosque."

Other bombs were detonated in crowded areas outside the main building, he and other witnesses said.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington condemned the attack and reiterated a call for the "Taliban to live up to the commitment it has made to counterterrorism, and specifically to taking on the shared threat we face from ISIS-K".

"We are determined to see to it that no group... can ever again use Afghan soil as a launching pad for attacks on the United States or other countries."

The Taliban, who seized control of Afghanistan after overthrowing the US-backed government, have their own history of persecuting Shiites.

But the new Taliban-led administration has vowed to stabilise the country, and in the wake of the Kunduz attack promised to protect the Shia minority now living under its rule.

Shiites are estimated to make up roughly 10 percent of the Afghan population. Many of them are Hazara, an ethnic group that has been persecuted in Afghanistan for decades.

In October 2017, an IS suicide attacker struck a Shia mosque in the west of Kabul, killing 56 people and wounding 55.

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A former governor of Iran's central bank was sentenced Saturday to 10 years in jail over the loss of $160 million and 20 million euros in foreign currency trading.

Valiollah Seif, who headed the monetary authority between 2013 and 2018, is the first Iranian central bank governor ever to be indicted.

Seif, 69, remains free pending an appeal.

The judiciary's website said he had repeatedly broken the law along with his deputy, Ahmad Araghchi, who was handed an eight-year jail term.

A third senior figure at the central bank, Rassoul Sajad, received a 13-year sentence for illegal foreign currency trading and taking bribes.

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Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday vowed continuity in Germany's relations with Turkey that included both cooperation and criticism of Ankara as she paid her final visit to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Merkel and Erdogan developed complex but close relations over the German chancellor's 16-year term that navigated the perils of Turkey's tumultuous ties with the West.

Their personal bond was instrumental in helping Europe manage a refugee crisis in 2016 and calm simmering tensions in the east Mediterranean last year.

Merkel also helped iron out some of the difficulties that have crept into Erdogan's relations with Washington and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The two leaders had lunch and private talks in a presidential villa overlooking the Bosphorus on the latest leg of Merkel's parting foreign tour.

"I have always said that our collaboration was very good in the years that I worked with Mr Erdogan," Merkel told reporters after the talks.

"I criticised Turkey on the issue of human rights and individual freedoms. We looked for solutions. We could have differences, but we depended on each other," she said.

The 67-year-old German leader said her "advice" to Turkey today was to expect "the same thing for the coming government in Germany.

"The relationship between Turkey and Germany, with its negative and positive sides, will go on. It will be recognised by the next government," she said.

'Dear friend'

Erdogan referred to Merkel as his "dear friend" twice during the closing media event.

But he also hinted at the difficulties Turkey might have in promoting its interests after Merkel formally gives way to a new coalition government taking shape in Berlin following elections last month.

"If there had been no coalition government, (Germany's) relations with Turkey might have been easier. Of course, it is not easy to work with a coalition government," Erdogan said.

Erdogan headed Turkey as prime minister when Merkel became the first woman to head Germany in 2005.

The two have since shared a long list of differences and numerous testy exchanges on issues ranging from Turkey's crackdown on human rights to its military campaigns in Syria and Libya.

But Germany also played a central role in defusing a crisis in the east Mediterranean last year that erupted when Turkey began searching for natural gas in disputed waters claimed by Cyprus and Greece.

Analysts say Merkel was more sympathetic to Erdogan's position because of the presence of an estimated three million ethnic Turks in Germany.

She has also been sensitive to Erdogan's threats to let an estimated five million migrants and refugees temporarily living in Turkey under a 2016 deal with the EU to leave for Europe unless Ankara's interests are respected by Brussels.

"Their relations were very difficult in many respects but they managed to establish and maintain working cooperation," analyst Gunter Seufert of the German Institute for Security and International Affairs told AFP.

Seufert predicted that the new German government will be more "sceptical" about extending the terms of the Turkey-EU agreement on migrants or continuing arms sales to Ankara -- particularly submarines.

"With the new chancellor, no matter who they will be... it will be more difficult to coordinate the European policy with Turkey to the level and degree Angela Merkel did."

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Al-Ahram Establishment will launch on Saturday the second edition of its annual pharmaceutical conference.

The two-day gathering will discuss localizing the drug industry in Egypt and providing practical solutions to its problems.





Abdel-Mohsen Salama, the chairman of Al-Ahrams board of directors said Friday, the establishment is keen on organizing its annual pharmaceutical conference, praising the efforts exerted in the pre-conference preparatory work, including the scale of extensive discussions in its sessions, together with the effective participation in terms of numbers and quality of attendees.



Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, governors and representatives of pharmaceutical companies will attend the conference, among others.

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Egypt has a long list of achievements throughout its three-year presidency of the 14th Conference of the Parties of the UN Biodiversity Conference.

Egypt has succeeded in meeting the challenges imposed by global changes, such as the Covid-19 outbreak, during its three-year presidency of the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 14) of the UN Biodiversity Conference (UNBC), Yasmine Fouad, the minister of environment, said.

The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) will be held in Kunming, China, in two phases. Phase one is taking place virtually, from 11 to 15 October. Phase two will be an in-person meeting in Kunming, from 25 April to 8 May 2022.

The announcement was made during a press conference the Ministry of Environment held to announce that Egypt has delivered the presidency of the conference to China. Egypt is the longest serving president in the history of the COP.

The presser was attended by Hamdullah Zidan, Fouads advisor on biodiversity, and local and global media outlets.

During Egypts presidency of COP 14, it held 60 meetings to announce achievements made on the domestic and international levels, she said, adding that the country has managed to prioritise African causes on the world agenda.

On the international level, Fouad explained, Egypt established the electronic platform From Sharm El-Sheikh to Kunming for Nature and People in coordination with the UNBC and the UN Environment Programme. The online platform was meant to enhance commitments and contributions to biodiversity conservation. It also drafted the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, the 2050 vision, and prepared the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

Egypt also joined the Metz Charter on Biodiversity, which the country believes plays an important role in preserving biological diversity. The initiative aims at promoting a coherent implementation of the three Rio conventions on climate, desertification, and biological diversity. Moreover, in 2019, the Global Environment Facility allocated $865 million to support projects and programmes that enhance compatibility and synergy between the three Rio conventions.

Fouad pointed to COP 14 achievements on the African level, including the development of the African Action Plan on Restoring Degraded Ecosystems and Lands, which aims to preserve African lands and ecosystems, mitigate the effects of land and ecosystem degradation, reduce biodiversity loss, and combat land degradation and desertification.

During Egypts COP 14 presidency, the 17th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-17) was held in South Africa in 2019. The conference saw an African commitment to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and the creation of the African Group of Negotiators on Biodiversity.

On the local level, Fouad said, Egypt supported the establishment and operation of an efficient and sustainable system for its natural reserves. The first project was launched two months ago in the Petrified Forest reserve where a Bedouin tent was erected for the people of Sinai to talk about their customs and traditions and serve authentic drinks and meals.

Egypts Ras Mohamed and Wadi Al-Hitan natural protectorates are on the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the minister stated.

Egypt has been supporting the transformation to a green economy in nature reserves and is committed, via the 2019 constitution, to protect seas, beaches, lakes, waterways, and natural protectorates, she added.

In addition, throughout its three-year presidency of the COP 14, Egypt held workshops in cooperation with the ministries of petroleum and mineral resources, electricity, agriculture, health, the General Authority for Fisheries Development, and other bodies to introduce biodiversity and the importance of its integration into the economic sectors.

The government has also worked with a number of international companies operating in the petroleum sector in Egypt to prepare a guideline and identify mechanisms for integrating biological diversity in the petroleum and mining sector to the tune of LE7 billion.

In addition to raising public awareness about biodiversity, Egypts ministries of environment and higher education drafted a cooperation protocol to implement the goals of the three Rio conventions and instruct the preparation of masters theses on environmental sustainability and the management of natural resources, Fouad said.

Furthermore, Egypt organised workshops for parliamentary members and heads of public and private universities on global environmental issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification, and chemical pollution, and the role of universities in addressing these challenges on the domestic level.

It also opened channels of communication with the media to promote the integration of various groups of society in the conservation processes and to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity among groups of women, youth, the private sector, and stakeholders.

Biological diversity is the cornerstone of sustaining life on the planet. Biodiversity, by nature, is renewable, unless man interferes in its composition to achieve short-term interests, Zidan said.

Mans prosperity depends on conserving what we have, regaining what we have lost and preventing further deterioration, he noted.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Egypt is well on the way towards becoming an electrical and energy hub for the wider Mediterranean region.

The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and the Saudi Electricity Company signed contracts last week for the implementation of an electrical interconnection project between the two countries.

The project is scheduled to start operations by 2024 and has a total capacity of 3,000 Megawatts (MW), with surplus electrical power to be exchanged between the two countries during peak times, which are different for each.

Peak electricity consumption in Egypt is at night but is during the day in Saudi Arabia.

The electrical interconnection project will link the national grids of the two countries from Badr City in Egypt to Medina and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia via a transmission line stretching over 1,300 km and marine cables in the Gulf of Aqaba to a length of 22 km.

The first phase of the project is expected to be operational in late 2024 with a capacity of 1,500 MW. It is scheduled to be operational within about 36 months of the signing and to be completed after 52 months at a total cost of $1.8 billion.

The project consists of three high-voltage substations, East Medina Station and Tabuk Station in Saudi Arabia and Badr Station in eastern Cairo, Sabah Mashali, managing director of the EETC, said. The stations are connected by overhead transmission lines to a length of about 1,350 metres and marine cables in the Gulf of Aqaba to a length of 22 km.

The project, when operational, will achieve a number of benefits for the two countries, including enhancing the reliability of the national electrical grids, supporting their stability, and benefiting from the excess capacity of electricity generation available in the two countries, as well as timing differences in their peak electrical loads, Mashali pointed out.

The line between Egypt and Saudi Arabia provides the possibility of selling energy to the Gulf countries in the future. The two countries signed an initial memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project in June 2013.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia have the largest electricity generation networks in the Arab world, with a total capacity of 150,000 MW representing 38 per cent of the total capacity of all the Arab countries.

Mashali said that the signing of the contracts for the project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia represents a strong link between the two largest electricity networks in the region and will reflect the stability and increase the reliability of electrical supply between the two countries, in addition to the other economic and developmental returns.

Mohamed Shaker, Egypts minister of electricity and renewable energy, stressed the importance of electrical interconnections with neighbouring countries, referring to the existing links with Jordan, Libya and Sudan.

He added that the government has allocated about LE77 billion to the electricity sector until 2024, saying that Egypt is looking to increase its links with other Arab, African and European countries. He said that Egypts vision is to turn the country into a regional hub for electricity connections with other countries regionally and internationally.

Shaker said that Egypt is an active participant in regional electricity network projects, especially with neighbouring countries, and that Cairo has signed a cooperative agreement with the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO) covering a number of fields, mainly electrical interconnections.

Egypts power link with Jordan has a capacity of 450 MW, and its link with Libya is 200 MW. Shaker confirmed that there are plans to raise the capacity of the link with Libya to approximately 2,000 or 3,000 MW, adding that the existing line between Egypt and Libya currently has a total capacity of 240 MW.

In April, the EETC turned on the electrical current in the interconnection line with Sudan to a capacity of 70 MW in the first phase out of a total of 300 MW to be reached in the future. The cost of the first phase is $6.8 million.

Work is currently underway to increase the transferred capacity between the two countries, Egypt and Sudan, from the current capacity of 80 MW to 300 MW. The completion of the final steps of projects linking Egypt with Saudi Arabia, in addition to with Cyprus and Greece, are also near, such that Egypt becomes a regional hub for energy exchange with Europe and the Arab and African countries.

Shaker announced that an electrical interconnection project between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece will be signed during the next few days, with Egypt planning to export up to 3,000 MW of electricity to Cyprus and Greece.

Egypt signed in May 2019 a MoU on electrical interconnection between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece via the island of Crete.

Egypts electricity sector has been diversifying its sources in recent years, with a special interest in renewable energies through ambitious plans to increase the latters proportion of the energy mix to 20 per cent by 2022 and 42 per cent by 2035.

Egypts Dabaa Nuclear power plant is expected to start operations in 2026 with a total capacity of 4,800 MW.

The countrys electricity grid had a total capacity of about 59,063 MW at the end of 2020, compared to approximately 35,000 MW in 2015. Until 2014,

Egypt experienced frequent power cuts that began to end in 2015 when several new power stations started operations and some existing ones were upgraded.

The Egyptian Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency announced earlier that peak electricity consumption in Egypt had reached a record high of about 32,000 MW nationwide in the summer months.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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The former student accused of the February 14, 2018 shooting rampage at a school in Parkland, Florida, will plead guilty to murdering 17 people, his lawyer told a court Friday.

Nikolas Cruz, who was 19 at the time, took a legally purchased AR-15 assault rifle into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, his former school, killing 17 students and staff members.

Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz walks to the podium to enter his guilty plea, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. [Photo: Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool]

The Valentine's Day attack was the worst school massacre in the United States since the horror at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012, which left 26 dead.

Now 23, Cruz was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for those he wounded in the attack.

"It is our intent to enter a change of plea as to both cases, to all charges," Cruz's attorney David Wheeler told a judge, indicating that Cruz would drop his initial innocent plea both for the murders and for physically attacking a jail officer after his arrest.

The shooting stunned the country and sparked new efforts, led by students from the school itself, for tougher gun controls -- although the polarized US Congress has yet to enact meaningful gun reform.

- Fixated by firearms -

Cruz bought the weapon legally, despite having been in local records as having a history of mental health problems.

Expelled from school for disciplinary reasons, Cruz was known to be fixated by firearms -- and had reportedly been identified as a potential threat to his classmates.

The FBI confirmed it was alerted several months earlier to a message posted on YouTube, in which a user named Nikolas Cruz vowed: "I'm going to be a professional school shooter."

On the day of the attack he arrived at the school in an Uber, quickly entered and began shooting, and left the scene nine minutes later, leaving behind a scene of carnage.

Footage recovered from his phone showed he had filmed his plans to attack his former school, saying his goal was to kill "at least 20 people."

He told a detective after his arrest he heard demons ordering him to "buy weapons, kill animals and destroy everything."

- Death penalty issue -

When he was arraigned on March 13, 2018, a "not guilty" plea was entered for Cruz as prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.

At the time his lawyers let it be known that he would offer a guilty plea if the death penalty was taken off the table.

It was not clear Friday if any such deal had been reached.

In reaction to the news, Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed in the attack, called on people to "remember the victims."

"Remember Jaime," he wrote on Twitter.

- Mentally competent -

Cruz appeared in a second court session Friday to enter his plea on the jail officer assault charges after state attorneys assured the Broward County circuit judge Elizabeth Scherer that he had been determined mentally competent.

Cruz appeared slight with short hair and wearing a Covid mask, and wore a blue pullover covering a white button-down shirt, tucked into khaki slacks.

"I'm alright," he said when Scherer asked how he was feeling.

"I don't believe I have any issues," he said to a question about his mental health.

Asked if he understood the four charges related to the assault, he answered yes, and confirmed he was pleading guilty to each.

Scherer said the assault charges could bring a minimum of 14 months and maximum of 26 years in prison if served consecutively, though noting he would get credit for the more than three years already spent in detention.

The court set a formal plea hearing on the murder charges for October 20.

After that the court would begin choosing jurors to debate the penalty, which could focus on the choice between execution or life in prison.
The Biden administration said Friday it will turn next to the U.S. Supreme Court in another attempt to halt a Texas law that has banned most abortions since September.

In this Oct. 2, 2021 file photo people participate in the Houston Women's March against Texas abortion ban walk from Discovery Green to City Hall in Houston. [File photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP]

The move comes as the Texas clinics are running out of avenues to stop the GOP-engineered law that bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, which is usually around six weeks. It amounts to the nation's biggest curb to abortion in nearly 50 years and makes no exception for cases of rape or incest.

By going to the Supreme Court, the Justice Department is taking the route that clinics have sought as other legal challenges have failed. In the meantime, Texas women have turned to abortion clinics in neighboring states, some driving hours through the middle of the night and including patients as young as 12 years old.

People are scared, confused, and other than very early abortion, have nowhere to turn to access safe, legal abortion unless they are able to travel hundreds of miles to another state," said Jeffrey Hons, president of Planned Parenthood South Texas, whose clinics have stopped offering all abortion services since the law took effect Sept. 1.

The latest defeat for clinics came Thursday night when a federal appeals panel in New Orleans, in a 2-1 decision, allowed the restrictions to remain in place for a third time in the last several weeks alone. Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said the federal government will now ask the Supreme Court to reverse that decision but did not say how quickly.

The court already once allowed the restrictions to take effect, but did so without ruling on the law's constitutionality.

The Texas Attorney General's Office called Thursday night's decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals a testament that we are on the right side of the law and life."

A 1992 decision by the Supreme Court prevented states from banning abortion before viability, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, around 24 weeks of pregnancy. But Texas law has outmaneuvered courts so far because it offloads enforcement to private citizens. Anyone who brings a successful lawsuit against an abortion provider for violating the law is entitled to claim at least $10,000 in damages, which the Biden administration says amounts to a bounty.

Only once has a court moved to put the restrictions on hold  and that order stood for just 48 hours.

During that brief window, some Texas clinics rushed to perform abortions on patients past six weeks, but many more appointments were canceled after the 5th Circuit moved to swiftly reinstate the restrictions last week.

Texas had roughly two dozen abortion clinics before the law took effect, and operators have said some may be forced to close if the restrictions stay in place for much longer.

Texas Right to Life, the state's largest anti-abortion group, set up a tip line to receive allegations against abortion providers but has not filed any lawsuits. Kimberlyn Schwartz, a spokeswoman, said Thursday the group expected the Biden administration to go to the Supreme Court next and was confident Texas will ultimately defeat these attacks on our life-saving efforts.

Already the stakes are high in the coming months over the future of abortion rights in the U.S. In December, the new conservative majority on the Supreme Court will hear Mississippis bid to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that guarantees a womans right to an abortion.

On Wednesday, 18 state attorneys generals from mostly GOP-controlled states threw new support behind the Texas law, urging the court to let the restrictions stand while accusing the federal government of overstepping in bringing the challenge in the first place. Last month, more than 20 other states, mostly run by Democrats, had urged the lower court to throw out the law.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has called the law clearly unconstitutional and warned that it could become a model elsewhere in the country unless its struck down.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 16, 2021 - 20:22 | All, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday visited Japan's northeastern region for the first time since taking office to check on the progress of reconstruction in areas devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Kishida, who became prime minister earlier this month, offered flowers and prayed at a tsunami memorial park in the coastal city of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, the first stop on his visit to the region to also hold discussions with local people.

In the nearby city of Ofunato, he spoke with people in the fisheries sector, saying, "I would like to take back the opinions and incorporate them in my economic policy."

After visiting Miyagi Prefecture in the afternoon, he is scheduled to travel to Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday and inspect the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which suffered multiple meltdowns triggered by the magnitude-9.0 quake and subsequent tsunami.

Kishida became prime minister on Oct. 4, days after he won the leadership election of the Liberal Democratic Party. He dissolved the House of Representatives on Thursday for a general election on Oct. 31, seeking a public mandate for his new government.

In its campaign platform, the ruling party said it will speed up efforts to rebuild the northeastern region.

"Without reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, there will be no revival of Japan," Kishida said of the March 2011 disaster in his first policy speech in parliament last week.

"In keeping with my strong feelings on this, we will work exhaustively to realize assistance for victims of the disaster, the rebuilding of industries and livelihoods, and the reconstruction and revival of Fukushima."

Kishida has set a lower house majority of 233 seats for the LDP and its ruling coalition partner Komeito as a minimum target for the election. The two parties held 305 seats in the lower chamber before it was dissolved.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 16, 2021 - 12:11 | All, World

The United States said Friday it will send a delegation made up of officials from the State Department and its international development and other agencies to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia next week as part of efforts to address the crisis in Myanmar triggered by a military coup in February.

The delegation led by State Department Counselor Derek Chollet, who serves as a policy adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, will also make a stop in Japan on its way home to discuss Myanmar and challenges related to the Indo-Pacific, senior State Department officials said, adding that the details are yet to be decided.

During the trip to Southeast Asia, which will take place from Sunday to next Friday, the officials will seek to expand cooperation with U.S. allies and partners as well as to reinforce the role that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plays in regional stability, the State Department said in a press release.

On the situation in Myanmar, they will reiterate the U.S. commitment to the people there and underscore that the international community, including neighboring countries, has an "urgent responsibility" to pressure the military regime to cease violence, release political prisoners and restore Myanmar to the path of democracy, it said.

In Thailand, Chollet and the team will also discuss cooperation on cross-border humanitarian aid for Myanmar.

The delegation's planned trip comes as ASEAN foreign ministers are making final arrangements not to invite Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup that ousted Myanmar's elected government under civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to the regional group's summit meeting later this month.

The decision to exclude Myanmar's military leader marks a historic shift for 10-member ASEAN from its principle of noninterference in the domestic affairs of member countries.

One of the senior State Department officials said Friday it "seems perfectly appropriate and, in fact, completely justified" for ASEAN to downgrade Myanmar's participation in upcoming meetings as the military junta "has so far been completely unwilling to productively engage with ASEAN to respond to the crisis."

"And so we are supporting all efforts to promote a just and peaceful resolution to the crisis, the restoration of democratic institutions, and we fully respect ASEAN's decisions there," the official said.

Related coverage:

ASEAN arranges to exclude Myanmar military leader from summit

Myanmar rejects ASEAN envoy's meeting with "specific individuals"

ASEAN mulls downgrading Myanmar representation at summit




KYODO NEWS - Oct 16, 2021 - 23:42 | World

ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to invite a nonpolitical representative from Myanmar to the regional group's summit later this month, said Brunei, this year's chair, on Saturday, effectively excluding Myanmar's military leader.

The ministers of ASEAN, which has a principle of noninterference in fellow members' politics, made the unprecedented decision at an emergency online meeting Friday, amid a lack of cooperation from the junta, especially its failure to accept a visit by a special ASEAN envoy on Myanmar.

The junta of Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who led a coup in February that ousted the elected government under civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has rejected the special envoy's request to meet with Suu Kyi and some other opposition leaders.

Related coverage:

ASEAN arranges to exclude Myanmar military leader from summit

Myanmar rejects ASEAN envoy's meeting with "specific individuals"

ASEAN mulls downgrading Myanmar representation at summit

The special envoy of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations is supposed to mediate dialogue between all sides in Myanmar's political turmoil as part of his mandate.

Brunei said in a statement issued Saturday that while the ministers during the meeting stressed the special envoy's access to all parties concerned in Myanmar's turmoil, they listened to the military government's claim that the special envoy "should avoid engagement with parties currently undergoing legal proceedings."

The parties include Suu Kyi and ousted President Win Myint as well as organizations deemed illegal by the junta, including National Unity Government, an organization set up in opposition to the coup claiming to be Myanmar's legitimate government, and People's Defense Forces, the group's armed wing, according to the statement.

The chair also said that both the military government and the NUG insisted on attending the virtual summit scheduled for Oct. 26 to 28.

"Following extensive discussions, there was no consensus reached for a political representative from Myanmar to attend" the summit, it said, explaining why the ministers decided to invite a nonpolitical representative from the country, which appeared to mean a high-ranking official of the Foreign Ministry under the junta.

The decision of inviting a nonpolitical representative also applies to the East Asia Summit, an ASEAN-related meeting which involves countries including Japan, the United States, South Korea and China, and is scheduled around the same period as the ASEAN summit, according to the statement.

In response, the Foreign Ministry under the junta said in a statement, "Myanmar is extremely disappointed and strongly objects to the outcomes of the Emergency Foreign Ministers' Meeting" as the decision on the country's representation was made without consensus.

A spokesman of the military government also said ASEAN decided not to invite Min Aung Hlaing "due to external pressure and some other factors," on a radio and internet program of the BBC Burmese service.

Zaw Min Tun, the spokesman, referred to the special envoy's meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Myanmar earlier this week, claiming the decision undermined ASEAN's principle of noninterference in the domestic affairs of member states.

Among the ASEAN member countries, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a Twitter post that Myanmar should not send a political representative to ASEAN-related summits until the country restores its democracy through an inclusive process.

"I underlined that there is no significant progress on the implementation of the five points of consensus," the Indonesian minister said, regarding the consensus on Myanmar made by ASEAN in April, which called for an immediate stop to violence, dialogue among all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution and the special envoy's mediation of the dialogue.

Although Brunei said in the statement that the ministers agreed on the invitation while they reaffirmed the principle of noninterference, it is seen that the decision marks a historic shift for ASEAN from the principle.

Brunei's second foreign minister, Erywan Yusof, was appointed as the special envoy in August but his planned visit earlier this week was not approved by the junta.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
New Delhi:

Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Friday  the last day of her second leg of campaigning in politically-crucial state.

The party has planned a 50-km road show in Faizabad-Ayodhya on Friday, during which she is expected to address two meetings. She will stop at over 30 other points during the road show, interacting with people, according to the schedule worked out so far.

According to reports, the party had initially planned a train journey for Priyanka, from Delhi to Ayodhya and then travelling to Amethi via Sultanpur by road.

However, the plan was later changed. Priyanka first flew to Lucknow on Wednesday from where she took a road trip to Amethi and met party workers in her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhis parliamentary constituency.

On Thursday, she campaigned for her mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in the latters parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli.

According to sources quoted by News 18, Priyanka on Friday will also a pay visit to the Hanumangarhi and the Birla Mandir in the temple town, after which she will lead the roadshow from Tedhi Bazaar, through the Ranapoli-Avadhpuri colony, Beniganj, Sahabganj police station, Sahabganj Ram Janki temple -- all the way to Redganj -- where she will address a Nukkad Sabha organised by transwoman Gulshan Bindu, who recently joined the Congress.

Taking a swipe at Priyankas scheduled visit to Ayodhya, Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani said that the party that refused to believe in the existence of Lord Ram has now turned into an outfit of Ram followers.

"The Congress party which presented documents in the court saying there is no existence of Lord Ram... The leader of that very party Priyanka Gandhi is moving about as a 'Ram bhakt'," she said.

The Union Textiles Minister was apparently referring to the UPA government in 2007 withdrawing from the apex court an affidavit filed by the ASI claiming there was no historical or scientific evidence to establish existence of Lord Ram and Rama Setu as a man-made bridge.

From March 18 to 20, she undertook a 140-km-long boat ride from Prayagraj to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi, interacting with people along the way and visiting prominent places of worship.

The Congress won only two seats out of UP's 80 in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and now faces both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance.

With Priyanka's entry into active politics and Rahul Gandhi giving her the charge of 42 constituencies in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Congress hopes to regain its lost ground in the politically crucial state.

However, the BJP believes that Priyanka's presence will not have any impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Priyanka on Wednesday said that she will surely contest the Lok Sabha polls if the party wants her to. She, however, said no decision on the same has been taken as of now. Earlier, speculations were rife that Priyanka may contest from Rae Bareli -- the parliamentary constituency of her mother.

However, the rumours were laid to rest after the Congress' first list of candidates featured Sonia Gandhi's name from Rae Bareli.
New Delhi:

A part of aA missile, suspected to be that ofA Brahmos, was found on Wednesday washed ashore at Pudukudiyiruppu inA Ramanathapuram district. The part was retrieved by Marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG). They suspect it might have fallen into the sea from the skies during tests and got washed ashore by waves. The 'Q' BranchA Police, said the 12-foot part weighed 800 kg and had the logo of Brahmos on it. The engine had the date of October 24, 2016, implying the date of manufacture of the engine.

Marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) retrieved a part of BrahMos missile that washed ashore on Panaikulam seashore in Ramanathapuram district yesterday. The local fishermen had noticed the cylindrical object and had alerted the authorities, reports ANI. pic.twitter.com/CcBgoEfhVu a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) March 28, 2019

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)A is likely to send a team to examine the engine. The recovered engine was kept at the shore and police picketing has been posted at the site, Marine police said.

The local Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) examined the aenginea with sniffer dog and opined that it posed no danger. Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena, quoting BDDS personnel, said there was no suspicion about explosives in the cylindrical object, according to The Hindu report.

The BrahMos has been developed as a joint venture between theA Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) of India and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia asA BrahMos Aerospacevia an inter-government agreement.

BrahMos was first test-fired on 12 June 2001 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in a vertical launch configuration. On 14 June 2004, another test was conducted at ITR and BrahMos was fired from a mobile launcher. The vertical launch of BrahMos was conducted on 18 December 2008 fromA INS Ranvir.A The BrahMos I Block-I for the army was successfully tested with new capabilities in the deserts of Rajasthan, at a test range near Pokharan in December 2004 and March 2007.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The jackfruit tree found in most parts of India is one among the staple foods eaten both as a dish and a fruit. This largest tree-borne fruit suited for the low tropical lowlands with its spikes can sometimes be mistaken as the worldas smelliest fruit, durian. A recent article published by the Guardian aJackfruit is a vegan sensation a could I make it taste delicious at home?a described the jackfruit as aajust a spectacularly ugly, smelly, unfarmed, unharvested pest-plant native to Indiaaa and this description has not gone down well for the people of Kerala.

While it is unclear if the daily mistook jackfruit for a durian, the description of the jackfruit has ignited a hot, Twitter debate lashing out on the daily not just from Keralites themselves but from other jackfruit-eating neighbour states.

Lashing out on the daily for its so-called aignorancea, one user wrote, it has been relished as fruit, jam, chips, as part of curries/thorans, for generations in Kerala. There are entire food festivals held just around this fruit, for God's sake! Ignorance should be no excuse for casual racism, it reeks more than jackfruit. or durian (heard of that?)aa. While people from other parts of the country who relish jackfruit also jumped in for support of the fruit. One user wrote, i'm from the north of india and jackfruit is quite popular there: as a fruit (yummyyy), as a vegetable, even as street food. clearly these people @guardian need to hire people who have at least heard of researchingaa.

Check out some the tweets here:

If you liked the Guardian jackfruit piece we cannot be friends. Ever. a Ranjani M (@poyetries) March 29, 2019

@jackfruit the ubiquitous 'chakka'. I remember in Kerala , starting summer this vegetable /fruit found its way into every dish that you had to run mile to avoid getting it in your plate .Every part was food, unripe ripe, pericarp, seed ,pulp, chammini... a sarath chandran (@pockyarsarat) March 28, 2019

I mean, I just tried some delicious jackfruit biryani in Kolkata but is it really food until White vegans have eaten it? a Srilata Sircar (@SircarSrilata) March 28, 2019

I'm also particularly annoyed coz I had to return from Chennai just as the jackfruit season was starting and got to eat very little of the delicious aromatic fruit that was selling everywhere Y a Niranjana Ramesh (@niranjwrite) March 28, 2019

So maybe donat be that cynical about a vegetable/fruit/main meal that has existed years in other cultures @zoesqwilliams and @guardian. Maybe update the article? It helps to represent food valued in other cultures better. Also, aduriana is smelly not jackfruit. a Shashika Bandara (@shashikaLB) March 28, 2019

Left to rot, smelly, spectacularly ugly, unharvested? This is inaccurate and we know since this is a staple in our cuisine/s, @guardian. Food racism much? https://t.co/cM9FXvzAYo a Dilini Algama (@dilinialgama) March 28, 2019

For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Food News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) in Bihar on Friday announced the seats to be contested by each of the alliance partners -- the RJD, Congress, RLSP, HAM and VIP -- in phases three to seven of the general elections. Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, polling would be held in 31 constituencies in phases three to seven between April 23 and May 19.

Announcing the seat-sharing arrangement at a press conference here, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also declared the name of his party's candidates and said that no nominee would be fielded by the alliance in Ara to help the CPI(ML) Liberation. He said the candidate for Sheohar seat "will be decided in two-three days".

Senior leaders of the Congress were conspicuous by their absence at the press conference. Yadav also said his party would contest the Darbhanga seat, which has emerged as a bone of contention between the RJD and the Congress with the latter insisting on having the seat as it wanted to field sitting MP Kirti Azad, who had recently joined the party after quitting the BJP. Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui would fight from Darbhanga.

Below is the complete list of Mahagathbandhan seats and candidates announced so far

Among the other prominent RJD candidates, Lalu Prasad's eldest daughter Misa Bharti would contest from Pataliputra, which she had lost to her father's former loyalist-turned-BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav in 2014. Chandrika Rai the father of Tej Pratap Yadav's estranged wife Aishwarya, will be fight from Saran.

Tejashwi also claimed that the Congress, which was represented at the press conference by former MLC Narendra Kumar Singh, had cleared the names of some of its candidates which included sitting MP from Supaul Ranjeet Ranjan and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar who would try her luck from Sasaram. Meira Kumar have been contesting from her Sasaram parliamentary constituency for many years but had lost in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Washington:

Donald Trump's administration announced Tuesday it was speeding up plans to send US astronauts back to the Moon, from 2028 to 2024, calling for a "spark of urgency" to prevail over delays that have plagued NASA's lunar return plans. "It is the stated policy of this administration and the United States of America to return American astronauts to the Moon, within the next five years," Vice President Mike Pence vowed in a speech in Huntsville, Alabama, the "Rocket City" where American launchers have been built since the 1960s.

"Let me be clear, the first woman and the next man on the Moon will both be American astronauts launched by American rockets from American soil," he said, echoing previous declarations by NASA chief Jim Bridenstine that a woman could be the next human to set foot on the Moon.

The first manned Moon flight since the last Apollo mission in 1972 had been scheduled for 2028.

But the program has encountered frustrating delays in the development of a new heavy rocket for the Moon missions, the Space Launch System (SLS), whose first uncrewed flight was recently pushed back beyond 2020.

Within months of taking office, President Trump made clear his desire to reinvigorate the American space agency, which had been somewhat adrift since the 2011 end of its shuttle program.

In 2017, Trump set a goal of returning to the Moon as a first step before moving on to human exploration of Mars.

NASA then adopted a schedule of launching a manned mission to the Moon in 2028.

"That's just not good enough. We're better than that. It took us eight years to get to the moon, the first time, 50 years ago, when we had never done it before," said Pence, who heads the White House's National Space Council.

"It shouldn't take us 11 years to get back."

In his speech, Pence criticized the "bureaucratic inertia" and "paralysis by analysis" that he said had resulted in the SLS delays, and called for a "new mindset" at the space agency.

Included in that criticism, though unnamed, was Boeing, who is building the SLS rocket that was scheduled to launch for its first flight in 2020, until NASA recently announced it would not be ready in time.

"Urgency must be our watchword," said Pence. "Failure to achieve our goal to return an American astronaut to the Moon in the next five years is not an option." He said the US was engaged in a present-day "space race" under Trump, this time against China, just as the country was in the 1960s under President John F. Kennedy against the Soviet Union.

Pence threatened to use commercial launch systems or to look to other partners if NASA is not ready in time.

"To be clear, we're not committed to anyone's contract. If our current contractors can't meet this objective, then we will find ones that will," Pence said.

"If commercial rockets are the only way to get American astronauts to the Moon in the next five years, then commercial rockets it will be," he said.

He didn't mention SpaceX or other companies by name, but the allusion was clear, as SpaceX currently has rockets capable of launching heavy loads into space.

"We got it loud and clear," NASA head Bridenstine responded to the vice president. He assured the gathering that the SLS rocket would be ready in 2020.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Surprise, surprise, the glower, cringe or uncomfortableness on your face when seeing someone eat mucus out of their nose might actually be doing their health some good. Call it unhygienic or a very nasty habit, one scientist adds that consuming the green gunk up your nostrils might be good for us. In case you havent tasted it, it somewhat tastes sweet according to the scientist who credits the sweetness of the mucus to be edible. So, the next time we see our kid plucking the junk of hideousness from their nose and shoving it into their throat, we might want to take a step back before we say stop.

According to the Huffington Post, biochemist Professor Scott Napper, from the University of Saskatchewan concludes that bogeys taste sweet so that people are encouraged to eat the by-product of the human body. Ive got two beautiful daughters and they spend an amazing amount of time with their fingers up their nose, he told CBC. From an evolutionary perspective, we evolved under very dirty conditions and maybe this desire to keep our environment and our behaviours sterile isnt actually working to our advantage.

Dr. Meg Lemon, a US dermatologist specialising in allergies and autoimmune disorders, also added her own theory substantiating to Professor Nappers hypothesis that bogeys are healthy. Talking to the New York Times this month, she said, You should not only pick your nose, you should eat it. Our immune system needs a job, we evolved over millions of years to have our immune systems under constant assault. Now they dont have anything to do.

Well, does that explain the nasty habit of eating bogeys because it is innately made to be eaten? You be the judge!
Berlin:

A new project offers to pay volunteers nearly 13 lakh rupees to lie in bed for 60 days to help scientists study how weightlessness affects the human body, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) said. Effective countermeasures against bone and muscle atrophy must be developed if astronauts are to live for long periods of time in space or on the Moon and Mars. DLR in collaboration with the European Space Agency(ESA) and NASA, has launched the Artificial Gravity Bed Rest Study (AGBRESA).



The study will investigate the use of artificial gravity as a possible means of preventing the negative effects of weightlessness on the human body, DLR said in a statement.



During the three-month study, two thirds of the test participants will be 'rotated' each day while lying in the DLR short-arm centrifuge in the: envihab aerospace medical research facility. "This bed rest study conducted by DLR, NASA and ESA offer space researchers from all over Europe and the USA the opportunity to work together and jointly acquire as much scientific knowledge about human physiology as possible," Dittus said.



The 12 female and 12 male volunteers will spend 60 days in the beds, according to DLR.



They will remain there for 89 days, including the pre-test and recovery phases. All experiments, meals, and leisure pursuits will take place lying down during the bed-rest phase.



The participants will be restricted in their movements, so that the strain on muscles, tendons and the skeletal system is reduced.



The beds are angled downwards towards the head end by six degrees. This will simulate the displacement of bodily fluids experienced by astronauts in a microgravity environment.



"Both effects are similar to what astronauts experience in space," said Leticia Vega, Associate Chief Scientist for International Collaborations for NASA's Human Research Program.



"Although the effects of weightlessness are primarily investigated on the International Space Station, analogues such as :envihab are helpful when studying certain research topics under controlled conditions on Earth. These findings will later be validated on the ISS," Vega said.



"AGBRESA allows us to address the issue of muscular atrophy caused by weightlessness. But other stresses such as cosmic radiation, isolation, spatial restrictions and other issues are on our research agenda as well," said Jennifer Ngo-Anh, team leader in Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA.



Human physiological research in weightlessness or under simulated conditions is not only important for astronauts to be able to maintain their health and performance in space, but also for people on Earth.



Space medicine therefore also encompasses health research for terrestrial applications, in all areas of prevention, diagnostics and treatment.



"In a world first, we will be using the centrifuge to test whether, during a long-term bed-rest study, artificial gravity can be used to prevent or counteract the physiological changes experienced in a weightless environment," said Jens Jordan, Director of the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine.



A large number of experiments will be conducted for this purpose on, among other things, cardiovascular function, balance and muscle strength, accompanied by cognitive tests and invasive examinations such as muscle tissue biopsies, microdialysis, measurement of electrical muscle activity and regular blood sampling.

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Providence:

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a one-year extension of a humanitarian program that allows Liberians to live and work in the US, days before it was set to end. The White House issued a memo from Trump about the program for immigrants who came from the African nation to escape environmental disasters, the Ebola virus and war.

The protected status for thousands of Liberians had been set to expire Sunday, which would have put them at risk for deportation. The Republican president decided last year to end the program, dating to 2007. He said then that it wasn't needed because conditions in Liberia have improved. Trump now says that, "upon further reflection and review," he has decided it's in the foreign policy interest of the United States to extend a "wind-down period" for the program for an additional year.

Their re-integration "into Liberian civil and political life will be a complex task, and an unsuccessful transition could strain United States-Liberian relations and undermine Liberia's post-civil war strides toward democracy and political stability," he wrote in the memo.

Liberians "are surviving a huge storm that would have paralyzed our community, that would have separated families, that would have caused so many problems in our community," Abdullah Kiatamba, executive director of Minnesota-based African Immigrant Services, said.

Minnesota has one of the largest populations of Liberians in the US. Kiatamba, who chaired a national campaign to extend the program for Liberians, called the extension not only a "huge victory" for Liberians, but for all immigrants across the US.

If the program hadn't been extended, Kiatamba said Liberians' driver's licenses could have been revoked in many states and they could have lost income, housing and medical insurance. Since many Liberians are health care workers, patients could have lost their caregivers, he added.

Two civil rights organizations sued in Boston this month on behalf of 15 Liberian immigrants as the deadline drew near. The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Lawyers for Civil Rights argued that the decision to end the program was unconstitutional and based on race, ethnicity and national origin, and would break apart families. The program protects about 4,000 Liberian immigrants, the organizations said.

A coalition of attorneys general filed a brief Monday supporting the Liberian immigrants.

Trump's decision comes hours before a hearing that was set for Thursday afternoon on the civil rights organizations' request for an injunction to stop the government from issuing deportation orders, said Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Clarke said they're now figuring out their next steps, following the one-year reprieve. Clarke called it a "major win" for families and communities affected by the administration's "discriminatory decision."

US Sen. Jack Reed and immigration advocates praised the extension but said Congress should enact a more permanent resolution.

Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, has been leading an effort for years to pass a bill to provide legal status and a pathway to citizenship for qualifying Liberians. Rhode Island has one of the largest populations of Liberians per capita.

"In the long-term, we still need a solution that provides certainty for this population, allowing them to get on a pathway to full citizenship," Reed said in a statement Thursday.

"It is time for Congress to act on legislation that gives Liberians an opportunity to remain here permanently."

Avideh Moussavian, legislative director of the National Immigration Law Center, said the administration's decision is the "right thing to do" but "temporary relief is not enough."

The Philadelphia area has the largest population of Liberian immigrants in the United States, with 13,000, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul with 11,000, New York City-Newark with 7,000, and Washington, DC, with 6,000, according to census data analyzed by the Migration Policy Institute. There are also pockets in Providence, Baltimore, Dallas and Atlanta.

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New Delhi:

India on Thursday expressed disappointment at Pakistans response to New Delhis detailed dossier on Jaish-e-Mohammeds involvement in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack.

India is disappointed at Pakistans response to our detailed dossier on the Jaish-e-Mohammeds complicity in the cross-border terror attack in Pulwama, the presence of its terror camps and leadership in Pakistan, said a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The reaction came after Pakistan said it examined the 22 pin locations shared by India but found no terror camps there and also claimed that it could not establish any links between the 54 people detained by authorities in Islamabad and the Pulwama attack.

Regrettably, Pakistan continues to be in denial and even refuses to acknowledge Pulwama as a terror attack. It has not shared details of credible action, if any, taken by it against terrorists or terrorist organizations based in territories under its control, the MEA said in its statement.

We are hardly surprised, as this identical script was followed by Pakistan in the past, after the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 or in Pathankot in 2016. It is a well-known fact that the UN-designated terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. This was again acknowledged recently to international media by Pakistans Foreign Minister. There's no dearth of sufficient actionable information and evidence in Pakistan itself to take action against them, if there is sincerity and intent to do so it added.

The MEA further said that Islamabad should abide by the commitment it gave in 2004 and should take immediate, credible, irreversible and verifiable actions against terrorists and terror organisations operating from its soil.

Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar's son and brother were among 44 members of the banned militant outfits arrested by authorities in Pakistan," Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said on March 5.

Ministry of Interior Secretary Azam Suleman Khan said Hammad Azhar and Mufti Abdur Rauf were among those arrested on Tuesday. Hammad is the son of Masood Azhar while Rauf is his brother.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said, "Similarly, the 22 pin locations shared by India have been examined. No such camps exist. Pakistan is willing to allow visits, on request, to these locations."

It said that in consistent with its commitment to cooperate, Pakistan on Wednesday shared "preliminary findings" of its investigations with India along with a set of questions.

India handed over the dossier to the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in New Delhi on February 27 with specific details of JeM's complicity in the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel on February 14 and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan.





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New Delhi:

More than a month after Indian Air Force destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammeds terror camps inside Pakistan, Islamabad remains in a state of panic and it is evident by the instructions given by Pakistani military establishment to commanders of terrorist groups.

The Pakistani military has advised terrorists to wear the uniform of the Pakistani army so that they can't be separately identified by Indians, reports DNA.

Hundreds of Fidayeen and their trainers were shifted to a five-star, resort-style camp in a hilltop forest in Balakot after the Pulwama attack, providing Indian forces with a sitting duck target when they carried out an air strike, reportedly killing up to 350 terrorists, sources said.

They said at least 325 terrorists and 25 to 27 trainers were at the camp, the biggest operated by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, which had claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir that killed 40 jawans.

According to the report, the high-profile meeting was held at Nikayal between the terrorists and Pak military. In this meeting, two members from intelligence agency ISI, two from Army, Lashkar terrorists and Ashfaq, the guide who take terrorists to Indian side was present, the report said.

Pakistani agencies believe that Indian satellites are constantly monitoring the terror camps and this is why terror camps are being subsumed inside Pakistani Army camps.

Fighter and other aircraft took off from several air bases in Western and Central commands at about the same time, leaving Pakistani defence officials confused as to where they were heading, the sources said. A small group of aircraft broke away from the swarm and headed to Balakot where "the sleeping terrorists were sitting ducks for the Indian bombing," said one source.

Balakot is some 80 km from the Line of Control near Abbotabad where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in hiding by covert U.S. forces who had also sneaked into Pakistan to carry out the operation, catching the entire Pakistani military unawares.

There has been no official confirmation that Indian Air Force jets carried out the attack, although defence sources have said that Mirage 2000 planes pounded the camp with bombs and levelled it.

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New Delhi :

In a big setback to Congress leader Hardik Patel, the Gujarat High Court has rejected his plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case of 2015 in Mehsana.A As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Hardik Patel won't be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Gujarat government had opposed Patel's plea in the High Court by producing photographic evidence and documents that it claimed established his presence during the incident.

Gujarat High court rejects Congress leader Hardik Patel's plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case of 2015 in Mehsana. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Hardik Patel won't be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction pic.twitter.com/qmiuGwHMa3 a ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2019

Patel had on March 12 joined the Congress and soon after moved a petition in the high court, seeking a stay on his conviction by the Visnagar sessions court in the case on the ground he intends to contest the next month's Lok Sabha elections.

The sessions court had awarded him two-year jail termm in the 2015 case, which is linked to the Patidar quota agitation led by the 25-year-old leader. The government had, during the previous hearing, submitted an affidavit placing on record list of FIRs lodged against the Patidar leader, while opposing his plea.

In July last year, the sessions court at Visnagar in Mehsana district had sentenced Patel to two years of imprisonment for rioting and arson in Visnagar town in 2015 during the Patidar quota stir. Although the high court had granted him bail and suspended his two-year sentence in August last year, his conviction was not stayed by the court at that time.
Washington:

Chinese infrastructure and connectivity projects around the world have an element of "national security" and are less of an economic offer for host countries, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said as Beijing is gearing to host the second Belt and Road Forum. The One Belt One Road OBOR, also called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a multi-billion-dollar project focused on improving connectivity and cooperation among countries in Asia, Africa, China and Europe. Pompeo Thursday told a Washington audience that China poses security threat to the US, its friends and allies.

Theyre moving into the South China Sea is not because they want freedom of navigation. Their efforts to build ports around the world arent because they want to be good shipbuilders and stewards of waterways, but rather they have a state national security element to each and every one of them, Pompeo said in conversation with Rich Lowry at the National Review Institutes 2019 Ideas Summit. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is no different, he asserted.

Weve said this every place weve gone, if you talk to any of our ambassadors or our charges, they will tell you we are happy to compete on a fair, transparent basis under rule of law with the Chinese anywhere in the world. Well win more than our fair share, but well lose some to them too, he said.

But when youre showing up with a non-economic offer, whether thats through state-facilitated, below-market pricing or handing someone something knowing that you can foreclose on their nation shortly, so predatory lending practices, thats not straight and we are working diligently to make sure everyone in the world understands that threat, Pompeo said.

India has been raising concern over the BRIs China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is being built through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The 3,000-km CPEC is aimed at connecting China and Pakistan with rail, road, pipelines and optical fibre cable networks. India too cautioned specially the neighbouring countries about debt traps.

Apprehensions over the huge loans grew after China acquired Sri Lankas strategic Hambantota port on a 99-year lease as a debt swap. The world is waking up to this threat, the US secretary of State said.

I think Asia and Southeast Asia in particular are waking up to this risk, and I hope the State Department can continue to be a part of making sure that they see that, identify it, and that it becomes more difficult for the Chinese to engage in these practices, Pompeo said.

Pompeos comments came as China is getting ready to hold the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) next month. India boycotted the first BRF meet held in 2017 as Beijing went ahead with the CPEC with Pakistan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told an annual media briefing here this month that the BRF meeting to be held in April would be bigger that that in 2017 with more international participation. Wang refuted the criticism from the US, India and several other countries that the BRI is driving smaller countries in debt traps. The BRI is not a debt trap that some countries may fall into but an economic pie that benefits local population, Wang claimed.

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Tokyo:

Japanese automakers Honda and Hino are joining a partnership between SoftBank and Toyota for mobility service innovation such as self-driving cars. Japanese Technology Company SoftBank Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp., the nation's top automaker, announced late last year a joint venture for mobility services, in what they called a "united Japan" effort to face global competition.

Honda Motor Co., Toyota's rival, and Hino Motors, Toyota's truck division, said Thursday each company will acquire a 9.9 per cent stake in the USD 20 million Toyota-SoftBank venture Monet Technologies Corp. Each company invests USD 2.3 million, according to the companies. Toyota and SoftBank also announced Thursday a Monet Consortium, which includes partnerships with 88 other companies, including Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan and East Japan Railway Co., to enhance mobility services.

Philips Japan, a health technology company, developer Mitsubishi Estate, and Yahoo Japan Corp. have also agreed to join the consortium. Technology experts say advances in artificial intelligence and sensors are opening up the potential for autonomous driving and other mobility services, although safety concerns remain a major hurdle.

Honda President Takahiro Hachigo said collaborating with Monet will include efforts to realize regulatory changes. "Honda wants to contribute to the revitalization of the mobility service industry in Japan and solve traffic-related problems facing Japanese society," he said.

Yoshio Shimo, Hino president, said the move was part of the truckmaker's ongoing efforts to transport goods and people. "Through this partnership, we will strive to achieve our vision of creating a world where people and goods move freely, safely and efficiently," said Shimo.

SoftBank owns 40.2 percent in Monet Technologies; Toyota owns 39.8 percent. In announcing the partnership in October, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said the move reflected the company's desire to change and keep up with global competition in autonomous vehicles and other technology.

Toyota is widely seen as a traditional Japan Inc. company, while SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, has a reputation for aggressively investing in less traditional brands, such as car-sharing companies Uber, Didi and Grab, as well as Arm, a leader in the internet of things, or IoT.
New Delhi:

In a scathing attack at the grand alliance of opposition parties, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said the 'mahagathbandhan', which is a 'non-bandhan', political circus and a recipe for chaos, exhausted the country over the last few months. Several political parties, mostly traditional BJP opponents, have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections 2019 scheduled to be held between April 11 and May 19.

In a hard-hitting blog post titled A Political Circus Called 'Mahagathbandhan' on Facebook, Jaitley said the one thing which was rationale about the "mahagathbandhan" was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP were very strong and could not be challenged by individual party.

Stressing that Indians judge politicians by their merit and capacity and no longer by any traditional loyalty, the finance minister said, "We were promised a 'coalition of rivals' because India had to be saved. We were promised a common minimum agenda. Each leader amongst the aspirant Prime Ministers wanted to become a 'sutradhar' (anchor) of the alliance. He/she would periodically organise shows in his/her State and invite the entire bandwagon".

The blog, which is divided into into sub-heads, also accused the grand alliance over "The leadership tussle", saying, "The past track record of such governments in terms of policy, longevity and growth has to be borne in mind.

Read | Arun Jaitley terms Article 35A constitutionally vulnerable, says law hampering development in J-K

In opposition camp, Jaitley said there is a tussle for leadership as already multiple candidates have made their desire clear to take over the mantle of the leadership. According to him, each one of them is interested to see the strength of the other party's contender depleting and also have high hopes in a chaotic and highly hung Parliament.

"He/she believes that only in a chaotic situation he/she has a chance," said Jaitley, who is heading the BJP's publicity division of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.

In its last stanza captioned as Federalism and coalitions, the blog gave a remembrance of successful BJP-led alliances under late BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that the size of the party and clarity on leadership in the last coalition was the reason behind a successful government under Prime Minister Modi.

Read | Congress dubs Arun Jaitley as 'blog minister', says Modi government uses his posts to hide failures

"Today you have no 'gathbandhan' let alone 'mahagathbandhan'. It is a 'non-bandhan'. You have no leader, no programme, no meeting of minds, Jaitley said, adding that "Stability, which is paramount, is a major casualty. The only thing in common is negative agenda 'remove one man'. It is a recipe for chaos".

The nominations for the first two phases of polling are over and those for the third phase are about to happen. The counting of votes for all the phases will be taken up on May 23.

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New Delhi:

More than a month after Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammeds terror camps inside Pakistan, the Pakistan Army has taken a group of journalists to the site, according to the reports. The journalists have interviewed more than 300 children at a local mosque and record videos. They were given access to some nearby sites. They were taken at 10 am, and stayed there until 3.30 pm. The entire area was cordoned off by a platoon of frontier corps, the Pakistan paramilitary force, The Indian Express quoted a source as saying.

Balakot is some 80 km from the Line of Control near Abbotabad where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in hiding by covert U.S. forces who had also sneaked into Pakistan to carry out the operation, catching the entire Pakistani military unawares.



The site of airstrikes is said to be spread over 6 acres and journalists were given access only to a limited area. The remaining area was kept off limits. It is also not clear whether the children at the site were local residents or brought by the Pakistan authorities for a photo opportunity, source told The Indian Express.



On February 26, the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Mirage 2000 fighters armed with SPICE 2000 satellite-guided bombs had struck the Jaish-e-Mohammed's Balakot training camp in response to the gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district . On February 14, at least 42 CRPF personnel were killed in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Kashmir's Pulwama district when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 30 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district that also left many critically wounded.

More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir.

Earlier, reports claimed that Pakistani security officials prevented journalists from visiting the site. India handed over the dossier to the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in New Delhi on February 27 with specific details of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s complicity in the Pulwama attack.

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Washington:

India's destruction of a satellite with a missile created hundreds of pieces of "space junk," a potentially dangerous situation that established space powers have tried to avoid for years. India has sought to minimize the threat to orbiting satellites posed by Wednesday's test of an anti-satellite weapon, which experts said was not technically illegal. "Unfortunately, there is no binding international legal rule (yet) which prohibits the wanton creation of space debris," said Frans von der Dunk, professor of space law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

At the same time, the test "strictly speaking" was a violation of the obligation under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty to inform other countries of the test "since they might well suffer harmful interference with their own satellite operations," von der Dunk said. "These kinds of tests increasingly go against the trend and spirit of international law, which is increasingly being seen as moving towards a customary international legal obligation to refrain from such junk-creating activities," he told AFP.

Since 2002, the world's space powers have complied with an informal code of conduct to avoid the creation of space junk and the United Nations has endorsed a resolution along those lines.

The United States took aim at India's anti-satellite weapons test with acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan saying "We all live in space. Let's not make it a mess." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a rare address to the nation, said the satellite was struck at an altitude of around 300 kilometers (185 miles), which is lower than the 410 kilometers (254 miles) used by the International Space Station and most satellites.

The danger from "space junk" is not that it falls to Earth but that it collides with orbiting satellites.

Even the smallest piece of debris travelling at great speeds can put a satellite out of action.

Most of the debris from the Indian test is expected to remain in orbit for several weeks before gravity exerts its pull and it is consumed by Earth's atmosphere.

Experts consulted by AFP said they believe the relatively low altitude of the test conducted by India renders it safe.

"Not too many objects fly at this altitude, because it's so low and there's such high drag," said Tom Johnson, vice-president of engineering at Analytical Graphics, Inc.

The leader in tracking objects in space is the US military through its 18th Space Control Squadron.

It maintains an online data base of more than 23,000 orbiting objects including active satellites, defunct satellites, pieces of rockets and debris from previous tests of anti-satellite weapons.

These objects include more than 3,000 pieces of space debris created in a Chinese anti-satellite test in 2007 and more than 1,000 from an accidental collision in 2009 between a Russian satellite and an Iridium satellite.

US Air Force Lieutenant General David Thompson, vice commander of Air Force Space Command, told a Senate hearing on Wednesday that the United States was tracking about 270 different objects in the debris field several hours after the Indian test.

Thompson said it was "likely that number is going to grow as the debris field spreads out and we collect more sensor information." "We'll provide direct notification to satellite operators if those satellites are under threat," he said.

Thompson said US surveillance systems had immediately detected the launch of the Indian missile and "we were aware that it was coming because of some flight bans that India had announced." "Let me say clearly it was detected and characterized and reported by Air Force systems," he said.

Experts believe the target of the Indian missile was a Microsat-R satellite, weighing 740 kilograms (1,631 pounds) which India launched on January 24.

The US company Planet, which provides high-resolution photography of Earth through satellites orbiting at an altitude of around 500 kilometers (310 miles), strongly denounced the test.

"We categorically condemn the anti-satellite missile intercept recently conducted by India's defense department," Planet said in a statement.

"Space should be used for peaceful purposes, and destroying satellites on orbit severely threatens the long term stability of the space environment for all space operators."

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Dhaka: A mob of Muslims ransacked the ISKCON temple and attacked devotees in the Noakhali district of Bangladesh on Friday. The temple has been badly damaged while the condition of one devotee remains critical. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. ISKCON has shared this on its official Twitter handle.

He said, "ISKCON temple and devotees were attacked violently by mobs in Noakhali, Bangladesh today. The temple suffered heavy damage and the condition of a devotee remains critical. We ask the Government of Bangladesh to ensure that. Protect all Hindus and put the culprits in the dock of justice. This week, a series of attacks on Hindu shrines in Bangladesh was followed by vandalism.'' According to some reports, Durga Puja pandals and idols were targeted in recent attacks.

In Bangladesh, one person lost his life and 18 others were injured in an attack in the Begumganj sub-district of Noakhali district alone. Noakhali Additional Superintendent of Police (Circle Begumganj) Mohammad Shah Imran said that the deceased has been identified as 42-year-old Jatan Kumar Saha. He further said, "A total of 17 people including The Officer-in-charge of Begumganj police station [OC] Kamruzzaman Sikdar were injured in the attack.''

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New Delhi: The central government has widened the scope of border security force (BSF) investigations in West Bengal, Punjab and Assam. Now BSF can check anyone up to 50 km within 50 km instead of 15 km from the border and arrest the suspect. Now, BSF need not take anyone's permission for it. However, the Mamata government in West Bengal is opposing the change. In fact, Bengal shares an international border of 2,216 km with Bangladesh. Nine districts of the State are Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata North, South 24 Parganas adjoining the Bangladesh border.

Basirhat is about 70 km from Kolkata and this is where the Bangladesh borders begin. That is, according to the 50 km rule, BSF can now take action up to the orifice of Kolkata. The 9 districts to which BSF have got the right to action cover 148 assembly seats and 23 Lok Sabha seats. That means half of the 294-member State Assembly seats are coming within these districts. More than half of the Lok Sabha seats have come under new change. That is why the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is strongly opposing it. They feel that at the behest of the Centre, BSF will take action and this will reduce the powers of the police.

The districts close to the Bangladesh border are wide short and overstretched, says Snigdhendu Bhattacharya, a senior West Bengal journalist. With a scope of investigation up to 50 km, half of a district has come under the scanner of BSF. It has to have a political impact. Several agencies including CBI, ED of the Centre are already investigating in Bengal. From time to time, TMC leaders are also called for questioning. Now the battle between the two parties will be more severe.

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Tamil Nadu: On October 11, 23 fishermen from Nagapattinam were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for crossing the maritime boundary. They were in two mechanized boats when they were surrounded by naval officers who informed them that they had crossed the border. The fishermen were arrested and sent to Kankesanthurai naval camp in Sri Lanka. Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in ensuring the release of fishermen from the state who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and sought a permanent solution to the issue related to them.



In a letter to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was released to the press, Stalin said that the fishermen who set out to sea from Nagapattinam on 11 October were arrested by the Navy on 13 October near the traditional fishing base of Point Pedro. Have been taken. Karainagar naval base where he was detained. Stalin said it was highly condemnable. An official press release by the Tamil Nadu government said he urged the Prime Minister to take immediate intervention and take steps to permanently end the long-standing dispute between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen. urged to lift

The chief minister asked Modi to take up the issue at the diplomatic level with the Sri Lankan authorities and ensure the freedom of the 23 fishermen. He said the continuing attacks on innocent Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy is a matter of grave concern. The fishermen of Nagapattinam sought the help of the state government to release the arrested fishermen. He said the fishing community was already grappling with the financial crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the work had started only recently.

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has highly hailed Cambodia's commitment to strengthen urban heritage preservation. The commendation came after Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday issued a circular on preventing the demolition and destruction of heritage buildings in the kingdom, aiming at strengthening heritage conservation and sustainable development.

The UN agency statement released on Friday reads: "Urban heritage, including its tangible and intangible components, constitutes a key resource in enhancing the liveability and resilience of urban areas, and fosters economic development and social cohesion in a changing environment." It also set out recommendations to prevent destruction and any form of modification, alternation or damage to the appearance of urban heritage buildings. Cambodia has a long-standing record for its endeavours on cultural conservation, and this circular will further fortify the balance between urban growth and sustainable development, and reaffirm Cambodia's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 11, highlighting the importance of cultural and natural heritage for making safe and resilient cities," the UNESCO said.

The circular will also promote the universal respect for cultural rights for all through the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage, it added.

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Lucknow: Farmers of Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh are going to get a big achievement due to agriculture. Banana is being exported abroad for the first time from UP. It has been grown by farmers of Palia Kalan area of Lakhimpur. The first consignment of 40 metric tonnes of bananas has been dispatched to Iran on October 14.

After this achievement, Lakhimpur Kheri will also be named along with farmers of the country's states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, who produce banana decisions with advanced technology. Due to the climate of the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, banana is grown in this area, but this will be a big achievement in the name of the farmers of Lakhimpur Kheri. It is a great thing for the hardworking farmers of the region to get an order to export their banana produce.

40 metric tonnes of banana yield of farmers of Palia Kalan region is being exported to Iran. High-level technology and 'multi-modal transport' will be made a medium for this purpose. So far, bananas was exported only from states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and farmers of Uttar Pradesh were still away from the international market.

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Most people in the world associate Nepal with the Himalayas and Buddhism. What many do not know, however, is that the Himalayas and Buddhism only make up a small part of the country. Okay, I have to admit I have never used the word small in connection with the Himalayas

But, even travellers to Nepal often return from their vacation with this distorted picture. When I talk to people who have already been to Nepal, I always hear about the friendliness of the Nepalis, the fascination with Buddhism, and the breathtaking mountains. These three points are always mentioned first  by travellers travelling with a tour group.

Incidentally, this limited perspective of many tourists has led to the creation of the website Ask Me About Nepal, by Nikki Thapa.

The founder wrote to me: My idea is to tell the world that Nepal is not just the land of Everest or Buddha, nor it is limited to the Newars of Kathmandu valley or Sherpas of high Himalayas.

How does such a picture of Nepal come about?

File: Boudhha Stupa

First of all, I want to make it clear that it is not wrong to mention the Himalayas and Buddhism in the context of Nepal.

My Nepali friends and I are just very amazed that most of the time it is just what tourists limit themselves to.

We ask ourselves how such an image of Nepal comes about when not even 10% (!!!!) of the population of Nepal follow Buddhism and the mountains do not make up the majority of the natural diversity of Nepal.

We, therefore, suspect travellers only want to see what they believe is an integral part of Nepal. What is now part of Nepal is externally attributed to the country by other tourists, tour operators and the media.

Only the properties that are also sexy are mentioned; that is the Himalayas and Buddhism. All mountain lovers and hikers find the Himalayas attractive. Buddhism is currently very popular in the western world. And, that is how it is advertised for Nepal  And so the Himalayas and Buddha are on everyones lips with tourists.

The problem of having no contacts among the locals

Trekking in Nepal. Photo: Pexels/ Bisesh Gurung

Right from the start, I was fortunate that I found a place with the Nepalis. From the first day, I learned a lot more about everyday life, traditions and customs. In the meantime, my friends Rajeev and Vishal have founded a small accommodation in Kathmandu, which I always find accommodation during my travels. The big advantage is that the guys can answer all my questions about the country, the culture, society, religion, customs and even the political structure.

Each of our guests will be able to confirm that their stay with us has broadened their Nepal horizons. That, thanks to they stay with us, Nepal is now much more for me than originally thought.

You can only learn more about the country if someone can explain something to you.

You can only penetrate the tourist bubble of the Himalayas and Buddhism with a suitable contact person on site, and only then will you be able to immerse yourself in the real everyday life of the country and get to know the many facets of the country. This is the only way to change the personal image of Nepal.

Of course, the Himalayas and Buddhism also play a role in our travels  but as part of the cultural and natural diversity of Nepal, there is so much to see.

By the way, Nepal isnt

Yoga stronghold -> Nope. Most of the yoga studios are run by foreign people. Yoga as we know it is only at home in the western world 

Hippie stronghold -> If so, then only in a small street in Kathmandu.

Marijuana stronghold -> Marijuana is illegal in Nepal!

Nepalese dont eat meat -> No, they just eat a lot less meat than the westerners do.

Buddhist -> Only 10% of the population follows Buddhism.

Technologically backwards -> Dont worry, there is wifi for your smartphones.

Ellis Barnes works as a copywriter and web developer for the professional writing essaywriterfree.net. She loves to travel, which gives her the inspiration to write her own articles and short stories. She last visited Nepal this year.
Tomato plant leaves showing brown, dried-out spots characteristic of infection with a common pathogen, Xanthomonas perforans. (Credit: Gary Vallad)

Sometimes the pathogens that infect plants also affect peoplethrough our pocketbooks. Which is why plant pathologist Erica Goss, a University of Florida professor with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, spends a lot of time studying microbes that infect tomatoes, peppers and strawberries.

These are the states top three grossing vegetable and berry crops, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. And a lot of microbes like them just as much as we do.

In 2019, the Florida tomato industry produced 39% of the US market for fresh tomatoes, worth about $426 million, while Floridas fresh pepper crop was valued at $235 million. Which is why growers are worried about pathogens that cause dark dried-out looking blemishes on tomatoes and peppers.

Tomatoes with brown spots caused by X. perforans fetch lower prices in fresh market sales. (Credit: Gary Vallad)

We lump several different bacterial species under this disease called bacterial spot of tomato and pepper, said Goss, who is also a faculty member of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute. But different species and even individual strains have different plant hosts and geographic ranges.

The disease has been known to scientists for 100 years and there are four Xanthomonas lineages that cause bacterial spot of tomato and pepper. X. perforans is the one found on tomatoes all over the Sunshine State today.

Goss frequently collaborates on her research into bacterial spot of tomato and pepper with two UF professors: Jeffrey B. Jones, a bacteriologist, is a distinguished professor in IFAS; and Gary Vallad, is a plant pathologist and bacteriologist at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Jones has studied Xanthomonas for more than three decades and Vallad works closely with Florida tomato growers and has expertise in plant disease epidemiology and disease management. The trio have been awarded grants together (from USDA and the Florida Tomato Committee) and in their most recent work, they applied some unusual methods to better understand the genetic diversity of this microbe and how it spreads to new host plants.

Tracing X. perforans through fields and production

When a tomato or pepper plant becomes infected with X. perforans, it develops spots on its leaves or fruits. The infected leaves may become spotted, or wither and die. When this happens, the fruits can develop sunscald. But the fruits can also become infected if the pathogen enters through the blossom. This leads to malformed or spotted tomatoes or peppers. Either way, they fetch less money but are harmless to eat.

But how do the plants become infected? It usually starts with infected seeds, and with an international supply network, this spells trouble.

Few people are aware that the production of tomatoes is international, Goss said. You may grow a tomato in Florida, but it could have started as a seed in Asia. These are all hybrid seeds.

Goss, Jones, and Vallads teamwork has shown there are many pathways in addition to seeds. The microbes could sit in greenhouses and then spread to the seedlings as they grow. Or, most greenhouses have an overhead irrigation system and X. perforans could hitch a ride on water droplets that splash from an infected leaf to an uninfected one. Or it may sit in soil in the growing fields or have an undetected reservoir in other plants. But somehow it colonizes fields once the tomato and pepper plants are growing.

Plant-to-plant spread can happen in the fields too. Air with high humidity, or splashes from one plant to the next due to wind-driven rain or sprinkler irrigation can foster spread. Or leaves of two different plants might touch and foster plant-to-plant spread.

While growers can sometimes use copper to control the disease, X. perforans has quickly picked up close to 100% resistance via genes on plasmids. Plasmids are exchangeable packets that bacteria use to swap beneficial DNA.

Once it is copper resistant, there are not many options for reducing this disease in the field, Goss said.

Where X. perforans is found

X. perforans is prolific. It occurs along the East Coast, but also in central Mexico, eastern Canada, southeastern Brazil, Sicily, Iran, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Taiwan and South Korea. Its broad global distribution is a reflection of the global trade networks for seeds.

For researchers like Goss, such a broad distribution also begs the question: Why?

Why does it seem like this pathogen is getting to be a big problem in recent years? Is that pathogen evolution, or are new strains coming in from somewhere else? Or has something else about production changed? Goss asked rhetorically, explaining the questions that guide her research. How do we reduce the disease in the field? How is it getting out there and spreading?&rdquo

Map showing global distribution of Xanthomonas species and pathogenic variants. (Map courtesy of Erica Goss)

Understanding how and why X. perforans changes genetically

Goss uses molecular techniques, such as whole genome DNA sequencing, to detect genetic variation in X. perforans and changes over time.

The X. perforans weve been studying in Florida seems remarkably genetically diverse, Goss says. There are these lineages that we find that are very different from one another. But then we also have a lot of variation within those. Its clearly evolving very quickly.

One of her current projects is supported by a US Department of Agriculture grant to detect genetic changes and variation in tomato fields. She plans to look at mutation rates and to monitor for the movement of plasmids between host plants. This will give insight into how the bacteria is diversifying within Florida after being introduced at some point from the production system.

Other recent molecular work Goss, Jones and Vallad have published this year characterizes the state of X. perforans in Florida. It details how X. euvesicatoria used to be the cause of bacterial spot of tomato and pepper in Florida, but was outcompeted by X. perforans in the early 1990s. Her team collected 585 Xanthomonas strains from 70 tomato fields in Florida. They found that the strains were genetically diverse and that nearly half produced a compound capable of killing X. euvesicatoria.

In a different paper, published this spring, the team reported the use of unusual methods to test how a specific gene gave X. perforans an advantage in the field. They wanted to test how an effector gene, xopJ2, influenced the microbes fitness. Others had hypothesized the gene conferred an advantage, but no one had direct evidence of what it did.

Goss collaborators used lab techniques to engineer a mutant form of xopJ2 that was silenced. They then tracked two main groups of X. perforans in the field: one that had the natural, functional xopJ2 gene, and one that had the silenced version.

This was like a mark-release-recapture study, but to look at the relative spread of the different bacteria, Goss said, referring to a type of study design used by ecologists. It helps to estimate a populations size in cases where it can be impractical to count every organism, in this case, to study the effect of the gene on the population of the pathogen.

They found that the microbes with the functional gene moved three times as fast in the field compared with the microbes that had the silenced, mutated version. Such a powerful advantage in the ability to move, combined with the deadly compound that can kill competing types of Xanthomonas, may explain how this lineage was able to rapidly replace the previous X. euvesicatoria lineage in Florida.

But we noticed several years ago that one of the lineages of strains we were studying had lost the ability to make this compound, Goss said. It makes it a better competitor on the leaf when X. euvesicatoria is present, but in its absence, we hypothesize that its a waste of energy to make, its too costly. So they stopped making it.

In a third paper, the team explored how the tomato production system influences genetic diversity in X. perforans. They found that when growers produced their own seeds, the strains of X. perforans on their plants tended to be less diverse and genetically distinct. In contrast, growers that used multiple sources for seeds or seedlings were mixing pots for these microbes: they had the most genetically distinct and diverse strains of X. perforans.

Sequencing genomes of hundreds of strains and looking at pathogen evolution and variation, this is pretty new for plant pathology, Goss said. There are still few studies at this scale.

Looking forward

Goss said findings from this work could potentially be used to engineer genes resistant to X. perforans that can be bred into tomato and pepper plants. The work is costly and slow, but she is collaborating with researchers at the Gulf Coast Research Center to identify multiple resistance genes.

It may not work against 100% of the pathogens population, but even if it works against 30-40% thats better than no resistance, Goss said.

She is also investigating pathogens that affect strawberries and cacao, and cases where pathogens have suppressed invasive grasses.

My goal is to better understand how a plant pathogen emerges, Goss said. What are the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms behind a new or worse disease problem? How is the pathogen evolving or are new versions coming in?

Understanding these processes will lead to a more refined understanding of what helps promote a destructive plant pathogenand its success. Knowledge like this will help crop scientists and growers in years to come, to ensure both crop values and a healthy food supply.

Written by DeLene Beeland

Read More

Scientists to study crippling tomato disease to lay groundwork for prevention, (IFAS: July 22, 2021)
GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 130th Canton Fair.

In his letter, Xi noted that the Fair made significant contributions to facilitating international trade, internal-external exchanges, and economic development since its founding in 1957.

Facing global changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the world economy and trade are undergoing profound transformations. The Canton Fair, therefore, should help foster China's new development paradigm, innovate its mechanism, create more business models, and expand its role to become a vital platform for the country's opening-up on all fronts, Xi said.

This platform should also help advance the high-quality development of global trade and facilitate the "dual circulation" of domestic and overseas markets. China is willing to join hands with all other nations and practice real multilateralism to build a world economy featuring high-level openness, Xi said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 130th Canton Fair and the Pearl River International Trade Forum in China's southern city of Guangzhou. He said China's development is propelled by opening-up and reform, and the country will share its development opportunities with the world to achieve better development.

130th Canton Fair: China to continue opening-up, sharing opportunities with the world (PRNewsfoto/Canton Fair)

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister Patrick Achi and Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan attended the ceremony via video link.

Premier Li said the history of the Canton Fair is a history of China's opening-up and integration into the world economy, and also a history of enterprises from all over the world sharing China's development opportunities and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

Story continues

Foreign leaders spoke highly of the Canton Fair's role in promoting international trade and facilitating the global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era. They expressed their confidence in China's economic development prospects and said that they will encourage companies from their countries to expand cooperation in China to better share China's development opportunities.

After the opening ceremony, Premier Li inspected some domestic and foreign exhibition halls and listened to their briefings on businesses. In the end of the inspection, Premier Li said he hopes the Fair can scale new heights in advancing win-win cooperation and sustainable development.

Please visit: https://fbuyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/account/new-buyer/register for more opportunities

SOURCE Canton Fair
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Hello and welcome to Daily Crunch for October 15, 2021! Happy Friday to you and yours; I am proud of us all for making it through a week that was more than hectic. Up top, discounts end on our space event in very short order. And with no further ado, lets get into the news!  Alex

The TechCrunch Top 3

Missouri governor conflates journalism, hacking: The United States is a large nation with many smart and many less-smart people. A story from the latter category ended up in our wheelhouse when a state governor decided that a journalist pointing out security flaws in an official website was malicious hacking. Perhaps stories like this are why so many Gen Z folks are doomers?

Instacart shoppers are going on strike: Try to recall a time when some section of the Instacart workforce was happy and not either about to strike or on strike. Its hard, yeah? This Saturday, some Instacart shoppers will go on strike, protesting the companys low pay and lack of communication with its laborers, TechCrunch reports. Lets see if this particular piece of the larger Striketober saga ends up with worker-friendly results.

Apple yanks Quran app after Chinese regulators ask: The day after Microsoft announced that it was going to pull LinkedIns main service from China after failing to reconcile that countrys government and its own views, Apple appears to have complied with a Chinese state request to remove Quran Majeed, a popular app for reading the Islamic religious text and other prayer-related information from the Chinese app store. This isnt a small act, given the Chinese states abuse of Muslims inside its borders.

Startups/VC

Lets take our time today in the world of startups, it being Friday and all.

First up, we have a great piece from Rebecca Bellan digging into a host of startups that are helping emerging middle classes around the world get places. This list includes, and I quote, Swvl, Treepz, Jatri, SafeBoda, Urbvan, Chalo and Buser, among others. If you are into the transportation tech beat, its a great read.

Next up, Andy Stinnes, a general partner at Cloud Apps Capital Partners, wrote an essay for the blog today discussing that while the present-day venture capital bull market (more here) is a general good for founders, closer inspection reveals that these trends are a lot more nuanced and apply very unequally across the funding continuum from seed to the late stage. If you are looking to raise capital, its worth your time.

Story continues

Moving along, our own Taylor Hatmaker did yeomans work digging into Core, a metaverse environment where she wandered around, finding the landscape to be both great-looking and seamless. If you want a peek into what could be the future of gaming and social interaction, this is for you.

And, before we get to the rest of our startup rundown, I wrote an imaginary interview with a made-up CEO concerning a fictional IPO. For more context, head here.

SoundCloud lands Pandora partnership, new radio station: As Spotify grew to become a music behemoth, SoundCloud stuck closer to the underground. And it survived, which some didnt expect. Today, the upstart music service announced a deal with Pandora that could help bring it a bit more audience.

Clubhouse adds music mode : Sticking to a musical theme for another measure or two, Clubhouse has built out a way for musicians to better stream their music live on the service. So, I suppose Clubhouse can now also be coffeehouse?

And, finally, Spot AI leaves stealth with its security cam search tool: Flush with $22 million and freshly denuded of its stealth tag, Spot AI is out in the public view today, which is fitting as its core product deals with security cameras and how they are ingested. The company reads footage from the devices, allowing the video itself to be searchable. Which is cool, if vaguely creepy.

Bringing it in-house: What to look for when hiring a general counsel

Experienced lawyers may be drawn away from big firms to join a startup as general counsel for a variety of reasons, LinkSquares chief legal officer Tim Parilla writes in a guest column.

For some, its an attempt to find a better work-life balance (whoops!), while others are eager to build and manage their own team or see it as an opportunity to work for a mission-driven company, he writes.

For founders, its an opportunity to snag a seasoned professional who can build in-depth knowledge of your business -- rather than relying on a generic (and costly) outside law firm.

Parilla offers detailed tips on what startup leaders should look for in an in-house counsel (as well as a few things that would indicate a lawyer is not fit for your business).

(TechCrunch+ is our membership program, which helps founders and startup teams get ahead. You can sign up here.)

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Testimonial: Ki has been supporting our business for over three years, and every time he finds unique ways to exceed expectations. From launching new products that sell out in days rather than weeks, being able to onboard new members of our team so they can contribute faster, and being someone that can work at a strategic level with our VPs and at the data-driven level with analysts, his range is truly outstanding and I believe he is in the 1% of the 1% of marketers.

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America is the richest country in the world, and 2020 receipts prove it. During the peak of COVID, the U.S. saw the highest growth of financial assets due to tax cuts and an explosive stock market. But as all too many folks know, the prosperity is not very well spread out; in fact, the income gap is widening. Billionaires wealth skyrocketed during the pandemic, with data from Forbes finding that as of April 12, 2021, Americas 719 billionaires accounted for more than four times more money ($4.56 trillion) than all 165 million Americans on the bottom of the socioeconomic plane ($1.01 trillion). It wasnt always this way. Back in 1990, it was the opposite: billionaires held $240 billion of the countrys wealth, while the bottom half of earners had $380 billion combined.

See: These Billionaires Got Richer During the Pandemic

Find: Weird Things Top Billionaires Have in Common



As the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, the U.S. is hardly the country where everyones dreams can come true. It is indeed getting tougher for the middle class to hold their ground, let alone manage their bills and other expenses. Could it be worse though, if you lived in another country? In other words, is the cost of living considerably less elsewhere? The answer is: Absolutely yes.

Heres a look at how much you need to be considered rich in 23 countries around the world.

Last updated: June 22, 2021

GagliardiImages / Shutterstock.com

1. Australia

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $219,931

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: 103,376

Australia has been a pioneer in economic freedom since the dawn of the of Economic Freedom Index in 1995. In 2019, its annual GDP was $1,356.21 billion. In 2020, unemployment soared to 6.9% but has since stabilized some, now at 5.1%.

More: 10 of the Worlds Richest Millennials  And What We Can Learn From Them



Sohel Parvez Haque / Shutterstock.com

2. Bangladesh

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $42,746

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $12,338

It doesnt take much money (in American dollars) to live like a king in Bangladesh. According to the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom, Bangladeshs economy remains primarily unfree and the opening of the banking branch to foreign competition could economically help the country. In 2020, it held an unemployment rate of 5.3% and is now hovering at 6%.

Story continues

Discover: The Richest Celebrity From Every State



wsfurlan / Getty Images/iStockphoto

3. Brazil

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $150,658

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $34,751

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Brazil is mostly an unfree economy, and it has overwhelming debt (just like America!). Its fiscal health score is poor and it has been nearly devastated by COVID outbreaks. It holds a staggering 14.7% unemployment rate.

Try: How To Invest In Foreign and International Stocks



Shutterstock.com

4. Canada

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $268,197

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $107,026

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Canadas economy is in the upper tier when it comes to the most free. The unemployment rate stands around a dreary 8.2%.

Related: LeBron James, David Beckham and the Richest Athletes In The World



zhaojiankang / Getty Images/iStockphoto

5. China

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $121,168

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $44,182

China has one of the largest economies in the world, but according to the Index of Economic Freedom, its mostly unfree and has been slumping in fiscal health. Its unemployment rate was about 13% as of February 2021, with many young people struggling to find work in a semi-post-COVID world.

Learn: China To Sell Off Reserves of Aluminum, Copper and Zinc In Order To Tame Prices



Tony Moran / Shutterstock.com

6. Egypt

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $152,424

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $39,906

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Egypt has been improving its economic freedom score for the past three years, but it still needs to cut down on public debt and up the ante on property rights and other rule-of-law indicators.

benedek / Getty Images

7. Ethiopia

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $35,868

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $8,381

Eight thousand bucks doesnt go far in the U.S., but in Ethiopia it can launch you into the top 10% of earners. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the countrys economy is mostly unfree and could benefit from a rejuvenation of its multiparty democracy. The unemployment rate in Ethiopia is currently around 2.1%.

Shutterstock.com

8. France

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $251,865

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $92,016

Its still not anywhere near what you need in the U.S. to rank high (well get to that later), but an annual income of $92,016 to be in the upper crust isnt exactly pocket change  at least, not when you compare it to countries like Ethiopia. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, France runs a mostly free economy, and is working to reduce unemployment, which currently hovers at a rate of 8%.

TomasSereda / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Germany

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $327,069

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $100,996

Even more expensive than France is its next door neighbor, Germany. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Germany is a largely free economy, but could be even more so if the government cut down on its spending and relaxed its strict labor laws. Germanys unemployment rate is around 6%.

narvikk / Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. India

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $93,917

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $14,077

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, India has a mostly unfree economy, and would need ample and wide-reaching reform to improve its fiscal health. Decimated by COVID, the OECD's Economic Outlook 2021 shows that the Indian economy contracted by 7.7% in 2020. The unemployment rate stands at around 8.7% and should be falling as infections drop.

amadeustx / Shutterstock.com

11. Indonesia

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $113,939

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $30,544

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the Indonesian economy has been slowly rising to be a more free economy, but needs more governmental measures to decrease corruption and modernize investment regulations.

More: The 50 Cheapest Countries To Retire To



Freeartist / Getty Images/iStockphoto

12. Italy

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $207,748

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $78,923

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the economy in Italy is mostly free, but as weve seen with other countries, high government spending is holding it back. One of the ground zeros for COVID when it first struck, Italy's unemployment rate hovered at around 9.2% in 2020.

Sean Pavone / iStock.com

13. Japan

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1%: $240,301

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $89,643

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Japans economy falls in the mostly free category. Its only major stumbling block is high government spending. In 2020, the unemployment rate in Japan held at roughly 2.34%.

GoranQ / Getty Images

14. Korea

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $234,887

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $79,531

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, South Korea is a mostly free economy, with a top-notch labor force and a tremendous aptitude for innovation. But theres still some corruption going on that would need to be addressed in order for the economy to better thrive. North Korea, on the other hand, is the least free economy in the world.

ferrantraite / iStock.com

15. Mexico

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $187,917

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $51,709

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Mexico is a moderately free economy, but governmental scandals have held the country back from being in the clear. A serious revamping of governmental integrity and a cleaning up of corruption are in order. As of March 2021, Mexico had an unemployment rate of 4.43%.

peeterv / iStock.com

16. Nigeria

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $87,331

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $23,638

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Nigerias economy is predominantly not free, seeing extreme political instability, policy failures and serious security threats. Nigerias unemployment rate has soared over the last five years as the economy endured its own recessions, and now stands at 33%  the second highest rate on the global list.

Shutterstock.com

17. Pakistan

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $70,024

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $16,058

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Pakistans mostly unfree economy isnt looking too bright for the future. The country faces mountainous debt and chronic corruption.

fazon1 / Getty Images

18. Philippines

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $102,436

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $26,512

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the Philippines is so-so free, but it has some significant challenges around weak spots in its judicial system and chronic corruption with slack government response. As of April 2021, the unemployment rate in the Philippines was at 8.7%  relatively low given its past unemployment rates.

See: 24 Ways To Stretch Your Unemployment Benefits



Shutterstock.com

19. Russian Federation

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $174,753

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $44,195

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Russia doesnt have much of a free economy  but it has been getting better in that department. To make it even freer, the government needs to liberalize its investment code and strengthen its rule of law, among other things. As of April 2021, Russias unemployment rate stood at 5.2%.

lena_serditova / Getty Images

20. Singapore

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $627,111

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $193,352

It takes a lot of dough to be among the wealthy elite in Singapore. This is partly because the country is the most stable in the world, with no foreign debt and high government revenue. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Singapore is ranked as the freest economy in the world.

PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek / Shutterstock.com

21. The United Kingdom

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $255,019

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $84,900

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the UK has a mostly free economy, but it stands to do better through post-Brexit opportunities. In April 2021, the UK unemployment rate dropped to 4.7%, the lowest it has been since the summer of 2020.

cdrin / Shutterstock.com

22. The United States

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $506,752

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $138,475

According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the United States is mostly free  but it still ranks at only No. 20 on the list of free economies. Americas biggest setback continues to be its high government spending and completely unfeasible levels of debt. And lets not forget the less than fair healthcare system. As of May, 2021, the unemployment rate in the U.S. is 5.8%.

DieterMeyrl / Getty Images

23. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the 1% : $689,468

Annual pre-tax income needed to be in the top 10%: $223,955

Welcome to the richest country in the Middle East  and one that requires even more bread to classify as wealthy than any other country on this list. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, the UAEs mostly free economy could better thrive if it lessened its dependency on the hydrocarbons sector and was more open to foreign investment.

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Methodology: GOBankingRates used data from the World Inequality Database to find the lower income threshold of the top 1% and top 10% of earners in 25 major countries in 2019 US dollars, adjusted for purchasing power parity. Countries were chosen for inclusion in this piece on the basis of their exceptionally high GDP, population, or income bracket threshold. All data was collected on and up to date as of June 11, 2021.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Heres How Much You Need To Earn To Be Rich in 23 Major Countries Around the World
NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FFIE). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The investigation concerns whether Faraday and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On October 7, 2021, the veracity of Faraday's statements concerning its claimed reservations and production capabilities came into question when analyst J. Capital released a scathing report. J. Capital suggests that Faraday's claimed 14,000 deposits are fabricated, as 78% of these reservations were made by a single undisclosed company that is likely an affiliate. Based on interviews with former Faraday executives, J. Capital also claims the FF 91's technology is not ready to go into production. Citing battery issues, parts supply and unqualified personnel, J. Capital concludes that Faraday Future is unlikely to ever sell a car to a consumer.

On this news, Faraday's stock price fell $0.35, or 4.16%, to close at $8.05 on October 7, 2021.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

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CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
In August, QAnon conspiracy theorist Ron Watkins shared a video he claimed showed ballot machines from Dominion Voting Systems could be remotely accessed to tamper with the results of a vote. At the time, he said the information came to him from a whistleblower.

This week, a Colorado judge barred Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters from overseeing the countys upcoming November election in relation to a leak of voting machine BIOS passwords. Peters, who tweeted in support of former President Donald Trumps election conspiracy theories, invited a man named Gerald Wood to a meeting involving a trusted build software update that was meant to ensure the security of the countys voting machines. Peters claimed Wood was an administrative assistant transitioning to her office, but then later described him as a consultant she hired to copy information from the computers.

Ahead of the meeting, Belinda Knisley, Peters deputy, sent an email to staff asking that they turn off the security cameras in the Election Department and not turn them back on until after August 1st. Knisley didnt explain the reason for her request, but it was carried out either way. On the day of the meeting, Wood photographed a spreadsheet that contained the passwords to the machines and copied over their hard drives. Following the meeting, the passwords were publicly posted to an online social media site.

Peters directed the creation of the images of the hard drive, which was not authorized by law and which directly led to the decommissioning of Mesa Countys voting systems, facilitating the leak of sensitive data and exposed the countys voting system to compromise, Judge Valerie Robinson wrote in a decision spotted by Ars Technica.

In a statement, Peters said she plans to appeal the decision to remove a duly elected clerk and recorded from her election duties. She went on to described herself as a whistleblower and called the case against her a power grab by Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

Clerk Peters seriously compromised the security of Mesa Countys voting system, Griswold said in a statement. The Courts decision today bars Peters from further threatening the integrity of Mesas elections and ensures Mesa County residents have the secure and accessible election they deserve. The FBI and Mesa County district attorney are investigating Peters, but no criminal charges have been filed yet.
- Regulatory approval for Interchangeability was supported by positive data from Boehringer Ingelheim's Phase III randomized VOLTAIRE-X clinical trial

- Data showed that switching several times between Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm) and Humira (adalimumab) resulted in no meaningful clinical differences for pharmacokinetics, efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Boehringer Ingelheim today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm) as the first Interchangeable biosimilar with Humira (adalimumab). The FDA originally approved Cyltezo in 2017 for the treatment of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases and this latest approval designates it as Interchangeable across all of these indications.

Boehringer Ingelheim

"We are proud to be the company driving the advancement of biosimilars and delivering the first and only Interchangeable biosimilar with Humira. It is a true milestone and an important step forward for broader adoption in the U.S. and for patient access to affordable medicines," said Thomas Seck, senior vice president, Medicine and Regulatory Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim. "The Interchangeability status of Cyltezo reinforces our goal of expanding overall treatment options and contributing to the quality and sustainability of the U.S. healthcare system."

A biosimilar is a biological medicine that is developed to be highly similar to an approved reference biologic, with no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, potency and purity. An Interchangeable biosimilar must first meet the high FDA standards of a biosimilar. Then, in order to achieve the interchangeable designation, the FDA requires an additional clinical study of multiple substitutions in patients, known as an Interchangeability study. This type of study shows how patients do when they are switched back and forth multiple times from a reference product to the Interchangeable biosimilar candidate. A biosimilar with an Interchangeable designation can be auto-substituted by a pharmacist for the reference product, with individual state laws controlling how and whether physicians will be notified.

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"As the first Interchangeable biosimilar of Humira, Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm), represents an important step toward bringing patients more affordable treatment options for complex, and often expensive, biologic reference products," said Martin Alan Menter, MD, chairman of the Division of Dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center. "This is incredibly important for patients, who can be confident that once available, citrate-free Cyltezo has the same efficacy and safety as the originator medicine with the added benefit of cost savings."

The approval for Interchangeability was supported by positive data from Boehringer Ingelheim's Phase III randomized VOLTAIRE-X clinical trial and marks the first FDA approval for such a study. The VOLTAIRE-X trial studied the effects of multiple switches between Humira and Cyltezo. This additional study demonstrated that Cyltezo is equivalent to Humira with no meaningful clinical differences in pharmacokinetics, efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety between the switching and continuous treatment groups. The results were presented at the American Academy of Dermatology 2021 conference.

Cyltezo is not commercially available in the U.S. at this time, but its commercial license will begin on July 1, 2023.

About Boehringer Ingelheim in Biologics and Biosimilars

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the largest producers of biologic medicines in the world, producing biologic medicines to support our diverse pipeline, as well as other companies' biopharmaceuticals on a contract basis. As a pioneer in biologics, to date, Boehringer Ingelheim's Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing business has supported our customers to bring 40 biologics to the market  three in 2020 alone  in therapeutic areas that include oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular indications. In this way, Boehringer Ingelheim further builds on its commitment to immunology to develop high quality, safe, and effective treatment options for patients with autoimmune diseases. For more information about Boehringer Ingelheim's Biopharma and manufacturing capabilities, please click here: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.us/biopharma/biosimilars.

All public information on our clinical trials is available on: http://clinicaltrials.gov/.

*Humira is a registered trademark of AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd.

About Cyltezo

Cyltezo was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2017 for the treatment of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR CYLTEZO

WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY

SERIOUS INFECTIONS

Patients treated with adalimumab products, including CYLTEZO, are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.

Discontinue CYLTEZO if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.

Reported infections include:

Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB. Patients with TB have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease. Test patients for latent TB before CYLTEZO use and during therapy. Initiate treatment for latent TB prior to CYLTEZO use.



Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis. Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease. Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection. Consider empiric anti-fungal therapy in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.



Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.

Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with CYLTEZO prior to initiating therapy in patients: 1. with chronic or recurrent infection, 2. who have been exposed to TB, 3. with a history of opportunistic infection, 4. who resided in or traveled in regions where mycoses are endemic, 5. with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with CYLTEZO, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.

Do not start CYLTEZO during an active infection, including localized infections.



Patients older than 65 years, patients with co-morbid conditions, and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants may be at greater risk of infection.



If an infection develops, monitor carefully and initiate appropriate therapy.



Drug interactions with biologic products: A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in RA patients treated with rituximab who received subsequent treatment with a TNF blocker. An increased risk of serious infections has been seen with the combination of TNF blockers with anakinra or abatacept, with no demonstrated added benefit in patients with RA. Concomitant administration of CYLTEZO with other biologic DMARDS (e.g., anakinra or abatacept) or other TNF blockers is not recommended based on the possible increased risk for infections and other potential pharmacological interactions.

MALIGNANCY

Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products. Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products. These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal. The majority of reported TNF blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males. Almost all these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis. It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF blocker or a TNF blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants.

Consider the risks and benefits of TNF-blocker treatment prior to initiating or continuing therapy in a patient with known malignancy.



In clinical trials of some TNF-blockers, including adalimumab products, more cases of malignancies were observed among TNF-blocker-treated patients compared to control patients.



Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was reported during clinical trials for adalimumab-treated patients. Examine all patients, particularly those with a history of prolonged immunosuppressant or PUVA therapy, for the presence of NMSC prior to and during treatment with CYLTEZO.



In adalimumab clinical trials, there was an approximate 3-fold higher rate of lymphoma than expected in the general U.S. population. Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly those with highly active disease and/or chronic exposure to immunosuppressant therapies, may be at higher risk of lymphoma than the general population, even in the absence of TNF blockers.



Postmarketing cases of acute and chronic leukemia were reported with TNF blocker use. Approximately half of the postmarketing cases of malignancies in children, adolescents, and young adults receiving TNF blockers were lymphomas; other cases included rare malignancies associated with immunosuppression and malignancies not usually observed in children and adolescents.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Anaphylaxis and angioneurotic edema have been reported following administration of adalimumab products. If a serious allergic reaction occurs, stop CYLTEZO and institute appropriate therapy.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation

Use of TNF blockers, including CYLTEZO, may increase the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic carriers. Some cases have been fatal. Evaluate patients at risk for HBV infection for prior evidence of HBV infection before initiating TNF blocker therapy. Exercise caution in patients who are carriers of HBV and monitor them during and after CYLTEZO treatment. Discontinue CYLTEZO and begin antiviral therapy in patients who develop HBV reactivation. Exercise caution when resuming CYLTEZO after HBV treatment.

Neurologic Reactions

TNF blockers, including adalimumab products, have been associated with rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system and peripheral demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Exercise caution when considering CYLTEZO for patients with these disorders; discontinuation of CYLTEZO should be considered if any of these disorders develop.

Hematological Reactions

Rare reports of pancytopenia, including aplastic anemia, have been reported with TNF blockers. Medically significant cytopenia has been infrequently reported with adalimumab products. Consider stopping CYLTEZO if significant hematologic abnormalities occur.

Congestive Heart Failure

Cases of worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) and new onset CHF have been reported with TNF blockers. Cases of worsening CHF have also been observed with adalimumab. Exercise caution when using CYLTEZO in patients who have heart failure and monitor them carefully.

Autoimmunity

Treatment with adalimumab products may result in the formation of autoantibodies and, rarely, in development of a lupus-like syndrome. Discontinue treatment if symptoms of a lupus-like syndrome develop.

Immunizations

Patients on CYLTEZO should not receive live vaccines. Pediatric patients, if possible, should be brought up to date with all immunizations before initiating CYLTEZO therapy. The safety of administering live or live-attenuated vaccines in infants exposed to adalimumab products in utero is unknown. Risks and benefits should be considered prior to vaccinating (live or live-attenuated) exposed infants.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions in adalimumab clinical trials (>10%) were: infections (e.g., upper respiratory, sinusitis), injection site reactions, headache, and rash.

CL-BI501-100000 CYLTEZO ISI for HCP October 2021

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, with around 52,000 employees, we create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around 22.33 billion USD (19.57 billion EUR). Our significant investment of over 4.2 billion USD (3.7 billion EUR) in 2020 (18.9% of net sales) in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation and is part of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. In addition, there are Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in Duluth, GA and Boehringer Ingelheim Fremont, Inc. in Fremont, CA.

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and strengthening our communities. Please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us/csr to learn more about Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.

MPR-US-101912

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SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim
There may be plenty of funding for some startups these days. But plenty of companies will tell you otherwise. VC Lab, an accelerator for venture capital firms, wants to create investors who will back the rest of the world.

A basic hurdle to this goal is the standard paperwork you need to set up a new fund. It currently requires specialized lawyers whose time can cost more than $100,000 per fund formation.

Today, VC Lab is providing a set of freely available boilerplate documents intended to streamline the process, save everyone time and money and make fund governance structures more accessible.

We have general partners launching funds from all around the world, co-founder Adeo Ressi explains. The last cohort enrolled venture investors from 62 different countries, including Central Asia, Africa, and every other place you can imagine.

Legal costs are the last thing they need.

The new managers who are getting into venture are coming in with a passion for change  the funds often have a very focused thesis, and they tend to be smaller in size. They really want to help the companies they work with to succeed at any cost. They dont need 200 to 400 pages of legal agreements governing every small decision that they make. They need lean and light, easy-to-use agreements.

The package, which VC Lab is calling Cornerstone, is a short 33 pages that include a term sheet, a subscription agreement and an LPA (and this user guide). Similar fund formation documents regularly run into the hundreds of pages.

Theres been widespread recognition that fund formation docs are ridiculously complex and in need of an overhaul, says Hans Kim, a longtime startup lawyer in Silicon Valley who co-authored the new package. Ive had numerous founder clients who made money and want to put their capital to good use through investing. But if they get more serious than personal angel investing, you refer them to a fund formation lawyer. Then they see the price and have to think twice."

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Improvements include a streamlined list of definitions, simplified sections on management fees and triggers for limited operator mode, according to co-author Rich Gora of Gora LLC. The current document includes details for domiciling the firm in the United States with plans for other popular locations like Canada, the Netherlands and Singapore coming soon.

As a fund formation lawyer who works with a wide variety of investors, he says the goal is to help businesspeople work out business issues in plain terms. Once the parties have talked through what they want to agree to, they can take the product to an expert like himself to finalize.

Over the last 10 months, he says about the writing process, we looked at every single industry LP agreement we could find. We took concepts that would be 20 lines and distilled them into three. The concepts are there but the lawyer verbiage is gone.

Ressi estimates that the new documents can cut legal costs in half or more, depending on factors like how many LPs you bring in. Theres also a shortage of lawyers with fund formation expertise, he notes. Providing standard documents will speed this process up and help the global venture capital ecosystem develop faster.

VC Lab was formed within the Founder Institute, a global startup accelerator that has already made similar contributions to the startup ecosystem. Nearly nine years ago it helped develop the concept of convertible equity, a precursor to the SAFE note, which removes the debt elements from convertible notes.

We believe that all the bottlenecks need to be done away with, Ressi says about startup investing. Then, there will be an explosion of new VCs and new LPs all around the world who are entering the asset class. That will create a real positive change for humanity because, no matter where you are in the world, you can pursue an idea to make the world a better place and find the resources you need to make it a reality. Unfortunately, this is not true today.
Welcome back to This Week in Apps, the weekly TechCrunch series that recaps the latest in mobile OS news, mobile applications and the overall app economy.

The app industry continues to grow, with a record 218 billion downloads and $143 billion in global consumer spend in 2020. Consumers last year also spent 3.5 trillion minutes using apps on Android devices alone. And in the U.S., app usage surged ahead of the time spent watching live TV. Currently, the average American watches 3.7 hours of live TV per day, but now spends four hours per day on their mobile devices.

Apps arent just a way to pass idle hours  theyre also a big business. In 2019, mobile-first companies had a combined $544 billion valuation, 6.5x higher than those without a mobile focus. In 2020, investors poured $73 billion in capital into mobile companies  a figure thats up 27% year-over-year.

This Week in Apps offers a way to keep up with this fast-moving industry in one place with the latest from the world of apps, including news, updates, startup fundings, mergers and acquisitions, and suggestions about new apps and games to try, too.

Do you want This Week in Apps in your inbox every Saturday? Sign up here: techcrunch.com/newsletters

Top Stories

Google responds to the Epic Games antitrust suit, Apple appeals

Image Credits: Epic Games

As the Apple v. Epic Games lawsuit goes under appeal, Google this week filed an answer and counterclaim in the Epic Games antitrust litigation against the company. The tech giant and Android maker denies Epics allegations of antitrust behavior and instead says that its owed relief, as Epic Games breached the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) by allowing Fortnite players who download the app through Google Play to use Epics own payment processing technology.

This situation is similar to what took place on the App Store, where Epic Games updated its app to workaround App Store policies, and then facilitated payments through its own payments system, in violation of its legal contract with Apple. The courts decision in Apples case was that Epic owed financial relief to Apple, to the tune of $6 million.

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Epic Games did much of the same thing on Google Play, the counterclaim alleges. Last year, Epic submitted a build of Fortnite to Google Play which used Epics own direct payments system and not Google Play Billing. This submission was immediately rejected for failing to comply with Googles policies. Epic then submitted a compliant version in April 2020, which Google now describes as an act of deception designed to provoke litigation. The new version had concealed Epics payment system in an update that was sent to both Apple and Googles app stores. This would allow Epic to switch over to its own payment system by applying a server-side configuration change, or hotfix, without Googles knowledge.

That switch was flipped on August 13, 2020. It allowed Fortnite users to choose between Google Play Billing and Epics own direct payments system. Now Google wants to recoup the money lost to this version, as those who downloaded the app from the Play Store could continue to use Epic's billing, even after the app was pulled down.

Epics position has been that Apple and Googles requirement to use their own in-app payment systems exclusively is a monopolistic practice that disadvantages developers. In Apples case, the court agreed that Apple should not block developers from sharing a link to other payment methods inside their own app or communicating to customers. It did not declare Apple a monopoly. Despite the largely favorable ruling, Apple decided to appeal its case this week, after Epic filed its own appeal.

The key factor to Apple's appeal is that it's also asking the court to put a hold on it having to implement changes to the App Store's anti-steering guidelines. That means, instead of permitting developers to add links to their website and other methods of payments, things would continue as is until the appeals case was decided. That could be months or even years from now.

In terms of the antitrust complaint, Googles situation is a bit different from Apple's, however. Android already allows for sideloading apps  that means theres another method of reaching Android users outside Google Play, making an antitrust claim more difficult.

Twitter adds more ads

(Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Twitter says its going to test a new ad format and placement on its platform. On Wednesday, Twitter Revenue Product Lead Bruce Falck said Twitter would begin showing ads on mobile devices inside conversation threads after the first, third and eighth replies. While the company stopped short of confirming the change would be permanent, it did say it would experiment with the formula to best determine the insertion points and layouts that made the most sense. Twitter also said it would consider making the display of the ads something creators would opt into, rather than forcing them to accept ads in their threads. In that case, creators would also see a share of ad revenue, Twitter said.

The company historically has struggled to grow its user base by significant numbers, meaning its had to get more creative with maximizing the revenue its able to extract from its existing users. Despite a flurry of new product development -- which has included creator tools, subscriptions, audio chat rooms, tipping and more -- Twitter has not yet had a runaway hit. For example, third-party data indicated recently Twitters new creator platform called Super Follow had only generated around $6,000 in its first two weeks live in the U.S. and Canada, or perhaps a bit more ($12,400 during 17 days in September, according to a second firms analysis).

Meanwhile, Twitter made a promise to investors that it will be able to double its revenue from $3.7 billion in 2020 to $7.5 billion or more in 2023. If the new products don't turn a sizable profit, increasing Twitter's ad load could help. Unfortunately, monetizing conversations like this could encourage users to post more content they hope to make viral. That could impact Twitters content and culture. Twitter is already a place that tends to reward a sort of performative type of user  like those posting snark, jokes, angry tweets and other emotive content; tying tweets virality to creator revenue could push Twitter even further away from the genuine, thoughtful conversations the company claims it wants to host.

Weekly News

Platforms: Apple

Apple announced it's hosting yet another fall event, taking place on Monday, October 18 at 10 AM PT. It's expected this event will focus on new Macs and MacBook Pros, but there could be news for cross-platform app developers that will make it worth tuning in.

Apple released the fourth developer betas for iOS 15.1 , iPadOS 15.1, tvOS 15.1 and watchOS 8.1 and the betas for public testers. iOS 15.1 lets you turn off Apple TV and Apple Watch keyboard notifications on iPhone.

Compose for Wear OS enters Developer Preview after several alpha releases. Compose for Wear OS aims to simplify and accelerate UI development, with built-in support for Material You to help developers create apps with less code.

Platforms: Google

Image Credits: Google

Google announced the final unit in its self-paced programming course, Android Basics in Kotlin, has been released, and the full course is now available. The course is organized into units, where each unit is made up of a series of pathways. At the end of each pathway, there is a quiz to assess what developers learned so far. If you complete the quiz, you earn a badge that can be saved to your Google Developer Profile.

Google's iOS design chief, Jeff Verkoeyen, announced on Twitter that his team would begin to phase out the open source Material components libraries for iOS in favor of Apple's own UIKit. "It's now been almost ten years now since we set out on this journey, and many of the gaps MDC had filled have since been filled by UIKit  often in ways that result in much tighter integrations with the OS than what we can reasonably achieve via custom solutions," he said.

An app teardown revealed Google may add a Digital Car Key feature in an upcoming Play Service update. At Google I/O, Google had announced it would add Digital Car Key support in Android 12.

Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer, in a tweet, asked Apple, err "folks," to support RCS (an upgrade to SMS) on the iPhone.

E-commerce/Food delivery

DoorDash introduced a self-serve ad platform that allows marketers to reach customers on the app and grow their business. The company already allowed ads that offered things like free delivery or discounts, plus banner ads. But is the first time it's offered ads above the search results.

Augmented Reality/VR

HTC released its new Vive Flow VR headset, designed to simplify the VR experience for older adults or anyone else who wants an easier experience. The headset connects wirelessly to an Android smartphone and uses the phone as a combination remote and touchpad.

Social

Image Credits: Facebook

Facebook launched an "Audio" hub in the U.S. for podcasts, live audio and short-form clips, called "Soundbites." The company is also making its Clubhouse rival, Live Audio Rooms, more broadly available to global users, and is now rolling out the new product Soundbites, a sort of TikTok for audio offering short audio clips.

Twitter launched support for Ticketed Spaces on Android users in the U.S. The feature allows creators to charge entry fees for their voice chat rooms -- a rival to Clubhouse and others. The initial Ticketed Spaces rollout for iOS users was in late August. To use the feature, users must be over 18, have hosted three Spaces in the last 30 days and have at least 1,000 followers.

After Facebook saw one of its longest outages in recent years, the company announced it would test a new Instagram feature that will notify users when an outage or other technical issue is taking place. The company said it wouldn't send a notification every time, but if it sees users are confused and looking for answers, it may.

Reddit launched a new posting format called "Predictions" which allow users to guess the answers to timely questions like who will win the game tomorrow? or how much will the price of Bitcoin move by Monday?, among others. Participants get 1,000 tokens to get started, but can't earn any more during the tournament -- only by having their predictions prove correct in the end.

TikTok, in a transparency report, says it removed 81,518,334 videos for violating its community guidelines or terms of service from April 1-June 30, 2020, which represents less than 1% of the total videos posted. This also means that during that quarter, 8.1 billion+ videos were posted on TikTok, averaging out to about 90 million videos posted each day.

TikTok also added new mute options for livestream comments, which enable them to mute comments from individual viewers within streams for various time periods.

Instagram added new scheduling and "practice mode" features to allow people to promote their Instagram Live in advance and be able to connect with guests to test equipment and prep before the Live begins.

Snapchat's app experienced an outage that prevented users from posting messages for hours on Wednesday. The source of the outage wasn't detailed, but followed a significant Facebook outage which took down Facebook's suite of apps for a good part of a day.

Messaging

Image Credits: WhatsApp

WhatsApp now allows users to encrypt their chat backups in the cloud, plugging a major hole that had allowed governments to snoop on private conversations between users. The system supports both Apple's iCloud and Google Drive for Android users. Mark Zuckerberg noted that WhatsApp is the first global messaging service at this scale to offer end-to-end encrypted messaging and backups.

Gaming

Image Credits: Roblox

Roblox co-founder and CEO David Baszucki, at the company's annual developer conference, outlined plans to modernize player avatars, introduce new in-game monetization streams and streamline the experience for developers. Instead of Roblox's classic, block-like avatars, the new avatars will look more life-like (and more like metaverse rival Fortnite). Also new is support for layered clothing, "dynamic heads" (facial animations for avatars rolling out for developer access), expanded access to voice chat, limited edition items, and a new development system called Open Cloud. The latter supports creating content in third-party tools, then exporting it to Roblox.

Google's Stadia game streaming service brings its "direct touch" controls to iOS. The feature, which launched on Android devices earlier this year, allows for mobile-like touchscreen presses that control the games, instead of hardware controllers.

Dating

Image Credits: Tinder

Tinder released a new "Plus One" feature that helps users find a wedding date. The feature is accessible within Tinders Explore section, which launched last month and offers ways to discover matches by interests and more. The dating app is also partnering with WeddingWire, a wedding planning resource company, to help single guests cover the costs of wedding season through a new Wedding Grant giveaway.

Utilities/Other

Disney's newest digital service, Disney Genie, is launching on October 19 at Walt Disney World Resort. The service, first unveiled in August, is an update to the companys earlier line-reservation tools for Disneys parks, allowing guests to plan and update their itineraries, book time slots for the most popular attractions and optionally purchase paid access to the fast lanes Lightning Lane entrances, either a la carte on top attractions or through the Genie+ add-on. At the core of the Disney Genie experience is a smart trip-planning capability that maps out a personalized itinerary based on which rides, attractions or food and entertainment experiences guests want to make sure to do while at the parks. This is rolling out to the My Disney Experience app, and will accommodate real-time scheduling changes -- like if you decide to take a detour on your route or head back to the hotel for a break, for instance. The feature could potentially put some third-party itinerary apps out of business, given Disney will have the advantage of leveraging its own park data and real-time updates, like ride closures and the like.

Image Credits: Disney

Google said it's changing the way search works on mobile devices in the U.S. across both the mobile web and its Google app for iOS and Android. Now, when you reach the bottom of a set of search results on your phone, you wont have to tap to go to the next page. Instead, the next set of results will automatically load so you can continuously scroll down to see more information. The rollout started on Thursday on English-language search results.

Apple updated its Apple Support app, adding support for in-app access to the AppleCare+ Express Replacement service along with other improvements. The service allows users to request a replacement iPhone without first needing to ship in their damaged device.

Alongside Tile's new product lineup of lost-item trackers, the company also introduced an updated Tile app that will include a new "Lost and Found" feature that allows anyone who finds a lost Tile to scan a QR code to get access to the owner's contact information to coordinate a return. A coming update will also allow non-Tile device owners to use the app to scan for nearby Tiles, if they fear being stalked.

Government & Policy

Apple removed from the Chinese App Store a popular ad-blocker app called 1Blocker, claiming the app is a VPN and the developer doesn't have the proper license. The developer, on Twitter, replied that the app does not have VPN servers and plans to appeal the decision.

Microsoft is pulling LinkedIn from the Chinese market later this year, following an increase in the regulatory changes in the country and tension between Microsoft and China, specifically. Two weeks ago, Microsoft decided to block the profiles of certain U.S. journalists in China, for example.

Security & Privacy

Apple's iOS 15.0.2 update addressed a memory corruption vulnerability that was actively exploited in at least one case. The update also addresses a number of other glitches in iOS 15 (and iPadOS 15), including one problem that caused the iPhone Leather Wallet and with MagSafe not to connect to Find My, a bug that could cause AirTags not to appear in the Find My Items tab, and another that caused CarPlay to fail to open audio apps or to disconnect during playback.

Google pulled ads for "stalkerware" apps that would encourage prospective users to spy on their spouses' phones. The apps were designed to be installed surreptitiously and without the device owners consent and have been used by abusers to spy on the phones of their spouses.

Funding and M&A

 Nigerian neobank Sparkle closed on $3.1 million in seed funding to continue to scale the company, which now includes support for SMBs, in addition to consumers.

 Berlin-based health tech app Mayd raised 13 million ($15 million) in seed funding from 468 Capital, Earlybird and Target Global for its app that delivers medications to Europeans doors in as fast as 30 minutes.

 Digital lending startup Tala raised $145 million for its Android app used by more than 6 million customers across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico and India. Upstart, a company founded by ex-Googlers Dave Girouard, Anna Counselman and Paul Gu, led the round.

 Intro, an app that connects experts with those in need of advice through personalized video calls, raised a $10 million seed round, led by Andreessen Horowitz. Other investors include Seven Seven Six, CAA founder Michael Ovitz, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, 23 & Me CEO Anne Wojcicki, Kevin Durant and Tiffany Haddish.

 Mobile app monetization provider InMobi acquired London-based performance insights platform Appsumer. According to InMobi, Appsumers self-serve tech platform, intellectual property and team will support InMobis end-to-end content, monetization and marketing stack following the deal's closure. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

 Mental healthcare app ThoughtFull raised $1.1 million in seed funding in one of the largest seed rounds raised for a digital mental health startup in Southeast Asia. Investors include The Hive SEA, Boston-based Flybridge and Vulpes Investment Management, as well as family offices and angels in the Asia Pacific region.

 French startup Swile raised $200 million in Series D funding, led by SoftBank Group International. The round values the business at $1 billion or more. Swile allows users to add the meal vouchers provided by their company to its app alongside their personal bank card. This has allowed it to capture a 13% market share on meal vouchers in the country.

 Indian fintech app CRED is in talks to raise additional funds at a $5.5 billion valuation, just weeks after it was finalizing a round of over $200 million at a pre-money valuation of ~$3.75 billion from Tiger Global, Falcon Edge Capital and others.

 Corporate travel booking and expenses app Lola was acquired by Capital One, in a deal that included both the team and tech. All of Lola's contracts were terminated, refunds issued and the app shut down.

 Mental health app MentalHappy launched its app for low-cost peer support groups, backed by $1.1 million in seed funding from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and YC.

 Mobile gaming startup Homa Games raised $50 million in Series A funding led by Northzone. The company specializes in hypercasual, casual, and board games, and has developed an all-in-one SDK that helps developers optimize their mobile games through analytics and A/B testing.

Downloads

Clash

Image Credits: Clash

When Trumps ban on TikTok failed, the short-form video app Byte exited to rival Clash  an admission of sorts that TikToks momentum couldnt be beaten if it was allowed to remain in the U.S. This week, Byte's new owner Clash relaunched its app with the best of Byte under the hood alongside a suite of creator tools for monetizing a fan base. And this time, the focus isnt on beating TikTok, but working in parallel alongside it. The newly rebuilt Clash app introduces a set of tools for creators and their fans, including a virtual tipping mechanism called Drops (not to be confused with product drops, popular in e-commerce) and a paid messaging system called Fanmail. The idea is that Clash would be used with a creator's most loyal fans who would like to have more exclusive access, a closer connection or behind-the-scenes content, among other things. Creators can cash out when they've earned at least $25 in Drops. The app relaunched in Byte's place on the App Store and is arriving on Android soon. (Read the full review here.)

Monument Valley 2 (update)

Image Credits: ustwo games

The popular, but now older, puzzle game Monument Valley 2 from ustwo games just added a new chapter four years after its launch. The special chapter is called "The Lost Forest," and is an eco-friendly update designed to promote forest conservation. Players will be encouraged to sign the Play4Forests petition for forest conservation. Said the company, the new addition is its "contribution to the Playing For The Planet Green Game Jam."

Wisdom

Image Credits: Wisdom

U.K.-based social audio startup Wisdom launched its new app that's a cross between Clubhouse and MasterClass. The app offers a way for users to join audio conversations, where they can either listen or ask questions, both live and on-demand. The advice could be focused on any broad range of topics, including parenting, dating, career, finance, mental health, well-being, fitness, etc. A recommendation algorithm intends to match users to interests. At launch, 10,000 experts are signed up to offer their advice.
POWER OF PINK VIRTUAL WALK

The Mary Washington Hospital Foundation will host the Power of Pink Virtual Breast Cancer Walk to benefit the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation Breast Cancer Fund.

Participants can do the 2.2-mile walk anytime and anywhere they choose, from Oct. 2430, according to the sponsors. Groups are not encouraged because of safety concerns due to the pandemic and participants are asked to adhere to social distancing restrictions.

Walkers are encouraged to dress themselves and their dogsif they walk with themin their best pink outfits and to share their photos. The walks can take place in neighbors, parks or on treadmills.

All registered participants will receive a Power of Pink mask Chick-fil-A coupon from Central Park. A drive-thru Power of Pink goodie pickup will be held for all registrations received by Thursday on Friday, Oct. 22, from 46 p.m., at the Fick Conference Center on the campus of Mary Washington Hospital.

More information is available at powerofpink.mwhc.com.

OLD MEDICINES COLLECTED SATURDAY
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She was living in Maryland when she started having symptoms: She heard gurgling in her throat whenever she lay down, a result of fluid building up because her heart was too weak to pump it out correctly. She was hospitalized so the extra fluid could be drained.

In the years that followed, she returned to the hospital about seven times for the same treatment, both in Maryland and after she moved to the Fredericksburg area. Each time, she stayed at least a week.

Any time hospital staff, people in the emergency room, nurses, people who deliver your food and clean up your room, any time they recognize a patient, that means youve been there too many times, she said.

Lewis is on a diuretic to help drain the fluid that builds up around her heart. She also has a catheter, a PICC line in her arm that continuously pumps medicine to help her heart muscle squeeze harder. That line has been in place for about a year and a half, and she wears a bandage that looks like first-aid gauze over it.

The sensor was implanted in her pulmonary artery in March and there have been about three times since then when readings were off the mark and her medicine needed to be adjusted. She hasnt been hospitalized oncea relief any time, but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For four decades, 4-H has been a part of the Osten family of Platte County.

Brothers Jerry, Cory and Cody Osten have passed down a love of agriculture to their respective children. Eli, 17; Parker, 13; and Hadley, 12, are the children of Cory and Jennifer. Tori is the 16-year-old daughter of Jerry and Tammy while Cody and Victoria have a 6-year-old son named Kyler.

On a mild afternoon in mid-September, the five children were joined by close family friend Caleb Sloup, the son of Mike and Sheila Sloup, who often joins the Ostens in 4-H activities.

(Its) 40 years, when you look at Jerry, the oldest, right down to Kyler whos in his first year (of 4-H), said Jennifer. Tori and Kyler, they both showed at the state fair  they showed swine.

Its easy to see how close the family is when watching them interact with each other.

On the day of the interview, the Ostens and Sloups met at the Osten homeplace in rural Columbus. Corys great-grandparents were the first to live on the land. Prior generations harvested the fields and raised hogs.

These days, Jerry lives in a house on the land while Jerrys oldest daughter, Jasmine, lives in the farmhouse. Although Jasmine is older, she is still involved with ag; she has chickens and is interested in organic farming, the family said.

Cory noted his grandmothers involvement in 4-H as well. Following in her footsteps, he is now on the 4-H council.

For 4-H stuff, Grandma Osten was huge  all open class exhibits and all that stuff, Cory said. She was on 4-H council, and all kinds of stuff like that.

Its pretty neat to think about generation (after generation) theyve been doing it, Jennifer added.

All six kids belong to 4-H group Northern Lites. Hadley is also involved in Baker Makers, which focuses on activities such as sewing and cooking.

Eli started as a Clover Kid, and they can start as Clover Kids at 6, Jennifer said. Eli is 17 so hes been in it 11 years now. They can be in it until theyre 18.

The three oldest are also involved in Future Farmers of America.

Foir 4-H kids mostly show swine, though Hadley shows cattle. Victoria noted the kids receive pigs in March and then theyre prepared for shows.

Tori said she gets her pigs in late fall. Tori competed in the Nebraska State Fair this year and received first in Duroc, fourth in crossbred class, third in Burkeshire and made into the finals for showmanship. Kyler received first in Duroc barrow class in the Futurity Show.

Victoria, who was involved in 4-H while growing up, said she had been partial to pigs.

Pigs were always my favorite thing to show, so thats why I always stuck with that route, Victoria said. They have fun personalities. They honestly do.

Along with being a family tradition, 4-H also teaches kids the importance of responsibility.

They feed their pigs in the morning and at night. They walk their pigs, they wash their pigs, Jennifer said. (Its a) daily thing they have to be responsible for. They keep a record book, so they have to know what theyre spending on their feed. They have to know what theyre spending on their animals. But they also gain a lot of friendships and meet a lot of new people. It teaches them a lot.

Eli agreed.

You have to show up every day and take care of your animals and do all the things necessary so theyre ready on show day, Eli said.

For Hadley, her favorite part is the animals themselves.

You get to be involved with more animals. Its more fun to be involved with animals, Hadley said.

According to Victoria, the family also often competes in progress shows, which are like mini-shows that take place at different locations.

Thats always fun because then you meet up with some of the same pigs and you compete against the same ones over and over and over, Victoria said. You can compare your pig to that pig and say, OK, that one is doing better at this but mine is selling at this.

4-H has also shaped the Osten kids into who they are today. So far, the older kids are planning to pursue ag-related careers.

Eli, who is a senior at Lakeview High School, said he plans on attending the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study agricultural engineering, which encompasses a variety of career paths.

You can design feed yards. You can design a hog confinement shop, Victoria said, adding that it can also include equipment. Theres a lot of things you can do with it.

Eli noted his interest lies more in facility design.

Not so much the equipment, more the design of barns and stuff, feed yards, Eli said.

Parker is considering agronomy, Jennifer said.

Tori wants to do maybe ag feed to be a feed specialist, Victoria added.

The Ostens are a 4-H family but also a Lakeview Community Schools family. The three oldest Osten kids and Caleb attend Lakeview Junior-Senior High while Kyler goes to Shell Creek Elementary. Jennifer is a teacher at Shell Creek.

Thats the thing about 4-H, its kind of your community, your group of people, Jennifer said. Its just like Lakeview, Lakeview is a little community in itself. Everybody works together.

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Katey Sagal, best known for starring as Peggy Bundy on Married... with Children, was hospitalized after a car hit her while she was crossing the street in Los Angeles.

The actress, 67, was walking at a crosswalk when a Tesla turned left and hit her, a source told TMZ.

The driver stopped to help the actress, who was transported to a local hospital, according to the outlet.

Sagal was treated for her injuries, which the insider told TMZ are not serious.

At the time of publication, no citations were issued and no arrests had been made, sources told the outlet.

Sagal, who also starred on Sons of Anarchy and now is on "The Conners," was expected to be released sometime Friday, according to TMZ.

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Halloween Hysteria kicked off Thursday night with frights and fun up and down Main Street.

Hundreds of kids, dressed up in their trick-or-treating gear, got a head start on their candy collection with dozens of businesses giving treats and some scares.

Don Peterson & Associates hosted a haunted house throughout their building with employees in full costume and decorations up and down their office.

Barb Orr, a Realtor at Don Peterson, describes how the setup happens.

Weve been doing this for years, Orr said. We started setup at 8 in the morning today, with just a little setup yesterday night. Every staff member came in and helped out with some staff dressing up for the haunted house. We give out candy, too, but with a twist, you have to make it to the end to get some.

First National Bank hosted a costume contest on the corner of Main and Sixth streets. The bank gave out gift baskets to the winners with best costume(s) for four distinct groups; ages 0-4, ages 4-6, ages 6-10, and family costumes for families who had a theme costume among them.

Most businesses just opted in for some staff dressing up and giving out candy and other snacks outside their building. These businesses included: Dodge County: Title and Escrow, State Farm, Yankee Peddler West, Blue Yoga, Methodist Fremont Health, Lous Sporting Goods, The Wise Olde Owl, Fremont Appliance, First Community Bank and many more in the downtown Fremont area.

It wasnt only children enjoying the fright-filled festivities.

Adults also participated with their own costumes and sometimes, sidekicks.

Kim Cappiello of Fremont wore a cow onesie costume with one adorable accessory. Her puppy joined her as an impromptu herd dog. Cappiello said she has lived in Fremont for four years, but this was her first year participating in the Hysteria.

With some light drizzle raining down within its first hour, it didnt stop kids, parents and patrons from enjoying the remainder of the event. Another Halloween Hysteria for the books and a notable shift from the other events in the shadow of the pandemic.

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As a nurse in Vietnam, Cheryl Feala saw soldiers who reminded the North Bend woman of her little brother back home. And she saw many badly wounded soldiers.

****

Second Lt. Al Crook knew it was better to get teenage replacements rather than older soldiers. The older ones were more cautious  and thus more likely to be killed. Like other soldiers, Crook wondered if hed die, too.

****

Del Meyer remembers the long nights and the fear, but the local man also recalls a funny story about telling a nun in Vietnam that he was Buddhist.

The three area residents shared their stories during a discussion event at Midland University. They spoke just before the universitys recent staging of A Piece of My Heart  a drama about six young American women whose lives are changed as they serve their country in Vietnam.

****

Originally from Nelson, Feala remembers what few vocational choices were available for women in the late 1960s.

You could be a nurse or a secretary or a teacher, she said.

She became a nurse.

****

Crook, who grew up on a farm at Rising City, went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a teaching degree in vocational agriculture.

During the last two years, he was in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), learning in the fall 1965 that he was heading to Vietnam.

****

Meyer grew up near Hartington, before a tornado destroyed his familys farm and they moved to Columbus. After high school, Meyer, who was from a big family, decided to go into the U.S. Army to pay for his education.

****

Feala was 21 when she went to Vietnam in 1968. Early that year, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops launched the first Tet Offensive against South Vietnamese and United States targets. More offensives followed.

Three occurred during Fealas time in Vietnam and she saw heavy casualties.

We were working 12-hour days, seven days a week, she said.

Feala was stationed near the village of Chu Lai on the eastern side of the country near the ocean. The hospital where she worked was situated in between Highway 1, a major route, and a military airstrip. Civilians lived beyond the highway.

The hospital was periodically shelled as the enemy sought to hit the airstrip.

Patients included soldiers from the U.S. and South Vietnamese armies, civilians, and Viet Cong. Wounded enemy soldiers were stabilized until they could be moved to a holding facility.

Feala remembers helicopters, filled with the wounded, coming in one right after the other.

When you heard the helicopters, whether you were on your 12-hour shift or not, everybody went to the ER, which is where I worked, Feala said. All we had for those patients was antibiotic, pain medication and bandaging materials. We got them stabilized. They came right off the field to us.

A corpsman would mark an M on the wounded soldiers forehead if hed been given morphine so medical personnel wouldnt give him any more, which could have had bad results.

I cant begin to tell you how many times I had to give an IV in the neck, because you couldnt find another spot, Feala said.

After military personnel were stabilized, they went to an evacuation hospital and then on to Japan or the United States.

****

Crook served in the 1st Infantry Division in the U.S. Army and he and other soldiers were sent to a French rubber plantation, 40 miles northwest of Saigon.

The year I was in Vietnam, until the last few months, we slept in our foxholes, even when we were in base camp, Crook said. There were no wooden, concrete-floor barracks even built yet.

Crooks job was to command a 43-member platoon, which went on search and destroy missions.

On their first mission, they were ordered not to fire on the enemy until fired upon.

Im the one that broke the rule or Id have lost a lot of men right there, Crook said. We were in the thick of it all the time.

That included defending the base camps perimeter.

We suffered more casualties than I want to admit, because the Viet Cong were on their home turf, Crook said. They only engaged us when they thought they had the upper hand. We were ambushed many times.

Crook shared something else.

Theres only seven of us alive today and four of us have been wounded at least two times, he said. It was a rough year.

****

Meyer went to Vietnam in 1969.

The first night I was there, we got hit with sappers, which are guys that come in with black shorts, sandals and a 5-pound satchel charge of TNT that theyd throw in your bunker. The concussion would kill you, he said.

The next day, the men loaded 5-ton trucks with the bodies of enemy soldiers and put them on the side of the road.

That night, they watched as the North Vietnamese Army soldiers came to get their dead.

Meyer was on an 8-inch, self-propelled track vehicle that shot 200-pound shells for 30 miles. He was prepared to shoot at a light, until his captain stopped him.

That light was a hospital.

The men returned to base.

Wed live underground, Meyer said. We spent 15 months underground.

And they went out on raids.

****

Feala remembers the civilians and once delivered a baby. She remembers injured soldiers awaiting treatment, who never said a word, because they knew other soldiers had been more seriously wounded and needed help first.

****

Crook remembers the replacements.

We just lost so many that we always had an influx of new guys, who you were training to get them up to speed, because they were as green as a gourd, Crook said. If we didnt train them right, wed go out on a mission and they could get us killed.

****

Meyer remembers the heat and humidity and the green mold that grew on his skin. Soldiers couldnt get clean even with showers.

****

Veterans were asked about the worst part of the war.

Feala said wounded men who came to the hospital were the same age as her younger brother, who was in college.

I think I saw him in about every soldier who came in, she said.

Meyer asked if nurses got R&R (Rest and Recuperation/Relaxation).

I refused to take it, Feala said. I just felt like I was needed.

****

With so many people dying, Crook wondered when he might be next.

Most of the enlisted men were ages 19 and younger, but there was a troop buildup the year Crook was in Vietnam. Soldiers who started coming in were 20 years old, and then 20 and married. Later on, they were 21-year-olds with a couple of kids.

I did not want a married man in my unit, because he was too cautious and he wouldnt do what you told him to do; he hesitated and many of them lost their lives, Crook said. I dont mean any disrespect to those guys, but you give me a 17-year-old, 18-year-old out of high school  and they did what they were told.

Crook added other perspective.

They always say war is for young people, because if you get too old, youd better be in the rear, he said.

****

Nights were the worst part of the war for Meyer.

Youd always get hit at night, he said. They would always come in about 2:30 in the morning. And there was the fear every night of waiting for them. It just gets to you.

****

The veterans did recall some pleasant moments.

Feala got to escort a couple of patients to see legendary entertainer Bob Hope. Crook got to see the beautiful actress Ann Margaret.

Meyer recalled a humorous time.

He was assigned to take wood on different occasions to an orphanage, where a nun asked about his religion.

Meyer, who was raised Catholic, jokingly said he was Buddhist. She gave him a warm Coca Cola to drink.

One day, the nun grabbed a little medal that Meyer wore around his neck. The medal said to call a priest if he were killed.

The nun realized he was Catholic and called him a liar in Vietnamese.

But after that, shed give him a frozen beer.

****

After her time in Vietnam ended, Feala prepared to head home.

The first thing they told you was to get out of your army gear, Feala said. That was the signal to us that we should lay low.

For 20 years, Feala never talked about her service in Vietnam.

****

When he returned from the service, Crook taught vocational agriculture in Clarkson, then spent the next 40 years in sales and marketing.

Crook recalls his first national sales meeting in a ballroom with fancy hors doeuvres. A man inquired about his background. Crook mentioned his teaching certificate and that hed served in Vietnam.

You had your teaching certificate and you still went to Vietnam, the man said. I guess you must like to kill babies.

Crook considered his response.

I was young and in shape and I could have decked him, but I didnt, because Id be arrested and fired from this brand new job, Crook said. So I just looked at him and said, Youre an idiot.

Crook didnt talk about his service for years, either.

****

When you came home, you couldnt talk about it at all to anybody, Meyer said.

Meyer was angry.

****

Feala later joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.

At least you had somebody who you felt understood you, she said. That was helpful.

****

All three talked about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I dont think theres anybody who goes to war who doesnt get it, Feala said.

****

Crook said he didnt know he had PTSD, at first. He later took a course on it.

Then in 2006, he had quadruple bypass surgery with six weeks of convalescing at home.

I had stuffed all my bad experiences in the back of my brain like a locked box on the cedar chest that was never going to open, he said. That came flying open when I had time to relax and think about it. Thats when I went to the VA (Veterans Administration) and sought help.

****

Meyer still has nightmares from his time in Vietnam, but not like he used to.

****

Feala and Crook recalled the Honor Flights that took veterans on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., to see monuments including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Crook remembers coming back from that flight to Omaha and the large number of sign-holding, flag-waving people who greeted them in 2016.

When they said Welcome Home, we really felt like we were home, Crook said.

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More than a dozen Nebraska law enforcement agencies still aren't compliant with new national standards for collecting and reporting data on crime in their jurisdictions.

Among the 16 noncompliant agencies in Nebraska is the police department tracking data for the state's most populous city, said Mike Fargen, the director of the Nebraska Crime Commission's Systems and Research division.

Speaking at a Crime Commission meeting in Lincoln on Friday, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said the agency's size is the exact reason the department hasn't yet made the switch to the National Incident-Based Reporting System  the only data-reporting standard accepted by the FBI as of January 2021.

The system was developed as a part of a collaborative effort to ensure consistent, detailed and reliable data is reported across every law enforcement jurisdiction in the country.

"Noncompliant is not really the term I like to hear because it shows a little resistance," Schmaderer told the commission, of which he is a member. "There's no resistance from Omaha. We've been working very hard  this is just a size matter. Cities our size across the country are not to where we're at in this process.

"We've reached that point where I do see light at the end of the tunnel here. So bear with us."

Fargen said five agencies indicated ahead of the commission's last quarterly meeting in August that while they hadn't yet reached compliance in their data reporting, they would in the next one or two months. Three months later, Fargen said, four of those agencies  including OPD  remain noncompliant.

Don Arp Jr., executive director of the Crime Commission, said the state's largest police department is "very close" to compliance, having met thresholds for data integrity. The hang-up stems from minor details, Arp said, pointing to minute details like nondescript quantity measurements listed alongside drug seizures.

"They've jumped the major hurdle," Arp said.

The same can't be said for at least 11 of the 16 noncompliant agencies, including the Seward Police Department. That agency forecast an 11-month delay in gaining data reporting compliance, Fargen said, a timeline "clearly outside" the commission's Jan. 8 target deadline.

One agency, the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, has been completely unresponsive to the Nebraska Crime Commission's requests for the office to shift to new national standards, Fargen said. And one county sheriff threatened to quit if the commission implemented any further new requirements, though commission members weren't sure if that sheriff hails from Blaine County or elsewhere.

Even as the commission works to ensure eventual compliance from every law enforcement agency in the state, Fargen conceded some agencies will simply remain noncompliant  an issue the commission hasn't yet decided how to address.

Fargen suggested the commission begin levying fines toward counties where law enforcement agencies haven't yet complied, though Arp indicated the group would opt for a wait-and-see approach.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, who serves as the chairperson of the commission, pointed to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office as a noncompliant agency with "no excuse."

"The reality in Nebraska is some of these law enforcement agencies are one-person shops," Peterson told the Journal Star. "And so when we get noncompliances, ... I want to focus on the bigger communities, because then that will give us a much better picture of what's going on with regards to law enforcement efforts in the state."

Still, the attorney general said small counties like Blaine, population 477, will "not be allowed just to ignore" compliance standards.

Peterson said once data is standardized across the state and collected by the commission, he ultimately doesn't expect the body to use data trends to direct policy changes for the state's law enforcement agencies.

That role, he said, would largely be left up to the Legislature.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley.

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OMAHA -- As expected, a priest who served as chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha has been arrested and charged with two felonies after allegations emerged that he embezzled from a parish in Springfield and from a retired Omaha priest.

The Rev. Michael Gutgsell, who served as chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 to 2003 and has served as a parish priest since then, turned himself in Friday morning. After a hearing Friday afternoon, a judge ordered the 73-year-old to be released from the Douglas County Jail on his own recognizance. Prosecutors did not object.

According to court documents, Gutgsell admitted to taking $106,000 from St. Josephs Catholic Church in Springfield, where he has spent the past few years. The Archdiocese of Omaha since has removed him from his duties at the parish.

Gutgsell also admitted to taking $180,000 from the bank accounts of retired Omaha priest Theodore Richling, according to the court documents. Gutgsell told investigators he had planned to pay the money back.

Gutgsell is charged in Douglas County with attempted theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult. The latter charge stemmed from accusations that Gutgsell stole money from Richling while Richling was suffering from Alzheimer's and was largely incapacitated. Richling died in December 2019.

Richling faced allegations of his own from his time at Christ the King Catholic Church in Omaha and at a church in Genoa, Nebraska. In 2020, the archdiocese said an investigation of Richling "led to the substantiation of multiple instances of sexual misconduct with minors."

Both charges Gutgsell is facing are felonies punishable by up to three years in prison. He is expected to face charges in Sarpy County as well.

Gutgsell was scheduled to appear Friday afternoon in Douglas County Court.

Deacon Tim McNeill, the current chancellor of the archdiocese, has said Gutgsell "wrote loans to himself"  which weren't authorized  during his time at St. Joseph. McNeill said the archdiocese recently completed its investigation into the financial records of both St. Joseph in Springfield and St. Cecilia in Omaha  two of the parishes Gutgsell served after serving as chancellor.

Officials found no evidence of financial wrongdoing at St. Cecilia, according to McNeill. At St. Joseph, McNeill said, it's not clear how many checks Gutgsell was able to write to himself  or how he was able to bypass typical safeguards requiring a second set of eyes on church transactions. The archdiocese is continuing to investigate those matters, McNeill said.

Friday, McNeill issued a statement saying that the archdiocese would not have further comment while Gutgsells criminal case is pending.

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Lady MacBeth, Titus Andronicus and Puck from A Midsummer Nights Dream are ready to scare the wits out of those courageous enough to venture into ShakesFear, the haunted attraction that opened Friday.

ShakesFear, which will run through Halloween in the Temple Building at 12th and R streets, bills itself as the only haunted attraction in Lincoln and is unquestionably unique in the world of haunted houses as it takes visitors on a scary journey to try to preserve a lost Shakespeare play.

After first encountering Shakespeares talking skull, which informs them that the lost play is his best work, visitors have to deal with jealous characters from other plays who want to stop the lost play from being found and performed.

A bloody butcher, a murderous king and the ghost of Hamlets father all figure into the fright-inducing mayhem.

People think of Shakespeare as this romantic, said Andy Park, artistic director of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. They forget that he had a really demented mind. He wrote some very disturbing characters. And its really unsettling to have people come up to you and theyre speaking in Shakespearean dialogue.

For the Rep, ShakesFear is something of a Trojan horse, drawing people into the haunted house and giving them an immersive theatrical experience based on the works of the worlds greatest dramatist.

This is the most exciting way Ive ever seen to introduce people in general to the Bard, Park said. Most people read Shakespeare at some point in school, but we all know performance is better. We think this approach might excite people about Shakespeare and return him to the populist roots he came from rather than the elitism hes associated with now.

ShakesFear grew out of a 2014 project created by Park and Kevin Rich, then the artistic director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Rich wanted to do some kind of immersive haunted venue during the festival and brought in Park to bring it to life.

The big question then was would audiences who like Shakespeare come to something haunted, and would audiences who like something haunted come to Shakespeare? Park said. The answer was a resounding yes.'

To prepare for ShakesFear, the team participated in Transworld, one of the largest haunted attraction conferences, where they learned the trade secrets needed to create a truly frightening experience.

Theres a whole thing about scaring people that professional haunts do, Park said. Theyre very tight lipped about it. You dont scare someone on accident. Theyre targeting very specific people. Theyve decided what kind of scare theyre going to use. Its way more nefarious than I ever imagined.

To ensure that everyone who ventures into ShakesFear will get a scare or two, the 15-minute journey begins in groups of 10 that are soon cut down to five.

We want to avoid that conga-line thing that happens at most haunted houses where the first person gets scared and the rest know whats coming, Park said. With the smaller group, we can ensure that everyone gets it."

The journey takes place in the Temple Buildings Studio Theatre, which has been been filled with a haunted set created by designer Jill Hibbard that utilizes props, animatronics and pneumatic devices to create the environment for the masked actors to by scary.

I think people are going to be very surprised by the production value of this thing, Park said.

The scares come one after another, an experience so intense that at least one of those who attended a preview this week couldnt finish the journey.

It doesnt let up until youre at the end, Park said. Its perfect for the new generation, which is used to engaging with experiences, whether it's virtual reality or video games.

The immersive nature of ShakesFear not only could attract a new generation of theatergoers, it provides an example for the student actors who play the characters that they can use their theater degree for something other than traditional stage productions, Park said.

ShakesFear is the only haunted attraction within Lincoln city limits due in part to strict fire regulations, according to Rick Campos, fire inspector for the University of Nebraska and previously the city of Lincoln.

For the last five-plus years, there hasnt been a haunted house in the city because other people haven't been able to meet the criteria, Campos said in a news release.

Fulfilling those regulations required a robust sprinkler system for the space and fire-treating costumes and material.

Safety-wise, theyve put a lot of work into it, Campos said. Ive been through the performance, and its great. I highly recommend it.

Because of the potentially too-scary animatronics, pneumatic devices and special effects, ShakesFear is not recommended for those under age 13.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com. On Twitter @KentWolgamott

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The U.S. Defense Department says it is has offered to pay compensation to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in a drone strike in August during the final phase of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.



The Defense Department is also working with the State Department to help family members relocate to the United States, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on October 15.



Kirby said Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austins commitment to offer condolence payments during a virtual meeting this week with Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit Nutrition & Education International (NEI).



The missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, an employee of NEI, killing him and 10 members of his family, including seven children.



Kwon said Ahmadi had work with the NEI for many years providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan, according to Kirby.



Kirby did not say how much money would be offered to the family. He said Ahmadi and the others who were killed in the strike were innocent victims who bore no blame and were not affiliated with Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) or threats to U.S. forces.

The drone strike occurred on August 29 as the U.S. military rushed to evacuate U.S. citizens and Afghans who had worked with U.S. forces during the war. Three days earlier, a suicide attack claimed by IS-K outside the airport killed some 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops.



The U.S. military said at the time that there was very credible" intelligence that IS-K militants were planning another attack on people gathered at the airport trying to leave the country after the Taliban took over the government.



A spokesman for U.S. Central Command initially said that the drone strike thwarted an imminent attack by IS-K on the evacuation, but last month General Kenneth McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, admitted it was a mistake and apologized.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
The Colorado Springs of today is far removed from its 1990s self, when Ormao Dance Company first appeared on the scene.

The appetite for art was very different, said Ormao founder Jan Johnson.

Johnson was hungry to create a wellspring of modern dance, for the public and the performers.

I wanted the community to see we have dancers who lived here who were wonderful, said the executive and artistic director. There were few opportunities for them to perform.

Though it was slow going at first, both population growth and new residents over the last decade, who arrived looking for more arts and culture opportunities, have been a boon to Ormaos growth. To help celebrate its 30th anniversary season, the company will present All at Once on Friday and Saturday at its black box theater. It marks a return to indoor performances, after outdoor shows over the last 18 months of the pandemic.

IF YOU GO What: "All at Once" by Ormao Dance Company When: 7:30-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Ormao Black Box Theater, 10 S. Spruce St. Price: $25 adults; $20 66 and older, students, 12 and younger, masks required; ormaodance.org

Its a good, balanced repertoire show, which is what we are, Johnson said. Were always looking at the human condition.

To honor those three decades of dance, Johnson has brought in new and former choreographers to create 12-to 25-minute pieces for the dancers.

Mollie Wolf, a former Ormao student, will present her piece, Entering Wilderness: Location Unknown. The anxiety-provoking work features audible texts of commands we can hear during a day  Notice your surroundings, Dont make eye contact, Do make eye contact  accompanied by an ambient music track with driving beats.

Ila Conoleys Six, featuring six dancers, including Johnson, was created by having each dancer journal their thoughts on topics related to their bodies, such as choosing a body part and writing a conversation from that part to its owner.

In Johnsons piece, Liquid Mind, three dancers intertwine their bodies with a piece of white silk that reminds Johnson of water: Its the idea of the underlying subconscious, and that we are all from one place. And as we grow and become older, we reveal ourselves in different ways.

Choreographers Alice Klock and Florian Lochner, known as Flock, will present their piece Memory Cue, about family dynamics. Kailani Dobsons multimedia installation, Promisi.Austi, will inhabit the small studio inside Ormao, and be available before and after the show.

Its (modern dance) a language of its own, but its a universal language that everyone can understand, Johnson said.

Through the lens of your life and experiences, you may see something different than the person sitting next to you, but modern dance allows for that space. Its like an abstract painting. We see different things.

Contact the writer: 636-0270
A Colorado Springs coffee shop was among stops by Gov. Jared Polis on Friday during a tour highlighting the state's economic relief efforts throughout the pandemic.

Polis stopped at various businesses and organizations throughout Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Trinidad, including Loyal Coffee, a Springs coffee company run and owned by six of the shop's baristas.

Polis met with one of the store's owners, Eric Nicol, to discuss the impact that relief efforts such as tax cuts, grants and loans had on the store.

"Any excess cash has been extremely helpful for retaining employees as much as we can, paying rent, lots of different things like that," Nicol said. "The tax break ... was very helpful."

During three months over the summer, restaurants and bars retained their portions of the state's sales tax. That brought $40 million to $50 million in sales tax relief to small restaurants and bars across the state, Polis' administration said.

The tax reprieve, plus various small business loans and grants, created a path for Loyal Coffee to navigate its way out of the hardships that began when the pandemic  and resulting restrictions to slow the virus  struck in 2020. By summer 2021, Loyal Coffee surpassed its 2019 sales.

"Loyal is about collaboration and community and we love the Springs and love this community and want to keep seeing it grow," Nicol said. "So we're excited that it feels like it's growing right now."

Despite the boost in sales, Loyal, like many other restaurants and industries, struggled to hire employees. The coffee company managed to survive the pandemic without laying off employees, but as the shop experienced "normal" turnover, it has tried to play "catch-up" with training and hiring over the past six months.

"There's pressures on the labor market, which is good for workers, (but) tough on businesses sometimes to fill all the openings they have," Polis said.

Polis stopped earlier in the day at Another Life Foundation in Colorado Springs to discuss a new child tax credit designed to save families money. His scheduled tour also included Colorado State University's 23-acre solar array in Pueblo, to promote his goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, and the Fox West Theater in Trinidad, to advocate for community revitalization.

"A lot of small businesses are doing even better than they were pre-pandemic," Polis said. "It's really about building back that consumer confidence."
Officials at Colorados primary mental hospital failed to protect a 20-year-old patient who suffered loss of brain function when he attempted to kill himself at the facility nearly three months ago, allowing violations in protocols meant to prevent such tragedies, state regulators determined.

Among the host of problems, state regulators found that a clinical care associate at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo violated requirements for safety checks of patients and their rooms the day of the suicide attempt.

Employees told The Gazette a contract health care worker was fired over the incident, although the state denied requests for termination information.

Another patient found Kersey resident Chase Falk hanging in his room at 2:03 p.m. on July 27 and alerted hospital staff, who rushed in to untie sheets Falk had fashioned as a noose, the regulators found. No heart rate could be discovered. Falk was transported to a Denver-area hospital, where he was in a coma, said his father, Carl Falk.

"They worked on him for 17 minutes before they got a pulse," an emotional Falk told The Gazette. "He never regained consciousness, and they froze him for three days in ICU. They had to work hard to get him back, and I'm super thankful."

The survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in the wake of the suicide attempt found peril for other patients and wide-ranging problems so severe that federal regulators in September threatened to kick the Pueblo hospital out of the Medicare program by Dec. 14.

Risks discovered included telephones used by unsupervised patients that posed a suicide risk due to 14-inch cords, and, more generally, the lack of a hospital-wide, data-driven quality assessment and performance improvement program.

Terminating the Pueblo hospital from Medicare reimbursements would cripple the hospitals ability to bill for its psychiatric services. The loss of Medicare would also come at a time when Colorado is already struggling to adhere to a two-year old federal consent decree that found the state violated due process in the evaluation and treatment of mentally ill criminal defendants struggling with psychosis.

Not complying with the terms of the consent decree has cost the state at least $17 million in federal fines since March 2019. A major stumbling block to adhering to the consent decree is the backlog of nearly 350 people jammed in county jails around Colorado waiting for admission to the states Pueblo facility, where court-ordered mental competency evaluations or restoration services for criminal defendants take place.

Whether Colorado can avoid having the Pueblo hospital kicked out of the Medicare program remains an open question.

In response to the survey, the Joint Budget Committee, a legislative group that crafts the state budget, in late September allocated $4.1 million in suicide mitigation funds for the Pueblo hospital to bring the facility into compliance with federal standards. The money will pay for new surveillance cameras, address suicide risks in patients rooms and pay for other upgrades.

Officials with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in a September letter to Colorado officials said the Pueblo hospital still would have to pass another unannounced survey inspection by the state health department to stave off termination from the Medicare program.

Madlynn Ruble, a spokeswoman for the states Department of Human Services, said that an unannounced survey has not yet taken place, though she said, all immediate jeopardies have been removed.

We have requested and received funding to make environmental modifications for suicide mitigation, Ruble said. We expect surveyors to return to verify their implementation and clear all findings.

The previous survey that took place after Falks suicide attempt began in July and concluded in August. Officials with the state health department declined to release their agencys survey findings, as did the Colorado Department of Human Services, which operates the Pueblo psychiatric hospital.

In declining to release the report, the two state agencies said the suicide attempt was still being investigated, even though state law allows public release of state agency investigative records during an ongoing investigation if doing so is in the interest of public health, welfare or safety.

The Gazette obtained a copy of the surveys findings from authorities with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who disagreed with the determination from the state agencies that the findings werent a public record.

The document makes clear that state health officials found issues that put other patients beside Falk in peril.

In addition to failing to adequately check on Falk the day of the suicide attempt, staff at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo also allowed him to stockpile extra bed sheets and a large trash can he used in his attempt to take his life, the review by the states health department found. Other widespread instances of unauthorized linens were discovered in other patients' rooms, posing additional suicide risks, the regulators found.

An employee has told The Gazette that Falks was at least the third suicide attempt this year inside the hospital. An adolescent girl used shards from a broken mirror and a man used a razor to harm himself.

Suicide attempts are not common at the Pueblo hospital and occur at a frequency lower than other community settings, said Robert Werthwein, director of the Office of Behavioral Health in the state Department of Human Services.

"We serve at any one time 500 people with serious mental illness," he said. "In the course of a year, it could be up to 1,000 people."

The Department of Human Services would not provide statistics on numbers of suicide attempts inside its two psychiatric hospitals.

Falk said he is frustrated at the lack of answers and apparent mishaps in preventing his son's suicide attempt.

"We're like 'Why did you let this happen?'" Falk said.

Despite being told he would receive a copy of an outside investigation into what happened that day that his son tried to take his life, Falk said he's now been told the hospital has a "no contact" order in place with the family, so he has been unable to obtain any information about the case. He also claims his lawyer was threatened if they continued to pursue the matter.

While state regulators were examining conditions at the hospital, a patient escaped from the facility three days after Falks suicide attempt, according to the survey. The patient walked past four staff members and a kitchen employee and through an unlocked door, the regulators reported. The patient escaped from the hospital grounds for more than three hours before police escorted him back to the facility, the survey noted.

Escapes from the facility also occur infrequently  "from time to time," Werthwein said.

"When they think of escapes, people think of scaling a wall or digging a tunnel, but in some units, depending on the security level, people can walk off on their own accord," he said.

His department did not provide requested numbers of escapes from the facility. An employee said another had occurred in February.

Patients also were being locked regularly in their rooms, a violation of seclusion and restraint policies, the survey also said, stating the facility failed to ensure a safe patient care environment in multiple areas due to a lack of required patient wellness checks and environmental safety checks.

While the clinical care associate made rounds the day of Falks suicide attempt, his actual patient checks were cursory and insufficient to ensure safety, the state regulators found. Surveillance video showed he did not enter patient rooms during the rounds and stood before patient doorways for only one to two seconds.

He failed to detect the trash can and bed sheets used in his suicide attempt, according to the surveys findings. Falk wrapped the extra sheet around his neck and put it into the door and closed the door. He stood on top of the upside-down trash can to hang himself.

Protocols required staff to observe the patients face, neck, chest rise and fall, skin tone color, physical condition, emotional state, body language and tone of voice and document the observations.

Falk said the description of what occurred doesn't make sense since his son is "almost as tall as the doors."

And "that type of suicide takes planning  it seems like it would take more than 15 minutes just to tie the sheets together," Falk said.

Staff also regularly transported patients through an underground tunnel system, which had multiple pipelines, construction supplies, water leaks and additional unlocked doors to other tunnels that could allow for escape and criminal activity, according to the survey. The survey noted that nothing was done after reports of unlocked doors that would allow for escape from the facility. The lack of any follow-up contributed to a patient escaping from the hospital, according to the survey.

In June, contracted electrical workers left a 15 to 20-inch metal pipe in the hallway, but no measures were taken to prevent such hazards from occurring again, the survey noted.

Another patient in July hid a rusty, metal wire in his room, but when staff discovered the wire no interventions or investigation occurred. In another instance, a patient fashioned a weapon by filling a sock with rocks, but there was no evidence that incident was ever investigated, the regulators further reported.

State officials pledged in response that they would hire a quality-improvement specialist. They said the specialist would monitor reporting on adverse events and ensure follow-up occurs.
The poll released Tuesday indicates Latinos on the Western Slope had higher incidences of food insecurity compared to the rest of the state at 40%, as well as 64% of those west of the Continental Divide who had difficulty paying their rent or mortgage.
A Gazette investigation shows an increasing number of soldiers, including wounded combat veterans, are being kicked out of the service for misconduct, often with no benefits, as the Army downsizes after a decade of war.
City Editor

Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has covered statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids.
The fear, grief and tumult of COVID-19 brought an unforeseen blessing for Christian education.

A difference in pandemic practices created what Roland DeRenzo, superintendent of Colorado Springs Christian Schools, calls a wave of enthusiasm for recruitment season.

Parents noticed that the pandemics typical seesawing between live classroom instruction and remote learning didnt seem to be happening at faith-based schools.

And families liked that, DeRenzo said.

Parents were so hungry and excited and had an intensity in getting students back in seats, he said.

Like many private religious schools, Colorado Springs Christian Schools stayed open after mandatory closures lifted last spring, while still following public health practices, such as installing air filtration systems and stepping up cleaning.

Campuses in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park posted enrollment growth of 7% this semester, DeRenzo said, with a total topping 1,100 students. Thats nearing the record highs the 50-year-old school saw in the 1980s, he said.

That Christian schools have not wavered from teaching every subject through a biblical and faith-driven lens  amid public debates over gender identity and critical race theory instruction  also has bolstered interest, religious school leaders believe.

People will call and ask about history and civics, and we say we have not changed our core knowledge curriculum, which incorporates world and U.S. history and infuses Catholicism throughout, said Superintendent Sheila Whalen, who oversees the seven schools in the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs.

Some families lost jobs during the pandemic and withdrew their children, Whalen said, but enrollment this semester reflects a net gain of 38 students, for a total of 1,308 preschool through eighth grade students.

Two schools in the diocese are introducing Catholic classical curriculum this year, Whalen said, which asks students to dissect and analyze original text, such as the Declaration of Independence.

Its going back to providing a richer experience for the students, she said.

Colorado Springs Christian Schools do not shy away from the history of the United States, DeRenzo said. We present the whole history, the flaws, the successes, because when we teach, we teach with two cardinal truths  forgiveness and redemption.

If you dont have those, you end up with dominance or elimination, and thats what were seeing in our culture today.

Principal Jennifer Sutherland attributes a 30% boost in enrollment this semester at The University School in Colorado Springs to the climate of the public schools.

She cites parental dissatisfaction over not only gender identity teaching in traditional schools, but also overcrowded classes and standardized testing-based education as reasons for the huge jump in students at her school. Families also like that the school is not requiring masks, Sutherland added.

The non-denominational Christian school has been operating on the citys westside for 16 years and this semester has 60 new preschool through 12th grade students.

And interest hasnt slowed, Sutherland said, with inquiries about the school up by 80%.

Just this week weve had four inquiries from families wanting to start right now, and seven families interested in the second semester, she said.

The school is one of the pioneers of hybrid education under the University Model, in which students attend class three days a week and do homeschool lessons two days a week.

When it comes to gender identity, Christian schools follow biblical views.

Were very upfront in saying that in Catholic education, were founded on Christian anthropologies, and within that, we believe God created each person male and female, and youre either born a male or a female, and thats how you identify, Whalen said.

Colorado Springs Christian Schools also starts from the reference point of people being biologically male or female, DeRenzo said.

When people come here, they understand thats the perspective by which we will teach, and we will work with their children, DeRenzo said. "Our philosophical foundation starts with the family first, not the institution."

Parental primacy

Parental involvement has been a traditional cornerstone of Christian education, as parents are considered the primary educators of their children, school leaders say.

There's no talk of condoms in local Catholic schools.

Middle school parents are provided sexuality-related biology lessons to talk about at home, when the children are ready, Whalen said.

The material is based on the teachings of St. Pope John Paul II and speaks of "the dignity of the human person and body," she said. "It explores who we are as children of God, how we show respect for each other and the reasons for sexual morality."

Families who pay for their children to attend Colorado Springs Christian Schools subscribe to the faith-based teachings, DeRenzo said, and look to the school to reinforce what the family wants to do.

To meet today's demand for flexibility and choice in education, his school system rolled out an online platform last spring when schools were required to close, as a beta test site, with all students and parents onboard. The exclusive online program continues as an option this school year, with curriculum mirrored to classroom instruction.

Were using it for military families or others who move, so we have students all over the country, DeRenzo said.

The University School's Sutherland said with greater choice, participation in homeschooling has spiked nationwide, which also has been good for her school.

Families are getting around tables and doing cooperative learning, she said. There are pros and cons to each decision, however, parents are far more educated about different learning options and meeting the needs of their individual students.

One piece of advice DeRenzo always gives parents: Make sure youre not running away from something, but youre running to something.

Trend spreads across nation

The Colorado Springs-based Association of Christian Schools International also is tracking what's shaping up to be a developing trend.

The association reported in December 2020 enrollment growth among a chunk of its members, which include 2,057 American schools and 159 international schools, according to spokeswoman Caitlyn Berman.

This could suggest an influx of students from other educational sectors, whose families chose Christian schooling over other options that would have been available to them that fall, she said in an email.

The association, which supports Christian schools and educators with materials and training programs to help children grow spiritually, academically and culturally, does not yet have enrollment statistics for this semester, Berman said.

As further indication of increasing popularity of Christian schools, an association tuition and salary survey showed that about $453,000 in school choice dollars the median schools received in the 2020-2021 school year reflects an increase of nearly 50%.

This suggests that more parents are exercising choice and enrolling their children in Christian schools, Berman said.

In its 44th year of operation, Springs Baptist Academy in Colorado Springs has seen year-over-year growth for the past seven years, and this semester marks the largest enrollment ever, said Brother Tom Tolbert, principal, in a letter to parents.

A new independent Catholic high school, St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School, will open in Denver next fall, according to the Archdiocese of Denver.

"Ideological forces have radically altered the present state of education  and a new response of robust Catholicity is required," the Denver Catholic article said.

Not all Christian schools fared have fared well, though.

In the 2019-2020 academic, 42 schools in the Association of Christian Schools International closed, Berman said, and 17 closed last school year. So far this school year, just one has shut down.

Amid the pandemic, just a year of planning brought to fruition Colorado Springs first classical Catholic high school.

It seems miraculous it came together during COVID, said Headmaster Mark Langley, who also has launched classical Catholic schools in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ohio.

Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Walsingham opened this semester in leased space inside St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, a stones throw from the Academy School District 20s Liberty High School in Briargate.

Already, more students than anticipated have enrolled, Langley said, with 26 students this semester and more interested in upcoming semesters.

Chesterton Academy in Colorado Springs is one of seven that opened as part of the network this year. It's the networks second in Colorado, with Littleton also having a Chesterton school, and it became the 34th in the world.

The college preparatory Catholic high school focuses on timeless education using ancient texts, with technology, such as cell phones and computers, left at the door.

Hot topics such as critical race theory are viewed in light of what came before, Langley said.

All of these movements may seem brand new, but theyre rooted in the philosophers and theologians of the past, who disagreed among themselves, he said.

A lot might think its an education in monolithic thinking, but its really a study in debate and disagreement.

Students are taught to stand when visitors enter the classroom. They use intellectual tools, not a calculator or a smart board, to undertake 4th century BC Euclidean geometry, and the ringing of a brass bell marks passing periods.

We really like the classical curriculum  we think its really important our children be formed in the idea of becoming fully human, learning about who they are and preparing for all aspects of life, said parent Karin Pokorny.

She enrolled her 9th grade son, the youngest of five children, in Chesterton Academy in Colorado Springs because she considers it to be the best of both worlds.

The education is about living goodness, creating beauty and knowing truth, and thats what makes us deeply human, Pokorny said.

To have that within the context of a Catholic setting, thats a dream come true. This school was really an answer to prayers for us.
You won't find any candidates for governor, U.S. Senate or the General Assembly on this November's ballot, but Colorado voters will have a list of financial decisions to make, some towns much more than others.

Off-year elections in Colorado are preserved primarily for how voters want their tax dollars spent on top of other hefty policy decisions. Ballots for the Nov. 2 election were mailed out beginning Oct. 8, and local clerks will have until Nov. 12 to finish tabulations, once military and other other ballots are in the mix.

This is what voters across Colorado will find on their ballot, in addition to local measures:

Proposition 119

The measure creates the Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program (LEAP), intended to provide financial aid to eligible Colorado youth (ages 5 to 17) for out-of-school learning, such as tutoring, targeted assistance for those with special needs, second language training, additional support materials, career and technical educational training programs, social emotional learning and mental health services.

The program would fall under a new state agency, the Colorado Learning Authority, which would be outside the oversight of the state Board of Education and the Department of Education. Instead, LEAP would be governed by a nine-member board appointed by the governor.

Here's the kicker: recreational marijuana users will foot the bill.

Currently, the state's recreational pot sales tax is 15%. Under Prop 119, it would increase to 18% in 2022, to 19% in 2023 and to 20% in 2024. The result is expected to bring in about $87.1 million by fiscal year 2022-23.

If projections are accurate, the programs scope far exceeds its revenue. The Legislative Councils Blue Book, a nonpartisan analysis, sets the price tag at at least $109.1 million by fiscal year 2022-23.

That shortfall and how the measure would cover it caused a rift between the primary backer, Gary Community Ventures, run by former state Sen. Michael Johnston, and the education community. Gary and the states largest teachers union, the Colorado Education Association, were part of the coalition in 2020 to pass Proposition EE, which set up state government's Early Childhood Department and paid for it with tax increases on tobacco products.

The allies are divided on Prop 119. The CEA is officially neutral, although it originally supported the measure, according to Taxpayers for Public Education.

Thats because the shortfall is covered by a required $20 million annual boost from the general fund, through diverting that money from the state land trust, which funds public schools by leasing out public land for money-making uses, such as agriculture, recreation and mining. Thats led to opponents calling the program, which is open to students at public and private schools, a voucher in disguise.

Indeed, the ballot measure allows parents to choose who would provides those out-of-school services, and doesnt limit the providers to just those in public education.

Providers, however, would be governed by the nine-member board, which is required to develop criteria for the selection and certification of learning opportunity providers.

School districts and other local education agencies would be pre-certified, as would teachers. The states Blue Book says other interested providers must submit an application and be certified by the authority as an approved provider. A list of authority-approved local and statewide providers will be made available to program participants.

Because it doesn't amend the state constitution, the question needs only a simple majority to pass.

Amendment 78

Voters could direct the General Assembly to manage all custodial dollars, prohibiting state agencies from spending money received for a particular purpose without a direct allocation from the legislature. It requires those dollars be deposited into a new fund, which would earn interest for the states general fund.

The proposal also requires the legislature to hold a public hearing each year to allocate any spending from the new fund.

The General Assembly already has the authority to spend revenue received from taxes, cash funds and federal dollars. Those decisions are primarily the job of the Joint Budget Committee, which crafts the state spending plan every year, with the approval of the General Assembly and the governor.

Whats at stake here are custodial dollars. As described in the Blue Book, thats money received from the federal government, legal settlements or donations from individuals or organizations.

This ballot measure would amend the state constitution, so it requires 55% approval from voters.

Why this matters:

During 2020 and 2021, the state received $1.67 billion from the federal government through several congressional acts, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. But the General Assembly didnt dictate how that money was used, largely because it showed up when the legislature wasnt in session.

Instead, Gov. Jared Polis spent that money, and that raised the ire of Republicans and even a few Democrats at the state Capitol.

Amendment 78 would add another layer of spending authority for gifts, grants and donations, which are primarily sent to state colleges and universities. Additionally, the Colorado Transportation Commission, appointed by the governor, currently dictates how federal road, bridge and transit dollars are spent, but under Amendment 78, the General Assembly would appropriate those dollars.

The measure is backed by Colorado Rising Action, which put the 2020 measure Proposition 117 on the ballot to require voter approval for new state enterprises, paid for by any fees generated above $100 million in the first five years. That led to the General Assembly's Democrats coming up with four enterprises for transportation funding in the 2021 session, each below the bar for voter approval.

Unite for Colorado says a vote for Amendment 78 would ensure that all state money is allocated by the legislature. Instead of allowing the Governor or Attorney General to spend millions (or even billions) of dollars on their own, Amendment 78 would help provide necessary oversight. It's time to end political slush funds operating outside of public view.

Those against it include Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue, who is among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against the state seeking to nullify the election results on Amendment 78.

Pogue told Colorado Politics the results should be thrown out, in part because the measure has no connection to the state constitution's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, a requirement for an odd-numbered year election.

Pogue opposes the amendment because in an emergency  such as a recent wildfire in Summit County that threatened 500 to 600 homes  there would have been federal funds available if any homes were lost. Those funds would also have helped the community with recovery efforts, she said.

If Amendment 78 passes, all of those funds would have to go through the legislature, which Pogue said would slow the process down and fall prey to partisan haggling thats not in the best interest of communities like mine.

Proposition 120

Property tax assessment rates would be lowered, but only for multifamily housing and lodging. Originally, the ballot measure would have lowered property tax assessment rates for all residential and non-residential properties.

However, during its last session, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 293, which changed the classifications for non-residential properties, and scaled it back to apartments and lodging.

The property tax reduction measure, also backed by Colorado Rising State Action, requires a simple majority to pass.

The measure needs a simple majority to pass.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  A NASA spacecraft named Lucy rocketed into the sky with diamonds Saturday morning on a 12-year quest to explore eight asteroids.

Seven of the mysterious space rocks are among swarms of asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit, thought to be the pristine leftovers of planetary formation.

The 12-year mission to study the ancient Trojan asteroids near Jupiter is a joint effort by NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, NASAs Launch Services Program and Boulder-based Southwest Research Institute. Lockheed Martin designed, built, tested and will operate the spacecraft from its Waterton Canyon campus southwest of metro Denver.

It launched aboard a Centennial-based United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, which blasted off before dawn sending Lucy on a roundabout journey spanning nearly 4 billion miles (6.3 billion kilometers). Researchers grew emotional describing the successful launch  lead scientist Hal Levison said it was like witnessing the birth of a child. Go Lucy! he urged.

We are honored to partner with NASA to launch this one-of-a-kind mission and are proud to add the Lucy mission to the Trojan Asteroids to our list of exploration launch successes, said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs, in a statement. We are very proud to launch this spacecraft on its historic 12-year journey to eight different asteroids, and thank our mission partners for their teamwork.

Lucy is named after the 3.2 million-year-old skeletal remains of a human ancestor found in Ethiopia nearly a half-century ago. That discovery got its name from the 1967 Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, prompting NASA to send the spacecraft soaring with band members' lyrics and other luminaries words of wisdom imprinted on a plaque. The spacecraft also carried a disc made of lab-grown diamonds for one of its science instruments.

In a prerecorded video for NASA, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr paid tribute to his late colleague John Lennon, credited for writing the song that inspired all this.

I'm so excited  Lucy is going back in the sky with diamonds. Johnny will love that, Starr said. Anyway, if you meet anyone up there, Lucy, give them peace and love from me.

To date, ULA has launched 146 times with 100% mission success, according to the company.

We are honored to partner with NASA to launch this one-of-a-kind mission and are proud to add the Lucy mission to the Trojan Asteroids to our list of exploration launch successes, said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs, in a statement. We are very proud to launch this spacecraft on its historic 12-year journey to eight different asteroids, and thank our mission partners for their teamwork.

The paleoanthropologist behind the fossil Lucy discovery, Donald Johanson, had goose bumps watching Lucy soar  I will never look at Jupiter the same ... absolutely mind-expanding. He said he was filled with wonder about this intersection of our past, our present and our future.

That a human ancestor who lived so long ago stimulated a mission which promises to add valuable information about the formation of our solar system is incredibly exciting, said Johanson, of Arizona State University, who traveled to Cape Canaveral for his first rocket launch.

Lucys $981 million mission is the first to aim for Jupiters so-called Trojan entourage: thousands  if not millions  of asteroids that share the gas giants expansive orbit around the sun. Some of the Trojan asteroids precede Jupiter in its orbit, while others trail it.

Despite their orbits, the Trojans are far from the planet and mostly scattered far from each other. So theres essentially zero chance of Lucy getting clobbered by one as it swoops past its targets, said Levison of Southwest Research Institute, the missions principal scientist.

Shes got state-of-the-art instruments and a pointing platform to read thermal images, spectrometers (which measure light), picture imaging all for scientists to take data, said Lockheeds Emily Gramlich, an electrical test engineer for Lucy, in an interview. Well get a full-blow map made up, which will include terrain data that we can determine what its made of and where that fits in the formation and location of the galaxy.

Lucy will swing past Earth next October and again in 2024 to get enough gravitational oomph to make it all the way out to Jupiters orbit. On the way there, the spacecraft will zip past asteroid Donaldjohanson between Mars and Jupiter. The aptly named rock will serve as a 2025 warm-up act for the science instruments.

The wing-like solar arrays (panels) are each 24-feet wide  almost 50 feet when both are deployed with the 2-foot spacecraft in the middle. They were designed and built by Northrop Grumman in Goleta, California, and will supply about 500 watts of power throughout the 12-year mission  about the energy needed to run a washing machine.

NASA states Lucy will be operating farther from the Sun than any previous solar-powered spacecraft. It will travel some 4 billion miles at speeds of 17,000 mph.

Its the only long-range spacecraft that will actually return to Earths orbit in about 2030, as it slingshots back to the Trojans. It wont even get there until 2027, as it must make two trips around the Earth to get enough speed to reach the Jupiter area.
But the limited ban on single-use plastic bags may not be the last word on the subject. The law also allows local governments to enact stricter plastics bans than what Polis signed Tuesday.
David Bernhardt is the Chairman of the Center for American Freedom at the America First Policy Institute and served as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior during the Trump Administration.
Six weeks after a new Texas law blocked most abortions, some women there have driven to Colorado and other neighboring states to receive the procedure, ratcheting up demand for Planned Parenthood services.

In Denver, the largest Planned Parenthood clinic in the Rocky Mountain region, there's been a 520% increase in Texas patients seeking abortions since Sept. 1, said Vicki Cowart, regional CEO of the organization.

The average distance people have traveled is 650 miles one-way, she said. Women who can't afford plane tickets and need to return to Texas quickly may not be able to take pain medication after their procedures before they drive through the night to return to work or to their families, she said.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, which covers Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, has seen demand for services more than double due to demand from Texans, leaders said. While some may travel to clinics in Albuquerque or Las Vegas, many come to Colorado, advocates say.

With wait times increasing, patients are increasingly traveling farther north with some heading to Fort Collins, where Cowart said that clinic has seen a 200% increase in Texas women seeking abortions. The city is a 13-hour one-way drive from Dallas.

Normally, the regional Planned Parenthood system sees about nine Texas patients each week, she said. In the first week of Texas implementing tougher laws against abortion implementation, "we saw 20," Cowart said. The wait time between scheduling and surgery is typically two to three days. Now, it's two weeks.

"We've got about 40 Texas residents who are currently scheduled," she said. Other facilities in Colorado who don't offer the procedure do offer abortion medications. Those places, too, have seen their demand increase, Cowart said, noting the medication must be picked up in person because it can't can't be mailed to Texas

As some Texans look to neighboring states for abortion services, the tighter regulations there remain in effect amid a looming legal battle. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice said it would ask the Supreme Court to halt the law, a day after an appeals panel allowed the restrictions to remain in place. In a 5-4 decision last month, the Supreme Court declined to issue a preliminary injunction ahead of legal arguments.

Cobalt, a Colorado-based foundation that operates a fund to pay for abortions and assist women in travel and accommodations, is planning to increase its annual budget to meet increased need, said Dani Newsum, the organization's director of strategic partnerships. Cobalt and similar funds in the region, like Oklahoma's Roe Fund, have seen a spike in donations since the Texas law went into effect along with a surge in demand.

"During the first weeks of September after Texas Senate Bill 8 went into effect, Cobalt's abortion fund had 35 clients," Newsum said. "Twelve of those were from Texas.  You can multiply that for the clinics in Colorado that people are actually seeking entry to."

Kurt Gwartney, who serves on the board of the Roe Fund in Oklahoma, said there's been a "significant increase" in people seeking abortions there, too, and his organization's board voted this week to increase the amount of money it provides to clinics to help women pay for the procedures.

Cowart and Newsum said laws like Texas's don't impact all women equally.

Those with means have the ability to pay for travel and accommodations outside of the state, they said. But others have to drive to neighboring states, often between shifts. Many, Cowart said, already have children and have to find or pay someone to watch them.

"Patients are anxious about including their partner or their friend, so they get into the car by themselves and drive across the country," Cowart said. "They have to be able to get time off from their job, have to be able to have a working car.  Do they have a working car, do they have gas money, do they have time off? Can they live without the salary that they might not make during (the trip)? What do they do about their kids, what kind of child care do they get?"

Gwartney said the Roe Fund has gotten calls from people "who are really desperate because the finances  to travel, to take off work, to make the trip, to get the hotel, to do all of those things  are expensive."

The quick turnaround time between abortion procedure and return to work or home affects post-operative care, Newsum said, particularly if the patient is traveling alone. While providers will monitor a patient for immediate health risks, painkillers are often too dangerous to give someone who's about to drive through the night.

"This is really hard on our doctors and nurse practitioners and all of our health care professionals, to be having to make these kinds of compromises in the care that we would normally provide for people," Cowart said.

With the future of the law in the hands of the courts, providers are not expecting a slowdown in the rush of Texas women seeking care here.

"The abortion fund's budget is going up," Newsum said, referring to the money available to help pay for the procedures and associated travel costs. "For last year, it was around $200,000. And this year  this is an estimate right now  but it's already $250,000."
The former police officer investigating the Colorado Springs Police Departments use of force practices and examining possible racial bias has previously taken part in reviews that have issued stinging judgements of police.

Colorado Springs Police in January asked Transparency Matters LLC, owned by John "Rick" Brown, a 29-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, to "conduct a comprehensive analysis of ... use of force" and "determine whether and to what extent ... use-of-force data reflects disparities among various demographic categories," according to a release.

Police announced the decision to partner with the firm amid heightened scrutiny of police practices triggered in part by the deaths of De'Von Bailey in Colorado Springs in 2019 and George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.

During a decades-long career overseeing internal police investigations and evaluating use of force practices, Brown has been critical of departments where he has found racial discrimination and improper uses of force. In selecting his firm to complete the review, the Colorado Springs Police Department brought in a man who in the past has issued harsh judgements on policing.

A earlier Gazette analysis found the Colorado Springs Police Department used force at a disproportionate rate against Black people, though police and law enforcement experts said the data did not show whether the department's practices were discriminatory.

The police department said it chose Transparency Matters' $120,000 bid over at least five other firms, in part because it valued "examples of past performances and services that were consistent and relevant to the services required for the ... use-of-force analysis," and its "project approach was comprehensive and will provide a deeper and more contextualized understanding of how and why the ... officers used force."

Records show the proposal was also competitively priced.

The department has turned over demographic and use-of-force data to Transparency Matters, which has conducted interviews with personnel and completed a community survey, police spokesman Lt. Jim Sokolik said. Brown declined to provide specifics on where his firm is in its review process, although an initial timeline for the project said it will take six months to complete. The final report is expected by the end of the year.

We believe there is a lot of benefit in bringing in outside experts to provide a transparent, fair, and thorough analysis," Colorado Springs Police Chief Vince Niski said in a statement when the partnership was announced. "Additionally, we believe that we must engage in sophisticated analyses to get a clear and true understanding of use of force."

Brown, who founded Transparency Matters in 2010, served in multiple supervisory roles while with the Pennsylvania State Police, overseeing internal investigations related to discrimination complaints and use of force incidents.

"My phone rang in the middle of the night if there was an officer-involved shooting," Brown said.

His time on the force saw expanded disciplinary oversight of officers, he said, and his department conducted criminal investigations against officers on multiple occasions. In founding Transparency Matters, he fulfilled a long-sought career goal.

"I always knew I wanted to be a consultant, especially on internal reviews stuff," he said.

The evaluating team included four other members, including Robin Engel, a criminal justice researcher who has extensively written and spoken about bias in policing and conducted reviews of police department practices.

Colorado Springs is the largest police department Transparency Matters has evaluated, Brown said, although he has previously worked as an individual consultant on federally mandated reviews of the Detroit, Mich., and Oakland, Calif., police departments.

In those cities, Brown was a member of an independent monitoring team brought in to evaluate use of force. A judge ended federal oversight of the Detroit Police Department in 2016 after determining the department had made necessary changes. The Oakland oversight is ongoing.

In Oakland, Brown and co-authors in quarterly reports said officers on many occasions improperly pointed their firearms at suspects, and oftentimes improperly took aim at Black people.

A 2011 quarterly report found that over a quarter of the situations in which Oakland police officers pointed their weapons were "not necessary or appropriate," and supervisors failed to take corrective actions when reviewing the incidents.

In nearly 80% of the examples where Oakland officers were not justified in pulling their weapons, the report said, they aimed at Black people.

The report further found that officers frequently presumed "whomever they were contacting was armed," oftentimes with no basis for believing so.

"While these observations and findings are troubling, even more troubling is the apparent unquestioned supervisory and command approval of both the documentation of officers actions and the actions themselves," the report said.

A 2012 report showed some improvement, with officers pulling their weapons inappropriately 10% of the time. Still, in the instances in which officers were found to be unjustified in pulling their weapons, the majority of the suspects were Black.

By 2013 the Oakland department had further improved, with officers inappropriately pointing their firearms in eight out of 171 incidents reviewed. In all eight of those instances, the suspect was Black.

Two years later, the reviewers found that Black people were searched at the highest rate during vehicle stops, and Hispanic people were searched at the highest rate in pedestrian stops. "We remain concerned with both the elevated number of stops and the percentage searches of individuals who identify as African American and Hispanic," Brown and co-authors found. However, the reviewers determined the searches were justified over 94% of the time.

Other reviews Brown has conducted have backed up disciplinary actions against officers.

He co-authored a 2015 report about a University of Cincinnati police officer who was fired and charged with murder after shooting a Black man. The report determined the officer was not justified in using force and violated department practices. Brown and co-authors wrote that had the officer "exercised discretion and sound judgment consistent with his police training and generally accepted police practices  his use of deadly force during this traffic stop would have been entirely avoidable."

During the investigation into the shooting, the officer, Ray Tensing, made statements that were "not factually accurate  and possibly not truthful," the report said.

Last year, Brown testified as an expert against Maryland's Prince George's County Police Department in a lawsuit brought by Black and Latino officers alleging the department discriminated against minority officers. In written testimony, Brown said the department did not have proper policies for addressing discrimination and found the department's "policy on use of force is inadequate and does not comport with best practices in reporting, investigating, and reviewing use of force incidents."

Prince George's County agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle the suit.

Colorado Springs police spokesman Sgt. Jason Newton said it was important that the department picked a firm willing to critique its practices and point out areas of improvement.

You never want to hire a company that's going to say, 'You're doing everything great' and pat you on the back, Newton said. We want a company that is going to help us be better.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the project's expected completion date.

The Learning Center, located in Charles City, is one step closer to starting renovations in their new facility in the North Grand Building.

The Learning Center (TLC) is a non-profit organization that works to ensure young children are prepared to enter school. The organization helps support the emotional and intellectual development of children ages as young as six weeks all the way through 5th grade.

The renovation plans for the North Grand Building, a former school building which is partially owned by the Charles City Community School District, were approved by the school board on Monday night.

Justin DeVore, Charles City Community Schools communications director, explained that part of the North Grand Building belongs to the Charles City school district, while the other half belongs to developer Shawn Foutch.

Foutchs portion of the historic building, which is located at 500 North Grand Avenue, is being turned into 40 units of housing according to DeVore. Since the other portion still belongs to the district, TLC has to propose their ideas and plans to the board for approval.

TLC is in an agreement with the school district and has a lease for five years with an option to purchase. TLC has been working on this project for just over two years now, which has been titled as the Grand Plan.

TLC Director Pam Ost and Dan Levi from Levi Architecture, which is based out of Cedar Falls, presented their latest plans with the project on Monday.

Ost said she, Levi and their buildings and grounds committee have met on several occasions to go over designs and setting a timeline to determine costs and options. She added all the options were being looked over in order to meet kids' needs.

Ost explained finding solutions for when snow days happen and for social distancing were important issues they were looking at with the renovations. Ost added they have worked on working with the library and the art center in order to expand opportunities.

I think it just continues to validate the need and the timing of this project for all of us, said Ost on Monday.

Levi shared with the board the plans and details of the renovation, walking them through key points of the blueprints.

Were looking at its value engineering idea on options to reduce the overall cost. The design has not changed substantially from anything that has been presented to you so far. We are just looking at details and some systems, said Levi on Monday.

Levi presented a floor plan, showing the idea to turn the larger rooms into smaller rooms, which would separate kids into more age-appropriate groupings.

The second highlight was showing the layout plan for the playground, which is sectioned into areas for kids in certain age groups. Ost explained on Thursday the plan is to have the playground area utilize the natural resources in that area, like the trees and hills.

The final highlight brought up to the board was the transformation of the former girls locker room to a commercial kitchen, according to Levi. Ost explained on Thursday the kitchen would allow them to serve nutritious meals and to buy in bulk, which would save on costs. She added that the kitchen could also be utilized when other organizations want to use the space.

The cost of the renovation is not yet determined, according to Ost, but they hope to have a figure brought to the school board by November. Ost has worked on receiving grants to fund the construction process and recently received the Investing in Iowa Childcare grant, which is $750,000.

Ost says their current location on 404 North Jackson was getting too small for them and it was time for them to grow. The new center will allow them to double the number of kids they are able to take in.

I feel like the community engagement that we have seen that people have a greater understanding. That as people want to go back to work, we can meet the needs of the kids, said Ost.

According to Ost, Superintendent Mike Fisher wanted to help facilitate expanded child care for Charles City. After meetings over the subject, TLC was able to tour the North Grand building and found that it was a good fit.

Ost says the success that TLC has had with this project is due to the support from the community, the school district, other local communities and the government.

I would just like to say that TLC is very excited to be at this stage of this project," said Ost.

The renovation project is expected to be complete by mid-year 2022.

Abby covers education and public safety for the Globe Gazette. Follow her on Twitter at @MkayAbby. Email her at Abby.Koch@GlobeGazette.com

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He also studied at The Corcoran School in Washington, Grand Central School of Art in New York, the New York School of Fine & Applied Art, The John Ringling School in Sarasota, Florida, and The Eastport Summer Art Colony. His works have been exhibited widely. He is represented in numerous public and private collections throughout the country including the White House Collection, Knoedler Galleries of New York, the Virginia Museum and Valentine Museum in Richmond.

During the Depression, he participated in the Public Works Art Project. In 1936, Davenport was commissioned to illustrate the industries of Virginia by the United States Treasury Department. He was commissioned by the United States Postal Service to paint murals in Chatham and Greensboro, Georgia. In 1937, Davenport became the director of The WPA Art School and Gallery at Big Stone Gap.

Davenport opened a summer art school at Chincoteague Island off the eastern shore of Virginia where he enjoyed painting the wild ponies and marine landscapes. He described his unique style as an attempt to stimulate the brilliance of the color of mosaic, as Roualt was influenced by the brilliance of the colors of stained glass.
Email special events to news@registerbee.com. The deadline is noon Wednesday.

REVIVAL

Silver Creek Baptist Church will hold its fall revival at 7 p.m. on Thursday with the Rev. Charles Whitfield, pastor of First Baptist Church in Martinsville, as guest speaker.

ANNIVERSARY

New Ephesus Baptist Church, 375 Ephesus Church Road, Semora, North Carolina, will celebrate the 13th anniversary of their pastor, Bishop Gerald Franklin. on Nov. 7 beginning at noon with preacher the Rev. Tonia Cunningham, of Life Outreach Worship Center, preaching and accompanied by her choir. If desired, donations may be made through CashApp$Bishgk. Guidelines provided by the CDC will be in place including wearing masks inside the building. Service can also be viewed through Facebook Live, using the conference call number 1-978-990-5000 access code 197724, or if in the church parking lot, tune to radio station FM 107.3.

IN PERSON/ONLINE SERVICES
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS.org) makes a point I have not seen elsewhere. It contends that several countries, supposedly allies of the U.S., are complicit in enhancing the migrant flow: the United States has never seen fit to publicly acknowledge that Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica are doing this to the American people. The American public hardly knows of it. Nor has the United States sought to diplomatically leverage any of the governments to instead disrupt, slow, or outright halt the flows of people long before they reach Mexico. This strange state of tolerance and American public ignorance, even during the Trump administration, endures, despite the fact that all three of these nations are ideally positioned as trail-route bottlenecks where new U.S. strategies can significantly attenuate the problem if all involved simply acknowledge that it is happening and there is a political will to press for a solution.
RALEIGH  In response to an uptick in violent crime, Raleigh police will conduct more patrols and install more cameras in parts of the city seeing repeat calls of violence, Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said.

Patterson spoke Wednesday about her strategy for tackling violent crimes like homicides and aggravated assaults during a news conference outside the Raleigh Police Departments Northwest District.

She also discussed the number of crimes between July 1 and Sept. 30, as part of a new initiative to share and analyze crime statistics every quarter. Patterson was named the new police chief this summer and was sworn in Aug. 12. Wednesday was her first quarterly crime briefing.

Raleigh saw 12 homicides during the third quarter of 2021, up from the nine recorded in the third quarter of 2020, and four during the same period in 2019.

I believe what we are experiencing with homicides, unfortunately, is part of a disturbing national trend based on increases in gun violence that is leading to lives being lost, Patterson said.
The newspaper said today that a large Russian delegation headed by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, is arriving in Damascus today.

According to the newspaper, the visit will last for two days, during which the Russian delegation will hold important meetings with officials of the Damascus government.

This visit comes in light of many variables in the Syrian file, foremost of which is the escalation in Idlib and the Turkish threats that followed previous talks between Russia and Turkey, in addition to Arab normalization with Damascus and the upcoming Russian-American-Israeli talks.

A

ANHA
According to this year's winner of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Boss of the Year award, the key to being a good boss is to be fair to all employees.

This was the advice provided by Jeff Wadekamper, 47, airport director at the Helena Regional Airport. Wadekamper was surprised outside his office on Friday as the chamber board, his employees and even his parents were present to celebrate him receiving the award.

According to Wadekamper's employees, who nominated him for the award, he has a passion for the airport and aviation in general. They said he supplies his employees with all the tools they need to succeed and gets results quickly, all while treating everyone who works under him fairly. Wadekamper also helped airport staff excel by providing additional training and made no cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike many airports.

One person who nominated Wadekamper said he even invites employees to his home during the holidays if their plans were ruined by the weather.

Wadekamper has worked at the Helena Regional Airport since 1991, when he took his first job on the summer crew as a junior in high school. He started working there full time in 1998 and eventually took over as airport manager in 2014. Since then, he has become an active member of the Helena community, participating in the Kiwanis club, the chamber of commerce and the Montana Ambassadors.

"I really just have a passion for aviation and am motivated to do new things," Wadekamper said. "I can't say enough about the people who work here. They're the ones who really make things happen. I couldn't have a better crew to work with."

Wadekamper said both his parents were in aviation. He always wanted to be involved with aviation in some way. He credits the previous airport director, Ron Mercer, for being his mentor and giving him the first job he ever had at the airport.

According to Wadekamper, the key to being a good boss is being involved, but not being a micromanager.

"I try to be a participatory manager, but I don't micromanage," Wadekamper said. "I try to make it a fun and fair place to work. I also want to make sure everyone has the things they need to succeed."

On top of that, the most important aspect of being a good boss is understanding that each employee has their strengths and weaknesses, according to Wadekamper. His own management style clearly resonates with his employees, who cited these very practices in their nomination forms.

"Every person is unique," Wadekamper said. "I want to support each individual so they can be successful and matching their strengths to the right area of the airport."

According to Chamber President and CEO Cathy Burwell, the Boss of the Year award is the most meaningful award the organization gives out, because it shows that what a boss is doing works for their team.

"My only regret is that we can't give more out," Burwell said. "We had so many great nominations this year, but Jeff rose above."

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Twenty years ago, after what came to be known simply as 9/11, I asked my congregation in Seattle what we should do. Everyone felt helpless and discouraged. So I stepped out of the pulpit and asked, simply, What shall we do?

Spontaneous answers came: most had to do with love. I pressed on. How shall we show love? The idea came bubbling out: We could sponsor Afghan refugees. More discussion followed, and several people volunteered to find out more. After much research, and finding a refugee resettlement organization to help us, the congregation voted to be a sponsoring church.

One generous person offered an apartment rent-free for up to a year. Another coordinated the search for furniture. Donations poured in. The enthusiasm was contagious! But other forces conspired to keep Afghanis out of our country. So we offered to help any refugee family who needed us. A dear family with young children came to us. (Were they from Somalia? Ive forgotten now.) They stayed long enough to get on their feet and then moved to another city to be with others they knew. We said goodbye, restocked the apartment and waited.

The refugee resettlement organization folks finally told us we had a mother with two teenage children coming, a boy and a girl. Their father had been killed in the war. Our hearts filled with love for this family before we even knew them. A date was set for their arrival and our delegation set up at the airport with balloons, signs, and big grins. They did not arrive.

The agency explained that this happens sometimes, they would let us know when they were rescheduled. Again we went to the airport, with renewed hope and anticipation! But they did not arrive. The third time, some weeks later, we dragged ourselves out to the airport, with more trepidation than excitement. And they arrived! But it was just the mother and son - where was the daughter?

Our first task was hospitality - we had to wait for a translator and, more importantly, growing trust before we could ask our burning questions. We befriended Naik Bahkt and Naseem, helped them to get settled, got Naseem into school and found his mom a job. Several church members helped them with beginning English. Naseem was like a sponge, but his mom often said English so hard! We introduced them to other Afghanis in the city, but to our dismay they were shunned by some because they were from a small village, and uneducated. No wonder English was so hard - she didnt know how to read or write her own language.

Finally their story was revealed. Other relatives had arranged a marriage for Naseems 12-year-old sister, to a much older man. His mom wanted to take both of her children away, to get free of the tribal customs and give them a better life. But the man discovered the plan and had Naseem thrown in jail. The wedding took place, to the familys dismay. We dont know how Naseem got out of jail, but finally he and his mother were able to escape, get on a plane, and land in our welcoming arms. While we had experienced only frustration at their delay, they had been reckoning with life-and-death threats and deep grief.

When I hugged this frail, ragged woman, I was humbled by her monumental courage, and her determination to move at least one of her children to a more hopeful future. She had lost so much - her husband, her daughter, her familiar home and life. She sacrificed it all for Naseem. He blossomed in Seattle, and for that she was happy.

I have recently read The Pearl That Broke its Shell, a story of brave Afghan women in two contrasting generations, written by Nadia Hashimi in 2014. Ive been listening to the news about Afghanistan. Ive been thinking a lot about Naik Bahkt and Naseem, and their courage.

So now, 20 years later, I am again preparing to welcome Afghan refugees. I will be part of a community effort with Hands on Global and others. I bring a little bit of experience and a lot of passion steeped in compassion. Reaching out in this way is how I need to live my faith.

How are you living your faith?

Cathy Barker is a retired minister of United Church of Christ, who leads Circle of Trust experiences: Geography of Grace and The Soul of Aging. She is among the founders of Singing Waters Montana.

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Bill Avey is back home after what he said was a long and arduous summer across the West.

Avey, forest supervisor for the 2.8-million acre Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, served for four months as the national director of fire and aviation management for the U.S. Forest Service, noting he worked a lot of days in excess of 15 hours.

I was pretty active, he told members of Hometown Helena, an informal group of residents who met early Thursday. It was fascinating. It was really a good experience, a positive experience and very educational.

Avey shared a big take-away from his June to October stint.

Our current situation across the country, across all jurisdictions, is simply not ecologically, politically or socially sustainable, he said.

Avey said nearly $4 billion will be spent this year on fire suppression activities nationwide, and that is just the U.S. Forest Service's cost. He said that doesnt include the Department of Interior agencies nor the states, which he said get 75% of their costs reimbursed by the federal government.

He also said it doesnt explain the impacts to communities, such as Greenville, California, which was destroyed by fire in August. He noted there were 6,000 people working on that blaze.

The conditions we have are because of climate change, and the impacts on particularly heavy fuels in our forests  are there and they are real and we are seeing it play out, Avey said.

Avey called for more fuels treatment, such as what officials have been doing around Helena.

He said the Forest Service has a 10-year strategy thats been accepted by administration and congress that will be coming into play. He said it is a plan for managing resilient forests.

Thats really our path ahead, Avey said. We have to get ahead of this and we have to treat fuels in the right place, the right measure at the right time  which means more prescribed fire.  Without doing that we will be in this increasingly destructive and untenable cycle."

He said fuel treatment done over time works and noted that in South Lake Tahoe it helped firefighters take a stand and protect the community.

Avey warned against a drumbeat of pseudoscience from people claiming to be academics who say that forest thinning doesnt work. He said they are being taken to task by the larger academia community, including one expert who called their claims self-serving garbage.

Fuels management is the path ahead to get out of this increasingly destructive and vicious cycle we are in, Avey said.

He noted a three-pronged approach of appropriate response, resilient forest conditions and communities learning to live with fire.

Avey said the reality is that Helena is in a forest landscape and people need to learn how to live with it. He said about 20 million acres of forest land in the West needed to be treated in the next 10 years. He said 31 million acres needs to be treated in other jurisdictions.

Its not just a Forest Service problem, we are not the nations fire department. It is all of our problem. It is every jurisdiction's problem.

Jim Smith, Hometown Helena moderator, said he was impressed with the role that Avey recently played.

Right here, out of little old Helena, Montana, we are producing competent, professional, national leadership, he said.

Avey thanked Smith for the compliment.

I just did my duty, he said.

Avey also said a new forest plan for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest will be signed in the next couple of weeks. He said it involved nearly 50 public meetings in 17 counties the forest spans, over past five years. He said he believes it is a very good forest plan that "will help us move ahead for the next 15-30 years for the management of your national forest."

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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State and federal environmental officials promised to be transparent and forthcoming as more analysis is done on a groundwater plume of toxic chemicals discovered 12 years ago underneath Butte High School.

They also told Butte-Silver Bow commissioners theyre confident the chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning have not contaminated drinking water in the area and said the human health risks  at least those indicated initially in 2009  are quite low.

If you exposed the whole population of Montana, which rounded up is about one-and-a-half million, and they were exposed to the level of chemicals in the groundwater  in a home situation, in a resident situation  over about a 20-year period, you would only see  probably between two to six additional cancers across that whole one-and-a-half million population," said Charlie Partridge, a toxicologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

You would probably have a higher risk of cancer from eating a chili-cheese dog once a week for that same time period, he said.

Still, commissioners told officials with the EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality they felt frustrated and blindsided by recent news of the plume 12 years after it was discovered and peppered them with questions Wednesday night about its source and risks.

I definitely appreciate what you guys are doing (but) find out where it came from and help us fix this please, Commissioner Josh ONeill told the environmental regulators, all of them appearing remotely via computer.

The DEQ first detected the solvent plume in 2009 and the EPA contracted a preliminary investigation of the site over a decade later. The report was completed this past summer, and shared with Butte-Silver Bow officials this week.

It found the site posed a potential risk to human health and recommended a thorough inspection be completed in order to find out for sure.

Partridge said last week the chemical concentrations found in 2009 present a fairly low risk to people, as does the potential exposure pathway. But no monitoring of the site has been conducted since 2009, and current concentrations are unknown.

The EPA now plans to complete that inspection and test the air of Butte High and other buildings in the vicinity for contaminants, including any solvents that have vaporized and accumulated in indoor structures.

Much of the information presented Wednesday night was shared with Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher, other county officials and The Montana Standard last week. The Standard published an extensive story about the plume on Oct. 7.

The contaminated groundwater was first discovered during excavation for the bleachers at Butte Highs Naranche Stadium in 2009. It contained tetrachloroethylene (PCE) that was more than double the states standards. The highest concentration was 12 micrograms per liter and the standard is 5 micrograms per liter. The contamination was over 20 feet deep.

PCE is commonly used in dry cleaning solvents, adhesives and degreasing aerosols like brake cleaner. The chemical can cause neurological, kidney and liver damage, and is a probable carcinogen.

Also detected was trichloroethylene (TCE), another chemical used in a variety of industrial products and by commercial dry cleaners for spot removal. According to the National Cancer Institute, TCE can cause kidney cancer and may be associated with increased risk to other cancers as well.

The DEQ said the closed Unique Dry Cleaners facility on South Main Street near the high school was a likely source for the contaminants. ONeill pressed for more certainty on that, but didnt get it.

I know were not looking to point the finger here  we have to make sure this gets cleaned up  but where did this come from? Whose fault is this? ONeill said.

Kevin Stone, a public information specialist with the DEQ, said Unique Cleaners was a potential source of the contamination but not the only one.

I think weve learned over the years that there additionally, at one time, was another dry-cleaning facility in the general area as well as other businesses that could have been using solvents in degreaser, Stone said. We never identified a clear responsible party.

I think at this stage everyones focus is really on confirming the assumptions that there are not human health risks and kind of moving forward, he said.

Like Gallagher did last week, commissioners questioned why additional testing and possible remediation wasnt done over the past decade.

DEQ officials say the plume was considered low-risk when first discovered because there wasnt a pathway to drinking water, and for several years they couldnt find funding streams to pursue further analysis.

Federal policy changes in 2017 opened the door for EPA funding and investigation of vapor intrusions from chemicals like PCE, and two years ago, the EPA contracted for the report completed this year.

Stone said the public and local officials would have heard more from the DEQ had the site been considered high risk, and the agency is pleased it finally found the avenue for additional assessments.

But, he said, As we reflect on this milestone and reflect on the process, we acknowledge that there could have been more done as far as communication over the years and thats something thats an ever-increasing focus of our agency.

The officials planned a public virtual meeting on the plume Thursday night and plan to brief the Butte School Board about it Monday.

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Olivia Brewer joins Main Place team

DECATUR  Main Place Real Estate, in conjunction with Main Place Properties, is pleased to announce Olivia Brewer as one of the newest brokers on our team.

Olivia is excited to continue her career as a full-time licensed Realtor in Decatur and surrounding cities. A Central Illinois native, Olivia graduated from Millikin University with a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship. In addition to her role as marketing director, she is excited to smoothly guide her clients through the real estate journey.

Olivia can be contacted by phone at 217-454-0034 or via email at Olivia@MainPlace.us.

Congratulations Olivia! We are so glad that you "Found your place, with Main Place!"

Main Place Real Estate, located in Decatur, provides full-service brokerage and management services for both commercial and residential real estate. The firm's team of agents are diversified in both commercial and residential real estate and are qualified to broker deals across the Midwest. The firm provides representation for leasing, sales, and consulting services.

For further information contact 217-422-3335 or visit www.MainPlace.us.

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Ameren earns Site Selection honor

ST. LOUIS  For the third year in a row, Site Selection Magazine has designated Ameren Corporation as a Top Utility in Economic Development.

This recognition includes work in Illinois and Missouri. Utilities are judged on multiple criteria including innovative business programs and incentives as well as job-creating infrastructure.

"The availability of a flexible, modern electric grid and natural gas infrastructure, stable rates and creative utility incentives are among the factors cited by business leaders in their decisions to expand or relocate in downstate Illinois," said Richard Mark, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois. "Were proud to be recognized by Site Selection for the progress we have made in increasing service reliability while maintaining affordable rates for our customers."

Ameren's focus on delivering reliable and affordable energy drives economic growth in the bi-state region. In Illinois, the company's economic development incentives have resulted in 30 expansions in the region and created 3,800 new jobs.

Business Achievements celebrate new hires, promotions and business and employee honors. Send information to scott.perry@lee.net. Read more about these companies and individuals at herald-review.com.

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MOLINE  Even though he retired from John Deere 25 years ago, Morrie Unterschiedt couldn't stay away from the picket line.

"I went out there Thursday morning," the former UAW leader said. "It was like 1986 all over again, but, man, that one lasted a long time.

I was talking about soup kitchens and all the help we got back then, and the young guys didn't know what a soup kitchen is.

In fact, it was a coincidence that Unterschiedt stopped into The Pub in Milan on Friday, not knowing the tavern/restaurant's owner was preparing one of the Quad-Cities' first free meals for striking UAW members.

More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday. The majority of the union rejected a contract offer that would have had 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others.

Mel Hesse said workers at Deere's nearby Parts Distribution Center supported her business during the pandemic, and she intends to return the favor.

"We want to show we're on their side," Hesse said. "They supported us, and we intend to the do the same."

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Her husband is a union plumber/pipefitter with Local 25, she said, and other members of her family work for Deere. As long as the strike lasts, she said, The Pub will support the union.

"I've got some planning to do, but I'll probably do a meal once a week," Hesse said. "I'll take stuff out to them, too. I'll help any way I can."

From a stool across the bar, Unterschiedt said he still donates to local organizations that helped the UAW members during the '86 strike, which lasted 163 days.

"I've always had so much respect since then for the Salvation Army," he said. "They helped us so much. And it wasn't easy in those days, because  being a union leader  you couldn't win.

"Half the time, members of the union were mad at you and, half the time, the company was mad at you.

"There were a lot of people who stepped up, though; gave food to the soup kitchens and stuff. It was hard on a lot of people."

When he told Hesse that some of the younger picketers hadn't heard of a soup kitchen, she replied: "They're lucky not to."

But Unterschiedt said he's afraid their luck is about to run out  unless Deere and the UAW can agree on a contract.

"I try to tell the young people to put a few dollars away," he said. "I remember finding out how the other half lives. With no income coming in, you change your ways."

Hesse said she'll be there for the union for the long haul.

"If it keeps going, they'll need help," she said. "I want to do something for third shift, too  not leave them out. I'll go out after closing and take them something.

"We'll keep thinking about what we can do to help. I've got 70 pounds of pulled pork today. It's easy to make and goes a long way. It should give me an idea of how many I can feed and what more we can do.

"We fight with them."

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The Macon County Conservation District will honor the memory of former executive director Richie Wolf, who died in April, with a memorial service and commemorative bench.
DECATUR  The Macon County Health Department reported 35 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in Macon County to 15,327 since the start of the pandemic.

Marisa Hosier, county director of health promotion and public relations, said one previously reported case was determined to be from another county and was transferred appropriately.

The countys total number of deaths is still 244 since the pandemic began, and there are currently 12 Macon County residents hospitalized due to COVID, Hosier said.

Hosier said there will not be an updated variant report this week, but it will return in next weeks summary on Friday, Oct. 22.

Of cases where gender is known, to date, 55% are female and 45% are male, with 41 cases unknown; 74.2% are white, 21.8% are Black, less than 1% are Asian, and 3.4% are a mix of other races.

Of the 244 deaths, 45.9% have been female, 54.1% male, 85% white and 14.2% Black. There have been wo deaths  less than 1%  of other races, and four deaths of unknown race.

Seventy-nine deaths were people in their 80s, 67 were in their 70s, 36 in their 90s, 30 in their 60s, 19 in their 50s, and five or fewer in other age groups. None of the deaths have been people younger than 30.

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The health department will be offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics as well as booster shots in Decatur.

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered to those 12 and older at two locations next week:

Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Must return Friday, Nov. 8, to receive a second dose.

Macon County Health Department, 1221 E. Condit St., Decatur, 1 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Must return Wednesday, Nov. 10, to receive a second dose.

The first dose of the Moderna vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be offered to those 18 and older at one location:

Macon County Health Department, 1221 E. Condit St., Decatur, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Individuals who received the Moderna vaccine must return Wednesday, Nov. 10, to receive a second dose.

Do not attend a vaccine clinic if you are pregnant or nursing, unless you have a doctor's note, or if you have previously received a COVID-19 vaccine of any kind.

Bring an insurance card and photo ID if possible. Minors must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is planning to bring a child for a vaccine, the permission/proxy form will need to be filled out and signed beforehand.

The Pfizer vaccine booster will be available at the health department to those who received their second dose between April 18 and April 24 or any time prior.

Boosters are approved for those who are 65 and older as well as those 18 and older who are either at a high risk of contracting the virus or have jobs or living situations that put them at high risk.

Boosters for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not being offered by the health department at this time in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Anyone looking for a third dose of the Moderna vaccine must visit a local pharmacy or contact their primary care physician to see if they are eligible.

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DECATUR  The Black Chamber of Commerce of Illinois is proposing that civil rights activist Horace Livingston be inducted into the Decatur Hall of Fame at the Civic Center.

Decatur has had many influential residents that have brought about change. Mr. Horace Livingston was one. His charisma and efforts to exact change in the Decatur area was felt by all demographics of the city, chamber President Anthony Corey Walker wrote in a letter.

Livingston was the longtime editor and publisher of the African-American Voice weekly newspaper and co-founder of the Local Association for Black Action.

Other organizations that honored him included the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, Dove Inc., Crime Stoppers, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, Lakeview Elks Lodge 1132, Macon County Historical Society, the Springfield branch of the NAACP, United Way of Decatur and Macon County and the University of Illinois Extension.

Livingston died in 2014. He was 92.

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The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Hall of Fame, which honors individuals whose dedication and extraordinary contributions have made the Decatur community a better place.

The inductee will be announced at the Chamber Community Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 23.

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After more than two and a half years of dramatic developments in the Jussie Smollett case, the former Empire actor is officially slated to go to trial in late November.

During a hearing Friday, Judge James Linn said jury selection would begin Nov. 29. Attorneys should be prepared for long days, he said, noting that testimony would likely go until 7 or 8 p.m. each day of the trial.

Linn also denied a media outlets request to have cameras in the courtroom during the proceedings.

Smolletts case has attracted a firestorm of controversy, and the trial is expected to be nothing short of a media circus.

The actor was first charged in early 2019, when police said he orchestrated a phony hate crime on himself with the help of two brothers who are now key witnesses in the case against him. Cook County prosecutors initially charged Smollett with disorderly conduct  then abruptly dropped the case about a month later, with little explanation.

Smollett had performed some community service ahead of the charges being dropped, and agreed to forfeit his bond money to the city of Chicago in exchange for the cases dismissal  a highly unusual arrangement.

After much public outcry and confusion, a judge appointed veteran attorney Dan Webb as special prosecutor to investigate the matter. Webb and his team subsequently convened a special grand jury that brought up Smollett on his new case last year.

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Smollett was indicted on six counts of filing a false report  the case for which he is expected to stand trial later this year.

His attorneys on Friday argued a last-chance motion to dismiss the case before trial, saying that Smollett upheld his end of the agreement with Cook County prosecutors by forfeiting his bond and doing the community service. That agreement must still be honored, attorney Nenye Uche said.

Here we have a deal that was made, and a deal is a deal, thats an ancient principle, he said. How in the world are we here today?

But, Linn noted, special prosecutors were appointed on the case because a different judge determined the entire first case was essentially void. Issues with the way States Attorney Kim Foxx handled her so-called recusal meant that there was no valid prosecutor on the case from start to finish, Judge Michael Toomin ruled in 2019.

Linn denied the defenses request to dismiss the case, and told attorneys to be in his courtroom first thing Nov. 29 to begin jury selection.

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SPRINGFIELD  In 2019, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri opened an 18,000-square foot clinic on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.

The expanded Fairview Heights facility, which replaced a smaller clinic not equipped to provide surgical abortions, was built as a strategic location as we started to see the writing on the wall, said Bonyen Lee-Gilmore, the organizations vice president of strategy and communications.

That writing included the dramatic erosion of abortion access in the state of Missouri, driven by a series of laws enacted by state legislative Republicans restricting the procedure. A 2019 law that would go even further  banning all abortions at or after eight weeks  has been blocked pending the decision of a federal appeals court.

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Already, the vast majority of Missourians leave their home state to access an abortion, Lee-Gilmore said, estimating that about 90% of Missouri women who call the clinic for the procedure chose to have it done across the river. And Illinois is kind of the beacon right now in this region in protecting access.

Indeed, Illinois has provided a stark contrast in the Midwest, enacting some of the most liberal abortion laws in the country even as surrounding states move to restrict the procedure.

And with advocates on both sides of the abortion debate viewing the striking down or significant gutting of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court as increasingly likely, Illinois could see a flood of patients from surrounding states seeking abortion services that they may not be able to receive at home.

Our perspective is that Illinois is quickly becoming ground zero for the abortion debate here in America, said Amy Gehrke, executive director of Illinois Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization.

'Nothing's going to change in our state'

A total of 46,517 abortions were performed in Illinois in 2019, the most recent year data is available, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. This is a nearly 10% increase from 2018.

This included 7,534 women who traveled from out of state to receive the procedure, an increase of nearly 2,000 from 2018 and more than double the patients from 2014.

These numbers could rise significantly.

The reality is that we are now looking at a situation where Texas has all but banned abortion in its state, and we are starting to see the ripple effects of that here in Southern Illinois, Lee-Gilmore said. As Texas patients are displaced from Texas, they're moving to the closest state to access abortion.

For many, the journey may lead to Illinois.

Lee-Gilmore said that in the month after Texas enacted its six-week abortion ban, the clinic saw a 47% increase in patients from outside its service area.

And Planned Parenthood's predictive models project that an additional 14,000 women from Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee would likely travel to southern Illinois for abortion care if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

The states reproductive health laws have long been among the most liberal in the country. It is among 15 plus Washington, D.C., that have laws on the books protecting abortion rights in the event that Roe is overturned, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion-rights research organization.

The states abortion-rights position was codified with Gov. J.B. Pritzkers signing of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. The law enshrined reproductive health care  including abortion access  as a fundamental right in Illinois.

Among other things, the law requires that all public and private insurance plans include abortion if they cover other pregnancy-related services. And it repeals laws viewed as antiquated, such as a wife needing her husbands consent to terminate a pregnancy.

In the short term, the law was seen as a response to the passage of laws restricting abortion access in mostly Republican-controlled states, such as Missouri.

In the long term, it was viewed as a backstop in case an increasingly-conservative Supreme Court decided to break with long-established precedent and either strike down or significantly gut Roe v. Wade.

The court will hear oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which deals with the constitutionality of a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks. It is viewed as a direct challenge to Roe.

"When and if Roe v. Wade is overturned, nothing's going to change in our state as far as abortion law goes," said Gehrke. "The Reproductive Health Act basically enshrined abortion into Illinois law."

Gehrke said it took a long time for the abortion rights side to notch major victories in the state. By the same token, it may take time for the anti-abortion side to make some headway. Facing an abortion rights legislature and governor, Gehrke said her group will focus on educating the public about Illinois' laws.

'Made the issue important again'

Even with the gains they have made in recent years, abortion rights advocates are still on offense.

There is a possibility that legislation repealing the Parental Notification Act, which requires an abortion provider give an adult family member at least 48 hours notice before a procedure is performed on someone 17 years old or younger, may be considered.

Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, the bill's sponsor, did not return a request for comment asking if action would be taken on the bill in the legislature's fall session, which begins next week.

However, Pritzker expressed support for the measure at a news conference earlier this week.

"I'm in favor of a woman's right to choose, I'm in favor of repealing PNA," Pritzker said. "I don't know whether the legislature will bring this up over the two weeks of veto session, but I have stood in favor of it since I was elected  in fact, long before that when my mother had me marching in favor of a woman's right to choose, back in the 1970s."

Another bill, sponsored by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, would allow any Illinois resident to sue any person who causes an unwanted pregnancy and receive a $10,000 award.

Dubbed "The EXpanding Abortion Services Act, or TExAS Act, it follows the model of Texas' abortion bill, which allows residents to sue and collect $10,000 bounties from those who perform or aid in abortion after six weeks.

Chris Mooney, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said the concept of "policy diffusion," which states that policymaking in one government affects policymaking in other governments, plays a marginal role in Illinois' recent legislative record on abortion.

"I don't think the fact that Texas is going to ban abortion is going to change policy in Illinois," Mooney said. "But what it's done is made the issue important again and allowed pro-choice advocates to say 'look, here's a demonstrable threat to something you hold dear; we should get busy on the legislative front to make sure we protect that.'"

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SPRINGFIELD  As expected, Illinois Democrats unveiled a congressional redistricting map Friday with a heavy partisan tilt  one that could yield the party as many as 14 of state's 17 congressional seats.

The state is one of just a handful where Democrats hold complete control of the redistricting process. This made the drawing of a favorable map a top priority with the national party needing shore up its fragile majority in the House.

On paper, the proposed map would accomplish this goal, creating 14 districts that voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

Illinois' current delegation contains 13 Democrats and five Republicans, but the state will lose one congressional seat due to population loss.

However, national redistricting experts said the proposed map is not as strong as Democrats could have made it, leaving some Democratic incumbents open to Republican challenges during certain election cycles.

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"This Dem 14D-3R gerrymander is both uglier and less effective than I'd have expected," said Dave Wasserman, the House editor for the Cook Political Report, in a tweet.

The proposed map features several oddly-shaped districts, including the 15th district, which zags from near Effingham in southeastern Illinois to Freeport in the northwest corner.

The new 17th district maintains Rockford, Peoria and the Quad Cities, but also picks up Bloomington-Normal.

The 13th district maintains the urban cores of Champaign, Decatur and Springfield while picking up Democratic areas of Metro East, such as Alton, Belleville and East St. Louis.

Republicans Darin LaHood, of Peoria, and Mary Miller, of Oakland, were drawn into the same district while Davis, R-Taylorville, was drawn out of the 13th and into the 15th.

Davis, whose district is from the Indiana border to nearly Wisconsin, called new map and how it was compiled a complete joke.

Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said in a statement: Illinois Democrats, led by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, have made it clear that they are willing to disenfranchise Illinois voters and break repeated campaign promises to do the bidding of Nancy Pelosi and DC power brokers. Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan.

Kent Redfield, a retired political science professor at the University of Illinois Springfield, said that Democrats sought to consolidate downstate voters into five districts, three strong GOP seats and two more likely to support Democrats.

"In the broadest of terms, we're getting rid of (Rep. Adam) Kinzinger's district, we're leaving him without a home and then we're strengthening (Rep. Cheri) Bustos' old district and flipping (Rodney) Davis' district," Redfield said.

Redfield describes the shape of the new 15th and 16th Congressional districts as "basically leftovers" that serve as Republican vote sinks.

"I mean, this is a pure gerrymander, there's no attention to few communities of interest, regional kinds of things," he said.

The proposed map puts Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahan, in the same district was Rep. Marie Newman, D-LaGrange. The district would stretch from Chicago's southwest suburbs to the Illinois Valley.

Though it voted for Biden by six points, it would qualify as a "toss up" in next year's election, Wasserman said.

Frank Calabrese, an expert on Illinois redistricting, agreed that Kinzinger would be competitive in the new district.

"If I was Adam Kinzinger, I would run for this district," Calabrese said. "I'm not saying he would win, but it would likely be within a few points and if it's a Republican wave year, he could likely win."

State lawmakers are expected to consider the maps when they return to Springfield next week for their fall session.

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Catholic priest and Chicago community activist Michael Pfleger has now twice called on Gov. JB Pritzker to declare a state of emergency over his citys notorious gun violence problems.

The first time was this past July, when Fr. Pfleger demanded that Pritzker issue a similar emergency declaration to the one announced by New Yorks then-governor Andrew Cuomo. Pfleger repeated his demand again last week after a security guard and a little girl were injured by gunfire outside of a school.

The Democrat Cuomo issued his emergency declaration about a month before he finally resigned his office in disgrace. A chorus was building against him for a variety of reasons, including numerous sexual harassment claims. His emergency declaration was seen by some at the time as a way to distract from the growing calls for his immediate ouster.

As far as the substance goes, there wasnt much in former Gov. Cuomos declaration that the state of Illinois isnt already doing.

Cuomo unilaterally increased spending on violence interruption and youth job programs, which Illinois did in its current fiscal years budget.

Cuomos declaration also created a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention, but the Illinois legislature has already done that here.

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Cuomo created a gun trafficking interdiction program to stem the flow of guns from other states, but thats already being done here, too.

Cuomo was criticized by New York Republicans for not also rolling back some of the states criminal justice reforms passed two years earlier, but Illinois reforms havent even taken effect yet, so they arent contributing to the problem, no matter what some ill-informed blowhards might be saying.

Look, the hard truth is, if there was a legal magic wand that could be waved to immediately solve the nations violence problem, it wouldve already been waved years ago.

Even so, the Chicago news media has long been notorious for amplifying mostly empty but very loud calls to Do something right now! about violence. Mayors Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel and now Lori Lightfoot have all been pilloried for failing to adequately address the citys violence problems. Remember when another disgraced governor, Rod Blagojevich, threatened to call out the Illinois National Guard over Mayor Daleys opposition? Blago got a ton of news media coverage for that, which, like Cuomos, is what his threat was really all about.

One thing deserving attention is a better understanding of whats actually going on.

For instance, we are told over and over that gun violence in our cities is a gang problem. But a study conducted this year of Chicago police incident data for 34,000 shootings during the past decade found that detectives labeled fewer than three in 10 of them gang-related, according to The Trace. In 2020, the citys police department claimed 43 percent of fatal shootings were gang-related, down from 70 percent five years earlier. But that police data is probably unreliable, so we dont really know.

There are surely other things that can be done which are working elsewhere. And the current violent surge began with the COVID-19 pandemic, so it might eventually subside on its own once (hopefully) the pandemic finally recedes.

Some things take time. You cant snap your fingers and bring back factories to the inner cities, or get rid of guns, or force people to trust the police and stop fearing neighborhood killers.

In the meantime, it wouldnt kill the governor to be more aggressive in informing the public of what the state has done so far and what can be done in the future. He often tries to distance himself from local crime problems to the point where he comes off as uninvolved or uninterested.

Pritzker has done some good things, including vastly expanding violence interruption and prevention programs, but even then the money spent to treat violence like a public health issue is a relative drop in the bucket of whats likely needed.

More funding for mental health programs is a no-brainer. This countrys track record on dealing with mentally ill people is beyond shameful. Schools should have counselors. Neighborhoods should have clinics with easy access. Police, nurses, doctors and so many others should get all the help they need so they can better deal with the devastation they engage with every day.

This stuff isnt free, obviously. Magic wands are free, but they dont exist. Make the case for more spending on real solutions and move the state forward.

Rich Miller publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and state Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven have blatantly mischaracterized the circumstances under which a Post-Dispatch reporter discovered teachers Social Security numbers embedded on a state public-education website. Clearly embarrassed by the fact that the state government had jeopardized sensitive information of perhaps 100,000 teachers, Parson and Vandeven chose to shoot the messenger  the Post-Dispatchs Josh Renaud  for having brought the flaw to the states attention.

Vandeven was first to attack Renaud, though officials did not mention him by name, alleging on Wednesday that he took the records of at least three educators, unencrypted the source code from the webpage, and viewed the social security number (SSN) of those specific educators. A separate Department of Elementary and Secondary Education statement labeled the reporter a hacker.

The next day, a clearly misinformed Parson lashed out further, threatening criminal prosecution because the reporter engaged in a multistep process and decoded the HTML source code. Parson complained that the state now must spend as much as $50 million to fix the problems and secure its website.

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Lets deconstruct that. First, HTML source code is publicly available to anyone who has slightly more than a basic knowledge of web-page design. Parsons knowledge clearly is at a sub-basic level. Anyone who has a right-click mouse key can expose the source code behind any web page out there. The code often looks like gobbledygook. But experienced designers know that source code is just a list of commands that tell web browsers where to locate text and graphics and how to present them on a web page.

Its the state that posted the teachers sensitive private information publicly. If the state has to spend millions of dollars to fix the website and secure teachers data, thats because the state created its own problem  not the newspaper that brought it to the states attention.

Renaud discovered Social Security numbers while attempting to aggregate publicly available teacher certification data, as his front-page story on Thursday explained. Once he verified that Social Security numbers were embedded in source code, the newspaper did the responsible thing by alerting state officials to the problem. The Post-Dispatch withheld publication of Renauds story to give the state time to disable the web feature that put Social Security numbers at risk of discovery.

Predatory hackers dont behave that way. Responsible journalists do. This is watchdog journalism at its finest.

The reactions by Parson and Vandeven seem designed to distract the public and hide the states embarrassment over its own gross negligence. Parson further embarrassed himself by accusing the Post-Dispatch of carrying out a political vendetta and trying to sell headlines.

Renauds story, while important, might not have lasted beyond a one- or two-day news cycle. But Parsons antics, threatening a civil lawsuit and criminal prosecution, exploded this into a major national story. The state created the problem, and Parson is the one who created the headlines.

View our Up for Discussion video online at STLToday.com/opinion.

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We have evidence now thats more than apocryphal. People in service industries are leaving their jobs in record numbers.

Those help wanted signs and unreal bonuses arent going anywhere anytime soon.

What kind of issues makes a restaurant worker or a retail employee turn their back on employment? Take a close look the next time youre shopping or sitting in a restaurant.

Would you like to be treated the way you see those workers being treated?

The workers who have their faces immediately in front of the public are the most vulnerable and the most underappreciated. Complaining to that employee about almost anything is like, to quote comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, like complaining to Ronald McDonald when you dont like your cheeseburger.

That worker is the point where pressure from all directions ends up. We dont know whether that person is covering for an absent worker, battling with a co-worker or being put in a position by a boss where they shouldnt be.

But customers dont always think of workers difficulties. Thats understandable. After months of sacrifice, if were going out to be served, we want to be served. As it turns out, some of us are more demanding than others, and some of us are more vocal than others.

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Some of us certainly have the ability to be so angry, so obnoxious, so cutting in our presence and conduct that we can make a person on the receiving end of that anger want to go hide in their bedroom and never come back out.

More than ever, we need to help one another. There are so many things attempting, with various degrees of success, to divide us. We dont need to bring those attitudes to our everyday transactions.

Want a project? Try, once a day or once a week, but at least try to say something kind to a service worker. It might balance off a previous rude customer, and it might keep them working, and serving.

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The Tennessee Valley Authority and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have reached an agreement to provide continued funding for three federal fish hatcheries that have stocked waters in Georgia and Tennessee with trout.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are also involved in the agreement, according to a news release issued Friday. Officials gathered at the South Holston Weir Dam in Sullivan County on Friday to make the announcement.

Since 2013, the TVA has provided funding for trout production at three national fish hatchers managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Those hatchers are at Dale Hollow and Erwin in Tennessee, and the Chattahoochee Forest in Georgia, the release states.

Trout are then provided to tailwaters and reservoirs in the two states, including Appalachia, Blue Ridge, Boone, Cherokee, Fort Patrick Henry, Normandy, Norris, South Holston, Tims Ford and Wilbur. Trout-stocked reservoirs in the plan include Fort Patrick Henry, South Holston, Parksville, Watauga and Wilbur reservoirs, the release states.

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The new agreement extends the partnership through 2024 and will provide millions of trout to the waterways.
Thats why grants from the flood fund are available to any locality and any Native American tribe in the state  and why inland localities such as Winchester and Buchanan are among the recipients of this first round of grants, alongside more coastal localities including Norfolk and Northampton County.

In establishing the flood fund, Virginias leaders understood that flooding too often hits our working-class communities and neighborhoods the hardest. Affordable housing frequently is concentrated in flood-prone areas, putting families with limited financial means directly in the cross hairs. So the statute establishing the fund requires that at least 25% of the funding be put toward flood prevention and protection in low-income areas. If properly implemented, this should ensure help for people with the greatest need.

The fund also wisely prioritizes nature-based flooding solutions, such as restoring wetlands and reconnecting floodplains in vulnerable areas. These smart, preventive strategies often are the most cost-effective, and they provide other major benefits, too  such as filtering water pollution, reducing soil erosion, providing wildlife habitat and capturing carbon dioxide. According to Virginias secretary of natural and historic resources, more than half of the projects receiving grants this month will incorporate nature-based solutions.
Virginians concerned about the future of democracy, access to the ballot box and lies spread about our election process by former leaders can do something about it between now and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2  vote.

Voting is the antidote to the talk of big lies, lawsuits and a monthslong election audit in Arizona, where the key outcome was the original loser was proven to be a bigger loser.

The U.S. election system has served as a model of the democratic process for decades. Our system has not been hacked by a foreign government. There has not been widespread or even a minor amount of election fraud. The voting machines have not been rigged.

Those casting unsubstantiated doubt on our election process only want to keep you at home thinking your vote does not count. Thats not true. Sitting at home withholding your vote from the process only helps them win and weakens democracy as a result.

No matter who you choose to vote for, the key is to participate. Be a part of the process. Have a stake in the government. But as important as it is to vote, it is also important to understand who you are voting for and the values they hold. Do a little research. Know who is on the ballot and what your choices are before you step up to the voting tablet.
Those who have the eye of an entrepreneur look at every decision in life with a question of how choices would make better, ensure success, and above all create an example that has the potential to be legendary.

My adamant support of Tracey Dalton Mercier for Washington County Virginia School Board has all this and more.

Tracey is not just an acquaintance, she is a lifelong friend, and someone I admire deeply. She has always been diligent and determined. She has always been passionate toward bettering any task or obstacle she has ever set her mind to. But more so, she has always had compassion to see every variable with clarity.

Tracey has joyfully and with pride given her life to bettering the education system for children across Virginia. After completing her masters degree, she has diligently worked as a special education teacher showing enthusiasm, strength and yet tenderness when deemed necessary to all students whove had the privilege to sit in her classroom.

She has the voice of advocacy for the betterment of our education system, by participating in various rallies, such as Put Kids First, in Richmond, in 2015.
HICKORY  Catawba Valley Community College is increasing its commitment to the Alexander County area it serves, announcing that Donna Ross has been named the Director of Instruction at the colleges Alexander Center for Education (ACE).

Ross previously served at CVCC as the Department Head of Humanities.

In this new role with the Alexander Center, Ross serves the instructors at ACE and provides support, answers procedural questions including those related to web attendance and Blackboard, provides staff development opportunities, and continually assesses resources needed to achieve student success.

She will also facilitate communication between the Alexander Early College High School administration and CVCC instructors assigned to deliver instruction.

This communication should result in a more efficient program with a continued focus on student success as our primary goal, Ross said.

Ross will also be involved in planning, bringing events typically hosted on CVCCs main campus to the Alexander County service area.
It is sort of sad but I guess Im a sentimental old fool anyway, he said. It just means that I had good feelings for the place.

Nackley started working for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1966. He said he was about 25 years old.

He ran stores in Miami, Charlotte and Asheville before the store in Hickory went up for sale in 1982. He took the opportunity to work for himself as a franchise owner.

In his years owning the store, from 1982 to 1999, Nackley helped customers in times they needed help most, he said. When their car needed care, they came to him and trusted him to help.

I tried to please people, Nackley said. That was one thing that made me feel good about it. When people come in theyve got a problem, and they come to you because they trust you and you can solve their problem.

Nackley said he took pride in his work and built a bond with the community. His memories of the business are plentiful, but the ones that stand out are instances of connection.
Rosemary Salomone, a Kenneth Wang Professor of Law at St. Johns University in New York City, said the school district was operating responsibly.

Its just unfathomable that hes even making these claims because theyre not even close to having any constitutional grounding, she said.

The School Board voted for the mandate Aug. 10, and State Health Commissioner Norm Oliver issued a public health order with the requirement two days later.

Roszel contacted Monacan High ahead of the beginning of the teacher workweek in August. Having no medical or religious exemptions, he was put on administrative leave.

The [administration] team at Monacan handled it very delicately and with grace, Roszel said in an interview Thursday, adding he later had a Zoom meeting where he was given the choice to resign or be terminated.

Human resources pushed resignation very, very hard, Roszel said. I felt that I needed to stand up for myself and point out to CCPS, as well as the residents of Chesterfield County and my students, that this was wrong, and I was going to stand for what was right. I wasnt going to be forced to quit my job I just worked so hard to attain.
" " Teamsters Union president Jimmy Hoffa leans out of the window of a red truck. He disappeared in 1975 and has never been found. Hank Walker/Getty Images

Jury tampering, mail fraud and bribery were just a few of the crimes that sent infamous union boss Jimmy Hoffa to prison for four years until he was pardoned by President Richard Nixon in 1971. Hoffa had served as president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters since 1957, and was alleged to have deep ties with the Italian-American Mafia. Ironically, it may have been a falling out with Hoffa's mobster allies that ultimately led to his disappearance on July 30, 1975.

In the 1960s, Hoffa was one of the most powerful political figures in America. Armed with only a high-school education, Hoffa used his street smarts and determination to rise through the ranks of the Teamsters, one of the country's biggest and most powerful unions. It was under Hoffa's leadership that nearly all truck drivers in America signed a collective union contract in 1961 [source: Biography.com].

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In the first half of the 20th century, unions were known to partner with organized crime in order to pressure business leaders and politicians to accept their terms. The FBI dogged Hoffa for years, as did Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, but law enforcement was unable to pin criminal charges on the Teamster chief until 1964, when Hoffa was convicted of bribing members of a 1962 jury.

Four years into his sentence, Hoffa was pardoned by Nixon. But as a condition of his release, Hoffa promised to never again hold a leadership position in the Teamsters or any other union until 1980. Hoffa's later attempt to renege on that deal may have cost him his life.

On July 30, 1975, Hoffa arrived at the Machus Red Fox Restaurant in Detroit, allegedly for a meeting with Anthony "Tony Jack" Giacalone, a local Mafia street boss. But Giacalone never showed, and after some friendly chitchat with other diners, Hoffa walked out of the restaurant, never to be seen again. The next day, authorities found his car still in the Red Fox parking lot, but Hoffa's whereabouts, and the circumstances of his suspected murder, remain one of the greatest mysteries in FBI history.

Despite multiple investigations in the decades that followed, Hoffa's body has never been found. Tips from aging mobsters and anonymous sources have prompted forensic digs in far-flung places as the FBI has attempted to unearth Hoffa's burial site. They've searched beneath the lawn of a private home in Roseville, Michigan, and in 2013 they dug under a concrete slab in a field near Detroit about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the restaurant where Hoffa was last seen alive [source: Lichterman]. In 2019, they searched a parcel of land in Hillsdale Township, Michigan.

" " Onlookers gather at the site where FBI agents search a field for the alleged remains of Jimmy Hoffa on June 17, 2013 in Oakland Township, Michigan. The agents were acting on a tip provided by Tony Zerilli, 85, a former mobster, who was released from prison in 2008. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

The tips that have trickled in to investigators during the last four decades have contended Hoffa's remains could be found anywhere  from under an end zone in the now-demolished Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to a swamp in the Everglades. Another proposed explanation is that Hoffa's body was stuffed into a junkyard car, put through a compactor and then shipped overseas as scrap metal [source: Bump].

Perhaps the real reason Hoffa's body has never been found is far simpler  there is no body.

What Really Happened to Jimmy Hoffa's Body?

James Buccellato is a senior lecturer in criminology at Detroit's Wayne State University, author, and host of the Original Gangsters podcast. He doesn't buy any of the stories that Hoffa's body was shipped back to the East Coast or even to the suburbs of Detroit. From conversations with FBI agents who worked the case, Buccellato believes the body was most likely cremated in a mob-owned incinerator just miles from the restaurant where Hoffa was last seen alive.

"The idea that he was transported to New Jersey and buried somewhere, it just doesn't make sense for logistical reasons," says Buccellato. "The Mafia guys are going to want to get rid of the body as soon as possible."

According to the FBI's "Hoffex Memo," an internal report prepared six months after Hoffa's disappearance, the top suspects in the murder were Charles "Chuckie" O'Brien, a close friend whom Hoffa raised as a son, and Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, a longtime Hoffa friend and known Mafia hit man.

Both suspects were believed to have been under orders from Anthony "Tony Pro" Provenzano, a New Jersey Mafia boss and Teamster officer who had done time with Hoffa in Lewisburg Prison before the two men had a bad falling out. Buccellato says that a personal vendetta was definitely at play, but that Provenzano wasn't the only Mafioso to want Hoffa gone.

Remember that as part of Nixon's pardon, Hoffa agreed to not assume another leadership position in the Teamsters. But as soon as he left prison, Hoffa initiated legal proceedings to get that leadership ban overturned. He started meeting with his old base of supporters and assembling a coalition to get back into power.

The mob guys didn't like this one bit. Hoffa's Teamsters replacement, Frank Fitzsimmons, was the perfect Mafia puppet. For the underworld bosses in Detroit, Hoffa was not only a hardheaded pain in the neck, but he was constantly trailed by the FBI. The wise guys told Hoffa to drop the comeback.

"They said, 'That's unacceptable. You generate too much heat, too much publicity, you're too high-profile,'" says Buccellato. "'You need to ride off into the sunset.'"

But Hoffa wouldn't listen. And that's when he started to get phone calls from associates of his prison "pal" Provenzano. They said Provenzano wanted to meet to bury the hatchet and make peace. Hoffa must have smelled a rat, because he refused. In the FBI memo, he tells the go-betweens that he "wouldn't meet Provenzano anywhere" and calls the mobster a "bum."

"I Heard You Paint Houses"

And then came the July 30, 1975 meeting at the Red Fox. Hoffa told trusted associates that he was going to meet with the local Mafia boss Giacalone, but didn't mention Provenzano. Either way, neither of the men showed up at the restaurant, so Hoffa left. What happened next is pure speculation, but the FBI had a theory in 1976 and a 2004 deathbed confession backs it up.

When Hoffa left the restaurant, according to the Hoffex Memo, he was probably met in the parking lot by either his foster son, Chuckie O'Brien, his trusted associate, The Irishman, or both. The FBI doesn't think Hoffa wasn't forcibly snatched and tossed into a car, because he would have made a scene in front of dozens of witnesses.

"It had to be people Hoffa knew and had earned some level of trust," says Buccellato. "In that world, you don't trust a lot of people, which narrows it down to a handful of people that would have been there during that moment where they tell him, 'The meeting is happening somewhere else.'"

Believing he was in safe hands, Hoffa was then taken to a local mobster's house, where he was summarily shot and killed, and his body was burned up either in an incinerator or at a Mafia-owned funeral home.

According to a book by The Irishman's former lawyer, Charles Brandt, the prolific hit man confessed on his deathbed to killing Hoffa and cremating the body at a funeral parlor. The book's title, "I Heard You Paint Houses," comes from the very first conversation between Hoffa and The Irishman in 1957, when the newly elected Teamster leader needed some muscle.

"I heard you paint houses," Hoffa asked The Irishman, employing a mob euphemism for murder. The Irishman allegedly said yes and added, "I also do my own plumbing," meaning that he got rid of the bodies, too.

If The Irishman's story is true, then his "plumbing" skills are the reason the Feds have never recovered Jimmy Hoffa's body and that nobody has stood trial for his murder.
Native Girl Dances the Corn Dance. NPS Photo November is Native American Heritage Month!

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument joins the Nation and Nations in celebrating Native American Heritage! From the tribes of the northeast to the tribes of the southwest, northwest, southeast, the central states, Alaska and Hawaii, we celebrate the proud history of all native people. Salinas Pueblo Missions has 18 identified associated tribes. Most of the monuments associated tribes are of Puebloan heritage but also includes Apachean and plains tribes. Abo is of Tompiro heritage, Quarai is of Tiwa heritage and Gran Quivira is of Jumano heritage. The monument maintains partnerships with all our associated tribes to preserve these sites in memoriam of those who lived before us but especially in celebration of those whose lives are in the present. Their lives, customs, knowledge, and spirituality are an inspiration for us all, and continues to guide the National Park Service in how we think and how these extraordinary sites should be preserved in posterity for all people. As a National Monument, Native communities continue to use these sites for traditional purposes and to pay honor and respect for their ancestors. The NPS joins with them to keep these customs and knowledge vibrant and for the education of the American people in celebration of their great heritage.



For more information, go to https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
MATTOON  A new fire and burglar alarm system has been installed in the Mattoon police station and remodeling work in the squad and radio rooms is nearing completion. City Clerk Charles White said that previously there were 18 alarm boxes from several different companies. Most were in the police station but a few were at the fire stations. With the new installations, an 80-panel board with 40 fire alarm and 40 burglar alarm units are in place MATTOON - The chairman of the Illinois Pollution Control Board yesterday affirmed that leaf burning is now illegal within one mile of any municipality with more than 1,000 residents. Chairman David P. Currie said recent adoption of an open leaf-burning ban has prompted much discussion in some communities, including Mattoon, where Mayor Morgan Phipps said city officials would not enforce the ban. Currie said alternatives to open burning could be municipal incineration, using leaves for sanitary landfill and composting for enriching the soil CHARLESTON  Full-time equivalent enrollment is up at the institutions in the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities system. Enrollment was up 4.4 percent this fall over last year, or 1,324 more students than the 30,379 of a year ago. Enrollment at the four universities include Western Illinois, 13,331 (up 504); Eastern Illinois, 8,464 (up 186); Northeastern Illinois, 5,333 (up 293; and Chicago State, 3,997 (down 237). Governors State, with 578 FTE enrollment, is in its first year of existence.
CHARLESTON  The Festivals and Special Events class at Eastern Illinois University has been honored with the responsibility of hosting the annual 2.5K Homecoming Race.

The race will be virtual and in person this year in respect of EIUs COVID-19 guidelines. Participants will be able to complete their own 2.5K virtual walk/run, in their respective locations, during homecoming week Oct. 18-23 or in person at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, $15 per person entry fee.

The in-person route begins at 7th Street and Lincoln Ave., going north on 7th to Monroe Ave., then back down 6th street, ending back at Lincoln Ave. Onsite registration will be available.

Online pre-registration is now through Wednesday, Oct. 20 at go.eiu.edu/race.

The Festivals and Special Events class is requesting sponsorship to help with race shirts, awards, and advertising for this years race. All proceeds from the race will be going to help provide funding towards the EIU Recreation Club with future community/school programs and trips.

For more information or have any questions, please contact Mary Atteberry, Instructor, at mcatteberry@eiu.edu or at 217-581-6344.

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CHARLESTON  A complaint alleging that the Coles County State's Attorney's Office and the Illinois State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor's Office have been working improperly together has been filed in federal court.

Attorney Todd M. Reardon recently filed this complaint against the two organizations and the Coles County Board in the U.S. Federal District Court for Central Illinois on behalf of Anthony Golding, Taylor Schoeneman and Mervin Wolfe.

The complaint says that after Appellate Prosecutor's Office special prosecutors have been brought in to handle cases regarding the plaintiffs in which the State's Attorney's Office has a conflict of interest, that the resolution between these two organizations has been "allowing the sharing of staff, computers, research, evidence, thoughts, and theories with conflicted counsel and staff."

"The plaintiffs have a clear ascertainable right under the U.S. Constitution to have a conflict free and disinterested prosecution of his case; said right is currently not being protected and in fact is being violated," the complaint alleges. The plaintiffs ask for relief including a cease and desist order forbidding the State's Attorney's Office from further assisting in the prosecution of the plaintiffs.

State's Attorney Jesse Danley said Friday that he feels state statutes are clear on resolutions between county prosecutors and the Appellate Prosecutor's Office and that counties throughout Illinois operate under such resolutions.

"The complaint is wholly without base. I am confident the federal judge will find that is the case," Danley said.

Contact Rob Stroud at 217-238-6861.

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CHICAGO - A 29-year-old man who was fatally shot walking out of a gas station in the Roseland neighborhood Saturday morning was among six people wounded in shootings since Friday evening, Chicago police said.

The fatal shooting happened around 1:50 a.m. Saturday in the 10000 block of South Michigan Avenue. The man was leaving a gas station when he was approached by a male who fired shots.

The victim suffered wounds to his head and back, and was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.

An 18-year-old man got himself to Mount Sinai Hospital after being shot about 2 a.m. in the 1800 block of South California Avenue.

Police said the victim was walking when he heard shots and felt pain. He suffered a gunshot wound to the back, and was listed in good condition at the hospital.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. Friday, a 22-year-old man was shot while driving in the Near West Side neighborhood in the 400 block of South Western Avenue.

Police said someone inside a white Chrysler sedan fired shots, striking the victim in his chest. He got himself to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was listed in good condition.

In other shootings overnight:

Shortly before 9:40 p.m., an 18-year-old man was walking in the 1800 block of South Allport Avenue in the Pilsen neighborhood when he was approached by someone who shot him in the back. He was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was listed in fair condition, police said.

About 8:45 p.m., a 30-year-old man was shot while he was walking in the South Shore neighborhood in the 7500 block of South Shore Drive. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with wounds to the legs and left arm, and listed in fair condition, police said.

About 7:40 p.m., a 16-year-old boy was shot in the 700 block of North Hamlin Avenue in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. The teenage boy was inside of a vehicle when he was struck by gunfire, police said. The boy suffered a wound to the facial area, and was taken to Norwegian American Hospital where he was listed in critical condition, police said.

Shortly before 7 p.m., a 21-year-old man was shot in the 5300 block of West Palmer Street in the Hanson Park neighborhood. Police said he was inside a vehicle when he was struck by gunfire. The vehicle then struck a fence and a parked vehicle before coming to a stop in the 5400 block of West Palmer Street. The man was taken in serious condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, police said.

No one was in custody, and detectives were investigating.

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A reputed Chicago gang member used his own name to purchase a car used in the slaying of Chicago rapper FBG Duck, then returned the vehicle less than two hours later when the dealership accused him of lying on a financing application, prosecutors said in a detention hearing Friday.

Tacarlos Offerd, 30, was one of five alleged members of the South Sides O-block gang charged this week with racketeering conspiracy alleging they opened fire on FBG Duck, whose real name was Carlton Weekly, as he stood in line outside a Gold Coast clothing store on Aug. 4, 2020.

In asking that Offerd be held without bond, prosecutors on Friday revealed new details about evidence in the high-profile case, including that Offerd allegedly used his own name to purchase a vehicle at a suburban dealership on July 28, a week before the slaying. Photographs from the dealership even show him standing next to the car, Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Berry said.

On the day of the shooting, Chicago police POD cameras, plate readers and other surveillance showed the car Offerd purchased traveling to the first block of Oak Street, where two gunmen jumped out and opened fire as Weekly stood on the crowded street, according to Berry. Other gunmen also emerged from a second trailing car.

At least 38 shots were fired at Weekly, fatally wounding the rapper and also injuring two others, before the cars sped from the scene, Berry said.

Within two hours of the shooting, Offerd returned the car at the unidentified dealership, which had found hed lied about his employment in the financing application, Berry said.

Its a heinous crime, Berry said in asking U.S. Magistrate Judge David Weisman to deny bond. This was a crowded street in broad daylight ... others could have been injured.

Offerds attorney, John Somerville, said buying a car is not proof of involvement in any shooting, and that Offerd made no admissions of being involved in FBG Ducks killing. He said Offerd is a lifelong Chicagoan, has four children and has never been to prison.

What did he do? He could have been miles away, with no participation in or knowledge of the offense, Somerville said. Why would he go buy a car in his own name, sign a contract and then go and commit this shooting?

Weisman ultimately ordered Offerd held in custody pending trial, saying he was a danger to the community.

Even during 2020s elevated violence levels in the city, the slaying of the rapper stood out, both because of Weeklys status as an entertainer and the boldness of the fatal attack.

Police at the time described Weekly, 26, as a member of a Gangster Disciples faction that was involved in a fierce feud with the Black Disciples on the South Side.

The 11-page indictment unsealed Wednesday alleged those charged are members of the O-Block gang, a violent faction of the Black Disciples that has publicly claimed responsibility for violence and used social media and music to increase their criminal enterprise.

Also charged were Charles Liggins, also known as C Murda, Kenneth Roberson, Christopher Thomas, and Marcus Smart, according to federal documents. They were all accused of committing murder in aid of racketeering as well as various firearms offenses.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum of life in prison upon conviction and prosecutors could also seek the death penalty.

Liggins, 30, Offerd, 30, Thomas, 23, and Smart, 22, were arrested Wednesday morning and appeared via telephone at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where they entered not guilty pleas through their attorneys.

Asked what he did for a living, Offerd, a Fenger High School grad, said hes a dishwasher.

Liggins, Thomas and Smart waived a detention hearing for now and were ordered detained.

Roberson, 27, was already being held without bond at Cook County Jail on charges he shot a man in Dolton earlier this year, court records show. He will appear on the federal charges at a later date, according to the U.S. attorneys office.

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Horace Mann

Horace Mann (May 4, 1796-Aug. 2, 1859) is best known for his commitment to promoting public education.

Mann struggled to obtain an education as his father was a farmer without much money. From age ten to twenty, Mann had no more than six weeks schooling during any year. This did not stop Manns curiosity for learning as he would use the Franklin, Massachusetts, Public Library to obtain a basic education.

At the age of twenty, he enrolled at Brown University and graduated in three years as valedictorian in 1819. He later studied law at Litchfield Law School and, in 1823, was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts.

Mann was elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 1827, and in that role was active in the interests of education, public education, public charities, and laws for the suppression of alcoholic drinks and lotteries.

Massachusetts appointed Mann to be their Secretary of Education in 1837. At this time, he began work which was to place him in the foremost rank of American educators. Immersed in his duties, he withdrew from all other professional or business engagements and politics.

Holding this position, he worked with a remarkable intensity, holding teachers conventions, delivering numerous lectures and addresses, carrying on an extensive correspondence, and introducing numerous reforms.

Mann was an advocate for tax-supported elementary public education. He also had the idea that education should be led by a female teaching staff. Most northern states adopted one version or another of the system he established in Massachusetts, especially the program for normal schools to train professional teachers.

In 1838, he founded and edited The Common School Journal.

In this journal, Mann targeted the public school and its problems. His six main principles were:

1. The public should no longer remain ignorant;

2. that such education should be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public;

3. that this education will be best provided in schools that embrace children from a variety of backgrounds;

4. that this education must be non-sectarian;

5. that this education must be taught using the tenets of a free society; and;

6. that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers.

Manns goal was that by bringing all children of all economic classes together they could have a common learning experience. This would also allow the less fortunate to advance in the school scale and education would equalize the conditions of men.

Mann also suggested that attending schools would help those students who did not have appropriate discipline in the home. Building a persons character was just as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic. He thought that students need to learn obedience to authority and promptness in attendance.

In September 1852, Mann was nominated for governor of Massachusetts. The same day he was selected to be the president of the newly established Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. Failing in the election for governor, he accepted the presidency of the college.

Mann remained as president of the college until his death on August 2, 1859, at the age of sixty-three.

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Ann Teresa Matthews of Maryland left her home and became a Carmelite nun in Europe. She returned using her religious name Mother Bernardina Teresa Xavier in 1790 and established the first Roman Catholic order for women in this country. She had been encouraged by her brother, a priest, who wrote, In this country peace is declared and religion is free. (https://www.thearda.com/timeline/events/event_380.asp)

Among other active religious people during this time period, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton (1774-1821) stands out for her devotion to helping children. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII in 1963. She was the first American to become a saint. When Pope Paul VI canonized her in 1975, he said, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann_Seton)

For many years, nuns and priests continued to be involved in running orphanages, schools and hospitals. In 1965, a group of nuns responded to Martin Luther King Jr.s call to join the protests in Selma, Alabama. This march helped to change the roles of nun and moved some of them into a new religious life with a dedication to social justice issues.
At least 50 people had signed up for the daylong trip on Saturday. Among them will be members of a couple other congregations from Roanoke and Franklin counties.

Taylor said one of the reasons the trips important is peoples attitudes have changed big time in the past four years, with respect to race. And he fears that direction isnt a positive one. He thinks members of both races need to talk more to each other.

During the Sunday school class exchange, I think everybody realized, were seeking the same thing, eternal life, Taylor said. We also realized were not going to get there until we get along.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, Briggs said. Before you love your neighbor, you have to know him.

Where is all this going? Those planning the trip werent quite sure. Members of the two churches have continued the Zoom Sunday school class exchanges. Theyre hoping to get together in person over the winter holidays, and perhaps for another bus ride, and a tour of Richmond, next year.

Its all about talking quietly with each other.

Taylor called it, changing the world, 20 people at a time.

Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter:.
A Forsyth County sheriffs deputy used pepper spray to stop a disturbance that involved parents and students at Glenn High School on Friday, officials said.

One adult and three juveniles were being charged with disorderly conduct after the incident, authorities said.

The disturbance occurred shortly before 2 p.m., the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said on its Facebook page.

Sheriffs deputies, who work as school resource officers at Glenn High, responded.

Winston-Salem and Kernersville police officers arrived at the scene to assist the deputies after a large crowd gathered, the sheriffs office said. A fire truck and an ambulance were at the scene as well.

Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. also was there.

A deputy used pepper spray to restore order and gain compliance from the individuals participating in the disturbance, the sheriffs office said.

Forsyth County emergency medical technicians treated the people exposed to the pepper spray, and no adults, students, school staff or law enforcement officers were injured, the sheriffs office said.

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Police also didnt like language that suggested that the city might in the future impose higher insurance rates on unvaccinated employees or fire them, Rose said. The group also wants the city to set a vaccination-rate goal that the city is shooting for.

Council members said police officers, their spouses, parents and other family members have been contacting them to oppose parts of the proposed policy.

I think the objections are all over the place, Council Member Kevin Mundy said. Some people do not feel the vaccination has been through all its paces, even though the FDA has taken it off the experimental list. Some people feel like their rights are being violated by having anything mandated.

Mundy said that while hes strongly in favor of vaccination for city employees, a shortage of police officers makes it important to be sensitive to their concerns.

Doug Simmons, the president of the Winston-Salem Professional Firefighters Association, said the fire department took a morale hit when firefighters heard about downsides of the proposed policy.
I am pastor to a community that many immigrants call home. I have known many young people brought into America as children, well before they could decide for themselves, who are as American as any native-born U.S. citizen.

Many of these Dreamers  young immigrants shielded by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program  speak only English, having left their language and country of birth at a very young age. Educated in our schools, they say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the national anthem as any American would. Some do not even realize they are not citizens until much later, when they encounter legal hardship or apply for their first job and find they lack papers.

Many have served us well as essential workers during the pandemic, working in health care, education, food service and other frontline capacities. They desperately want to be part of the only nation  the only home  they have ever known.
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS.org) makes a point I have not seen elsewhere. It contends that several countries, supposedly allies of the U.S., are complicit in enhancing the migrant flow:  the United States has never seen fit to publicly acknowledge that Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica are doing this to the American people. The American public hardly knows of it. Nor has the United States sought to diplomatically leverage any of the governments to instead disrupt, slow or outright halt the flows of people long before they reach Mexico. This strange state of tolerance and American public ignorance, even during the Trump administration, endures, despite the fact that all three of these nations are ideally positioned as trail-route bottlenecks where new U.S. strategies can significantly attenuate the problem if all involved simply acknowledge that it is happening and there is a political will to press for a solution.
Velma Terry knows all too well the heavy costs of gun violence. On Valentines Day, her 35-year-old son, TeOre Terry, was found fatally shot in Winston-Salem. Now, TeOres little brother and nephews and nieces are stressed at school. Theyre talking about this all the time and its fearful for them, she said. Theyre trying to understand why this is happening.

Local gun violence here and nationwide, especially among youth, has underscored the need for a holistic approach to confronting it. An anti-gun violence rally at Blum Park at 2 p.m. Sunday is part of that, a growing communitywide response to the issue that couldnt come at a more crucial time.

Local children are living in poverty and with the threat of violence, including gun violence, said Michele Lewis, a professor of Psychological Sciences and Research Fellow at Winston-Salem State Universitys Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM). Their daily life has ongoing stressors. This impacts their reactivity to threat, their ability to regulate their emotions and their optimal thriving. Thus, any programs aimed at increasing upward mobility must acknowledge the impact of chronic stress (e.g. poverty, oppression-related violence) on motivation, said Lewis, who worked with Velma Terry on a CSEM-supported group for women.
Legislators in Raleigh have kicked off another round in the never-ending battle over redistricting. Theres talk about making districts compact and contiguous and keeping communities of interest together.

But their bigger concern is how those election districts will translate to seats and which party controls Congress and the General Assembly over the next decade.

North Carolina has long been a legal battleground over gerrymandering  or drawing districts that give a political party unfair advantage. Both major parties have done it, but the practice accelerated after 2010, when Republicans gained control of the General Assembly and employed new techniques to maximize their advantage.

From 2012-2020, Republicans won 47 of 65 congressional contests (72%), while Democrats won only 18 (28%). North Carolinas an evenly divided state. In our six highest-profile 2020 elections  president, U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, state Supreme Court chief justice and attorney general  the two-party statewide vote averaged 50.1% for Republicans and 49.9% for Democrats.
In the 18 months since the CARES Act first passed, over a million American homeowners took advantage of the forbearance protections the law provided for.

After a few extensions, the mortgage payment pause officially ended  or will be ending soon  for 1.2 million out of an estimated 1.7 million loans that remained in forbearance as of August, according to CoreLogic.

While experts say market conditions should prevent a wave of foreclosures, some borrowers are still struggling to get back on track.

Heres what you need to know if your own forbearance period is coming to an end.

Forbearance is over for many

When the pandemic hit, Carl Johnson had to stop working as an entertainer at childrens parties. The Cincinnati resident knew he wouldnt be able to keep up with his mortgage payments, so he went into forbearance 18 months ago.

Like millions of other borrowers, Johnson said his forbearance protections ended Sept. 30, and now hes faced with having to catch up on his missed payments or possibly sell his home. He wishes hed been better informed about how forbearance programs end before he applied.
The First-Plymouth Congregational Church Climate Action Team will bring two internationally known climate scientists to offer free talks this fall on why climate change is a values issue and how to talk about it, and on the latest climate science.

On Thursday, Oct. 28, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe will discuss why climate change is a values issue and whether the values relate to children and grandchildren, faith or something else. Shell also share what shes learned about how to have effective, respectful conversations about climate change.

The most important thing we can do to fight climate change is talk about it, says Hayhoe, a Texas Tech climate scientist, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, and a lead author of numerous reports on climate change.

Hayhoe has just published a new book, "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World." As an Evangelical Christian, she is well-known for her ability to help individuals consider climate change as a values issue and bring hope and healing to a divisive topic.

On Thursday, Nov. 4, Dr. Don Wilhite will review what climate scientists have learned about climate change in the last year and what that may tell us about the future. Wilhite, also a climate scientist, is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Emeritus.
Part-owner of Speedway dies

Speedway Motors on Saturday announced the death of Jason Smith, who was a second-generation family owner of the business, after a battle with cancer. He was 60.

We are devastated by the loss of Jason. He was a leader and innovator in the after-market industry, said Clay Smith, president & CEO of Speedway Motors. Jason was truly passionate about the hobby, our customers and our business.

He is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Avery and son Tucker. He was the youngest of four brothers  Carson, Craig and Clay  who continue to run the nearly 70-year-old, family-owned business. He graduated from the University of Nebraska.
OMAHA  As expected, a priest who served as chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha has been arrested and charged with two felonies after allegations emerged that he embezzled from a parish in Springfield and from a retired Omaha priest.

The Rev. Michael Gutgsell, who served as chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 to 2003 and has served as a parish priest since then, turned himself in Friday morning. After a hearing Friday afternoon, a judge ordered the 73-year-old to be released from the Douglas County Jail on his own recognizance. Prosecutors did not object.

According to court documents, Gutgsell admitted to taking $106,000 from St. Josephs Catholic Church in Springfield, where he has spent the past few years. The Archdiocese of Omaha since has removed him from his duties at the parish.

Gutgsell also admitted to taking $180,000 from the bank accounts of retired Omaha priest Theodore Richling, according to the court documents. Gutgsell told investigators he had planned to pay the money back.

Gutgsell is charged in Douglas County with attempted theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult. The latter charge stemmed from accusations that Gutgsell stole money from Richling while Richling was suffering from Alzheimer's and was largely incapacitated. Richling died in December 2019.
Conrad said Friday that she had submitted requests to every member of the working group after learning of the response to The World-Herald. She said she also received the documents Friday from judicial officials in the group.

I was very pleased to see the coordinated response from Nebraskas top judicial leaders and officials, which rightly recognized that this information is a public record and should be in the public domain if requested under our strong public-records law," she said.

Conrad called it the "latest important victory" for some of Nebraska's leading newspapers and government watchdog organizations in ensuring that the state's public-records law works as it should.

"We really need to look hard at this data and this information and look hard at solutions," she said. The ACLU has vocally opposed Ricketts proposal to build a new prison.

The records consist of two PDFs of PowerPoint presentations. One 50-page document is focused on who is coming into prisons and being admitted into probation. The second document  44 pages, with two slides per page  is focused on sentencing, release and parole.

One question the data prompts: If admissions aren't driving the increase in the prison population, what is?
Most passionate reader. Thats how Lincoln City Libraries Director Pat Leach wants to be known.

Others see her as much more: committed, consistent, anticipatory, and passionate about serving the community and promoting literacy.

As library director, Leach heads up Bennett Martin Public Library, its seven branches and 150 staff members. She was appointed to the role in 2008.

Retired assistant library director John Dale worked with Leach from the time she was a part-time youth services library aid in 1979 until his retirement in 2005, and even officiated at her wedding. During his initial encounter, Pats gigantic smile and congeniality struck him.

He recalled when she took a year off in the late 80s to get her masters degree in library and information science at the University of Illinois. My feeling was always that she would go as far as she wanted to go, Dale said. Over the years he found her to be really, really smart, he shared. She can come into a situation, and she clicks immediately. Shes good at reading the room.

When problems arose, budgetary or otherwise, Pat was always looking at the best way to deal with things so we could move on, Dale shared. She wanted to make sure the system was running well.
CALEDONIA  As budget plans progress in Caledonia, proposed expenditures include a call to borrow money for roads.

The initial 2022 budget was reviewed by the Village Board last month. The revised budget is on the agenda for Mondays Village Board meeting.

These changes include increases to expected health care costs, the addition of a police officer and funding for pickleball courts and walking paths.

The Caledonia Police Department has asked the Village Board for additional personnel before  in May, Police Chief Christopher Botsch said he wants to expand the department by five officers in the near future. CPD staff increased by one in 2020 and another in 2021.

Pickleball courts have been discussed in the village before. In June, the topic was brought before Caledonias Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and courts were proposed for installation at Crawford Park, 5199 Chester Lane. At that time, Development Director Peter Wagner said the topic could be considered for the 2022 budget. Now, the village has set aside $30,000 for the sport. Mount Pleasant recently installed pickleball courts at its Campus Park.

The public hearing regarding the budget is to be held Nov. 15, then a final budget will be approved by the board.

The Caledonia portion of the tax bill should decrease for most residents. The village performed a revaluation of properties in 2021 which showed some properties will be affected more than others.

Notable items

The net new construction number is down substantially from the 2020 number, 1.71%, which is giving the village little growth in the levy limit.

The 2021 net new construction number for the Village of Caledonia is 0.43%.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenues Equalization Bureau issues the Net New Construction Report, which provides municipalities and counties with net new construction numbers for levy limits and the Expenditure Restraint Program. The net new construction means new construction reduced by any demolition or destruction of buildings, and may include corrections to the prior year.

The net new construction number affects both the expenditure restraint and levy limit calculations.

Because of the restrictions, village staff is recommending to borrow money for roads, which has not been done before this year, but has been discussed in the past, according to Sept. 20 Village Board minutes.

The village is proposing to borrow a portion of its road improvement budget  about $440,000 out of the $825,000 budgeted figure.

The village budgets a significant amount every year for road improvements; we keep a listing that is reviewed and revised often, said Caledonia Village Administrator Kathy Kasper in an email. The ones at the top of the list will get done first.

The village will issue debt as it does for any other large project. Most communities borrow for a significant portion of their capital, Kasper said.

In addition, the Central Racine County Health Department is transitioning to Racine County and part of the transition is that all of the involved agencies transfer levy limit to the county. There is an overall levy reduction because of the roads. Caledonias share is $193,354.

Some funds in the special revenue are rolled back into the general fund to maximize expenditure restraint figures. This is beneficial to the village and will prevent losing funding in the future, Sept. 20 Village Board minutes say.

When asked if the village is going to have to find more or less sources of revenue as a result of the budget changes, Kasper said: The village is always seeking sources of revenue other than levy to support operations.

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GENEVA LAKE  One man is dead after two boats crashed into each other Saturday morning on Geneva Lake, according to the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency.

Alcohol isn't believed to have been a factor in the crash.

The crash was reported "in the middle area of the lake, east of Cedar Point," according to an alert. A 16-foot Sylvan boat with three people on board out of Williams Bay was headed south at about 10-15 mph when it was reported to have been T-boned by a 25-foot Skeeter boat with two people on board going westbound at 30-35 mph.

A 66-year-old Illinois man was sitting on the deck of the Sylvan when the crash happened, according to police. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful.

The two other males in the Sylvan were hospitalized at Mercy Walworth because of their injuries, but neither of the men in the Skeeter were reported to have been injured.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is leading the crash investigation.

Responding to the tragedy were Geneva Lake Police, Town of Linn Police, Linn Fire and Rescue, and Lake Geneva Fire and Rescue.

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The other day I found myself looking at a startling image of my Northern California home, the daylight dampened by an eerie orange glow as wildfire smoke blocked the sun.

It looked exactly as it had on Sept. 9, 2020, when the entire San Francisco Bay Area was shrouded in orange smoke  a scary scene I hoped I'd never see again. But this time the disturbing sight was generated by a new website with the help of artificial intelligence. The goal: to draw attention to the perils of our changing environment, and inspire people to take action against it, by showing how climate disasters would look in our own backyards.

On ThisClimateDoesNotExist.com you can look up any address  your house, landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Times Square in New York or San Francisco's "Painted Ladies" homes  and get a surprisingly realistic sense of what it could look like if that place was struck by flood, wildfires or smog. The website, which does this by using AI trained on images of such scenes to re-imagine pictures from Google Street View, was created by researchers at Mila, an AI research institute in Montreal.

The website, which was unveiled Thursday, has been in the works for two years. It began with the realization that while we have tools to face climate change, an enormous obstacle to dealing with it is public awareness and political will, said Yoshua Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal and founder of Mila, who also led the research team for the project. Bengio, a Turing Award winner, said the researchers wanted to create images that felt personal, which led to the idea of using AI to show what your house might look like during an environmental catastrophe.

"Citizens in the past have been hearing about climate change coming from scientists, reports, and graphs," Bengio said. "And there is a cognitive aspect, which is, something doesn't scare us so much if it's not right in front of our eyes."

Climate scientists reported in August the world is already around 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels. Temperatures should stay below 1.5 degrees, they say  a critical threshold to avoid the most severe impacts of the climate crisis. With every fraction of a degree of warming, the consequences of climate change worsen. Even limiting warming to 1.5 degrees, scientists say the kinds of extreme weather the world experienced this summer, including flash floods and more devastating hurricanes, will become more severe and more frequent.

ThisClimateDoesNotExist can show you such images that make your home or, say, the Leaning Tower of Pisa appear to be truly flooded or covered in smoke or smog. But creating these visuals isn't as simple as placing an image of water in front of a building or adding a diaphanous filter.

There aren't many pairs of images out there showing homes before and after a flood  the kind of data that would be helpful for training an AI system on the relationship between the image it's being fed and what it should turn it into. To compensate for this, researchers started by building a computerized virtual world. This world, the equivalent of several blocks of a city, let them control flooding and other elements so they could create synthetic images of places "before" and "after" a climate catastrophe, said Sasha Luccioni, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Montreal and Mila and a lead researcher on the project.

This synthetic data, along with real images showing flooded houses and pictures of smokey orange skies and smog, was used to train an AI system to take any given image from Google Street View and make it look like a climate catastrophe was at hand. To do this, the system needed to first learn where, for instance, water should go in a given image, and then essentially paint water in a realistic-looking way, including reflections of objects poking out of the water and considerations for the lighting of the image.

After a user types in an address and ThisClimateDoesNotExist generates images, the website encourages the user to share them with others and presents resources to learn more about climate change and fight it.

"I think what we want is to channel that initial, like, 'Oh man, my house is underwater,' into climate action," Luccioni said.

 CNN's Rachel Ramirez contributed to this report.

***

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The state Department of Natural Resources policy board plans to vote this week on whether to hire its own attorneys in a pair of lawsuits seeking to block the fall wolf hunt, underscoring the deepening rift between the boards Republican members and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul.

The department announced Friday that the board will convene remotely on Monday to take the vote. Board Chairman Fred Prehn said hes not sure Kauls Department of Justice will represent board members pro-wolf management position in court because its attorneys arent talking to board members.

We havent met with them, they havent talked to any board members or talked strategy, Prehn said. The board feels its not being consulted.

DOJ spokeswoman Gillian Drummond said the agencys attorneys are communicating with Department of Natural Resources attorneys about the cases. She said a DOJ attorney will attend Mondays meeting.

Prehn has been at odds with Evers since his term on the board expired in May. The governor appointed Sandra Naas to replace him, a move that would give Evers appointees majority control of the panel.

Prehn, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, has refused to step down. He maintains he doesnt have to leave until the Senate confirms Naas. Republicans control the Senate and have made no moves toward a confirmation vote, ensuring the board remains under GOP control.

Playing out alongside the political battle is a bitter fight over the fall wolf hunt.

The DOJ is representing the board and the DNR in both lawsuits. A hearing in the state lawsuit is set for Thursday and a hearing in the federal lawsuit is set for Oct. 29. The wolf season is scheduled to begin Nov. 6.

DNR Secretary Preston Cole is an Evers appointee. Earlier this month the department took the unprecedented step of unilaterally reducing the wolf quota to 130 wolves in open defiance of the board.

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Former President Donald Trump on Saturday called on retired U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy to enter the Wisconsin's 2022 gubernatorial race.

Duffy, who resigned in 2019 after learning that his ninth child had a heart condition, had been rumored to be a potential candidate for governor, but so far has not given any formal indication that he's seriously considering a run. What's more, property records show that Duffy sold his Wausau home in September, with the former congressman listing New Jersey as his state of residence.

That didn't stop Trump from issuing a statement Saturday morning that he was "working hard to get very popular and capable Former Congressman Sean Duffy of Wisconsin to run for Governor."

"He would be fantastic!," Trump said. "A champion athlete, Sean loves the people of Wisconsin, and would be virtually unbeatable. His wife, Rachel, is likewise an incredible person."

"They are both doing very well, so this would be a big sacrifice, but hopefully it will be a sacrifice that will be made for the Great State of Wisconsin and its wonderful, hardworking people," Trump added. "Run Sean, Run!"

Duffy, who was featured on MTVs The Real World, is a former lumberjack athlete who served as a special prosecutor and Ashland County district attorney. On MTV, he met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy.

Duffy came into office on the Tea Party wave of 2010 and has become an avid Trump supporter. He served a little over eight years in Wisconsins 7th Congressional District until he resigned in 2019.

Documents posted on the state Department of Revenue website show that Duffy sold his Wausau home on Sept. 20. Documents list a New Jersey address for the former U.S. Representative.

An endorsement from Trump could provide a considerable boost for a GOP candidate looking to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term next year after a narrow victory over former Gov. Scott Walker in 2018. Trump won the state in 2016 before losing to President Joe Biden last year by about 21,000 votes.

Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who officially declared her candidacy last month, is currently the most prominent Republican in the race leading up to next Augusts GOP gubernatorial primary.

During her campaign announcement in Butler last month, Kleefisch likened her efforts as a candidate to that of Trump, who she called "one of the most pro-life presidents America has ever had."

"There were people who said it could not be done, but instead Donald Trump became one of the most successful policy presidents of our time, presiding over the best economy in American history," she said.

After serving eight years as lieutenant governor, Kleefisch was appointed by Trump as executive director of the Womens Suffrage Centennial Commission, a Washington, D.C.-based group commemorating womens suffrage. Kleefisch held the role for about nine months.

Kleefisch's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's statement Saturday.

"Whether the GOP nominates Radical Rebecca or a washed-up reality TV star, the GOP nominee for governor will be entirely too extreme for the state of Wisconsin," Kayla Anderson, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement.

Small business owner and entrepreneur Jonathan Wichmann also is running, while Republicans Adam Fischer, James Kellen and Leonard Larson Jr. also have filed paperwork to run.

Other Republicans considering a gubernatorial run include former businessman and four-term state Rep. John Macco, R-Ledgeview, who has filed paperwork likely setting the stage for a 2022 campaign, and former U.S. Marine Kevin Nicholson, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2018.

Nicholson has said he is planning to run for either governor or U.S. Senate but is awaiting a decision from U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who has yet to declare whether he will seek another term in 2022.

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1. Yes. Council members appear to have taken time to review each section carefully.

2. Yes. The council has set up town halls and a public hearing to inform the residents.

3. No. The council should have set up a charter review committee, including residents.

4. No. Some of the items proposed so far benefit the council more than the community.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say until after the public has had more opportunities to weigh in.

Vote

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We have students who are surprised by the music major experience  how rigorous it is  so we want to give them some preparation to know what collegiate music study is like so they can make a great choice as they start their college career. That will make their UNK experience all the more positive, Campbell said.

For Rachael Kearney, a junior at Lexington High School, the UNK event reinforced her decision to pursue a degree in music education.

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It also made me realize that I really want to try to play cello, she said with a laugh.

Kearney discovered her passion for music as a fifth grader, and shes currently part of her schools varsity choir and concert band. She plays the alto saxophone, piano, guitar and bass guitar and writes her own music.

I just love the feeling of performing, she said. I just like the rush of it  the endorphins I feel while Im performing. It makes me super happy.

Kearney hopes to share those feelings with her own students in the future.

I want to pursue music more in order to give people the opportunity to express themselves in a way they thought they never could before, she said.
I want to introduce you to five dynamic women who have joined the Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA) Board of Directors. First to join of the five is Jenny Seiler from Viroqua who has worked with nonprofit organizations in different capacities, from office management in a conservation organization to founding a collective for a preschool program.

Throughout my career I have focused on building and serving communities so that they can work together to address shared needs, she said, adding that I am particularly good at talking people through difficult situations, asking challenging questions, finding patterns, and fleshing out roadmaps for organizations to reach their goals and expand their impact.

With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ecology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Certificate in Conflict Management from University of California Davis Extension as a base, Jenny also has skills as a graphic designer and illustrator. I am inspired by the hard work that people in this region put in to building farms, businesses and organizations, she said. I believe deeply in valuing community resilience, and I think VEDA has done great work to expand the capacity of our region. I am excited to put my skills to use in continuing that work.

Another new VEDA Board member is Hetti Brown from La Crosse who is Executive Director of Couleecap, Inc., a Community Action Program in Western Wisconsin. Hetti brings over 12 years of experience in executive leadership including strategic planning, fiscal oversight and governance. A passionate advocate for creating a community where every person can thrive and succeed, she oversees more than 20 programs and 50 federal, state, and private grants to address the causes and conditions of poverty.

She also serves as vice chair of the Wisconsin Community Action Program and vice chair of the La Crosse Area Family Collaborative, on the Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center Board of Directors and various other community committees. Before joining Couleecap, Hetti held leadership roles in Delaware state government, a national nonprofit organization, and the private sector pharmaceutical industry.

She sees small businesses as the backbone of rural prosperity. They provide the most jobs in the county, invest socially and economically at the local level, and help to create the unique sense of community that residents crave, she said. But a strong small business economy does not just happen by chance. Entrepreneurs benefit from training, technical assistance, mentorship and access to resources. Whether they are starting out or ready to expand, VEDA is there to help them be successful. Hetti is on VEDAs board because she believes in its mission and the opportunity the organization has to further the small business economy throughout Vernon County.

Our third new board member is Kathleen Crittenden of rural Viroqua. After earning her Ph.D. in Sociology from Purdue University, she spent her entire professional career as a faculty member at the University of Illinois at Chicago, serving as Director of Graduate Studies, earning teaching awards, and serving as president of the Midwest Sociological Society. She retired as Professor of Sociology in 2000 but continues to be active in research and publication.

After retiring, in pursuit of a more healthy and sustainable life, she and her husband Kelvin Rodolfo built a zero-energy home on land in Vernon County. After completing a Permaculture Design Course from Midwest Permaculture, theyve been learning as we go to develop a permaculture homestead, she said.

Kathleens area activities have included being involved with Fifth Season Cooperative, a board member of Valley Stewardship Network and a grower and board member with its Food and Farm gleaning project, Small Family Farm CSA and the American Hazelnut Company. She also serves on the Viroqua Township Zoning Committee.

I agree with VEDA that agriculture and food are the engines to develop the local economy, and have watched VEDAs efforts and accomplishments in nurturing this development. I want to do anything I can to help, she said of her position on VEDAs Board.

Staci Pieper of Ontario is our fourth new VEDA Board member. Born and raised in the Rockton area, she earned a Civil Engineering Degree at UW-Platteville in addition to a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters of Engineering, Sustainable Systems Engineering. She worked in the Eau Claire area for about six years as a highway construction project engineer before moving back to the Kickapoo Valley. Currently a project manager at Dairyland Power Cooperative, she works on projects in the power plants, on substation construction, remodeling and construction of new buildings.

Staci has owned the nine-room Driftwood Inn motel in Ontario since 2008 and enjoys telling her tourist customers about all of the great things there are to do in the area. As a small business owner, I understand what is needed for small businesses to survive and thrive in our area, she said. For several years, I was a board member of the Vernon County Tourism Council which provided educational programming for local business owners and procured advertising in various media sources for the county.

Her interest in serving on the VEDA Board is to help our area move forward. I believe that we all do better when we work together and feel like this is a way that I can help the area do better. I also think that being on the Board is a great opportunity to learn even more about the Driftless Area and what it has to offer to people that are interested in doing business here.

The newest member of our Board is Karen Innis of rural Viroqua. Having moved from California to Viroqua in 1991, she has been connecting with and making a difference within our community ever since. With a Master of Arts in Sculpture from California State University, she has produced and exhibited her artwork and taught art in schools and studios in California and Wisconsin, including Viroqua Area Schools, the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and Madison-based Very Special Arts Wisconsin where she planned and implemented accessible art programs around the state.

Working with the Viroqua Partners, she received the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council Volunteer of the Year Award in 1995 and directed the creation of three public murals in Viroqua. Karen has served on numerous boards including that of The Associates to Restore the Temple Theatre, Ltd. (ARTT), Couleecap, Viroqua Fine Arts Association, and the Ark Center for the Arts (The Commons).

From 2001 to 2015, she was a member of the Marketing Department at Organic Valley where she built and led the Trade Show and Events Department, managing public events and educational farm tours. Since retiring in 2015, she now enjoys being a licensed real estate agent and owner/operator of Front Porch Framing, a custom picture framing service at the Viroqua Public Market.

Deeply interested in the process of human connection through participation, Karen is proud to be a VEDA board member. Its important for me to contribute to memorable and meaningful experiences in my community, she said, adding VEDA is a proven organization with solid leadership and a vision that can grow and maximize individual expertise.

We appreciate the service of these women and are excited to be working with them on our Board of Directors. For more information on VEDA, visit www.veda-wi.org or contact Sue Noble at 608-638-8332 or at snoble@veda-wi.org.

Kathy Neidert is a member of the Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA) Board of Directors.

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What makes us psychologically healthy? Abraham Maslow found out in the mid-20th century that even a Ph.D. in psychology did not give him an answer to this question. Why? Since its beginning, psychology had focused on mental illness rather than mental health.

So, Maslow began a study of psychologically healthy people. He interviewed people with outstanding creativity, inner strength, and resilience. He discovered that they had one thing in common: They had mystical experiences. Since this phrase was confusing to many people, Maslow replaced it with the now familiar term Peak Experience.

Spiritual writers, however, stay with the term mystical experience. Let me de-mystify mystical. As a spiritual companion, I find that when people feel safe, many will speak of mystical experiences though they rarely call them that. These are moments of awe and sacredness.

Some common examples of such inner experiences are the birth of a child, a sunrise on a lake, the death of a parent, a wide smile on a babys face, a time of quiet prayer, or a moment of deep connection with a spouse, friend, nature, or pet. A mystical  or peak experience  is a sense of the sacred glimpsed in and through the particular instance of the present moment.

About 30 years ago, while I was biking across Iowa, I had a mystical experience. I will describe it in the present tense as it is just as real today. I am biking in a park near Des Moines. As I am coasting down a short hill and splashing through a one-foot stream, I look up and see the sun dancing in splendor among the bright green leaves of a nearby tree. I am filled with awe. I feel at one with everything. I am part of something much bigger than the world itself.

Back in 1902, William James wrote Varieties of Religious Experiences. He listed some qualities of these experiences that can be called mystical, religious or peak experiences. First, they are hard to put into words. I struggled with writing the previous paragraph and still dont think I have it quite right.

Second, these experiences are transitory. They can happen in seconds and disappear quickly.

Third, they are a gift. You cannot cause them. You can try to recreate the situation, but the experience will not return.

Finally, these experiences can have a life-changing impact. I do not remember anything else about my week riding across Iowa. But I do remember that experience. Returning to this memory, I am reminded of the unity and sacredness of the world and of life.

Perhaps the most famous mystical or peak experience is that of Thomas Merton. There is even a monument in Louisville at the location where it happened. Here are Mertons own words.

In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. ... This sense of liberation from an illusory difference was such a relief and such a joy to me that I almost laughed out loud.

Lutheran theologian Marcus Borg wrote of his mystical experience in Convictions, a final book as he reflected on his life. It was on a flight from Tel Aviv to New York. Here are Borgs own words.

I looked around, and everything was filled with exquisite beauty  the texture and fabric of the back of the seat in front of me, the tray full of food. ... Everybody looked beautiful  even a passenger who, as we left Tel Aviv, had struck me as perhaps the ugliest person I had ever seen. ... Even he looked wonderous. My face was wet with tears. I was filled with joy. I felt I could live in that state of consciousness forever.

These mystical or peak experiences changed both Merton and Borg forever.

Back to Abraham Maslow. Here is his main point. Maslow concluded that our psychological health differs to the degree to which we integrate these peak or mystical experiences into our lives and the awareness they bring to our daily living.

This is a startling and unexpected discovery. Yet I have witnessed several ah-ha moments when people share these life-changing experiences as they grow toward wholeness.

Education, success, medications and beauty may be helpful to a person, but they do not guarantee psychological health. Maslow discovered that honoring and integrating peak or mystical experiences is the best predictor of psychological health.

Vince Hatt has been a spiritual director for over 40 years. He has a masters degree in religious education from Catholic University and a masters degree in theology from the Aquinas Institute.

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Cornell firefighter Justin Fredrickson says he is fully recovered from four surgeries this year after he was bizarrely struck by a bullet while extinguishing a house fire near Sheldon on Feb. 19.

Apparently, a loaded .38-caliber pistol within the house had fired, although no one was inside the structure. The gun became so hot due to conditions from the fire that it began to fire five or six rounds, leaving exit holes in the wall of the house, as bullets flew outside. One of those stray shots struck Fredrickson along his rib cage on his left side.

Fredrickson said he didnt know what hit him.

All of a sudden I felt something hit me in the side, Fredrickson recalled. It was a burning and stinging feeling. I just thought I got hit by a two-by-four or something that blew out of the house.

Other firefighters closer to the house heard the shots go off. They looked at Fredrickson and saw he had been injured. They ran over and helped him to the ground, then got his gear off of him.

Fredrickson was taken to a hospital in Ladysmith, then airlifted to the Mayo Clinic Health System hospital in Eau Claire. He had an emergency surgery that night to remove part of his colon and repair his damaged spleen, which needed to be cauterized. However, the bullet remained lodged in his back.

It missed my spine by a half-inch to an inch, Fredrickson said. Its freaky.

Cornell Fire Chief Denny Klass wasnt at the fire scene. He was dumbfounded when he got the call that Fredrickson had been struck by a bullet and needed to go to a hospital. Klass said that with COVID-19 protocols, he couldnt enter the hospital to see his injured colleague. It was nerve-wracking to wait to hear news of his condition.

When I finally got to hear his voice ... it still brings me chills, Klass said. Were very fortunate everything turned out the way it did.

Fredrickson had two more surgeries within the next week.

They cut me open and flushed me out because I was going septic, Fredrickson said. If they hadnt done that, I would have been dead by the morning.

Fredrickson would remain hospitalized for two weeks.

Coming homeWhen Fredrickson was allowed to leave the hospital, he was greeted outside by six firetrucks from different nearby firefighter agencies. They formed a parade, heading from Eau Claire to the Cornell Fire Station, with four other departments sending vehicles during the trek home.

Klass said in the days after the Feb. 19 fire, his office was inundated with calls of support from fire departments across the country. Departments sent Fredrickson their T-shirts as gifts. They heard from firefighter units from New York to Florida.

Its a brotherhood in the fire department, it really is, Klass said.

While Fredrickson was out of the hospital, he couldnt return to his job until April. A fundraiser benefit was held for him, and workers compensation covered his bills.

Its pretty amazing, a small community like this, the way they rallied together for him, Klass said.

Fredrickson was surprised that the bullet remained lodged in his back. He had another surgery in mid-May to have it removed.

They said I could have lived with the bullet in me, Fredrickson said. But it was moving. I could feel it roll with my finger.

Fredrickson has the bullet at home, a souvenir of his survival.

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A La Crosse pediatrician accused of sexually assaulting a young girl could face additional charges.

Dr. Joseph Thomas Poterucha, 40, was charged Friday in La Crosse County Circuit Court with first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13. He is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond ordered by Judge Scott Horne.

Assistant La Crosse County District Attorney Eric Sanford told the court that his office anticipates filing two more charges. He also said police were conducting an interview Friday that could lead to a fourth charge.

Sanford said the first case seems to be the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Poterucha faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted on the first charge alone.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called Thursday about an incident that happened the previous evening at a La Crosse residence. A girl told La Crosse police that Poterucha approached her without saying anything and touched her inappropriately. The girl said it was the first time Poterucha assaulted her.

The complaint said the girl was visibly shaken by the incident and told police she was scared Poterucha would hurt her if she said anything.

Poterucha was interviewed Thursday by police and denied the charges, according to the complaint. He was represented at the bail hearing by public defender Meredith Davis. She argued for a signature bond. She said Poterucha has no criminal record and his case doesnt represent a broad community safety issue.

Horne scheduled Poteruchas next hearing for Oct. 20 before Judge Gloria Doyle. Horne said cash bail was necessary since the number of allegations is uncertain.

Until a court has the full picture, a cash request is warranted, Horne said.

Poterucha was practicing at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse at the time of his arrest. In a statement released Friday, the clinic said Poterucha has been placed on administrative leave and that the clinic is conducting its own investigation.

Mayo Clinic Health System has been informed of the charges involving Dr. Poterucha. Mayo is cooperating with law enforcement, and information Mayo has at this time indicates the charges are not related to his care of patients, the statement reads. Under the circumstances, Mayo has placed Dr. Poterucha on administrative leave as it conducts its own investigation into the situation.

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A Chicago man was charged with felony arson Wednesday after being caught on security footage obtaining gasoline to set a former girlfriends car on fire in Wisconsin Dells.

Nathaniel V. Griffin, 47, faces a maximum prison sentence of three years and six months as well as a fine up to $10,000 for a count of felony arson of property other than a building.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called around 2:45 a.m. June 7 to the Delton Marriott Suites, where they found a car fully engulfed in flames in the parking lot. They were able to identify the license plate and tracked down the owner, who said she had rented the vehicle in Illinois and had just arrived that day and that no one knew she was there because the trip was organized only two days before then.

Police reviewed security footage of the parking lot. The video showed a person walking up to the hood of the car, starting a small fire and then returning to pour an accelerant on the flames. The fire quickly grew and video showed the person running away with small fires lit on them. According to the complaint, the camera was too far away to discern much of a description of the person.

Police officer Alexandra Platt asked the owner of Dyno Stop I along Wisconsin Dells Parkway to review video surveillance footage for anyone filling containers with gasoline. A clip showed a man filling a bottle with gas around 2:38 a.m. the day of the arson. The man, who was later identified as Griffin, could be seen with a mask around his chin getting out to pump gas into a clear bottle.

The woman confirmed the man in the video was Griffin and expressed shock that he would set her vehicle on fire. The two talked occasionally and Griffin had said he wanted them to reunite as a couple. In August, police spoke to a family member who said that Griffin had yelled and demanded he tell him where the woman was, but the family member said he didnt know where she was on vacation until she returned home.

According to cell phone records obtained by authorities, Griffin had driven to that residence before driving onto interstates and arriving in Lake Delton, where he stayed for a short amount of time during the time of the fire before returning to Chicago.

Griffin is scheduled for an initial appearance Nov. 17 in Sauk County Circuit Court.

Follow Bridget on Twitter @cookebridget or contact her at 608-745-3513.
The top two jobs in the University of Wisconsin System are turning over within months of each other next year, a major leadership shake-up that comes on the heels of new chancellors installed during the pandemic at nearly half of the regional campuses and amid a variety of other challenges.

The departures of interim System President Tommy Thompson and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank in 2022, along with new leaders at five of the 12 other campuses, create opportunities but also some sense of uncertainty, experts say. The timing related to the two leaders exits will require close coordination.

I think it complicates the choreography a little bit, said Katharine Lyall, who served as System president from 1992 to 2004. Any good candidate for the Madison chancellorship is going to want to know who theyre working for. It just adds another dimension to the search for the System president to find someone who can attract good candidates for the Madison position.

Longtime political analyst and retired UW-La Crosse professor Joe Heim worries about how potential candidates may view the positions, given the Systems recent history that has included budget battles, political challenges and changes to tenure that attracted national attention. He described the last eight to 10 years as the most challenging stretch in System history.

Sometimes change can be good to have new people come in with fresh ideas, he said. But I wonder what kind of message it sends to applicants that both positions are vacant. It might spark a little hesitancy on the part of top candidates.

Others dont see the timing as a disadvantage for Wisconsin.

Anne Coyle, a consultant with the search firm Russell Reynolds Associates, said candidates may view the jobs together as a real opportunity to bring new ideas to the table. As for the Systems history, she said searches for public university leaders arent necessarily more difficult than for positions at private institutions, but demand a certain type of applicant.

You have to have the stomach for greater transparency, for working with state government and for a smaller and smaller percentage of your budget covered by the state but be OK with a long list of rules and regulations, Coyle said. Some people are not up for that.

Moving pieces

This isnt the first time that both the System president and UW-Madison chancellor positions will turn over within months of each other. Blank started at the state flagship in July 2013, the same month Kevin Reilly announced he was stepping down as System president. Ray Cross took over as president about eight months later.

Blank this past week announced that shes leaving UW-Madison at the end of the school year to become president of Northwestern University. Her departure will likely come just a few months after the UW Board of Regents selects a new System president to take the reins from Thompson, who has been serving as interim president since July 2020.

Having two high-profile searches run simultaneously would put more pressure on the Regents, Heim said. The board is already feeling the squeeze because of last years failed search when the sole finalist withdrew because of process issues that many have attributed to the way the board ran the search.

Regents president Ed Manydeeds said on Friday that there hasnt been a decision on whether to appoint an interim chancellor to take over after Blanks exit or start a search and try to have a successor in place around the time that she leaves.

Manydeeds said he personally was leaning toward starting a search soon but noted that board policy requires the decision to be made in consultation with the System president and Regents vice president.

Theres a lot of moving pieces to try to put together, he said. I want the campus to be stable. Thats important to me.

The deadline to apply for the System president job ended Friday. A search committee will start interviewing semifinalists next month with the Regents expected to announce their pick by February.

Other new faces in UW leadership include:

UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank: started March 1, 2020

UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander: started May 1, 2020

UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Thomas Gibson: started Jan. 11, 2021

Interim UW-Whitewater Chancellor Jim Henderson: started July 1, 2021

UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo: started July 15, 2021

UW-Madison search

For Blank, the move to Evanston, Illinois, will be a sort of homecoming. She spent a decade at Northwestern as a faculty member, got married in Chicago and her daughter attended the university.

Its not push factors from UW as much as it is pull factors from Northwestern, she said in a call with reporters last week.

For some other higher education leaders, however, the pandemic has played a role in their exits.

Coyles firm, which conducts searches for nationally ranked liberal arts colleges and research universities, is seeing a lot of turnover, she said. Some higher education leaders who planned to step down in 2020 or 2021 delayed those plans, not wanting to appear as if they were jumping ship in the middle of a crisis. Others who expected to retire a few years from now have moved up their timelines because of burnout over the past 18 months.

Blanks departure doesnt appear to fit into the broader trend, Coyle said, but the national landscape may mean more competition among schools seeking their next leader.

There are several advantages UW-Madison has heading into the presidential search, experts say.

By the time Blank leaves, she will have led the university for nine years, one of the longest-serving chancellors in recent history. Lyall said the long tenure sends a signal of stability to candidates about the state of the university.

Having the presidential search already underway may also be a boost, Coyle said. Candidates find jobs appealing when the person to whom they report is relatively new and likely to be around for the next several years. Firms tend to have a harder time attracting candidates where their direct supervisor has been working for a while and may be looking for other opportunities.

UW-Madison also has a history of hiring female leaders, which may help widen the applicant pool, she said.

A change in state law allowing for just one finalist to be named can also lure in sitting presidents or chancellors who may otherwise hesitate to enter a search out of fear theyll be outed as a finalist, Coyle said.

Campus constituencies dont always understand this but no one wants to be known as a loser in the search, she said.

Wisconsin previously required public disclosure of multiple finalists. UW leaders in 2015, however, successfully pushed lawmakers for changes that allow the System to keep all but a single finalists identity hidden, a move open government advocates see as secretive and detrimental in the long run.

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Suburban residential customers of Lancaster citys water bureau could see their rates jump by 21.2% to help pay for $104.3 million of upgrades to its system, the city announced Friday.

The citys Bureau of Water filed the proposed rate hike  its first since 2015 -- with the state Public Utility Commission on Sept. 30. Typically, the PUC takes up to nine months to decide this type of request.

Customers who are unhappy with the rate proposal have until Nov. 30 to file a formal complaint with the PUC. They also have the option of writing a letter to the PUC expressing their objection at any time during the rate case. A request for a formal complaint form or a letter can be sent to the PUC at P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265. Public input hearings will be scheduled once the case is assigned to an administrative law judge, according to the PUC.

If the rate request is approved in full, the systems average suburban residential customer using 13,600 gallons of water per quarter would see his or her quarterly bill increase from $77.70 to $94.14, or roughly $16 more.

Other types of customers would see their bills grow too. Commercial customers using 68,000 gallons per month would see a 14.0% upturn, from $312.86 to $356.78 per month. Industrial customers using 430,000 gallons per month would see their bill rise 7.6% from $1,697.15 to $1,826.86 per month.

If approved by the PUC in full, the rate hike would add $4.0 million a year, or 21.3%, to the Bureau of Waters revenue. That would lift its annual revenue to $32.9 million, according to the 2,700-page rate request.

The Bureau of Water serves 31,000 customers, including 29,000 residential customers, representing approximately 80,000 people, outside the city limits. The areas served are all of Lancaster Township, Manheim Township, Millersville Borough, West Lampeter Township and Pequea Township, plus portions of Manor, West Hempfield, East Hempfield and East Lampeter townships.

Even with the proposed rate increase, the cost of City water will remain at a reasonable rate for our customers. City customers will receive water treated with the same technology used by many bottled water companies at a fraction of the cost, city officials said in a FAQ posted on the citys website.

This total (for the average residential customer) is under $1/day, or about the cost of a single 16 oz. bottle of water.

City officials added that, even with the rate hike, its suburban residential customers will pay less than those in East Petersburg, Columbia, Elizabethtown, Denver and Mount Joy boroughs, as well as those in East Earl, Mount Joy and West Donegal townships, but about $2 more per quarter than residential customers in the city.

However, a rate hike for city residential customers is likely in 2022, though the specifics remain to be determined, according to the FAQ. Rate hikes for the systems 17,000 customers in the city require City Council approval. The council last boosted water rates for city customers in 2020.

Rate hikes affecting customers outside a water system operators municipal boundaries fall under the jurisdiction of the PUC.

The last time the Bureau of Water wanted to raise rates for suburban customers, it initially had a much bigger sum in mind  a whopping 42%. But ultimately the PUC approved a 27.7% increase, according to LNP | LancasterOnline files.

In its new rate-hike request, the Bureau of Water argues that the extra revenue is needed to help cover the cost of improvements its system  which includes 625 miles of pipeline, 5,000 hydrants, 48,000 meters, two main pumping stations, five booster pumping stations and many other facilities -- made since the previous rate hike. The tab for upgrades through 2022 is that $104.3 million.

The most expensive venture is the construction of a $23.0 million parallel transmission main from the Oyster Point reservoir in East Hempfield Township to Race Avenue to back up the existing main, should it ever fail. That project is set to be completed this year, the filing says. The second costliest is the $15.5 million water tower and booster station on Millersville Pike (to be completed next year).

Other major projects since the 2015 rate hike, according to the filing, include the addition of a $9.3 million administration building (2017) and a $9.9 million system-wide metering upgrade (to be finished this year).
Ten Afghan refugees fleeing the takeover of the country by the Taliban have been resettled in Lancaster County as of Friday afternoon, with more expected as soon as this weekend.

Church World Service, a multi-denominational agency that has aided refugees and helped people in need worldwide since 1946, sets up lodging and support services for the Afghans coming to Lancaster County and transports them from airports across the region to their new homes, said Valentina Ross, director of the agencys Lancaster.

In order to allow the new arrivals time to adapt to their new surroundings and have their privacy, the agency declined to make any of them available for interviews and photographs and would not disclose exactly where the refugees are living.

After initial evacuation from Afghanistan and prior to arriving in Lancaster, the refugees had been living on military installations. There, they went through extensive security and medical clearances in addition to receiving an initial COVID-19 vaccination before being identified for resettlement in locations like Lancaster.

Housing, more specifically affordable housing, is one of the biggest challenges for newly arrived refugees. CWS is asking for help in securing permanent housing and financial support to cover the cost of food or other basic items while families wait to receive their employment authorization.

That is the number one challenge. We find housing wherever its available so they can be housed anywhere in Lancaster County, Ross said. People who have a spare room to host a couple or an apartment available for rent are encouraged to contact the agency.

Meanwhile, Airbnb.org has worked with all nine major U.S. resettlement agencies, including CWS, to help house Afghan refugees.

Holistic helping hand

What happens next is a holistic effort to help the new arrivals settle in.

Our staff walks alongside these families and help them complete some of the logistics and most basic things like placing them permanent housing, providing orientation to the area for a few weeks and months, scheduling medical appointments, registering for school and employment and getting Social Security numbers, said development and communications coordinator Rachel Helwig.

Refugees often arrive with one or two pieces of luggage and very little material supplies. Getting around to obtain the things they need, even with basic knowledge of the English language, can be difficult.

They always need some level of assistance and that is what our program does, Ross said.

Local churches and community groups have stepped in to help by gathering donations and being trained by CWS to become welcoming partners. We hope to match them with a family soon. In meantime, the donations they have collected will be given to the refugees that have already arrived, Ross said.

The total number of refugees and when they will arrive in Lancaster, Ross said, depends on the speed by which the cases are processed at the military bases, if the refugees have family members here or if refugees specifically request to come here.

There is no definite number and anything can change at any time. We receive travel notifications three to five days prior to arrival but there is still a lot of uncertainty. Well know they are coming but not exactly when. Its done one case at a time, she said.

The refugees are on what is called humanitarian parole for two years, Ross said. During that time, the Afghan refugees would have to apply for asylum if they want permanent status to live in the U.S. We are finding ways to provide a path for naturalization while they are here rebuilding their life, Ross said.
Two girls remain hospitalized nearly a month after a charter bus crashed off a highway in Schuylkill County while traveling to LCBCs Manheim campus, according to LCBC Senior Pastor David Ashcraft.

Ashcraft urged parishioners in a video message Friday to pray that the two girls, Sara and Faith, and everyone impacted by the crash can continue to heal physically, emotionally and psychologically.

These girls have a long journey ahead of them and for their families, as do many of the others who were impacted by the accident, he said.

Ashcraft asked for prayers to restore Faiths eyesight in her left eye, for full feeling and strength to return in both of her legs and for perseverance during her next several weeks of physical therapy. For Sara, Ashcraft asked parishioners to pray for feeling and strength to return to both of her legs, for pain relief in her back and to grant her courage with her physical therapy.

Two other students and a volunteer leader have been discharged from the hospital in the past two weeks and are now home with their families, Ashcraft said.

Its been so encouraging to see and to hear how thousands of you have joined us in praying for these girls, the volunteer leaders and for our staff and the families involved, he said.

A bus driven by Adam Wright, 37, crashed off Route 25 in Frailey Township, about 47 miles north of Manheim, around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 while returning from a religious retreat in Glen Spey, New York. All 32 people aboard the bus were injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment.

A state police spokesperson said there were no updates in the investigation into the crash Saturday morning.

Many of the 31 girls and leaders who were injured in the crash are still undergoing surgeries and are spending hours in physical therapy, Ashcraft said. LCBC has created a support fund to raise money for those impacted by the crash.

Attempts to reach a representative with charter company Premiere #1 Limousine Service, where Wright worked for at least the last eight years, were not immediately successful Saturday morning. A Premiere #1 representative previously told LNP|LancasterOnline that Wright, of Lancaster, was expected to be released from the hospital in late September.
State officials have awarded two Lancaster County affordable housing projects a combined $3 million in competitive grants and tax credits.

Lancaster-based nonprofit developers Community Basics, Inc. and HDC MidAtlantic each received $1.25 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits to help finance their projects: HDCs 64-unit Apartments on College Avenue in Lancaster city and Community Basics 54-unit Bausman Place apartments in Lancaster Township.

Community Basics also won an additional $525,000 in funding from the PennHOMES program, a zero-interest loan from the commonwealth for affordable housing projects.

The state made the announcement this week.

This was the last piece of financing we needed in order to move forward, so we are ready to hit the ground running on the Apartments on College Avenue, said Dana Hanchin, president and CEO at HDC MidAtlantic.

Other sources for the College Avenue apartments include $850,000 from Lancaster city by way of the federal HOME Investment Partnerships program, $750,000 from the United Disability Services Foundation and $1.5 million from the Steinman Foundation, Hanchin said.

The Steinman Foundation is a local, independent family foundation funded by the companies that make up Steinman Communications; those companies include LNP Media Group, publisher of LNP|LancasterOnline.

Construction should begin on the $15.4 million HDC MidAtlantic project in the early spring or summer of 2022, Hanchin said. Each of the 64 units in the building will be income-restricted and 12 of them will be fully accessible for people with physical disabilities, she said.

In Lancaster Township, CBI's Bausman Place Apartments will offer 54 units with one to three bedrooms on Charles Road. Lancaster County is in dire need of affordable housing, said CBIs executive director Lisa Greener. Gov. Wolf and PHFA have acknowledged that with the awards for the two local projects, she said.

The organizations March presentation at the township's board of supervisors described the project as five three-story buildings with 108 parking spaces. CBI would ultimately manage the development as well.

The programs, particularly LIHTC, are extremely competitive. In recent decades the federal tax credits have become the primary method the federal government uses to subsidize new homes that are offered to residents for below-market prices.

This year, the governors office awarded $43.6 million worth of LITHC credits and $7.4 million in funding from the PennHOMES program. Statewide, 37 multifamily housing developments were among the winners.

The announcement comes the same week Lancaster city officials announced a new housing strategy that would leverage various city government programs to build more housing units in the city that are income-restricted.

On Tuesday, city officials announced a pending $1 million purchase of a 1-acre lot near the former St. Joseph Hospital to add to an already-sweeping redevelopment plan at or near the hospital campus last operated by UPMC Pinnacle.

If it materializes, HDC MidAtlantic would likely own and operate the project, and it would be like the Apartments on College Avenue, officials said.
When: Elizabethtown Area School District board meeting, Oct. 12.

What happened: After years of discussions, the administration formally recommended to the school board that Rheems and Mill Road elementary schools be closed and all students in grades kindergarten through second be consolidated into two elementary schools: East High Street and Bainbridge.

The reason: The consolidation is being proposed in order to maximize both the financial and the human resources of the district and then to be able to provide equitable services, programs and supports for all children, K through 12, Superintendent Michele Balliet said.

Public concerns: During the Sept. 29 community forum, class size was a top concern. Board member Craig Hummer said class size targets would not change; for primary grades, that number is 23.

Whats next: The school board will vote on the consolidation recommendation at the Oct. 26 meeting. If the board votes in favor, then a compliance process starts, with a hearing in November. The final vote would take place in February. If consolidation is approved, it could happen for the 2022-23 school year, according to district spokesman Troy Portser.

Mask issue: During public comment, nine people who commented expressed dissatisfaction with what they view as the board dismissing their concerns about students being required to wear masks at school and their desire for choice. A couple speakers voiced worries about COVID-19 vaccines being mandated for students. And there were calls for action at the voting booth. Sharon Ogilvie urged like-minded citizens to get involved and not only vote on Nov. 2 but knock on doors and volunteer at the polls.

Quotable: Its time for we as parents to take back our country, starting first and foremost at the very grassroots, which are the school board elections, she said.

Shortage of aides: Human resources director Richard Toth said most of the districts open positions are classroom aides.
Africa Detecting Just 1 in 7 COVID-19 cases, Says WHO Study

Only one in seven COVID-19 infections in Africa are being detected, meaning the continents estimated infection level may be 59 million people, according to a new study by the World Health Organization.

With limited testing, were still flying blind in far too many communities in Africa, said Matshidiso Moeti, regional director for the WHO in Africa in a press briefing Thursday.

To get more accurate numbers of infections and to better curb transmission, the U.N. plans to increase rapid diagnostic testing in eight African countries with the goal of testing 7 million people in the next year.

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The initiative is a radically new approach that shifts from passive to active surveillance by working with communities, said Moeti. The rapid tests are affordable, reliable and easy to use and will provide results within 15 minutes, she said. An additional 360,000 cases are expected to be detected by using the tests, with approximately 75% of them being asymptomatic or mild, she said.

The initiative will be based on what is called a ring strategy that has been used to eradicate smallpox and was implemented during Ebola outbreaks. It is called a ring method because it will target people living within a 100-meter (110-yard) radius around new confirmed cases.

Health professionals welcomed the approach and said it will help the continent to get ahead of the pandemic rather than playing catch up. Since the start of the outbreak, Africa has recorded more than 8 million COVID-19 cases and 214,000 deaths, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The rapid testing will also provide officials with data to help avoid overwhelming health systems and implementing restrictions that can be disastrous as far as economic consequences, said Ngozi Erondu, senior scholar at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute.

However, the U.N. warned that with Africa having millions of undetected cases it is urgent to speed up the continents access to vaccines, which have been to slow to arrive. Africas vaccination rates are low. Only 30% of the continents 54 countries having fully vaccinated 10% of their populations while many high-income countries have achieved vaccination rates of almost 90%, according to the U.N.

With the approach of end-of-year travel that is expected to cause a surge in cases, Moeti said African countries should prepare for a possible fourth wave. She urged wealthy countries to share a significant number of doses with Africa right now rather than wait until next year.
Civil Rights activist, Historian Timuel Black Dies at 102

Civil rights activist, retired Chicago professor and historian Timuel Black has died at the age of 102.

Black died Wednesday, his widow told the Chicago Sun-Times and WLS-TV.

Details of his death were not immediately available.

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He left his mark on this city, on his friends who knew him and on those who are trying to make this world a better place, because thats all he tried to do, Zenobia Johnson-Black told the Chicago Sun-Times for a story Wednesday.

Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of many who expressed sadness over Blacks passing, calling him a tall tree in the civil rights forest.

He was a teacher par excellence, Jackson said. He followed students beyond the classroom. Tim taught them about politics and business science. Tim embraced us as his younger brothers and sisters. We all have a profound admiration for Tim Black. He is an icon of rare vintage one of the rare teachers in the city of Chicago.

Black graduated in 1935 from DuSable High School in Chicago and would serve in the army during World War II.

He earned a bachelors degree in sociology from Roosevelt University and his masters from the University of Chicago. Black would go on to teach history in Chicagos public schools and was a sociology and anthropology professor with City Colleges of Chicago, according to the Sun-Times.

My mother and father were children of former slaves, my great-grandparents, products of the Emancipation Proclamation, Black told the newspaper when he was 100. I came up in a time when African American men _ women, too _ were being lynched, the racial segregation so terrible, people were fleeing to escape the terrorism.

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He was considered an authority on the migration of southern Blacks to the northern cities.

They fled the South for better opportunities _ education, jobs, housing, the right to vote, Black once said. Instead, they were ghettoized by landlords determined not to rent or sell to Negroes.

Former President Barack Obama said Wednesday in a statement that Black was a testament to the power of place, and how the work we do to improve one community can end up reverberating through other neighborhoods and other cities, eventually changing the world.

In the early 1980s, Black threw himself into registering voters and campaigning to help get the citys first Black mayor, Harold Washington, elected, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Timuel Black has been an anchor in the most consequential struggles for racial, social and economic justice of our times, the Chicago Teachers Union said in a release Wednesday. For generations, he marshalled his voice, his wisdom, his humanity and his tireless activism to support movements that ranged from the struggle for voting rights for Black and Brown people.
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Jack Li received his doctorate in science from a major university in the southeastern United States in 2020. The Chinese student said research opportunities remain strong in the U.S. but he planned to continue his work in Germany.

Li told VOA earlier in 2021 that part of his decision was because of the political environment in the U.S. Li had good reason to feel that way.

A recent survey by an education policy group showed Americans are somewhat concerned about too many Chinese students coming to study. The American Council on Education (ACE) talked to 1,000 Americans in the first part of 2021. It found that 43 percent of the people in the survey said they think international students take away places from American students.

In addition, about 40 percent also said they think some international students are sent by their country to try and steal valuable U.S. intellectual property. When China was used as an example, nearly 50 percent said it is a widespread problem.

Karin Fischer writes about international students for The Chronicle of Higher Education. Fischer said the number of international students coming to the U.S. grew by large numbers in recent years. So international students, especially those from China, became a lot more visible for people who live near colleges.

Theyd become kind of caught up in the politics of immigration, of the politics of sort of Chinese-American geopolitical conflict, they got caught up in the politics of COVID and school re-opening a year ago.



The Institute of International Educations Open Doors report says the number of international students in the U.S. has increased from 764,000 in 2011 to more than 1 million in 2020. In the same period, the number of Chinese students in the U.S. has nearly doubled from 194,000 to 372,000.

Sarah Spreitzer is director of government relations for ACE. She helped write the report that came from the survey. She said it was important for ACE to learn how Americans feel about international students.

ACE, she said, wanted to know if Americans supported the actions and words of former president Donald Trump and his administration related to international students. If they did, ACE wanted to make suggestions for how the administration of President Joe Biden could make life easier for international students.

New messages from Biden administration

In July, both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona talked to a group of international students at the EducationUSA Forum. Using video conferencing, Blinken said, Its strongly in our national interest for the United States to remain the worlds top study destination for international students. And Cardona added that international education helped people around the world understand and effectively connect with each other.

While neither announced a new policy, Spreitzer said the messages should make a difference to international students currently in the U.S. and those considering coming. Spreitzer added that one of the best things the Biden administration can do to help international students is to send clear messages.

She pointed to a program called Optional Practical Training. The program permits international students working on degrees in science, technology, engineering and math to stay in the U.S. for up to three years to continue their training after graduation.

Under the Trump administrations, there had been rumblings that they were going to withdraw the program, which would've been really problematic.

Spreitzer explained students make long-term decisions about their education and might not come to the U.S. if programs such as Optional Practical Training get taken away. And for students who already were in the middle of their studies, it is difficult to deal with fast policy change.

While the Biden administration is more welcoming with international students, Fischer, the higher education writer, said some issues remain.

In August, the U.S. welcomed international students, including those from countries under COVID-19 restrictions, back to the U.S. Around the same time, the U.S. government dropped its case against five Chinese scientists accused of lying on their visa application. They were accused of hiding their ties to the Chinese military.

While the cases may not seem directly related to international students, it can affect their behavior, Fischer added.

Spreitzer said she is looking forward to the next Open Doors report. She hopes the numbers will show that international students are interested in coming back to the U.S.

Were very hopeful, Spreitzer said, that students are receiving that message that we are welcoming, we are open for business, and that the U.S., in general, we support our international students.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

Are you a student thinking about coming to study in the U.S.? Do you think you will feel welcome? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. Quiz - How Do Americans View International Students? Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

___________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

opportunity  n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done, a chance

survey  n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something

visible adj. able to be seen

geopolitical adj. a way of referring to politics and the relationship between nations around the world

destination  n. a place to which a person is going

optional  adj. available as a choice but not required

practical n. appropriate or suited for actual use

rumblings n. written or spoken comments showing that people are considering something


Japan's stock market has increased and luxury cars are selling well in Tokyo after eight years of economic growth under Abenomics.

Abenomics is the economic policy begun under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Under the policy, the Japanese government has used government spending and made lending money easier to help the economy.

But recent data show that Japans new wealth is centered in a small part of the population rather than spread widely.

New Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said dealing with that issue is important. Kishida has promised to deal with income inequality which the coronavirus health crisis has made worse. But he has offered few ideas as to how he will do so.

"It's like everyone has become poor," said Masanori Aoki. He owns a small coffee shop in a working-class area of northeast Tokyo.

"With Abenomics, the finance minister talked about wealth trickling down. But there was no such thing, was there? Almost nothing," he said. He took a job as a part-time bus driver when the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to temporarily shut down his store.

Kimie Kobayashi works at a childcare center in Tokyo. She says her wages have not increased for four years. She said many who work in the industry have learned that wages rarely increase.

"I can't say that my livelihood is getting any better," said Kobayashi. "The government collects tax but that money isn't used to help people who are really in need."

Abenomics failed to create wealth to households through higher wages, data show.

In a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD), Japan's poverty rate is the second highest among G7 nations and ninth highest among OECD countries. That information is based on data available up to 2020.

Wages rose just 1.2 percent from 2012 through 2020, government data showed. Japanese households' average wealth fell by 3.5 percent from 2014 to 2019. However, another government study showed that the wealthiest 10 percent saw an increase.

Inequality is far more evident in countries such as the United States and Britain. Japan stood around the middle of 39 countries examined by the OECD in 2020.

The situation did improve for some in Japan. Manabu Fujisaki recently spent 7 million yen, about $62,000, on a Mercedes-Benz automobile using money made from investing in cryptocurrencies. A cryptocurrency is a form of digital money that is not regulated by a central bank and whose records are stored in an encrypted computer database. Fujisaki said he plans to build a 200-million-yen house in Tokyo next year.



Department store Takashimaya says there is high demand for Patek Philippe watches that cost more than 10 million yen.

And Alfa Romeo vehicle sales from April to September more than doubled from sales in 2020. Sales of other imported vehicles like Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati also increased, industry data showed.

Takahiro Koike runs the department store Isetan. He said, "We're seeing a clear rise in demand for luxury goods among the new rich." By new rich, he means newly wealthy young businessmen and other high earners.

Kishida hopes to narrow the wealth disparity by forming what he calls a "new type of capitalism." That includes higher wages for public health and medical workers, and tax breaks to businesses that raise pay.

Shigeto Nagai is an economist at Oxford Economics. He said offering short-term tax breaks is not likely to influence businesses to raise wages. Instead, Nagai suggests reforms in areas such as Japan's strict labor system.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Kantaro Komiya and Leika Kihara reported on this story for the Reuters news service. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

________________________________________

Words in This Story

luxury  n. something that is expensive and not necessary

trickling - v. slowly moving in small numbers or amounts
Scientists in Estonia say they have found a way to use a soil-like material to produce batteries.

The material is peat, a dark substance made of decomposed plants. Peat is widely available in areas across northern Europe.

Researchers from Estonias Tartu University say they have found a way to use peat in sodium-ion batteries. This kind of battery is one of several new technologies being considered to replace widely used lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to computers to electric vehicles.

Sodium-ion technology reduces the cost of the battery production process. This is because the batteries contain sodium instead of costly materials such as lithium, cobalt or nickel.

Enn Lust is head of the Institute of Chemistry at Tartu University. He told reporters with Reuters news agency that peat doesn't cost anything, really."

The battery-making process includes heating the decomposed peat to a high temperature for two to three hours. The university is seeking government support to finance a small factory in Estonia to test the technology.

Peat is commonly found in wet areas known as bogs. It is used by whisky makers in Scotland. Some northern European countries use the material to fuel factories and homes. It is also added to soil to help plants grow.

During the collection process, bogs are drained to mine peat. Trapped carbon dioxide is released into the air. This has raised environmental concerns. But the Estonian scientists say their process uses decomposed peat. This a waste product of traditional collection methods. It is usually thrown away.

Lukasz Bednarski is a battery materials expert. He told Reuters that sodium-ion batteries using peat will need to prove to be profitable and easily produced in large numbers.

In July, China's CATL became the first major automotive battery maker to release a sodium-ion battery.

Bednarski said, "I think that companies will increasingly try to commercialize the sodium-ion battery, especially after the CATL announcement.

He added that less powerful sodium-ion batteries are likely to be used together with lithium-ion technology to bring down the overall cost of battery systems.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

decompose  v. to decay and gradually become destroyed

battery  n. an object that provides and stores electricity for things

commercialize  v. to organize something to make a profit

whisky  n. a strong alcoholic drink made from grain

replace  v. to start using another thing instead of the one that was being used before
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Another question is the elimination of the inheritance tax. Open Sky stated inheritance taxes are a major way counties help pay for their services, along with property taxes. Any elimination of this would hurt local counties. Many of these inheritance taxes are also paid by people who are out of state.

Removing exemptions on medical equipment and medication simultaneously would be a double hit on people with major medical issues, according to Open Sky. It would make a necessity for these people even more costly than what it already is.

Another proposal Open Sky finds issue with is the Eliminate Property, Income Corporate tax proposal (EPIC.)

The plan would be to eliminate virtually all state and local taxes in Nebraska and, instead, apply a consumption tax on all services and new goods. It would also remove all current exemptions.

Under the plan, local governments would have to submit a budget proposal to the state through approval through the Legislatures budget process. School boards would go through the State Department of Education. This would be significant loss of local control over budgets.

Open Sky noted the complexity of setting up this type of system would be daunting.
While Santa Barbara County is among the countrys top agricultural producers, not everyone who lives here has access to fresh local food. This is particularly true for many individuals and families residing in Lompoc.

The vast majority of our countys fresh fruits and vegetables are shipped to other parts of the United States, as well as to 35 countries around the world, including Canada, Japan and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, our local grocery stores are largely stocked with food that has been transported here from outside of the county.

Eating local food answers so many issues that are relevant right now. Keeping local food local means less travel time, which results in more nutritious food and less gas expended. Plus, it directly supports our small farmers who dont have access to big grocery store sales, explained Shelby Wild, founder and director of Route One Farmers Market. Its hard for small farmers to produce at the [quantity] level to get them into chain grocery stores, but they are mainly the ones doing the real sustainable, ecologically beneficial farming.

Beyond the immediate benefits of better nutrition and less environmental impact, supporting a culture of eating locally has another advantage  it ensures food security during disaster. When most items in our grocery stores are being shipped long distances, a disruption to the supply chain can cause a dramatic shortage in food and other basic necessities.

We saw that illustrated with the mudslides  [the disaster] didnt happen in Lompoc, but our big chain grocery stores did not have produce on their shelves because Highway 101 was shut down and nothing was coming up here  similar to the shipping shutdowns during the pandemic. So when you see empty grocery shelves and full fields a block away, it begs the question about a better solution to keep local food local, Wild said.

Fortunately, Route One Farmers Market is helping keep food local and working to improve food access for vulnerable populations in the Lompoc Valley. Route One was launched in 2019 after one of Lompocs few existing farmers markets closed. It is held every Sunday in the parking lot of the Vandenberg Village Community Services District building. Recently, Route One achieved nonprofit status, which will strengthen their efforts to support farmers and get fresh local food into kitchens across the area.

One opportunity in the Lompoc Valley is the development of local leaders and local nonprofits with vision and capacity to serve the various needs of Lompoc residents, said Ashley Costa, executive director of the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization. With initial support from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the LVCHO assessed the need and ultimately helped to develop the Route One Farmers Market concept as a local food hub and champion for food access in the Lompoc Valley. Our vision has come to fruition with the development of a new nonprofit with an impressive executive director who has taken on the issue of healthy food access for low income-residents in Lompoc.

One way Route One is expanding access to local produce is by removing the barrier of cost for low-income residents. Route One is one of the few farmers markets in North County that allows people to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer card, offered through the CalFresh food benefit program, to purchase food.

Weve been working with partners through a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation and support from the LVCHO, to expand EBT access in Lompoc Valley, Wild said. There is a large low-income population in Lompoc, and they had almost zero access to purchase local food with their incentives before we opened. We are an ag community, so it didnt make sense that the only food that they had access to was being shipped from out of state when we are growing amazing produce right down the street.

Route One has also partnered with Santa Barbara Countys CalFresh Healthy Living office, UC CalFresh Support and the Ecology Center of Berkeley to offer the Market Match program. Market Match is Californias healthy food incentive program, which matches customers federal nutrition assistance benefits, like CalFresh and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, at farmers markets. At Route One, when a person spends $10 with an EBT card, he or she receives an additional $10 in market vouchers to spend on fresh produce.

The service that Route One Farmers Market provides in the Lompoc Valley is not only access for healthy nutritional local produce, but they also offer food literacy and are able to leverage dollars for CalFresh/EBT recipients through their amazing Market Match program. By doing this, they are making an impact to address food insecurity and addressing barriers amongst the low-income and marginalized communities, said Deanna Vallejo, Community Grants program officer at the Santa Barbara Foundation.

Thanks to its partnership with CalFresh, Route One also employs a bilingual market navigator to help welcome Spanish-speaking clientele.

Another big issue is that the Spanish-speaking community has a lot of reservations about attending and using their incentives at the market. So our market navigator is there to welcome them, explain how to use their EBT card, and share recipes and tips from CalFresh that are based around health and preparing nutritious food, Wild shared.

Route One is also developing an exciting program to remove another big barrier  lack of transportation. For those without reliable transportation, shopping at the closest grocery store may be their only option. Route One recently received a $25,000 Food System Resilience Grant from the Santa Barbara Food Action Network, in partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation and Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, to support the launch of a mobile farmers market, which will bring fresh produce to underserved communities in Lompoc. Route One hopes to launch this pilot program in 2022.

We are dedicated and in it for the long haul. We want to get local food to local people, Wild said. We wouldnt be here without our partners, the Santa Barbara Foundation, LVCHO, Food Action Network, CalFresh  there are so many pieces to our puzzle that have made this happen! Im also thankful for our community for showing up and shopping with us. They continue to show us that they want us to be here and stay open.

To learn more about Route One Farmers Market, visit www.facebook.com/route1farmersmarket.
A Santa Maria man was sentenced to more than two decades in state prison in court Friday after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge connected to a shooting death at 805 Tacos in October 2019.

Juan Carlos Hernandez, 31, appeared before Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Patricia Kelly, who sentenced him to 21 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a voluntary manslaughter charge last month from the Oct. 6, 2019, shooting death of 33-year-old Jose Gonzalez.

Hernandez changed his plea Sept. 17 after initially pleading not guilty on Nov. 6, 2019, to murder and five enhancements.

Additionally, Hernandez pleaded guilty to a sentencing enhancement of personally using a firearm to commit a felony.

The guilty pleas were a result of a deal with the District Attorney's Office, which reduced Hernandez's charges.

Santa Maria man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 805 Tacos shooting death A Santa Maria man on Friday pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in connection to the October 2019 shooting death of a 33-year-old man in front of 805 Tacos.

Kelly handed down upper sentencing terms of 11 years for the manslaughter charge and 10 years for the enhancement.

Hernandez and his attorney did not provide a statement at the sentencing.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 1000 block of West Main Street in Santa Maria shortly before 3:30 p.m. and located Gonzalez, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds following an alleged dispute with Hernandez and later died at Marian Regional Medical Center, according to a Santa Maria Police spokesman.

Hernandez fled to Mexico and was later arrested in the city of Guadalajara, then brought back to Los Angeles where he was taken into custody by Santa Maria Police Department detectives on Oct. 18, 2019, according to Sgt. Alfredo Ruiz, adding the department received assistance from the U.S. Marshal's Office.

In court, a video collage of memories compiled by Gonzalez's family members was played in court, followed by an impact statement read by Brian Gonzalez, 31, the victim's brother.

Wearing a black-collared shirt and a white N95 mask, Hernandez appeared with his attorney, public defender Matthew Speredelozzi.

Hernandez's face was barely visible through his bushy black, curly hair and beard and he never looked back even after Gonzalez demanded Hernandez look at him while he read the statement.

"You brought the gun because you didn't have the balls to face him like a man," Gonzalez said. "You're afraid to face me."

As Gonzalez read his statement, he told about how his older brother had improved his life after hitting rock bottom, opening a local barber shop and intending to become an entrepreneur.

On the night Jose Gonzalez was shot, he went drinking with some friends to help him get over depression from a recent break-up with a girlfriend and wasn't in the right state of mind, according to Brian Gonzalez, who also recognized Hernandez as a school classmate years ago.

"When I was very young, [Jose] gave me this piece of advice: he said, 'Brian, make sure you always try to be cool with everyone and make as [many] friends as possible," Brian Gonzalez said. "My brother was loved by many, because he was a great friend."
Anna Welch (University of Maine - School of Law) & SangYeob Kim (American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire) have posted Non-State Actors 'Under Color of Law:' Closing a Gap in Protection Under the Convention Against Torture (Harvard Human Rights Journal, Vol. 35, Forthcoming 2022) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

The prohibition against torture is one of the most universally accepted principles of international law. Yet, the world is experiencing a global restructuring that poses a serious threat to international efforts to prevent and protect against torture. The rise of powerful transnational non-State actors such as gangs, drug cartels, militias, and terrorist organizations is challenging States authority to control and govern their territory. Many of these non-State actors commit torture with alarming impunity. This global power restructuring is testing the ability of U.S. laws to protect those fleeing torture, especially in light of the fact that State actors (as opposed to private or non-State actors) are the primary subject of most of our international and domestic torture jurisprudence.

In the U.S., those seeking protection against deportation under the Convention Against Torture (the CAT) must establish a likelihood of torture at the instigation of or by consent or acquiescence of a public official acting in an official capacity or other person acting in an official capacity. For example, if an individual faces torture by a police officer or other government official for non-lawful purposes, this person must not be returned to that particular country. CAT protection is still warranted even if a private actor (such as a gang member) will likely torture the individual as long as the torture is done with the actual knowledge, consent or acquiescence of a state actor, such as a police officer.

However, what is meant by other person acting in an official capacity such that torturous acts by non-State actors fall under Torture Convention protection remains unclear under U.S. CAT jurisprudence. In other words, to what extent might actions by non-State actors become State-like such that the CAT should apply. What if private actors are de facto controlling certain areas of a country untouchable by State actors? Or, what if non-State actors authority and presence are so significant and intertwined with State authority such that torture is occurring with impunity? Indeed, for the latter scenario, the applicant may establish CAT eligibility by showing a State actors acquiescence or consent. However, such cases are difficult to prove if the State excuses its inaction on its inability to protect victims from harm perpetrated by private actors. This is particularly true under current U.S. jurisprudence on government acquiescence, in which some federal courts have found that a mere inability to protect victims is not enough to meet acquiescence to the torture.

This article identifies a major chasm in U.S. CAT jurisprudence that allows individuals to be deported back to countries where they face likely torture. This article argues that resolving failures in U.S. CAT acquiescence jurisprudence addresses part of the problem as it relates to torture by private actors. However, this is only half of the bridge across the chasm. The other half requires a look at when non-State actors are acting State-like such that they should fall within the separate CAT provision of other person acting in an official capacity. While many aspects of the CAT has been litigated, clarified, and developed through case law since the U.S. ratified the CAT, the question of whether and when a non-State actor can be deemed an other person acting in an official capacity under the CAT within the United States jurisprudence lacks scholarship or case law. We make the novel argument that courts and agencies should apply factors employed in civil rights claims (also known as 1983 claims) to assess whether a non-State actor can act in an official capacity or under color of law. Doing so will help fill a critical gap in U.S. CAT protections, and thereby prevent the refoulement of individuals facing likely torture.
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Her teachers focused less on whether students got perfect scores on their homework, and more on drawing them into genuine conversations. You wanted to connect with the teachers. They brought so much positivity, De Pierola said. I think that pushed me to be like, OK, I want to learn this language because I like this teacher.

Now, multiple degrees, jobs and globe-crossing trips later, De Pierola is trying to offer that same experience to aspiring Spanish-speakers in the Madison-area. From a downstairs office in her Fitchburg home, she runs the Spanish Learning Center, offering virtual and in-person Spanish lessons for children and adults.

Since launching the business in 2020, shes tailored her lessons to each students age and level. Inspired by the classes she took in Peru, she keeps a stockpile of games and activities at the ready. She even sought out textbooks from the same company that made the materials from which she studied Spanish.

Most importantly, she tries to treat her students the way her favorite teachers treated her. When they were seeing me as a person, I would feel connected and I wanted to learn even more, more than just being part of a class (where) a teacher is just teaching a lesson  Thats not engaging at all.
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The top two jobs in the University of Wisconsin System are turning over within months of each other next year, a major leadership shake-up that comes on the heels of new chancellors installed during the pandemic at nearly half of the regional campuses and amid a variety of other challenges.

The departures of interim System President Tommy Thompson and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank in 2022, along with new leaders at five of the 12 other campuses, create opportunities but also some sense of uncertainty, experts say. The timing related to the two leaders exits will require close coordination.

I think it complicates the choreography a little bit, said Katharine Lyall, who served as System president from 1992 to 2004. Any good candidate for the Madison chancellorship is going to want to know who theyre working for. It just adds another dimension to the search for the System president to find someone who can attract good candidates for the Madison position.

Longtime political analyst and retired UW-La Crosse professor Joe Heim worries about how potential candidates may view the positions, given the Systems recent history that has included budget battles, political challenges and changes to tenure that attracted national attention. He described the last eight to 10 years as the most challenging stretch in System history.
The biggest challenge was finding a suitable location, said Jim OKeefe, city community development director.

The Fire Department had acquired 3202 Dairy Drive and an adjacent vacant parcel years ago. The coming encampment is located next to Monona Serenity Group, a meeting space for recovering alcoholics, addicts and their families and friends, at 4937 Prairie Dock Drive, across the street from Our Savior Deaf Lutheran Church, 3110 Dairy Drive, and near businesses on Femrite Drive.

The location is one of the biggest barriers, particularly because pedestrian/bike and bus options are very limited with the intersection on (Highway) 51 that needs to be crossed to get to various stores, said Brenda Konkel, a longtime advocate for the homeless and executive director at MACH OneHealth, who called the initiative an expensive Band-Aid to the citys broader challenges of homelessness.

Many people who are currently unhoused and staying at Reindahl feel like this is the citys attempt to push them out of sight and back into the woods where they are hidden from the public so it looks like the problem has gone away, she said. Its one solution for some people, but clearly not enough for the 75 people currently at Reindahl or the other 100 to 150 people sleeping outside in other locations around the city.
More recently, a district judge in Texas issued default judgments against Jones and Infowars after his refusal to provide court-ordered information relating to two of those lawsuits. A third has since won a defamation suit. The lawsuits will now proceed to trial, with the question being how much Jones will have to pay.

Alex Jones and Infowars no longer have the ability to make excuses or defend their actions, a lawyer for one of the family members said.

Jones has argued in court documents that he no longer believes the worst crime in Connecticut history was a hoax, and that he has a right under the First Amendment to be wrong. But no one is interested in what he believes. What we know is what he has done, which is cause people pain. He will now pay a price for those actions.

And its on him that the issue has not yet been settled in court. (A)n escalating series of judicial admonishments, monetary penalties and nondispositive sanctions have all been ineffective in deterring the abuse, a judge wrote in the most recent ruling. Now the case will go to trial, where a jury will determine damages.
Special music tonight at Ascension

Weekend worship services will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. The more casual Saturday night Mass service will be in-person and will feature music from Simon and Garfunkel. Masks are required. A soloist will perform the special music; there will be no congregational singing

The Sunday morning service will be in person as well as online. To view, click on the link at episcopaltwinfalls.org or go to Ascensions YouTube channel The Episcopal Church of the AscensionTwin Falls. Masks are required. Instrumental music will accompany the service.

By direction of the Bishop of the Diocese of Idaho, masks are required for all activities inside the building. Fellowship following both services will be held outdoors.

Wednesday Night Formation continues on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The program Pilgrim: a Course for the Christian Journey is led by Fr. Rob Schoeck. Call or email the church for more information.

Ascension Episcopal Church is handicapped accessible at 371 Eastland Drive N., Twin Falls. More information about Ascension can be found at ascension.episcopalidaho.org or 208-733-1248.

Break the silence

Every January the Council for Domestic Violence releases the previous years statistics regarding domestic violence incidents. For the most part society sees these as just numbers, but Voices Against Violence sees these numbers as stories of real people who need real help. Join Voices Against Violence Executive Director Reylene Abbott to explore the stigma around domestic violence and to prepare your heart to lend a helping hand.

The Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service Sunday will be both in person at 160 Ninth Ave. E. in Twin Falls as well as on Zoom. To access Zoom please email mvuuf83301@yahoo.com for sign in information. In the SUBJECT line write Zoom Service October 17th.

Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible [in rear]. Please park in the rear of the building or on the street in front or the side of the building. Child care is available.

Join us Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

For further information please call 208-410-8904, email mvuuf83301@yahoo.com or visit magicvalleyUU.org.

To submit an item, email it in plain text to frontdoor@magicvalley.com.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Clarence the giant schnauzer came into Penny Wagner's life as a puppy nearly eight years ago, at a traumatic time for her family.

She and her husband, Steve, had recently lost their 21-year-old daughter in a car accident. Soon after, their other child went off to college, and Steve returned to work, leaving Penny home alone with her grief. That's when they brought Clarence into the family.

Earlier this year, the beloved pet became critically ill with advanced kidney disease. Their veterinarian wouldn't allow them to stay with him until the end at the clinic due to COVID protocols, so they decided to have him put down at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a favorite laundry room spot.

A vet working with a company called Pet Loss at Home arrived and greeted Clarence and the Wagners. She gave the couple all the time they needed before administering two injections, one to relax the 90-pound dog and the other to let him go. The couple cuddled him as they cried, and their other dog, Cooper, was able to say goodbye as well.

"He'll always have a special place in my heart," said a tearful Wagner. "I think he was very comforted by the fact that he was home and that he was with loved ones up to the moment we said goodbye."

Private services that offer home euthanasia for pets have been busier than ever since the pandemic led to restrictions on humans inside veterinary practices and animal hospitals. But home euthanasia isn't for everybody. It tends to cost more, and some pet owners believe it is unduly upsetting to small children and other pets in their households.

The vast majority of pet euthanasia is still done in a clinical setting, though some vets have begun to offer end-of-life care at home as part of their practices.

For Wagner, the human touch was a gift. The same is true of Diane Brisson, 72, in Pinellas Park, Florida.

Brisson used Lap of Love when it came time to bid farewell to Champagne, her 12-year-old Yorkie, last December. Champagne was the only dog her mother, since passed, enjoyed. Champagne fell critically ill with pancreatitis and other organ failure, and Brisson couldn't bring herself to leave him at the vet alone at the end.

"I couldn't have asked for anything more peaceful," she said.

Lap of Love allowed her to have a neighbor with her for support. The neighbor took photos as Champagne sat in Brisson's lap in a favorite chair, the only piece of furniture she brought from her hometown in Massachusetts when she moved to Florida. The vet waited patiently until Brisson was ready to let go. The doctor placed Champagne in a small wicker basket with a white satin pillow and a lavender satin blanket after he passed to take him away for cremation.

"I stayed with him for about 20, 25 minutes and said, 'OK, you're going to be with nanny now. You're going to watch over me with her and you're going to take care of her up there, and she's going to take care of you,'" Brisson tearfully recalled.

Lap of Love returned Champagne's ashes to Brisson. She plans to have them scattered at sea back in Massachusetts, along with her own ashes when the time comes.

Dani McVety, a hospice veterinarian in Tampa, Florida, founded Lap of Love in 2009. She considered her ability to help people manage grief to be rare among vets.

"A lot of times doctors aren't necessarily comfortable with that because they haven't been trained to do it," she said.

She and her senior medical director, vet Mary Gardner, teach a course on end-of-life care at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

"When I first started Lap of Love, I figured it would be a part-time job. I don't think any of us knew that it could actually be a full-time thing where there would be enough people in any given area that would want this help," said McVety.

Her company operates in 35 states with more than 230 vets.

In general veterinary practices, McVety said, euthanasia costs vary widely, depending on the services sought. It can be as inexpensive as under $100. At an emergency hospital, it may be more. Like Pet Loss at Home, Lap of Love's fees vary based on location. In Tampa, for instance, Lap of Love charges about $300. Each client receives a clay paw print.

Most clients pay for the vet to take their pets for cremation. Others drive there themselves or elect to bury their pets at home.

After Clarence was gone, the vet who assisted the Wagners sent a condolence card with marigold seeds inside, suggesting they plant them in the dog's honor. They did, and sent her a photo when the flowers were in bloom.

Pet Loss at Home has served more than 35,000 families since 2003. It operates with about 75 doctors in 50 metropolitan areas, including Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Houston and Minneapolis. The pandemic has caused a dramatic increase in business, said Rob Twyning, who founded the company with his wife, Karen, a veterinarian.

"Right now the phone is ringing off the hook," said Twyning, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. "We have so many calls that we just can't help everybody."

Pet Loss at Home charges anywhere from $300 to $600 or more, depending on the city and the drive time.

"It's about comfort," he said. "At home, your pet is familiar with the smells and sounds. A vet clinic is filled with other pets' smells. It's filled with other noises, like barking dogs. It's typically a shiny table where the pet will be elevated. A lot of the time, it's not a veterinarian. It's a technician. At home, you can take your own time."

Twyning's vets serve mostly dogs and cats but have handled other species too, from snakes to parrots.

In Marietta, Georgia, 73-year-old Linda Sheffield went in a different direction last year when her rescue poodle, Timmy, fell ill with a collapsed larynx. She consulted animal communicator Nancy Mello, though she didn't let on that Timmy had been diagnosed and was on strong medication. With Timmy showing no outward symptoms during four or five video sessions, Sheffield made the decision to put him down.

"She told me Timmy didn't have long to live," Sheffield said. "I'm very skeptical but she claimed that he told her, `I can't breathe, I can't breathe,' over and over again. I thought the medicine was really working."

Sheffield, a veteran dog rescuer who takes in senior pets, offered Timmy one last car ride.

She drove him to her vet, who met them outside and administered the euthanasia drugs in the car as she held him on her lap. She then placed him in his bed on the seat beside her and drove him to the crematorium herself.

"This is the vet that he knew, who cared for him," Sheffield said. "He loved to go for car rides and he got to be with me."

Here are some adorable photos of the 15 most active dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club:

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BOISE  In a response to a public records request, Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachins office says it cannot find invoices or records for private, outside legal expenses that McGeachin is asking taxpayers to pay $50,000 to cover.

The Idaho Capital Sun has filed two requests under the Idaho Public Records Act seeking the release of McGeachins invoices for legal expenses related to the Idaho Press Clubs successful lawsuit seeking the release of 3,602 public comments regarding her education indoctrination task force.

McGeachin initially heavily redacted the public comments and then released the unredacted documents to the Idaho Capital Sun on Sept. 30 after District Judge Steven Hippler ordered McGeachin to do so.

On Aug. 31, McGeachin filed budget documents with the states Division of Financial Management requesting exactly $50,000 in supplemental funding to pay for unforeseen legal bills that cannot be covered by the offices current budget, Boise State Public Radio reported.

The Office of the Lt. Governor is writing this request for $50,000 supplemental due to unforeseen legal bills related to a lawsuit from the Idaho Press Club after the Attorney Generals Office failed to properly represent the Office of the Lt. Governor, McGeachin wrote in the supplemental funding request. Office of the Lt. Governor was forced to find outside counsel following the abrupt termination of counsel and guidance from the Attorney Generals Office after almost two months. The Office of the Lt. Governor has one of the smallest budgets in the state.

The Attorney Generals office said in a statement Thursday that it last counseled the lieutenant governor in June, and that the subsequent financial burden Idaho taxpayers now face is a result of her seeking independent counsel.

Idaho media first requested Lt. Gov. McGeachins legal invoices in June

The Idaho Capital Sun filed its first request for McGeachins legal invoices on June 15.

After not receiving any invoices following the initial request, the Idaho Capital Sun filed another request on Oct. 4 for copies of the agreement between McGeachins office and attorney Colton Boyles or Boyles Law and for any invoices or copies of bills from Boyles or Boyles Law since April 20.

McGeachins office did provide a heavily redacted copy of McGeachin agreement with Boyles law. On the document, everything in the agreement was blacked out except for Boyles hourly rate of $250 and the $120 per hour rate for his paralegal.

McGeachins office never provided any bills or invoices.

After a diligent search, we are unable to find any invoices, McGeachins chief of staff Jordan Watters wrote to the Idaho Capital Sun on Oct. 7.

Shortly after this article was published Oct. 15, McGeachin tweeted We cant find what we dont have and we dont have any invoices.

The Idaho Capital Sun sent Watters three other messages asking for copies of the invoices and asking how McGeachin came up with the $50,000 supplemental funding request if she doesnt have invoices, bills or records of her legal expenses.

Watters responded to the Idaho Capital Sun on Oct. 8, writing only The Office of the Lt. Governor has responded to your request for public records.

Watters did not respond to questions about how McGeachin came up with her $50,000 supplemental funding request.

Without invoices or other records, it may be difficult or impossible for Idaho taxpayers and legislators who vote on budget requests to know how much McGeachin spent on outside counsel.

New records the Idaho Capital Sun obtained Friday afternoon show Idaho Division of Financial Management officials also questioned McGeachin about the $50,000 supplemental request several times.

In a Sept. 17 email, principal financial management analyst David Hahn wrote to Watters telling him that Idaho law requires state officers to be represented by the attorney general. Hahn asked Watters if there was a section of Idaho Code that authorized the lieutenant governor to hire outside counsel or if there was a provision that exempted her from the requirement. Hahn also asked Watters for invoices showing expenses that tie out to the supplemental request.

Watters responded in an Oct. 8 email, which the Idaho Capital Sun also obtained Friday. Watters wrote that the Attorney Generals Office represented McGeachin until June 7 and then McGeachins office was advised to seek outside legal counsel. Watters did not specify who advised McGeachins office to seek outside legal counsel, and the Attorney Generals Office called this an independent decision on McGeachins part.

Watters also responded, These are legal fees that have been ordered by the court. In his Oct. 8 email, Watters added that invoices for McGeachins legal fees are not currently available.

The Idaho Press Club said Hippler ordered McGeachin to pay $28,973.84 in fees and costs. It is not clear what other costs or fees McGeachin would have based her $50,000 request on.

Idaho Legislatures JFAC committee will review supplemental funding requests next week

The Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which writes the state budget, is meeting Tuesday through Thursday next week at the Idaho Capitol. Tuesdays agenda includes a review of state agencies 2023 budget requests and a review of 2022 supplemental funding requests, such as McGeachins.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee doesnt have the power to enact budget laws or approve funding requests on its own. That requires the full Legislature and likely wont happen until after the 2022 legislative session convenes Jan. 10.

In her supplemental budget request, McGeachin blamed the Attorney Generals Office for the problem.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Attorney Generals Office spokesman Scott Graf responded on Thursday with a written statement saying the office did initially provide representation to McGeachin prior to the Idaho Press Club filing its lawsuit in July.

The Office of the Attorney General offered its final legal counsel on this matter to the lieutenant governor on June 7, 2021, the statement said. Following that communication, the lieutenant governor made an independent decision to seek outside representation. Then  approximately six weeks after our final counsel  the Idaho Press Club filed its lawsuit.

Attorney-client privilege precludes us from discussing the specifics of our counsel at this point, the statement continues. However, the lawsuit, the lieutenant governors loss in court and the subsequent financial burden Idaho taxpayers now face all resulted from independent decisions made by the lieutenant governor in consultation with her chosen attorney after June 7.

This entire matter is an excellent demonstration of why government should seek legal counsel that it needs to hear instead of what it wants to hear, the Attorney Generals Offices statement concludes.

In an unusual public appearance Thursday at an eastern Idaho elementary school, McGeachin blamed the news media, which she said reported on the issue unfairly, Idaho Education News reported. During Thursdays appearance, McGeachin did not accept any questions from reporters. McGeachin said she was trying to protect Idahoans who left comments from attacks by the media.

The Idaho Press Club also released its own statement on Thursday, writing that there would be no court costs for taxpayers to shoulder if McGeachin had released the unredacted comments when they were originally requested.

The judge made it very clear why we won our public records lawsuit against Lt. Gov. McGeachin: She unlawfully refused to release public records requested by four different reporters, for months on end, the Idaho Press Club wrote in its statement.

Under Idaho law, government records are presumed to be open unless there is a specific and narrow exemption that would require them to be sealed.

If public officials were required to disclose public records only to those, including media, they believe will support the governments actions, we will have shed the principles of our democracy and evolved into an autocratic state where criticism of public officials is not permitted, Hippler wrote in his ruling ordering the release of McGeachins task force records.

Although McGeachins own legal expenses remain obscured, Idahoans now have a better understanding of some of the bills she is facing. Hippler fined McGeachin $750 and ordered her to pay the Idaho Press Clubs costs and expenses. Hippler approved the order this week, ordering her to pay $28,973.84 in fees and costs, plus the $750 civil penalty, the Idaho Press Club said.

It is not clear how much McGeachins own fees were or how she accounts for the difference between her $50,000 request and the $29,723.84 in fees, costs and penalties Hippler ordered her to cover.

On his website Boyles, the attorney who represented McGeachin in the lawsuit, said he uses a flexible billing approach that includes the traditional billable hour or contingency formats, or a hybrid value-based billing approach depending on client preferences.

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New streams of lava are pouring forth from the volcano in the Canary Islands that has forced nearly 7,000 people to flee their homes in the 24
Williams said he has been encouraged to run for office before, but when I got back from Wisconsin, it got really loud, he said. Everybody I talked to said I needed to run for House of Delegates.

One of the first things Williams did after winning the Republican primary was issue a pledge stating he intends to introduce legislation banning the teaching of critical race theory statewide. Obviously my individuals in my district, they hate CRT and theyd love for me to pass something that bans it, he said.

As for needs specific to the 9th District, he said, hed like to see an infrastructure alliance between the districts counties and neighboring communities to bring more broadband to all the rural areas that need it. I dont want to step on anybodys toes or get in the way of what people are doing, I just want to help them.

Hes also looking into what it would take to reestablish a hospital with an emergency room in Patrick County. At the moment, anyone in the county with a dire health emergency faces a 30- to 45-minute ambulance ride, he said.
A new student theater production explores two laws affecting the rights of the LGBTQ community in Montana, using public testimony and interviews.

Its a way to efficiently explore an issue using real peoples words, said Mark Plonsky, a visiting assistant theater professor.

Verbatim: Celebrating Resilience, a new project from the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance, has two parts that will be performed on Sunday and Wednesday. (See box for times and locations.)

First, students revisited the residents' comments  both for and against  preceding the 2010 Missoula City Councils passage of a non-discrimination ordinance through a work called "Diversity Day," by national playwright Gregory Hinton.

They created a modern accompanying piece based on public testimony about a contemporary law. They also conducted interviews, hearing directly from community members about the 2010 law and their concerns after the 2021 passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the Montana Legislature. Opponents say it could legalize discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

UM drama student Makay Loran, for instance, interviewed Amy Capolupo, who testified at the 2010 hearings. Loran said listening to her, about how it truly did solidify a lot of themes for her in her community, was very enlightening," including the hopes for a post-ordinance city. She also was able to hear Capolupos disappointment over the 2021 law's passage.

Another student, Sugar Bush, had the chance to interview some incredibly inspirational people who laid a lot of groundwork so that I have the rights I have today.

'Diversity Day'

Hinton, a gay writer who was born in Wolf Point, created Diversity Day (2013) based on the 2010 public testimony. That law added protections from discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

It was hotly debated, Plonsky said, with hours of testimony for and against.

Hinton used a form called verbatim theater, which draws on transcripts of real peoples speech, often without embellishment  ums and ahs included  and emphasizes the dialogue rather than playing a character, Plonsky said.

This new production originated when Hinton and the local youth group EmpowerMT and its executive director, Heidi Wallace, reached out to UM about collaborating. The group includes UM students and five high-schoolers through EmpowerMT, Plonsky said.

Plonsky, who taught a social justice theater course last year, said his art form can live and die on the relationship you have in your community and they cant afford to create work in a vacuum.

We make our art to serve the community that we live in, he said.

The companion piece, created in only three and a half weeks, is a contemporary response to what happened 11 years ago, he said. The students interviewed about 15 people who testified in those hearings or who were involved somehow. They also transcribed public testimony over the state law and wove it all into a complete work with Plonsky and assistant director Michael Beverly.

The subjects of their dialogue ranges from the very political to the very personal, Plonsky said, and how its not one or the other. Its both.

UM student Jade Ware interviewed people who work in health care  one of whom is gay  who hoped that the new law wouldnt affect anyones access to treatment. Another interview subject, UM student Ember Cuddy, said that the passage is exhausting, as its like having their rights being voted on just for being human, Ware said.

Looking back at the 2010 ordinance, some now say that we shouldnt be patting ourselves on the back too hard because of the state law, Plonsky said. They discuss it in terms of state-sponsored discrimination, in the work. As an example of the stories culled from the testimony is an infant who was refused care by a pediatrician because he has two mothers.

As an example of how they contrast the past and present, there was 2010 testimony from a woman who was fired from Kmart because she was gay. The Missoula ordinance would have protected her, but Plonsky said its an open question whether someone in similar circumstances could after the passage of the new law.

Toward the end of the piece, they incorporate themes celebrating resilience to try to reclaim the narrative, he said.

'Verbatim theater'

As a work in progress, theyll perform it without a set. The style of acting is focused on the delivery of the words themselves. And crucially, Plonsky said theyve been working on conveying the text with conviction regardless of whether or not you agree with the story youre giving voice to.

That has posed an unusual challenge. While actors often relish playing characters who do bad things, in this case theyre required to re-enact real dialogue that conflicts with their beliefs.

Student Dylan McCumber said theres a powerful segment in the show where they perform as a chorus crying out homophobic speech at someone walking to the podium.

Its powerful, and it hurts to listen to, but its what it has to be, McCumber said.

The test for them is to convey the speakers sense of certainty, since every one of (the) testimonies vehemently believes that theyre in the right.

Bush, the fellow cast member and student, said the fact that the opposing testimony is from real people in Montana is difficult. A gay man who's lived here his whole life, he said, "those very real words from very real people, from my neighbors  those are the ones that are hurting.

Regarding the resilience portion, Bush interviewed Ninia Baehr, one of the plaintiffs in the first major same-sex marriage lawsuit in the U.S. and Hawaii. She lives in Bozeman now and getting to talk to her was just  that was really powerful.

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During the early days of 2020, Missoula mayoral candidate Jacob Elder considered himself a Democrat.

Since then, however, that political affiliation broke down. After initially filing in the nonpartisan mayoral race as a Democrat, he changed his affiliation to independent this summer.

"It didn't take too long as an adult to figure out I was a Democrat," Elder stated in an May 17, 2020 email to Missoula County Democratic committee members obtained by the Missoulian. "Not only did this party's values align with my own, but it seemed like the only one that wanted me."

Elder did not respond to an emailed list of questions. Missoula Democratic Chair Shibu Arens did not immediately return a request for comment.

In the email, Elder said he was withdrawing his filing to run as a precinct committeeman, which is an elected position that establishes a direct link between a political party and voters in a certain election district. Elder was filing for 91W, which is in the Rattlesnake. He was running for that position as a Democrat.

He ultimately decided to run for mayor instead, announcing his campaign in the summer of 2020. At that point, it seems he had the support of some local Democratic leaders. In one well-publicized moment, he appeared in a photo with then U.S. congressional candidate Tom Winter at a Black Lives Matter rally in Missoula.

Elder, who is Black, has stated numerous times since then that he does not support the BLM movement and decried it on social media, seeming to confuse some politically progressive members of the community. Many commented on an Aug. 4, 2021 Facebook post regarding the topic.

By the time the Missoula County Democrats decided to make their endorsements, Elder did not submit a candidate questionnaire. He also did not appear at the meeting, which was held virtually.

"Jacob's not a progressive, he's not a Democrat," Winter said. "He's an agent of chaos."

Elder has claimed that many of the stories surrounding his candidacy have something to do with incumbent mayor John Engen, often calling those who ask him questions that he does not like, "Engen surrogates."

"I recently got wind that the mayor's surrogates and other trolls are scheduled to make more wild claims about me and our campaign. Anticipate them!" Elder posted on Facebook on July 23 of this year.

Questioners blocked

Elder has made it a point to block many people on his social media accounts, which led to the creation of a Facebook page called "Blocked by Jacob Elder," leaving some to wonder why he will not answer their questions.

"Blocked by Jacob Elder" started in June.

Grace Decker, who started the group, was somewhat taken aback by being blocked and having commenting abilities limited for asking straightforward, non-offensive questions, she said.

Decker started the group with the intention of finding out how widespread this response from Elder was, she said. It grew to include 189 members.

Not all of these members have been blocked, but many have reported having some social media interactions with Elder that have left them unable to further engage with his social media profiles.

"Blocked by Jacob Elder" has since been made inactive (old posts are still visible), but "Still Silenced by Jacob Elder" emerged a few months back to continue the conversation. It is still an active group on Facebook.

Elder has said he is not seeking support from the county's Democrats or Republicans. Engen picked up the Democratic endorsement, and candidate Shawn Knopp the Republican nod.

Elder beat Knopp comfortably to advance in the primary and expressed hope at the time he would be able to reach out to Knopp voters. This came days after a 911 call was released placing Elder soundly at odds with some local Republican officials.

Elder showed up at a local GOP meeting on Aug. 27 and erupted, according to a statement released by Republican chair Vondene Kopetski through an attorney.

"At the meeting, Mrs. Kopetski had just announced that the Republican Party would be supporting independent candidate for mayor, Shawn Knopp," the statement said. "Mr. Elder then disrupted the meeting with an outburst that involved yelling unfounded accusations at Mrs. Kopetski, yelling twice that she was a liar.

City councilor Jesse Ramos said he and Elder were at the GOP meeting supporting Jane VanFossen, a Ward 1 city council candidate.

Several days later, Kopetski and conservative city council candidate Alan Ault had an altercation with Elder outside the former location of the county GOP headquarters. Elder can be heard yelling at Kopetski in a recording of a 911 call from Ault obtained by the Missoulian.

The former headquarters has long been a location on Reserve Street where Republican and conservative candidates place campaign signs. Elder claims Ault and Kopetski were stealing his signs, but it is unclear if Elder ever had permission to place them there in the first place.

'I am horrified'

Some people who surrounded Elder early in his campaign are no longer with his campaign.

Andy Boyd, a political strategist based in Bozeman, said in a private Facebook group called the "MT Progressive Democrats" that he provided paid consulting services to Elder in December of 2020, according to a May 6, 2021, post obtained by the Missoulian.

"I am horrified at (Elder's) reactions to requests by constituents who want answers about his platform," Boyd wrote, saying he no longer supported Elder's mayoral campaign.

Another former Elder associate who has publicly disavowed him over the past months is Donal Lakatua, a local photographer who freelanced for Elder's campaign in its infancy, in the summer and fall of 2020.

Lakatua posted on Facebook on July 15 that he had been blocked by Elder.

In his post, Lakatua said he initially worked with Elder because the mayoral candidate made statements about defunding the police, creating stronger community organization and taking more modern approaches to mental health and homelessness.

"I stopped working with him because, when we would talk, his values reflected nearly the opposite of what he claimed and it was more of a facade to gain a following," Lakatua said in his post. "He is a very staunch conservative, through and through. It's very painful to see my images used in conjunction with such awful regressive statements on homelessness, which he seems to have picked as his focus."

Elder's views on homelessness have also shifted dramatically.

"I recognize how incredibly dynamic and multifaceted these issues are and that any reliable, impactful response must also do the same," Elder wrote in a post on Aug. 15, 2020. "I desire to enhance all the incredible programs and efforts in our community while likewise continuing to ensure that any shortcoming can be addressed methodically and with compassion."

On Dec. 21, 2020, he posted, "If we are to improve the situation, we must speak in a way that does not encourage stigmatizing people in any demographics ... We must continue to put our differences aside and work together to tackle issues facing our community."

Just months later, however, his tone toward unhoused people hardened significantly.

"Finally, building a permissive environment that welcomes transients to our doorway will be nonexistent," Elder wrote in a July 15, 2021 Facebook post.

Days later, on July 26, Elder wrote, "As Missoula's next mayor, I would happily fund transportation for transients to relocate to California! California has ample resources to help these folks; Missoulians don't!"

'An independent guy'

Elder has demonized city spending and the 2017 acquisition of Mountain Water, both of which have been common talking points among the city's conservative-leaning municipal candidates.

Elder was endorsed on Friday by Ramos, who has also endorsed VanFossen and is not seeking reelection. Ramos made the endorsement on KGVO and said he was a resource for him "like I am a resource for anybody."

In a separate interview on Friday afternoon, Ramos said he spent significant time with Elder on topics related to city finances.

"What I liked about Jacob is he was willing to put himself out there and take the time staying up until 2:30 in the morning reading the stuff and then bouncing ideas off me," Ramos said.

Ramos, a libertarian, said Elder has non-traditional conservative support and that it can be difficult getting caught between the Democratic and Republican parties.

"From what I understand, the Democratic Party left him, he didn't leave them," Ramos said. "They didn't want any part of him and his candidacy. I wish Jacob was more conservative, but at the end of the day I truly think he's an independent guy."

Jordan Hansen covers news and local government for the Missoulian. Shout at him on Twitter @jordyhansen or send him an email at Jordan.Hansen@Missoulian.com

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CONNELLY SPRINGS  A man received a drug trafficking charge after an early morning call for two suspicious people Thursday.

Dustin Thomas Miller, 33, of 3680 Berry Road, Lot 3, in Connelly Springs, was charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine and felony possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, according to a news release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office.

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The charges came after deputies were called to the home for a report of two suspicious men around 4:15 a.m., the release said.

When they got there, they made contact with another man who gave them a false name. He later was identified as Patrick Ryan Blumke, and he was served with three pending warrants for arrest from Caldwell County. Blumke was transported to the magistrates office and served with the warrants, the release said.

Miller was found sitting on the ground nearby and after further investigation, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine was seized from him, the release said.
LONG VIEW  A search warrant executed Thursday in Long View led to three arrests and the seizure of heroin, drug paraphernalia and a gun.

Krystal Nicole Davis, 39, of Long View, was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trafficking a Schedule I controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a release from the Long View Police Department.

Rodolfo Atkinson Jr., 50, was charged with felony maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and trafficking a Schedule I controlled substance, and 41-year-old Timothy Dale England was charged with felony maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, the release said.

The charges came after Long View officers along with the Catawba County Sheriffs Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and North Carolina Probation and Parole executed a narcotics related search warrant at 2908 1st Ave. NW in Hickory on Thursday, the release said.

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A search of the home turned up a quantity of heroin and drug paraphernalia, and a gun was seized from a convicted felon, the release said.
Christopher Walken has insisted he didn't come "remotely close" to landing the role of Han Solo in the 'Star Wars' franchise.

Harrison Ford, 79, first portrayed the fan-favourite space smuggler in the original trilogy starting with 1977's 'Episode IV: A New Hope'.

And the 78-year-old Oscar-winner has insisted he wasn't director George Lucas' second choice for the part in the blockbuster sci-fi franchise.

In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, he said: I did audition [for Star Wars] but I dont think I came remotely close to getting the job.

About 500 other actors auditioned, so it wasnt as if it was down to me and somebody else.

The 'Deer Hunter' star also auditioned for Ryan O'Neal's role of Oliver Barrett IV in the 1970 flick 'Love Story', but admitted he wasn't the man for either of the movies.

Christopher added: I was lucky [to have been rejected from both films] because Id have been awful in them."

Meanwhile, Stephen Merchant recently revealed he flew to the US to meet the 'Annie Hall' star because he wanted him to play a role in 'The Outlaws'.
Gianna Morelli, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, hops on Latte the carabao to take a small tour around the Micronesian Village at the Valley of the Latte in Talo'fo'fo', Guam on July 31, 2021. Cultural tourism venues such as the Valley of The Latte have been left out of pandemic relief aid packages, so the governor created a $25 million local program, which can grow to $50 million, to help them and their employees.
South African Airways (SAA) will resume flights to Mauritius on 21 November 2021, and a basic comparison revealed that its prices are lower than its competitors.

SAA said flights to Mauritius would initially operate on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing Johannesburg OR Tambo International at 09h45, with return flights departing Mauritius at 16h35.

Part of our growth strategy is to identify routes where there is demand and which can be profitable to the carrier, said SAA interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo.

The resumption of services to Mauritius meets both those criteria. Furthermore, the country has strong ties with South Africa and is a popular tourism and business destination.

SAAs statement followed FlySafairs announcement that it would launch a twice-weekly service between OR Tambo International Airport and Mauritius from 11 December 2021.

FlySafair CEO Elmar Conradie said it is an exciting milestone for them to expand beyond the South African domestic market.

Mauritius granted FlySafair the rights to operate flights to the country in December of 2020, but the second and third wave of the Covid19 pandemic halted launch plans.

Flight FA800 will depart OR Tambo International Airport at 09h00 and arrive in Mauritius at 15h15 (local time) on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

British Airways, operated by Comair, will also re-launch its Johannesburg-Mauritius route with two flights a week from 30 November. It plans to add a third flight in future.

SAA, FlySafair, and British Airways take on Air Mauritius, which has a regular service between Johannesburg and Mauritius.

MyBroadband compared the prices of return tickets for flights to Mauritius in December.

This comparison revealed that SAA is the cheapest for both economy and business class.

The table below shows the flight prices from OR Tambo International to Mauritius in December.

Johannesburg to Mauritius flight costs (Economy) Airline Outbound Inbound Total price SAA R4,472 R4,916 R9,388 Air Mauritius R5,562 R6,006 R11,568 FlySafair* R6,950 R6,950 R13,900 BA* R6,514 R7,968 R14,482 Johannesburg to Mauritius flight costs (Business Class) Airline Outbound Inbound Total price SAA R7,032 R7,501 R14,533 FlySafair* R7,950 R7,950 R15,900 Air Mauritius R13,029 R11,348 R24,377

Now read: FlySafair launches Mauritius route
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has announced that the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Covid-19 Vaccines has advised that additional doses be given to individuals with compromised immunity.

This includes those who are on long-term oral steroid therapy for autoimmune conditions and various treatments for haematological or immune malignancies.

The group will also comprise those with solid organ or bone marrow transplants, renal dialysis and primary immunological disorders.

The advice is that these categories of patients be offered an additional dose over the prescribed normal, but this must be strictly under the referral by their medical doctor under their supervision, Phaahla explained.

Johns Hopkins Medicine defines a Covid-19 booster shot as an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time, which is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer.

The Minister was on Friday addressing a media briefing on government efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and the national vaccination rollout programme.

Healthcare workers

He also touched on the matter by some healthcare workers who were vaccinated under the Sisonke Study with Johnson & Johnson (J&J), who are calling to be considered for booster Covid-19 vaccine doses as eight months have passed since their first jab.

The request is receiving attention and we are working with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) on a possible approach, he said.

In addition, he said the SAMRC has since applied to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) to consider a J&J booster to follow the Sisonke Study.

According to the Minister, this will be subsequently used in the second study on the possible benefit of enhanced immunity with a booster of the otherwise one dose vaccine.

The first study commenced on 17 February 2021 and concluded on 17 May 2021, reaching over 470 000 healthcare workers in over 120 sites across the country.

Mixing vaccines

He also spoke about another issue of people who come from other countries have received vaccines, which are not used now in South Africa.

According to Phaahla these are either foreign nationals who reside in South Africa, had gone home, and received a vaccine such as AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sputnik or Sinovac.

We are not able to provide second doses where they are required and neither can we give them a vaccine certificate when they need one.

However, the Minister said his department has received a recommendation that these individuals can be offered one dose of Pfizer to complete their two doses, as there is evidence that AstraZeneca and Moderna combine well with Pfizer.

Its believed that its safe with the others as well, he added.

Phaahla has once again called on South Africans to come forward and contribute towards their health safety and that of their families, friends and co-workers by vaccinating.

By so doing we can reclaim our lives as experienced by the 2 000 fans at the Bafana Bafana versus Ethiopia game of which I was honoured to be a part of.
Its always sad when a beloved local business closes. We all have memories of our favorite long-gone restaurant, or of shopping with our parents at some defunct department store.

Usually, however, the direct financial and social effect of a business going under is confined to the owners, employees and most loyal customers.

What happens, though, if the closure of a business goes on to have an effect on everyone, to change the very way a community works?

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: $1 for your first 6 months!

Theres a growing body of evidence that this is exactly what happens when a newspaper closes.

As is well known, newspapers  and other traditional media outfits, too  are suffering a prolonged economic crisis. It isnt that people dont read or want news, but rather there have been profound changes in the advertising market that used to bankroll most of the expensive process of collecting and presenting news. In the case of newspapers, this is particularly a problem with the formerly lucrative classified ad market, which was devastated by the internet.

A 2020 study by the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina found that about a quarter of all newspapers in the U.S. had closed completely since 2005, about 300 total. For the rest of the newspapers that survived, including the Register and its weeklies, the story was one of reduced staff and consolidated services.

In the 15 years covered by the report, about 6,000 newsroom jobs disappeared at newspapers, and that doesnt count the jobs lost in advertising, production, circulation, and other functions.

You might well ask: So what? Businesses close all the time in the face of competition and changing consumer tastes and behavior. Thats just the nature of economics.

A 2018 study from Notre Dame and the University of Chicago suggests that a lot more is at stake.

The researchers looked at cost of government in cities and counties where newspapers had closed. They found that the cost, measured in the form of the cost of bonds sold by the local government, went up substantially in the years following the closure. They controlled for all sorts of factors, including the general economic condition of the area, and found a clear connection between the escalation of cost and the death of the news outlet.

A 2010 study from MIT and Stockholm University, meanwhile, showed a clear connection between the level of press coverage and the engagement and knowledge of voters. Voters in such areas were less likely to recall their representatives name and less able to describe and rate him or her, the authors wrote. Congressmen who are less covered by the local press work less for their constituencies

That has real-world effects, including lower overall federal spending in a congressional district that lacks robust news coverage, the study found.

Similar effects have been noted in the behavior and budget priorities of local officials, who are less responsive and more willing to raise taxes or even their own salaries when there is little coverage of their actions.

An interesting recent study showed a less predictable result of the decline of local coverage: an uptick of corporate misbehavior. Researchers at several institutions, including the Harvard Business School, looked at databases of state and federal regulatory actions against corporations and identified a clear pattern: in markets where newspapers had closed, the number and severity of citations and fines by regulators went up markedly in following years.

In all these cases, the question of why remains open, but the authors speculate that is as simple as the fact that nobody is watching the politicians and companies, that projects that are funded by bonds arent written about or familiar to the public. The authors of the study on corporate misbehavior noted that even in communities where the existing newspapers werent investigative powerhouses, the mere fact that a state or federal citation might become public via the newspaper seemed to restrain corporate leaders when they considered cheating or cutting corners.

All this is to say that local news matters in a real and tangible way. A lack of local news coverage will cost you money in ways you might not have predicted.

The Napa Valley Register has been hit by the same negative economic forces as the rest of the industry. Were not in any danger of going out of business anytime soon, but our resources are definitely more strained than they ever have been.

Demand remains high for our news, however. If you combine print and digital subscriptions, we actually have more subscribers now than we did when I started as editor in 2014. Its just that the changes in the ad market have shaken up the traditional method of financing our business.

Thats why I talk so often about the support of subscribers. Its largely up to our readers to make sure that we and other remaining newspapers can survive well into the future.

So, as always, if you are a subscriber, we thank you for your support and your faith in us as a reliable source of local news.

If youre not a subscriber, but you find value in what we do (and you dont want all those bad things researchers found to happen here), please visit napavalleyregister.com/members/join and consider becoming a member today.

Every member of this community, whether they know it or not, has a stake in making sure our local newspapers survive.

You can reach Sean Scully at 256-2246 or sscully@napanews.com.

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The new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida admitted that, as part of the revision of the national defense strategy, it is possible to develop the potential of Japanese troops aimed at delivering preventive strikes against missile bases on the territory of a potential enemy.

The head of the Japanese government said this in an interview with the largest Japanese newspaper Yomiuri, reports TASS.

This option is also being considered, he replied to a related question. Kishida noted that supersonic and ballistic missile technology continues to evolve, and from the point of view of protecting the Japanese population, all realistic options must be considered. The head of government added that the revision of the national defense strategy should be carried out as soon as possible.

In Japan, over the past years, there has been a discussion on the feasibility of developing the potential of the country's Self-Defense Forces aimed at delivering preventive strikes against missile bases on the territory of a potential enemy, initiated by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. At the same time, the need to preserve the current defense-oriented policy was emphasized, and preventive strikes on bases should be considered as an extreme option in the absence of other means for self-defense.

Japan currently has a two-tier missile defense system
19-year-old Armenian serviceman dies in Akhalkalak

Armenia legislature majority faction lawmaker: Russia military intervention is not end in itself

High commissioner: Diaspora is considering ways to help hundreds of Ethiopia Armenians

Opposition With Honor parliament faction: Armenia authorities trying to push territorial losses issue to backburner

Legislature majority faction MP: Armenia authorities do not make any demands on Russia

Opposition Armenia Faction in parliament: Authorities are unable to distinguish between priority and secondary issues

3 more die of coronavirus in Artsakh

Bruno Retailleau: France must support Armenia more firmly against aggressions by Azerbaijan

Armenia parliament majority faction: Border delimitation preparation process will start from point zero

PM: Armenia exports to other EEU countries increased by 27.8%

Armenias Pashinyan: Azerbaijan provocations are aimed at disrupting arrangements reached by trilateral statements

California Armenian couple accused of fraud flee leaving their 3 children behind

799 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Katherine Clark: Azerbaijan must acknowledge and respect Armenian sovereignty

Eurasian Intergovernmental Council enlarged meeting underway in Yerevan

Russia peacekeepers patrol along Karabakh border delimitation line

MOD: According to current data Armenia has 6 military casualties as result of Tuesdays attack by Azerbaijan

Turkish Islamic preachers organization denies reports of his death

Newspaper: What happened to missing Armenia soldiers during recent hostilities?

Armenia MOD dismisses reports about not allowing officers with higher rank than major to go up to combat positions

US virtually completes development of new tactical nuclear gravity bomb B61-12

Newspaper: Officers with higher rank than major not allowed to combat positions during recent hostilities in Syunik

Opposition MP: Granting corridor to Azerbaijan through Syunik Province will be gravest crime against Armenia

US Department of State representative says why Azerbaijan is not invited to Summit for Democracy

Armenian human rights activists to submit letters to ECHR regarding soldiers captured and considered missing

Armenia FM stresses importance of addressable response to Azerbaijan's actions during talk with Greek counterpart

Ex-ruling party official: Armenia authorities found reason for MOD's resignation after his visit to Karabakh

Republican Party of Armenia spokesperson: Nikol Pashinyan gave a confessional testimony in parliament yesterday

Armenia President talks about states' collective responsibility at Bloomberg New Economy Forum

Turkish website reports poisoning of Fetullah Gulen

Armenia FM holds phone talks with Cypriot counterpart, presents situation created after Azerbaijani attack

Mirzoyan, Zas discuss CSTO's possible actions to stabilize situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border, if necessary

Mothers of deceased servicemen demand Armenia PM's resignation

Azerbaijani Armed Forces open fire at tractor in Armenia's Verin Shorzha village

Putin: Events unfolding on Armenia-Azerbaijan border attest to fact that situation has not calmed down in the region

Lithuania supports Armenia's territorial integrity

NEWS.am daily digest: 18.11.21

Ex-ruling party official: Incumbent authorities created deliberately organized chaos in Armenia

Armenia Prosecutor General's Office to examine news about 6 Azeri servicemen captured and then secretly returned

Dollar goes up in Armenia

Armenia MOD planning training camps for reservists

Sergey Lavrov, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to discuss assistance to resolve situation in Karabakh

High-tech industry minister receives Chinese recipient of Armenia State Prize for global contributions to IT sector

Eurasian Intergovernmental Council's narrow-format session kicks off in Yerevan

Pashinyan views Eurasian integration as one of Armenia's priorities

Two Armenian citizens found in Afghanistan

Armenian health ministry gets $ 2.5 million to fight COVID-19

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has telephone conversation with Jeyhun Bayramov

Deceased Armenian soldier Taron Sahakyan's brother refutes news that he was captured and tortured to death

Armenia seeks to develop cooperation in food safety within EEU

Armenia Ombudsman, UNICEF Representative discuss problems with right of children of borderline villages to education

Armenia allocates AMD 462 mln for 4 subvention programs ahead of local self-government elections

Major incidents not recorded in Armenia's border zones as of 2 p.m., operative situation is under army's control

Armenia parliament approves several legislative amendments

PMs discuss prospects for development of Armenia-Kyrgyzstan collaboration

Turkish Nationalist Movement Party gifts Erdogan a map of Turkic World, with a part of Russia 'seized'

Man, 49, found dead inside truck near Armenia village sand mine

Armenia emergency ministry uses off-road vehicles to provide for needs of Syunik Province border villages, says minister

There is investment activeness in Syunik Province, says Armenia economy minister

Russia PM arrives in Yerevan

Minister on Armenia economic growth: We are from optimistic realist to optimist

Armenia President, Singapore deputy PM discuss avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation

Ombudsman: Armenophobia, propaganda of enmity have reached extremist fascism in Azerbaijan (VIDEO)

Russia peacekeepers carry out round-the-clock monitoring of ceasefire in Karabakh

1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh

Armenia premier: There is no Syunik Province settlement that is under blockade

Office of Armenia commissioner for diaspora, SADA Global Delivery Center sign memorandum of cooperation

Armenia government approves 2021-2026 action plan

Armenia PM: Russia MOD made proposals on preparatory phase of border delimitation with Azerbaijan

1,019 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Senator calls for end to US military aid to Azerbaijan

Armenia is elected to UNESCO Executive Board

Whose body is brought from Baku to Yerevan by Russian Southern Military District deputy commander?

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan opened random fire at some directions of Tavush Province late Wednesday evening

World oil prices still dropping

Newspaper: Armenia has set task to change its foreign policy vector, Russia analysts say

Newspaper: Coronavirus death statistics in Armenia are incomplete

Armenian immigrant couple in California sentenced to prison for $20M fraud

EEU countries PMs to arrive in Yerevan for intergovernmental council meeting

Armenian army commander: Azerbaijan wants corridor, leader of Armenia gave consent to that, but refused later

Armenia FM holds phone conversations with Russian counterpart, Karen Donfried and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office

MTS launches inspection of its 'daughter' operations in Armenia upon request of U.S.

Armenia MOD: Defense minister receives Rustam Muradov, who brought body of deceased Armenian soldier to Yerevan

Taliban call on US Congress to ease sanctions and unfreeze Afghanistan's assets

Armenia PM: The meaning of being captured and the circumstances of captivity need to be investigated

Moscow, Ankara agree to not release details about joint manufacturing of S-400s

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office welcomes ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan after Russian mediation

Armenia Ombudsman discusses Armenian captives' issue with acting Head of ICRC Delegation

Armenia PM refutes possibility of giving order 'to not open fire' when it comes to homeland defense

Armenian PM tries to clarify situation regarding use of names "Eyvazli" and "Chayzami"

IAEA Director General to visit Iran

Armenia PM: Our goal is to sign a peace treaty

Rustam Muradov brings body of one Armenian serviceman

Reuters: UAE's high-ranking delegation to visit Tehran soon

James Langevin: Azerbaijani government again unleashed a volley of unprovoked violence against Armenia

Ambassador to the Holy See: Armenia calls on its international partners to condemn Azerbaijan's actions

Armenia President provides Singapore PM with information about Azerbaijan's aggressive actions

Armenia PM: Trilateral task force's work is not interrupted

Armenia Police's Educational Complex has new head

Jackie Speier: We're witnessing Aliyev's attempted land grab in real time
Two commanders of the Afghan resistance front were killed in clashes with Taliban militants in the Andarab region of Baghlan province in the north of the country, a source told RIA Novosti.

According to the source, seven Taliban fighters were also killed during the clashes.

In early August, the Taliban stepped up their offensive against Afghan government forces, entered Kabul on August 15, and announced the next day that the war was over.

The last two weeks of August from the airport in Kabul, which was under the protection of the US military, there was a mass evacuation of Western citizens and Afghans who collaborated with them.

On the night of August 31, the US military left the Kabul airport, ending the nearly 20-year US military presence in Afghanistan.

In early September, the composition of the interim government of Afghanistan was announced, headed by Mohammad Hasan Akhund, who served as foreign minister during the first Taliban rule and has been under UN sanctions since 2001.
At a meeting chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on October 16, the situation in the country in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the vaccination process, were discussed.

As the press service of the government of the republic told NEWS.am, during the meeting Armenian Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan said that over the past day 19,360 tests were carried out in the republic, of which 1,863 cases of the disease were confirmed.

According to her, as a result of the application of the rules since October 1, the rate of testing of citizens has increased sharply, as a result of which the number of positive answers has also increased.

This, as noted by Avanesyan, also contributes to the early detection of infection and prevention of its further spread. She also announced that the country has created 22 medical centers for the treatment of coronavirus, and the number of beds in the coming days will be increased by 350 to 2,877.

Starting Monday, new departments for the treatment of those infected with coronavirus will be allocated at several medical centers in Yerevan, Sevan and Hrazdan.

Currently, 2019 beds are occupied in hospitals of medical centers, another 382 are in intensive care units. It was also noted that 930 people are in serious condition, 222 patients are in extremely serious condition, and 89 people are connected to ventilators.

As for the vaccination process, the minister noted that 16 722 citizens were vaccinated over the last day, and the total number of vaccinated reached 583 745.

During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the observance of anti-epidemiological measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus and actions to stimulate the vaccination process.

The results of the order, which entered into force on October 1, 2012, were also considered, according to which managers carrying out economic activities must require their employees to have a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test result every 14 days.

During the meeting, the Armenian Prime Minister instructed the heads of the responsible departments to actively fight against violations of anti-epidemiological rules and give a new impetus to the stimulation of the vaccination process.
Louis Herns Marcelin, professor and director of the University of Miamis Global Health Studies program, highlighted that the conference held on Thursday sought both to remedy the immediate crisis and also to generate actionable items to present to government officials and agencies in the United States to help stabilize the situation in Haiti.

Our work today is to question the role of the U.S. and international policy in feeding these crises and to recommend strategy pillarswith Haitians at the core, Haitians taking a hand in determining their own destiny, and by engaging the diaspora, said Marcelin, also the chancellor of the Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development (INURED).

The point is to provide a pathway for U.S. policymakers in order for them to see exactly how they can build on what we and civil society organizations in Haiti are suggestingand not for the good of Haitians alone, but also for the sake of safeguarding U.S. national security interests, he added.

Lillian Manzor, associate professor of modern languages and literatures, and INURED coordinator Toni Cela, a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Anthropology, joined Marcelin as principal organizers for the event, which was hosted by the Universitys Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas (UMIA), Global Health Studies Program, and the Center for Global Black Studies.

Felicia Knaul, UMIA director and professor at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, noted the Universitys continued critical interest in Haiti and that the recent crisis at the U.S./Mexico border, where some 15,000 Haitian migrants amassed following a secondary migration from South America, was symptomatic of an ongoing and very complex crisis in Haiti.

The drivers of migrationpoverty, inequality, and a nation that is repeatedly struck by natural disastersare at the heart of this, Knaul added. Regional institutions and the U.S. and other national governments need to step up and do a much better job to address these drivers, and to invest in the development that is required to change the poverty that is the story of this nation.

In his welcoming remarks, Leonidas Bachas, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the conference would serve to correct misconceptions regarding Haiti and help reimagine a new narrative for the country.

The Haitian crisis on our borders is an opportunity for us in higher education institutions to rethink how to address the root causes of mass migration and xenophobia, Bachas suggested.

Marie Guerda Nicolas, professor at the School of Education and Human Development, moderated the first panel which explored the migration prompts and patternsdating to the 2010 earthquake that killed an estimated 250,000 Haitians and a cholera outbreak that same yearthat resulted in the recent crisis at the U.S./Mexico border.

Marlene Bastien, executive director of Family Action Network Movement, travelled to the border with members of her organization only to find that the Haitians were to be removed the next day.

Some of the challenges these Haitians had gone through were surviving a nine to 11 country odyssey, when they were subjected to all kinds of abuses in efforts to reach the border in Mexico, she said. These included violence and sexual abuse, and many had been robbed.

At the border itself, the migrants lacked assistance of any kind, and Bastien said those who were allowed to cross the border found that there was no system to help them resettle in the U.S. The Office of Refugee Resettlement, which ordinarily would manage the situation, had been scuttled by the previous U.S. administration.

Rep. Marie Paule Woodson, a Florida Democrat who represents District 101, called the conditions on the border horrific.

According to Woodson, 2,000 Haitians were deported to Haiti, 12,000 were admitted into the U.S., and 5,000 are being considered for admission into the U.S. and are being held at detention centers. She said the Haitians who were deported received $100, but no other help. And many had no place to live and criticized the Biden administration for having no plan to help them.

Carolyn Rosa-Avila of the Zoom to the Border Coalition, said there was a great need for more lawyers and interpreters who spoke Creole to help the migrants fill out forms and other documents.

Caroline Bettinger-Lopez, a professor in the School of Law and director of the schools Human Rights Clinic, focused her comments on human rights framework. She said that from a right-to-life perspective, a person has the human right to security of personal welfare as well as freedom from cruel, inhumane, and unusual punishment.

We know that the right to life is deeply at risk for people being returned to Haiti, she said. This is especially true for vulnerable populations such as members of the LGBTQ community and people with health issues who may not have access to their medicines and people who do not have families.

Participants in the conference, U.S. Policy Towards Haiti and Its Links to Past and Present Migratory Flows, lamented the fact that there were no U.S. officials on the panel, yet moderator Marcelin pressed panelists to identify pillars that could serve as actionable items for the Biden administration to redirect policy.

Johnny McCalla, of the National Coalition for Haitian Refugees, said that the U.S.s containment policy toward Haiti, which he traced to the Cold War in the 1960s and support for the Francois Papa Doc Duvalier dictatorial regime, offers the clue of why U.S. policy toward the Caribbean nation resists change.

Robert E. Maguire, of George Washington University, noted that despite Haitis proximity, the U.S. continues to formulate failed policy, in large part because it mistakenly followed the same interlocutors whose self-interests and schemes have contributed to the current disastrous situation.

The proximity of Haiti does not bring understanding and knowledge, Maguire said. Theres a great deal of misperception and ignorance that fuels racism, discrimination, and fearand that casts a large shadow over policy in Haiti.

Both Brian Concannon, of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, and Amy Wilentz, a former journalist who has written extensively about Haiti and who participated on a media panel later in the day, noted that racism remains at the core of the contempt that has led to misguided policy toward Haiti.

The thing to remember is that policy toward Haiti goes to the heart of the biggest problems in the U.S.slavery and race, Wilentz said. In Haiti, the U.S.s hand is on everything, and you can see the undercurrent of racism on every issue.

The battle for the soul of U.S. policy toward Haiti must be waged in Washington, D.C., said McCalla, noting the influence of large lobbying firms that promote the agendas of clients who benefit from their position in Haitian society.

Everyone who cares about Haiti should ally together to have a stronger voice in Washington and in Port-au-Prince and to be at the forefront of policy making, he urged.

Panelists noted that in recent weeks and months, prompted by the resignation of ambassador Daniel Foote and the resulting congressional briefings, U.S. officials have been meeting with civil society groups in Haiti.

These are encouraging and hopeful signs, lets hope they continue, Maguire said.

By generating proposals that are actionable at this conference today, we can start taking control of the situation, Marcelin said. Together with efforts in Haitian civil society to forge an accord, we have an excellent opportunity for Haitians and friends of Haiti to have their say and to address the crisis.
Seven activists jailed over July 1 protest

Wu Chi-wai, Leung Kwok-hung, Chu Hoi-dick and Figo Chan are among those jailed in connection with the July 1 protests. Photo: RTHK
A constable deputy was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting early Saturday while they were working an extra job at a bar in Houston, according to police. One of the wounded deputies was shot in the back, and the other was shot in the foot.

On Saturday afternoon, police identified the deputy who died as 30-year-old Kareem Atkins. They said he had recently returned from maternity leave. He is survived by a wife and 2 month old baby.

Deputy Darrell Garrett, 28, was shot in the back and underwent surgery. He is in the ICU. Deputy Juqaim Barthen, 26, was also wounded, police said. They did not provide an update on his condition.

The incident took place around 2:15 a.m. Atkins and Garrett had gone outside to address what a witness described as a possible robbery in the parking lot. As they were trying to arrest a suspect, another suspect "unseen to the deputies" shot them with an AR-15 assault rifle, according to police.

Deputies Juqaim Barthen, Kareem Atkins and Darryl Garrett / Credit: @Pct4Constable

"We believe they were ambushed, shot from behind, with a a suspect with a rifle," said James Jones, executive assistant chief of the Houston Police Department.

Barthen rushed to help his fellow deputies after hearing the gunshots in the parking lot and was immediately shot.

It's unclear whether the deputy constables returned fire.

Earlier Saturday, police said a person of interest was in custody. They later tweeted that he was not the suspected shooter.

Police said a suspect is believed to be a Hispanic male in his early 20s.

"Deputies Atkins, Garrett, and Barthen are true law enforcement heroes that were cowardly ambushed while serving and protecting their community," constable Mark Herman said in a press release Saturday.

Media briefing on shooting of three @pct4constable deputies. #hounews https://t.co/9zL6BecBvO

 Houston Police (@houstonpolice) October 16, 2021

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Supply chain disruptions impact school lunch programs across the U.S.

Netflix fires employee who allegedly leaked information about Dave Chappelle's recent special "The Closer"

Local Matters: Prominent Democrats stump for McAuliffe in Virginia governor's race
Gloria Williams, Oprah's pedicurist for 12 years, told Insider the eight most common mistakes she sees at nail salons. Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Images

Insider spoke to Gloria Williams - Oprah Winfrey's personal pedicurist for the last 12 years.

Williams, who has 30 years of experience, revealed the most common mistakes she sees nail salons make.

Manicurists should roll a nail polish bottle instead of shake it, and hot stones aren't COVID-safe.

Gloria Williams has been Oprah Winfrey's personal pedicurist for the last 12 years.

Williams first met Winfrey at the Harpo Studios spa. Themba Hadebe/AP Photo

Williams  who has also tended to the toes of Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, and Julia Roberts  told Insider that she first crossed paths with Winfrey while working in the spa at Harpo Studios, Winfrey's production company, nearly two decades ago.

Winfrey decided to make Williams her personal pedicurist in 2009.

"She said, 'That's it, only Gloria is doing my feet,'" Williams recalled. "And the journey began."

Williams still sees Winfrey once a month for her pedicure  "she loves earth tones"  and now runs Footnanny, a line of premium foot-care products that have appeared on Winfrey's "Favorite Things" list for the last seven years in a row.

Williams has been in the nail business for more than 30 years - and she's seen it all.

Williams has also tended to the toes of Michelle Obama and Julia Roberts. Gloria Williams

So Insider asked Williams to spill on the most common manicure and pedicure mistakes she's seen at nail salons.

Presentation is key when it comes to a good mani or pedi, so everything should be ready when you arrive for your appointment.

Williams said "presentation is number one" for a good manicure or pedicure. Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Images

"The presentation is number one," Williams said. "The water should be ready for you with bubbles and warm, perfect temperature, towels rolled."

"It should be a spa-like feeling," she added. "A whole atmosphere."

You should receive a consultation before the pedicure begins.

Williams said a pedicurist shouldn't put your feet in the water before doing a consultation. PixelCatchers/Getty Images

"Another mistake I see is that they'll put the feet in the water before doing a consultation," Williams said.

"You have to look at someone's feet prior to submerging them into the water."

Cleaning polish with their own fingernail is another common - and unsanitary - mistake that Williams has seen nail technicians make.

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Williams said your fingers should be cleaned with an orange wood stick (pictured) or disposable brush. Voyagerix/Getty Images

"It should be done with an orange wood stick or a disposable cleaning brush," Williams said. "And not a reusable one."

Unlike James Bond's favorite martini, nail polish bottles are not for shaking.

Technicians should roll a bottle of polish before using it. Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Imagess

"Another common mistake I see is that they'll shake a bottle instead of roll a bottle," Williams said.

Williams said she would never use consumer-grade polish during a salon manicure or pedicure.

Williams said your professional mani or pedi should include "professional-level product." Sellwell/Getty Images

"What you see at a CVS or Walgreens, those types of products, they're great for consumers," she said. "There's nothing wrong with them. But for the professionals, we need the professional-level product."

Williams said her favorites include CND and The GelBottle, which is a vegan polish.

Hot stone pedicures may feel great, but they're not the safest during COVID.

Williams said hot stone massages should be avoided during COVID. Gubcio/Getty Images

"I think that right now, while we're still in COVID season, you should avoid someone using hot stones on you if you don't have your own personal set of hot stones," Williams said.

"If they're using a community group of hot stones, you're not sure how they're cleansing them," she added. "So it's best to avoid anything that doesn't allow you to have your own set."

Dry buffing can also spread unwanted germs.

Dry pedicures are more likely to spread germs during the buffing process. JackF/Getty Images

If the spa offers a dry pedicure  meaning your feet aren't soaked in water first  Williams said germs could spread during the buffing process.

"If it's not a one-room place, you can spread the foot dust from one person to another," she said. "In a professional setting, it's not good to have foot dust flying in the air because those are carriers, and with COVID that was a big thing."

"In states where you don't have to wear a mask, dust can be carriers," she added. "So with dry buffing, you have to be careful. If everyone's not wearing a mask, that's not a good thing."

And Williams doesn't recommend getting gel polish with a dry pedicure.

Williams doesn't see the purpose of doing a completely dry pedicure. Petrenkod/Getty Images

Williams said it makes sense to apply gel polish before a paraffin treatment because it's a lot more sensitive than regular nail polish, so your nail bed has to be free of any oil.

But Williams doesn't see the purpose of doing a completely dry pedicure.

"As far as doing your gel polish dry with no water on it? No," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) has had a rough month with its share price down 7.8%. However, stock prices are usually driven by a companys financial performance over the long term, which in this case looks quite promising. Particularly, we will be paying attention to Abbott Laboratories' ROE today.

Return on equity or ROE is an important factor to be considered by a shareholder because it tells them how effectively their capital is being reinvested. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments.

See our latest analysis for Abbott Laboratories

How Do You Calculate Return On Equity?

Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Abbott Laboratories is:

19% = US$6.4b  US$34b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2021).

The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this is that for each $1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made $0.19 in profit.

What Has ROE Got To Do With Earnings Growth?

Thus far, we have learned that ROE measures how efficiently a company is generating its profits. Depending on how much of these profits the company reinvests or "retains", and how effectively it does so, we are then able to assess a companys earnings growth potential. Generally speaking, other things being equal, firms with a high return on equity and profit retention, have a higher growth rate than firms that dont share these attributes.

Abbott Laboratories' Earnings Growth And 19% ROE

To begin with, Abbott Laboratories seems to have a respectable ROE. Especially when compared to the industry average of 10% the company's ROE looks pretty impressive. This certainly adds some context to Abbott Laboratories' exceptional 37% net income growth seen over the past five years. We believe that there might also be other aspects that are positively influencing the company's earnings growth. For instance, the company has a low payout ratio or is being managed efficiently.

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We then compared Abbott Laboratories' net income growth with the industry and we're pleased to see that the company's growth figure is higher when compared with the industry which has a growth rate of 14% in the same period.

The basis for attaching value to a company is, to a great extent, tied to its earnings growth. The investor should try to establish if the expected growth or decline in earnings, whichever the case may be, is priced in. By doing so, they will have an idea if the stock is headed into clear blue waters or if swampy waters await. What is ABT worth today? The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether ABT is currently mispriced by the market.

Is Abbott Laboratories Using Its Retained Earnings Effectively?

Abbott Laboratories' significant three-year median payout ratio of 76% (where it is retaining only 24% of its income) suggests that the company has been able to achieve a high growth in earnings despite returning most of its income to shareholders.

Besides, Abbott Laboratories has been paying dividends for at least ten years or more. This shows that the company is committed to sharing profits with its shareholders. Our latest analyst data shows that the future payout ratio of the company is expected to drop to 35% over the next three years. As a result, the expected drop in Abbott Laboratories' payout ratio explains the anticipated rise in the company's future ROE to 24%, over the same period.

Summary

Overall, we are quite pleased with Abbott Laboratories' performance. In particular, its high ROE is quite noteworthy and also the probable explanation behind its considerable earnings growth. Yet, the company is retaining a small portion of its profits. Which means that the company has been able to grow its earnings in spite of it, so that's not too bad. Having said that, the company's earnings growth is expected to slow down, as forecasted in the current analyst estimates. To know more about the latest analysts predictions for the company, check out this visualization of analyst forecasts for the company.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
BEIRUT (AP)  The most powerful men in Lebanese politics have been in charge for decades, some since the early 1970s. Theyve survived civil war, assassinations, uprisings and other turmoil, hanging on to power for decades in a turbulent, unforgiving region.

Now, theyre in a desperate fight to cling to positions and wealth as Lebanon takes hit after hit, grappling with one of the worlds worst economic meltdowns in decades and the aftermath of an explosion that ripped through the capital a year ago, killing more than 215 people.

The gunbattles that raged for hours on the streets of Beirut this week were the latest manifestation of the willingness by members of the country's ruling class to fight for political survival at any cost.

Unhappy with where the investigation into last year's port explosion is going, they have closed ranks to make sure they are untouched by the fallout.

On Thursday, the militant Hezbollah group and the Amal Movement organized a protest demanding the removal of the judge leading the probe. Armed, they marched into predominantly Christian neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital, some shouting Shiite, Shiite!

Hezbollah and Amal, two Shiite parties that fought pitched battles against each other in the 80s but are now close allies, accused the Lebanese Forces  a Christian party that had a powerful militia during the 1975-90 civil war  of opening fire first. The Lebanese Forces denied it, blaming the violence on Hezbollahs incitement of its supporters against Judge Tarek Bitar, who is leading the port investigation.

The two sides clashed for hours, demonstrating to the nation once again that the Lebanese must choose: justice and accountability, or civil peace.

For many, it exemplified why Lebanon is trapped in today's quagmire.

They instigate the people against one another, then they sit at a table together to make deals, said Hanan Raad, whose sister-in-law was killed in Thursdays fighting. A mother of five, Mariam Farhat was shot by a sniper bullet as she sat near the balcony of her second floor apartment, her family said Friday.

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The probe into the port explosion is at the heart of the current tensions  as is Lebanon's culture of impunity, one in which the judiciary has never gone after those in power, despite widespread corruption and crimes.

That is until the August 2020 explosion at Beirut's port drew international attention to the massive corruption and negligence behind it. Within a few days of the explosion, it emerged from documents that several senior politicians and security chiefs knew of the hundreds of tons of highly combustible ammonium nitrate stored haphazardly in a port warehouse and did nothing about it.

Entrenched politicians who lock horns and bicker over just about everything else, closed ranks to undermine the investigation.

Rival politicians, including former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and several religious figures launched a campaign to discredit Bitar, accusing him of bias.

When the judge began summoning officials, they used parliamentary immunity and various legal challenges to avoid having to show up for questioning.

Defiantly, the 46-year-old judge issued arrest warrants, including for former ministers of finance and public works, both Amal members and close Hezbollah allies.

Now Thursdays street clashes have further thrown into doubt both the future of the investigation and whether Bitar can continue leading it.

We are dealing with a new equation: either Tarek Bitar leaves, or the country will be ruined, said Youssef Diab, a political analyst. We are in front of this new and dangerous equation.

The establishment parties have collectively worked to block any serious opposition and attempts at reform that might harm them, observers say. They have hampered a forensic audit of the country's central bank, a key demand of the international community to restore confidence in the crisis-struck Mideast nation, protecting the banks longtime governor even as he faces corruption charges in Switzerland and France and accusations of gross mismanagement at home.

Lebanons sectarian power-sharing system has proved impossible to bring down. Protests have been quashed. Warlords have cast themselves as their sects protectors, granting favors to their followers.

A revolt against the status quo would mean breaking up the sectarian patronage network, cultivated by the ruling elite and one that many in the divided population benefit from. Many Lebanese politicians have a large  even blind  following. They are quick to blame other factions for the countrys myriad problems and eagerly stoke fears among their supporters that another sect could gain power over them.

Hundreds of thousands thronged streets in Beirut and across Lebanon in late 2019 in some of the largest protests the country has seen. For a few months, the demonstrations unified an often-divided public in revolt against entrenched leaders who have brought the economy to the brink of bankruptcy.

The protests were met with violence, arrests and intimidation, and eventually fizzled out.

Some are banking that elections next spring will bring a degree of change. But the opposition has no viable political program or candidates who can challenge the political elite. And as the economic crisis has thrown three quarters of the population into poverty, vote-buying will be much cheaper.

With pent-up anger among many Lebanese, growing sectarian tensions and a political class desperate to cling to its privileged role, a descent into further violence becomes even more possible.

Michael Young, a senior editor at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, says there could be serious consequences if Hezbollah and Amal manage to derail the port investigation.

The sudden escalation in violence could provoke new developments in Lebanon that lead to a cancellation of elections, and take the country into a much darker period than the one that exists today, Young wrote Friday in Diwan, Carnegie's Mideast blog.

___

EDITORS NOTE: Zeina Karam, the news director for Lebanon, Syria and Iraq for The Associated Press, has covered the Middle East since 1996. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zkaram.
Oct. 15The appellate court in Boston on Friday denied an emergency request to keep Gov. Janet Mills' COVID-19 vaccine mandate from being enforced, marking the second legal defeat in a week for mandate opponents.

Maine's mandate that requires health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 29 or risk losing their jobs.

The three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals did not explain the decision but issued a one-sentence statement saying the request for an emergency injunction halting the mandate was denied. It has placed the case on a so-called fast track and could issue an opinion next week.

The Liberty Counsel, the religious organization that sued Mills over the vaccine mandate, said that despite the denial issued Friday, the appellate court has asked that briefs on the underlying issues be filed Monday.

"A final ruling will likely be issued next week," the religious organization said. "If it is not favorable, Liberty Counsel will file an immediate protection agreement with the U.S. Supreme Court."

Friday was the last day health care workers could get vaccinated and meet the deadline due to the two-week waiting period before someone is considered fully vaccinated.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Jon Levy denied a motion for a preliminary injunction that argued the mandate violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act because it does not include a religious exemption. The mandate does include a medical exemption for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The judge found that the plaintiffs had not yet shown that they would prevail in the long run, one of the standards for granting the injunction. Another standard is that the preliminary injunction must be in the public interest, which Levy found the plaintiffs hadn't shown.

The judges' denial of the motion means that, for now, they agree with Levy's analysis of the issues presented when he refused to stop the mandate from being implemented.

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"Stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Maine, and specifically stemming outbreaks in designated healthcare facilities to protect patients and healthcare workers, is a legitimate government interest," Levy said. "For several reasons, the mandate is rationally related to this interest."

The judge wrote that the vaccine mandate will raise vaccination rates in health care facilities that have been susceptible to COVID-19 outbreaks, which have primarily been the result of employees bringing the virus into their workplaces with them. Vaccinations of health care workers will reduce the risk of such outbreaks, Levy said.

The three-judge panel in Boston was made up of Jeffrey Howard of New Hampshire and Sandra Lynch and David Barron, both of Massachusetts.

The Liberty Counsel, which filed the lawsuit in August in U.S. District Court in Bangor, claims it is representing more than 2,000 health care workers across the state. While employees may obtain medical exemptions to the vaccine requirement, there is no religious or philosophical exemption in the policy.
By Eric M. Johnson

EVERETT, Wash. (Reuters) -Waving signs like "coercion is not consent," and "stop the mandate," some 200 Boeing Co employees and others staged a protest on Friday over the planemaker's COVID-19 vaccine requirement for U.S. workers.

Boeing said on Tuesday it will require https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-will-require-its-125000-us-employees-be-vaccinated-against-covid-19-2021-10-12 its 125,000 U.S. employees to be vaccinated by Dec. 8 under an executive order issued by President Joe Biden for federal contractors.

As the pandemic has continued to rage, Biden announced the requirement in September because a large swath of Americans have resisted vaccination even though the shots are free, widely available and declared safe by regulators.

"It's my choice and it's my body," one avionics engineer said, his voice nearly drowned out by anti-Biden chants and trucks honking to show support along the busy street outside Boeing's factory in Everett, north of Seattle.

"It's an experimental drug given under a pseudo-emergency," he added.

Another worker, an assembly mechanic, said: "This is America. We don't just do what we're told because one person says to."

Earlier this week, Boeing said employees must either show proof of vaccination or have an approved reasonable accommodation based on a disability or sincerely held religious belief by Dec. 8.

"Boeing is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for our employees," a spokesperson said. "Advancing the health and safety of our global workforce is fundamental to our values and a core priority every day."

Major U.S. airlines including American Airlines have said they will also meet the deadline imposed on federal contractors, as has aircraft parts manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems.

"Now that he has issued the Executive Order, it is our responsibility to comply with that order," Spirit Chief Executive Officer Tom Gentile wrote in a memo to employees and seen by Reuters on Friday.

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Spirit was calling back former employees as it prepares for what Gentile characterized as "one of the fastest increases in production rates in the history of our industry."

Boeing has said its mandate does not apply immediately to its sites in Texas, where Republican Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Monday barring COVID-19 vaccine mandates by any entity, including private employers.

(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Everett, Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Rosalba O'Brien)
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Representatives from 10 Chinese property companies met government regulators to ask for an "appropriate loosening" on policy restrictions, financial news outlet Yicai reported late on Friday.

In the meeting, senior executives urged authorities to loosen regulations with the goals of stabilizing market expectations, providing support for genuine home buyers rather than speculators and making adjustments in land prices, Yicai reported, citing unnamed people in attendance.

The meeting was attended by senior executives from developers including China Vanke Co Ltd and Sunac Holdings, along with the Director of the Real Estate Department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Director of the China Real Estate Association (CREA), Yicai reported.

A number of Chinese property firms are facing a liquidity crunch amid weak demand and tightening regulations. Property firms have been affected by loan caps imposed by the government in order to contain rampant borrowing.

The potential collapse of highly indebted real estate firms such as China Evergrande Group has rattled markets and raised concerns about systemic risks to the broader economy.

(Reporting by Josh Horwitz and Luoyan Liu; Editing by Alex Richardson)
A prominent member of the House Jan. 6 select committee gave cover to President Joe Biden for saying the Justice Department should prosecute anyone who defies subpoenas from Capitol riot investigators.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, who previously accused former President Donald Trump of improperly pressuring his Justice Department to his political whims, argued people are hazy on how a healthy relationship between the White House and the DOJ should look like after four years of the Trump administration.

"The first thing he said was that the committee should aggressively enforce our right to get people's testimony and to get the documents we've subpoenaed, and there is no problem with that," the Maryland Democrat told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday.

"I also don't have a problem with him, as a citizen like me, saying he hopes the Department of Justice will aggressively enforce the law, so people don't get away with committing crimes like this," he added.

"Obviously, four years of Donald Trump has made everybody a little bit rusty in terms of executive branch relationships with the president and law enforcement in the Department of Justice, and I don't think he was telling the Department of Justice what to do, but they will make their own decision, and we have confidence that the attorney general will do the right thing and DOJ will make the right decision," Raskin said.

"There will be, I predict, a criminal referral. We're going to try to charge these people with criminal contempt. That's a crime when Steve Bannon did not show up when he was told to show up... to testify before the US Congress."

- Jan. 6 select committee member Rep. Jamie Raskin pic.twitter.com/cNG8Kg4rfV  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) October 16, 2021

The Justice Department quickly issued a vow of independence from the White House after Biden was asked Friday if the agency should prosecute anyone who resists subpoenas from the House Jan. 6 select committee, which has already committed to criminal contempt proceedings against one Trump ally. "I do, yes," Biden said to reporters after Marine One landed on the South Lawn of the White House following a visit to Connecticut.

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In response to Biden's comment, which conflicts with a pledge he made months ago to allow the Justice Department to remain independent, the agency stressed prosecutorial decisions would be kept free of White House influence.

"The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop," DOJ spokesman Anthony Coley told the Washington Examiner.

Raskin, who is also a member of the House Judiciary Committee, later conceded the Justice Department "reminded" Biden about its independence.

CAPITOL RIOT INVESTIGATORS 'ENGAGED' WITH US MARSHALS

"If the Department of Justice acts like a real Department of Justice, and I think they will, as you know, they just reminded the president that they're going to make their own decisions based on the facts and the law. I think they're serious about their job," he said.

Only months ago, Raskin, who was the lead manager in the second impeachment trial against Trump, chastised Trump for working "very hard to try to convert the Department of Justice into a personal and political law firm for his own interests up until the very end."

In an interview with C-SPAN in June, Raskin added, We cannot accept this kind of politicization of the Department of Justice and the conversion of DOJ lawyers into a political weapon against the presidents enemies  or perceived enemies.

On Friday, Biden also endorsed the House Jan. 6 select committee's efforts to enforce its subpoenas one day after the panel announced it was moving forward with holding former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon in criminal contempt for failing to show up for a deposition after Trump urged his former advisers to resist the subpoenas.

"I hope that the committee goes after them and holds them accountable criminally," Biden said.

Raskin told Cooper he is "not aware" of the Capitol riot panel being in contact with the White House about discussions with former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and others about discussions surrounding the subpoenas.

The Jan. 6 committee has scheduled a 7:30 p.m. vote Tuesday to recommend criminal contempt for Bannon. If passed, it will go to the full House for consideration. If the Justice Department prosecutes Bannon and he is convicted, he could face fines up to $100,000 and up to a year in prison.

Investigators have looked into efforts by Trump to push his Justice Department to do his bidding, including in relation to special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry and challenging the results of the 2020 election. Trump's willingness to tweet about the Justice Department, before he was banned from Twitter, even prompted his attorney general, William Barr, to grouse about how it "made it impossible for me to do my job."

It was revealed that Biden selected Merrick Garland to be his attorney general on Jan. 6, the same day as the siege of the Capitol, and he introduced the longtime judge as his pick the next day.

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More than anything, we need to restore the honor, the integrity, the independence of the Department of Justice in this nation that has been so badly damaged, Biden declared.

Garland himself vowed, in his opening statement for a February confirmation hearing as Biden's nominee, to enforce policies that protect the independence of the Department from partisan influence in law enforcement Investigations."

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans warned Garland this month against using federal law enforcement to chill or prosecute First Amendment-protected speech opposing critical race theory in classrooms following a DOJ memo about alleged threats and violence at school protests. DOJ officials have defended the memo as necessary to address alleged threats and intimidation.

The GOP members and concerned parents have raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest for the attorney general because his son-in-law, Alexander Xan Tanner, is the co-founder of Panorama Education, a software firm in thousands of schools that uses social emotional learning student surveys and teacher trainings as a vehicle to push left-wing ideas about race.

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Tags: News, Congress, Joe Biden, Justice Department, January 6, January 6 Commission, Riots, U.S. Capitol Building, Law, White House, Subpoena

Original Author: Daniel Chaitin, Jerry Dunleavy

Original Location: 'Citizen' Biden fine to push for DOJ prosecutions, Capitol riot panel Democrat says
Oct. 15Tyler Burmeister, the director of student-athlete development at UND, has been named the first recipient of the UND Changemaker Award for his work to end dating and sexual violence on campus.

Burmeister was presented the award by UND's Community Violence Intervention Center on Thursday night, Oct. 15, at the annual Take Back the Night Rally on campus for his work improving violence prevention programming for student athletes, and ensuring every team gets violence prevention training every academic year.

Speaking at the event on Thursday, UND President Andrew Armacost emphasized his commitment and the university administration's commitment to eradicating dating and sexual violence in the UND and greater Grand Forks communities.

Many faculty and staff themselves have been profoundly affected by dating violence, he said, whether they are victims or their loved ones are victims. As a father, he said he frequently worried whether his daughters would be safe when they went to college, and hoped that should something happen to them, their university community would support them unequivocally.

"It's not so easy that you can snap your fingers and become better," he said. "That's where we as a campus come in."

Much of that work has been done by CVIC at UND, an office that was established on campus in 2018. Since then, the office has reached an estimated 2,500 students, estimates Allison Burkman, the campus prevention and education specialist for CVIC, including more than 400 students in 2021.

Armacost said the partnership between UND and CVIC is as excellent as any partnership between any university and nonprofit in the U.S. CVIC at UND aims to stop violence before it begins, and teaches students how to intervene in dating violence situations and help survivors.

CVIC President Coiya Tompkins, giving an abridged version of the agency's Green Dot violence prevention training, urged those in attendance to lead in small ways by being a voice for change and listening to survivors.

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UND sophomore Amorelle Upton has spent her college career advocating for violence prevention. Upton, the keynote speaker at Take Back the Night, is a kinesiology student, the vice president of philanthropy at Alpha Chi Omega, and a survivor of dating violence.

She recounted to the audience how a relationship with a former boyfriend spiraled from perfect to frightening during her junior year of high school. At first, she was showered with gifts and kindness, but soon, friends on her contact list and social media began to be blocked until nearly all her loved ones had been cut out of her life. She said he manipulated her into deleting photos, quitting the swimming and gymnastics teams, and ignoring friends and classmates at school. Disobeying her boyfriend's rules resulted in threats and screaming.

"This didn't feel normal," she recalled. "But maybe this was my new normal."

A teammate's mom eventually reached out to Upton's mom. It was the first time her parents realized the extent of what was going on, Upton said. At the time, she saw it as a betrayal.

"What I didn't realize at the time was she could have saved my life," she said.

At her boyfriend's direction, she said she made up a story about how she didn't feel safe at home, and went to go stay with her grandparents. Isolated, without a phone, and unsure where to turn for help, she dialed a teammate's number from memory and asked her to come over. The teammate rushed to her house to help, and helped her end the relationship.

Since then, she's dedicated her time to spreading domestic violence awareness and raising funds to help survivors in any way she can.

"It's OK to not be OK," she said. "It's OK to seek help."
President Biden said Friday that the Justice Department should prosecute those who defy subpoenas from the Jan. 6 select committee.

Why it matters: The president's remarks come one day after Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon failed to show up for a deposition before the committee.

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Trump has told former aides and associates to invoke executive privilege and refuse to comply with subpoenas related to the Capitol insurrection.

The select committee will convene on Tuesday to vote on pursuing possible criminal contempt charges against Bannon.

What he's saying: "I hope the committee goes after them and holds them accountable," Biden told reporters en route from Connecticut on Friday.

The president answered in the affirmative when asked if the Justice Department should prosecute those who defy subpoenas.

The big picture, via Axios' Zachary Basu: It's the first major test for how the committee will respond to witnesses' refusal to cooperate, an obstacle that stalled countless Democratic investigations during the Trump era by triggering protracted legal battles.

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on September 28, 2021. Patrick Semansky-Pool/Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren slammed Amazon in a recent CNN interview, renewing her calls to break it up.

The lawmaker accused the company of "smashing little businesses before they ever get a foothold."

She cited a Reuters report that revealed Amazon used third-party sellers' data to copy products.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren castigated Amazon in a recent CNN Business interview, accusing the retail behemoth of crushing smaller businesses as the Massachusetts lawmaker ramps up her bid to break up the $1.7 trillion company.

Warren has made a name for herself as a reliable antagonist toward big tech and its leaders, most recently going after Amazon for its labor troubles.

But in an interview this week, the senator redirected her animosity at the company's tilt toward monopolization.

"Amazon has the power and uses it to smash little businesses before they ever get a foothold," Warren told CNN.

She criticized the website for selling everyday products while simultaneously controlling the primary platform people use to purchase such products.

"You can either be the umpire or a player on the field. But you can't be both. That's what Amazon does," Warren told the outlet. "What's the solution here? Break Amazon up."

Warren reportedly took specific umbrage with a recent Reuters investigation that revealed Amazon ran a "systemic campaign of creating knockoffs and manipulating search results" in order to boost its own product lines in India, one of its top growing markets.

The outlet reported that Amazon used third-party sellers' data to copy products and promote them to shoppers. The company rejected the allegations, denying that it gives preferential treatment to any seller or marketplace and emphasizing that its search result display doesn't favor its own private-brand products.

But Warren reportedly doesn't trust that response.

"How was Amazon able to build a huge clothing presence? The answer is they had inside information about what Indians were buying," Warren said. "Most people think of antitrust as simply the area a company is in. But what Amazon has shown is how a company can dominate in one area and then leverage that into dominance across multiple areas."

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Following the report's publication earlier this week, Warren renewed her calls to break up the company,

A spokesperson with Amazon declined to comment directly on the senator's remarks, and instead, pointed Insider to two blog posts from last year that rejected calls to break the company up.

In one, the company argues that "fringe notions on antitrust would destroy smaller businesses and hurt consumers." The second explains that while Amazon is a large company, it operates in a competitive, "highly fragmented" global market.

"Amazon starts off as the dominant book delivery service," she told CNN. "And then it starts morphing into other products and becomes the dominant delivery service. Now it's like a monster that has to be fed every minute."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tolga Akmen - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock was to join the UN to work on African economic recovery.

But three days after the announcement, the UN has withdrawn their offer.

No explanation was given as to why.

Former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock's new role at the UN was withdrawn three days after it was announced.

Hancock, who resigned from his ministerial role after a public scandal when he was caught on CCTV having an affair with one of his aides, was announced to have been offered a role with the UN helping African economies recover from COVID-19.

However, just 72 hours after the announcement, the UN said that the offer of this role had been withdrawn.

Speaking to Pass Blue, a news suite specializing in UN affairs, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said: "Mr. Hancock's appointment by the UN Economic Commission for Africa is not being taken forward. ECA has advised him of the matter."

No explanation has yet been given for why the offer was rescinded.

Hancock's new role was to be "UN special representative on financial innovation and climate change for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa."

It was quickly removed from his Twitter bio, but not his LinkedIn description. The appointment was controversial, coming on the day that a report by MPs said the government's response to the COVID-19 was the worst public health failure ever.

The campaign group Global Justice Now, which is working on getting worldwide provisions of the COVID-19 vaccines, welcomed the news.

Nick Dearden, the director of the organization, told the BBC: "If Matt Hancock wants to help African countries recover from the pandemic, he should lobby the prime minister to back a patent waiver on COVID-19 vaccines.

"If he'd done that when he was in government, tens of millions more people could already have been vaccinated.

"The last thing the African continent needs is a failed British politician. This isn't the 19th century."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Michael Hetle, accused of shooting his 24-year-old neighbor, has been found guilty of murder.

Hetle shot Javon Prather seven times and threatened to shoot his wife, who looked on, as well.

Since 2016, Hetle and Prather have had several disagreements about mundane things like loud music.

A jury on Thursday found a Virginia man, accused of shooting his next-door neighbor, guilty of first-degree murder.

Michael Hetle, a 52-year-old former police officer and NASA executive, shot 24-year-old Javon Prather seven times, a video of which was caught by a Ring doorbell camera, local news outlet WTOP reported.

Hetle and Prather had feuded for years, arguing over mundane things like dog poop and loud music, according to local news outlets. Since 2016, Hetle has called the police to complain about barking dog noises coming from Prather's house, WTOP said.

Before the jury, Hetle's attorney argued that he acted in self-defense. Hetle said he believed Prather was armed and claimed to have been threatened by him multiple times ahead of the shooting.

Prosecutors, however, said it was "not self-defense, that it was murder in the first degree, which is murder with malice and murder with premeditation."

The video, according to local news reports, shows Hetle firing several rounds at Prather in March 2020 while other neighbors watched. Prather's wife was among the onlookers.

Prather had knocked on Hetle's door, and Hetle then fired six times at him while Prather tried to run off his doorstep, according to the Washington Post.

Prather collapsed on Hetle's driveway, and Hetle fired another time before turning to Prather's wife.

"You want it too?" he asked, according to the Post, pointing toward his gun.

"He didn't want Javon hurt," Fairfax County prosecutor Lyle Burnham said during trial. "He didn't want Javon to leave. He wanted Javon dead."

Prosecutors also argued that "racial animus was a contributing factor" in the incident, WTOP reported. Hetle, a white man, had often referred to Prather, who's of mixed race, using a racial epithet, according to testimony given during the trial.

Hetle is scheduled to be sentenced on January 28. Prosecutors are expected to recommend that he be sentenced to life in prison.

Read the original article on Insider
Mumbai (Reuters) - Police investigating the killing of a Sikh man at the site of an ongoing farmers' protest in New Delhi said on Saturday they had arrested a suspect from a Sikh warrior sect, after the mutilated body was found strung up on a police barricade.

The 35-year-old victim was beaten to death on Friday by a group of men who had accused him of desecrating Sikh holy texts, according to media reports. One of the man's hands was hacked off, the reports said.

Police superintendent Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said a member of a Sikh warrior sect called the Nihangs had been taken into custody after the attack close to Singhu village, on the northwest border of the capital.

"We are probing his role in the murder," the police officer said. "The claim of desecration of holy book at the Singhu border is yet to be verified. It is a matter of investigation.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from the Sikh-dominated state of Punjab, have been camped out on the borders of capital since last year demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government withdraw laws to liberalise the agricultural economy.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella group for farmers organisations, issued a statement condemning the killing.

"The Morcha is against sacrilege of any religious text or symbol but that does not give anyone the right to take the law into their hands," it said.

The farmers' protests have largely been peaceful since January, when a large group tried to enter the capital and hoist a flag at the historic Red Fort to embarrass the government.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party said Friday's murder showed that farm leaders were losing control of their campaign.

"It's time saner elements, if any, among them apologise and engage with the government unconditionally," BJP general secretary B.L. Santhosh said in a tweet.

(Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar in Mumbai and Mayank Bhardwaj in New Delhi; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani & Simon Cameron-Moore)
DUBAI (Reuters) -An Iranian appeals court has upheld a one-year prison term for British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on security offences, her lawyer was quoted by an Iranian news website as saying on Saturday.

"The appeals court has approved the lower court's verdict without holding a hearing," attorney Hojjat Kermani told the Emtedad website.

In April, an Iranian court sentenced Zaghari-Ratcliffe to a new term in jail on charges of propaganda against Iran's ruling system, just a month after she finished a prior five-year sentence. However that sentence has not yet started.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested at a Tehran airport in April 2016 and later convicted of plotting to overthrow the clerical establishment.

There was no immediate official comment from Iran's judiciary on the appeals court decision.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe's family and the foundation have denied the charges. The foundation is a charity that operates independently of media firm Thomson Reuters and its news subsidiary Reuters.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who served out most of her first sentence in Tehran's Evin prison, was released in March 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic and kept under house arrest. In March 2021, she was released from house arrest but she was summoned to court again on the new charge.

British lawmaker Tulip Siddiq said she had spoken to Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband Richard.

"Nazanin has lost her latest appeal and her sentence of 1 year plus 1 year travel ban is upheld with no court hearing. She could now be returned to prison at any time," Siddiq said in a tweet, urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene.

The detentions of dozens of dual nationals and foreigners have complicated ties between Iran and several European countries including Germany, France and Britain, all parties to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers.

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"Iran's decision to proceed with these baseless charges against Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is an appalling continuation of the cruel ordeal she is going through," British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

"Instead of threatening to return Nazanin to prison Iran must release her permanently."

The court decision came as indirect talks between Iran and the United States to revive the nuclear deal have stalled after the election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi as president.

(Dubai newsroomAdditional reporting by Alistair Smout and William JamesEditing by Frances Kerry)
An unidentified Russian woman says the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein trafficked, abused, raped, and manipulated her in the months leading to his July 2019 arrest, according to a new legal filing.

The lawsuit, filed with the Southern District of New York on Thursday, seeks compensatory damages from Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn as the executors of Epstein's estate and Lesley Groff, who was Epstein's assistant. The unnamed litigant, listed as "Jane Doe," also seeks punitive damages against Groff, who "facilitated Epsteins trafficking and sexual abuse of Jane, including by purchasing plane tickets, sending money, making appointments, and sending various communications from New York." Epstein's abuse persisted into 2019, "presumably in the middle of his being investigated by federal law enforcement officials and up until his widely-reported arrest in July 2019," the lawsuit adds.

"Jane has suffered severe, ongoing harm as a result of Epsteins abuse, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. ... Jane still experiences nightmares and unwanted flashbacks to Epsteins conduct," the filing read. "Even though Epstein is dead, Jane remains fearful every day as a result of his abuse."

EPSTEIN ACCUSER SUES PRINCE ANDREW FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT WHEN SHE WAS 17

Jane Doe was a college student in Moscow in 2017 when Epstein "targeted and lured her into his world" by "falsely advertising a job" for which she was invited to interview in Paris, according to the lawsuit.

"Groff knew or recklessly disregarded the facts and information that made clear that Epstein was trafficking Jane to Paris for commercial sex purposes, and that Epstein was doing so by means of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion, and/or a combination of such means," the filing claims.

Once in Paris, the woman was allegedly led to a massage room, where Epstein directed her to strip down to her bra and underwear, placed a vibrator against her genitals, and masturbated to completion, leaving her "frozen with enormous fear and confusion," according to the document. After returning home to Moscow, Jane Doe was again trafficked on Oct. 9, 2017, to Paris, where Epstein again masturbated as she massaged him, the filing continues.

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Jane Doe was later flown from Moscow to Palm Beach, Florida, where Epstein "physically turned Jane around and proceeded to have sex with her while standing behind her," her attorneys say.

"During this rape, Jane felt worse than she had ever felt in her life. It felt psychologically overwhelming, like she could not even understand what was happening to her. It felt like the rock bottom of her life," the filing read.

Epstein also "directed Jane to give him oral sex," and when she was unwilling to do so, he "pushed her down, onto her knees ... and forced her to give him oral sex," the filing adds.

Jane Doe took other trips arranged by Epstein or his associates in 2018 and 2019, during which he "subjected Jane to sexual acts, including penetrating her with his penis and with his fingers, forcing her to give him oral sex, using a vibrator on her, and telling her to touch his nipples while he masturbated," actions by which she was "deeply repulsed," according to the lawsuit.

"Jane's experience as a young woman in Russia has made clear that the prevailing cultural norms there are unsympathetic to survivors of sexual assault and trafficking," her attorneys wrote. "Jane's experience has been that young women are often blamed for the sexual assaults they experienced, not believed, and judged negatively because of the incidents."

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Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy for allegedly abusing girls as young as 14. He killed himself in his prison cell in 2019 before he faced trial, according to authorities. Since the financier's death, his estate formed a victims' compensation fund that closed in August of this year after doling out $125 million to nearly 150 claimants.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, was arrested in July 2020 and is set to stand trial later this year for charges of sex trafficking.

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Tags: News, Jeffrey Epstein, Human Trafficking, Russia, Rape, Sexual Abuse Allegations, Law

Original Author: Misty Severi

Original Location: Jeffrey Epstein abused and raped Russian woman in months before arrest, lawsuit says
By Graham Keeley and Jorge Otaola

BARCELONA (Reuters) -An Argentine judge investigating cases stemming from the Franco dictatorship in Spain has indicted a former Spanish minister on four counts of homicide, according to court papers seen by Reuters on Saturday.

Judge Maria Servini de Cuba, sitting in Buenos Aires, issued the ruling against Rodolfo Martin Villa, 87, interior minister between 1976 and 1979.

The judge wrote that she considered Martin Villa "the prima facie perpetrator criminally responsible for the crime of aggravated homicide, repeated on at least four occasions, of which Pedro Maria Martinez Ocio, Romualdo Barroso Chaparro, Francisco Aznar Clemente and German Rodriguez Saiz were victims".

Martin Villa told the Spanish newspaper ABC: "I am calm. I will appeal."

Spain passed an amnesty law in 1977 that pardoned crimes committed by the Franco dictatorship.

Hundreds of Spaniards have tried to get around this by turning to an Argentine court, under the principle of universal justice, to address crimes committed against them and their families during General Francisco Franco's 36-year right-wing dictatorship.

Judge Servini wrote that Martin Villa had played a key role in the repressive structures of the dictatorship, which continued in the years immediately after Franco's death in 1975.

"It is great news for the victims, who have been claiming for many years," said Maximo Castex, a lawyer for the relatives of the victims.

The judge ordered Martin Villa, who lives in Madrid, to be detained but said it was unlikely to happen.

Fernando Goldaracena, the ex-minister's lawyer, did not reply to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by Christina Fincher and Kevin Liffey)
A judge denied a request to dismiss Empire actor Jussie Smollett's criminal case after he allegedly lied to police officers over being a victim of a hate crime in January 2019.

Smollett's attorney said the judge was infringing on the actor's rights because he had already paid a $10,000 bond and performed community service under a deal made by a different prosecutor. However, Judge James Linn of the Circuit Court of Cook County noted in Friday's decision that a different prosecutor hired by a different judge is now pursuing the case against Smollett.

JUSSIE SMOLLETT PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO STAGING CHICAGO ATTACK

In 2019, Smollett told police officers that he was attacked by two white men shouting racist and homophobic epithets at Smollett, who is black and gay. But several weeks later, he was charged with one felony count of lying to authorities after the officers uncovered evidence purportedly indicating the attack was staged. He pleaded not guilty.

Smollett was then indicted by a grand jury on 16 felony counts of lying to authorities, which his attorney said was "prosecutorial overkill." After State Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case, the Cook County State Attorney's Office dropped all charges against him, prompting a judge to approve a special prosecutor to investigate the decision-making process in June 2019. In August 2020, that special prosecutor concluded Foxx abused her discretionary power in dropping Smollett's case, allowing the reopened matter to proceed.

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Jury selection will start on Nov. 29.

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Tags: News, Race and Diversity, LGBT, Jussie Smollett, Chicago, Law Enforcement, Crime, Media, Law

Original Author: Misty Severi

Original Location: Jussie Smollett case will go to trial
After Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, a former L.A. County supervisor, was indicted this week, his former colleagues on the county board are calling for an audit of contracts implicated in the indictment. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Two Los Angeles County supervisors are calling for an independent investigation into federal criminal charges against their former colleague Mark Ridley-Thomas, who is accused of taking bribes from a USC dean in exchange for lucrative county contracts.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will consider a motion to hire an outside law firm for the investigation, which would focus on both the allegations against Ridley-Thomas and "the associated county processes and policies."

The proposed motion, written by board chair Hilda L. Solis and Supervisor Kathryn Barger, requires the law firm to retain a forensic auditor.

Ridley-Thomas, 66, one of the most powerful figures in Los Angeles politics, now serves on the L.A. City Council.

In a 20-count indictment, he and Marilyn Louise Flynn, a former dean of USC's School of Social Work, face charges of conspiracy, bribery and mail and wire fraud.

Public servants who engage in corruption are a serious threat to our democracy," Solis said in a statement. "The alleged pay-to-play tactics that benefited Councilmember Ridley-Thomas and his family were at the expense of putting the needs of his vulnerable constituency at the forefront."

Prosecutors accuse Ridley-Thomas of conspiring with Flynn beginning in 2017, when he was board chair, to steer county contracts to USC in return for admitting his son Sebastian into the social work school with a full-tuition scholarship and a paid professorship.

In exchange, Ridley-Thomas allegedly ensured that the social work school received millions of dollars in contracts with the county Department of Children and Family Services, Probation Department and Department of Mental Health.

Ridley-Thomas has denied the allegations and said he "has no intention of resigning" from the City Council.

"Going forward, I intend to do two things: disprove the allegations leveled at me and continue the work I was elected to do  most importantly, addressing the homeless and housing crisis," he said in a statement on Friday.

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Barger, who has worked at the county for more than 30 years, said in a statement that Ridley-Thomas' alleged behavior "is an anomaly."

The accusations against Mark Ridley-Thomas force me to call into question what happened during his time in office," Barger said. "This requires a thorough and independent audit to identify any questionable contracts and pursue proper legal actions to recover taxpayer funds as appropriate."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Nevada, Missouri man has received 16 concurrent life sentences plus 107 years in prison after he was convicted on dozens of sex crimes involving children, the Jackson County Prosecutors Office announced Friday.

Stephen D. Turner, 56, was found guilty by jury in July on 33 felony charges, including child molestation, statutory rape, forcible rape and use of a child in sexual performance. The crimes were committed against at least five children over the course of 14 years, according to court records.

Three of the victims told police that Turner began abusing them when they were as young as 4 years of age. According to court records, the victims told police that Turner repeatedly abused them in different residences across Jackson County.

The case was investigated by Kansas City police. Charges were first filed against Turner in 2017.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  Jason Shelley passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as Missouri State defeated Indiana State 37-7 on Saturday.

The Bears broke the game open by scoring three touchdowns in the final 2:19 of the second quarter.

Shelley passed 45 yards to Xavier Lane and the Bears added two more scores  a 3-yard Shelley run and a 26-yard reception by Tyrone Scott  after consecutive fumbled kickoffs by the Sycamores. Steven Ward was credited with forcing both fumbles.

Shelley also threw a 59-yard score to Scott, finishing 11 of 21 for 225 yards. Scott had 106 yards receiving on three catches. Jose Pizano kicked three field goals.

The Bears, who racked up over 500 yards in total offense in each of their previous two games, finished with 442 against Indiana State.

Dante Hendrix made 10 catches for 121 yards receiving including a late fourth-quarter touchdown for Indiana State (3-4, 1-3).

The Bears (4-2, 3-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference) are ranked 23rd in the FCS coaches poll.

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Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photos Courtesy of Connie Chavis/ Cecil Ard

When Connie Chavis and her 5-year-old daughter picked out clothes for kindergarten on a cold January morning back in 1998, they took great care to choose bright colors: lots of green, splashes of pink.

The outfit was as peppy and upbeat as little Brittany Locklear herself.

Neither of them could have guessed, as the kindergartener pulled on each leg of her green overalls, that within a few short hours those same overalls would turn up on the side of the road, discarded like trash. That their 5-year-old occupant would be nowhere to be found.

They couldnt have known that those same pink-and-white Pocahontas shoes Brittany slipped her feet in that morning would soon be stuffed and sealed in a police evidence bag.

When Chavis last saw her daughter the morning of Jan. 7 just after 7 a.m., she was patiently waiting for her school bus outside the familys home in Raeford, North Carolina, just like on any other morning. Her mother had waited with her, but, with the bus running late that day, she had to run back into the house to quickly use the bathroom.

And it was at that moment that someone plucked Brittany from the side of the road and forced the entire community to face what one family friend would later call the evil in humanity.

The Search

Nearly 25 years later, the hours and days that followed that one gut-wrenching moment prove too excruciating to talk about, the words too horrendous to utter out loud. Those interviewed for this story paused at times as they recalled Brittanys final moments, as if briefly shell-shocked. They shook it off and then chose their words carefully, referring to the thing that was done to Brittany, as if not spelling it out might somehow keep the memories at bay.

The initial hours after the 5-year-old disappeared were still tinged with hope. After Chavis neighbor, Rose Johnson, rushed over to tell her that she and her husband had seen a man in a brown truck come speeding by on Gainey Road, off U.S. 401, and kidnap Brittany, Chavis thought it must be some kind of bizarre misunderstanding.

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She dashed to West Hoke Elementary School to check if Brittany had been on the school bus. The answer was a gut-punch: No, the school said, the kindergartener had not been on board.

I broke down, Chavis later told The Fayetteville Observer of the harrowing revelation.

The alarm bells were immediately sounded: Chavis alerted police, and deputies with the Hoke County Sheriffs Office quickly set up roadblocks in search of the brown pickup truck described by a handful of witnesses.

Hundreds threw themselves into the search efforts for the little girl who, her mother would later recount, loved everybody.

But within just a couple of hours, the search took an excruciating turn: Brittanys purple backpack turned up on a road about two miles from her house, followed an hour later by her overalls, and then her sneakers.

Right off the road as if someone was driving and threw them out the window, Sheriff's detective David Newton was quoted saying that day in the Observer.

Cecil Ard, a former Hoke County sheriffs deputy, was among the members of law enforcement involved in the case from the get-go.

I went out there early, it was 7:30-8:00 oclock-ish, that morning when she disappeared, he told The Daily Beast. I went down to Ryan McBryde [Road] that morning and as we made a left we started seeing, I think it was a book bag and then a shoe in the ditch, and then more articles [of clothing] as we went down the road.

Those same green overalls Brittany had climbed into just over an hour earlier were found a short time after the book bag, along with her Pocahontas shoes.

After that grim discovery, it was all-hands-on-deck for law enforcement. Then-Sheriff Wayne Byrd borrowed a small plane from a nearby airport to scour the back roads, and state police used a helicopter to join in the search, while deputies handed out flyers with Brittanys photo on them and others concentrated efforts on where the girls belongings had been found.

With hundreds of volunteers and deputies searching for Brittany, the day ended on a hopeful note, against all odds: We are assuming and hoping that she is alive, Byrd said.

The Discovery

As the desperate search for Brittany continued into a second day, investigators gathered any clues they could to help lead them to the little girl. They knew only that her abductor was apparently a white or light-skinned man, that he drove a pickup truck described by witnesses as brown, and that Brittany did not appear to resist him.

But no one could fathom how such a brazen abduction of a child could happen so quicklyand how or why the culprit would target such a remote area, so far off the beaten path.

By the end of that day, the abduction itself would be eclipsed by something far worse.

I stayed out there all night and blocked off the 401 that went into Ryan McBryde, said Ard, who, with a baby daughter at home at that time, was distressed to think of 5-year-old Brittany out there somewhere alone in the cold.

Something he would soon come to realizeand a fact which he says still haunts him nearly 25 years lateris that Brittany had been right under the deputies noses the whole time.

They realized it only after it had finally stopped raining, allowing water along the roads to recede.

There were a group of guys going up the ditch, and I was trailing behind them a bit, and the water had gone down and there was a culvert there and [the one guy] looked back and went, Huh, and hopped off in the water and leaned over and looked down, and I watched every bit of color and life drain out of his face, Ard recalled.

Brittany had been shoved inside the drainage pipe and left there in the rising water.

I still, from time to time, can kind of see her feet coming out of the pipe, Ard said, adding that he had turned away as soon as he started seeing feet.

But from what I remember it looked like she was face down with no clothes on. Like she had been held in the water and then slid into the pipe when it was over, face down in the water.

She was in the exact same spot where Ard said hed stopped his car the morning the 5-year-old was reported missing. It was only about three miles from her home.

That has always bothered me that she stayed out in the cold for 30-something hours and I was within a foot of her and didnt know it, he said, adding that even though he knows she already would have been beyond saving on that first morning, hes haunted by her being out there by herself in the cold, in the water.

The spot where Brittany Locklear was standing at the end of her driveway as she waited for her school bus on Jan. 7, 1998. Courtesy of Cecil Ard

Investigators later concluded that the drainage pipe where Brittany was found was the primary crime scene, that the perpetrator had taken her straight there.

And, as Byrd would reveal at a press conference two days later, an autopsy revealed shed been sexually assaulted.

I think within a half an hour it was done. I think he went straight to that spot, he knew where he was going, he went straight there, he did what he was going to do, and was gone in no time, Ard said.

Deputies were still reeling over what theyd seen that day when Sheriff Byrd called a press conference just after 4 p.m. to inform the rest of the town.

Its sad news that I bring, Byrd said, per the Observer. I was hoping it would be a live body, but its a lifeless body.

In an attempt to console the hundreds of volunteer searchers whod counted on bringing Brittany home alive, the sheriff said at least there could be closure, and we will not be wondering the rest of our life what happened to such a lovely little girl.

Brittanys mother and her stepfather, Charles, had been notified separately. Surrounded by family and friends at home, all anxiously awaiting word on Brittany, police arrived and delivered the news. They both crumpled to the floor, wailing.

Everyones a Suspect

With the discovery of Brittanys body, the search operation immediately shifted to a manhunt for her killer. In archival news reports from that time, the white-hot rage of the community is palpable even through the page.

We'd like to kill him real quick, one man was quoted telling the Observer at a local diner, while another promised that justice will be swift.

The anger wasnt limited to empty talk either. A week after Brittany was found, the sheriff pleaded for calm after a report of armed citizens prowling the street in search of a burly man with a beard whod aroused their suspicions.

New details on Brittanys murder only further stoked outrage. More than two months after she was found, the sheriff broke his silence on her final moments.

I just believe that she was just held underwater until she was drowned, Byrd said in March 1998, per the Observer. I think she was drowned right there where we found her... I wouldnt think it would be a quick way to die.

With help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State Bureau of Investigation, authorities in Hoke County set up a command post they dubbed the War Room. No effort was spared in finding Brittanys killer, and police said thousands of tips poured in.

But there has never been an arrest in the case, and despite a barrage of early leads, no clear suspect ever emerged.

A lot of us are very frustrated that we just couldnt find any more leads. We had lots and lots of leads, and we just couldnt seem to get over the hump on that, says Fred McKinney, a retired SBI agent who was involved in the case.

In the weeks and months that followed, Byrd routinely touted new, promising leads in the case, but they never panned out.

The investigation wound up in the hands of two more sheriffs in the years that followed, with the most high-profile new plot twist in the case happening in 2002, when news broke of a former Fort Bragg firefighter being questioned after his co-workers told investigators he had photos of Brittany in his locker. The man, Keith Londeree, was facing charges in connection with a bank robbery when the pictures came to light.

Police never explained why he had the photographs, and despite hope from the public that it was a break in the case, investigators said DNA testing cleared Londeree of any involvement in Brittanys murder. It was never clear if he had been among the hundreds of Fort Bragg firefighters who joined search efforts for Brittany.

Londeree passed away in 2018 at the age of 59.

Hell Pay

Chavis, Brittanys mom, said shes still hopeful for justice, but has come to terms that it may not happen in this lifetime.

Her family will never give up hope. There will be justice, if not here, hereafter, she told The Daily Beast. If not here, hell pay for it in the hereafter.

As for suspects, she said, its been too much to even think about it.

She still thinks about what kind of person Brittany would have grown to be, and there was a note of sorrow as she said, Her birthday is the 14th of next month.

She wouldve turned 29 on Thursday.

By all accounts, Brittany was the kind of child who could melt hearts just by walking into a room. At a mere 35 pounds, she was the tiniest kid in her class, which earned her the loving nickname of Little Brittany.

If her mother had not alerted school officials to her disappearance on that fateful day in 1998, they likely wouldve assumed she was late to class because she was doing what she was known for: giving out hugs in the hallway. Several teachers of West Hoke Elementary told the Observer it was a well-known fact among staff that the kindergartener would make a point to hug every single teacher she passed.

She was the type of child who had no understanding of fear. She didnt know there was any danger out there, said her teacher at the time, Sandra Horne.

Brittany Locklear pictured with her aunt Courtesy

A member of the Lumbee Tribe, a non-federally recognized Native American tribe that resides primarily in North Carolina, Brittany had a fondness for Pocahontas.

She loved the church, and she loved her family. She was really into Pocahontas and Barney, things like that, her mother said, recalling that the 5-year-old had also set her sights on becoming a pilot some day.

She told me one day she wanted to drive airplanes.

Ashleigh Craven, a Raeford native who said her family was close to Brittanys, said the whole community struggled to come to terms with how a human being could hurt such a sweet beautiful little girl.

Craven said she was 14 at the time of Brittanys murder and had already seen the evil in humanity firsthand.

But that did not make it any easier. It was horrible how she was found, where she was found, and other details made it hard like who would do this to a very small child?

More than two decades later, theres no more clarity to that question than there was in those nauseating early days after the killing.

The Hoke County Sheriffs Office did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the case, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said it was no longer actively investigating Brittanys murder, but it was prepared to assist if local investigators requested any help.

Brittanys mother said two Hoke County investigators had been in touch with her earlier this year to offer assurances that the case was ongoing, but they offered no new information, she said.

Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin, the third sheriff to oversee the investigation, said the case was still ongoing in a 2019 interview with the Observer. He declined to say if there were any new leads.

I dont want to say anything. If anyone knew the things we knew or things weve done or going to be doing, youd be surprised, he said.

Byrd, the original sheriff on the case, passed away in 2016. For Ard, lingering questions about the case never stopped haunting him.

Thats one that, it just kinda sticks, he said, before adding: It broke me.

One of the biggest questionswhich investigators have apparently never been able to answer definitivelyis whether Brittanys murder was a crime of opportunity or one thoroughly planned by someone whod stalked her.

As Ard told it, there were some things [about the case] that made you scratch your head, like how Brittanys killer seemed to have such perfect timing.

But there was nothing that really said, OK this is it.

Whoever did it knew where they were and they knew exactly where they were going. So he had some kind of association or he planned it out and went and searched the area to find a spot. Cause you could not have found a better spot, he said, noting that the killer managed to commit the entire heinous crime within three miles of Brittanys home and then dispose of the evidence in the culvert.

He was able to hold her in the water and dispose of her right there and leave her right there and leave every trace of everything right there. People who do things hastily make a lot of mistakes, but there were none, he said.

It was planned, well planned, because it happened bam bam bam.

McKinney, the former SBI agent, said hes still not sure about the circumstances of the killing.

It couldve gone either way. It may have just been a crime of opportunity, quickly, or he may have been planning it, he said.

The one thing thats clear is that any chance of solving the case is fading faster every year.

As far as it being solved, Im afraid. Im thinking I probably wont see it in my lifetime, said Ard. They may get lucky and get a DNA hit, thats what would have to do it. Its possible somebody could walk up and go, Ive been living with this for years, I did it. But thats not likely.

And with the case never narrowing down to a single suspect, its even harder to know if Brittany was the killers only victim.

Unfortunately Im wondering if they havent gone elsewhere and done it elsewhere, said Ard. [I think they] definitely would have done it again.

Did Killer Hide in This Moms House Until She Went to Sleep?

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Photograph: Bryan Anderson/AP

A top Republican politician in North Carolina is facing a wave of outrage and backlash, including calls for resignation, from elected officials and various human rights groups over his recent discriminatory comments that likened gay and transgender people to filth.

Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, the states highest Republican in an executive office position, made the remarks at Asbury Baptist church in Seagrove, North Carolina, in June. Right Wing Watch, a project of the advocacy group People For the American Way, posted the video on social media last week.

In the video, Robinson can be heard saying: Theres no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth  And yes, I called it filth, and if you dont like that I called it filth, come see me and Ill explain it to you.

Andrew Bates, a White House deputy press secretary from North Carolina, condemned Robinsons remarks, saying, These words are repugnant and offensive. The role of a leader is to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone; not to spread hate and undermine their own office.

In addition to the White House, Democratic lawmakers and numerous rights groups have criticized Robinson, with some demanding his resignation while others request to meet him to discuss his remarks.

Jeff Jackson, a Democratic state senator and US Senate candidate urged Robinson to quit, tweeting, Calling many of your own constituents filth means you have no intention of representing them. Our Lt Governor should resign and allow someone who is prepared to do the job to take his place. This wasnt a dog whistle, folks. This was old school hate.

This is not the first time Robinson has shared his discriminatory views, but it should be the last time he gets away with it Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign, the nations largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, released a statement saying: We are calling on Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson to resign for his disgraceful, hateful statements  This is not the first time Robinson has shared his discriminatory views, but it should be the last time he gets away with it as an elected leader.

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Kaye Vassey, a spokesperson from the LGBT Center of Raleigh echoed the HRCs sentiments, telling the Guardian, Im not going down a path of politics but just absolute human rights and the words that he spoke are dangerous to the LGBTQ community, especially to the youth  and its a travesty.

We did send an open letter saying we would like to set up that meeting and ask for his resignation, Vassey added, referring to an open letter sent by St Johns Metropolitan Community Church on behalf of various church groups to Robinson.

Your words have caused considerable harm and you have the potential to cost people their lives. The Trevor Projects estimates that at least one LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13-24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the US. This number could be reduced by as much as 40% if an adult in these young peoples lives shares unconditional love with them, the letter obtained by the Guardian read.

Alisson Scott, director of impact and innovation at Campaign for Southern Equality, told the Guardian, When he makes these comments, he somehow  tries to roll with the assumption that there are no LGBTQ students in existence and that were all somehow just adults and thats simply false  For him to say this, its dangerous, its a weapon.

Robinson, who has since doubled down on his comments, remained defiant, even posting on Facebook that he will not back down nor be silenced. He also said he would continue to fight for the rights of children to receive an education free from sexual concepts that do not belong in the classroom.

According to Peter Montgomery, a senior fellow at People For the American Way, Robinsons act of defiance is a sign that he is counting on rallying up and motivating the right wing base to carry him over the finish line.

I think thats his political strategy  to use this kind of rhetoric to portray himself as the victim. Hes happy to hurl himself at others but somehow people criticizing him for making bigoted comments prompts him to make him seem like the victim, Montgomery told the Guardian.

Robinsons recent comments are only the latest examples of his discrimination against the LGBTQ community. After the 2016 shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Robinson wrote, I pray for the souls of all those killed  However, homosexuality is STILL an abominable sin.

In 2019, Robinson accused parents of having mentally raped their transgender children while criticizing gender reassignment surgeries.
Former President Barack Obama will travel to Glasgow next month for the UN climate summit, CNN reports.

Driving the news: Obama will meet with young climate change advocates and "urge more robust action going forward by all of us  governments, the private sector, philanthropy and civil society," according to an Obama spokesperson, per CNN.

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Obama will also deliver remarks on the "important progress made in the five years since the Paris Agreement took effect," per the spokesperson.

President Biden will also attend the climate summit with 13 of his Cabinet members and senior administration officials, including U.S. climate envoy John Kerry.

The big picture: The international climate summit, set to take place Oct. 31 through Nov. 12, is the group's 26th meeting, and marks five years to the day that the Paris agreement took effect, per CNN.

The summit comes as global emissions are nowhere close to the path needed to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, Axios' Ben Geman reports.

On Capitol Hill, Biden's climate agenda stands on precarious footing as its fate hinges on the success of a budget bill that is currently stalled in Congress.

Go deeper: Pope Francis bows out of climate summit

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By Alexander Ermochenko and Maria Tsvetkova

DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - About 200 protesters in separatist-controlled Donetsk confronted monitors from Europe's main security and rights watchdog on Saturday to demand the release of a pro-Russian officer captured by the Ukrainian military.

The monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation on Europe has previously faced protests organized by pro-Russian rebels, but this time protesters for the first time appeared to block the entrance to the hotel where they are based.

A Reuters reporter saw four men in surgical masks standing close to each other at the doorsteps leading to the gate of the Park Inn, where the monitors live and have an office. They appeared to be unarmed.

Two dozen tents were set up on a lawn in front of the hotel and a protester cut firewood with a chainsaw.

Several OSCE monitors were seen on a terrace right outside the hotel but did not leave it or come closer to the protesters. One filmed the crowd on a smartphone.

Russian-backed rebels claim the Ukrainian military captured their officer, Andrei Kosyak, near the front line on Wednesday while he was part of a joint committee that oversees the ceasefire.

The Ukrainian defence ministry said that Kosyak, who it said was a Russian citizen, belonged to a group of Russian servicemen who had carried out an undercover reconnaissance mission.

Russia denies that it has forces in eastern Ukraine, which was taken over by Russian-backed separatists in 2014, in a conflict that Kyiv says killed 14,000 people.

The protesters demanded that the OSCE help to get the officer released.

"OSCE, fulfil your mandate," one of banners held by protesters read.

The OSCE mission, which has monitored the conflict since its start, said in a statement on Saturday it was ready to facilitate dialogue on the ground between the sides.

"This readiness has already been communicated to the sides," it said. It did not comment on the protest at the hotel.

(Reporting by Alexander Ermochenko in Donetsk and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow; Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv; Editing by Mike Harrison)
CAIRO (Reuters) - A Lebanese soldier suspected of firing towards protesters in Beirut on Thursday is under investigation, the army said on Saturday.

Seven people were killed in clashes that erupted near the site of a protest against the judge leading an inquiry into a catastrophic port explosion in Beirut last year.

(Reporting by Yasmin Hussein; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
SheKnows

While the Cambridges and the Sussexes have been going about their royal duties and philanthropic endeavors like business as usual, there still seems to be some lingering tension between the two royal couples. But with Prince William and Kate Middletons upcoming 2022 trip to America for the continuation of the Duke of Cambridges Earthshot Prize, []
With the release of new data in recent months, a clearer picture is emerging of how K-12 enrollment has responded to the pandemic. Studying figures from hundreds of school districts, researchers at Stanford have found that roughly one-quarter of the decrease in students is directly attributable to the move to all-virtual instruction, and that the trend mostly affected the very youngest students. And early indicators from states and school districts suggest that total enrollment wont bounce back to the pre-COVID status quo this year.

Thomas Dee, an economist and one of the Stanford co-authors, said that it wasnt yet clear if or when the declines would be reversed, or how families might plan their re-entry into local schools. But a clear line connected remote schooling to fewer kids, he argued.

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Unsurprisingly, parents particularly didnt want younger children  kindergarten or elementary-grade kids  sitting in front of a computer all day, Dee said. Weve seen that in the enrollment declines, and what it implies is that some kids were missing out on those early developmental experiences, educational experiences we know can be really critical and have lifelong implications for them.

Related: New Federal Data Confirms Pandemics Blow to K-12 Enrollment, With Drop of 1.5 Million Students; Pre-K Experiences 22 Percent Decline

According to the study, released in August as a working paper through the National Bureau of Economic Research, kindergarten enrollment fell by 3-4 percent in districts that opted for all-virtual instruction last fall. Elementary school enrollment fell by about 1 percent, while middle and high school enrollment was mostly unchanged.

To reach those conclusions, the research team painstakingly assembled data on student enrollment, as well as grade-level enrollment, from state departments of education, comparing 2020-21 figures with those of the preceding four school years. They also relied on data from Burbio.com, which tracks how school districts are offering instruction during the pandemic. The authors ultimately assembled a sample of 875 districts serving over one-third of all American K-12 students. While about half of those districts opened the 2020-21 school year in remote-only instruction, the other half was divided between those holding in-person classes and those using a hybrid model.

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All told, they found that offering all-remote classes led to an enrollment drop of 1.1 percentage points, or roughly 300,000 students. Notably, the scale of disenrollment resulting from all-remote school was greater in demographically identifiable areas, such as rural districts and those serving more Hispanic students. The effects were almost twice as large in districts with lower concentrations of African American students, a phenomenon that could reflect attitudes previously expressed in public polling: Black parents of school-aged children were more than twice as likely as white parents to say they favored online classes, according to a survey conducted before the 2020-21 school year began.

The Stanford findings dovetail somewhat with those of other recent publications. A research brief released in September by scholars at the University of Michigan and Boston University also detected evidence of significant enrollment drops in Michigan public schools, with coinciding increases in private school enrollment and the rate of homeschooling. Another paper co-authored by Dee and University of Hawaii professor Mark Murphy showed a 4 percent decline among K-12 students in Massachusetts between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, with larger effects in smaller districts and those serving more white families. Finally, national data from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools points to a huge increase in charter enrollment last year.

Related: As the Pandemic Set In, Charter Schools Saw Their Highest Enrollment Growth Since 2015, 42-State Analysis Shows

Dee described the initial numbers coming out of states and districts as an imperfect tool, but one that currently offers the best guide to how families across the country have reacted to the unprecedented disruptions of COVID-19.

I view the enrollment data as a sort of canary in a coal mine: a leading indicator that doesnt capture the nuance we want in understanding whats going on with kids, but that has the virtue of being available relatively quickly and comprehensively, representing the whole universe of public schools.

Counts arent rebounding

While education observers are still getting a sense of how many students left traditional public schools last fall, the first inklings about the current school year are already becoming available. And so far, they dont foretell a mass return of students who sat out last year.

Figures released this week by the Los Angeles Unified School District  the second-largest in the U.S. after New York City  show about 27,000 fewer students showed up for classes this September than last September. That represents a 6 percent decline in total enrollment, even as schools in L.A. have long since reopened for in-person classes.

Disenrollment has also persisted in Hawaii which has already released student counts for this year. Total kindergarten enrollment on the islands  which operate as a single, statewide school district  saw one of the steepest declines in the country during the pandemic, falling from 13,074 in 2019 to 11,103 in 2020. But while some have predicted an early education surge this year as parents finally place their kids in kindergarten, it has so far been absent; kindergarten enrollment is up by about 350, but still remains about 12 percent below the pre-pandemic status quo.

What were seeing is that the fall 2021 counts are not rebounding to what we saw [before the pandemic], said Mark Murphy, Dees co-author on the Massachusetts paper. I think its starting to suggest that what we saw in fall 2020 may occur more commonly in fall 2021 than we originally thought.

Related: Returning this Fall, By Popular Demand: Virtual School. For Communities of Color, its Largely a Matter of Trust

Instead, Murphy noted, the number of first graders has grown  an indication that families who red-shirted their children last year may have opted to place them directly into first grade this September. Meanwhile, the two-year decline between 2019 and 2021 is still substantial in grades two, three, and four.

Murphy did reflect that changing perceptions of the COVID threat may still be influencing the decisions of families. The emergence of the Delta variant in late summer resulted in a spike in both cases and hospitalizations in Hawaii, which likely preyed on the minds of concerned parents.

There may be some changes in the response to how families are thinking about enrolling their children given the changing dynamics, and the greater intensity of the Delta variant may impact individuals behavior.

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Large crowds of people gathered in the Afghan city of Kandahar on Saturday (October 16) to bury victims of the Islamic State suicide attack on worshippers as Taliban pledged to step up security at Shi'ite mosques.

Islamic State, which is a hardline Sunni group, claimed responsibility for Friday's attack at a mosque in Kandahar.

A group of suicide bombers shot their way into the largest Shi'ite mosque in the city before blowing themselves up during Friday prayers.

A health official said the death toll stood at 41 and 70 wounded but that could rise further.

The head of Kandahar police said units would be assigned to protect the Shi'ite mosques which have so far been guarded by local volunteer forces with special permission to carry weapons.

Malwy Abdul Ghafar Mohmadi, who is the Kandahar province commander, told Reuters that Islamic State is attacking ordinary Muslims and that his forces are trying their best to bring the perpetrators to justice, although there haven't been any arrests yet.

The Kandahar attack came a week after a similar incident on a mosque in the city of Kunduz, which killed at least 80 people.

Attacks on Shi'ite targets associated with the Hazara ethnic minority, who make up the biggest Shi'ite group in Afghanistan, were regular occurrences under the former Western-backed government.

The attacks have continued since the Taliban seized power in August, tarnishing the movement's claim to bring peace to Afghanistan after decades of war.

Since the takeover, Islamic State has conducted dozens of operations, from small scale attacks on Taliban targets to large-scale attacks on civilians.
Thousands of Puerto Ricans on Friday marched to protest against ongoing power outages across the island, AP reports.

Driving the news: Many of the approximately 4,000 protesters called for the ouster of Luma, a private company that took over the islands transmission and distribution of power on June 1, per AP.

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Protesters, who blocked traffic in the capital of San Juan, are also frustrated with Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority, which operates generation units that have been failing recently due to a lack of upkeep.

"Were tired of coming home and discovering that we have no lights," one protester, Mayra Rivera, 55, said, per AP.

The big picture: Power outages are increasingly common on the island and are lasting longer.

Some residents say that the outages make it difficult to administer crucial health needs, such as respiratory therapies, and others complain that they can't work due to unstable internet connections.

Puerto Rico's power grid has been increasingly precarious ever since Hurricane Maria hit the island in September 2017 as a Category 4 storm.

The government announced on Thursday the first plan to direct federal funds to the Electric Power Authority in an effort to strengthen the grid, with $7.1 million set to be used for reconstruction work, per AP.

Go deeper: Power outages in Puerto Rico fuel anger, fear

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Oct. 16HIGH POINT  YWCA High Point's Women's Resource Center will host two virtual empowerment workshop series intended to help women see themselves as powerful and capable of making changes necessary to reimagine, reestablish and reaffirm who they are and what they have to offer their home, workplace and community.

The first series is "Empowered Women Empower Women!" and will be presented virtually via Zoom on Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. The sessions are:

Oct. 28  "Money Matters: Negotiating a Better Salary," presented by High Point University Professor Rhonda Butler.

Nov. 4  "Your Work, Not Your Worth: Building a Strong and Consistent Work Ethic," presented by YWCA Latino Family Center Director Gisell Mansi.

Nov. 11  "You Matter: Creating a Safe and Productive Workspace", presented by Christine Murray, director of UNC Greensboro Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships.

Nov. 18  "Advocating for Advancement: Positioning and Promoting Yourself for Growth Opportunities," presented by Michelle Hairston, chief education organizer at Hairston Education.

The second series is "Revitalizing You and Your Business Post-COVID" and will be presented by Elma Hairston, founder and managing director of Dynamic Images International.

Tuesday, Nov. 16  Define Your Brand: Your Best Self Reimagined, noon-1 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 2  Building Business Networks, 6-7 p.m.

 Business Etiquette, 6-7 p.m.

Register for these thought-provoking sessions by calling the YWCA High Point at 336-882-4126. For more information contact Regina Johnson at rjohnson@ywcahp.com.
Delegate candidates addressed whether they would advocate for school vouchers, and if they support a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools. Fariss said he would support school vouchers because every student is at a different place in their learning. Avoli said the backbone of American education has always been public education, and he would support school vouchers under one condition: that special needs students have their vouchers accepted at other public and private schools.

Moses said rural schools in Central Virginia have been suffering, with many structures having holes in the roofs, or asbestos. He said school vouchers stand only to take more money away from our rural schools that desperately need more investment, and echoed Avolis comment that public schools were the backbone of the country. To that end, Moses said he would work to invest in schools, and said vouchers were not the way to do that.

Wolf said he wanted to invest everything possible into public education.

Responses were mixed on a vaccine mandate for children. Fariss said he was vaccinated against COVID-19, as was his wife, and they had lost a friend to the virus. However, he said he felt mandating the vaccine for children was a step too far and felt not enough was known about the vaccines yet.
Amid handbag crafters, woodworkers and vendors selling knick-knacks, the sense of community pride is real. And the two-day event is even a family affair for some vendors and attendees.

Pat Mullett, who has been selling homemade kitchen towels at the festival for five years, always enjoys setting up right beside her 93-year-old mother, Jeanne Nickerson, who offers a variety of items herself.

My favorite part is of course the sales, Mullett says. But like my mom, I enjoy seeing the same people come back year after year. Well see the same little girls three or four years in a row, and they come back and they arent so little. It makes it worth it.

Many of the vendors continue to return year after year. Some even set up their shops at other festivals, but the Amherst Apple Harvest Festival is special because it brings out the same faces year after year.

Jean Roberg, who lost track of how many times shes set up shop at the festival, enjoys the festival because of how close it makes the community feel.

I enjoy the camaraderie, the people, and giving bargains out to people, she said.

This is Robergs last festival before moving to Illinois, so she said she was giving out extra bargains this year.
Deere and UAW returned to negotiations on Monday as picketers enter the fifth day of the strike. Support from local unions, and community members, continues to growth through donations to strike sites.
Alvarez-Victoriano was charged in April with misdemeanors for allegedly threatening deputies during the encounter, and Williams said Friday that he intends to pursue those charges. Investigators haven't arrested him since his July 10 release from the hospital because of the care his paralysis would require.

Alvarez-Victoriano filed a lawsuit last month alleging that the shooting amounted to excessive force and that the Waterloo Police Department has long had deficient policies and practices surrounding the use of force. The lawsuit noted that few details of the incident had been released to the public even months after it occurred.

The incident began when a citizen called 911 to report a man walking with a long gun toward downtown Waterloo. Dodd was the first to arrive on the scene and saw Alvarez-Victoriano and the weapon sitting on a nearby cement wall, the report said.

Alvarez-Victoriano picked up the weapon and started walking toward Dodd, who went to the rear of his vehicle to take cover. Dodd could not understand what Alvarez-Victoriano, who speaks Spanish, was saying and yelled at him to put the gun down, the report said.
FREE TREE SEEDLINGS

Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources say Iowa communities impacted by emerald ash borer can receive free seedlings from the state forest nursery in Ames.

A federal Forest Service grant has made it possible for the state agency to offer up to 200 free seedlings in the 84 Iowa counties that have confirmed emerald ash borer infestations.

Any Iowa community within an emerald ash borer-confirmed county is eligible to apply for these free native hardwood and conifer seedlings, even if they have received seedlings through this grant in previous years.

According to the DNR, seedlings have been awarded to more than 200 Iowa communities since spring 2019, and next spring will be the last chance for any of the 800 eligible Iowa communities to apply to receive the free seedlings for public and private property planting.

DNR officials say cities with major tree damage or loss from the August 2020 derecho can take advantage of this opportunity to help repopulate the trees in the devastated communities, as long as the county is a confirmed emerald ash borer-infested county.
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The owners of the Band Factory in Cozad decided to give back to their community by participating in the Give Big Cozad event in November.

Mark Lewis and his girlfriend Alexandra Oberg are hosting a Talent Show on Nov. 6 that will raise money for Cozad charities.

We decided that we wanted to do something because the community had been really receptive to us opening the Band Factory in Cozad, Lewis said. The community donated so much paint and time, so we wanted to do something to give back.

The show is offering $500 to the winner with a limit of 24 entries.

Lewis and Oberg have remodeled the building that was once the American Legion Hall at 207 E. Ninth St. in Cozad.

Im a piano player, love to play piano, Lewis said. I was asking around trying to find a building and I found a guy who said he just bought one.

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The building was perfect for what Lewis and Oberg had in mind.

We used pallets and built our stage, Lewis said. The Cozad Development Corporation asked what they could do to help, and through that process, enough paint was donated to do the inside of the building.
The Studio Museum in Harlem has opened up its archives for a first-of-its-kind sale. The museum is selling catalogues from shows it has organized and exhibited over the years, spanning 1969 to 2019. Many of the pieces available  like a now-sold-out set of Chris Ofili posters  are one of one, so if you see something you like, we recommend purchasing it immediately. Lots of pieces have already begun selling out, but theres still plenty to choose from, like this Faith Ringgold exhibition poster from a 1984 show that celebrated 20 years of her work.
As I write this, Leo is being hunted by the Taliban. The family fled from their home when Leo received a letter labeling him as the enemy. Chris and I have been making the horrific journey with them from our safe home in Auburn. We have traveled from place to place with this family, too often hearing that they barely got ahead of the men in black that carry U.S. assault weapons. They are more than Afghan Allies to us  they are human beings, created and loved by God, and loved by us.

Not my AmericaIn our desperate effort to help Leo and his family, we faced a grim reality: there would be no U.S. government assistance to rescue them. The work that Leo did for 15 years, the U.S. lives he saved, and the personal risk of being an interpreter  those things meant nothing the moment he and his family became acceptable losses.

Help also would not come from our Congressman, Mike Rogers. As the most powerful GOP member of the House Armed Services Committee, we were certain that someone on his staff would respond to our pleas. We knew that after his strong condemnation of the Afghanistan withdrawal, he would help a constituent get an Afghan family to safety. We were wrong  we never even received an acknowledgment. The performance during the House hearings led us to understand that Congressman Rogers has no interest in saving Afghans.
I cant imagine anyone else as Lex, the idea is just impossible to wrap my brain around. To this day MR is The Lex Luthor to me, period.



And Zach Levi of all people? Disgusting

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i think tom welling looks way hotter now than he did back in the day to me, his look was too clean cut for me!

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Is this watchable today? I've always had half a desire to watch it and also I enjoy Tom Welling's beefy hands.

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I rewatched it with my sister a few months ago. Its obviously from the early 2000s i.e. the writing is not so great at times, but the first few seasons are pretty entertaining, at least for the nostalgia. The reveal of Clarks powers dragged on waaayyy too long.



Let me tell you though, it did not need to go on for 10 seasons. Those last 3 especially were a slog to get through, at least for us; they seemed like a new show at times. Season 7 is where I think it should have ended, and even then, some of the storylines in seasons 1-7 were bonkers.



Edited at 2021-10-16 06:36 am (UTC)

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whaaaat? 8-10 are the best seasons!

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Ymmv. I found the way Clark treated Lex extremely upsetting back then, and now that I know what gaslighting and abuse are - classic gaslighting abuser. I'm fine with anti-heroes, and I enjoy some shows where the villain is the protagonist, but my tolerance for "heroes" who are bad guys in all but name who just save lives sometimes to justify the horrible things they do has decreased steadily over the years.

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i had to rewatch season 9 for work and it actually kept me entertained enough to go back and watch some of the beginning and its fun, i mean it not much worse than any of these superhero cw shows we got now and michael rosenbaum was a treat. good is too strong but watchable absolutely! it made me remember what a huge crush i had on chloe tho and every time alison mack is on screen i get sad, such a waste.

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how could you reunite and talk about anything other that allison mack.

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Right? I would pay $$$ to be a fly on the wall when they get together because you cant tell me they dont discuss it! Allison Mack apparently already has a boyfriend too



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came for this comment lol

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They kind of have talked about her. Tom and Michael said they knew about NXIVM and Allison but they didn't really know what it was about and that around them she was nice. Michael told a story of her coming to his house (this is after the show ended) with a NXIVM member and legit started acting like they owned his house, he threw them out and Allison later called to apologize.



Laura said that she was new and feeling a bit lonely and Allison invited her to join, she didn't went because she didn't have the money to paid for the course. Allison also tried to recruit Alaina Huffman (Black Canary) but she said she brushed it off as she kind of had her life together and didn't feel like she needed to search for ~more.



Callum Blu (Zod) was also recruited but this was after his role in the show ended and Allison wasn't involved

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Kristin Kreuk actually recruited Allison, iirc, but left before shit hit the fan

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And I think she also recruited Grace Park from Battlestar Gallactica and a lot of other actors from the early 2000s shows filming in Vancouver.

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Right? Where is all the deets

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I love how close the cast has become tbh. Kristin and Erica have been close friends for years. They celebrate some holidays together and its very cute



The comments they all leave on each others instagrams are always very sweet. You can tell the cast really cares for one another



Honestly, Id love it if Smallville came back as an animated series on HBO Max or something

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Oh, I didn't know they were friends. That's lovely, especially considering how toxic the fans were to both of them.



Edited at 2021-10-16 12:25 pm (UTC)

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Michael Rosenbaum is THE live action Lex Luthor for me. AND he voiced Wally West in the Justice League cartoon.



idc about anyone else lmao. It is weird going back to the show knowing about Allison's whole cult thing.

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Yeah hes live-action Lex to me too. The other actors since have been disappointing.



I love the Justice League episode where Wally and Lex switch bodies, because he got to be Lex again lol.



Michael Rosenbaum and Clancy Brown: the superior Lex Luthors, imo

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Same about Rosenbaum playing cartoon lex in the body of the flash.





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no one else could be so evil yet sexy at the same time

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Both Luthors stole that show. Rosenbaum and Glover were so amazing.

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Lmao Zach Levi. Hes a strange man to me.



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I totally agree, He just wouldnt have fit with the show, like he seems like hes out of a comic that cost 10cents but Michael Rosenbaum was perfection as our aughts bald king

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Erika Durance/Lois is still a stranger bitch to me because I stopped watching around season 5. Thats all Ive got on it besides saying I hope that the Television Without Pity recaps exist somewhere because they. Were. Amazing.

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I miss TWoP. Some of the recaps on that site were pure gold.

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Woo a time for my icon to shine! xD I can't picture anyone else as Lex; Michael was so good. I think he did a good job of having Lex be shifty/evil but also human. Like he wasn't too hammy with it and there were times I felt bad for him even though he was doing a lot of sus shit lol.



Erika pretty much ruined anyone else being Lois to me; I freaking loved her so much. I feel like she's part of the reason why I can't watch the new Superman & Lois (besides that one son annoying the hell out of me) cuz I just don't buy Bitsie as Lois. Might binge it someday but yeah. One of the best parts of the recent Arrowverse crossover was seeing Erika & Tom back as Lois and Clark they NEEDED more screen time.

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Yes!! I love Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, but I grew up watching Smallville so Tom and Erica are The Clark and Lois to me.



Season 4 was so fun when she came in, she injected a lot of humor.

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mte when Lois kicked that doctor chick who and called her a bitch I was dying

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I was obsessed with this show as a teenager. I should do a rewatch of the earlier seasons at least. Before it got ridiculous with possessing witches and what not.

I wish it was popular enough to release a HD version though



Edited at 2021-10-16 05:46 am (UTC)

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They are releasing a Blu-Ray set for the 20th anniversary!

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I've seen Rosenbaum's podcast on Youtube. Mainly the Allison Mack related episodes.



It's weird how separated the cast seemed to be. He kept saying how he thought she was a nice girl, but he didn't really hang out with her. It was like him/Tom, Allison/Kristen.



Idk, it just seems like usually these shows have the cast as a group, growing up together. But this one was very gender divided.



That being said, I say gender divided, but I've never heard them say a word about Sam Jones. Also super weird.

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to be fair, michael is ten years older than alison so in this case id say its pretty normal and good for them not to hang out socially, but nothing excuses the way everyone wants to pretend pete and sam never existed. loved pete.

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I think it was because of the age differences, Im pretty sure that Allison and Kristen were only 18 when the show began, while Michael was 28? So it makes sense that he became very close with a 24 year old Tom and with John Glover, even on the show Lex was meant to be an older adult and not really a part of the teenage cast. It wasnt until seasons 4 and 5 that he started working with Kristen more as Lexana became a thing, and I remember him saying then that that was the first time that they really worked together a lot and realised how well they got on, but before that Lex as a character didnt have a ton of scenes with Chloe, Lana, and Pete when they were all still in high school. I seem to remember him mostly having scenes at the mansion with Clark or with Lionel

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I can't believe Tom Welling had to be convinced to do the show, as if he had so much going on back then. Erica Durance is such a queen.



Edited at 2021-10-16 06:32 am (UTC)

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Lol I think he's said on Michael's podcast he enjoyed modeling more then because it was just a day or two of shooting and then a lot of money.

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I never realized before that Tom was 24 playing a 14 year old. I mean, I knew he wasn't 14, but I thought he was 19/20 like Kristin, Allison, and Sam were. Erica is my all time favorite Lois and MR is my favorite Lex. I'm glad Zachary Levi wasn't cast as Lex!

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Last year was extremely painful for Colombias economically crucial oil industry with Investment plunging to $2.05 billion, its lowest level since 2016, while petroleum production reached lows not seen for over a decade. That coupled with the fallout from the pandemic sharply impacted Colombias economy causing its gross domestic product to shrink nearly 7%, the worst performance of modern times. Despite the national governments focus on reactivating the oil industry which is an essential element for returning the economy to growth, with it responsible for a third of exports and more than 3% of GDP, there are signs that operations are faltering. August 2021 crude oil production of 747,772 barrels per day (Spanish) was 2.3% higher than a month prior and 0.8% greater year over year but still less than the 882,831 barrels per day pumped during August 2019.



Source: Colombia Ministry of Mines and Energy and U.S. EIA.

That output is well below the one million barrels of crude oil per day targeted by Bogota during the last oil boom, which was seen as the optimal output required to drive the desired level of economic growth.

Crucial natural gas production for August 2021 also fell compared to a month prior dropping 5% to 1.061 million cubic feet per day, although it was 4% higher than a year earlier and 4% lower than the 1.1 million cubic feet per pumped during August 2019.



Source: Colombia Ministry of Mines and Energy.

For the eight months ending August 31, 2021, Colombia pumped an average of 732,234 barrels of oil per day, 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas, and total hydrocarbon output of 915,145 barrels of oil equivalent. In the case of crude oil and total hydrocarbon output, those numbers are 6% and 5% lower than 2020 respectively, which is of considerable concern because last year was abnormal due to the impact of the pandemic.

Related: Is America Doomed To Replicate Europes Energy Crisis? Those numbers indicate that Colombias economically crucial petroleum industry is struggling to reactivate and reach pre-pandemic production levels. That is further evident when examining Colombias rig count, which is a credible proxy measure of activity in the Andean countrys oil industry. The latest numbers from Baker Hughes show that there were 21 active drill rigs in Colombia at the end of September 2021, which was one greater than a month prior and nine more than the equivalent period a year earlier but eight less than September 2019.



Source: Baker Hughes and U.S. EIA.

While the volume of active drill rigs is steadily growing, it is still significantly less than the number prior to the pandemic, indicating that the oil industrys reactivation is not occurring as rapidly as desired.

A key reason for the industrys muted recovery is the escalation in rural violence that has occurred since President Ivan Duque won the countrys top job in 2018 combined with three-month-long anti-government demonstrations earlier this year. Massacres, many of which occur in remote rural regions where there is little government presence, totaled 72 for the first nine months of 2021, six more than the 66 incidents reported for 2020 and double the 36 massacres recorded during 2019. Three-month-long anti-government protests, triggered by a clumsy attempt to hike taxes, saw blockades of major roads causing crude oil output to plunge to a multi-year low of 655,068 barrels (Spanish) per day.

Violence remains a persistent problem in many rural regions where Colombias oilfields are located, driven by conflict between illegal non-state armed groups seeking to control the lucrative cocaine trade. Some of Colombias most productive oilfields and a large portion of the strife-torn countrys prospective petroleum resources are in regions that are hotspots for coca cropping, drug trafficking, and violence between criminal groups. That is being amplified by the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which with the state rapidly unraveling has created ideal conditions for various guerilla and criminal groups to expand their operations. There are signs that Colombias petroleum industrys social license is deteriorating. Aside from the nationwide anti-government demonstrations earlier this year, there has been a spate of incidents where local communities have blockaded and even invaded oilfields, forcing operations to be shut-in. Heightened conflict along with rising security and geopolitical risk is a significant deterrent to investment by foreign energy companies. Those risks are being exacerbated by the uncertainty created by the growing possibility leftist senator Gustavo Petro could win the 2022 presidential election. The senator has made it clear that he is opposed to exploiting commodities to sustain Colombias economic growth and will move to shut down coal mining while gradually winding down the oil industry.

Related: Biden Consults U.S. Oil Industry About Soaring Gasoline Prices

Diminished investment in onshore exploration and production activities is weighing on Colombias ability to boost its proven crude oil reserves, which at 1.8 billion barrels will only last six years at the current rate of production. A similar crisis is building concerning Colombias proven natural gas reserves which at 2.9 trillion cubic feet will only last just under eight years. When it is considered that petroleum is Colombias largest export, accounting for nearly a third of all exports by value for the first eight months of 2021 and a key source of fiscal revenue, proven oil reserves need to be urgently expanded. This will only occur if there is a significant increase in investment from foreign energy companies in Colombias beleaguered but economically crucial hydrocarbon sector.

The energy ministry is promoting foreign energy investment in offshore Colombia, where there are believed to be significant oil and natural gas resources waiting to be discovered without the risks faced by onshore operations. Anadarko Colombia, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, earlier this month signed exploration and production contracts for four offshore blocks totaling 3.9 million acres in the Sinu and Guajira offshore basins. The blocks, composed of COL-1, COL-2, COL-6 and COL-7, were previously being assessed under technical evaluation agreements. It is anticipated that Occidental, which in October 2020 sold its onshore Colombian oil assets, will invest $1.4 billion exploring and developing the blocks. Colombia chose to postpone its latest oil and natural gas bidding round, pushing back the deadline for expressions of interest to 15 October from 30 September 2021. Bogota made this decision with an eye to drumming up additional interest because of higher crude oil prices with the international Brent benchmark selling for $84 per barrel, representing a notable 67% gain since the start of 2021.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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Surprisingly, though, what I will be doing over the next few weeks is selling some of my energy stocks into any rallies we may see from here. Just as Cramer was a fool a year or so ago to look at cyclical weakness and declare it a forever trend, so I would be foolish to see the current strength as inevitably lasting forever. There is almost bound to be a pullback in energy stock before long and it could even come as oil continues to climb. Markets look forward, and if fuel

You may think, given that I wrote just last week that I still think $100 oil before years end is a distinct possibility, that I would continue to ride that particular horse. I might get a bit bored, but I could always spend my time laughing at the Jim Cramers of this world who, lest you forget, just a year ago told us all that oil and oil stocks were a perma-short. As we used to say in the interbank forex market, How you left, Jim?.

The last year or so has been a very satisfying time for me in investing terms. As you may know if you have been reading my scribblings here for a few years, I have been saying for some time that energy would recover, and it has done so spectacularly over the last twelve months. The sector ETF, XLE, has roughly doubled in that time, but some of my portfolio favorites have done even better than that. Stocks like FANG, up around 300%, EOG, up only 200%, and RIG, which has gained around 400%, have had great years.

The last year or so has been a very satisfying time for me in investing terms. As you may know if you have been reading my scribblings here for a few years, I have been saying for some time that energy would recover, and it has done so spectacularly over the last twelve months. The sector ETF, XLE, has roughly doubled in that time, but some of my portfolio favorites have done even better than that. Stocks like FANG, up around 300%, EOG, up only 200%, and RIG, which has gained around 400%, have had great years.

You may think, given that I wrote just last week that I still think $100 oil before years end is a distinct possibility, that I would continue to ride that particular horse. I might get a bit bored, but I could always spend my time laughing at the Jim Cramers of this world who, lest you forget, just a year ago told us all that oil and oil stocks were a perma-short. As we used to say in the interbank forex market, How you left, Jim?.

Surprisingly, though, what I will be doing over the next few weeks is selling some of my energy stocks into any rallies we may see from here. Just as Cramer was a fool a year or so ago to look at cyclical weakness and declare it a forever trend, so I would be foolish to see the current strength as inevitably lasting forever. There is almost bound to be a pullback in energy stock before long and it could even come as oil continues to climb. Markets look forward, and if fuel prices keep rising there will be some pretty scary talk about releasing reserves, putting pressure on OPEC+, or whatever. That will spook some investors and could prompt some pretty heavy selling as the year draws to a close.

Even if energy stocks do remain strong, though, there is a confluence of timing and pricing that makes this an ideal time to bank some profits. Im not exiting the sector altogether, but I will be selling into rallies rather than buying on dips.

From a timing perspective, there is an old saying that you should never let the taxman make trading decisions for you but there is one aspect of taxation of investment income that cant be ignored. Profits on investments held for more than a year are taxed at the long-term capital gains rate of 0-20% depending on your income, whereas short-term gains are treated as ordinary income and taxed at your marginal rate. I should say that I am not a tax professional, so you should consult your own before making any tax-related decisions, but for me, the fact that most of these holdings now date back more than a year is a big plus.

When combined with triple-digit gains over the last twelve months, it enables me to get to the holy grail of trading, the zero-cost position or trade to nothing. I can sell enough of each stock to bank 120% of my initial investment, and leave myself with a still-sizeable, long position that has an after-tax cost of entry of zero. Now that is what I call a nice position!

If you were able to ignore the screaming of Cramer and others a year or so ago and see the bounce in energy coming, you may well find yourself looking at big profits on some trades. If so, you might want to consider taking some profit, even if you are still bullish on oil, because sometimes the setup is just too good to miss!
Utilities trying to go green have a natural gas problem. Natural gas has long been touted by many industry insiders as a stepping stone away from dirtier fossil fuels like oil and coal on the way to renewable energies and true decarbonization. However, the real impact of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas extraction, production, and combustion have been obfuscated by years.

While the use of natural gas to generate power, heat homes, and run appliances may be an improvement compared to coal, its still a far cry from the kind of zero-emissions energy we need to meet the Paris agreement targets and mitigate the worst effects of climate change. As utilities bulk up their natural gas business as part of their decarbonization road map, many environmentalists are decrying this measure as a blatant and irresponsible form of greenwashing.

A 2020 study found that human emissions of methane had previously been underreported by 40%. Methanes greenhouse effect is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (although it does not last as long in the atmosphere) and is to blame for a minimum of 25% of global warming according to figures from the UN Environment Programme. Natural gas production is a huge source of methane venting, both as a routine part of extraction processes and due to accidents (which often go under-reported). A single blowout at a natural gas well in Ohio in 2018 discharged more methane over three weeks than the oil and gas industries of France, Norway and the Netherlands released in an entire year, the Guardian reported last year.

Furthermore, natural gas is the culprit of huge amounts of scope 3 emissions, which is the category of greenhouse gas emissions that take place once the gas has already been sold and is no longer technically under the purview of the production company or the utility, but is in the hands of the consumer. These emissions are extremely hard to calculate and even harder to regulate, but they are generally far higher than Scope 1 or 2 emissions, which take place during the production and dissemination phases of the natural gas life cycle. What to do about so-called Scope 3 emissions tied to customers use of gas is perhaps the biggest challenge facing [...] net-zero greenhouse gas ambitions among utilities with gas customers, said a report published this week by E&E News Energywire.

Utilities, on the other hand, argue that any progress is good progress and that greater adoption of natural gas is a net positive if it means that less oil and gas are being burned as a tradeoff. Furthermore, they argue that downsizing the natural gas industry is not up to them, but up to policymakers. As long as buildings continue to be constructed in a way that is based on natural gas ranges and heating systems, the utilities will have to provide that natural gas. So far, policymakers have been extremely divided on this issue. While some places have required new building projects to be electrified, in Texas the bill H.B. 17 prohibits local jurisdictions from banning utilities from delivering certain energy sources, thus potentially limiting efforts to curb natural gas use.

While some utilities are starting to set goals for emissions curbing and have shown a dedication to carbon offsetting, much more will have to be done in order to stay on track for climate change mitigation goals. To reach net zero emissions economy-wide by 2050, any natural gas utility will have to focus not just on the carbon intensity of the fuel supplied, but also facilitate a just and equitable transition away from natural gas as a fuel, Mike OBoyle, director of electricity policy for Energy Innovation told E&E. And this transition needs to start now.

Natural gas may be a crucial element in the global energy transition. And its true that replacing all coal-fired power with natural gas would be a net gain for the environment and the climate. But, ultimately, the world is set to move toward a low-carbon future with renewable energy sources, backed up by energy storage as the backbone of power generation.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Several Chinese energy giants have intensified discussions with U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters to secure long-term supply deals in light of record spot prices in Asia, rising demand, and the specter of power shortages, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting industry sources.

China and many other energy importers in Asia are scrambling to procure gas and coal supplies ahead of the winter amid a global energy crunch. The higher demand after the pandemic and the muted supply response have sent Chinas coal futures and Asias LNG spot prices to record highs in recent days.

Threatened with power outages, China is now looking to secure long-term U.S. LNG supplies, despite the tense bilateral relations and the trade spat.

Long-term deals would also protect buyers from spikes in spot LNG prices, which the market is seeing these days.

According to Reuters sources, at least five major Chinese energy firms, including China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) and Sinopec, are in advanced discussions for long-term LNG deliveries with American suppliers including Cheniere Energy and Venture Global.

The talks between the Chinese and U.S. firms have intensified since the spot Asian LNG price hit $15 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) in August, setting a record for that time of the year.

Spot prices have more than doubled since then as Asian buyers rush to stock up on gas ahead of the winter heating season.

Last week, Asian LNG prices exceeded the psychological threshold of $50/mmBtu. The $56.326/mmBtu price of the Platts benchmark Japan Korea Marker (JKM) for November was an all-time high at which a cargo of LNG traded in the Asian market.

This week, the average spot price of LNG for November delivery into Northeast Asia was at around $38.50/mmBtu, industry sources told Reuters on Friday. The average price for the week was $1.50/mmBtu higher compared to last week, amid firm demand from China.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Nebraska State Patrol apprehended three juveniles involved in a pursuit that reached speeds of more than 100 mph early Saturday morning.

The driver of the vehicle was an 11-year-old boy. The two passengers were 14-year-old boys.

Shortly before 1 a.m., the Nebraska State Patrol received a report that a Jeep Gladiator  which had been stolen in Lincoln  was headed east toward Omaha on Interstate 80, according to a press release from the patrol.

A trooper spotted the vehicle on I-80 and attempted a traffic stop near the 42nd Street interchange. The vehicle stopped briefly, but fled as the trooper attempted to make contact with the driver. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The Jeep continued east, reaching speeds of 110 mph, and a handgun was thrown from the window, according to the patrol.

The Jeep's driver voluntarily stopped near the 20th Street overpass.

Troopers took the three occupants into custody. A second handgun was found inside the vehicle. Patrol investigators determined that both guns were stolen.
A handful of Omaha-area businesses are requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. But more are stopping at strongly encouraging employees to get vaccinated.

Union Pacific and Gallup  both federal contractors  said employees will be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine.

President Joe Biden announced last month that workers at private companies with more than 100 employees would have to get vaccinated or tested regularly.

A mandate also applies to federal contractors and employees at health care facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements.

Union Pacific will require all employees to report their vaccination status or have an approved medical or religious accommodation by the federally mandated deadline, spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said.

As an incentive, U.P. management employees will receive a vacation incentive and unionized employees will be offered incentive pay. Employees are encouraged to receive vaccinations outside of work hours.

Gallup also will adhere to the executive order requiring vaccinations, Justin McCarthy, an official with the organization, said in an email.
Speaking generally, Elliott said that in sexual assault cases, detectives will look for more evidence than just he said or she said.

Dodge County Attorney Paul Vaughan said the cases in 2015 and 2017 were handled by two different attorneys who no longer work in the office. Vaughan declined to name those attorneys or provide additional details but said records noted that the attorneys didnt believe there was adequate evidence to file the charges.

According to the affidavit written by State Patrol investigator CJ Alberico, the girl first told her school counselor in 2015, when she was 6, that Vilmont touched her bottom with his hands over her clothing when she was on his bed. She said she did not like it.

Fremont officers interviewed Vilmont, who said he was never alone with the girl. Elliott said his department received the report of the alleged abuse in January 2015, and an application for an arrest warrant was filed the next month.

It was denied.

Elliott said the County Attorneys Office decides whether to file charges based on the evidence presented. Unless more evidence is requested, he said, the investigation is over if prosecutors decline to file charges.
If a bill like the one in Texas were introduced in Nebraska, Hunt, speaking at the same press conference where Spivey spoke last month, said she would not expect it to make it out of the Judiciary Committee. (Asked if he agrees, the chairman, Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, said he generally doesnt try to guess or predict any bills future in the committee.)

And, if the bill were to make it to the floor, Hunt predicted that many lawmakers would steer clear of inevitable controversy.

The State Legislatures nonpartisan nature  its lack of caucuses and minority or majority leaders  makes relationships key to getting bills passed, she said. When one side is mad at the other, it can make it hard to get other things done.

We have a little bit of an allergy, in the Legislature, to these super-controversial things, and I cant think of anything more controversial than an abortion ban, Hunt said. There are certainly people who would like to see that passed, but there are also pragmatic people in our Legislature who see that  this fight is a waste of time.
The Courts decision to provide the documents does not change the fact that they are drafts, Gage wrote. As we have previously stated, state law does not require the Governors Office to provide draft documents to media.

The director of the ACLU of Nebraska, Danielle Conrad, had called the previous response from the Governors Office troubling and said the governor was misapplying the states public records law.

Conrad said Friday that she had submitted requests to every member of the working group after learning of the response to The World-Herald. She said she also received the documents on Friday from judicial officials in the group.

I was very pleased to see the coordinated response from Nebraskas top judicial leaders and officials, which rightly recognized that this information is a public record and should be in the public domain if requested under our strong public records law, she said.

Conrad called it the latest important victory for some of Nebraskas leading newspapers and government watchdog organizations in ensuring that the states public records law works as it should.
Most people say hard work is the secret to success. Ive always believed it was more about good luck.

About 40 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet and then partner with Walter Scott Jr, who died peacefully at his home in Omaha on Sept. 25.

Four decades ago, I had built the first competitive residential phone company in America, while Walter was chairman and CEO of Kiewit, one of the worlds largest construction companies. Under his watch, Kiewit had built a competitive phone company for other owners in Chicago, and having not being fully paid for their work, ended up owning one of these companies.

Walter had dispatched his right-hand man to see what a merged company would look like. We merged telecos and began an almost 40-year partnership with a handshake, and later a one-page document.

Throughout that partnership, I learned that businesspeople should leave everything they touch better than it was before.

I learned that a handshake means something and to treat people fairly, regardless of the circumstances. That giving back to the community is a part of the job description.
As a massive investment to repair roads and adapt to climate change faces an uncertain fate in Congress, a report finds much of the country's infrastructure is already at risk of being shut down by flooding. And as the planet heats up, the threat is expected to grow.

Today, one in four pieces of all critical infrastructure in the U.S., including police and fire stations, hospitals, airports and wastewater treatment facilities, face substantial risk of being rendered inoperable by flooding, according to a report released by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research and technology group that assesses the threat posed by flooding across the country.

The report also found nearly 2 million miles of road  23% of U.S. roadways  are already at risk of becoming impassable due to flooding.

To provide what First Street says is the fullest picture to date of community-level flood vulnerability, the researchers examined five categories across the Lower 48 and the District of Columbia: Critical infrastructure; social infrastructure, including museums, government buildings and schools; roads; commercial properties; and residential properties.
Three Precinct 4 Constable deputies ambushed, one deputy has died from gun shot wound

Three HCP4 Deputies were tragically ambushed on the morning of 10/16/2021, and one deputy died from his injuries.

A message from the office of Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman:

It is with great sadness that we must report that three of our deputies were ambushed earlier this morning and one of the deputies has died from his injuries at the hospital.

One deputy was shot in the back and is currently in critical condition in surgery. The other deputy was shot in the leg and is awaiting surgery.

All three deputies were working extra employment at a business when two of the deputies were alerted to a possible robbery in the parking lot. The two deputies were in the process of arresting a suspect when a second suspect ambushed them both from behind a vehicle. Our third deputy heard the gunfire and rushed to the parking lot and was shot immediately.

Our constable has been with all three deputies and their families at Memorial Hermann Hospital downtown since the incident.

We ask for your thoughts and prayers for all three deputies and their families.

The shooting scene is being worked by the Houston Police Department and we are being told they have a suspect in custody. At this time we are not releasing the names of our three deputies.

Follow us at Facebook.com/Precinct4 and download our new mobile app C4 NOW to receive live feeds on crime, arrests, safety tips, traffic accidents and road conditions in your area.
Grand Court of Honor at the 1894 Midwinter Fair

Location: California Midwinter International Exposition, Golden Gate Park (centered on what would become the Music Concourse), San Francisco, CA



Constructed: 1893-1894



Demolished: by 1896, with the exception of the Memorial Museum, which lasted until 1928

Four of the five Grand Court of Honor buildings constructed for the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894 were designed only to stand for the few months of the fair. Walls made to look like stone or adobe were really molded plaster and burlap.

Fine Arts Building

Only the Fine Arts Building, donated by Michael de Young as a museum for Golden Gate Park, wasn't as ephemeral as the fairy tales the fantastic structures seemed made for. Designed by architect C.C. McDougal in the form of an Egyptian temple with sphinxes and hieroglyphic reliefs, the building was still somehow described as simple in form and unpretentious in design, demonstrating how high the bar had been set for garishness. Only 120' by 60' and lacking windows to bring in natural light, the Fine Arts Building was disliked by the artists whose sculptures and paintings it held, but it still ended up being the progenitor of the de Young Museum that stands just to the west of the original site today.

Horticulture and Agriculture Hall

The fairs Horticulture and Agriculture building stood where the modern de Young is today. Designed by Samuel Newsom and costing $58,000 to build, the exterior gave off an air of California Mission mixed with Romanesque styles. Three domes, the largest one hundred feet across and 99 feet high, let in light for the plants and flowers displayed inside, and were brilliantly illuminated at night. Californias fecundity was on full display in the 400' x 200' hall, with displays and even sculptures made of the states agricultural bounty.

Mechanical Arts Building

On the opposite side of the court, where the California Academy of Sciences stands today, the Mechanical Arts Building occupied an acre of space (300' x 160') and held inside working dynamos to generate the fairs electricity, locomotives, streetcars, mining machinery, and displays of the latest in mechanical engineering science. The architect was Edward Swain, who created a facade with turrets and balconies that called to mind the Indian subcontinent rather than Northern California.

Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building

At the east end of the oval the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building by Arthur Page Brown acted as an enormous basilica to commercial goods. Everything from ladies fans to soup spoons were on display, with imports from around the world. The cream-colored hall, with a 130' blue dome in its center and 14,000 square feet of glass in its roof, was 462' by 225' and cost $113,000 to build. It was not only the largest building at the fair, but at the time of its construction, the largest building in California.

Administration Building

The west end of the Court of Honor, where the Speckels Temple of Music Stand (built in 1904) is today, was the Administration Building, created for the offices of fair department chiefs and general administration of the exposition.

Another Arthur Page Brown design, the tower pulled together every world tradition, with Arabic, Byzantine, Gothic and Islamic elements. It looked a lot like a giant confection or dessert, colored pink, gold, cream and white and topped by a 135 high gilt dome.

The End

At the conclusion of the fair in July 1894, the organizers were supposed to remove the Court of Honor buildings and restore the valley to parkland. This process took much longer than expected, and it was mostly left to park administration and superintendent John McLeran to tear down the structures, sell the lumber, and dig up the concrete foundations. It wasn't until early 1896 that supports for the Electric Tower were dynamited and the structure sold for scrap.

Contribute your own stories about the Midwinter Fair!
Doggie Diner

Location: Sloat Boulevard at 45th Avenue



(Plaque inscription for the Doggie Diner Head, San Francisco city landmark #254):

WELCOME TO OCEAN BEACH This sign stood outside the last operating Doggie Diner restaurant (later, 'Carousel') on the N.E. corner of 46th Ave. and Sloat Blvd. Designed in 1966 by graphic artist Harold Bachman (1921-2005) for the popular unionized Bay Area drive-in chain, the Doggie's whimsical style (shades of swing and early auto age cartoons) has delighted generations of visitors to Ocean Beach. A massive grassroots preservation effort, chronicled nationally in the "Zippy the Pinhead" comic strip, led to its acquisition by the City of San Francisco (Dec. 2000). Toppled by wind April 1, 2001, it was restored by the Department of Public Works, returned to its post by Independence Day, and relocated to this median in January, 2005.

The last Doggie Diner head (on a pole) makes its home in the outer Sunset District, and since being designated as a landmark it has transcended its origin as a whimsical advertising icon.

Started by Al Ross in 1949, the chain of Doggie Diner restaurants were everywhere by the 1960s. The Richmond District alone had three of them, and a three-dimensional (and once rotating) dog head with chef hat glared down gleefully at each of them. Ross sold the chain in 1979, and the last diner to go by the name Doggie Diner closed in 1986. (The name was revived for certain concession stands in the San Francisco Giants new ballpark in 2000.)

Designed in the 1960s by illustrator Harold Bachman (who, surprised at all the hubbub, said in early 2005 he just thought the darned thing would help sell hamburgers), this San Francisco institution has found a new location a block from its old home. The Doggie Diner head now welcomes visitors to Ocean Beach from 45th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, giving his sardonic grin to all who come west. (Probably a nice change of view, after looking south at the San Francisco Zoo for over 40 years.)

On February 14, 2005, under threatening skies, a small, happy crowd welcomed the Doggie to its new home. Ed Lee, the head of San Francisco's Department of Public Works, presided and welcomed third-graders from Ulloa Elementary School, some real canines (and their guardians), a couple of jugglers, elected officials, and a passel of media.

Doggie saviors Diana Scott and Joel Schechter of the Ocean Beach Historical Society attended and Diana gave a few words of thanks along with the exclamation of the day: "Long Live the Doggie!"

No sign of Zippy the Pinhead, but likely the Doggie will re-enter Zippy's world soon enough

Doggie Diner founder Al Ross died in Palm Springs, California on March 31, 2010.

More Doggie:

SF West History Minute - the Doggie Diner heads

The 2001 Doggie Dedicationa recap and photos from Arnold Woods.

See Zippy the Pinhead and the Doggie!

Anna Conti: Doggie Artist!

Read more about the Doggie Diner head toppling at the San Francisco Chronicle site.

Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
General John J. Pershing Statue

by Nicole Meldahl



"This is a statue of a worthy man and a gift of a worthy San Franciscan. May it inspire us, in peace and in war." --Mayor James Rolph, at the dedication of the General John J. Pershing statue in Golden Gate Park, November 11, 1922.

Statue Stats

Location: Golden Gate Park, Music Concourse

Artist: Haig Patigian (Armenia, 1876-1950)

Benefactor: Dr. Morris Herzstein (Germany, d. 1927)

Dedicated: November 11, 1922 - Armistice Day

Inscription: "In tribute to General Pershing and the victorious armies of the United States and her co-belligerents during the World War 1914-1918. Presented by Dr. Morris Herzstein, 1922."

Introduction

The story behind the General John J. Pershing statue tucked just off the Music Concourse behind the Francis Scott Key Monument in Golden Gate Park feels like the beginning of a tall tale, the kind that meanders but is worth the wait at the end. It goes: an artist, a doctor, a politician, and a newspaperman all walk into a bar

Alright, maybe not THAT kind of story. However, this a statue that remembers not only the first great world war, but also a beloved military man with tragic ties to San Francisco. It was commissioned by a philanthropic surgeon, an immigrant from Germany seemingly determined to prove himself patriotic as his country of choice fought his fatherland, but it became a reality thanks to the tireless promotion of a (recently) controversial Congressman. Both of these men, as well as the prolific Bay Area sculptor responsible for the bronze piece, also had significant ties to the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum nearby. So, what we thought we be a simple story about a statue turned out to be a much larger tale about how San Francisco survived and chose to remember World War I; it's a story that holds meaning beyond the figure memorialized in bronze.

General John J. Pershing

John J. Pershing, a native of Missouri, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and went out into a world of war. In one way or another, he was connected to most major conflicts of the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries: the Sioux Wars in the 1891; the Spanish American and Philippine-American Wars from 1898-1902; the Russo-Japanese War in 1905; the Mexican Border War from 1910-1919; World War I from 1917-1919; and World War II, as an outspoken advocate for military aid to the United Kingdom as early as 1940.

At the beginning of 1914, he took command of the 8th Brigade at the Presidio of San Francisco where his wife, Helen, and their four children - ;Mary, Francis, Anne, and little Helen - ;settled. He almost immediately deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas in the Spring of 1914 as tensions escalated between the United States and Mexico. Tragically, his family was finalizing arrangements to join him at the border when a fire broke out at the Pershings' Presidio home in the early morning hours of August 27, 1915; his wife and three daughters died from smoke inhalation, but his son survived. His sister and son joined him in Texas as he embarked on the Mexican Punitive Expedition in which he's best known for spearheading the capture of Pancho Villa. The prestige of this campaign put his name at the forefront as the United States prepared to enter World War I. After the sudden death of Major General Frederick Funston, Pershing's superior in Mexico who was initially tapped to lead our troops abroad, he was selected as Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.).

We won't delve into a military history here but the way in which he conducted himself and the AEF in World War I earned him international acclaim. In comparison with other high-ranking officers, there was a humanness about him and Pershing often personally impacted those he met. The death of his young wife and daughters endeared him to many, and several Bay Area women who served as Telephone Operators with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during the war, like Mildred Lewis, made reference to his kind, sad eyes. This ability to connect with people is directly responsible for his statue in Golden Gate Park.

Pershing crossed paths with Congressman Julius Kahn and his personal physician, Dr. Morris Hertzstein, in Chaumont while the pair were on an official trip to France visiting "the scenes of war" shortly after the Armistice and the adjournment of Congress that year. Congressman Kahn recalled the impression Pershing left on Dr. Herzstein. "We learned what a tremendous thing he had done in insisting the American soldiers sent to fight must fight as an American army, and in gaining his end despite the determined attempts of the British and French to have the Americans fight as subordinated units of their forces."[i] Details like this weren't yet known to civilians at home due to wartime censorship, and Dr. Herzstein was "deeply impressed with what General Pershing and other forces under his command had done and done without full realization of it by our people at home."[ii] This is when he decided to erect a monument to Pershing and his A.E.F. in San Francisco.

Haig Patigian

Dr. Herzstein commissioned a well-known local sculptor named Haig Patigian to begin work on a statue that would be years in the making. Dr. Herzstein was patient, and the sculptor had to balance this work with unforeseen complications and additional commissions. The son of missionaries, Patigian was born in Armenia in 1876 and came to California with his family at the age of 15, settling in Fresno where he worked as a vineyard laborer and a sign painter. He moved to San Francisco in 1899, enrolling at the Mark Hopkins Institute and earning wages in the art department at the San Francisco Bulletin. The first decade of the 20th-century was marked by hardship for Haig as the Patigian family lost four members to consumption and the city was devastated by the 1906 earthquake and fire. He left San Francisco and moved to Paris, where his work was critically well-received, returning at the end of 1907 to marry Blanche Hollister - ;daughter of the late Dwight Hollister, a wealthy California pioneer and former member of the California Legislature.

The pair lived in a home on Russian Hill known as "The Gables" and Patigian's career gained traction from his Van Ness Avenue studio. He became a popular member of the Bohemian Club and made a living from his art, to the confusion of a registration clerk who took pause when Patigian listed his profession as "sculptor" while registering for the primary election in 1910. (The clerk asked if he meant to put down "stone mason" instead, and Patigian indignantly corrected him.) He sketched and painted but primarily worked in bronze and marble, producing traditional sculptures well as architectural adornments. He was hired to design large spandrals and four heroic statues mounted to the exterior of the Palace of Machinery at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in 1915. Although this was torn down at the close of the fair, his architectural work can still be seen on the exterior pediment of the former Metropolitan Life Insurance Building (now a Ritz Carlton Hotel) at 600 Stockton.

As Word War I came to a close, a worldwide influenza pandemic took hold of civilians and soldiers alike - ;spreading the war's casualties beyond the battlefields. Entire sections of local cemeteries show the impact of this virus in the Fall and Winter of 1918. In late December of that year, Patigian was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital with symptoms of the influenza in critical condition, and he wouldn't recover until February of 1919.

The Greatest War Exhibit in the West

Meanwhile, Congressman Kahn and Dr. Herzstein were focused on memorializing the Great War beyond the mere erection of a statue. Dr. Herzstein was well-off; since arriving in California from Germany in the 1890s, he supplemented his income as a successful surgeon with money earned from the acquisition and sale of property in San Francisco. He traveled liberally throughout Europe where he also liberally purchased fine art, antiquities, and other decorative artifacts. He was a member of the San Francisco Club's Golden Gate Park Memorial Museum (as the de Young Museum was then known) endowment committee, and, as such, was an active donor. In 1916, he donated a life-size figure of Cleopatra and a sculpture of Jeanne d'Arc by the Italian sculptor Rafaello Romanelli, as well as a bronze reproduced by Chiurazzi of Naples from the original by Giovanni Balogna in the Bargello Museum at Florence. But his donations showcased a range of collecting, everything from pottery shards from Cyprus to an ancient Hebrew manuscript of the Book of Esther.

In February 1919, just as Patigian was recovering from influenza, M.H. de Young announced plans for a new building to replace the original 1894 structure that had been heavily damaged in the 1906 earthquake. The end of de Young's announcement was marked with the presentation of a "beautiful floral piece" from Dr. Herzstein with the inscription, "From one of many grateful citizens."[iii] Louis Christian Mullgardt, known for his work at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), was the primary designer for the new building and he hired PPIE colleague Haig Patigian to design architectural sculpture work for the tympanum. As plans for his new building progressed, M.H. de Young also made plans to expand and refresh exhibitions within the museum. This included a comprehensive collection of war trophies and souvenirs collected by Congressman Kahn and Dr. Herzstein while reviewing A.E.F. battlefields in France that was jointly donated to the Museum by both men.

In June of 1920, Dr. Herzstein and de Young toured the Museum for a better part of a Saturday afternoon, "arranging for the proper display of the gift."[iv] Before these pieces would find a permanent home in the "New de Young," the arms and armor collections were removed from display in the "Old de Young" to make room for the newest acquisitions. Numerous crates from France had already arrived and were waiting to clear customs. Crates filled with arms, armor, trench warfare weapons, cannons, munition wagons, airplanes (many parked in front of the museum for a time, capturing the curiosity of park visitors). Amongst other artifacts, their collection also included "paper costumes worn by the Germans in default of other clothes," war maps showing the Western Front and Parisian defenses during air raids, and a German propaganda leaflet dropped from "Boche aeorplanes" over American lines.[v] M.H. de Young contributed his own pieces to the exhibition, notably reproductions of Ferdinand Gueldry's crayon drawings commissioned by the French Government to document the atrocities of war.

Heralded as "the most complete and detailed war exhibition in Western America," it was a large draw for veterans and their families; and if newspaper reports are to be believed, veterans were so moved that they "forgot time and place and gave dramatic descriptions of battles in which they played a part."[vi]

The Statue's Dedication

After working in secret on Dr. Herzstein's commission for two years, Haig Patigian's statue of General John J. Pershing was announced to the public in August 1922. The San Francisco Chronicle describes it quite well. Sculpted from photographs, General Pershing's "right hand hangs easily at his side and the left is raised a little to the level of his belt, holding in a firm grip a handful of papers. At his feet is a battered German helmet, giving a touch of action to the composition and balancing the figure." His face frozen with "the characteristic expression of alertness and energy" and his stance "full of controlled poise and ease. Differing from many stiff and inexpressive statues of military leaders, the Pershing statue is marked by a sense of life and animation."[vii] In fact, many of General Pershing's personal acquaintances would remark on Patigian's skill in capturing their friend. At the unveiling, West Point classmate General E.B. Smith would say, "That face, that figure, speak to me. That's John Pershing."[viii]

By mid-October, the eight-foot gilded bronze piece was in place atop a five-foot pedestal of California silver granite (although it remained covered until the dedication ceremony). Plans were in progress to unveil the statue on Armistice Day, November 11, 1922 during a city-wide commemoration. Following the war, General Pershing had been promoted to General of the Armies of the United States - ;the highest rank possible in the U.S. Army, a position created specifically for him. He was not only still alive, unlike the subjects memorialized by other monuments in Golden Gate Park, but very much in demand and there was speculation as to whether or not he would make the journey to see himself set in stone. Congressman Kahn, Mayor James Rolph, and Major General Charles G. Morton, commander of the 9th Corps Area, all began a campaign to convince General Pershing to attend the ceremony. Congressman Khan assured local press that "every pressure [would] be brought to bear" to bring General Pershing to San Francisco, but the San Francisco Chronicle was appropriately pessimistic, noting that "Pershingis as modest about appearing with the statue of him as Dr. Herzstein has been about getting the statue set up."[ix]

On the morning of November 11th, everything was in place. The organizing committee had asked San Franciscans to decorate their homes and businesses with gold star and other service flags from the U.S. and her allies. A large military parade with troops from the Presidios of San Francisco and Monterey, sailors from Yerba Buena and Goat Islands, and marines from Mare Island marched to the Pershing statue. They were escorted by a squadron of airplanes from Crissy Field and reviewed by high ranking military and naval men, city and State officials, and other dignitaries in the park stadium. Thousands were on hand to watch the festivities.

General John J. Pershing, however, was not on hand - ;preferring instead to address the National Civic Federation in New York that day. Veterans from three wars encircled the veiled bronze figure with a ring of flags, and VIPs like Patigian, Dr. Herzstein, Mayor Rolph, and Park Commissioner William F. Humphry stood on the platform waiting to begin. "The crowd moved up and around them like a tide, pressing close and filling in the open space."[x] Trumpeters sounded a call to attention and all in attendance observed a moment of silence at 11:00am. Then Reverend Joseph P. McQuaide, chaplain of the 62nd Artillery and the 1st California Volunteers, pronounced the invocation and Federal Judge W.W. Morrow spoke, reading messages from the President of the United States and the Secretary of War before introducing Dr. Morris Herzstein.

In his speech, Dr. Herzstein advocated for preparedness and spoke of his trip to France with Congressman Khan. Specifically, he remembered seeing the American flag pitched in a battlefield, "unfolding its stars and stripes, waving in the morning breeze, keeping watch over our boys on the Rhine. With bowed head I acknowledged the mighty power of this Nation, proud to be an adopted son of this country." He went on to utter a hope for the future. "The best blood ofour allies, intermingled with ours, has been shed in the battle field. May it cement a perpetual friendship and bring the world everlasting peace."[xi] He finished by saying: "To you General Pershing, for the distinguished service you have rendered your countryin memory and as tribute to you, to the veterans of this country and the veterans of our allies this statue is dedicated," and it was unveiled.[xii] The granite pedestal was simply inscribed: "In tribute to General Pershing and the victorious armies of the United States and her co-belligerents during the World War 1914-1918. Presented by Dr. Morris Herzstein, 1922."

Mayor Rolph accepted the statue on behalf of the City of San Francisco, saying "This is a statue of a worthy man and a gift of a worthy San Franciscan. May it inspire us, in peace and in war," and Humphrey accepted it on behalf of the Park Commission.[xiii] There were addresses by de Young, who extolled the greatness of the park with a sort of back-handed compliment. "I am sure that the majority of you do not appreciate our Golden Gate Park enough, and really it is hardly possible to appreciate it until one has traveled the world over and seen what they have in other places."[xiv] Then Congressman Kahn took the stage and applauded Dr. Herzstein as "a citizen of the new mode" for supporting the park in life and not with a post-mortem bequest.[xv] He also urged preparedness in support of a bill he had just introduced in the legislature, and excused General Pershing's absence, which he believed was a reaction to the traumatic memory of losing his wife and daughters here in 1915. He then took credit for the subsequent use of stone building materials in the Presidio following that tragedy. It's as true yesterday as it is today, that politics are always in play.

Festivities continued into the evening at a large celebration hosted in the Civic Auditorium. The crowds dispersed and Pershing was left alone where he still stands today, his kindly eyes affixed on his creator's other contribution to Golden Gate Park - ;the brand new de Young building across the way.

The Final Act

Congressman Julius Kahn died on December 18, 1924 following a long illness. Dr. Morris Herzstein, his friend and physician for decades, cared for him in his final days and then served as an honorary pallbearer alongside notable San Franciscans, among them Sigmund Stern, Herbert Fleishhacker, James Phelan, and Daniel Koshland. Just after the funeral, Dr. Herzstein suffered a stroke and his paralysis was complicated by pneumonia in February 1925. Newspapers tracked his health daily for a week and he did survive, but was much diminished. In February 1926, the San Francisco Chronicle published a poem titled "A Fine Spirit is A Lasting Tonic":

"You may break,

You may shatter

The vase if you will,

But the scent

Of the roses

Will hang round it still,'

Wrote a poet

Long and long ago,

And these words come back

And hover around

As a body sits

In a big easy chair

In the apartment

Of Dr. Morris Herzstein

Up on Sutter street

And lets fall the eyes of him

On the old doctor,

A little bit shattered

By flight of time

And a little bit broken

By a life of hard work,

But sweet with the scent

Of old ambitions

And new enthusiasms

He takes what comes

With a philosophical grin

And looks forward

With an engaging smile

To the soon-coming day

When he'll be up and away

On the rolling air

Of wide balloon tires

To the cutdoors of blossoms

And sun-shining skies

And little soft breezes

In his summer home

In a California valley."[xvi]

House-bound for the rest of his life, he finally succumbed in October 1927. "He died leaving a host of friends, after a long and useful life. In the practice of medicine, he not only ministered to the sick but he gave to them during their illnesses kindness and encouragement, always doing his work with the thought of their comfort, both physical and mental. No poor were ever denied helpMany are the friends who have mourned his passing, and his life is an example which many may follow in order that their life's work may be as well done."[xvii] Attorney Adolph Sutro, of the firm of Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro, was assigned to handle Herzstein's estate of more than $1,000,000, and his will, allegedly the longest ever read in a San Francisco court up to that time, went into probate. Unmarried, he specifically excluded blood relatives in Germany from his will, which was drawn up around the time of World War I - ;a final act of patriotism. "If, by any act of mine I should allow any of my property to go to my relatives bearing allegiance to the enemy of my country, I should feel that I had abused one of the sacred rights of citizenship in the United States and that I had turned traitor to the principles of liberty and justice."[xviii]

He spent his money in death as he spent it in life. The principal beneficiaries of his estate were the University of California and Stanford University, with bequests providing for endowed chairs in biology, scholarships for students doing medical research, and a lecture series geared towards medical professionals but also open to the public. An avid collector of California art, the de Young Museum received many plein air landscapes and other works by notable artists, such as Whistler. Allotments ranging from $100 to $120,000 went to friends and colleagues who had been in his loyal confidence and employ. To his secretary, William Keller, went personal effects such as clothes and jewelry, and to Margaret Andrews, his nurse and office assistant for 35 years, life tenancy at his Los Altos property. Additional monies went to local hospitals, orphanages, and, of course, he left $5,000 for maintenance of the General John J. Pershing statue in Golden Gate Park.

Conclusion

The more research we do on monuments found throughout Golden Gate Park, we find that the reasons for the statues, the way in which they came to be, often speak louder than the lives of the men memorialized. For immigrants of German birth, living in the United States during World War I was not easy as anti-German sentiment increased apace with increasing hostilities abroad. It's easy to wonder how much of Dr. Herzstein's civic fervor was amplified as an attempt to prove his loyalty in light of mounting suspicions. In times of war, enemies are seen everywhere - ;even in the kindly doctors who served everyone without prejudice.

This is not to question Dr. Herzstein's loyalty to America or the purity of his philanthropic intent, which is clear, but rather to situate him within a much larger dynamic. Late 19th-century immigrants and their communities were responsible for numerous statues in Golden Gate Park. They were grateful to find a home on foreign shores and these gifts to San Francisco reflect that, but It was also a way for these new Americans to claim territory, establish belonging, and be seen. In the process, they helped to create a park for everybody.

Sources not cited in the text:

"Rose Patigian Dead," San Francisco Chronicle, November 22, 1905; Marriage License, San Francisco Chronicle, December 31, 1907; "Miss Blanche Hollister and Haig Patigian Wed at Grace Church," San Francisco Chronicle, January 2, 1908; Patigian resisters for the primary election; "Bohemians Unveil a Bronze of Bromley," San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 1911; "Patigian Designs Statue for the Hall of Justice," San Francisco Chronicle, October 8, 1912; "Haig Patigian Completes First Exposition Work," San Francisco Chronicle, September 21, 1913; "Heroic Statues for Exposition," San Francisco Chronicle, July 4, 1914; "Haig Patigian III With Influenza," San Francisco Chronicle, December 23, 1918; Patigian recovering from influenza; FAMSF Artist Listing; "Fine Statues Given to Park Museum," San Francisco Chronicle, January 17, 1916; "Park Museum is Mecca for Lovers of Art," San Francisco Chronicle, January 24, 1916; "Gifts to Park Memorial Museum Are Increasing," San Francisco Chronicle, May 15, 1916; "Propaganda Leaflet in S.F. Museum," San Francisco Chronicle, January 2, 1919; "Crayon Reproductions of Atrocities of War," San Francisco Chronicle, June 29, 1919; "Plan to Extend Memorial Museum and to Foster Art in S.F. is Told by M.H. de Young," San Francisco Chronicle, February 1, 1920; "Main Corridor at Museum is Big Attraction," San Francisco Chronicle, October 10, 1921; "To Unveil Statue," San Francisco Chronicle, October 3, 1922; "Mayor Appoints Committee to Plan for Armistice Day," San Francisco Chronicle, October 26, 1922; "General Pershing Expected to Be Here for Ceremonies on Armistice Day," San Francisco Chronicle, October 27, 1922; "General Pershing Statue Will Be Unveiled," San Francisco Chronicle, November 4, 1922; "Every Branch of Service to Show in Line," San Francisco Chronicle, November 11, 1922; "Judge Morrow Speaks at Pershing Statue Unveiling," San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 1922; "Tribute Marks Observance of Armistice Day," San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 1922; "Dr. Morris Herzstein Victim of Pneumonia," San Francisco Chronicle, February 3, 1925; "Simple Rites for Pioneer," San Francisco Chronicle, October 26, 1927; "Stanford and U.C. Named Legatees of S.F. Physician," San Francisco Chronicle, November 2, 1927; University of California Register, 1954;

[i] "Statue of Pershing to Be Unveiled on Armistice Day," San Francisco Chronicle, October 15, 1922; .

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] "Work of Collecting Exhibit Takes Mr. De Young Greater Part of 24 Years," San Francisco Chronicle, February 23, 1919;

[iv] "Big Collection of Trophies of War Here Soon," San Francisco Chronicle, June 16, 1919;

[v] "Canvas of King Louis XV in The Battle of Laces' Gift to Memorial Museum," San Francisco Chronicle, June 22, 1919; .

[vi] "War Trophies Elicit Tales from Heroes," San Francisco Chronicle, August 4, 1919;

[vii] "General Pershing's Statue to be Placed in Park," San Francisco Chronicle, August 6, 1922; .

[viii] "San Francisco Pays Tribute to War Heroes," San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 1922;

[ix] "Statue of Pershing to Be Unveiled on Armistice Day," San Francisco Chronicle, October 15, 1922;

[x] "San Francisco Pays Tribute to War Heroes," San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 1922;

[xi] "Dr. Herzstein Pays Honor to Gen. Pershing," San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 1922;

[xii] "San Francisco Pays Tribute to War Heroes," San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 1922;

[xiii] Ibid.

[xiv] Ibid.

[xv] Ibid.

[xvi] "Yir Frein' Scotty Philosophizes," San Francisco Chronicle, February 9, 1926;

[xvii] "Dr. Morris Herzstein Leaves Name to Be Remembered," San Francisco Chronicle, November 2, 1927;

[xviii] "$1,000,000 Estate of Herzstein Probated," San Francisco Chronicle, November 18, 1927; .

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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.
Streetwise - The Last Mom

by Frank Dunnigan

January 2015

When the telephone rang one day recently, I was fully expecting it to be my dentists office calling back to confirm a change that I had requested for an upcoming appointment. Instead, it was a family friend, calling to tell me that one of my long-time Parkside District neighbors, who lived just two doors away from our family, had passed away unexpectedly.

The news took me aback. Although Mrs. B was just past 80, she was considerably more active than my parents had been at that age. In fact, I visited with her three months earlier at my book launch event at St. Ignatius, and later spoke with her on the telephone a couple of times. Hearing her familiar voice always took me back to my younger days, but now I was being told that she was gone.

Given that it was just a few weeks before Christmas, it was easy to fall into the reminiscing mode I thought back to friends of mine who lost a Dad or a Mom when all of us were still in school, or later times when it was shocking to see a sudden FOR SALE sign posted on the home of a long-time neighbor who had become seriously ill.

Those 48 houses on the block where I grew up25 on the east side of the street and 23 on the west sideeach held an encyclopedia of personal stories since construction on them began in 1935. Much of my life has been intertwinedthough certainly in varying degreeswith the lives of virtually every one of those neighbors.

The B Family arrived on 18th Avenue early in the 1970s with two little boys, becoming the third owners in the history of that particular house. I was a student at University of San Francisco in those days, but still living at home, and our families immediately hit it off. My recently retired Dad soon became friends with Mr. B and would sometimes pick the boys up from school and drop them off with their afternoon day care provider in Parkmerced, while Mrs. B would be sleeping, following her overnight shift as a nurse in a local hospital. The family grew by another son and a daughter while I was in college, and it was good to see that our block was repopulating itself as all of us baby boomers were growing up and moving on.

The B familys arrival came just as the annual neighborhood Christmas lighting celebrations that had been going on since the 1930s were winding down, yet they were still active participants in all neighborhood gatherings. Theirs was a happy and welcoming home, and our family celebrated with them on many occasions: holidays, birthdays, graduations. Mrs. B even helped me coordinate and carry out a surprise 70th birthday party for Mom exactly 30 years agoa fantastic accomplishment on a block where everyone knew everyone else, and most of them were invited guests to Moms celebration. Thanks to Mrs. B, the plans never leaked out, and Mom was completely surprised.

Mr. B was an experienced building contractor, who was always available to help the neighbors with their weekend projects. When I bought my first house on 22nd Avenue in 1979 (in an era before formalized home inspections became the norm), Mr. B walked through the place with me one Saturday morning and then handed me a short to-do list of issues. I can still hear his voice as we stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the roofline, For being built in 1940, its a good housetake itand right he was. The place became my home for the next 20 years.

Mrs. B worked nights as a nurse in a local hospital, so she was often out and about during the mornings, doing her grocery shopping, exchanging neighborhood news and sharing favorite recipes with Mom, before catching a few hours of sleep in the afternoons. On more than one occasion, a neighbor might call, describing a health issue. Mrs. B would often drop she was doing, and go to see what was wrong. Always careful to avoid practicing medicine without a license she would keep her comments generalOh, bed rest for a day or so and watch things to the other extremeYou really want to go to the emergency room right away and have them check this out.

In so many ways, Mrs. B and her family were always there for us. When my father was taken to the hospital for the very last time before he passed away in 1980, it was Mrs. B who called me at work to tell me what was going on and that I should come home at once. Over the next few days of Dads funeral, Mrs. B also took charge of Moms kitchen, coordinating the arriving casseroles and bakery boxes, and keeping track of plates and platters that she would have her children hand-deliver back to the senders later that week, as she reminded her husband to make sure that there were plenty of folding chairs plus ice and clean glassware for the guests. Mrs. B was not one who merely said, If theres anything I can do but rather, she just rolled up her sleeves and immediately jumped in, doing whatever was needed in any situationher nurses training, perhaps, combined with an extraordinarily kind heart and wise judgment.

In fact, it was Mrs. Bs early-morning advice one day in 1992 that helped persuade my then seriously ill mother to agree to go to the hospital in the proverbial nick of time. Thanks to this wonderful neighbors intervention, Mom made a complete recovery from a near-fatal illness. When the time came to have some help at home (something resisted by most parents in that generation with the classic phrase, No strangers in MY house) it was again our wise and kindly neighbor, Mrs. B who helped persuade Mom that having an aide come in for just two hours each morning was exactly what she needed. Thanks to Mrs. B, I was introduced to a wonderful caregiver who stayed for more than ten years, ensuring that Mom was able to remain at home until the very end of her long life.

The day after hearing the sad news about Mrs. Bs passing, I had another call, this time from an old friend and neighbor my own age who still lives in the neighborhood where we all grew up. Kathy and I commiserated about the loss of our long-time neighbor, and shared our memories about her. I also learned that another 1950s-era neighborhood Mom who lived just around the corner had also passed away a few weeks earlier, while another recently entered a long-term care facility. Sadly, the last of the Dads from our childhood days were gone by early in the new millennium, thus leaving exactly one Mom from our childhood days still living there.

Clearly, the era that we knew while growing up has come to a close. Children are few and far between in San Franciscoin the late 1950s, there were nearly 40 kids our age living on that one block. If confronted with a problemanything from a minor scrape to an urgent need to use the bathroom to a more serious accidentwe could have knocked on any neighbors door and been welcomed in by a responsible adult who knew us and our families. Sadly, for the last twenty years or so, houses that sold were referred to as the so-and-sos old house even long after new owners arrived. Today, many residents lead busy lives of their own and simply dont interact with their neighbors in the same ways that all of us used to.

This is not a lament about the passing of old-time native San Franciscansfor Mr. & Mrs. B were both born outside the U.S., and came to San Francisco in the 1960s. Rather, this is a fond farewell to people from many different places and cultures around the globepeople who came together and formed a tight-knit community of friends and neighborswhose lives became inextricably intertwined with those of one another.

And that is what I truly miss most about the good old days.

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After a lifetime of farming, Tom Renner decided to officially retire in December 2020.

At 74 years old, retiring made sense on paper for Renner. The Ventura, Iowa, farmer had a son, Brent, ready to take over the family farm and a recent vacation had him thinking about spending more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Theres something about age that slows a guy down a little bit and makes him think about the future, Renner said. I had done some traveling and we really enjoyed it.

During that trip to Maine, Brent had taken care of some of the bean harvest, which made retirement much more of a reality.

The jump in crop prices at that time also made the decision easier for Renner.

It certainly wasnt going to hurt, but it wasnt a deal breaker, Renner said.

Renner said if crop prices hadnt bounced back, it likely would not have changed his plans too dramatically. He said his experience of farming during the 1980s recession taught him how to continue on through poor prices. However, this boost in prices will help Brent get off to a good start on the farm.

Brent is going into a year here with good profit, which is going to give him a boost, Renner said.

Tom had a succession plan in place with Brent  a key for retirement, said Kelly Heckaman, part of the Purdue University Farm Transition team. As farmers get older, they either arent able to do as much on the farm or simply want to stop doing it, she said. Having the next generation in place, whether thats family or another source, is crucial.

Sometimes what happens is Mom and Dad get in their 70s and 80s and they are still making decisions while the junior generation is in their 50s and 60s with no management role in the farm whatsoever, Heckaman said. It makes it really hard for people to want to continue to operate the farm if they arent in that role.

For those eyeing financial security, if relying on farm assets for retirement, be sure to watch for any tax pitfalls or penalties that may come into play.

Consider what the tax incentives are going to be and what penalties may be as far as how soon and how you relay that across to your descendants, Purdues Denise Schroeder said. You cant just say Im retiring next year and hand your equipment over to the next generation because you are going to take a huge tax hit if theres no plan.

While there may have been additional profit in the recent harvests, the size of the nest egg needed to retire can vary per person. Look at post-retirement expenses, travel, loans and health, and compare that with any savings. Schroeder said starting early is key.

Because of compound interest, the person who is saving from 21 years old going to have more money than someone saving from 30 years old, Schroeder said. I encourage people to (start early) and if you didnt, encourage your children or grandchildren to start saving.

Throughout the farm succession process, Heckaman said communication with the next generation on the farm is key to ensure clarity and to avoid any major issues when retiring.

With the farm transition official now, Tom is still active on the farm to help his son and is working on some rented ground. That extra bit of work and income is exactly what he needs, he said.

I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the world, Renner said. I feel like if I can physically and mentally do it, which would be great, this land is more than enough for me to retire and do whatever I want to do.

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BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man was sentenced to four years in prison for burglary on Friday, nearly three months after mob action and looting charges were dismissed.

Dennis R. Davis, 27, was among a mob May 31, 2020, at the Normal Walmart, prosecutors said, as several stores across the Twin Cities encountered property damage and looting following unrest in response to a Minneapolis police officer killing George Floyd.

Walmart surveillance footage showed Davis smash a glass case in the electronics department and take merchandise, and he also stole items from the automotive department, prosecutors said.

Davis pleaded guilty in July to one count of burglary. One count each of mob action and looting were dismissed in the plea agreement.

The McLean County States Attorneys Office agreed to cap Davis sentence to four years in prison under the agreement.

Davis also was ordered to one year of mandatory supervised release.

He was given credit for seven days served in the McLean County jail, as he was released last year when he posted $2,035.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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BLOOMINGTON  Four counts of financial exploitation of an elderly person have been filed against a Bloomington woman.

Sarra G. Murray, 26, is accused of exploiting more than $130,000 from two people who are older than 70 years and who share the same last name, according to court records.

Murray is charged in two counts of exploiting more than $50,000 of each person and in two other counts of exploiting more than $15,000.

Court documents show Murray took the money between June 9, 2020, and Feb. 1.

Documents also said Murray stood in a position of trust or confidence with the victims.

Murray remains jailed in lieu of posting $10,035.

An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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BLOOMINGTON  A Normal woman received four drug charges after a traffic stop Thursday.

Prosecutors said Angelica J.M. Ruiz, 24, delivered Adderall  a trade name for an amphetamine  twice to an Illinois State Police task force unit on Aug. 3 and Aug. 10.

Ruiz was pulled over in Normal Thursday by an Illinois State University Police officer for driving on a suspended license, prosecutors said.

Ruiz admitted to possessing Xanax  a brand name for alprazolam  and Adderall, a prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Ruiz told police she had a prescription for Adderall, but police said they observed Ruiz advertising Adderall for sale on her Snapchat account.

Ruiz remains jailed in lieu of posting $5,035.

An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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DePaul University student Thomas Osadzinski was a naive teenager lost in the abyss of the internet, not some computer whiz bent on using his skills to spread terrorist propaganda, his lawyer told jurors at his federal trial Friday.

Osadzinski, 22, has been on trial for two weeks on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. The jury began deliberating the case at about 2 p.m., and adjourned for the weekend at about 4:30 p.m. Deliberations resume Monday.

Prosecutors alleged Osadzinski, who had pledged fealty to ISIS, used his budding computer skills to create a first-of-its-kind program aimed at helping the terrorist organization spread its violent messages across the internet. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

In closing arguments Friday, Osadzinskis attorney, Joshua Herman, blasted prosecutors for bringing the charges, calling his clients online activities legal free speech and saying the First Amendment was two words the government cant even get out of its mouth.

Big words, no action, Herman said in his closing remarks. Bold pledges, empty promises. ... All we have are exaggerations and boasts of a lonely 19-year-old college student lost in the abyss of the internet.

A recent convert to Islam, Osadzinski spoke only rudimentary Arabic and fell victim to overzealous agents who pretended to be ISIS sympathizers, befriended him, and gave him a mission that in the end went nowhere, Herman said.

Herman painted his client as desperately naive, peppering his online chats with emojis, using stencils and fabric to make his own ISIS flag, even printing out jihad posters at the campus library.

Herman also called attention to FBI reports where undercover operatives described Osadzinski as an ISIS fan boy  a term Herman said was akin to someone writing letters to Justin Bieber.

All this talk about things he wants to do for ISIS, Herman said in a mocking tone. Its like hes the Elon Musk of the Caliphate.

In their summation of the evidence, however, prosecutors said Osadzinskis statements both online and in undercover recordings showed he was excited to have created a new and potentially powerful tool for ISIS, which relies heavily on social media to spread propaganda.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Wells said Osadzinski, after several trials and errors, managed to create a program that could rapidly download, replicate and spread violent ISIS videos faster than social media platforms could delete them, significantly improving the terrorist organizations messaging capabilities.

He came up with something valuable, and he knew it, Wells said. He was doing something that mattered.

In one 2019 conversation highlighted by prosecutors, Osadzinski told someone he thought was an ISIS propaganda chief that he was the only person in the world doing this right now.

When asked what he planned to do with the script hed written, Osadzinski allegedly replied, Spread it everywhere ... now Im making as much jihad as possible.

Throughout the three hours of closing arguments, Osadzinski sat at the defense table dressed in a white shirt and wearing black glasses and a face mask.

The trial was the latest in a string of ISIS-related cases brought in U.S. District Court in Chicago that have continued well after the collapse of the groups caliphate in Syria and Iraq nearly four years ago.

Most recently, two friends from far north suburban Zion were convicted by a federal jury in 2019 of attempting to aid the terrorist group by providing cellphones to an undercover FBI agent to be used as detonators for bombs. Joseph Jones was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while his co-defendant, Edward Schimenti, received 13 years behind bars.

The 38-page criminal complaint filed in 2019 alleged Osadzinski converted to Islam while a teen, expressing his devotion to the Islamic State in online forums that included undercover FBI employees he believed were terrorist sympathizers.

In his posts, Osadzinski said the AK-47 was his weapon of choice and that he was researching ideas on how to make homemade bombs and explosive belts, according to the complaint.

But he also said he was interested in getting married and raising a family before ever carrying out a martyrdom operation, the complaint alleged. For that reason, he chose to focus on media, calling it the highest form of jihad, according to the charges.

Beginning in 2019, Osadzinski started to design a process that uses a computer script to make ISIS propaganda more conveniently accessed and disseminated by users on social media, according to the complaint.

To short-circuit attempts by a particular social media platform to remove offensive content, Osadzinskis computer process was designed to automatically copy and preserve ISIS media postings in an organized format, allowing users to continue to conveniently access and disseminate the content, the charges alleged.

It can run on any computer and will be very lightweight, fast and secure, Osadzinski allegedly wrote to one undercover federal employee.

Osadzinski eventually shared his script and instructions for how to use it with individuals whom he believed to be ISIS supporters and members of pro- ISIS media organizations, the complaint said.

He also shared a screen capture of his computer showing files containing more than 700 gigabytes of ISIS material, including magazines, speeches and videos, the charges alleged.

According to the complaint, the FBI had been monitoring Osadzinskis online activities for nearly two years. He was aware he was being watched because an agent attempted to interview him in March 2018, according to the complaint.

Osadzinski was arrested the day the complaint was unsealed and has been held without bond pending trial.

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SPRINGFIELD  Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly released a proposed set of new congressional district maps Friday, just days before lawmakers return to the Statehouse for the start of their fall veto session, which begins Oct. 19.

All states redraw their congressional districts following each decennial census. The proposed new maps reflect the fact that Illinois will have only 17 congressional districts after the 2022 elections, down from its current 18 districts, due to the states loss of population since the 2010 census.

The draft proposal includes a number of oddly-shaped districts, many of which would create entirely new constituencies for incumbent members of Congress, particularly Republicans.

As expected, southern Illinois, which saw the most dramatic population declines, would essentially be compressed from having two districts to just one. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would see his 12th District nearly double in size geographically to take in almost the entire southern end of the state, from an area just east of the Metro East region all the way to the Ohio River.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, who represents what is currently called the 15th District in southern and east-central Illinois, would be placed in an entirely new 16th District that takes in Oakland, curls around the city of Champaign and stretches west across much of central Illinois to an area just south of the Quad Cities.

Illinois could play a pivotal role in the 2022 congressional elections as Democrats try to hold onto their slim majority. The U.S. House is split 220-212 in favor of Democrats with three seats currently vacant  two last held by Democrats and one last held by a Republican.

Historically, however, the party that occupies the White House loses congressional seats in a new presidents first midterm election, a pattern that does not bode well for Democrats.

Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy said in a statement.

The proposed new maps that were released Friday might be only the first draft of a redistricting plan. The House Redistricting Committee held one hearing Friday after the proposal was released, and it drew more public participation than most of the previous hearings. It will hold another at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Springfield.

The Senate Redistricting Committee canceled its Friday meeting and scheduled another for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Statehouse.

The map can be viewed by clicking here.

* * *

NURSING HOME REPORT: A new report released Wednesday, Oct. 13, says staffing shortages at nursing homes in Illinois have reached crisis proportions and that people of color are most at risk of suffering the consequences.

Thats because those individuals are more likely to live in understaffed facilities or in ward rooms with three or four beds per room, the report notes, a fact that became tragically evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Black and brown Medicaid patients in nursing homes were 40 percent more likely to die of the disease than white patients.

The report by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services calls for a dramatic overhaul in the way the state Medicaid program reimburses nursing homes to reward those that improve their staffing levels and quality of care.

The agency is proposing a $345 million increase in nursing home reimbursement rates, with increases tied to a facilitys staffing and other quality and safety improvements. That money would come from a combination of streamlining billing procedures and an increase in a tax the state levies on each nursing facility occupied bed in the state, a pool of money that also draws additional federal Medicaid reimbursements.

That would translate to an average payment rate increase of about 13 percent, although the amount for any given facility would vary. Funding increases would be based on a formula that also takes a facilitys profit margin into account so that profitable nursing homes that do not adequately staff their facilities would not see their reimbursements increase on par with those that do.

The report notes that Illinois spends billions of dollars each year on nursing facility care for roughly 45,000 Medicaid patients, but the state consistently ranks last in the nation for staffing, as measured by the national Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification, or STRIVE Project. In fact, Illinois accounts for 47 of the 100 most understaffed facilities in the nation when comparing actual staffing levels against their STRIVE target levels.

Andy Allison, DHFSs deputy director for strategic planning and analytics, said increased funding alone will not solve the staffing shortage in nursing homes. He said the industry itself also needs to make fundamental changes to address its workforce challenges.

We are in a an urgent race to strengthen that labor market  not to capture them, but to entice them to stay in the serving profession that they've chosen, he said. And one of the ways to do that is to make it more of a profession, to give it a pay scale, to allow for promotion, to provide a payoff to staying with it.

Wednesdays hearing before a joint meeting of four health care-related House committees was for informational purposes only, and no action was taken.

* * *

PRITZKER TAXES: Gov. JB Pritzkers campaign released summary documents of his 2020 tax returns Friday, which showed the first family reporting $5.14 million in adjusted gross income, all from taxable interest and dividends.

The campaign released seven pages summarizing the governors and first lady MK Pritzkers returns, which were prepared by Deloitte Tax LLP. It did not release tax returns from trusts benefitting Illinois first family, stating in an email only the amount the trusts paid in taxes.

According to the information provided by the trustees, in 2020, trusts benefitting JB Pritzker paid $16.3 million in Illinois taxes and $69.6 million in federal taxes, the campaign said in an email.

The Pritzkers claimed $2.86 million in standard and itemized deductions, according to their federal 1040 form, although the campaign did not release the Schedule A form outlining the breakdown of those deductions. The campaign did say in an email the Pritzkers made $2.8 million in personal charitable donations last year.

Other deductions that can be claimed on a Schedule A form include medical and dental expenses, state and local real estate and personal property taxes, mortgage interest paid, casualty and theft losses and more.

A campaign spokesperson said it would not be releasing the full Schedule A form or any information other than the summaries but did not give a reason why.

The Pritzkers also claimed $83,681 in qualified business income deductions, although the campaign did not release the full 8995 form which outlines those deductions. The tax return summary document also showed the Pritzkers claimed a $142,046 foreign tax credit, although it did not include any corresponding documentation.

That made for a federal taxable income of $2.2 million, on which the Pritzkers paid $529,104 in total federal taxes, according to the partial returns. The Pritzkers paid $230,643 in Illinois taxes at the states flat 4.95 percent rate. That was after a $21,702 deduction for income taxes paid in another state.

Forbes estimates Pritzker, who is heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, to have a net worth of $3.6 billion.

The $5.14 million in total income is up from the previous year, but far below the Pritzkers 2017 reported pre-governorship income of approximately $55 million, as reported by the Associated Press at the time.

* * *

REBUILD ILLINOIS PROJECT: A railway improvement project intended to greatly improve traffic congestion between St. Louis and Chicago reached a milestone Tuesday as work began on a multimodal transportation hub in the capital city.

Gov. JB Pritzker was joined at a groundbreaking ceremony by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with several state lawmakers and local government officials, both Republicans and Democrats, to break ground on the Springfield Sangamon County Transportation Center, or what local officials have come to call The Hub.

When this multimodal facility is completed, public mass transit will make the communities of Chatham and Sherman, Springfield, Rochester and Riverton as well as adjacent communities, more accessible to each other, and to St. Louis and Chicago and beyond, Pritzker said during the ceremony.

Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter said the $86 million Hub is just one part of a massive, $122 million project to upgrade the entire six-mile stretch of line that passes through the city that includes rerouting the line away from the citys downtown.

For decades, the major rail line carrying both passenger and freight trains from St. Louis to Chicago has passed directly through the center of Springfields downtown.

As part of the states $45 billion capital improvements program passed in 2019, that traffic will be diverted several blocks to the east. That is just one part of a major upgrade to rail service along the entire St. Louis-to-Chicago line that is intended to improve the flow of traffic and ease rail congestion along the route.

Duckworth described it as a project that will have economic benefits for the entire state and the nation.

According to the projects website, officials expect to complete design of the Hub by the end of this year. That will include determining what amenities and services will be located in and near the center. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

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SPRINGFIELD  Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly released a proposed set of new congressional district maps Friday, just days before lawmakers return to the Statehouse for the start of their fall veto session, which begins Oct. 19.

All states redraw their congressional districts following each decennial census. The proposed new maps reflect the fact that Illinois will have only 17 congressional districts after the 2022 elections, down from its current 18 districts, due to the states loss of population since the 2010 census.

The draft proposal includes a number of oddly-shaped districts, many of which would create entirely new constituencies for incumbent members of Congress, particularly Republicans.

As expected, southern Illinois, which saw the most dramatic population declines, would essentially be compressed from having two districts to just one. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would see his 12th District nearly double in size geographically to take in almost the entire southern end of the state, from an area just east of the Metro East region all the way to the Ohio River.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, who represents what is currently called the 15th District in southern and east-central Illinois, would be placed in an entirely new 16th District that takes in Oakland, curls around the city of Champaign and stretches west across much of central Illinois to an area just south of the Quad Cities.

Illinois could play a pivotal role in the 2022 congressional elections as Democrats try to hold onto their slim majority. The U.S. House is split 220-212 in favor of Democrats with three seats currently vacant  two last held by Democrats and one last held by a Republican.

Historically, however, the party that occupies the White House loses congressional seats in a new presidents first midterm election, a pattern that does not bode well for Democrats.

Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy said in a statement.

The proposed new maps that were released Friday might be only the first draft of a redistricting plan. The House Redistricting Committee held one hearing Friday after the proposal was released, and it drew more public participation than most of the previous hearings. It will hold another at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Springfield.

The Senate Redistricting Committee canceled its Friday meeting and scheduled another for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Statehouse.

The map can be viewed by clicking here.

* * *

NURSING HOME REPORT: A new report released Wednesday, Oct. 13, says staffing shortages at nursing homes in Illinois have reached crisis proportions and that people of color are most at risk of suffering the consequences.

Thats because those individuals are more likely to live in understaffed facilities or in ward rooms with three or four beds per room, the report notes, a fact that became tragically evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Black and brown Medicaid patients in nursing homes were 40 percent more likely to die of the disease than white patients.

The report by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services calls for a dramatic overhaul in the way the state Medicaid program reimburses nursing homes to reward those that improve their staffing levels and quality of care.

The agency is proposing a $345 million increase in nursing home reimbursement rates, with increases tied to a facilitys staffing and other quality and safety improvements. That money would come from a combination of streamlining billing procedures and an increase in a tax the state levies on each nursing facility occupied bed in the state, a pool of money that also draws additional federal Medicaid reimbursements.

That would translate to an average payment rate increase of about 13 percent, although the amount for any given facility would vary. Funding increases would be based on a formula that also takes a facilitys profit margin into account so that profitable nursing homes that do not adequately staff their facilities would not see their reimbursements increase on par with those that do.

The report notes that Illinois spends billions of dollars each year on nursing facility care for roughly 45,000 Medicaid patients, but the state consistently ranks last in the nation for staffing, as measured by the national Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification, or STRIVE Project. In fact, Illinois accounts for 47 of the 100 most understaffed facilities in the nation when comparing actual staffing levels against their STRIVE target levels.

Andy Allison, DHFSs deputy director for strategic planning and analytics, said increased funding alone will not solve the staffing shortage in nursing homes. He said the industry itself also needs to make fundamental changes to address its workforce challenges.

We are in a an urgent race to strengthen that labor market  not to capture them, but to entice them to stay in the serving profession that they've chosen, he said. And one of the ways to do that is to make it more of a profession, to give it a pay scale, to allow for promotion, to provide a payoff to staying with it.

Wednesdays hearing before a joint meeting of four health care-related House committees was for informational purposes only, and no action was taken.

* * *

PRITZKER TAXES: Gov. JB Pritzkers campaign released summary documents of his 2020 tax returns Friday, which showed the first family reporting $5.14 million in adjusted gross income, all from taxable interest and dividends.

The campaign released seven pages summarizing the governors and first lady MK Pritzkers returns, which were prepared by Deloitte Tax LLP. It did not release tax returns from trusts benefitting Illinois first family, stating in an email only the amount the trusts paid in taxes.

According to the information provided by the trustees, in 2020, trusts benefitting JB Pritzker paid $16.3 million in Illinois taxes and $69.6 million in federal taxes, the campaign said in an email.

The Pritzkers claimed $2.86 million in standard and itemized deductions, according to their federal 1040 form, although the campaign did not release the Schedule A form outlining the breakdown of those deductions. The campaign did say in an email the Pritzkers made $2.8 million in personal charitable donations last year.

Other deductions that can be claimed on a Schedule A form include medical and dental expenses, state and local real estate and personal property taxes, mortgage interest paid, casualty and theft losses and more.

A campaign spokesperson said it would not be releasing the full Schedule A form or any information other than the summaries but did not give a reason why.

The Pritzkers also claimed $83,681 in qualified business income deductions, although the campaign did not release the full 8995 form which outlines those deductions. The tax return summary document also showed the Pritzkers claimed a $142,046 foreign tax credit, although it did not include any corresponding documentation.

That made for a federal taxable income of $2.2 million, on which the Pritzkers paid $529,104 in total federal taxes, according to the partial returns. The Pritzkers paid $230,643 in Illinois taxes at the states flat 4.95 percent rate. That was after a $21,702 deduction for income taxes paid in another state.

Forbes estimates Pritzker, who is heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, to have a net worth of $3.6 billion.

The $5.14 million in total income is up from the previous year, but far below the Pritzkers 2017 reported pre-governorship income of approximately $55 million, as reported by the Associated Press at the time.

* * *

REBUILD ILLINOIS PROJECT: A railway improvement project intended to greatly improve traffic congestion between St. Louis and Chicago reached a milestone Tuesday as work began on a multimodal transportation hub in the capital city.

Gov. JB Pritzker was joined at a groundbreaking ceremony by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with several state lawmakers and local government officials, both Republicans and Democrats, to break ground on the Springfield Sangamon County Transportation Center, or what local officials have come to call The Hub.

When this multimodal facility is completed, public mass transit will make the communities of Chatham and Sherman, Springfield, Rochester and Riverton as well as adjacent communities, more accessible to each other, and to St. Louis and Chicago and beyond, Pritzker said during the ceremony.

Watch now: Illinois police react to Chicago police vaccine disclosure I feel sad and sorry for the people of Chicago, said Macon County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Kris Thompson. "Theyre the ones who are going to suffer if half the officers are sent home."

Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter said the $86 million Hub is just one part of a massive, $122 million project to upgrade the entire six-mile stretch of line that passes through the city that includes rerouting the line away from the citys downtown.

For decades, the major rail line carrying both passenger and freight trains from St. Louis to Chicago has passed directly through the center of Springfields downtown.

As part of the states $45 billion capital improvements program passed in 2019, that traffic will be diverted several blocks to the east. That is just one part of a major upgrade to rail service along the entire St. Louis-to-Chicago line that is intended to improve the flow of traffic and ease rail congestion along the route.

Duckworth described it as a project that will have economic benefits for the entire state and the nation.

According to the projects website, officials expect to complete design of the Hub by the end of this year. That will include determining what amenities and services will be located in and near the center. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

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SPRINGFIELD  Bloomington-Normal remains divided between multiple congressional seats in a new set of proposed boundary maps that Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly unveiled Friday.

Facing off would be freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Oakland and four-term GOP U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria in a district that includes northeastern Normal and south Bloomington.

Other areas would be put in a district that stretches to Rockford and northwestern Illinois. It is represented by Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, who has announced she will not seek reelection in 2022.

The district currently held by GOP Rep. Rodney Davis  where a Democrat who served in President Joe Biden's administration already is running  was redrawn to include more Democratic-friendly territory and not Davis' hometown.

Davis has previously indicated he might consider running for governor in 2022, depending on how his district is redrawn.

All states redraw their congressional districts following each decennial census. The proposed new maps reflect the fact that Illinois will have only 17 congressional districts after the 2022 elections, down from its current 18 districts, due to the states loss of population since the 2010 census.

The draft proposal includes a number of oddly-shaped districts, many of which would create entirely new constituencies for incumbent members of Congress, particularly Republicans.

As expected, southern Illinois, which saw the most dramatic population declines, would essentially be compressed from having two districts to just one. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would see his 12th District nearly double in size geographically to take in almost the entire southern end of the state, from an area just east of the Metro East region all the way to the Ohio River.

The map also puts GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump, in the same left-leaning district as first-term Democratic Rep. Marie Newman.

Illinois could play a pivotal role in the 2022 congressional elections as Democrats try to hold onto their slim majority. The U.S. House is split 220-212 in favor of Democrats with three seats currently vacant  two last held by Democrats and one last held by a Republican.

Illinois state Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago, the Democrat who chairs that chambers remap panel, said the proposed map is an effort to ensure every community across our state receives fair and equal representation in Washington.

But Republicans criticized Democrats for drawing a map that they contended was focused on protecting incumbents and trying to ensure another Democratic majority for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the 2022 midterm elections.

Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan, said state GOP Chairman Don Tracy. Its appalling that fair representation, keeping communities of interest together, and transparency in the mapmaking process in Illinois all had to take a back seat to the demands of national politics.

Each chambers redistricting panels has scheduled a Wednesday hearing on the new map with other hearings planned before a final vote, likely at the end of the legislatures six-day session.

The Associated Press and Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.

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In launching his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor, 37-year-old political unknown Jesse Sullivan has touted his background as a venture capitalist as a key pillar of his campaign.

But public records show the entity Sullivan has described as a venture capital firm, Alter Global, was created in February 2016 as a tax-exempt charity. Alter Global made limited financial investments and was heavily dependent on cryptocurrency for its funding.

It wasnt until January of last year that Sullivan created a more traditional for-profit venture capital firm, the similarly named Alter Global LLC, with more than two dozen investments, largely in developing countries, none in Illinois.

Ive been a venture capitalist. The other one I would not list as venture capital, Sullivan said of his initial Alter Global nonprofit venture. Id list it as an entrepreneurial support organization, nonprofit.

Questions about Sullivans background have surfaced since the little-known resident of Petersburg in Central Illinois announced his first run for political office on Sept. 9. He started his campaign with more than $10.75 million in funding from out-of-state donors, most of whom are in the tech or digital sector.

The biggest single donation was $5 million from Chris Larsen, a Californian who is chairman of the cryptocurrency firm Ripple Labs and, according to Forbes, has a personal net worth $6 billion.

Larsen, in a statement, said he has known Sullivan as a donor to Sullivans charity and later to his for-profit venture, which he called hugely successful.

He is an amazing leader and father  always ready to serve, always eager to listen and learn, and confident in his business and social convictions, Larsen said. Hes focused on technologies that can both solve the climate crisis and grow the economy and put Chicago in the rightful position as a top-five global financial center by embracing fintech and crypto. Hes a bridge-builder to a more unified future.

State campaign finance reports show Sullivan has not made any donations of more than $1,000 from his own wallet; donations of amounts less than that were not yet available. Only $13,000 has come from Illinois residents, those records show.

State and federal campaign records show Sullivan never made a campaign donation to a candidate or political group until June of this year when he gave $10,000 to the Illinois GOPs fund for federal candidates.

Sullivan is one of four announced candidates for the Republican nomination and the right to take on Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune. Also running are Bull Valley businessman Gary Rabine, state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo.

The GOP field may not be final. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis also is exploring a run, depending on how he fairs in the Democratic drawn reapportionment of the states congressional boundaries.

Sullivan, who lists faith, family and service as his core values, said in announcing his candidacy that after a lot of prayer with my wife, I decided I feel like my life experiences and background have led me to a place that I actually could help turn things around in the state of Illinois.

Sullivan is not the first businessperson to make the governorship a first-time political aspiration.

Bruce Rauner, an equity investor with a track record of wealth and financial success, also presented himself as a blank slate outsider candidate to voters. After winning office in 2014, his tenure was engulfed in a devastating budget standoff with a pro-union Democratic legislative majority and plagued by internal staff upheaval, leading to his defeat after one term by Pritzker.

Rauner donated $95.3 million out of his own pocket to his two campaigns for governor, including more than $37 million in his initial successful run.

Like Rauner, Sullivan has said, We need to run the state like a business.

A native of Petersburg, a town of 2,258 people northwest of Springfield, Sullivan received his bachelors degree from St. Louis University and a masters degree in global government and diplomacy from Oxford University before getting his masters in business administration from Stanfords Graduate School of Business in 2015.

A year later, he founded Alter Global in Redding, California, a venture to try to back some of the best entrepreneurs around the world, he told the Cook County GOP last month.

Sullivan said he returned to Petersburg from California five years ago after his wife finished her studies at Stanford. He said he came back because his father had later stage cancer and moved in next to him. Sullivan said he ran Alter Global from his Petersburg home, though he used a California address on his tax documents.

His campaign website describes Alter Global as a venture capital firm that finds and scales the best companies in emerging economies around the world, to reduce extreme poverty and spread the benefits of the new, innovation economy to the developing world.

The Alter Global Sullivan founded five years ago was a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization as approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Its first-year revenues from donations and programs was $255,865, and it ended that year with $84,741 in assets. Sullivan paid himself $88,000 as its chairman and CEO.

Two years later, the charity reported revenue of more than $4.1 million from contributions and ended the year with more than $3.5 million in net assets. The source of the funding was largely donations of cryptocurrency.

While some see cryptocurrency as the currency of the future, its value is extremely volatile. By 2020, Alter Global lost more than $1.4 million in investment income and reported its net assets at $1.2 million, records show.

The nonprofit was so reliant on a few sizable contributions of Bitcoin and Ripple cryptocurrencies that it included a special statement in its 2020 IRS filing saying it had been unable to meet the threshold of public support the agency required of charities. Alters filing said none of the donors stand to benefit from the charitys actions.

Records dont show any charitable grants made by Alter Global as a nonprofit. The entity listed salaries, benefits and program services among its largest financial expenses. In its 2020 IRS filing, Sullivan was paid $119,550 as the charitys CEO, and its chief operating officer was paid $82,425.

Unlike a traditional venture capital firm in which investors provide money to businesses in which they see a future profit potential, Alter Globals mission was to relieve the poor by supporting global entrepreneurship, according to its 2016 IRS filing.

Rather than making traditional financial investments in emerging businesses, Sullivan, in an interview, compared the nonprofit Alter Global to a matchmaker that connects financial investors to business ventures.

It also attempts to match Alter Global Fellows, people with specialized expertise, with firms needing guidance. The fellowships last six months and people are paid by their employers like an internship, he said.

So we selected every venture that we worked with, but rather than us putting capital in, then we would always match them with other capital providers and we would not get paid for that, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said a nonprofit subsidiary was created to make direct cash investments, allowing a financial return to the charity if it was successful. But the subsidiary, Alter Investments, never made an investment and Sullivan said it should have been closed.

An IRS statement showing Alter Investments as the vehicle that invested $250,000 in a Bangladesh startup was a scriveners error, Sullivans campaign said. The Bangladesh investment, Sullivan said, was from another entity which he said he incorporated in Delaware, Alter Global SPV 1.

Alter Investments is not in good standing with the California Department of Justice for failing to file copies of its tax returns with the agency. Sullivan said fees and penalties will be paid before the entity is closed.

The charity registry of the California Department of Justice also shows the nonprofit Alter Global did not file copies of its tax returns and renewal documents for 2018 and 2019, and its 2020 filing was rejected with its status listed as delinquent. The campaign said the nonprofit was correcting any oversights.

Despite having more than $1 million in assets, the nonprofit Alter Global received a pandemic paycheck protection loan of $67,545, with the purpose of supporting four jobs. Sullivans campaign said the forgivable loan served its purpose as a stopgap when the charity was unable to find donors attracted to its mission during COVID-19.

Sullivan said he formed his for-profit venture, Alter Global LLC, in 2020 to allow it to perform as a traditional venture capital firm and invest cash as well as to attract additional investors.

If all the returns are going to head right back into the nonprofit, then I couldnt get limited partners to be able to raise enough capital to put in because they wanted a return on profit, Sullivan said.

If we really wanted to unlock more investment dollars or more capital to help these companies, we realized the best way to do that is actually to set up a separate entity, Alter Global LLC, where they can actually invest their money and then they can get returns.

Sullivan said none of the tax-deductible contributions used for his nonprofit were rolled into the for-profit entity and that Alter Global LLC paid the nonprofit Alter Global $10,000 to avoid any perceived undue benefit of the brand.

Sullivans campaign said more than 4,000 jobs have been created by ventures that received assistance from the nonprofit entity and another 3,600 jobs through 25 investments across 20 counties.

Sullivan cited professional assistance the nonprofit provided to Paystack, a Nigerian tech financial processing service, as one of its major successes. The firm was acquired by U.S. digital payment firm Stripe for a reported $200 million a year ago, according to the online publication TechCrunch.

Sullivan said with his experience in cryptocurrency as a funding source for his charity, he wants to make Chicago a leader in creating the future of the internet and all the jobs that come with it.

Now, its like people think its fake money but its really the future of the internet and whats going to be created and all the jobs that come with it, Sullivan said. So, Im a long-term believer in the potential of the technology.

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Its hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is just over a month away, and then exactly a month after that, Christmas.

My family has never been one to go around the table and share what were thankful for before digging into our turkey and mashed potatoes  probably because our large family means we have multiple tables spread throughout the house. Instead, we all gather in the kitchen before the meal, and Dad or Aunt Karen say a prayer of thanks for our dinner, our family, and our time together.

I try to keep a spirit of thanksgiving in my everyday life. Ive been thinking about this a lot as I speed through my current read, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, about a woman leading her family through the Great Depression. Theyre struggling farmers living in the Dust Bowl of Texas, where they are plagued by frequent hunger, water shortages and dust storms.

As I went about my day on Tuesday, I thought of how good I had it to be making a meal with plenty to spare for leftovers, as much clean water as I needed straight from the faucet, a steady rain falling outside, and a load of laundry in the washer  no making my own soap, scrubbing and wringing out the clothes until my hands were sore, or hanging the laundry out to dry, hoping that a dust storm didnt come up and undo all my hard work.

Sometimes thanksgiving comes out of our darkest times. On June 26, we lost the heart of my family, my Grandma Eileen Gautschy. She would have celebrated her 91st birthday and her 70th anniversary this month.

Grandma was always my favorite person, and I still want to be like her when I grow up. She loved books, animals, parties, dolls, church and, most of all, her family. She had six children, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons, and somehow she made each one of us feel loved and special.

Adjusting to life without Grandma has been difficult, but even through my tears, I have been grateful for two things: that I got to spend plenty of time with her during her last days, and that I got to have her as my grandmother. I dont know how I got so lucky.

Here at The Pantagraph, we have the opportunity to share peoples stories every day, including how their lives have been shaped by change, by once-in-a-lifetime events, by heartbreak and by joy. We learned this month of U.S. Navy Seaman Second Class Arthur Ray Thinnes, who lost his life at Pearl Harbor when he was just 17, and now, 80 years later, he has finally been identified and brought home to rest, giving closure to his family.

We shared the story of the Ellen Laesch, who, despite losing six family members to ALS, channeled her grief into writing a book about her familys battle with the disease, and through this book, has raised more than $22,000 for the ALS Association. And we wrote about Christopher Stucky, a Bloomington man who fulfilled a lifelong dream last month when he competed on an episode of Jeopardy!.

We want to tell more of these stories  of local people with reasons, however big or small, to be thankful this year. Do you have a story, or do you know someone who does? We want to meet you. Please email me at robyn.skaggs@lee.net.

Happy Thanksgiving, readers. We are grateful for your support of local journalism at The Pantagraph.

Contact Robyn Skaggs at (309) 820-3244.

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Every city council or school board has issues large and small that impact the lives of the people it serves.

Should residents be allowed to have chickens within city limits?

Should the city-owned hospital be sold?

What programs should the school district cut to have a balanced budget?

How should students be allowed to dress in school?

Even matters that may seem trivial are important to someone. It is the duty of public officials on public bodies to give every matter serious consideration. And it is the duty of citizens to whom those matters are important to provide input.

Those duties are most effectively carried out in person, during in-person interactions.

Meetings of city councils, school boards and other public bodies are opportunities for community residents to voice their opinions, and for public officials to hear them. Those meetings, many times held in a room full of people with passionate and sometimes opposing viewpoints, are fundamental and vital processes that play out in all Illinois communities.

The impact of those vital interactions has been diminished since the pandemic forced many public meetings to held virtually. Now, there is a bill in the Illinois Senate that would give government entities the power to conduct any meeting electronically, not in person, for any reason. The bill is a threat to our democracy, and must not become law.

Senate Bill 482 was introduced in February by Sen. Christina Castro, D-Elgin. It did not make it out of committee during the regular session, but it could be considered when the Legislature begins its fall veto session Oct. 19. The legislation is a top agenda item for the Illinois Municipal League.

The bill would amend the Open Meetings Act by modifying requirements by which an open or closed meeting may be conducted by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum of the members.

The bills proponents believe virtual meetings are more efficient and transparent than those held in person. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone who has attended a virtual meeting or family gathering during the past 18 months  who hasnt?!  knows that discussions are shorter and ultimately less effective when they are not held in person, face to face. Dialogue simply isnt as meaningful when were all in different rooms.

In public meetings, people are more reluctant to provide input if they are forced to do it remotely. Theres just something about being able to look a board member in the eye, and gauge their reactions, in person. Often, that board member will look back at you.

And theres much to be said about the access a resident or reporter has to a public official once the meeting has concluded. Theyre in the room. In a virtual meeting, the leave button is an escape hatch for any public official who wishes to have no further conversation.

Certainly, the pandemic was a valid reason for taking proceedings from council chambers to a Zoom room. But it was simply an exception to the rule, a need that now longer exists as we all return to a safer normal.

The public has a right to interact with their elected officials, face to face and not on a screen.

Lets not create an environment that further removes governing from the publics eye. Lets find ways to create more opportunities for personal interactions with our elected officials.

As society returns to normal, so, too, should public meetings. The rule must be for in-person proceedings. Virtual meetings should be an exception, only when participants health and safety is at risk.

Senate Bill 482 must be rejected.

This piece was prepared by and submitted by The Illinois Press Association.

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100 years ago

Oct. 16, 1921: Fletcher is a tiny whistle stop between Merna and Cooksville on the Illinois Central. Workmen there are putting up a new concrete elevator to replace the old wooden one. Both Cooksville and Barnes have concrete elevators too. Fletchers will hold 30,000 bushels.

75 years ago

Oct. 16, 1946: Eleven Nazi war criminals, convicted in the Nuremberg trials, were hanged there. There were supposed to be 12 but Hermann Goering killed himself in his cell. There were no photos of the hangings. Pictures of the bodies taken afterward were marked Top Secret.

50 years ago

Oct. 16, 1971: Rick Richman, who used to pound a news beat for The Pantagraph, is now pounding a gavel in a Carbondale courtroom. Richman, 44, had been Jackson County states attorney until the Supreme Court named him a judge. He worked at this paper 1953-55.

25 years ago

Oct. 16, 1996: Last weeks fire at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house near ISU was intentionally set, according to Normal fire investigators. They dont have any suspects yet, or a motive. The blaze gutted the house. An accelerant was found in the room where the fire began.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.
The WHO said its full plan, involving experts sent to the field and a culture shift, would be revealed soon, following a damning sex abuse scandal implicating its workers in DR Congo.



The UN health agency has allocated an initial $7.6 million "to immediately strengthen its capacity to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and exploitation, in 10 countries with the highest risk profile", the organisation told AFP.



Once recruited, experts will be deployed to Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen.



The WHO has apologised to victims after a report on allegations of rape and sexual abuse by workers sent to fight Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2018 and 2020.



Major WHO donor countries have publicly put the UN health agency under pressure on the issue.



In a rare joint statement, dozens of countries, including the United States and European Union members, demanded full commitment from the WHO and its leadership on the subject.



WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed the draft response plan to member states on Thursday for their feedback.



The final version will be published in the coming days, the WHO said in a statement.



An independent commission of inquiry was set up after a year-long probe by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and The New Humanitarian brought the allegations to light.



On September 28, the commission released a devastating report which found that 21 WHO employees  among 83 alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse  had committed such abuses against dozens of people in the DR Congo during the Ebola epidemic.



The report found "clear structural failures" and "individual negligence" among the UN agency's staff after dozens of women told investigators they were offered work in exchange for sex, or were victims of rape.



Focus on survivors



"The plan outlines immediate, medium- and longer-term actions to address the failures identified in the independent commission report," a WHO statement said.



It focuses on putting victims and survivors at the heart of prevention and response actions, and "reforming WHO's culture, structures, systems and capacity to create a culture in which there is no opportunity for sexual exploitation and abuse to happen, no impunity if it does, and no tolerance for inaction".



The WHO's initial estimate suggests the programme will cost around $15 million a year.



It said it is committed to implementing the report's recommendations and to getting rid of the employees behind the abuse  as well as those who should have intervened.



Four employees have already had their contracts terminated, while two senior staff have been placed on administrative leave.



In the current Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo's North Kivu province, which was declared earlier this month, an expert on preventing sexual abuse and exploitation was among the first members of a 15-person surge team deployed to the field.



"The expert will brief WHO employees and partners on how to prevent any inappropriate or abusive behaviour," the UN agency said.







Source: AFP









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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We start the show with the latest from Pretoria. Three ministers have been freed after being held hostage during a meeting with anti-Apartheid veterans. Police have arrested 56 people who will likely face charges of kidnapping. We also head to Kenya, as the husband of running star Agnes Tirop has been arrested.



Tirop was stabbed to death at her home in Iten on Wednesday. Finally, we bring you the last episode of our Cape Verde series. Tonight we focus on the countrys flourishing music scene.



Read Full Story .... France 24 >>> :









Source: France 24









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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South Alhassan Suhuyini has revealed he has taken steps to appeal for a review over his visa denial by the Netherlands Embassy.



According to him, he appraised documents he submitted to the embassy leading to the rejection describing the act as gross disrespect.



Although he said some well-meaning persons linked the visa denial to his support for the LGBTQ+ Bill, the MP, in a post on Facebook, believes his denial was not in connection to his advocacy with seven other lawmakers to criminalize the LGBTQ+ acts.



I consider myself deeply reflective and fair-minded, so I restrained myself and all those who tried to convince me that the reasons for my denial of the Visa were either than what the correspondence from the embassy communicated, he said.



Suhuyini, however, stated he was convinced he submitted all the appropriate documents for his visa.



Aside from the appeal, the legislator said he will lodge an official complaint to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.



Below is his post:



Rejoinder: Suhuyini reveals recent visa denial, refuses to link it to LGBTQ+



I have seen news publications suggesting that I was denied a Visa by an unnamed Embassy due to my association with the PROMOTION OF PROPER HUMAN SEXUAL RIGHTS AND GHANAIAN FAMILY VALUES BILL, 2021.



Since I received correspondence that communicated the decision of the said Embassy, I have been inundated by calls from well-meaning Ghanaian reporters and activists who without doubt believed that this very offensive decision of the Embassy is related to Bill seven (7) of my colleagues and I are promoting.



I consider myself deeply reflective and fair-minded, so I restrained myself and all those who tried to convince me that the reasons for my denial of the Visa were either than what the correspondence from the embassy communicated. I assumed at the time that the Protocol Officer, who at the time of processing my application was also dealing with other equally important domestic issues, may have faulted in the documents presented.



I, therefore, have since taken steps to appraise every document or information and have since appealed the Embassys decision.



However, all the information I now have convinced me that the Protocol Officer submitted all appropriate documents.



Therefore, for the Netherlands Embassy to ignore my;



1] status as Member of Parliament of Ghana with the responsibility to an entire Constituency, which was known to them.



2] valid travel visas to the UK and USA and my numerous previous travel record where I have never overstayed.



3] beautiful family and deny me an entry visa on the basis that; there was insufficient evidence that I have significant social or economic ties to my country to prompt my return after my intended visit, could only have been deliberately taken to provoke me and also undermine Ghanaian state officials and diplomats.



After the determination of my appeal, I will make a formal complaint to our countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deal with this gross disrespect.



Anyone with the slightest knowledge of me knows that as a young person, even when I lived in conditions that justified migration abroad and migration was popular, I was never attracted to it, Im a proud Ghanaian who believes in contributing to making our country attractive too to foreigners. How lame, if the penalty for supporting the PROMOTION OF PROPER HUMAN SEXUAL RIGHTS AND GHANAIAN FAMILY VALUES BILL, 2021 is the denial of an entry visa into the Netherlands.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak has called the bluff of embassies that are using visa bans to threaten Members of Parliament championing the anti-LGBTQ+ bill before Parliament.



The MP for Asawase constituency has said that Ghanaian lawmakers will not be intimidated by attempts by the embassies to victimize them.



Muntaka revealed that some MPs are being denied visas due to their advocacy for the bill. He cautioned the embassies that MPs will be forced to demonstrate against them if they maintain their position of denying them visas.



He said that all avenues including shutting down the embassies will be employed if the situation does not change.



If we find any embassy that uses this [the passing of the bill] to deny MPs visas, well organise a demonstration to close down that embassy, he said.



Muntaka warned that Parliament will not succumb to the pressures of the embassies and will only act in the interest of Ghanaians.



No country can dictate to us. If they dare deny any of our MPs visas based on this, we will also ensure that nobody from their countries gets entry visas to Ghana, he said.



They can deny us grants based on this, we cant force them not to. But when they say our MPs cant visit their country based on this, we will also ensure that nobody from their country enters our country, he emphasised in an interview on a Kumasi-based radio station.



Muntakas revelation has been corroborated by Sam Nartey George who has called out the US Ambassador to Ghana for being behind the practice.



Sam George said on Metro TV that some Ghanaian MPs are being threatened with visa denials over their support for the bill.



"As for the threats theyve been coming from far and near. In fact one of the ambassadors, a woman placed a phone call to the Speaker of Parliament and at least one signatory to the bill asking him to withdraw from it.



That signatory to the bill is my senior in parliament who applied for a visa in that embassy and was refused. Hes had five years visas three times from that country but they refused him after they called him to resign.



It shouldnt come as a shock to anybody because the Americans use visas as cheap blackmail. But it is not going to cow any of us. Some members of the bill have had visa applications pending at the American Embassy.



Because of the Covid-19 they are not giving general visas but there is a special dispensation for students - politicians and MPs fall within that category. Parliament has sent in a number of applications requesting dates for the submission of forms, what theyve done is to decline to give a date," Sam George said on Metro TV.













Source: Ghanaweb









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Private Legal Practitioner and Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has accused the Electoral Commissioner, Jean Mensa of trivialising events that marred the 2020 General Elections.



Describing her post-election conduct as shameful, the legal practitioner claimed it is an open secret that Madam Jean Mensa set in motion a platform to rig the 2020 election for President Akufo-Addo, as the pink sheets used for the last election were without any column for the number of persons verified at the polling centres.



Jean Mensa set the platform to rig the election for Mr Akufo-Addo and she knows it...the pink sheets that Jean Mensa used for the last election, if you pick the pink sheet, you will not see any column for the number of persons verified during the election, he asserted.



Speaking on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe further alleged that the EC head and her cohorts, changed the original pink sheet sample in CI 127 sent to Parliament for approval when she realised that maintaining the original sample will not help rigging plans to succeed.



...she provided a sample of how the pink sheet should look like and later she realised that if the sample is maintained in the final printout, the plan to rig the election will not happen and so at the last minute, she changed the pink sheet. She simply said that we should get a stamp and write on it the number of persons verified. It was a complete afterthought, he noted.



Anybody that partook in the election will confirm it. It was deliberately done for ballot stuffing. We have seen the trick of Jean Mensa and it won't happen again; they should try it again, he warned.



He intimated that the lawyers of Jean Mensa knew that if they allowed her into the witness box, her credibility and the legitimacy of Mr Akufo-Addo would have been shredded without repairs, hence, their decision to keep her out of the witness box.



He however revealed that the NDC as a party has decided to let go of some of the issues but stressed that they will ensure that they are not shortchanged in future elections again.



We give glory to God for what has happened. All we can say is that it won't happen again and she knows that we know, he declared.



Watch Video Below





Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A law against political vigilantism played a major part in ensuring the 2020 General Elections was the most peaceful polls ever in Ghana.



This is the view advanced by the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, at a press conference held on Friday, October 15, 2021, to address a range of pressing national issues.



The NPP through its national spokesperson, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, said it was thanks to the Vigilantism and Related Offences Law of 2019 that the election largely run smoothly before and during the process.



Asamoa chided former President John Dramani Mahama, who in recent pronouncements has intimated that the 2020 polls were poorly conducted.



Asamoa told the press that Mahama's posture doesn't edify sacrifices of voters slamming him further for reminding families of the pain of deaths recorded in the post-vote collation process.



"President Akufo-Addo is on record as saying not a drop of Ghanaian blood is worth exchanging for electoral victory and the steps he took against vigilantism ensured the most peaceful voting process ever in the 2020 elections.



"We didn't hear anything about vigilante groups, the BBC described the election as boring as the Electoral Commissioner has said.



"True leadership would not focus on the unfortunate and painful situation for political gain to the detriment of national peace of mind," Asamoa stressed.







About vigilante bill



The Vigilantism and related offences law bans acts of vigilantism in Ghana, disbands vigilante groups, including political party vigilante groups and land guards.



It was birthed in the aftermath of chaotic by-elections in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the Greater Accra Region in early January 2019.



A presidential commission of inquiry led by former CHRAJ boss Emile Short conducted public and in-camera hearings into the incident and made a raft of recommendations in their final report, which report the government has been accused of refusing to implement.



According to President Akufo-Addo who accented to the law in September 2019, a person who directly or indirectly instigates or solicits the activity of a vigilante, facilitates or encourages vigilantism, or conceals a vigilante to avoid lawful arrest, commits an offence, and is liable, on conviction, to a term of imprisonment of not less than ten (10) years and not more than fifteen (15) years.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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" " Libertarians strongly believe in personal rights. They don't want anybody, especially the federal government, messing with them or their rights. smartboy10/bonniej/Getty Images and HowStuffWorks

Libertarians just want to get along. They don't want you messing with them, and they won't mess with you. More than anything else, they don't want some suffocating government telling people what they can or cannot do.

That is the heart of the Libertarian Party pitch. Those ideas are neither some crazy everybody-hold-hands socialist dream or some wild-eyed, anarchist, down-with-the-feds manifesto. Libertarians just want everybody to enjoy the liberty to do what they want to do as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights. And, again, they don't want anybody, especially the federal government, messing with that.

Of course, if life were only that simple.

In their crusade, many Libertarians  like every other political party in America, Libertarians don't agree 100 percent on everything  point to the 10th Amendment as the constitutional basis for their way of thinking. Added as part of the Bill of Rights in 1789, the 10th Amendment is somewhat striking in its simplicity. It goes like this:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Of course, if the Constitution were only that simple.

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Libertarians and the 10th Amendment

The 10th Amendment, even in those 28 short words, four clauses, three commas and single period, is open to a great deal of interpretation. But let's, for the moment, take it literally: If the Constitution doesn't spell out a certain power or powers to the federal government (the "United States"), those powers belong to the states or the people.

"They [the constitutional framers] didn't want the federal government to be huge," says Honor "Mimi" Robson, the chair of the Libertarian Party of California. "They didn't want the federal government to be involved in the citizens' day-to-day lives."

Some people, both in and out of the Libertarian Party, view the 10th Amendment very narrowly. They contend that many powers that the federal government now claims  things represented by, for example, the U.S. Department of Education, or even Supreme Court decisions that allow for things like same-sex marriage throughout the U.S.  should not be held by the feds. The U.S. government is infringing on the states' rights to decide how children are taught in their state, for example, or whether same-sex marriage should be allowed. That should be up to the states, they say. Those are states' rights.

Now, you might argue, government is government, whether it's at the state or federal level (or both). And multiple levels of government, some absolutely will argue, is bad.

But most out there understand the need for some government. And government at the state level, close to home, the argument goes, is better than edicts being flung from the feds in Washington. From the Tenth Amendment Center:

People arguably have more control and influence over smaller governmental units. Even if they don't, multiple small power centers make it possible to flee from particularly oppressive jurisdictions and create an environment of "competition" between governments.

Few would suggest that no federal government is needed, either. And, indeed, the Constitution enumerates certain powers solely to the U.S. government, including the ability to tax, to provide for the national defense, to regulate commerce (both within the states and internationally), and to determine who becomes a citizen.

But many Libertarians, and many others, argue that the U.S. government has vastly overstepped those powers enumerated to it and, in doing so, has trampled on the 10th Amendment. The disagreements, inside the Libertarian Party and out of it, are exactly where the line between federal rights and states' rights should be drawn.

"If you look at states' rights as allowing states to do bad things to people to take away their rights, that is absolutely not Libertarian," Robson says. She points to the 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, which held that a ban on interracial marriage by the state of Virginia violated the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. That case provided, in effect, a new enumerated power for the federal government; to protect individuals from states. "States shouldn't be able to say that people who love each other can't get married. Same thing with same-sex marriage.

"I don't believe that that was ever intended to allow states to do bad things to infringe on people's rights just because it's more of a local level," Robson says. "I think that's where some people get kind of confused, in my opinion."

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How the Courts View the 10th Amendment

For almost 200 years, the 10th Amendment and its apparently straightforward language was viewed very narrowly. According to the National Constitution Center, when legal questions were raised about the use of some federal power, they didn't center on whether the use of the power was violating someone's rights, but rather if the federal government had the right to use the power in the first place. Was it something granted to the government under the Constitution? If not, it's the states' and the people's.

That has changed, though, in the past several decades as the courts have granted more power to the federal government, powers that are often argued to be implied by the Constitution, if not enumerated. The 10th, now, is regularly rolled out as a defense against an overreaching U.S. government. Some used it as an argument against "Obamacare." Some are citing it as a reason to block President Donald Trump's move to stop a California law declaring it a "sanctuary state."

The struggle, in many ways, is exactly what the writers of the 10th Amendment saw coming. They tried to spell things out. But we're still trying to figure out what they really meant in those 28 simple words.

"I think what we all agree on is that we're looking for a society where there's no government infringement of personal rights. That's what we're looking for," Robson says. She's talking about Libertarians, though she could be speaking for many others. "We want freedom and we want no government coercion, and I believe states can be just as coercive as the federal government when it comes to individual liberties.

"It's the nuances that we aren't quite clear on. To use a train analogy, we're all on this train that's going from point A  which is California right now, which is basically socialism  to point B or C or X or Y or Z, which is complete non-government intervention, non-government. There's going to be people that get off the train at different places. I'm not going to be on the train all the way to the end, to pure anarchy. But you know what? Right now, we're up on blocks. We're nowhere close. We have to agree on what we agree on and move forward."

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Some writers of the Bill of Rights originally objected to the 10th Amendment, and the Bill of Rights as a whole, as superfluous. Why have an amendment that the federal government had only certain powers when those certain powers were clearly spelled out in Article 1 of the Constitution? Objections were finally soothed, though, with the inclusion of the 10th and its strict language that declares, once and for all, that whatever powers not granted in the Constitution are not there for the federal government's taking.
" " (Clockwise from top) A pair of umbrella shoes seem smart, but they're really, um, ridiculous; the butter stick is one of the most well-known chindogu; the noodle cooler probably still wouldn't help for those times when your ramen is just too hot. HowStuffWorks

Pretty much everything we do now has a purpose. We curate an Instagram account to become an influencer; we play video games on Twitch to build an audience; we sew and forge and paint and then sell our works on Etsy. It's all pretty exhausting, and it's making the fun stuff less fun.

Meet chindogu, the art and craft of inventing things that are (almost) useless but a whole lot of fun. How useless? Take invention No. 189 from the exhibit halls of the International Chindogu Society: the AC Free Charger. It recharges a rechargeable battery ... using power from 12 other batteries. Or invention No. 341, The Sock Closet. It's just what it sounds like. A tiny closet for your socks. There are loads more chindogu pieces that take inventing to a whole new level. Hovercraft dog bed anyone?

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Do You Chindogu?

Chindogu was created by Japanese artist Kenji Kawakami in the 1990s, who describes these inventions as "un-useless." He coined the term chindogu using a combination of the Japanese words chin, meaning "strange" or "odd," and dougu, which means "device" or "tool." But chindogu is more than a mashup of words (a portmanteau, if you will); it's a philosophy. There are 10 tenets of chindogu, according to the chindogu society:

A chindogu cannot be for real use. If you end up using your invention on the regular, you have failed.

A chindogu must exist. No thought experiments allowed.

There must be the spirit of anarchy. Build your invention free from the constraints of utility or cultural expectations.

Chindogu are tools for everyday life. Everyone everywhere must be able to understand how it works without any special technical or professional background info.

Chindogu are not tradeable commodities. Finally, something in your life that you just can't turn into a Finally, something in your life that you just can't turn into a side hustle

Humor must be the sole reason for creating chindogu. Creating an elaborate way to solve a tiny problem is just funny. Roll with it.

Chindogu is not propaganda. This is not the place for your clever commentary on the dumpster fire that is the current state of the world. As the tenet makes clear: "Make them instead with the best intentions."

Chindogu are never taboo. If you demand sexual innuendo, cruel jokes and sick humor, the International Chindogu Society would ask that you find it literally anywhere else on the internet. That's not chindogu's jam.

Chindogu cannot be patented. Consider chindogu the openest of open source. They're meant to be shared and delighted in, not owned and collected.

Chindogu are without prejudice. Race, religion, gender, age, ability  none of these matter to chindogu. These inventions should be equally (almost) useless to everyone who sees them.

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If You Build It, They Will (Sort of) Come

Kawakami started with a few simple inventions to fill out the back pages of a magazine he edited. He hoped his Eye Drop Funnel Glasses and Solar-powered Flashlight would amuse readers. But if there's a chindogu evangelist, it would be Dan Papia, who worked at another magazine, the Tokyo Journal. He brought chindogu to the magazine's English-speaking audience and encouraged readers to create their own inventions. In 1995, Papia started the International Chindogu Society.

Others have taken up the banner in the decades since. Maker mecca Instructables ran a chindogu contest that yielded a toothbrush light, a food magnifier that perches on a pair of chopsticks, and scuba mask wiper blades, all classics of the form.

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What We Talk About When We Talk About Chindogu

The real key to (almost) useless inventions is that, at first glance, they have to seem a bit reasonable. Then, after a moment's thought, you realize they're just no better than the usual way of doing things.

Take the butter stick, which is like a giant tube of lip balm, but with butter inside. Just swipe it on that corn on the cob at the next barbecue. But wait, what if it's hot on the way to the party and the butter melts in your bag? Or what if you don't use it all quickly enough and it molds? Or what if you mistake it for your lip balm and smear it on your face? Hey, that last example might be a feature, not a bug.

The entire philosophy of chindogu is probably best summed up by Tenet VI:

Try your best, you nearly succeed.

Then you realize, sardonically, that your problem may not have been all that pressing to begin with.

Words to live by.

NOW THAT'S CHINDOGU If chindogu has a star, it's probably Simone Giertz, who builds what she calls "sh*tty robots." As she explained in her TED Talk from May 2018 called "Why You Should Make Useless Things," Giertz started building useless robots to teach herself about hardware and get over performance anxiety. Over the years, she's built an audience of 1.3 million subscribers to her YouTube channel. Viewers are treated to such chindogu gems as a machine that blows your nose for you and her first, an eight-second video of a toothbrush machine.
" " Obituaries can be a great way to pay tribute to a loved one. Wikimedia Commons/HowStuffWorks

My in-laws are in their early 70s, and they're still subscribers to their small-town daily newspaper. The first thing they do every morning is flip to the obituaries section, curious if they recognize high-school classmates or neighbors among the faces and names of the recently deceased. They're not alone.

For more than 250 years, newspapers have published obituaries to announce the deaths of the famous and familiar. Obituaries fulfill a unique role in local communities and broader society, both notifying the public of a passing and inviting them to join the collective mourning process.

As print newspaper circulation has declined sharply over the past 25 years, so have print obituaries. But the familiar format of the obituary remains, even as death notices move online to websites like Legacy.com or heartfelt posts on social media.

Ancestry, the genealogy website, recently upgraded its online obituary archives to include more than 262 million published obituaries dating back to the 1750s. Ancestry is now using AI algorithms to extract biographical data from centuries of obituaries  birth and death dates, geographical locations, parents' names and next of kin  to automatically populate subscribers' family trees.

The first obituaries were published in ancient Rome around 59 B.C.E. on papyrus newspapers called Acta Diurna (Daily Events). But these death notices didn't become prevalent until much later. Brian Hansen, senior vice president of emerging businesses at Ancestry, says that if you look back at newspapers published in 1759, Ancestry's AI bots could only find four obituaries from more than 3,000 digitized pages. Those figures didn't break 100 obituaries a year until the early 1800s.

At the same time, newspapers regularly published stories about the deaths of well-known public figures like politicians, wealthy businessmen, artists and other newsmakers, but those stories, written by journalists, were distinct from the shorter death announcements that evolved into the modern obituary.

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The Obituary as Glowing Tribute

By the mid-19th century, newspapers were regularly publishing death notices submitted by local funeral homes. Before the Linotype machine was invented in 1886, every printed letter in the newspaper had to be set by hand, so papers were short and obituaries were brief.

A typical death notice from the Philadelphia Public Ledger dated July 3, 1851, was published under the blunt heading "Died." (All of these notices were taken from Genealogy Bank).

"MARY DUROSS, wife of Peter Duross, aged 54 years. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend her funeral, from her husband's residence, No. 1 Wall Street, above Catherine below Passyunk Road, on Friday morning, 4th inst., at 8 o'clock, without further notice."

Sadly, infants and young children died in large numbers in the 19th century of now-curable illnesses and disease. Unlike adult obituaries, which stuck to the facts, a child's obituary may have included a brief verse of poetry. Below Mary Duross' 1851 death notice is an entry for a boy aged 1 year and 11 months.

"Dear Richard's gone to realms above,

To receive his Savior's dying love."

By the height of the Civil War, published death notices increased to tens of thousands a year, says Todd Godfrey, vice president of global content for Ancestry. As more space and attention were given to obituaries, they began to serve as places for public expressions of mourning.

In the Feb. 7, 1865, edition of the Baltimore Sun, one death notice included a brief eulogy to a promising young man's life cut short at exactly 21 years, eight months and 10 days.

"The subject of this notice was married but six weeks ago. He had just embarked in business and possessed the health and vigor to render it profitable when the strong hand of affliction was laid upon him, and the form recently so manly was soon prostrate in death."

Genevieve Keeney, president of the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston, Texas, says that death notices published in local newspapers also functioned as quasi-legal documents. Since the newspaper was a public forum, a death announcement served to notify creditors who might want to file a claim against the deceased's estate.

With the automation of typesetting, newspapers expanded at the turn of the 20th century, and more space could be dedicated to death notices and obituaries. Like classified advertisements, newspapers charged a fee to publish obituaries and publishers quickly recognized that there was good money to be made from obituaries.

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The Modern Obituary

Godfrey from Ancestry says that his company's obituary extractor found 400,000 obituaries in 1900 from around 2 million total newspaper pages. By the 1930s, that number exploded to 1.25 million obituaries in 2.5 million total pages of newspaper.

It was around this time, the 1930s and 1940s, that the modern obituary template took shape, says Godfrey. Here's where we start to see families and funeral homes writing death notices that adhere to a familiar four-part structure: death announcement, short bio, "survived by" section and funeral information.

If you look at the Obituaries section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch for July 3, 1938, for example, it's a mix of shorter death notices written by families and longer obituaries written by staff journalists and wire services like The Associated Press.

The shorter death notices had the deceased person's name as the headline, while a longer obituary, written by the paper, carried the headline, "Mrs. Susan Murdoch Dies; Rites Monday." Some of the obituaries had pictures of the deceased in their youth, a regular feature of today's obits. One obituary from 1938 was even written after the funeral and shares an account of the service  "Miss Mary A. Coleman is Buried at Bellamy."

The standard obituary template can be a tremendous resource for experienced genealogists and folks just starting out researching their family history, says Hansen of Ancestry. "An obituary is a like a miniature family tree," he says.

Ancestry's new AI-powered search engine can extract several generations of family names from a single obituary and automatically build a starter family tree. That's because most standard obituaries include the spouse's name, children's names (including married names for adult daughters) grandchildren's names and more.

" " Obituaries contain a lot of genealogy information. Ancestry

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Warts and All

The standard obituary style remained fairly unchanged throughout the second half of the 20th century, but then things took a shift after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, obituary expert Susan Soper told NPR in 2018. In the months following the attacks, The New York Times published short narrative obituaries on each of the nearly 3,000 people killed that day.

"They were fabulous," said Soper. "Everybody was recognized as a whole person. And they had fun anecdotes, they made you cry, they made you smile. And to me, that was sort of when the tide turned in obituaries and people realized that you could bring a person to life and keep them alive in even a short written bio."

Soper theorized that these obituaries started a trend toward more honesty and openness in remembrances. Instead of using coded language like "he died at home" or "she died suddenly," families were opening up about a loved one's addiction or how clinical depression took their life. Families also use the obituary space to educate other young people and families about the opioid and suicide epidemics. Nowadays, obituaries also are more likely to mention that a same-sex partner or an out-of-wedlock child survives the deceased. And a few obituaries even go as far as to say the deceased will not be missed.

Now That's a Bad Obituary When political activist Marcus Garvey suffered a stroke in 1940, a Chicago columnist wrote and published a premature obituary. When Garvey read the obituary, which described him as dying "broke, alone and unpopular," he suffered a second stroke and died.
Ivory can fetch up to 7,000 euros a kilo

Elephants face extinction in Ivory Coast where they are a national emblem, with numbers decreasing by half in the past 30 years, the country's water and foresty ministry said Wednesday.

Blaming the decline on deforestation and poaching, a top official at the ministry, Kouame Me, said the elephant population in the West African country has dwindled to fewer than 500.

"The population of pachyderms was 100,000 individuals in the 1960s," Kouame told AFP, adding that more than 200 animal species face extinction in the former French colony.

Cultivation of cocoathe country's top exporthas brought about deforestation that has seen a nearly 90 percent reduction in the country's forest cover over the past 50 years.

Today Ivory Coast is the world's top cocoa exporter, enjoying some 40 percent of the market.

Deforestation has endangered the last refuges of forest elephants, environmental experts say.

Elephants are also threatened by poachers and rapid urbanisation that is encroaching on the beasts' natural habitats.

The government launched a conservation drive in 2016 in the Mont Peko game park in the west of the country, home to the world's last dwarf elephants.

The illicit trade in ivory is the third most lucrative after drugs and arms trafficking, fuelled by demand in Asia and the Middle East, where elephant tusks are used in traditional medicine and in ornaments.

Ivory can fetch up to 7,000 euros ($8,400) a kilo.

 2021 AFP
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 shows a view from the Tianhe space station as the Shenzhou-13 prepares to dock. China's Shenzhou-13 spacecraft carrying three Chinese astronauts on Saturday docked at its space station, kicking off a record-setting six-month stay as the country moves toward completing the new orbiting outpost. Credit: Tian Dingyu/Xinhua via AP

Chinese astronauts began Saturday their six-month mission on China's first permanent space station, after successfully docking aboard their spacecraft.

The astronauts, two men and a woman, were seen floating around the module before speaking via a live-streamed video.

The new crew includes Wang Yaping, 41, who is the first Chinese woman to board the Tiangong space station, and is expected to become China's first female spacewalker.

"We'll co-operate with each other, carefully conduct maneuvers, and try to accomplish all tasks successfully in this round of exploration of the universe," said Wang in the video.

The space travelers' Shenzhou-13 spacecraft was launched by a Long March-2F rocket at 12:23 a.m. Saturday and docked with the Tianhe core module of the space station at 6:56 a.m.

The three astronauts entered the station's core module at about 10 a.m., the China Manned Space Agency said.

They are the second crew to move into China's Tiangong space station, which was launched last April. The first crew stayed three months.

The new crew includes two veterans of space travelZhai Zhigang, 55, and Wang. The third member, Ye Guangfu, 41, is making his first trip to space.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, the crewed spaceship Shenzhou-13, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert, Oct. 16, 2021. Credit: Li Gang/Xinhua via AP

The mission's launch was seen off by a military band and supporters singing "Ode to the Motherland," underscoring national pride in the space program, which has advanced rapidly in recent years.

The crew will do three spacewalks to install equipment in preparation for expanding the station, assess living conditions in the Tianhe module, and conduct experiments in space medicine and other fields.

China's military-run space program plans to send multiple crews to the station over the next two years to make it fully functional.

When completed with the addition of two more sectionsnamed Mengtian and Wentianthe station will weigh about 66 tons, much smaller than the International Space Station, which launched its first module in 1998 and weighs around 450 tons.

Two more Chinese modules are due to be launched before the end of next year during the stay of the yet-to-be-named Shenzhou-14 crew.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, China, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 shows three Chinese astronauts, from left, Ye Guangfu, Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping waving after entering the space station core module Tianhe. China's Shenzhou-13 spacecraft carrying three Chinese astronauts on Saturday docked at its space station, kicking off a record-setting six-month stay as the country moves toward completing the new orbiting outpost. Chinese characters, left, read "Platform Camera B." Credit: Tian Dingyu/Xinhua via AP

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday renewed its commitment to cooperation with other nations in the peaceful use of space.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said sending humans into space was a "common cause of mankind." China would "continue to extend the depth and breadth of international cooperation and exchanges" in crewed spaceflight and "make positive contributions to the exploration of the mysteries of the universe," he said.

China was excluded from the International Space Station largely due to U.S. objections over the Chinese program's secretive nature and close military ties, prompting it to launch two experimental modules before starting on the permanent station.

U.S. law requires congressional approval for contact between the American and Chinese space programs, but China is cooperating with space experts from other countries including France, Sweden, Russia and Italy. Chinese officials have said they look forward to hosting astronauts from other countries aboard the space station once it becomes fully functional.

In this combination of photos released by Xinhua News Agency, screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 shows China's Shenzhou-13 crewed spaceship docking with the radial port of the space station core module Tianhe. China's Shenzhou-13 spacecraft carrying three Chinese astronauts on Saturday docked at its space station, kicking off a record-setting six-month stay as the country moves toward completing the new orbiting outpost. Credit: Tian Dingyu/Xinhua via AP

China has launched seven crewed missions with a total of 14 astronauts aboardtwo have flown twicesince 2003, when it became only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a person in space on its own.

China has also expanded its work on lunar and Mars exploration, including landing a rover on the little-explored far side of the Moon and returning lunar rocks to Earth for the first time since the 1970s.

The crewed spaceship Shenzhou-13, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert, Oct. 16, 2021 Credit: Chinatopix Via AP

This year, China also landed its Tianwen-1 space probe on Mars, whose accompanying Zhurong rover has been exploring for evidence of life on the red planet.

Other Chinese space programs call for collecting soil from an asteroid and bringing back additional lunar samples. China has also expressed an aspiration to land people on the moon and possibly build a scientific base there, although no timeline has been proposed for such projects. A highly secretive space plane is also reportedly under development.

Explore further China launches 3 astronauts on 6-month space station mission

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

A NASA spacecraft named Lucy rocketed into the sky with diamonds Saturday morning on a 12-year quest to explore eight asteroids.

Seven of the mysterious space rocks are among swarms of asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit, thought to be the pristine leftovers of planetary formation.

An Atlas V rocket blasted off before dawn, sending Lucy on a roundabout journey spanning nearly 4 billion miles (6.3 billion kilometers). Researchers grew emotional describing the successful launchlead scientist Hal Levison said it was like witnessing the birth of a child. "Go Lucy!" he urged.

Lucy is named after the 3.2 million-year-old skeletal remains of a human ancestor found in Ethiopia nearly a half-century ago. That discovery got its name from the 1967 Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," prompting NASA to send the spacecraft soaring with band members' lyrics and other luminaries' words of wisdom imprinted on a plaque. The spacecraft also carried a disc made of lab-grown diamonds for one of its science instruments.

In a prerecorded video for NASA, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr paid tribute to his late colleague John Lennon, credited for writing the song that inspired all this.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

"I'm so excitedLucy is going back in the sky with diamonds. Johnny will love that," Starr said. "Anyway, if you meet anyone up there, Lucy, give them peace and love from me."

The paleoanthropologist behind the fossil Lucy discovery, Donald Johanson, had goose bumps watching Lucy soar"I will never look at Jupiter the same ... absolutely mind-expanding." He said he was filled with wonder about this "intersection of our past, our present and our future."

"That a human ancestor who lived so long ago stimulated a mission which promises to add valuable information about the formation of our solar system is incredibly exciting," said Johanson, of Arizona State University, who traveled to Cape Canaveral for his first rocket launch.

Lucy's $981 million mission is the first to aim for Jupiter's so-called Trojan entourage: thousandsif not millionsof asteroids that share the gas giant's expansive orbit around the sun. Some of the Trojan asteroids precede Jupiter in its orbit, while others trail it.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

Despite their orbits, the Trojans are far from the planet and mostly scattered far from each other. So there's essentially zero chance of Lucy getting clobbered by one as it swoops past its targets, said Levison of Southwest Research Institute, the mission's principal scientist.

Lucy will swing past Earth next October and again in 2024 to get enough gravitational oomph to make it all the way out to Jupiter's orbit. On the way there, the spacecraft will zip past asteroid Donaldjohanson between Mars and Jupiter. The aptly named rock will serve as a 2025 warm-up act for the science instruments.

Drawing power from two huge circular solar wings, Lucy will chase down five asteroids in the leading pack of Trojans in the late 2020s. The spacecraft will then zoom back toward Earth for another gravity assist in 2030. That will send Lucy back out to the trailing Trojan cluster, where it will zip past the final two targets in 2033 for a record-setting eight asteroids visited in a single mission.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft soars through a cloud as it lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

This photo released by NASA, shows a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard in this 2 minute and 30 second exposure photo as it launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission's namesake  the fossilized human ancestor, "Lucy," whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity's evolution  Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP

This Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 file photo shows NASA's Lucy spacecraft with its housing at the AstroTech facility in Titusville, Fla. It will be first space mission to explore a diverse population of small bodies known as the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. Credit: AP Photo/John Raoux, File

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft soars through a cloud as it lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

In this photo released by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft stands ready to launch from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission's namesake  the fossilized human ancestor, "Lucy," whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity's evolution  Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP

In this photo released by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission's namesake  the fossilized human ancestor, "Lucy," whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity's evolution  Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

In this photo released by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission's namesake  the fossilized human ancestor, "Lucy," whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity's evolution  Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP

In this photo released by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission's namesake  the fossilized human ancestor, "Lucy," whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity's evolution  Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Credit: Chasity Maynard/Orlando Sentinel via AP

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the LUCY spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lucy, will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. Credit: AP Photo/(John Raoux

It's a complicated, circuitous path that had NASA's science mission chief, Thomas Zurbuchen, shaking his head at first. "You've got to be kidding. This is possible?" he recalled asking.

Lucy will pass within 600 miles (965 kilometers) of each target; the biggest one is about 70 miles (113 kilometers) across.

"Are there mountains? Valleys? Pits? Mesas? Who knows? I'm sure we're going to be surprised," said Johns Hopkins University's Hal Weaver, who's in charge of Lucy's black-and-white camera. "But we can hardly wait to see what ... images will reveal about these fossils from the formation of the solar system."

NASA plans to launch another mission next month to test whether humans might be able to alter an asteroid's orbitpractice in case Earth ever has a killer rock headed this way.

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Hudson Headwaters Health Network is in the process of rescheduling annual doctor visits and redirecting resources to its urgent care centers to address a growing need for acute care services fueled, in large part, by the surge of COVID-19 cases brought on by the highly transmissible delta variant.

In an email to patients this past week, the nonprofit health-care provider  which has more than 20 health clinics throughout the sprawling North Country, where access to medical care is sparse  announced plans to push back annual physicals and wellness visits scheduled through December to early next year.

In order for us to accommodate the increased demand for sick and acute care visits, we will be rescheduling many routine annual wellness visits and annual physicals from this fall to early in 2022, the email reads.

In addition, the health-care provider said it extended the hours of operation for its two urgent care facilities in Glens Falls and Warrensburg earlier this month to help meet a surge of patients seeking acute care services that has extended wait times by hours.

The announcement comes as medical providers across the state, including local hospitals, struggle to meet an influx of patients amid staff shortages and a surging pandemic that has been spreading mostly among the unvaccinated.

Vaccine rates, meanwhile, have remained flat throughout much of the region despite efforts from public health officials, who have repeatedly urged all residents to get inoculated as soon as possible.

The issue extends to hospital networks across the country, including Vermont, where the University of Vermont Health Network has been under strain since the onset of the pandemic, according to an AP report.

Other hospital networks across the country, including in Idaho, have been overwhelmed by COVID patients, which has limited patient care for other medical issues.

Nearly 1 in 5 of American households have been forced to delay medical care for serious illness, according to a new poll released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

In New York, a state mandate that went into effect last month requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated by Sept. 27 has exacerbated the issue, putting hundreds of workers across the state who declined to get inoculated out of work at least temporarily until they get the vaccine.

At Hudson Headwaters, 98.5% of employees have been vaccinated and a limited number of deferrals and exemptions were granted, according to William Borgos, chief medical officer for the health care provider.

Staffing, however, remains very tight and recruitment efforts to fill positions across the network are underway, he added.

But while the provider works to fill positions, a significant number of annual appointments across most of the network have been rescheduled in order to free up resources.

This has allowed us to create space to see the surge of patients presented with acute concerns, many of them COVID-19 related, Borgos said in an email.

He added there have been several occasions where more than 1,800 patients visited facilities in a single day across the network. The Broad Street urgent care in Glens Falls has been especially busy, Borgos said.

Our urgent care center at the Health Center on Broad Street has been especially busy, primarily evaluating patients presenting with symptoms suspicious for COVID-19, he said.

Roughly three quarters of positive COVID tests each day involve unvaccinated individuals, Borgos said.

The surge in patients has led to longer wait times for patients that on several occasions have extended several hours.

We are working very hard to adjust staffing to greatly reduce this wait time, he said. We do communicate with the local ERs, and we do believe our efforts are helping to keep many patients out of the hospital-based ERs.

Glens Falls Hospital has also experienced a similar uptick in the need for acute care services, resulting in a herculean effort by staff members, who have been working extra hours to meet the growing demand.

Thirty-eight employees are still out of work due to the states vaccine mandate, but the hospital has been navigating staffing shortages long before the mandate took effect, said Ray Agnew, a hospital spokesman.

The hospital currently has 200 openings for various positions, including housekeepers, lab assistants and registered nurses.

Around 80 agency staff workers are enlisted a week to help meet the demand, but Agnew said the hospital has doubled its efforts to fill the vacancies with permanent workers.

A growing need for acute care services that has created a busier than usual emergency department has only added to the difficulties. COVID cases have accounted for 10% of patient admissions, Agnew said.

Of the 20 COVID-related hospitalizations on Friday, 17 involved unvaccinated individuals, Agnew said.

Still, emergency room wait times vary day-to-day depending on the volume of patients.

The real issue is a region-wide surge in acute cases of other kinds  causing a busier-than-usual emergency department, and an above-average census, which has been the case since mid-summer, Agnew said. This, coupled with the staffing crises which began well before the vaccine mandate, has resulted in a herculean effort by our teams.

Meanwhile, at Hudson Headwaters, Borgos said the organization is committed to patient care and he urged everyone to get a COVID shot and flu vaccine.

As the health of our region is truly a team effort, we encourage all community members to do their part and make sure they get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines, he said.

Chad Arnold is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls and the town and village of Lake George and Washington County government. Follow him on Twitter @ChadGArnold.

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CAMBRIDGE  Arguments to protect and to retire the Cambridge Indian nickname and emblem continued to fly at the schools board meeting Thursday, although the matter is, for the moment, out of the districts hands.

Indian-head decals on the office window in the gym where the meeting was held had disappeared, in compliance with state Education Commissioner Betty Rosas demand that the school abide by a June 17 board resolution and begin retiring the mascot while she reviews the July 8 resolution that overturned that vote.

Several speakers blamed outsiders, liberals and Rosa for picking on the district.

The mascot unifies this community, said Ted Flint. Certain people on the left want to divide it. He objected that the four families who petitioned Rosa to stay the July 8 resolution could override the will of the community, adding: Why have elections? This cant be allowed to stand.

People are coming in from outside trying to change our town, a young woman charged. Its not fair to us, we the people. Were upset and were very disrespected.

State Assemblyman Jake Ashby, R-East Greenbush, and state Senator Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, who represent part of the district, have reached out to Rosa, said retired teacher Susan Harrington.

Everything here was legal, Harrington said.

She noted that other school districts in the state have Native American names and emblems.

Why would the commissioner target us? she asked.

Greg Woodcock, the Republican candidate for White Creek Town Board, called Rosas actions illegal and unconstitutional.

Joshua Joseph, a local Scoutmaster, said the boys in his group need something to be proud of. They want the Indian to stay. Native Americans are close to being forgotten, and retiring the Indian would take them farther from public awareness, he said.

On the other side, a retired school administrator questioned whether, despite claims of respect and honor for Native Americans, Cambridge students are receiving any more education about Native Americans than students in other area districts.

Where was the wave of support to honor Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day? he asked, referring to Mondays holiday. The majority approval of slavery in the South didnt make slavery right.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Mahicans, the last Indigenous nation known to have inhabited the area, asked the district to retire the Indian and congratulated the board when it voted to do so, said Teresa Foster.

We as a majority white community are overriding their wishes, she said.

A man whose family recently moved to White Creek said they were attacked on social media when they tried to become active in the community.

Its a small minority driving the negativity but my family had to take a step back, he said. There needs to be more change if you want a strong community.

In other matters:

School Superintendent Douglas Silvernell began drafting a plan to move the school away from its current imagery, in compliance with the June 17 resolution, but realized one person cant handle this, he said. He proposed that the board create a steering committee comprising board and community members to create and guide the overall process. That would include reviewing and possibly revising the schools imagery, determining how to choose a new nickname if necessary, and improving the schools curriculum on Native Americans. Both sides agree on the education part, Silvernell said. It would be a great place to start. He asked the board to be prepared to discuss a steering committee at the next meeting.

The board agreed unanimously to require voters to show identification proving that they live in the district, starting with the next school vote. The alternatives, Silvernell said, were to continue with the current system, which only asks voters to sign an affidavit that they are eligible to vote, or requiring voters to register before an election. School board member Shay Price raised the issue at the July 8 meeting, although no incidents of fraudulent voting were alleged.

The board approved an emergency expenditure of up to $105,000 to fix a drainage problem at the school bus garage. Subsidence of the driveway, noticed in early September, turned out to be caused by a break in a drain line going from the bus wash bay to a holding tank. Any money not needed for the repair will be returned to the general fund.

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GLENS FALLS  The citys Industrial Development Agency is considering extending a series of tax breaks to the owners of The Queensbury Hotel to help cover the costs of a $3.8 million ballroom expansion project, which hotel management says will provide a huge boost to the city.

The hotel is seeking a $105,000 sales tax exemption and a $44,000 mortgage tax exemption to help cover the costs for the 5,200-square-foot expansion, which have increased from $1.75 million due to supply chain issues brought on by the pandemic.

Once complete, the expanded ballroom will be able to accommodate wedding receptions of more than 300 guests and cocktail hours with up to 700 people, according to Tyler Herrick, the hotels general manager.

The plans, approved earlier this year by the citys Planning Board, also call for a new banquet kitchen and minor renovations to the existing ballroom layout. The hotel currently operates its restaurant, pub and existing ballrooms out of the same kitchen.

The larger space will not only allow the hotel to host larger receptions, but accommodate a growing need for conferences and conventions, which typically last for days and often bring guests in during the week. The hotel has turned away $700,000 in business this past year due to a lack of space, Herrick said.

What weve seen over the past five years is a huge demand  for events, he said. About 60% of our business model is weddings, social gatherings and corporate functions and, as weve been able to grow over the past five years, weve seen a lot more of the large conventions.

The renovations are expected to create 25 part- and full-time jobs at the hotel, Herrick said, though he noted that number could end up being higher. The hotel currently has a staff of around 80.

The ballroom expansion, expected to begin next year, is the latest in a serious of renovations the historic hotel will undergo since businessman Ed Moore acquired the property five years ago.

All 123 of the hotels rooms have been renovated, as well as the corridors, lobby and existing office spaces.

The IDA previously awarded the hotel a series of tax breaks in 2017, including a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, to help cover the renovation costs.

If the new tax breaks are approved, the terms of the hotels existing PILOT would not change, said Judy Calogero, the chair of the IDA.

Herrick said the hotel is already taking reservations for the new ballroom.

He added only a handful of properties in the area can accommodate large receptions and most cater to seasonal visitors.

The citys downtown appeals to visitors throughout the year, and many guests end spending money at local restaurants and businesses during their visit, Herrick said.

I think the downtown is a huge asset for to us that a lot of those other properties dont have, he said.

Members of the IDA supported the tax breaks, including Mayor Dan Hall.

To add more facilities, more area for us to have bigger events, again, its a no-brainer, he said. Im very much in favor of this and Im very much in favor of the jobs that theyve done.

A public hearing on the tax breaks is expected to be announced in coming days.

Chad Arnold is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls and the town and village of Lake George and Washington County government. Follow him on Twitter @ChadGArnold.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Clarence the giant schnauzer came into Penny Wagner's life as a puppy nearly eight years ago, at a traumatic time for her family.

She and her husband, Steve, had recently lost their 21-year-old daughter in a car accident. Soon after, their other child went off to college, and Steve returned to work, leaving Penny home alone with her grief. That's when they brought Clarence into the family.

Earlier this year, the beloved pet became critically ill with advanced kidney disease. Their veterinarian wouldn't allow them to stay with him until the end at the clinic due to COVID protocols, so they decided to have him put down at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a favorite laundry room spot.

A vet working with a company called Pet Loss at Home arrived and greeted Clarence and the Wagners. She gave the couple all the time they needed before administering two injections, one to relax the 90-pound dog and the other to let him go. The couple cuddled him as they cried, and their other dog, Cooper, was able to say goodbye as well.

"He'll always have a special place in my heart," said a tearful Wagner. "I think he was very comforted by the fact that he was home and that he was with loved ones up to the moment we said goodbye."
VENTNOR  A Gloucester County man was arrested Saturday after he hit two parked vehicles and a police car and fled officers, police said.

At 3:25 a.m., Officer Chelsea Burns saw a gold Buick LeSabre strike two parked vehicles in the first block of South Somerset Avenue and leave the scene, Capt. Joe Fussner said in a news release. Burns attempted to pull over the Buick, but the driver refused to stop. He was later identified as Hernan Gorostieta-Hernandez, 26, of Pitman.

Officers did not engage in a vehicle pursuit and lost sight of the Buick as it drove the wrong way onto Winchester Avenue, police said. A short time later, the vehicle was located by Officer Anthony Vitanza, who attempted to stop it, but Gorostieta-Hernandez again refused to stop. While fleeing, the Buick struck Vitanzas patrol vehicle.

Sgt. Mario Lima then reported that the suspect vehicle was on Atlantic Avenue and stopped at Oxford and Atlantic. Lima attempted to pull the vehicle over, and this time Gorostieta-Hernandez stopped, police said.
The school is named for Benjamin Banneker, son of a once-enslaved man, who was a self-educated astronomer and mathematician and a civil rights activist. He produced one of the countrys first almanacs. The school focuses on math and science.

+3 Pleasantville school board places superintendent on paid leave, replaces board president PLEASANTVILLE  The local school board voted to place the superintendent on paid leave and r

The walls in the buildings at the 11-acre campus are stenciled with inspiring messages, including Gandhis You must be the change you wish to see in the world. The Westampton campus has about 160 students in kindergarten and sixth through eighth grades; the remaining 200 students in first through fifth grades are housed in a Willingboro campus.

Every classroom is named for a college or university  meant to place the students in the mindset to pursue higher education, Wilson said. School officials refer to them as scholars.

The charter school attracts mostly children from Willingboro schools, where students have struggled recently on state standardized tests. Other students come from nearby districts, including Burlington City, Burlington Township, Delran and Delanco, Wilson said. There is a waiting list of about 800 students.

Banneker students have performed slightly better than their counterparts in Willingboro public schools on state tests in math and language arts. But their scores have lagged state averages, a frequent criticism of charters.
There was a rare triumph of substance over politics in Washington recently. In testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen spoke in favor of abolishing the debt ceiling. Shes right: The debt ceiling deserves to go. This strange quirk of U.S. budget process serves no purpose except, now and then, to let one party or the other seek political advantage by threatening to throw the financial system into chaos. Theres never a good time to flirt with a financial crisis, but with the recovery still far from complete, now is an especially bad one.

President Joe Biden argued that the Republicans should agree not to filibuster a bill to raise the ceiling, allowing Democrats to pass the measure on a simple majority. Republicans have said they will play no role in resolving the situation. Democrats dont want to go it alone, arguing that the other party should accept its responsibility for obligations incurred earlier, and that theres anyway no time for Democrats to do whats necessary without such cooperation.
We are reviewing all guidance issued on the vaccine and are aware of the recent order by Governor Abbott, Southwest Airlines Co. said on Tuesday. According to the presidents executive order, federal action supersedes any state mandate or law, and we would be expected to comply with the presidents order to remain compliant as a federal contractor.

Southwest, which is headquartered in Dallas and employs 54,500 people, is a federal contractor, and that part of its business depends on remaining in the White Houses good graces. Seven other carriers, including American Airlines Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Inc., are also federal contractors. That same group also flies nationally, meaning they cross state borders, engage in interstate commerce and are thus regulated almost exclusively by the federal government  not by people who occupy governors mansions.

American, which is based in Fort Worth and employs 117,400 workers, pointed out that the federal vaccine mandate supersedes any conflicting state laws, and this does not change anything for American. But lucrative contracts and regulatory burdens arent the only things informing some companies responses to Abbott. They also have the health and safety of their employees and customers to worry about.
Despite many of those residents working at home these days as a result of the pandemic, the Union Pacific Northwest line dissecting the village of 77,000 residents is still viewed as an economic engine. But Arlington Heights is no longer beholden to the fortunes of Chicago, making the prospect of a Bears stadium in town interesting, yet not essential.

Wed like to take a collaborative approach, and as the discussions continue, our businesses would like to be a part of that, but we dont want to see another downtown on the property duplicating what we already have, Ridler said.

The largest small town in America

Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes assured residents earlier this month that while the village is excited to hear about the Bears plans to build a stadium in town, officials are not going to give away the store to clinch a deal with the team.

Hayes, 65, fondly recalled his childhood growing up in Arlington Heights, when he and his friends would peek inside the open back door of the local butcher to watch him grinding hamburger meat.

Hayes, whose first date with his wife was at the former Arlington Theater when they were teenagers, described his hometown as the largest small town in America.
So we selected every venture that we worked with, but rather than us putting capital in, then we would always match them with other capital providers and we would not get paid for that, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said a nonprofit subsidiary was created to make direct cash investments, allowing a financial return to the charity if it was successful. But the subsidiary, Alter Investments, never made an investment and Sullivan said it should have been closed.

An IRS statement showing Alter Investments as the vehicle that invested $250,000 in a Bangladesh startup was a scriveners error, Sullivans campaign said. The Bangladesh investment, Sullivan said, was from another entity which he said he incorporated in Delaware, Alter Global SPV 1.

Alter Investments is not in good standing with the California Department of Justice for failing to file copies of its tax returns with the agency. Sullivan said fees and penalties will be paid before the entity is closed.

The charity registry of the California Department of Justice also shows the nonprofit Alter Global did not file copies of its tax returns and renewal documents for 2018 and 2019, and its 2020 filing was rejected with its status listed as delinquent. The campaign said the nonprofit was correcting any oversights.
"They'll really get the meat and potatoes of what they want to do, if they want to become an educator," McGinnis said. " ... Our view on the vocational center is preparing our students for a career and giving these students an opportunity to know what that career can look like and a glimpse into what that work is."

Hands-on experience can be critical to helping high schoolers decide what they want to do after they graduate. Collinsville senior Hanna Leatz said she signed up for the early childhood class this year because she enjoyed her job working with younger children at the YMCA.

"I started working and I thought, 'I could see myself doing this,'" she said.

Leatz has only been in the class for a few weeks, but she said it is fulfilling to know that the 2- through 5-year-olds she is working with are learning and growing and excitedly telling their parents what they do each day.

McGinnis said he expects between 35 and 55 students to enroll in the education classes each year. The CAVC serves students from eight other high schools besides Collinsville.
A strike at Deere & Co. means something in the Quad-Cities.

It is no accident that many here remember the last time there was a Deere strike, in 1986. And that it lasted almost six months (163 days, to be precise.)

A strike at Deere doesnt just ripple through this community; it makes waves. The Quad-City economy is closely tied to Deere, and it includes not just the thousands of Deere workers and their families, but also untold others whose companies and livelihoods are affected because of their contractual relationships with the company.

As Dave Swenson, an economist at Iowa State University, said, "You are disproportionately dependent upon manufacturing and disproportionately dependent upon one company."

The extent to which that is true has changed over the years, but our economic well-being is undoubtedly joined with Deere.

Still, we have to say, it is more than our economy. Deere and its workers are an integral piece of the Quad-Cities identity.

Anybody who has worked there  and who has family members who have worked there  knows what it means to be a part of John Deere.

Even those who havent been a part of this company know its important place in our community.
Since the end of September and into the first couple weeks of October, spring wheat nearby futures prices for Minneapolis have slowly and steadily climbed. As of Oct. 12, futures were at $9.45 and that put cash prices around the region anywhere from $8.70 to $9.15.

We did see a bit of strength in the market after the Sept. 30 USDA report, and also producer selling has slowed a bit because producers are now harvesting late-season crops, said Erica Olson, market development and research manager for the North Dakota Wheat Commission.

A quick look at the Sept. 30 USDA report shows that U.S. spring wheat acreage did change, going down some overall, but there were also some big shifts in individual states. For instance, wheat acreage in Montana increased from 2.6 million acres up to 2.9 million, while in North Dakota wheat acreage decreased by 450,000, down to 5.5 million.

Expected harvested acres also went down in the report. Nationwide abandonment is 11 percent. In Montana, abandonment is as high as 25 percent, while in South Dakota its 18 percent. The biggest shock in the report was that abandonment in North Dakota was just 5 percent.

I think it should have been quite a bit higher than that. Well see if they ever adjust that number or not, she said, adding that in Minnesota, producers werent expecting to abandon much and that number came in at 4 percent.

As expected, yield projections came in 2 bushels per acre higher than the previous report at 32.6 bushels per acre, but thats still historically low.

After crunching all those numbers, the overall production only dropped by 8 million bushels from the last estimate and now stands at 297 million for spring wheat, she said. I think there was some thinking that production would decline more than that, but the slightly higher than expected yields producers saw nearly balanced out the lower harvested acres.

By state, North Dakota production was down 37 percent and Montana, which was hit the hardest by drought, was down 70 percent.

Those numbers, she noted, were incorporated in the October WASDE report (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate). For spring wheat, USDA made that production adjustment, but it also dropped domestic use by 15 million bushels (MB), bringing the new estimate down to 254 MB. Exports were left the same as in the previous report and ending stocks were marginally lower and are now down at 111 MB. That is a 31 percent decline from last year and the lowest ending stocks total since 2007-08.

Looking at demand, U.S. wheat exports as a whole were down 22 percent and are now at 420 MB sold.

Unfortunately, were down in most markets, even our more consistent markets. But surprisingly were higher to Mexico and Nigeria, which tend to be a little more price sensitive, she said. But weve seen good demand from Mexico in recent years, so maybe thats not too surprising.

Looking at spring wheat specifically, exports are down 28 percent on the year. That follows the all wheat trend. Unfortunately, U.S. spring wheat exports are down to its top markets, such as the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan. Also, the U.S. has had no sales to China this year and that follows a fairly good year last year, which is a big part of the decline, as well.

Looking forward, weve gotten most of the updated acreage and production estimates that were going to get for the U.S., she said, adding that a lot of attention has been turned to the hard red winter wheat planting progress, which to date is a little behind average. The region has been getting some rain, which has helped the situation.

Elsewhere around the world, the South American crops are what will be harvested next. Also, both Argentina and Australia are looking to have good production this year.

One other item impacting the market is that Russia implemented a floating export tax this year and they have been continuously raising it, which has been slowing down their exports, she said.

Other than that, on a world level things are pretty quiet this time of year.

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The first snowfall has hit the Black Hills, and colder weather brings higher heating bills. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission advised natural gas customers to expect costlier heating bills this fall and winter, potentially the highest customers have experienced in more than a decade.

Natural gas prices are largely driven by market supply and demand, according to the South Dakota PUC.

The natural gas industry is experiencing shortages in supply while also seeing an increase in overall natural gas demand. As a result, homeowners should expect to see higher natural gas bills this winter, Public Utilities Commission Chairman Chris Nelson said in a news release.

Over the last several years, natural gas customers have benefitted from low gas prices, so this years prices may come with sticker shock. The higher-than-normal natural gas prices anticipated this winter, combined with the residual effects of the unprecedented natural gas prices experienced in February that utilities are currently continuing to recover from, will result in winter bills at levels not seen in well over 10 years, PUC Vice Chairperson Kristie Fiegen said in a news release.

Winter storms like the one hitting the region this week, natural disasters that affected natural gas production, and an increased demand for natural gas are all contributing to price hikes nationwide. Stretches of colder weather could drive up home and business heating bills even more. The 2022 Old Farmers Almanac predicts colder-than-average temperatures and average snow accumulations this winter in South Dakota.

Montana-Dakota Utilities said in a news release that natural gas prices could rise 50% to 100% during the heating season, November through March. This is similar to projected natural gas prices nationwide, although MDU said it anticipates being toward the lower end of the price increase range.

"Our projection for our South Dakota customers, assuming average weather and no supply disruptions, is about $180 more than last year for the five-month winter heating season, or roughly $36 per month on average for the five months," said Mark Hanson, spokesman for MDU.

Black Hills Energy also anticipates higher-than-normal natural gas prices this winter for natural gas and electric customers, both residential and commercial. The cost of natural gas is often the largest portion of their customers bills during the winter heating season. Black Hills Energy and MDU both said the increases customers will see are pass-through costs, meaning the utility companies dont make money from the higher natural gas prices.

MDU and Black Hills Energy urge customers who are struggling to pay their bills to contact their utility provider for help or to sign up for balanced billing, which averages out monthly energy bills. Go to montana-dakota.com/customer-service/payment-options/balanced-billing/ or blackhillsenergy.com/billing-and-payments/ways-pay-your-bill/balanced-billing.

We are working to prepare our customers for those increases, said Stephanie Dowling, director of Communications for Black Hills Energy. We also encourage customers struggling to pay their bills to reach out to our customer service team.

Natural gas bills have two components. Delivery, which is about 30% of a household's bill, is regulated by the PUC and is not projected to change, according to a South Dakota PUC news release. The gas itself, which is the remaining 70% of the bill, is driven by market forces.

Black Hills Energy is closely monitoring the natural gas market environment, including current and forecasted prices of natural gas. We have a dedicated Gas Supply team that executes strategies that balance our commitment to providing safe, reliable service to our customers while also mitigating the financial impacts of market volatility, she said.

According to MDU, the natural gas supply has grown from 2020, but supply has not kept up with demand. Hurricane Ida slowed offshore production in September, but production is nearing normal levels again.

The nations natural gas supply also is still coping with the effects of last winter. In February, freezing temperatures throughout the U.S. resulted in unprecedented demand for natural gas and extreme wholesale natural gas prices, and in Texas, a gas well froze in February. The South Dakota PUC says a portion of the increase in bills this winter is due to recovering from significant February natural gas costs.

The lower inventory of gas as the nation heads into the peak heating season contributes to higher prices nationwide, the South Dakota PUC said in a news release.

Consumers will see the impact of natural gas prices in costs other than their heating bills. As the leading source of fuel for the United States power grid, natural gas supplies make up more than 40% of utility-scale electricity generation nationwide. Rising natural gas prices may lead to increased electric costs. Natural gas prices also affect the prices consumers pay for food and other products, which will further contribute to an expensive winter.

Consumers got used to very low prices last year, because with the pandemic everything was shut down," said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Now, everythings coming back online, industry is returning and natural gas is being used again in very large quantities. And thats pushing up the price.

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The Rapid City Journal and its parent company, Lee Enterprises, have retained an attorney to seek information on why documents in a criminal case involving state Senate Majority Leader Gary Cammack, R-Union Center, were sealed from the public.

Cammack was arrested Jan. 18, 2020, in Meade County on counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding. He was charged Jan. 21, 2020, with driving under the influence in Meade County District Court with Pennington County Deputy State's Attorney Alexandra Weiss prosecuting the case.

Cammack pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge, a class one misdemeanor, on Feb. 4, 2020.

The DUI charge was dismissed over a year later on June 29 with a reduced charge of careless driving filed instead.

Cammack pleaded guilty to the careless driving and speeding charges, both class two misdemeanors. He received a suspended imposition of sentence and upon the filing of the dismissal of charges and completion of sentencing conditions, which may have included completion of a diversion program. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $431.50 for the careless driving charge and $39 fine for the speeding ticket, in addition to $222 in court costs.

However, Cammack's court record was sealed after it was publicized Oct. 5 on a political blog by Corey Heidelberger. He told the Journal that he first saw the document on Oct. 4 when doing a random check of court records.

The reasoning behind the court sealing the case is unknown. A court case may be sealed if the court is concerned that case records may lead to excessive pretrial publicity and jeopardize fairness for both the defendant and prosecution.

However, since the court records were sealed after Cammack's conviction on the lesser charges, the Journal has retained attorney Jon E. Arneson to seek information on why the action was taken.

"The Journal is taking this legal action because we believe the public has a right to see these documents," Journal Editor Kent Bush said Friday. "We believe how and why this case was sealed is important information, especially since the defendant is an elected official. There is no compelling legal reason to hide these records from the public."

Arneson wrote a letter Friday to Pennington County State's Attorney Mark Vargo, Weiss and Cammack's attorney, Nathaniel Nelson. In the letter, Arneson is inquiring about the process that led to sealing Cammack's case.

Arneson contends the decision to seal the case may violate South Dakota's law on general access rules for court documents. He also contends that it violates appropriate requests to prohibit public access to information in court records.

"I think my client  and the public  have a right to see the sealing motion. In the first place, access to that information is consistent with the purpose of [the general access rule]," Arneson wrote in the letter. "At the barest minimum, the public, even if denied access to the sealed documents, themselves, has good reason to know the basis or grounds for the sealing.

"Beyond that, as for the actual access to the sealed documents, my client and the public have ample cause to ask that the court reopen the sealing procedure to allow their involvement and input. Considering the circumstances, it is indisputable that the public has not just a legitimate interest, but a compelling interest under [requests to prohibit public access to information in court records] that has been ignored."

Arneson is requesting Vargo, Weiss and Nelson to allow the Journal to examine the order to see if there was merit in the sealing and to examine the relevance of the arguments to seal the court records.

The Journal has not yet received a response from the letter to the prosecutors or to Cammack's attorney. No lawsuit has yet been filed on behalf of the Journal's request.

Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com.

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The House and Senate Legislative Redistricting Committees spent three days traveling across South Dakota to take public input on what the states new legislative districts should look like. We started at 8 a.m. on Monday in Rapid City and ended at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Sioux Falls. We traveled over 1,100 miles, making stops in Mission, Mobridge, Aberdeen, and Watertown along the way.

More than 200 people attended our listening sessions. We heard from about 100 people who took time to weigh in on South Dakotas future legislative districts. Several key themes emerged from public comments.

Many people indicated they generally like their current legislative districts. As we move forward, we are trying to preserve the core of the current districts as much as possible. Because of changes in South Dakotas population  an increase of about nine percent over the past ten years, primarily in the southeast part of the state  we know that at least 34 of the states 35 legislative districts will need to change to comply with our constitutional requirement of one person, one vote. The only district that doesnt need any alteration is the one encompassing Lawrence County, which grew at the right pace to comprise a legislative district.

Voters and county auditors would like counties to be left whole where possible. According to the census, seven of our states 66 counties are too large to fit within one legislative district. Brookings, Brown, Codington, Lincoln, Meade, Minnehaha, and Pennington counties will have to be split into more than one district, to satisfy the constitutions equal protection clause. As we work to assign the rest of the state into logical legislative districts, we are trying to minimize splitting any of the remaining counties as much as possible.

There were many comments about keeping urban districts as urban as possible, and rural districts as rural as possible, particularly near Sioux Falls. The U.S. Census Bureau defines an urban area as 2,500 residents or more. As the Senate looks at growth patterns along the I-29 corridor, we are working to keep the urban districts as compact as possible, and the rural districts as rural as possible.

We heard from the Native American community about protecting minority voting rights. One of the ways our committee is addressing this is to follow the current boundaries for Districts 26, 27, and 28 as much as possible to meet the requirements of the Federal Voting Rights Act, while also meeting population requirements as required by the Constitution.

Protecting communities of interest is another theme that emerged from our listening sessions. While this concept is not clearly defined in law, we heard how citizens see their local community of interest. As our state becomes more diverse, we expect this conversation to continue.

Over the next few weeks we will be working to incorporate these suggestions into a proposal for legislators to consider during the Special Session on Redistricting, set for November 8-9 in Pierre. Our over-arching goal is to develop a map that meets our constitutional obligations and statutory guidance, and is fair for the residents of our state.

Proposed maps are available for the public to view at sdlegislature.gov.

Mary Duvall is the Representative for District 24 serving Hughes, Hyde, Stanley, and Sully counties.

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The Bitterroot Climate Action Group will partner with the University of Montana to gather local input and provide education on building resilience and mitigation for environmental changes brought by climate change.

The university was recently awarded a $450,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fund the program.

Entitled ResilienceMT: Montana Rural and Tribal Community Climate Resilience Exhibit and Forums, the grant provides funding over three years to engage high school students, their teachers, families and other community members through a mobile, interactive educational exhibit, created by spectrUM Discovery Area, the University hands-on science center located in the Missoula Public Library. ResilienceMT also will conduct community forums to support Montanas climate resilience planning, networking and resource-sharing in the Bitterroot Valley and on the Blackfeet and Fort Belknap reservations.

The climate science exhibits will include interactive computer models offering learning experiences with climate data, and mitigation technology exhibits. Were excited to collaborate with teachers to develop activities ranging from exploring community climate impacts and responses using digital story maps, to building model fire-ready houses, to experimenting with DIY air filters to improve indoor air quality during smoke season, said spectrUMs Beth Covitt.

BCAG Chair Peter Reynolds said that BCAG volunteers and the University of Montana personnel will collaboratively plan community forums to encourage dialog about climate among residents of all ages and walks of life. The outcome of the forums will contribute to a climate action planning for Ravalli County.

We are very excited to be included in this project to build climate resilience in our community," Reynolds said. "This grant furthers BCAGs goals in every way, and we hope the process of implementing this project will build an understanding among our citizens of all ages and political persuasions of what is at stake and concrete steps to meet the challenges of climate change in our region. Average temperatures across Montana have already risen 2.0-3.0F between 1950 and 2015. This change alone has tremendous implications for our watersheds, risk of wildfire, and our economic base.

Bitterroot Climate Action Group is a local nonprofit formed in 2019 to educate the public on climate science, advocate for policy changes and mitigate the local effects of climate change. The group's 130 members are all residents of Ravalli County. The groups website is https://bitterrootcag.org. In 2021, BCAG projects included raising funds to provide portable air purifiers to senior residents at Burnt Fork Manor in Stevensville and presenting a series of on-line webinars on climate science.

For Further Information Contact: Peter Reynolds, Chair, Bitterroot Climate Action Group, 406 381-4829 peterreyn@gmail.com. To see The University of Montanas press release go to https://www.umt.edu/news/2021/10/101321noaa.php

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In no industry and under no circumstances should this behavior be tolerated  not once, not ever.

This is true even if no one is complaining and even if everyone is laughing and smiling and participating. Its a notice-based system not a complaint-based one. Clearly the jury concluded Tesla had plenty of notice that racial misconduct was occurring in the workplace and failed to act in a timely manner.

David Miklas, a Florida employment attorney who represents businesses, notes that a significant thing about this verdict is that the jury awarded more money than the employee requested.

He suggests that employers learn from the size of the verdict that they need to take seriously all complaints of discrimination, including those from contractors and temporary workers.

Miklas said, Although this verdict came out of California, it would be risky for an employer in another state to think jurors would not punish race discrimination harshly. A lot of changes took place in the last couple of years, and one of those changes just might be that the average American, who may end up on a jury, has been impacted by the BLM movement and will no longer tolerate race discrimination in the workplace.
The pandemic certainly has changed the workplace.

Bustling offices still are not the norm for many companies. A number of major companies across the country and in the Richmond region have delayed return-to-office plans until 2022.

Employees work from home these days, or they split their time between an office and home.

Some workers just go to the office to collaborate, brainstorm and strategize with colleagues  or they join a Zoom conference meeting from anyplace remotely.

Learning what businesses are the best places to work has become more significant as the workplace upheaval of the past 18-plus months has contributed to employee instability.

Knowing which company stands out as a top employer has gained importance as businesses struggle to retain top talent and millions of people have left their jobs in recent months, or plan to in the future. Researchers have used the phrase the Great Resignation to describe whats happening to the American workforce.

Workers increasingly are seeking employers who make them feel appreciated, according to officials with Energage, the suburban Philadelphia-based employee research and consulting firm.
Big-league political influencer Dominion Energy donated $200,000 to a secretive PAC attacking GOP gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, a new filing shows.

The money from Dominions PAC went to Accountability Virginia PAC in Washington, according to a public filing this weekend by Dominion with the Virginia Department of Elections.

The political news outlet Axios reported in late September that the Accountability Virginia operation has ties to Democratic activists and is funding an ad campaign in which the Democrats pose as conservatives to drive a wedge between the Republican candidate for Virginia governor and his core voters.

The ads on Facebook, Instagram, Google and Snapchat target rural areas of the state that support Youngkin, and the ads question his commitment to the Second Amendment, Axios reported.

Dominion gave $200,000 between July and September to the PAC running the ads.

Youngkins campaign said Democrats are desperate.
Youngkins leadership PAC, Virginia Wins PAC, which reports on a different time schedule, reported raising $640,500 between July 1 and Sept. 30 and finished the month with $315,078.

Through August, Youngkin had poured $16.5 million of his own money into his campaign and contributed an additional $1 million to his leadership committee. Youngkin did not add personal donations in September.

Princess Blanding, who is running for governor as the Liberation Party candidate, raised $8,367 in September and finished the month with a balance of $6,339.

In the contest for lieutenant governor, Democrat Hala Ayala, a delegate from Prince William County, raised $1.62 million in September and finished the month with $1.06 million in cash on hand. Ayalas biggest donation in the month was $200,000 from Everytown for Gun Safety.

Republican Winsome Sears, a former Norfolk delegate and business owner, raised $575,105 in September and finished the month with $480,965 on hand. Sears largest donation in the month was $100,000 from RSLC PAC, affiliated with the Republican State Leadership Committee, which works to elect Republicans to down-ticket statewide offices.
We also recommend an innovation initiative to strengthen our research universities as hubs for entrepreneurship and resilience.

As businesspeople, we believe each investment initiative must have measurable outcomes, with funding linked to performance. At this point, our $880 million investment recommendation is an order-of-magnitude estimate. We look forward to working with our elected officials and education partners to develop specific budget proposals and performance measures.

The budget decisions made in the 2022 legislative session will be absolutely crucial for Virginias future. Lets seize this once-in-generations opportunity to give all Virginians affordable pathways to job and career success  and make Virginia the nations undisputed talent leader.

Dennis Treacy is the chair of VBHEC and senior counsel at ReedSmith. Contact him at: dtreacy@reedsmith.com

Mehul Sanghani is a board member of VBHEC and CEO of Octo Consulting. Contact him at: mehul.sanghani@octoconsulting.com

To learn more about the coalition and its recommendations, visit: growth4va.com
Counterintuitively perhaps, the tariffs havent done much to help the U.S. aluminum industry, which is faltering. Eight U.S.-based smelters either closed or curtailed production since 2014. Only two of our five remaining smelters are operating today at full capacity, rendering U.S. production of aluminum to its lowest level since just after World War II.

Moreover, research from Harbor Aluminum found that at present, only 1 out of every 5 tons of primary aluminum consumed in the U.S. is produced in the U.S. This underscores the critical need for the importation of primary aluminum from around the world, without which many U.S. aluminum-dependent manufacturers are at risk of closing.

The demand of these companies for aluminum simply cannot be met without imports from overseas. At the heart of this dilemma is the continued application of Section 232 tariffs.
This story begins with that shop owner and craftsman, Amnon Weinstein, who took it upon himself to search out violins that had in their own way been casualties of the war, with the purpose of giving them new life. He called his project Violins of Hope.

My father was determined to reclaim his lost heritage, his son, Avshalom Weinstein, said in press materials. He started locating violins that were played by Jews in the camps and ghettos, painstakingly piecing them back together so they could be brought to life again on the concert stage and serve as a symbol of hope. Although most of the musicians who originally played the instruments were silenced by the Holocaust, their voices and spirits live on through the violins that my father has lovingly restored.

In the decades since Amnon Weinstein undertook this labor of love, the Violins of Hope exhibit has toured throughout the world, including a number of cities in the United States. Wherever it goes, the tour includes educational programs and community concerts, featuring some of the very violins Weinstein has rescued.
A resident of Tiffanie's Manor, an assisted living facility in downtown Richmond, has been charged in a stabbing that wounded one female resident of the home and killed another.

The stabbing is the second at the facility in 3 1/2 months.

Detectives charged Quincy Adams Rawlings, 53, with one count each of malicious wounding and stabbing in the commission of felony in connection with the stabbing of the 60-year-old woman who survived. Additional charges are pending in the homicide of the woman killed, identified by police as Natalie Simmons-Price, 60.

Richmond police were called at 12:52 p.m. Oct. 8 to the facility at 115 N. Jefferson Street for a report of a stabbing. Arriving officers found two woman inside suffering from stab wounds. Both were taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Simmons later died.

Police said Rawlings is a resident of the facility. Detectives have not released information on Rawlings' relationship to the victims or a possible motive.
My grandfather Mike was a trashman and spent the best part of his youth and adulthood driving through the streets of Philadelphia, gathering up other peoples refuse.

My mother Lucy ended her academic career with a diploma from West Catholic Girls in 1956, and then went to work. She handed over every paycheck, unopened, to her parents. It never occurred to her to go to college, because that high school diploma was already more than Mike and Mamie could have hoped for her.

My father Ted worked his way through school, didnt get a penny from his own parents, gratefully accepted the love and financial assistance from his girlfriend-fiancee-wife Lucy, and ended up on Temple Law Review. And the rest is history.

I write these things to point out that getting a college degree is only a measure of someones value if they did it by themselves, without having stood on the shoulders of beloved people. My father would have been the first to tell you that he was only able to do what he did because of my mother. My mother would have been the first to tell you that she was only able to wear her own cap and gown because Mamie rubbed her knuckles until they bled, washing someone elses clothes. She was only able to do it because Mike lived among the steaming discards of strangers.
 St. Louis Post-Dispatch

We all know gerrymandering is baked into our politics, but when that process goes so far that it begins to undermine basic principles of fair representation, we need to take notice and speak up. That moment has come in the Texas redistricting process.

The proposed congressional and state house maps now being debated in Austin fail on any number of basic principles  from keeping districts geographically compact to maintaining existing political subdivisions to preserving communities of interest by not splitting up suburbs to lump them in with rural communities.

It also must be said that these maps raise serious questions about the racial and ethnic makeup of new districts in a state where 95% of population growth in the last decade has been from people of color.

The letter of the law may permit a party in power to protect its incumbents by drawing maps around voters party preferences. But the spirit of the law and the greater good of democracy do not appear to be served by the maps that Republican legislators have crafted.

 The Dallas Morning News
" " So an astronaut walks into a bar in a galaxy far, far away ... romanmoris/Getty Images

In September 2018, a new breakthrough in space technology was uncorked  a specially designed bottle that will make it possible to drink Champagne in the microgravity environment of space. The bottle contains two chambers, as detailed in this Agence-France Presse article, one for the Champagne and the other for a valve that uses the carbon dioxide in the Champagne to eject foamy little alcohol spheres, which can then be scooped into long-stemmed glasses for sipping. Once inside the mouth, the spheres turn back  voila  into liquid Champagne. This video from Champagne maker G.H. Mumm shows how it worked on a test flight:

The space Champagne, as AFP reported, is envisioned as an amenity for space tourists who someday may be taking pleasure trips with private space-flight operators.

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If future recreational astronauts do get the chance to savor some of the bubbly, it won't be the first time that alcohol has been consumed in space. The practice goes back to the early days of the Soviet space program, when the USSR's doctors reportedly sent cosmonauts into orbit with rations of cognac. "We used it to stimulate our immune system and on the whole to keep our organisms in tone," one former cosmonaut told NBC News. Later on, cosmonauts began drinking a liqueur containing ginseng, a root that's a traditional Asian herbal remedy for improving energy and concentration.

NASA, in contrast, generally hasn't allowed astronauts to drink  not just in space, but also within 16 hours of a space launch. But the agency has wavered from its teetotaling stance at times. There reportedly was a plan, for example, to allow the Apollo 8 crew to drink a small ration of brandy to go with their Christmas meal of dehydrated bacon cubes and turkey gravy stuffing, but Commander Frank Borman decided that they should forgo the alcohol. On the Apollo 11 trip to the moon in 1969, astronaut Buzz Aldrin did open a small plastic container of wine, but it was so that he, a Presbyterian elder, could take communion, according to NBC News.

As former NASA food developers Charles T. Bourland and Gregory L. Vogt detail in their book "The Astronaut's Cookbook: Tales, Recipes, and More," NASA considered providing astronauts on the Skylab mission in the 1970s with sherry, packaged in flexible plastic pouches with built-in drinking tubes, but the idea was nixed for fear of negative publicity.

But back in 1985, a NASA report titled "Living Aloft: Human Requirements for Extended Spaceflight" did contemplate the pros and cons of drinking on space flights and in future settlements on the moon or other planets. "It is unlikely that alcohol as a social beverage will find its way into space, at least until relatively large and stable settlements are established," the report noted. "Alcohol, as a recreational drug, may be keenly missed by space travelers, since there is evidence that alcohol plays an important social role in exotic environments."

No Booze on the ISS

Generally, though, today's space travelers have to wait until they get back to Earth until they have a drink. Because of alcohol's chemical volatility  that is, its tendency to vaporize  astronauts aren't allowed to have it on the International Space Station, due to "the negative effects [that] alcohol can have on the water recovery system which draws in water from a number of sources, including cabin condensation," Daniel G. Huot, a spokesman at NASA's Johnson Space Center, says via email. The ban applies not just to beverages, but to any sort of product containing alcohol, such as aftershave or mouthwash.

There's another tricky issue about drinking in space: Not much is known about the effect of alcohol consumption on the human body in the space environment, which already is known to alter everything from the immune system to hand-eye coordination. "I don't know of any studies that have been done," says Dr. Jay C. Buckley, a former astronaut who is a professor of medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. So we really don't know whether the space environment would intensify the intoxicating effect of alcohol, or how an orbital hangover would compare to one that results from a bender on Earth.

While we don't have much science on alcohol in space, for what it's worth, there has been research on the effects of alcohol consumption at high altitudes on Earth. In this 1988 study, for example, some of the male subjects drank a quantity of 100-proof vodka adjusted to their weight  for a 175-pound (79-kilogram) man, about four shots  and then spent the day in a simulated 12,500-foot elevation (3,810-meter) environment, so they could be compared to other subjects who didn't drink and/or stayed at sea level. The drinkers experienced impaired performance on a battery of tasks, with older subjects performing worse than younger ones, but there wasn't a significant difference between drinkers at high altitude and those who stayed on the ground.

Now That's Interesting In 2017, Budweiser announced its goal of brewing the first beer on Mars. The brewer subsequently has sent batches of barley seeds to the International Space Station, in a scientific effort to understand the effects of microgravity on beer ingredients.
Between 2015 and 2020, more than 5,000 South Carolina students were arrested for disorderly conduct. More than 70 percent of those arrests occurred at schools  and disproportionately among students of color and students with disabilities, the ACLU said.

Black students across the state were more than six times as likely as white classmates to be targeted under the law and arrested for being disorderly or boisterous, the group said, adding that disabled students were also often charged instead of getting the support services they needed.

The case, originally filed in 2016, included a Columbia student who was arrested and taken to a detention center for crying out after a school resource officer picked up and threw a classmate to the ground. Other plaintiffs in Conway, Summerville and Travelers Rest later were added to the case.

Wilsons office, which appealed the ruling to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 12, said it had no comment because the litigation was pending. But it argued to Seymour that nullifying the law would take away law enforcement tools at schools and leave matters up to school disciplinary policy.
SIOUX CITY -- Alex Watters hopes voters decide to give him another term on the Sioux City Council, so that he can continue to be a part of the "tremendous momentum" that he said the city has experienced over the last four years.

During a recent interview at The Journal, Watters cited several projects as being among those he is most proud to have been a part of -- the Oracle Aviation Center, a new flight school coming to Sioux Gateway Airport; a biogas project at the wastewater treatment plant, which Watters said will generate nearly $2 million in annual revenue for the city; and the reinvestment district, a combination of four projects, which allowed the city to leverage a combined $13.5 million in future hotel and sales taxes generated in the downtown district.

"We've done a lot over the last four years, a lot of things that I think we should be proud and excited about," Watters said. "I want to continue some of the things that we have teed up right now and just be a part of the action. I think that it is a citizen's responsibility to try to make the biggest impact they can on the community around them. I see this as an opportunity to impact a community that has made such a tremendous impact on my life."

The 35-year-old, who works as director of talent and community engagement at Morningside University, sees his even-keeled nature, approachableness and active participation in the community as qualities that make him a good representative of the residents of Sioux City.

Watters is vying for one of three seats on the five-member council in the Nov. 2 general election, along with fellow incumbent Dan Moore and first-time candidates Ike Rayford and Matthew O'Kane.

"I think that it's easy to be overcritical of yourself when you have a difficult vote. I try for the most part to really think with an open mind and gather as much information from constituents, as well as experts before going into it and making a decision," Watters said.

Watters, who is seeking his second full term on the council, was appointed by the council in February 2017 to fill the remaining 10 months of former councilman Keith Radig's term. Then, in the 2017 election, Watters cruised to victory.

Looking back on his time on the council, Watters wishes the city could have bought the former Howard Johnson Hotel, now known as the Sioux City Hotel & Conference Center, and used the site as part of the reinvestment district, rather building a new hotel.

"But the fact of the matter is, every time we went to that property, it was in a price point that we couldn't work with, so we weren't able to buy that," he said. "I think about that a lot -- that I wish we would've. I'm hopeful for that to be developed in the future, because I think there's a real opportunity and that an investor wants to capitalize on the momentum that we're experiencing."

Watters said continuing to invest in the city's infrastructure and be a good steward of taxpayer dollars will be among his top priorities, if voters decide to return him to office.

"We really need to continue to lean into our infrastructure and invest in our infrastructure. It's something I hear all the time -- potholes, potholes, potholes. We need to work on it," he said. "The fact of the matter is that we're filling a tremendous amount of potholes. We have a road crew that's working all the time on trying to address those issues."

Watters noted that the city has reduced its tax levy by an average of 3.5 percent annually over the last three years.

"We need to make sure that we're not raising taxes if it's not needed and we're not lowering that if that money is needed elsewhere," he said. "I think continuing to watch and balance the budget is really important."

Continuing to invest in quality of life amenities is important to retain residents, as well as attract visitors, according to Watters.

He played a role in the formation the new Sioux City Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCRCVB), which recruits new events and promotes Sioux City as a destination for tourists, conventions and sporting events.

Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott has openly chided Watters during council meetings about the SCRCVB's progress. Scott was the only council member to vote against a letter of understanding authorizing payments totaling $200,000 to the SCRCVB on Oct. 1 of 2021 and 2022. Scott said he didn't want to bind next year's council to $100,000.

"It's something that I've been really thankful that the council has been behind. It's something that I am extraordinarily passionate about," Watters said of the SCRCVB. "I think if a community isn't telling their story, if they're not talking about the incredible things that they have going on in their community, then who is? We have to be able to shape that narrative and talk about all of the great things that we have going on in our community."

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SIOUX CITY  New COVID-19 infections continued to fall last week in Woodbury County, hitting the lowest level in over a month.

The county reported 442 positive cases for the week beginning Sept. 27, down from 525 the prior week, according to the latest weekly report released by Siouxland District Health.

The 14-day positivity rate also ticked down from 16 percent to 15.7 percent.

The number of people in Sioux City's two hospitals with COVID also fell sharply, from 42 during the week of Sept. 20 to 33 last week.

Last week's new positive cases were the fewest since the 313 reported for the week of Aug. 30.

In more recent weeks, the high peaked at 541 new cases for the week starting Sept. 13.

Siouxland District Health officials had attributed much of the spike to the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus, which now appears to be waning.

Despite repeated public calls to get shots, more than half of Woodbury County residents remain unvaccinated, according to state figures.

As of the week of Sept. 27, 45.5 percent of county residents had completed the single- or two-dose vaccinations, little changed from the previous week.

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Nibras Basitkey has a come a long way since she and her Yazidi family moved to Lincoln after ISIS invaded their small village in northern Iraq.

She joined a new community, a new school. Learned a new language. Joined the speech and debate team at Lincoln North Star High School, where she made it to nationals. Interned for a congressman and was the first from her family to graduate high school, where she gave the commencement speech in 2018. Enrolled in college  another family first  and joined Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai's nonprofit, where she advocates for girls and their right to an education.

Yes, she's come a long way.

So, when NBC's morning show "Today" came calling looking to share her remarkable journey, Basitkey didn't hesitate.

"It was automatically, 'Yes!'" she said in a phone call from Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Basitkey was among the women whose stories were featured Monday on "Today" as part of the show's coverage on International Day of the Girl  a yearly observance that recognizes the rights of girls to education and the challenges they face.

Basitkey, a senior at Creighton University studying economics and pre-law, would be on fall break this week, so she went to New York, not quite sure what to expect.

"I was obviously very nervous," she said.

She thought she might be in a studio, with the familiar faces of the "Today" show cast. But instead, she was outside, being interviewed in front of a crowd at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, sharing her story to the women and young girls who gathered there.

A story of survival, of discrimination, of striving for an education. Of learning a new language one word at a time  her dad told her to memorize 10 new words a day when they moved to the United States. How she stumbled upon Yousafzai's 2013 autobiography "I Am Malala" and found, for the first time, a story she could relate to.

"I started reading that, I had no idea what it was about," she said. "I saw someone familiar, who looked like me."

It's what helped inspire her to get involved with the Malala Fund, where she's helped shine a light on issues girls face today, especially in the wake of COVID-19  domestic violence, child marriages, lack of access to education.

After Monday's show aired, the staff at North Star, including counselor Lori Ludwig, received a link to Basitkey's segment.

They were excited, to say the least.

"She represents Lincoln North Star with excellence," Ludwig said. "She was by far probably the most purpose-driven, voracious learner I've met in my life. I remember her even then  she just flew through the levels of ELL (classes), jumping from one level to the next until she no longer needed them."

Basitkey, who spent the week at Malala Fund offices in Washington, D.C., before planning to return to Omaha, has big plans when she graduates.

She wants to become an international lawyer with a focus on human rights to advocate specifically for people in the Middle East who face oppression and religious discrimination  trials she experienced firsthand in Iraq and now sees in Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control there this summer.

Before the "Today" segment was over, one more message was shared  this time for Basitkey and TK Saccoh, a Sierra Leone activist, who appeared with her on the show.

It was from Yousafzai herself, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who famously survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, who spoke to them virtually.

"I'm so proud for both of you, for the fight you have taken to bring change," she said. "The world needs to hear your voice."

Top of their class

For those who like rankings, U.S. News and World Report this week released its annual list of the best public elementary and middle schools in each state and district.

Lux Middle School ranked the highest among middle schools in Lincoln, coming in at No. 7, while Adams Elementary was given top nod in the district, coming in at No. 20 overall in the state.

Elkhorn Public Schools' Blue Sage Elementary and Elkhorn Valley View Middle School were named the state's top schools. In fact, six Elkhorn elementary schools and three middle schools made the top 10.

Sheridan Elementary School came in 22nd in the state, while Pound, Irving and Scott middle schools were ranked 13th, 19th and 22nd, respectively.

U.S. News and World Report bases its rankings of 80,000 elementary and middle schools across the country on how students perform based on state assessments and how they perform compared to expectations.

But take the list with a grain of salt: That data is from 2018-19, so doesn't take into account the impact of the pandemic on test scores.

The company also ranks the best high schools, but I could only find 2021's list. For those of you who are curious, Lincoln East tops that list for Lincoln Public Schools, coming in at No. 6 in Nebraska.

Nationally? East is 3,258.

That's a lot of really good high schools.

Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack

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DES MOINES -- The expert panel charged with forecasting Iowas state revenues painted a rosy picture of the states budget and future financial health.

The states Revenue Estimating Conference during its regular meeting Friday at the Iowa Capitol projected continued growth of 1.5% for each of the next two fiscal years, growing a state budget that would surpass the $9 billion mark in the fiscal year that starts in June of 2023.

Im left to conclude that with a reasonable degree of confidence we should expect continued growth in both Iowas economy and the state revenue that it drives, said Kraig Paulsen, the panels chairman who was participating in his first REC meeting after recently being named interim director of the state Department of Management.

Holly Lyons, a panel member and director of fiscal services for the states nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, credited the states good fiscal health to higher-than-expected consumer spending --- especially in March, April and May --- that revealed a pent-up demand for goods and services, an improving economy, and massive federal assistance.

Lyons said roughly $11 billion in federal funding has been pumped into Iowas economy through myriad pandemic-related assistance programs, which she said provided a huge boost to state income tax collections and sales tax revenue.

While there are some headwinds facing the global economy and, to some extent, the Iowa economy, Iowa remains in strong financial position, Lyons said. LSA is cautiously optimistic in our Fiscal Year 22 and Fiscal Year 23 estimates.

Lyons cautioned, however, that the influx of federal assistance creates uncertainty for what the states economy will look like next year and after. She said once that funding fades, it is difficult to predict what Iowans spending habits will look like.

We continue to be in strange times with an unbelievable level of uncertainty, Lyons said. Its still very uncertain how much of the shifts in consumer and business and worker behaviors will persist.

The RECs third member is David Underwood, of Clear Lake, the panels public member.

In addition to the projected revenue growth, Iowas current budget has a surplus of more than $1.2 billion, the states taxpayer relief fund contains more than $1 billion, and the cash reserve and economic emergency funds contain a combined $817 million.

Statehouse Republicans, who have agenda-setting majorities in both chambers of the Iowa Legislature, quickly reacted to the latest projections with pledges to enact more tax reductions.

Now, with full reserve accounts and record setting surpluses, it is time to permanently reduce income taxes and continue to reward work and investment, Senate Majority Leader and Ankeny Republican Jack Whitver said in a statement. Iowa should remain a national leader in implementing successful economic policies to make the state an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in a statement said the latest revenue numbers show an over-collection of taxpayer dollars.

Ill be working with my team and legislative leaders to introduce legislation that will build upon our previous historic tax cuts and will continue to return to Iowans their hard-earned money while ensuring our state prospers and grows, Reynolds said.

Rep. Gary Mohr, chairman of the House budget committee and a Bettendorf Republican, added in a statement, Iowa House Republicans will continue to work with the Senate and governors office to continue the budgeting policies Iowans have come to expect from us: implementing a balanced budget, properly funding our priorities, and allowing Iowans to keep more of their hard-earned money.

The top Democrats on the Iowa Legislatures budget committees both, in issued statements, highlighted the role that federal relief funding --- approved by congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden --- played in Iowas fiscal health, and said any future state tax reductions should be targeted.

Democratic tax cuts have always focused on the middle-class, and working families have already seen the results of our tax cuts and expansion of the child tax credit this year, said Rep. Chris Hall, from Sioux City. Any tax changes made next session must be targeted to middle class families, not just the wealthy and special interests.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, from Iowa City, added, Kim Reynolds and Jack Whitver want to give more tax cuts for the wealthiest few. Iowa Senate Democrats support tax cuts for hard working families --- the Iowans who need and deserve the relief. We oppose more state handouts and sweetheart deals for Gov. Reynolds financial donors and friends.

The REC will meet again in December and update its projections. Those figures will provide guide rails to state lawmakers as they craft next years state budget during the 2022 legislative session.

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When I first asked voters for their support I knew that we were on the cusp of great change. And while COVID-19 may have tested our resolve, I am proud of our community and its difficult not to notice positive things happening.

First, a little bit about myself. If you have met me at community events, and I try to attend almost everything, I hope you felt my excitement for our community. If you havent met me, heres what you may notice. First, my enthusiasm for this community is undeniable. Our community needs cheerleaders to inspire entrepreneurs and investors to dream of what could be. I regularly brainstorm with city staff and citizens of what the future could look like and then formulate a plan to get us there. Secondly, Im innovative. Im not afraid to change processes or think differently about how we can solve a problem. I think government has become far too business as usual and needs to be challenged. Finally, Im approachable. I engage in community functions because I want people to feel that they can come to me with their ideas or concerns.

There are a number of projects I would love to tell you all about, but here are some of the things I would consider accomplishments over the last four years. The Reinvestment District program transformed our downtown leveraging $13.5 million state dollars into over $150 million of development. Projects included the Courtyard by Marriott, Convention Center upgrades, Warrior/Davidson project, Ho-Chunk Virginia Square Development, and the Expo Center.

We filled over 170,000 potholes and resurfaced or reconstructed nearly 20 miles of city streets. Our renewable fuels project at the wastewater treatment plant captures a gas that normally would be burned off and put it into a pipeline to be sold across the country. That program is looking at nearly $2 million of revenue annually.

We lowered the tax levy three of the last four years by an average of 3.5% annually showing a commitment to a balanced budget. A city internship program was developed and introduces college students to a range of careers hopefully keeping some of them in Sioux City after graduation.

A regional Convention and Visitors Bureau was created so we can leverage all of the resources throughout the region to attract visitors and conferences/events to Siouxland. We built a record number of homes and apartment complexes.

And finally, our parks and rec department had numerous projects worth mentioning  Cone Park, the Expo Center, splash pads, new pickleball courts, Pearl St. Park, expansion of our trail system, and the redesigned riverfront that will be a showpiece for our community.

Looking ahead there are a number of priorities.

Infrastructure -- We must improve existing roads, sewer lines, water mains, and plan strategically for future growth. The American Rescue Plan allowed us to use federal dollars to meet some of these goals, but we must remain proactive.

Taxpayer dollars -- We must continue to invest in projects that improve our quality of life, grow our tax base, and present a return on investment. We need to watch for wasteful spending and opportunities for improvement.

Finally, we need to continue to be collaborative. The city needs to aggressively cultivate partnerships in the community. Things such as our facade program revitalizes businesses and neighborhoods. Partnering with schools creates natural talent pipelines that can address workforce shortages. Finally, collaboration of The Arena with Long Lines, the Expo Center, and the Tyson Event Center are welcoming record numbers of families to Sioux City. These types of things make sense and if we communicate and collaborate Im convinced that the next four years will be even better.

I hope you will vote for me and together we can continue this momentum.

Alex Watters, director of talent and community engagement at Morningside University, is seeking his second full-term on the City Council.

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Next Match: at Southeast Missouri 10/16/2021 | 7:00 pm

- SIUE volleyball dropped its series opener at Southeast Missouri on Friday night, falling to the Redhawks in straight sets (19-25, 19-25, 17-25).The opening set saw the Redhawks storm out to an early lead that proved too much for the visitors to overcome, despite trading blows following the 15-point media timeout. The story would repeat itself in the second set, as SEMO put together an early 9-2 scoring run that put the set out of reach. The Cougars continued to trade points back and forth following a timeout, but the SIUE comeback effort fell just short, as the Cougars fell by the same margin as the first set. The third set followed a similar path as the first two, the Cougars could not overcome an early 10-5 SEMO scoring run, dropping the third set 25-17.As a team, the Cougars hit .081, but the defense held SEMO to under .300. The Cougars led the match in service aces with five, withleading SIUE with a pair to her credit. Individually,continued her dominant run of form, registering eight kills for a .353 clip and five total blocks.was not far behind with seven kills in the contest, while true freshmanadded five.led the Red & White with 19 assists, whiledonned the libero kit and notched 12 digs on the night.The Cougars, who drop to 6-13 overall and 2-6 in OVC play, will close out the series with a Saturday night contest against the 16-5 Redhawks. First serve in Cape Girardeau is scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Its impossible to write about the Velvet Underground without quoting Brian Enos adage that their first album may have sold only 30,000 copies, but everyone who bought one started a band. But Todd Haynes documentary The Velvet Underground, which is now in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+, isnt especially interested in them as the forebears of underground rock, or even solely in their music. For Haynes, the story of the Velvets, who formed under Andy Warhols aegis in 1964, is also the story of the artistic community that produced and sustained them, a heady mixture of experimental film, pop art, and sexual liberation. The film is a dizzying, sometimes overwhelming collage in which its interview subjects voices are just part of the fabric, and their faces are rarely seen. Haynes, whose movies Velvet Goldmine and Im Not There are deeply informed by the music of glam rock and Bob Dylan, isnt interested in explaining the Velvet Underground so much as transporting the viewer to the time, and more importantly the place, where they first emerged, so you can hear them now as they might have sounded the first time, as if all those bands they influenced never existed. A piano version of Heroin and an early, Everly Brothersesque take on Im Waiting for the Man illustrate what Lou Reeds songs might have sounded like if he hadnt met up with John Cale, an avant-garde Welshman whod come to New York to study with the drone composer La Monte Young.

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In the middle of the New York Film Festival, where the movie played at earth-shaking volume to a mesmerized hometown crowd, Haynes sat down with Slate to talk about making the old sound new again, gay culture pre-Stonewall, and the interview that made him cry. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

[Read: Todd Haynes Velvet Underground Documentary Will Change the Way You Think About the Band]

Sam Adams: The best way to sum up how The Velvet Underground is different from a traditional music documentary is that its 45 minutes into a two-hour movie before the Velvets played their first note. Was it clear to you going in that this had to be more than just a story about how the band got together, what records they made, and so on?

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Todd Haynes: Oh yeah. It definitely was clear thats what I wanted to do. I thought that would really set the stage, put the viewer in this very interesting, unique place where these kinds of ideas were in circulation and available to these very open and curious individuals. I felt that by doing all of that, you would ideally hear the music in a new and fresh waywhich is always the challenge with a band whose music is by now, at least within certain circles, so well incorporated in the culture. The idea was to put you in a trance with the more experimental and avant-garde kinds of music that John Cale in particular was focusing on. We also used stems from the Velvets songs, without the vocals, without certain key components of the music, to kind of lure you into it, seducing the viewer into thinking that the core underpinnings of these songs were in the air before they were formed.

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Ideally, I wanted to almost make you forget what it is youre watching, so youre not sitting there checking off a list, or feeling like you could provide the essay version back to your partner when you go home of what the story of the Velvet Underground is. That this isnt going to be a typical documentary thats going to answer all those questions in some objective way, that were going to be exploring it from a very subjective, internal way. Because its such a weird, strange time that you cant really separate what they did from what was going on around them.

Im curious how you decided to approach Lou Reeds sexuality in the film, given that the way he was identified changed over the decades. In the 1980s, he was in a heterosexual marriage and wrote a whole song about how much he loves women, but a decade before that when Lester Bangs profiled him in the 1970s, he took it as a given that everyone knew Lou Reed was gay.

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Really, it was pretty directly delivered and stated as you see in the film, by the people who were around him in high school and college and by his family. It was manifest in his earliest writing and the kind of writers he was drawn to, and the ideas of what kind of sexual life interested him, as a subject, but one assumes also as a pursuit. So Lous own sexuality and story is one part of the narrative, but its hardly where I was interested in ending my questions about queerness.

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These are words that are very awkwardly applied to this time, very revisionist and imprecise. And thats also one more indication of why this time is so interesting. Because its very pre-Stonewall, let alone pre-queer or LGBTQ or whatever. Its so of a time that was almost defiantly refusing to be categorized. Most of the gay guys I talked to, like Danny Fields, I asked him about gay bars and he was like, Ew, nobody went to gay bars. You didnt want to go to a gay bar to meet gay people. You just hung out with people and most of them were gay. You didnt have to go to some special place to do it.

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Yeah, Lou Reed would take a lot of people out after hours, late after all the parties and other bars closed, to a bar that just had a bottle of Vaseline in the middle of the room and nothing else. No drinks, just a dark room. So there was that. A place to just fuck. There was a club, I think it was in Queens, where the first floor was for gay men and the second floor was for lesbians and then the top floor was for well, whoever else wanted to come. So there were places to go and dance that were segregated. But really what I was so interested in was hearing from people, whether they were gay or not, about this cultural outlook that permeated the way they interacted and what the vibe at the Factory was. A general kind of transgressive idea about sexuality that was led by very out and very comfortable gay men was just omnipresent in New York at the time. You can see that when they go to Los Angeles, where the clash of different underground cult subcultures is so vivid.

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In a way, the New York ideal is a different way of framing free love, without the hippie trappings that Warhols crowd vocally despised.

The sex was sort of performative, but it was as much about ideas and culture and art and movies and music, and a kind of hunger to all be together and do things. Its just that the most sort of outspoken of a lot of the people were Ondine and other, very witty, very acerbic, gay men. But look, these were also terms that were already being coined around what Popism was about, right? Or what camp was about. So there were intellectual and artistic ways of describing what these aesthetic viewpoints were as well.

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You use a tremendous amount of archival footage in The Velvet Undergroundthe list of source materials takes up seven pages in the press kitnot just interviews or footage of the band but tons of Andy Warhols movies, as well as experimental films from Jonas Mekas, Maya Deren, Stan Brakhage, Shirley Clarke, and many others. It feels like those images are telling a story of their own, one that intersects with the Velvet Undergrounds but isnt just there to illustrate it.

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I feel like it was, it sounds so corny, but just a gift for me as a filmmaker to be handed the work of so many different kinds of avant-garde filmmakers who were working outside of narrative forms. This was not ornamental. This was completely intrinsic to the story of how these people met up, who they hung out with, the kind of work they were doing and how they really were the house band for Cinematheque screenings, before they were even called the Velvet Underground. So using that material felt fortified by the narrative and the history. But then once we had the stuff at our disposal, we just went for it. The music becomes visualized. And the culture becomes visualized. Not in a literal, illustrative way, but really the bloodstream of the culture we were trying to show through the films.

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It occurred to me about halfway through the movie that you hadnt once used the traditional documentary setup of, And heres what happened on that day. Its not really until the show where the band breaks up that you fix us to a specific date and time.

I mean, there are some people for whom this will be frustrating and not what they expect from a documentary. They kind of want that tidier oral history. If youre interested, theres all kinds of more stuff to find and discover for yourself. But I wanted it to be mostly that experience where the image and the music were leading you, and then it was a visceral journey through the film.

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As someone whos been listening to him for a long time, the interview with Jonathan Richman is a real highlight of the movie. It makes me hope theres a Blu-ray someday so you can just release the whole thing as an extra.

Oh, its so fucking great. The whole thing is just, its a complete piece. I was crying by the end of it.

Was it your idea for him to have the guitar, or did he just bring it with him?

No, he just brought it. And I mean, come on. It was just so generous and so insightful. And he served the purposes of saying things that I had sort of decided I would not include in this movie: fans, other musicians, critics. It was just going to be about people who were there. That was the criteria. Well, he was there, in spades, and I didnt realize to what degree.

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That picture of him as a teenager with the band, Id never seen that before.

Fucking crazy. But he could also then speak so informatively as a musician and as a critic and as a fan.

Whats so interesting about Jonathan Richman is that he was hugely influenced by the Velvet Underground, to the extent that he wrote a whole song about it. But his music doesnt sound anything like theirs. Lou Reed is singing about shooting heroin, and Jonathan Richman is singing about snowmen.

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He made it his own, whatever it was that turned him on. Which is also what makes his descriptions of them and their specific sounds and the colors within the music so great. He talks about it like a painter. And its so beautiful, but its also not like his own music.

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He says this incredible thing about listening to the first Velvet Underground record and thinking, These people would understand me. Its one of the most powerful feelings you can get from music, especially as a teenager.

Its also somewhat couched in the obscurity of the band where you do feel like youve discovered something that nobody else knows aboutwhich is of course not true. But it almost makes you feel like theyve found you as well. There is that really weirdly intimate relationship. Although I think thats true for any music that you end up loving. You find a connection that you feel like, Oh my God, I wasnt the person I am until now.

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And what about Maureen Tucker? There are only two living members of the Velvet Underground, so you obviously want to get them both, but she had not been easy to find.

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The hard part was just the initial contact with her. I was starting to think she just didnt want to do it. I got everybody I could on board to try to locate her. We all did. Everyone at Motto [Pictures]. I wrote her a letter. And then all of a sudden somebody called her up and she just picked up and was like, What? I didnt get any of these messages. Id love to do it. And we were like, Oh, fantastic, great. Tell us when. And we made our way out to Georgia. I think it was a little bit bigger crew than she was accustomed to. It wasnt massive, but it was serious. But she was completely gracious and responsive right away, and she became more relaxed. And then you get to that point where youre just like, This is  Shes having a good time talking about this stuff.

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Youve been listening to the Velvet Underground for a long time, and making this movie for three years. Did that change your relationship to the band? Do you understand them differently now?

I think I do, but I feel like I dont ever want to completely come out of being sort of lost in it a little bit. Because then you feel like your hunger or your passion goes away, or its been transformed into something else. Thats always going to be the case when you make a film about music or an artist that you really love. Theres a transformation that goes on and you ultimately are not the innocent fan that you were. You cant be. But you realize that what youre sort of giving up in the process is ideally making it possible for somebody else to become that innocent fan in the thing that youve made. Ive seen that happen in films Ive made about other musical subjects. But because we were making this during COVID and I was cutting it a lot myself with my two editors, we were very inside it, in the fiber of it. And the images we were working with were abstract and sensual, and it wasnt about clean, tidy, oral history. So a lot of that original feeling is still there, I think, which Im happy about.
Slates homepage editors spend a lot of time looking for editorial photos to put on our site. Those searches sometimes yield unexpected results: random, perplexing, and mesmerizing photos that dont belong on the homepage, but that are too good not to share. Every week, well share the weirdest photo from the wires.

What search term was used to find this in Getty?

donald trump

What were you hoping to find?

A photo of the former president, who continues to do his Trumpy thing, even though hes no longer dominating the headlines (or clogging peoples Twitter feeds) as he once was.

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What did you find instead?

Donald Trump standing at a lectern, displaying a sign that reads Never give up! in a loopy script. He holds it up proudly, like a child showing off an art project, and though the canvas faces outward, it seems hes using it to exhort himself as much as the crowd.

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Its disconcerting to see this script, dubbed the bridesmaid font, outside its natural Etsy/Instagram/Pinterest habitat, where it commonly adorns wedding invites and Rose all day wine glasses. The image is so incongruous that at first I thought the sign might be photoshopped, but it is indeed real. The bubbly, classy-but-casual cursive is a sharp counterpoint to Trumps signature dictator chic stylethe boxy suits and bright red ties, massive eponymous gold signs on his properties, emphasis on classical architecture, and so on.

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Whats the actual backstory here?

This Jan. 3, 2020, photo was taken during an Evangelicals for Trump rally at the Ministerio Internacional El Rey Jesus megachurch in Miami, one of the largest Hispanic churches in the country. The visit came on the heels of an editorial in Christianity Today calling for Trumps removal from office and was part of his campaign strategy to shore up his evangelical voter base and attract more Latino supporters.

According to Insider, the Never give up! sign was gifted to Trump during the rally by an evangelical supporter who had helped provide hurricane relief in Florida.

Sure, sure, but what did Trump think of the sign?

I like this. This is pretty nice, Trump said at the rally. I never give up. Well never give up.  My administration will never stop fighting for Americans of faith.

Why is this the weird photo of the week?

Clearly Trump, who still refuses to admit defeat in the 2020 election, took this advice to heart.
A superintendent in Texas apologized to his district earlier this week after there was a massive uproar when it was revealed that a top official told teachers to make sure that if you have a book on the Holocaust, that you have one that has an opposing, that has other perspectives. The comment, first reported by NBC News, led to lots of outrage that any school official would even suggest there was any kind of opposing side to the Holocaust. In a statement, Lane Ledbetter, the superintendent of the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, issued a statement saying that the comments were in no way to convey that the Holocaust was anything less than a terrible event in history. Ledbetter added: We recognize there are not two sides of the Holocaust.

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Its unclear whether the official, Gina Peddy, will face any kind of disciplinary action. Peddy, who is the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the school district, made the comment while talking to teachers about how to comply with a new Texas law, House Bill 3979, which requires multiple perspectives when teachers discuss widely debated and currently controversial issues. Lawmakers have said the measure was passed as a way to prevent schools from teaching critical race theory. The training session that Peddy was leading with the teachers came mere days after the school districts board voted to reprimand a teacher who had an anti-racism book in her classroom.

When Peddy told teachers during the training session, which was secretly recorded, that they needed to include other perspectives on the Holocaust, several teachers spoke up. How do you oppose the Holocaust? one teacher asked. Believe me, Peddy replied. Thats come up. Educators have long opposed the measure, saying it was vague and would have a chilling effect on discussions in the classroom. Proponents of the law, however, said that talk of opposing view of the Holocaust was not a proper interpretation of the measure. School administrators should know the difference between factual historical events and fiction, State Sen. Kelly Hancock wrote. No legislation is suggesting the action this administrator is promoting.

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Opponents of the law seized on the issue, saying it illustrated how these types of measures can have broad consequences. Were seeing books banned, educators reprimanded for teaching authentic history, and kids deprived of their right to learn about the world theyre growing up in, Texas Democratic Party Co-Executive Director Hannah Roe Beck said in a statement. Texas Republicans are censoring education to pander to rightwing extremistsand putting Texas families and kids in danger while they do.

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The Anti-Defamation League, which had harshly condemned the remarks, said the apology wasnt enough to ease concerns about the effect of the new law. While it is good to see the superintendent issue this clarification and make clear there is no opposing view to the Holocaustwe are still troubled that the implementation of HB3979 led to these dangerous instructions, the Anti-Defamation League tweeted. History cannot be rewritten.

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In an editorial, the Dallas Morning News writes that what happened in Southlake is the unfortunate outcome of a new and misguided state law. Educators had already warned the law was too vague and while its clear that Peddy misunderstood the law it illustrates the larger state of fear that many educators now have to make sure they wont get into trouble. There should be no moral confusion in our schools about the evils of the Holocaust, of slavery, of white supremacy. But educators are overreacting to the new state law out of fear of getting in trouble, and our lawmakers should have never put them in this predicament, notes the paper. They must revise the law or repeal it.
https://sputniknews.com/20211015/nasa-adviser-quits-after-agency-keeps-telescope-named-after-official-who-backed-anti-lgbtq-1089960535.html

NASA Adviser Quits After Agency Keeps Telescope Named After Official Who Backed Anti-LGBTQ Campaigns

NASA Adviser Quits After Agency Keeps Telescope Named After Official Who Backed Anti-LGBTQ Campaigns

Astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz has resigned from a NASA advisory committee in protest of a $10 billion telescope being named after a former administrator who... 15.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-15T23:47+0000

2021-10-15T23:47+0000

2021-10-15T23:47+0000

nasa

james webb space telescope

james webb

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Walkowicz, an astronomer from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago who identifies as nonbinary, penned an open letter to NASAs Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC) Tuesday blasting the lack of transparecy in the decision-making process that led to officials naming a new flagship telescope after James Webb (sometimes called JWST or Webb).Walkowicz said the decision showed the agency was not deserving of their time.NASA named the telescope after Webb, who served as NASA's chief from 1961 to 1968 and was credited for leading the agency through its Apollo missions. Additionally, he was known to enforce anti-gay policies at the US State Department and NASA.An open petition was signed by more than 1,200 people, including Walkowicz, demanding that the James Webb Space Telescope be renamed. The petition cited that Webb served as the US Undersecretary of State during a period where thousands of federal employees were dismissed and forced to resign because of their sexuality, known as the Lavender Scare.NASA made claims of opening an investigation into Webbs conduct  and after finding no evidence  decided to not change the telescopes name. "We have found no evidence at this time that warrants changing the name of the James Webb Space Telescope," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson was quoted as saying.In the open letter, Walkowicz said the decision sends a clear message of NASAs position on the rights of queer astronomers, who by his beliefs, acted in bad faith.NASA says the Webb telescope will be the largest, most powerful and complex space telescope ever built and launched into space, noting that it will fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe.

vot tak There is news, and then there is zio-media "news". Guess what category this non news story falls into. 0

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/bojo-reportedly-decried-by-french-politicians-diplomats-as-populist-incapable-of-keeping-his-word-1089972085.html

BoJo Reportedly Decried by French Politicians, Diplomats as Populist Incapable of Keeping His Word

BoJo Reportedly Decried by French Politicians, Diplomats as Populist Incapable of Keeping His Word

From contentious post-Brexit negotiations involving the Northern Ireland Protocol and fishing licenses to Channel-crossing migrants and the AUKUS deal, a... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T18:40+0000

2021-10-16T18:40+0000

2021-10-16T18:40+0000

france

boris johnson

emmanuel macron

europe

migrants

brexit

eu

uk

northern ireland protocol

aukus

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised as a populist who is impossible to negotiate with in good faith by senior French sources cited by The Guardian. He's ostensibly described as being 80 percent driven by short-term domestic political interests, with Paris citing the ongoing drawn-out post-Brexit haggling with the European Union over the contentious issue of the Northern Ireland Protocol as proof that the British PM is not interested in long-term solution to problems. Among flashpoint issues souring France-UK ties include the migrant crisis and AUKUS deal. Amid a surge in illegals crossing the English Channel to reach British shores, the UK promised in June to pay France 54 million to help cover the cost of policing the stretch of water.An estimated 7,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year alone, double last year's figures, according to UK data. The French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who recently visited Calais to inspect efforts to tackle migration, claimed the UK government has paid not one euro."Paris has also been left miffed by the UKs role in blindsiding France with the AUKUS agreement. After the new trilateral security alliance promised Australias Navy US and UK assistance with technology for nuclear submarines, the contract for their construction elbowed out the previous agreement Paris signed with Canberra for 12 conventional attack subs. An irate France denounced the "stab in the back" move and a meeting was cancelled between French and British defence ministers amid the fallout. In September, when visiting Washington, Boris Johnson responded to France's reaction to the scrapped multibillion-dollar submarine deal by saying:Diplomats reportedly described Johnson as prone to sidestepping discussions on a closer strategic UK-French relationship and complaining about small fishing boats, in reference to the spat over Channel Islands fishing rights. An irate Paris, upon discovering that just 12 of the 47 applications the UK government had received from French small boats had been approved in September, resorted to threatening the UK with pressure to the point of severing energy supplies if it failed to fully adhere to the terms of the Brexit deal.Paris was angered further after the government of the British crown dependency, Jersey, rejected 75 of 170 licence applications received from French boats. French politicians believe the UK Prime Minister has been using their country as a scapegoat while pushing his Brexit agenda. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint Europe minister Clement Beaune as a key figure in his election campaign team. Beaune is known for not mincing words he weighed in on the fishing row with London in early October. Speaking on BFM-TV, he told London that Brexit was "your failure, not ours" and warned that Paris could reduce electricity supplies to the British crown dependency of Jersey as part of targeted retaliation measures. More recently, France rallied the support of 11 EU maritime nations, including Germany, Italy, Spain, and Belgium, to demand that the UK honour the spirit and letter of the 2019 withdrawal agreement on fishing rights. Speaking in France's Parliament, Prime Minister Jean Castex accused Britain of failing to respect its own signature."

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/dalit-man-lynched-tortured-at-farmers-protest-site-for-desecrating-holy-book-accused-surrenders-1089965303.html

Dalit Man Lynched, Tortured at Farmers' Protest Site for Desecrating Holy Book, Accused Surrenders

Dalit Man Lynched, Tortured at Farmers' Protest Site for Desecrating Holy Book, Accused Surrenders

On Friday, the body of Lakhbir Singh, a Dalit farm labourer in his mid-thirties from the Indian state of Punjab, was found tied to a barricade at a farmers'... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T13:03+0000

2021-10-16T13:03+0000

2021-10-16T13:03+0000

new delhi

delhi

protest

farmer

india

protest

farmers

dalit

india

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Indian Police on Saturday said they had arrested Sarvjit Singh, a Nihang Sikh, for the brutal murder of Dalit man Lakhbir Singh.Sarvjit Singh was detained by the police on Friday night after he claimed to have tortured Lakhbir Singh for allegedly desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book."We are probing his [Sarvjit Singh] role in the murder, " a senior police official, Jashandeep Singh Randhawa, told reporters. "The claim of desecration of holy book at the Singhu border is yet to be verified. It is a matter of investigation."Earlier on Friday, a video clip was doing the rounds on social media showing Lakhbir Singh with a severed hand. People can be heard accusing him of desecrating the holy book.Nihang Sikhs usually wear a blue robe and turban with a sword hanging off their waist."His [victim's] hand was cut off at the wrist, and a foot bore serious injuries. Altogether, there were over ten injury marks inflicted by sharp-edged weapons. His assailants allegedly dragged him for a few metres before he was tied with ropes to the barricade. His body is sent for the postmortem," another police official  Sandeep Khiwar  told reporters on Friday.Hours after the murder, Samyukht Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of the 43-farmers unions co-ordinating the ongoing protests on Delhi's border, urged strict action against the culprit."We will corporate with the police and district administration," SKM said in a statement. Thousands of farmers have been protesting for eleven months all over the country in a bid to abolish three contentious farm laws passed by the BJP-led federal government last year.

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new delhi, delhi, protest, farmer, india, protest, farmers, dalit, india
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/ex-obama-aide-hushes-biden-as-potus-threatens-prosecution-for-trump-team-holdouts-in-6-january-1089974349.html

Ex-Obama Aide Hushes Biden as POTUS Threatens Prosecution for Trump Team Holdouts in 6 January Probe

Ex-Obama Aide Hushes Biden as POTUS Threatens Prosecution for Trump Team Holdouts in 6 January Probe

The Democratic Party-controlled US House Select Committee tasked with investigating the 6 January unrest at the US Capitol was formed in July to probe the... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T16:35+0000

2021-10-16T16:35+0000

2021-10-16T18:47+0000

joe biden

donald trump

us house select committee

david axelrod

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Former senior Obama advisor David Axelrod has urged President Joe Biden to cool his rhetoric about prosecutions against Trump officials who refuse to testify in the House Select Committee probe.Probably best @POTUS leave this to the [attorney general Merrick Garland], Axelrod tweeted late Friday.The former advisor, one of the Democratic Partys most respected political gurus, and a key policy aide to Barack Obama during his presidency, accompanied the tweet with a report on President Bidens remarks suggesting that the Justice Department should prosecute individuals who defy subpoenas to appear before the Select Committee.On Friday, after former Trump advisor and Breitbart media empire chief Steve Bannon failed to testify, Biden told reporters on the White House lawn that he hoped the committee goes after those who fail to appear and holds them accountable. When asked whether these individuals should be prosecuted, Biden said I do, yes.The presidents remarks prompted the DoJ to immediately assure the public that it would not be influenced by political pressure coming from the White House. The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop, DoJ spokesman Anthony Coley said.White House press secretary Jen Psaki similarly back-pedalled on Bidens remarks, tweeting Friday that the president supports the work of the committee and the independent role of the Department of Justice to make any decisions about prosecutions.Select Committee chair Rep Bennie Thompson roared in anger at Bannon over his failure to appear before lawmakers, saying the committee would not tolerate defiance of our subpoenas. Thompson rejected Bannons alleged decision to hide behind the former presidents insufficient, blank and vague statements regarding privileges he has purported to invoke, and promised to convene the committee on Tuesday to hold Bannon in criminal contempt.Contempt of Congress threatens a penalty of up to one year in prison, and a fine of up to $100,000. The committee previously threatened criminal referrals against anyone refusing interviews earlier this month.Trump Dismisses Committee, Invokes Executive PrivilegeLast week, Donald Trump blasted the Select Committees work as a sideshow to distract America from MASSIVE failures by Biden and the Democrats, and suggested that the 6 January riot at the Capitol would never have happened in the first place if the Capitol police and other security officials did their job and looked at the intelligence.Before that, Trump repeatedly denied that he or any member of his administration had any role in the Capitol violence, which Democratic lawmakers and tech companies used to ban him from social media, and to impeach him in the final days of his term in office in a bid to permanently bar him from politics.In September, Trump promised to fight the committees request for subpoenas for records and testimony in court on the basis of executive privilege.Along with Bannon, the select committee has subpoenaed multiple other Trump allies, including Stop the Steal rally organisers, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, former communications aide Dan Scavino, and ex-Pentagon official Kashyap Patel.The creation of the committee in the House in July follows Democrats failure to set one up in the Senate in May after Republicans pointed out that multiple government agencies and two Senate committees were already investigating the matter. The House committee includes two never-Trump Republicans  Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. The rest of its members are Democrats.Not So Quiet RiotOn 6 January, thousands of pro-Trump protesters (and, allegedly, domestic intelligence agents) descended on the US Capitol complex to try to stop Congresss certification of Joe Bidens victory in the November election. Several kilometres away, Trump, convinced that the vote was rigged and stolen from him, held a separate rally in front of the White House.Democrats have accused the former president of being responsible for the unrest, while Trump and his allies have rejected the charges.Five people died and dozens were injured as a direct or indirect result of the mayhem, and over 500 people have been charged with crimes ranging from trespassing and disruption of Congress, theft, weapons offences, threats and conspiracy.

https://sputniknews.com/20211014/us-capitol-riot-probe-cites-steve-bannon-for-criminal-contempt-1089930912.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211011/glaring-anomalies-why-6-january-insurrection-case-peddled-by-dems-doesnt-hold-water-1089832641.html

CalDre "The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop." LOL, claims the uber-corrupt, biased, Communist apparatchik. 2

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Ilya Tsukanov

joe biden, donald trump, us house select committee, david axelrod
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/four-indian-paramilitary-personnel-injured-in-blast-at-raipur-railway-station-1089964012.html

Four Indian Paramilitary Personnel Injured in Blast at Raipur Railway Station

Four Indian Paramilitary Personnel Injured in Blast at Raipur Railway Station

The special train was scheduled to carry the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel from the Indian state Chhatisgarh to the Union Territory of Jammu... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T06:08+0000

2021-10-16T06:08+0000

2021-10-16T06:08+0000

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Four CRPF personnel were injured in a minor explosion, which was reported at platform number two of the Raipur Railway station in Chhattisgarh state on Saturday early morning. All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. The blast took place at around 6:30 am; it was caused when a box containing 29 detonators fell on the floor in a CRPF Special Train at the railway station, Indian news channel India Today reported."Four personnel suffered minor injuries in the incident, of whom head constable Chouhan Vikas Laxman was admitted to a private hospital here, while the others left for their destination after being administered first aid," Raipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Prashant Agrawal told reporters. So far no official statement was released by any officials. The investigation is underway.

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Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/french-politician-us-has-moral-and-legal-obligation-to-unblock-afghan-assets--let-the-nation-be-1089967357.html

French Politician: US Has Moral and Legal Obligation to Unblock Afghan Assets & Let the Nation Be

French Politician: US Has Moral and Legal Obligation to Unblock Afghan Assets & Let the Nation Be

The EU's vow to provide a billion euros in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, is a bad joke, according to French politician Karel Vereycken, who argues that... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T11:02+0000

2021-10-16T11:02+0000

2021-10-16T11:02+0000

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Brussels vowed to provide 1 billion ($1.15 billion) in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan during the latest G20 meeting. The EU leadership specified that the financial assistance would be channelled through international organisations working inside Afghanistan and not provided directly to the ruling Taliban*.However, earlier, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union had suspended financial assistance to Afghanistan, citing lack of clarity within the international community over recognising the new government. For its part, the United States froze roughly $10 billion in Afghanistan's foreign reserves.US & EU Cynically Blocked Afghanistan's LifelineThe politician specifies that the US Federal Reserve withheld a whopping $9.5 billion of the Central Bank of Afghanistan's assets. Of that sum $7 billion is held by the New York Fed, about $1.3 billion is held in international accounts, while the rest is located in Switzerland's Bank for International Settlements, according to Ajmal Ahmady, the former acting governor of the bank.Vereycken draws attention to the fact that on 29 February 2020, the US government and the political wing of the Afghan insurgents inked an agreement which says that "the US and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are committed to continue positive relations, including economic cooperation for reconstruction". The US, if it wants to regain respect, has to live up to its legal commitments, argues the politician.For its part, the EU withheld a multi-year package of 1 billion ($1.15 billion) in EU development aid allocated for Afghanistan; the IMF suspended Kabul's access to its resources including nearly $440 million in new monetary reserves, while the World Bank withheld around $800 million committed by the institution for the Central Asian state this year, including salaries for Afghan women and health care workers."Paris, it's 5 o'clock... international mobilisation in Paris, Berlin, Washington, New York, Wiesbaden, etc to relay the Schiller Institute's petition to force the White House to unlock the frozen assets of the Afghan people. RV on site of the Schiller Institute."US Made Afghanistan Economically Non-ViableAfghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and heavily depends on international aid. According to the World Bank, Afghanistan's GDP per capita stood at $508.8 in 2020. The country's GDP amounted to just $19.8 billion, with over 42% coming from international aid.After the US, EU and Western financial institutions severed money flow to Afghanistan, a humanitarian crisis in the country has spun out of control. Food and commodity prices have considerably soared as the local currency is now in a free fall.Prior to the Taliban takeover the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations warned that one in three people, or 14 million Afghans, are acutely food insecure, with four million on the brink of famine. Hundreds of health facilities stopped working after international aid money to Afghanistan was suspended. Health workers are overwhelmed and facing personnel shortages.The country is teetering on the brink of collapse, as after over two decades of occupation, the US failed to build a sustainable economy in Afghanistan despite spending $145 billion on this goal, admits The Wall Street Journal.The magazine notes that although Afghanistan's GDP "more than quadrupled from 2003 to $19.8 billion in 2020," this was largely a "spin-off effect of the US military presence". At the same, unemployment continued to rise over the years, reaching 23.9% in 2017 with the women's unemployment rate standing at 40%. Furthermore, 55% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2019, up from 34% in 2008, according to World Bank estimates.What's more, a number of American energy and agricultural projects in the country failed due to a lack of research. The US also turned a blind eye to the country's crumbling infrastructure and ageing roads, which largely contributed to further economic demise, according to Vereycken.The French politician argues that under these circumstances, the Western countries' decision to suspend aid to the war-torn country and block its central bank's funds amounts to nothing short of a "war crime by civilian means"."The US policy which is currently hindering food and medical assistance [to the people of Afghanistan] will cause millions of deaths," Vereycken warns. "The Wests frenetic blaming of the Taliban's non respect of women rights only aims to make us forget its own debacle, both militarily, economically and humanly."Neighbours to the RescueAfghanistan's neighbours are well aware that the protracted crisis in the Central Asian state is fraught with severe risks for the region, the French politician notes. According to him, the unfolding havoc could provoke a new refugee crisis and trigger new waves of terror.Thus, Beijing on 30 September sent the first batch of humanitarian assistance, worth $31 million, to Afghanistan. While Chinas Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu said that Beijing would be providing more assistance, Acting Minister of Refugee Affairs of the Afghan caretaker government Khalil-ur-Rehman Haqqani described China as a good neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and expressed the hope that China would continue to support the country.For its part, Pakistan provided food and live-saving drugs to its immediate neighbour in September. In the same month, the Islamic Republic of Iran sent three consignments of humanitarian aid to the Central Asian state. Meanwhile, Russia is preparing to host multilateral talks on Afghanistan in Moscow next week, signalling that post-conflict reconstruction and humanitarian assistance will be high on the summit's agenda.According to Vereycken, the immediate urgency is food and healthcare. Then, it's important to construct a platform of basic infrastructures including water, energy and transportation, he says, adding that China's Belt and Road Initiative could offer Kabul new opportunities in these fields. Iran, China and Pakistan could help Afghanistan increase trade exchange, while Turkmenistan will be able to provide energy to the country, the political analyst believes, referring to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline project and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan 500-kV Line (TAP-500) endeavour.Vereycken suggests that in the future Afghanistan's modernised national railroad system could be embedded into other Eurasian networks, including the proposed Five Nations Railroad Corridor, running through China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, onward to Turkey. On the other hand, the Chabahar rail corridor going from Afghanistan till the Iranian port of Chabahar would give the landlocked state access to the sea, according to him. On top of this, the Central Asian state's vast mineral wealth, including copper, iron, lithium and rare earths, could become the nation's source of prosperity and development rather than opium, the French politician concludes.*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia and many other states.

https://sputniknews.com/20210910/twenty-years-after-911-us--nato-allies-less-safe-and-closer-to-economic-abyss-analyst-says-1088945396.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210817/from-vietnam-to-afghanistan-us-leaves-deserts-behind-and-calls-it-peace-ex-un-expert-says-1083636590.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210825/how-us-media-and-cia-weaponised-womens-rights-to-manipulate-public-perception-of-afghan-war-1083703234.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210913/how-chinas-realpolitik-approach-to-venezuela-iran--afghanistan-upends-us-geopolitical-game-1089039446.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210819/lithium-gold--rare-earths-how-china-may-open-the-door-to-new-business-opportunities-for-afghans-1083657491.html

mandrake The frenchies are right for a change - gold and cash belongs to the afghani people not the jews of moronistan (aka usa). Although it must be acknowledged that to let go of gold and cash once being held is jewishly hard to do. 8

monti Yes... except the US has NO MORALS... 8

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pakistan, news, world, us, asia & pacific, opinion, russia, china, iran, afghanistan, taliban, humanitarian aid, lithium, hunger, schiller institute, mineral resources, afghanistan war, eu, humanitarian disaster
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/french-prime-minister-pays-tribute-to-slain-teacher-samuel-paty-1089971555.html

French Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Slain Teacher Samuel Paty

French Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Slain Teacher Samuel Paty

PARIS (Sputnik) - French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute on Saturday to history teacher Samuel Paty on the first anniversary of his killing by an... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T13:33+0000

2021-10-16T13:33+0000

2021-10-16T13:33+0000

france

europe

jean castex

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"A servant of the Republic was killed. That is why to pay tribute to Samuel Paty means to pay tribute to the Republic and to our fundamental freedoms," Castex said in Paris.The prime minister spoke at a ceremony at the Ministry of Education where a plaque commemorating the teacher was unveiled. The plaque says he was "assassinated by an Islamist terrorist for teaching and defending the Republics values, including freedom of expression."Paty was beheaded by a teenager of Chechen origin in October 2020 after showing cartoons of Prophet Mohammad during a class on freedom of expression at a school in Paris suburbs. Minutes of silence were held in classes across France to honour the slain teacher.

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france, europe, jean castex
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/killed-serving-the-people-uk-media-shows-rare-display-of-cross-party-unity-in-tribute-to-dead-mp-1089968867.html

Killed Serving the People: UK Media Shows Rare Display of Cross-Party Unity in Tribute to Dead MP

Killed Serving the People: UK Media Shows Rare Display of Cross-Party Unity in Tribute to Dead MP

The Metropolitan Police Service has declared the fatal stabbing of Conservative Party MP David Amess to be a terrorist incident. Amess died at Belfairs... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T10:59+0000

2021-10-16T10:59+0000

2021-10-16T12:10+0000

united kingdom

stabbing

reaction

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The brazen murder of David Amess in public and in broad daylight has created a rare moment of unity across the ideological spectrum in UK media, with virtually all the major papers, tabloids, and dailies giving full-page spreads covering his fatal stabbing, providing tributes, or renewing debate about measures to ensure the safety of the UKs 650-member House of Commons.The 69-year-old lawmaker and father of five, who served as a member of parliament for Southend West in Essex, England for 24 years, and before that as the MP for Basildon from 1983-1997, was killed while meeting constituents at a church on Friday.Conservative-leaning papers and tabloids including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, and The Sun provided glowing tributes to the late MP, quoting Prime Minister Johnsons description of the backbench MP as a fine public servant and publishing photos of Amess with his beloved dogs, and in The Daily Mails case, with his daughter Alex at her recent wedding.Labour-leaning and centre-left papers including The Guardian and The Daily Mirror joined in the tributes, with The Mirrors full-page spread splashed with the headline Another MP Killed: He died serving the People. Amess was the second MP to be murdered in public following Labour MP Jo Coxs June 2016 shooting and stabbing outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire ahead of a constituency meeting by a 53-year-old neo-Nazi.Centrist and/or largely non-political papers including the Financial Times, The Independent, The Daily Star, and i Weekend focused coverage on renewed concerns about politicians public safety. How could it happen AGAIN? The Daily Star asked in its spread, alongside a photo of Amess with one of his pups.Johnson led tributes to Amess on Friday, with the Union Jack lowered to half-mast over Downing Street in his honour. Leader of the opposition Labour Keir Starmer tweeted that the news of Amess death was horrific and deeply shocking, and said he was thinking of David, his family and his staff.In the months leading up to his death, Amess called on the government to do more to fight knife crime following the well-publicised death of an 18-year-old man in his constituency. In June, the politician said that the governments war on knife crime was not sufficient, and called for police to beef up random stop-and-search checks for weapons.Amess never held a ministerial post  he served as a backbench MP throughout his 38-year career in the Commons. His pet issues including animal rights, including a proposed ban on fox hunting and puppy mills. He was an adamant supporter of Brexit, voted in favour of the 2003 US-UK invasion of Iraq (but later expressed regrets over the decision), was a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel parliamentary group, and a proponent of regime change in Iran. He opposed British military action against Syria in 2013, citing the Iraq cockup.Police declared Amess death a terrorist incident Saturday, turning over the probe to the Mets Counter Terrorism Command, who will now work on the case with the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit and Essex Police. A 25-year-old British national of Somali descent suspect has been detained, with two London addresses searched by officers. Investigators believe the suspect acted alone, and have indicated that their early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.Also on Saturday, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered police to launch an immediate review of the security arrangements of the remaining 649 MPs. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has promised to look into the safety measures of MPs after Amess killing, but cautioned against a knee jerk reaction. Labour MP Chris Bryant told media that sensible measures should be introduced, but that MPs dont want to live in fortresses either.

https://sputniknews.com/20211016/uk-police-ordered-to-immediately-review-mps-security-arrangements-after-fatal-david-amess-stabbing-1089965744.html

pussymuncher Killed whilst self serving 0

keyboardcosmetics Press and Political parasites all pee in the same pot. 0

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/macron-slams-1961-paris-police-killing-of-algerian-protesters-as-inexcusable---office-1089976145.html

Macron Slams 1961 Paris Police Killing of Algerian Protesters as 'Inexcusable' - Office

Macron Slams 1961 Paris Police Killing of Algerian Protesters as 'Inexcusable' - Office

PARIS, October 16 (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced the brutal actions of the police during the suppression of the protest of... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T19:24+0000

2021-10-16T19:24+0000

2021-10-16T19:24+0000

france

algeria

emmanuel macron

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Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, Macron arrived on Saturday at the Bezons bridge, where the bodies of demonstrators were found in the Seine. In the presence of the families affected by this tragedy, he observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the bloody repression of October 17, 1961.On October 17, 1961, Paris police brutally clamped down a demonstration by some 30,000 Algerians peacefully protesting against a curfew on them and the Algerian war. The police actions resulted in the deaths of several dozen demonstrators, whose bodies were thrown into the Seine River.Paris has long denied the tragedy. To date, the exact death toll is unknown. In 1998, the French authorities claimed that 40 people were killed during the crackdown. Independent estimates, however, suggest that the number of victims stood at least at 200.

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france, algeria, emmanuel macron, protest
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/nationwide-anti-fascist-demonstration-of-italian-trade-unions-taking-place-in-rome-1089973708.html

Nationwide Anti-Fascist Demonstration of Italian Trade Unions Taking Place in Rome - Photo

Nationwide Anti-Fascist Demonstration of Italian Trade Unions Taking Place in Rome - Photo

ROME (Sputnik) - A nationwide anti-fascist demonstration of trade unions is taking place in the San Giovanni square in the Italian capital of Rome on Saturday... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T15:41+0000

2021-10-16T15:41+0000

2021-10-16T15:42+0000

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The demonstration was initiated by the three largest trade unions of Italy  CGIL, as well as the Italian Confederation of Workers' Trade Unions (CISL) and the Italian Labour Union (UIL)  in the wake of violent developments after the protests against COVID-19 digital certificates last weekend.According to preliminary estimates, some 50,000 activists from across the country came to Rome to partake in the demonstration. There are prominent leftist politicians and European Parliament members among those rallying.After a massive demonstration against the mandatory green passes in Rome on October 9, far-right activists triggered unrest in downtown, encouraging masked protesters to break into the head office of CGIL, which backs the introduction of these passes. They crashed the front door but were driven out by police forces.The Italian leadership denounced the violent actions of the activists, expressing solidarity with labour unions. Landini later demanded that all neo-fascist political organizations be dissolved in Italy.

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/nothing-is-so-painful-to-the-human-mind-as-a-great-and-sudden-change-1089960091.html

Nothing is So Painful to the Human Mind as a Great and Sudden Change

Nothing is So Painful to the Human Mind as a Great and Sudden Change

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan and co-host John Kiriakou discussed current events, including the US Navy to discharge sailors for... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T11:24+0000

2021-10-16T11:24+0000

2021-10-18T11:32+0000

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Nothing is So Painful to the Human Mind as a Great and Sudden Change On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan and co-host John Kiriakou discussed current events, including the U.S. Navy to discharge sailors for refusing to be vaccinated for COVID19 by November 28 deadline, and seventy-three wounded after explosion at mosque gates in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

GUESTDaniel Lazare - Independent Journalist, Author, and Writer | Chinese Economy, China's Foreign Policy, and FacebookJim Hoft - Founder of The Gateway Pundit | CNN Medical Disinformation, Public Mistrust in Dr. Fauci, and The Julian Assange Kidnapping StoryIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Daniel Lazare about the Chinese real estate bubble, the Facebook whistleblower, and teenagers' use of social media. Daniel talked about the Facebook whistleblower and the supposed mental effects social media has on teenagers. Daniel discussed the economical situation in China and whether the Chinese real estate bubble will be managed successfully by Chinese politicians.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Jim Hoft about the Hunter Biden laptop, Ivermectin, and the deep state. Jim spoke about Julian Assange and President Trump failing to pardon Assange. Jim discussed the recent Joe Rogan interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN, and Dr. Gupta's criticism of CNN lying about Ivermectin.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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new media, us, china, facebook, generation x, covid-19, the backstory, , radio
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/probe-launched-after-up-to-600-inmates-riot-at-max-security-prison-in-vladikavkaz-russia-1089973162.html

Probe Launched After up to 600 Inmates Riot at Max Security Prison in Vladikavkaz, Russia

Probe Launched After up to 600 Inmates Riot at Max Security Prison in Vladikavkaz, Russia

On 15 October, the Investigative Committee for North Ossetia reported that a riot had broken out in a correctional colony in Vladikavkaz  it was provoked by... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T14:46+0000

2021-10-16T14:46+0000

2021-10-16T14:46+0000

north ossetia

vladikavkaz

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Officers from Rosgvardiya (Russia's National Guard) and the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) have suppressed a riot at "No. 1" maximum security penal colony in Vladikavkaz, the capital of the Russian republic of North Ossetia. According to the Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for North Ossetia, cited by Russian and regional media, a probe has been launched. According to various sources, around 200-600 convicts took part in "mass riots accompanied by pogroms and the destruction of property."On Friday, FSIN was cited by several media outlets saying that the riot started after two inmates refused to obey "planned search activities" and "provoked other prisoners."After arriving on the scene, special forces officers reportedly restored order. No one was seriously hurt during the melee, said Tamerlan Tsgoev, ombudsman for human rights in North Ossetia, in an interview with the Ossetia-Iriston TV channel. According to inmates cited by Telegram channel Mash Gor, three convicts sustained injuries.

north ossetia

vladikavkaz

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Svetlana Ekimenko

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Svetlana Ekimenko

north ossetia, vladikavkaz, prison riot, news, russia
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/robert-durst-on-ventilator-battling-covid-19-amid-life-sentence-lawyer-says-1089977242.html

Robert Durst on Ventilator Battling COVID-19, Amid Life Sentence, Lawyer Says

Robert Durst on Ventilator Battling COVID-19, Amid Life Sentence, Lawyer Says

Durst, 78, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Thursday for the 2000 murder of his friend, Susan Berman, in a slaying possibly tied to his missing... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T22:38+0000

2021-10-16T22:38+0000

2021-10-16T22:38+0000

us

prison

covid-19

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Robert A. Durst has been placed on a ventilator after contracting COVID-19  days after being sentenced to life in prison for murder, his lawyer said Saturday."He looked awful Thursday, worst Ive ever seen him. He was having difficulty breathing, he was having difficulty speaking."Durst's attorney said he believes Durst has been vaccinated against COVID-19, but could not provide details on whether he had received any booster shot against the virus.Durst was admitted Friday evening to a USC Medical Center in Los Angeles according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department inmate locator.Westchester County prosecutors are expected to select a grand jury within weeks to examine evidence on the case against Durst in his first wifes disappearance.

https://sputniknews.com/20211014/millionaire-real-estate-heir-robert-durst-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-2000-murder-1089934288.html

TruePatriot Of course he's in hospital on a ventilator. His attorney said he got the jab and that explains it all. And hospitals are wont to use remdesivir which kills about 25% of those who receive it and the ventilators kill virtually all. If they want to keep him alive, then give him ivermectin. Or not. Considering his sentence. 2

Preterist-ADSeventy WHISTLEBLOWER: Medical device sales expert reveals morbidly unsuccessful Covid VENTILATORS as deadly therapy in this population reduction scamdemic (naturalnews) his life sentence has now been changed to the death penalty. 0

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us

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Adriana Montes https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/10/1089141767_0:89:1270:1359_100x100_80_0_0_83cb4d432e11a31f4608d8cb59ecf006.jpg

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us, prison, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/russia-records-record-domestic-gas-consumption-amid-europes-supply-shortages-1089970902.html

Russia Reports Record Domestic Gas Consumption Amid Europes Supply Shortages

Russia Reports Record Domestic Gas Consumption Amid Europes Supply Shortages

Russian officials and gas industry representatives have promised to fully fulfill their commitments to European customers amid regional shortages caused by a... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T12:54+0000

2021-10-16T12:54+0000

2021-10-16T13:09+0000

europe

russia

gas

consumption

supply

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Russia is ready to increase the sale of natural gas to European customers despite recording record consumption of the clean carbon fuel at home, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said.The official said factors including the continuing economic recovery from the Covid-related crisis, unusually low water levels in rivers which power Russias hydroelectric power plants, and the impact of the long and cold winter of 2020-2021 have all contributed to domestic gas demand.We also removed a larger than usual amount of gas supplies from our underground storage facilities, and this required the pumping of additional fuel into these facilities, Novak explained.Novak stressed that high consumption of gas inside Russia will not impact its ability to fulfil its obligations to foreign customers. We have the opportunity to fulfil contracts. If there are additional requests, they will of course be considered, the official said. He added that Russian energy companies have yet to receive any requests for additional gas from European nations.Russian producers are continuing to fill up the countrys underground gas storage facilities, with this process expected to wrap up by 1 November.The official estimates that Europes underground gas storage facilities are at about 25 billion cubic meters below their typical levels. The European nations began withdrawing gas from storage facilities on Wednesday, with storage roughly 78 percent full  14 points below the average recorded over the previous five years.In a meeting with Russian deputy foreign minister Alexei Overchuk on Thursday, US undersecretary of state Wendy Sherman called on Russia to do more to ensure Europes energy security, according to a State Department press release. The request is a stark contrast to previous rhetoric coming from Washington, which has included blaming Moscow for the current gas supply shortages, accusations that Russia was using energy as a weapon, and efforts to sabotage Russian-European energy infrastructure projects such as Nord Stream 2. That pipeline is expected to become technically ready for operations in a matter of days, pending European regulatory approval, but could have been finished over a year earlier were it not for US sanctions against European contractors engaged in its construction. Once operating, Nord Stream 2 will be able to supply up to 55 billion cubic meters in additional Russian gas per year to a hub in Germany.Speaking at the Russian Energy Forum on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed efforts in the US and elsewhere to blame Russia for the gas supply crunch, pointing out that Russia has increased its sales of gas to the region by 15 percent in the current years, while other countries, including the United States, have inexplicably reduced supplies.Europes lower-than-usual gas reserves and skyrocketing futures prices are the consequence of a range of factors, including: the unusually cold winter and spring of 2020-2021, an effort by some nations to wait out high prices  and the subsequent failure to replenish supplies in the spring and summer, intense competition for supplies with Asia, and poorer than expected returns on investment for alternative sources of energy  like wind and solar power.The US and some European nations have recently called on Russia to gas deliveries through Ukraine as a means to alleviating the current supply crunch. Russia says it will exceed its obligations on the use of Ukraines gas transit system, and deliver at least 40 billion cubic meters of gas through the network by the end of the year. In his remarks at the energy forum, Putin said Ukraines gas transit infrastructure was over 80 percent worn out, and warned that an accident could leave Europe without a major transit route if too much pressure was placed on the network via additional deliveries.Russia presently accounts for over 40 percent of the natural gas consumed by European nations. Norway, Algeria and Qatar make up a quarter of the rest.

https://sputniknews.com/20211013/putin-says-europes-gas-price-crunch-caused-by-systemic-flaws-in-energy-sector-1089888287.html

Ladyshadow So now the US is supporting NORD 2 ? Mkke up your mind, find something else to blame on Russia. Stop worrrog about Ukraine the clown in charge needs a reality check. 6

NthrnNYker59 Just don't send any of that 'extra gas' through uKRAPistan, Russia --- unless that transit is for free or the stooges are willing to pay those 'transit fees' themselves ! 4

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russia

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Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

europe, russia, gas, consumption, supply
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/several-dead-and-dozens-injured-what-was-behind-thursdays-bloody-events-in-lebanon--1089966101.html

Several Dead and Dozens Injured: What Was Behind Thursday's Bloody Events in Lebanon?

Several Dead and Dozens Injured: What Was Behind Thursday's Bloody Events in Lebanon?

The official reason for the shooting was a confrontation between pro-and-anti Hezbollah supporters over the group's alleged involvement in last year's deadly... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T08:30+0000

2021-10-16T08:30+0000

2021-10-16T08:30+0000

hezbollah

beirut

middle east

elections

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The shooting has stopped in the Lebanese capital Beirut, where clashes between pro-and-anti Hezbollah supporters erupted on Thursday, resulting in the killing of at least six and the injury of dozens more.The gunfire broke out during a protest organised by Shia Muslim groups, who rallied against a judge who has been investigating last year's Beirut port explosion, and has been accused of having a bias against Hezbollah.Elections SeasonBut Mohammed Kleit, a Beirut-based journalist who covered Thursday's bloody events, says the confrontation had been sparked by something else -- the parliamentary elections set for March 2022.The political and economic situation in Lebanon have never been stable, but things have only gotten worse following the October 2019 protests, when thousands took to the streets venting anger at the government for introducing a tax on Whatsapp and lifting prices on basic products and fuel.The eruption of COVID-19 in February 2020 has only exacerbated the situation. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs. Many others have been pushed into poverty.People's Defenders?Throughout the years, Hezbollah, a Shiite militia that also controls the Lebanese parliament, has tried to ease the suffering of its people and thus boost its popularity among the general public.In the past, they have cemented their position as the protectors of Lebanon from Israel. More recently, during the dire economic crisis, they have been supplying the country with fuel shipped from Iran. They have been providing the Lebanese with food and medication from the Islamic Republic, and provided medical treatment to the public during the waves of the coronavirus pandemic.Now, says Kleit, with the situation escalating, they might be resorting to similar tactics."As for the Lebanese forces [that participated in the clashes - ed.], they are trying to show the Christians of Lebanon that they are the protectors of their existence, rhetoric that has been used by the right-wing Christian parties since 1960s," Kleit added.Just like in the past, during the years of the Civil War of 1975 to 1990, both sides blamed each other for the mess. The ordinary Lebanese are also split. Some throw their support behind Hezbollah. Others blame it for Lebanons economic woes, for a number of western sanctions, and now for the sweeping under the rug of their alleged and indirect involvement in the deadly port explosion that killed hundreds of people.End of Hezbollah?Many would like to see Hezbollah disarmed. But Kleit says this is hardly possible.If this is the case, sectarian fights in Lebanon are likely to continue too, and looking at the situation, the journalist says he is pessimistic about the future.

TOS-1 When Elections are held, Hezbollah is likely to become even more powerful, enough to form the Lebanese Govt. That would be very, very bad news for Israel and it's US/Western backers, very bad indeed. It is not beyond the CIA and Mossad therefore to recruit and commission the traitorous Lebanese Forces to initiate violence and scuttle the Elections. Very obvious. 1

LINDADREW hezbollah is fighting against western paedo forces actually - and the book I am reading called meat rack boy DESCRIBES HOW BESTIAL SECRET SERVICES OF UK/US/EU had men queuing up to bugger boys for half a crown WITH TORTURE and this was 1950's and 60's because THE NAZIS CARRIED ON AFTER THE WAR and got worse against ppl in SS now called SAS save arseholes services! THE PAIN OF IT DESCRIBED IS HORRIFIC AND HE WAS AGE SI- AT THE TIME AND NOONE TO LOOK AFTER HIM MEANT THE CRIME WAS UNFETTERED UNLIKE THE PROCTER CASE WHERE FETTERS IE RESTRAINTS WERE USED AND INSTEAD OF GETTING DONE FOR PUTTING BOYS IN RESTRAINTS THE SS PAWN PROCTER GOT COMPENSATION AND THE WHISTLEBLOWER GOT 18 YRS IN JAIL. HE SHOULD BE OUT!!!!! CARRY ON HEZBOLLAH FOR FREEDOM AGAINST EVIL 1

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beirut

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Elizabeth Blade

Elizabeth Blade

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Elizabeth Blade

hezbollah, beirut, middle east, elections
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/they-found-the-island-in-lost-triangular-feature-on-digital-map-baffles-netizens-1089971978.html

'They Found the Island in Lost': Triangular Feature on Digital Map Baffles Netizens

'They Found the Island in Lost': Triangular Feature on Digital Map Baffles Netizens

While some social media users suggested that the shape in question might be an atoll, others asked for the exact coordinates of that feature, as they werent... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T14:07+0000

2021-10-16T14:07+0000

2021-10-16T14:07+0000

island

social media

image

viral

google maps

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A peculiar-looking feature that resembles an island has recently caught the eye of one inquisitive social media user who shared his discovery on Reddit.The image, posted in the r/GoogleMaps subreddit, depicts what looks like a triangle of shoreline, with a dark blob inside said triangle.Many social media users commenting on the post in question appeared uncertain about what that feature might be, with some arguing that it could be an atoll, while others asked for the coordinates of the find."Giant lost a guitar pick in the middle of the ocean? Relatable, quipped one.Yet another social media user, however, suggested that the real answer is the blue colour around the island is a painted-in colour so the oceans look uniform in the maps.Strange sights on Google Maps attracting the attention of the online crowd is hardly something out of the ordinary, as earlier this year, people discovering that a remote piece of icy landmass belonging to Russia appears to be censored on Google Maps sparked speculations about a secret Russian military base.

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Andrei Dergalin

Andrei Dergalin

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Andrei Dergalin

island, social media, image, viral, google maps
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/trump-says-results-in-arizona-county-should-be-decertified-amid-precincts-1006-ballot-return-rate-1089975847.html

Trump Says Results in Arizona County Should Be Decertified Amid Precincts 100.6% Ballot Return Rate

Trump Says Results in Arizona County Should Be Decertified Amid Precincts 100.6% Ballot Return Rate

The former president has spent nearly a year alleging that the November 2020 election was stolen from him thanks to manipulations involving electronic voting... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T19:03+0000

2021-10-16T19:03+0000

2021-10-16T19:14+0000

arizona

donald trump

election results

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In the wake of the release of a draft audit report of Arizonas Maricopa Countys 2020 election results finding alleged glaring anomalies and irregularities, former president Donald Trump is now looking to review results in the states Pima County as well.A new analysis of mail-in ballots in Pima County, Arizona means the election was Rigged and Stolen from the Republican Party in 2020, and in particular, its Presidential Candidate, Trump said in a statement posted to Twitter by his spokeswoman, Liz Harrington on Friday.Trump suggested that he had been outperforming Biden by three percentage points before mail-in ballot results began coming in at a way higher than normal rate of over 87 percent, reversing the Republicans lead.Two precincts in Pima had over 100 percent turnout for mail-in ballots  which is impossible  and 40 precincts had over 97% returned. The national mail-in ballot return rate was 71%, but in Pima County the mail-in ballot return rate was 15% higher, and 19% higher than all the counties combined in the entire state of Arizona, Trump alleged, noting that one precinct had a mathematically impossible ballot return rate of 100.6%.Either a new Election should immediately take place or the past Election should be decertified and the Republican candidate declared the winner, the former president demanded.Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry dismissed Trumps claims, telling a local TV channel that the county had conducted a free, fair, secure and accurate election.The results were publicly audited via hand count by the Countys Republican and Democratic parties, and the results were certified by the Pima County Board of Supervisors and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Huckelberry stressed.The administrator did not elaborate on the allegations made by Trump, including the unusually and/or mathematically impossibly high mail-in ballot return rates in some precincts.The former presidents focus on Pima County comes after the release of a GOP-led hand recount of votes in Arizonas Maricopa County which appeared to show that Joe Biden narrowly won the district, but which also found severe irregularities including missing ballots, votes from persons who had moved prior to the election, intentionally rolled over logs, and other discrepancies. The report said the issues were serious enough to potentially put results within the margin-of-error.The results of the Maricopa audit prompted Republican Arizona Senator Wendy Rogers to propose a 50-state audit and the decertification of election results nationwide where appropriate.Trump has spent nearly a year accusing Democratic officials in key swing states of rigging the 2020 vote using rigged voting machines and fraudulent mail-in ballots, claiming his campaign had thousands of witnesses and hundreds and hundreds of sworn affidavits on hand to prove fraud. State courts refused to hear the allegations, while the Supreme Court struck down an attempt by the state of Texas to contest results in other states in December 2020. Democratic officials and their allies in the media and online have dismissed Trump's election fraud claims as a dangerous conspiracy theory.

https://sputniknews.com/20211009/trump-says-michigan-rally-will-seek-forensic-audit-of-2020-election-1089797066.html

vot tak The likudite false controversy psywar continues. Key question not asked in this trump advert is where the figures trump is using come from and if they are accurate, manipulated or total bs. Thumbs down. 1

mandrake Trump is a fully fledged idiot and must be gagged and locked away for good. Hes a menace and a danger to mankind, just like the jews! 1

2

arizona

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Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

arizona, donald trump, election results
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/trump-slams-doj-after-it-gives-russiagate-conspiracy-pushing-ex-fbi-deputy-director-his-pension-1089973548.html

Trump Slams DoJ After It Gives Russiagate Conspiracy-Pushing Ex-FBI Deputy Director His Pension Back

Trump Slams DoJ After It Gives Russiagate Conspiracy-Pushing Ex-FBI Deputy Director His Pension Back

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Andrew McCabe won back his full pension and benefits on Thursday after settling a lawsuit with the... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T15:24+0000

2021-10-16T15:24+0000

2021-10-16T17:20+0000

donald trump

andrew mccabe

fbi

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Former President Donald Trump has blasted the DoJ over its decision to restore Andrew McCabes pension and retirement benefits.What a bad chapter this has been for the once storied FBI  I hate to see it happening, so many GREAT people work there, Trump added.Major RussiagaterTrump-era Attorney General Jeff Sessions sacked McCabe with no notice in March 2018, hours before his 50th birthday when he planned to retire, over his authorisation of the leak of information to a news reporter in 2018, and for lying about it under oath. The DoJ decided not to pursue criminal charges in early 2020.McCabe played a key role in getting the ball rolling on Russiagate  the Democratic Party-pushed conspiracy theory that Russia and Trump were in cahoots during the 2016 election to get the New York real estate billionaire elected president.In 2020, a classified FBI internal memo revealed that in early 2017, McCabe and then-FBI Director James Comey discussed ways to get erstwhile Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired over his conversations with then Russian Ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak. Flynn ended up getting convicted of lying to the FBI but was later pardoned, with the DoJ dropping its case against him in May 2020 and a court ruling in his favour in June 2020 after concluding that the FBI entrapped him.Separately, leaked email exchanges between Lisa Page, special council to McCabe, and Peter Strzok, an FBI agent who interviewed Flynn  with whom she was having an extramarital affair  showed that McCabe discussed an insurance policy against a hypothetical Trump presidency even before the 2016 election took place. The former FBI director later insisted that he couldnt recall such conversations.In 2019, a report by the Justice Departments inspector general on the origins of the FBIs Russiagate investigation, known as Crossfire Hurricane, concluded that the agency had made at least 17 significant errors and omissions related to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Trump campaign operative Carter Page, as well as the bureaus reliance on using the Steele dossier. The latter document was a political opposition research report written by former MI6 officer Christopher Steele, which contained a number of salacious and sensational claims against Trumps alleged Russia connections, and sexual preferences, and was later found to have been a fabrication from start to finish. The inspector generals report found that McCabe personally pushed for the Steele dossier to be included in the intelligence communitys assessment of Russiagate, even as the Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of National Intelligence expressed concerns about the documents sourcing and outlandish claims.In 2019, McCabe revealed to US media that before his firing, in May of 2017, he and then-deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein explored the possibility of using the 25th amendment to the constitution to declare Trump unfit for office and remove him  a measure which would have effectively constituted a coup detat.

https://sputniknews.com/20210116/declassified-docs-on-russiagate-probe-reveal-problems-with-sources-politicization-from-the-start-1081788799.html

https://sputniknews.com/20190215/FBI-Director-Agency-Weighed-Coup-Trump-Comey-Firing-1072438009.html

mandrake Trump needs to be gagged and locked up for the rest of his miserable life - an idiot that mankind better be spared! 1

1

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/unions-threaten-to-strike-over-uk-plans-to-undercut-business-by-easing-rules-for-eu-hauliers-1089970201.html

Unions Threaten to Strike Over UK Plans to 'Undercut' Business by Easing Rules For EU Hauliers

Unions Threaten to Strike Over UK Plans to 'Undercut' Business by Easing Rules For EU Hauliers

Prompted by concerns about deliveries of food, fuel, etc. in the run-up to Christmas, the UK government has addressed the shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV)... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T13:03+0000

2021-10-16T13:03+0000

2021-10-16T13:03+0000

brexit

grant shapps

unite the union

uk

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Amid log-jammed ports and increasingly empty shop shelves amid panic buying, the UK government is facing a new crisis as trade union bosses are threatening ministers with mass walkouts over plans to lure more foreign HGV drivers into the country, reported The Times. Union leaders have been appalled by a decision to extend so-called cabotage rules to allow overseas drivers to make unlimited journeys in two-week blocks at low rates. The proposals, set out in a consultation launched on 14 October, were aimed at warding off shortages triggered by a shortfall of HGV drivers. Current rules limit non-UK-based companies to making a maximum of two trips in the UK within a week. Furthermore, temporary visas were introduced for 5,000 lorry drivers to work in the UK.The National union Unite is said to be preparing a possible strike for UK HGV drivers, who have slammed the governments proposed move as risking British businesses being undercut by cheaper foreign companies. Unite's new leader Sharon Graham added that the treatment of UK drivers was nothing short of a disgrace. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, however, downplayed threats of strike, telling the BBC: We're not in the seventies, where there was a big unionised block of lorry drivers. According to the Daily Mail, Unite's representation in the haulier industry is at under 15 percent of all drivers. Outsourcing Haulage While acknowledging that the measure will help deal with the crisis in lorry drivers availability, it will undermine the work being done to provide long-term solutions, such as pay and conditions, stated the Road Haulage Association. Rod McKenzie, RHA managing director, said: RHA warned that the proposal outsources the whole haulage activity  tax, safety regulation, national insurance obligations are all controlled outside the UK when cabotage is unfettered in the way proposed by Government. McKenzie added: If approved, the plans, according to Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, would come into force before the end of the year and last for six months. Supply Chain Crisis The news comes as people in the UK were facing concerns that supplies of toys, electrical goods and other products will be disrupted by the bottlenecks at UK ports, like Felixstowe, which handles more than a third (36%) of UK container freight. Retail leaders were cited as warning that a shortfall of more than 100,000 qualified lorry drivers in the UK, due to a combination of Covid, Brexit and other factors, impacted the ability to carry loads from docks around the coast. Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of the British Port Association was cited as saying:To add to the grim forecasts, the British Retail Consortium said there are clear signs the current plethora of problems was starting to filter through to consumer prices.

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brexit, grant shapps, unite the union, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/us-commits-to-condolence-payments-for-family-of-10-civilians-killed-in-botched-kabul-drone-strike--1089963084.html

US Commits to Condolence Payments for Family of 10 Civilians Killed in Botched Kabul Drone Strike

US Commits to Condolence Payments for Family of 10 Civilians Killed in Botched Kabul Drone Strike

Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, admitted last month that the US made a "tragic mistake" when it fired a Hellfire missile at a white... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T04:09+0000

2021-10-16T04:09+0000

2021-10-16T04:07+0000

afghanistan

kabul

afghanistan

drone strike

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The US Department of Defense has has committed to offering cash condolence payments to relatives of the 10 individuals killed in a US drone strike that Pentagon officials say was supposed to target Daesh-K* or other hostile forces. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby made the offers of unspecified amounts known in a late Friday evening statement. The offers were extended during a virtual meeting on Thursday between Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Steven Kwon, founder of an aid organization that employed the driver of the sedan struck on August 29. Kirby noted that Pentagon is also working closely with the State Department to assist in efforts to relocate surviving members of the Ahmadi family to the US. *A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

Nonyank And no surprise the US LIED ABOUT IT FROM START TO FINISH! 7

TruePatriot That was only part of the deal. The family wants JUSTICE. That would be perhaps Milley, Unka Lloyd, McMaster and several more to be fired and then prosecuted for their war crimes, including perhaps JObama. 5

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kabul, afghanistan, drone strike
https://sputniknews.com/20211016/us-greek-bases-pact-signals-bid-to-pressure-turkey-dominate-east-mediterranean-1089967053.html

US-Greek Bases Pact Signals Bid to Pressure Turkey, Dominate East Mediterranean

US-Greek Bases Pact Signals Bid to Pressure Turkey, Dominate East Mediterranean

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The new expanded US-Greece defence pact shows that Washington wants to pressure Turkey while securing a strategic position to counter... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T09:08+0000

2021-10-16T09:08+0000

2021-10-16T09:15+0000

greece

world

us

turkey

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The United States and Greece on Thursday signed an amendment to their existing mutual defense agreement that allows US forces to train and operate from additional locations inside the country.Strategic PositioningTensions between Turkey and Greece have been on the rise over maritime and airspace claims while Ankara has taken exception to a new defence agreement Athens signed with France. On Friday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price, when commenting on the renewed deal, said Washington supports efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, some experts think Washington has broader aspirations."It could be that the United States wants to pressure Turkey to be a more cooperative host of US bases, although it could backfire and cause Turkey and Russia to increase cooperation," Independent Institute Center for Peace and Liberty Ivan Eland told Sputnik about the US motivation behind the deal.Eurasia Center Vice President Earl Rasmussen observed that the move comes while Turkey has had multiple disagreements with Greece in the region over the exploration of energy resources, which will continue.Eland said, in addition to pressuring Turkey, the deal also affords the US the opportunity to pursue other strategic aims."Greece is relatively near the Persian Gulf and parts of the Middle East, and US forces could launch from there for operations to guarantee oil supplies," Eland said.Rasmussen said the agreement provides the US with a more permanent and diverse presence that would boost access to Africa as well as the Middle East.Rasmussen said the agreement should also be understood as a bid by the Biden administration to boost its presence and credibility in the region after its humiliation in Afghanistan, reduced influence in Iraq and Syria, and the recent France-Greece defence pact.Mixed-Up Alliances May Weaken NATOHowever, historian and political commentator Dan Lazare warned that by expanding its military presence in Greece, the United States was entangling itself far more in the rivalries of an exceptionally complicated region.Biden is strengthening America's military partnership with Greece but has also approved Turkey's purchase of $6 billion worth of F-16s from Lockheed Martin, he observed.In the long run, Lazare believes the establishment of the new bases will further weaken the NATO alliance.Meanwhile, Lazare added, France and Germany were at loggerheads with fellow NATO member states in Eastern Europe, while the United States is increasingly preoccupied with its Anglo-American alliance against China,"The gods first make mad those whom they ultimately destroy," Lazare concluded.

https://sputniknews.com/20210623/turkey-announces-navy-drills-in-aegean-sea-in-tit-for-tat-response-to-greece-1083225940.html

vot tak See this article about Lebanon at RT: "The US is waging a war on poor, unfortunate Lebanon, which has been an unruly playground of Western misdeeds for decades". ... The war against Lebanon is an israeli war. They will use their american colonials stationed in greece territory for support and these american assets will probably be used to attack Lebanon and Syria. 7

BillOwens US is constantly signing new agreements with vassals. Aren't the old agreements good enough? What is this shit show all about? Sounds like a bunch of desperate PR to cover up US failures. 6

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/us-reportedly-probing-possible-cases-of-havana-syndrome-among-embassy-staff-in-bogota-1089974754.html

US Reportedly Probing Possible Cases of 'Havana Syndrome' Among Embassy Staff in Bogota

US Reportedly Probing Possible Cases of 'Havana Syndrome' Among Embassy Staff in Bogota

BOGOTA/BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - Washington has been secretly investigating possible cases of the so-called Havana Syndrome that allegedly affected some of the... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T17:54+0000

2021-10-16T17:54+0000

2021-10-16T17:54+0000

news

us

bogota

syndrome

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The buildings in the districts of El Nogal and Rosales in northern Bogota are part of a clandestine investigation that the US government has been conducting in Colombia for four weeks, the newspaper has learned.Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that the US Embassy in Colombia was investigating several cases of the so-called Havana Syndrome that had allegedly affected some of its staff. The first case was reportedly mentioned in the embassy's correspondence in mid-September.The report said, citing emails sent to embassy personnel, that the State Department promised to address the issue while they work to determine how many staffers have been affected. The White House, however, did not confirm later that its diplomats suffered the syndrome.US diplomats first suffered a set of health problems, collectively described as the Havana syndrome, in Cuba in 2016 and 2017 and then in China in 2018 after allegedly experiencing strange loud piercing sounds. Diplomats in Moscow, Tajikistan and African countries were also reported to have Havana syndrome symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness, with the last case spotted in Vienna. Several hundreds of American diplomats, military personnel and intelligence officers were affected by the syndrome.The incidents were blamed on Russian "acoustic attacks," an allegation dismissed by Moscow as "totally absurd." Late in July, CIA Director William Burns stated that Russia may be responsible for the mysterious incidents, but lacks sufficient proof to make final decisions.

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https://sputniknews.com/20211016/watch-three-chinese-taikonauts-blast-off-for-six-month-stay-on-new-tiangong-space-station-1089961398.html

Watch: Three Chinese Taikonauts Blast Off for Six-Month Stay on New Tiangong Space Station

Watch: Three Chinese Taikonauts Blast Off for Six-Month Stay on New Tiangong Space Station

Chinas eighth manned space mission blasted off a few minutes after midnight on Saturday morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert... 16.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-16T00:53+0000

2021-10-16T00:53+0000

2021-10-16T00:51+0000

china

rocket launch

tech

long march rocket

manned spaceflights

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"Please rest assured that we will definitely succeed in this mission," mission commander Zhai Zhigang told mission officials before blastoff. He was accompanied by taikonauts Ye Guangfu and Wang Yaping, the latter of whom will be the first Chinese woman to live on the new space station, which was placed in orbit in April.However, it wont be Wangs first trip to a space station: she also visited Chinas prototype space lab Tiangong-1 for two weeks in 2013, onboard the Shenzhou 10 mission, according to Space.com. The website also noted that Zhai conducted Chinas first-ever spacewalk in 2008 on the Shenzhou 7 mission, and that this is Yes first time in space.A Long March 2F rocket lifted them off the Earth in footage published on social media.The late-night launch was made to coincide with Tiangong passing over the launch center, so as to minimize rocket fuel use. However, it also made their docking maneuver more difficult. The Shenzhou (Divine Vessel) 13 spacecraft successfully docked with Tiangong about seven hours later, employing the same automatic docking system used by Shenzhou 12 and Tianzhou 3.The core module of the Tiangong (heavenly palace} space station, named Tianhe (Harmony of the Heavens), was placed in orbit in April. Decked out with numerous module ports, when fully formed by the end of next year, the space station will contain several labs, crew quarters, and a telescope. It will also be able to receive unmanned Tianzhou (Heavenly Vessel) resupply craft, which can launch from Earth and dock with the space station remotely.After Shenzhou 13, assembling Tiangong will require two more crewed missions - Shenzhou 14 and 15 - two Tianzhou cargo craft, and two more large modules will have to be lifted into orbit, which are named Mengtian (Dreaming of the Heavens) and Wentian (Quest for the Heavens).Tiangong will be about the size of Russias Mir space station, which was the largest man-made object in space before being deorbited in 2001, but still just one-fifth the mass of the International Space Station today.The first taikonauts to visit the station paid it a three-month visit to test everything out, get things up and running, and sort out the contents of several supply craft sent ahead of them. Their mission also included spacewalks and a live television chat with Chinese President Xi Jingping before returning to Earth late last month.China Manned Space Agency spokesman Lin Xiqiang told reporters that, as per the space agencys standard practice, the already-assembled Shenzhou 14 spacecraft will be kept at hand and a Long March 2F rocket placed on standby in case of an emergency in space.

Barros Congratulations China! 5

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china, rocket launch, tech, long march rocket, manned spaceflights
Star trotter Atlanta made harness racing history in the first stakes event on Sunday (Oct. 10) at The Red Mile, vaulting off cover to win the $81,000 Allerage Farms Filly & Mare Trot.

Driver Yannick Gingras positioned Atlanta in fourth as Felicityshagwell S (Ake Svanstedt) carved out fractions of :27.3, :54.3 and 1:22.1 on the front. Supplemental entry Altar broke stride at the half, prompting When Dovescry (David Miller) out from third with Gingras following that cover for a second-over tow into the stretch.

As the field turned for home, Atlanta was shown clear racetrack and she responded with long and powerful strides. She pulled away from her rivals and hit the wire nearly four lengths the best in 1:49. The mile time matches the overall female trotting mark  co-held by Manchego  and shaved two-fifths of a second off the older trotting mare mark formerly held by Hannelore Hanover. When Dovescry finished second and Hypnotic AM (Brian Sears) was third.

Im just glad I was able to see it here today, said co-owner Michelle Crawford. Were very happy with how shes been managed  weve laid off a little bit when shes been under the weather [or] she hasnt raced up to par for her. The ride over the years has just been amazing. She couldnt give us anymore.

Atlanta (Chapter Seven - Hemi Blue Chip) is trained by Ron Burke for owners Brad Grant of Milton, Ont., Crawford Farms Racing of Syracuse, New York and Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In her 60th career start, the six-year-old world champion notched her 30th win and lifted her career bankroll to $3,189,538.

She has a growing list of engagements still to come in her career, including another potential spar against male competition in the Breeders Crown Open Trot on October 30 at The Meadowlands.

Yannick just asked if we were going to Sweden, so I said, Hey, Im in, said Crawford, referring to a potential start for Atlanta in the 2022 Elitlopp. Hes booking his ticket, so I guess its something that well talk about with the partners and see how they feel about it. And obviously Ronnie [Burke] too, hes the main decision maker.

Allywag Hanover later navigated traffic in the stretch to come out on top in a 1:46.4 world record equalling performance in the $158,000 Allerage Farms Open Pace.

Allywag Hanover is now the fastest four-year-old in the history of The Red Mile and matched the all-age world record for pacing geldings that is held by Holborn Hanover and Dr J Hanover.

Firing off the gate from the outside post, 8-5 favourite Allywag Hanover and driver Todd McCarthy made the lead early before Nicholas Beach (Joe Bongiorno) moved back out for the retake during a :25.4 quarter.

After Nicholas Beach cleared, Ocean Rock (Dan Noble) tipped out from third and took control at the :51.3 half-mile mark then Ruthless Hanover (Andy McCarthy) advanced uncovered with This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) on his back and Catch The Fire (Scott Zeron) spotted third-over.

Fronting the field through three-quarters in 1:19.1, Ocean Rock held a short lead turning for home, but Allywag Hanover found a clear path, taking the inside route to win going away in record time. This Is The Plan and Catch The Fire came on for second and third.

Trained by Brett Pelling, Allywag Hanover extended his win streak to five and is now nine-for-16 this year.

Hes been a wonderful horse for us, said Adam Bowden, head of Diamond Creek Farms and co-owner of Allywag Hanover through the Allywag Stable. Bretts done a masterful job. I couldnt be more thankful. Todd was brilliant leaving hard, got to the lead and got to follow the good ones. The rest of this year and all of next year and into the future... this is going to be fun for us.

The Captaintreacherous-Anderosa Hanover gelding's 17th career win boosted his bankroll over the $1 million mark.

Allywag Hanover returned $5.60 to his backers.

While the Atlanta team ruminates a try with their mare overseas, a star from overseas in Ecurie D DK debuted a powerful winner in taking the $136,000 E L Titan Allerage Farms Open Trot in 1:50.4.

The five-year-old Infinitif stallion stormed to the top in his North American foray to post a :28.1 first quarter and a :56 half as his stablemate Back Of The Neck, parked from the start, progressed to press for the lead around the final turn. Ecurie D DK held control to three-quarters in 1:23.4 as Back Of The Neck faltered off the turn, leaving Ecurie D DK to his own in the sprint to the finish. He strode the line 2-1/4 lengths clear of Forbidden Trade rallying from the back to take second, with Its Academic finishing third and Beads shooting through a seam at the inside for fourth.

He has been racing very good in Sweden and all of Europe since he was three, and the owner wanted to try something new, said Sarah Svanstedt, wife and assistant trainer to Ake Svanstedt. They know hes good on big mile tracks like this, so that was the main goal to put him here. And now we see what the next mission for him will be.

Ake Svanstedt sat in the sulky behind Ecurie D DK, who he co-owns with Marko Kreivi Stables and Suleyman Yuksel Stables. Ecurie D DK has won 16 of his 22 starts and earned $457,368. He returned a win mutuel of $3.40.

Rocknificent recorded a track record victory in the $73,500 Allerage Farms Filly & Mare Pace when stopping the clock in 1:48.

JK First Lady lunged for the lead from the outermost post in the sextet as Rocknificent pushed from the pylon post to sit second, but promptly vacated the pegs heading to a :27.4 first quarter with Peaky Sneaky following suit. Rocknificent landed a pocket trip to the backstretch with Peaky Sneaky sweeping to the lead and keeping the pace quick to a :53.1 half. Driver Scott Zeron steadily tipped the four-year-old Captaintreacherous mare out of second moving to three-quarters in 1:20.1 and put away her competition with ease through the stretch. She finished 1-3/4 lengths better than Gias Surreal in second, with Peaky Sneaky holding third and Drama Act rallying for fourth.

Owned by Enviro Stables Ltd., South Mountain Stables and Little E LLC, Rocknificent won her third race from 16 starts this season and her 13th from 44 overall, pushing her earnings to $986,854. Linda Toscano trains the $2.60 winner.

For complete coverage of the Kentucky Futurity day card of harness racing from The Red Mile, click here.

(With files from The Red Mile)
The winning streak is now six in a row and counting for Mappos Lion who fought hard for a 1:50.4 victory on Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, Mappos Lion got away third in the early going for trainer/driver Paul MacDonell while Forefather shot to the lead and laid down fractions of :26.2, :55.3 and 1:23.4.

Mappos Lion edged first over going to the half, and he was almost on even terms with Forefather heading into the final quarter of the $20,000 contest. Mappos Lion used a :26.4 final quarter to win by a length over Forefather. Third prize went to Beach Party.

Carol Campbell of Baddeck, NS bred and owns the four-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-Pacific Playmate. The 13-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings over $50,000 with the victory.

To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The Always B Miki sophomore gelding Toronto sat just off of a torrid midrace battle, moved to the lead at the three-quarters, and then drew away to take a new sub-1:50 mark in the $14,400 featured pace at Harrahs Philadelphia on Friday afternoon.

Toronto and driver Marcus Miller got to the front then yielded to sit in the pocket behind Tyronsbitoflemon N, who smoked the opening panel in :25.4. And the front-end battling took no respite, as Literl Lad Hanover came on a quarter-move, but was given the cold shoulder by the Kiwi import to a scorching half in :53.

When Literl Lad Hanover melted back, Miller brought the 6-5 favourite Toronto out of the pocket, and the pair crossed over to the lead just past a three-quarters in 1:21. Mad Man Hill, who had tucked in the early action and was the next horse near the front, rallied for second but was 3-1/4 lengths off the 1:49.1 winner, who is trained by Robert Cleary for Royal Wire Products Inc.

Pat Berry and Todd McCarthy were the biggest driving winners on the day, coming home first three times each. As for George Napolitano Jr., his quest to become the 26th driver to reach the $100 million mark in career driving earnings got another boost on the Friday card, as he is now on the doorstep at $99,993,240. Napolitano seems likely to reach the milestone at PHHA sister track Pocono on Saturday (Oct. 16), where he has eight horses rated among the 13 races top two choices.

Sunday at Philly, there is a $16,200 handicap pacing feature, with Jacks Legend N, who has been in excellent form on half-mile tracks recently, returns to the oval where he took his mark of 1:49 last year and was victorious in 1:49.1 earlier this season. Program pages for the 12:40 card are available on the PHHA website.

(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)
The Ohio Harness Horsemens Association (OHHA) will live stream Saturday Night at the Races, The Buckeye Stallion Series Finals from MGM Northfield Park on Saturday, October 16.

Saturday Night at the Races is presented by the Galbreath Equine Center at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center The live stream will begin approximately at 6:30 p.m. and can viewed on the Ohio Harness Horsemens Associations YouTube Channel and at HarnessRacingOhio.com.

Coverage will include the eight finals of the Buckeye Stallion Series, each with a purse of $60,000 and the $100,000 Courageous Lady for three-year-old pacing fillies. First post time for the 14-race card is 4:00 p.m.

OHHA Outreach and Public Relations Coordinator Frank Fraas and Little Brown Jug Publicity Director Jay Wolf will host the event with OHHA Brand Ambassador Roger Huston conducting feature interviews.

Saturday Night at the Races is sponsored by Midland Acres, Bow River Jewelry, and Centerra Co-op.

(OHHA)
Since then, Dominion has been working to secure land disturbance, sediment and erosion control permits and begun construction work, according to Dominion External Affairs Manager, Sarah Marshall.

In August, nearby property owners were notified that construction on the project had begun.

It said, in part, As a long-standing partner with Orange County, we want to make sure you are aware of the project and our plans to move forward This project is important to meeting the Commonwealths and Dominion Energys customer-focused clean energy goals and it will have a positive effect on Orange Countys economy as we rely on locally-based suppliers and labor as much possible. Ultimately, the power produced will be used by Northrop Grumman to match 100% of its Virginia manufacturing and office operations electricity use. We look forward to working with Orange County and local neighbors as we move forward with this important project.

Marshall said the project largely had remained dormant since approval in 2017. The community meeting next week is an effort to engage with local residents and let them know the project is alive and well.

She said since Dominion has owned the project, it hasnt met with members of the community.
Stobel also made it clear that she is service-minded and relationship-oriented, both in her application and in her acceptance speech at the BPW meeting.

While excellence in the content of my position is still my utmost priority, I have discovered the importance of building trust and relationships along the way, she said in her application. In the years to come, I want to continue to serve clients in a manner filled with compassion and expertise, so that each person I work with and for feels more informed and empowered for their time spent with me.

Stobel said at the meeting that she really enjoys getting to know clients, getting to know personalities  I just love those areas in my job that our relationship-oriented. I love opportunities that I have not to just to meet with somebody once, but the time to build on that and move on and see them for the years to come.

Following Stobels recognition at the meeting, Berggren was introduced as the Woman of the Year. Winn spoke to Berggrens character, explaining why Berggren, who is the director of volunteer services at Regional West, was deserving of this years award.

She is just kind of like the Energizer Bunny  she keeps going and going and going and has just contributed so much to our community, she said.
During the ceremonies, Bohac presented Capt. Jared Baker, commander of the 1057th Military Police Company, with the Adjutant General Coin of Excellence, a challenge coin. Its a tradition Bohac said had been started and is a representation and a reminder to Baker and all the soldiers of the 1057th of where they come from,  Nebraska. Nowhere on the uniform does it say Nebraska, he said, but he urged the soldiers to remember where you are from, and where you are going to come back from, and to perform your duty, with honor, integrity and knowing that you are representing the people of Nebraska.

Send-off ceremonies are important, Bohac told the Star-Herald. As the leader of the Nebraska National Guard, I think its always important that they get to see the leadership before they go, and that we get the opportunity to express the confidence we feel for the soldiers and their readiness to perform their mission.

He also said it is important to share the message with the soldiers that the Nebraska National Guard, and the community, will be there for their families during the deployment.

Anybody with doubt where the patriotism is, Id say let them come here, he said.
"I was obviously very nervous," she said.

She thought she might be in a studio, with the familiar faces of the "Today" show cast. But instead, she was outside, being interviewed in front of a crowd at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, sharing her story to the women and young girls who gathered there.

A story of survival, of discrimination, of striving for an education. Of learning a new language one word at a time  her dad told her to memorize 10 new words a day when they moved to the United States. How she stumbled upon Yousafzai's 2013 autobiography "I Am Malala" and found, for the first time, a story she could relate to.

"I started reading that, I had no idea what it was about," she said. "I saw someone familiar, who looked like me."

It's what helped inspire her to get involved with the Malala Fund, where she's helped shine a light on issues girls face today, especially in the wake of COVID-19  domestic violence, child marriages, lack of access to education.

After Monday's show aired, the staff at North Star, including counselor Lori Ludwig, received a link to Basitkey's segment.

They were excited, to say the least.
It's not clear if any complaints have been filed against any health professionals for prescribing the medications. In Nebraska, the state Board of Health can recommend discipline of a physician or other health professional, but the Attorney General has the final say.

The two drugs have been touted by some health professionals but more often by politicians and celebrities as potential cures of or prevention against COVID-19 infections.

Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug that can be prescribed for humans but is more commonly used in animals. Hydroxychloroquine is commonly used to treat malaria, but it also is used in the treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Food and Drug Administration had at one point last year given emergency use authorization for the use of hydroxychloroquine in some limited cases in hospitalized patients after the drug showed initial promise as a treatment for the disease, but it later revoked that authorization after a large clinical trial "showed no benefit for decreasing the likelihood of death or speeding recovery."

Likewise, recent clinical studies of ivermectin have found it to have little or no clinical benefit in COVID-19 treatment, although it is on a National Institutes of Health list as an approved or under-evaluation antiviral treatment.
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Texas could receive over $1 billion from an opioid settlement. Here's what that would look like for North Texas.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  New York real estate heir Robert Durst, who days ago was sentenced in a two-decade-old murder case, has been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19, his lawyer said Saturday.

Defense Attorney Dick DeGuerin said he was notified that Durst was admitted after testing positive for the coronavirus. DeGuerin said he didn't know Durst's condition and was trying to find out more details.

Durst, 78, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without a chance of parole for the murder of his best friend more than two decades ago. Durst, who has numerous medical issues, sat in a wheelchair with a catatonic stare during much of the sentencing hearing.

"He was very, very sick in the courtroom," DeGuerin said Saturday.

He was convicted in Los Angeles Superior Court last month of first-degree murder for shooting Susan Berman point-blank in the back of the head at her home in December 2000.

The killing had been a mystery that haunted family and friends for 15 years before Durst was arrested in 2015 following his unwise decision to participate in a documentary that unearthed new evidence and caught him in a stunning confession.

DeGuerin said Thursday that Durst will appeal.
Judge Mike Fleenor, who also was new to the case, said that Helms did not have to worry about being forgotten. But the judge said that he also would remember what happened to Harriet Shank Allen, a retired nurse who lived in the same Harris-Cannaday section of Floyd County as Helms did when he was growing up. In June 1992, Allens body was found on the ground outside her home.

Though that was a very long time ago, thats the reason he is where he is, Fleenor said.

Helms, who was arrested soon after Allens death, gave investigators several accounts of what happened, including completely denying involvement and saying that a masked man forced him to take part in the crime, then had him walk over the mans tracks to remove signs of the mans presence.

In 1996, after several years of mental health care and court hearings, Helms received a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict and settled into a long residency at Western State Hospital in Staunton.

At Tuesdays hearing, Helms said that he had followed the rules to a T and met all obligations, and arrived at a place in his treatment where he had been allowed to leave the hospital for 22 overnight stays at a residential mental health support facility in Central Virginia.
Applications for the Kelso School Districts new transitional kindergarten program are open, with the goal of giving more students an early learning experience and boosting kindergarten readiness.

Early Learning Coordinator for the district and Carrolls Elementary School Principal Julia Owens said while the district has been looking at increasing early learning options for several years, the idea for transitional kindergarten started to come into focus last year.

Other districts in Washington, like Bellingham, and other states have been running similar programs for years, she said.

Transitional kindergarten is different from preschool, she said. Students start in January and the program runs through June. Then, students enter kindergarten that September. In class, students focus on skills theyll need in the fall: sharing, communicating, reading and writing, even basic math and science skills.

The goal is a slow transition, she said. Its not preschool level. You take what a kindergartener would be doing in September when they start and the kids in for transitional kindergarten will start doing that in January.

The application process opened Friday and will close Nov. 5. Its online on the district website and paper copies are available at all elementary schools.

Sixty slots are available to Kelso students. Students will be divided into four classes: two classes at Butler Acres Elementary School for students attending Coweeman Middle feeder schools, which are Butler Acres, Rose Valley, Carrolls and Wallace elementary schools; and two classes at Lexington Elementary School for students attending Huntington feeder schools, which are Lexington and Barnes elementary schools.

Owens said each class of 15 will have a teacher and a paraeducator assigned to it to give students more one-on-one attention and get them engaged.

The program is targeted at kids who have not gotten access to high quality preschool or other early learning, Owens said.

For example, a student who attends Head Start or the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program would stay in that program and not move to the districts in-house program, she said.

Its a great opportunity, Owens said. It provides that even start to kids who havent had that same opportunity (for early education).

A 2020-2021 state Department of Children, Youth and Families study found Kelso is one of Washingtons school districts most in need of expanding early childhood learning programs and opportunities.

An estimated 353 children in the district are eligible for Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, yet the Kelso community only serves 30% of them, according to the study.

Owens said the transitional kindergarten program will work in tandem with Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program to close the gap.

This is providing access to success in kindergarten and beyond, she said.

Applications are not first come, first served. Owens said there is a screening process that will identify the children most in need of the program. Age-wise, students are eligible if they were not yet 5 years old by the Aug. 31, 2021, kindergarten cutoff date, but will be 5 years old by the Aug. 31, 2022 cutoff date.

Classes will start Jan. 3 and will be fully integrated, meaning students will ride the bus just like a kindergartener would and go to recess just like a kindergartener would, Owens said.

Its a great opportunity for our Kelso students, she said.

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The former Boeing pilot indicted for fraud over the 737 MAX crashes said he was being made into a "scapegoat" over the calamaties.

The former Boeing pilot indicted over his role in the 737 MAX scandal said Friday he should not be made a scapegoat for a pair of deadly plane crashes.

"This tragedy deserves a search for the truth - not a search for a scapegoat," said a statement released by attorneys for Mark Forkner, who led the 737 MAX flight technical team and represented Boeing before US air safety regulators.

On Thursday, the Justice Department charged Forkner with fraud, alleging he misled aviation regulators during the certification process for the 737 MAX.

The indictment of Forkner, 49, is the first since two MAX jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.

"If the government takes this case to trial, the truth will show that Mark did not cause this tragedy, he did not lie, and he should not be charged," said Forkner's statement, which was released by David Gerger, a Houston attorney.

The indictment centers on Forkner's representations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over a flight handling system called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) that has been seen as a root cause of the two crashes.

According to court documents, Forkner had discovered information in 2016 about a major change made to the MCAS, but deliberately chose not to share the details with the FAA.

As a result, the FAA did not include a reference to the MCAS in training manuals for pilots.

In a message to a colleague revealed in 2019, Forkner said that the MCAS made the aircraft difficult to fly in a simulator. But he deliberately chose not to share that information with the FAA.

Forkner bragged to his colleague that he had lied to the regulator. According to documents published in early 2020, he also boasted that he could deceive his FAA contacts to obtain certification for the MCAS.

Boeing agreed to pay more than $2.5 billion dollars to settle a DOJ criminal charge that the company defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX.

The aviation giant has also admitted that two of its employees misled the FAA and Chief Executive David Calhoun acknowledged that Boeing "fell short of our values and expectations."

Family members of crash victims who have sued Boeing called on DOJ to broaden their targets.

"Forkner is just a fall guy. He and Boeing are responsible for the deaths of everyone who died in the MAX crashes," said Nadia Milleron, mother of Samya Rose Stumo, who was killed in the Ethiopian Airlines MAX crash in March 2019.

"Prosecutors can and should find quite a few other people who were also responsible for causing the crashes. Every single family who lost someone in the MAX crash feels the same way: the executives and board of directors of Boeing need to go to jail."

Explore further US grand jury indicts former pilot of Boeing 737 MAX

 2021 AFP
A week after a lawyer representing one of three men on trial for murder in the death of an unarmed, jogger complained about Black pastors in the courtroom, hundreds came from around the country and held a rousing prayer rally in front of the Glynn County Courthouse.
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OUT OF LINE: Veteran School Safety Agents shared their worries about the controversial plan to transfer them from the Police Department to the Department of Education, citing fears that they won't be able to protect students. They said the narrative that they were the reason students of color were suspended at disproportionately high rates was false. 'School Safety is not the enemy,' said Charles Greene, a Level III Agent. 'We love the kids.'
FIX, DON'T NIX, 'GIFTED AND TALENTED': Mayor de Blasio's belated attempt to phase out the city's gifted-and-talented program, despite likely successor Eric Adams's call to expand it, is opposed by the United Federation of Teachers. Union President Michael Mulgrew said that if Mr. Adams can cut through the school bureaucracy, 'Every Teacher knows that there are children in their building who are learning at an accelerated rate, and it doesn't matter what background they come from.'
Were still pursuing a lot of different options from a redevelopment standpoint and not all of those options have been fully vetted out, but they all include things that focus on maximizing the value of the reservoir and the asset that it is, Reschly said. Then also maximizing the value of the switchyard, which provides an ability for a company or a utility or another entity to either produce energy generation, such as renewable energy, and export it on the grid. Or it allows maybe a large consumer of energy to come in and use the switchyard as a way to consume energy as part of their industrial process or facilities.
Americans continue to have a dim view of Congress. And for good reason.

Legislative gridlock due to closely divided houses is one factor. But the top leaders of both parties are doing little to instill confidence.

Several months ago, Speaker Nancy Pelosi called her Republican counterpart, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a moron. Her fellow Californian responded by suggesting it would be hard not to hit Pelosi with the speakers gavel if he wins it from her in next years elections.

Now, the two Senate leaders, Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Mitch McConnell, are at it. Thats more serious because the Senates rules, unlike those of the innately more partisan House, require the parties to work together to get anything done. From all reports, they rarely do.

The feud between Majority Leader Schumer and McConnell has been percolating for some time. Their personal relations were hardly helped when Schumer was one of six senators to vote in 2017 against confirming McConnells wife, Elaine Chao, as the Trump administrations secretary of transportation.
The genius behind this American experiment, which is articulated by the Constitution, is the system of checks and balances the Founders designed and the importance they gave to the rule of law. When members of Congress affirm their oath, they are first and foremost swearing to support and defend the Constitution, followed by swearing allegiance to the Constitution and finally to faithfully execute the duties of their office.

Cheney is one of the most conservative members of Congress. She is pro-Second Amendment and an opponent of abortion rights. She believes in small government, a strong defense and low taxes. She voted with Trump 93% of the time. Conservatives at their core believe in conserving the values of the Founders. Perhaps Cheneys actions since Jan. 6 are the most conservative thing she could do.

On May 11, the night before the GOP stripped her of her leadership post, Cheney spoke on the House floor. She started by stating Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to discuss freedom and our constitutional duty to protect it. She went on to say, Every one of us who has sworn the oath must act to prevent the unraveling of our democracy. This is not about policy. This is not about partisanship. This is about our duty as Americans. Remaining silent, and ignoring the lie, emboldens the liar.
Off campus, Woitalewicz serves as an America Reads tutor at Kearney Public Schools, where he fills in as a substitute teacher. Hes worked at the local Hy-Vee since 2018, advancing to an assistant manager position.

Woitalewicz said transferring to UNK was the best decision Ive made in my academic career.

This university allowed me to have a fresh start and to make a name for myself. Im determined to make a positive difference in someones life, and UNK has given me the support I need to achieve that goal, he said.

In recognition of his impact on the university, Woitalewicz and his family, which also includes Melissas significant other Chad Shuda and their son Logan, were named the 2021 UNK Outstanding Family of the Year. They were honored during last weeks homecoming festivities.

POSITIVE IMPACT

An elementary and special education major, Woitalewicz is often asked why he wants to be a teacher.

The answer is pretty simple. He wants to make a positive impact on children and serve as a father figure for any student who needs the additional support.
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OTTAWA  Jelani Day's family attorney has responded after toxicology testing results were announced Thursday amid the investigation of his death.

Caffeine and evidence of nicotine and cannabis use were found during the testing, but the amounts were considered not toxicologically significant, the report said.

"The toxicology report was exactly what we expected it to be and unfortunately provides no answers as to what happened to Jelani," said Hallie Bezner, the family's attorney.

LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch declined to comment on the report due to the ongoing investigation." Results were received Wednesday.

The Pantagraph obtained the report prepared by Horsham, Pennsylvania-based NMS Labs under the Freedom of Information Act. Tissue samples were taken from the liver, kidney and brain on Sept. 8.

A cause of death for Day has not been released by law enforcement.

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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Two alumni-focused activities held as part of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Homecoming activities Friday officially dedicated the Saluki Alumni Plaza and renamed the offices of the SIU Alumni Association thanks to a $500,000 gift.

The donation from alumni siblings Julie Guida and Scott Moller will provide long-term support to the association, whose offices in the C-wing of Woody Hall will now be known as the Guida-Moller Family Alumni Center.

This being the largest gift in the history of the association, its only fitting we honor the gesture by renaming our organizations home base, said Jeff Gleim, executive director of the association. Even before now, though, both Scott and Julie have been wonderful advocates for SIU. Theyve done more than we could ever ask, and were proud their names will become part of our beautiful campus.

Moller, a 1985 alumnus, heads the Chicagoland-based Moller Family Foundation. He was managing partner of Marketing Werks, a consumer engagement company he co-founded with Guida, a 1979 SIU alumna, and sold in 2013. She oversees the Gida Family foundation.

We feel fortunate to give back to the university that gave so much to us, Moller said. Were thrilled to have the opportunity to commemorate our time at SIU with this naming.

According to a media release from the association, the Guida-Moller Family Alumni Center occupies the lower two floors of Woody Halls C-wing. It houses staff offices for the SIU Alumni Association, a meeting and activity room for the Student Alumni Council, as well as conference and business space available to alumni. In addition, the center also houses a large outdoor tent in the Alumni Center Courtyard, a space renovated with funding from a gift by the Class of 1967.

Saluki Alumni Plaza

Also Friday, the university formally dedicated Saluki Alumni Plaza in area located between Woody and Pulliam Halls on the northern edge of the campus. During the dedication ceremony, university recognized alumni and other donors who had contributed to the project.

The plaza includes benches, planters and plaques around a statue of three saluki dogs, positioned in a running formation representing alumni as well as current and future SIU students. Created by alumnus John Medwedeff of Medwedeff Forge and Design in Murphysboro, the statue was placed in June 2020. A formal dedication was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initiated by the associations board in 2018, extensive fundraising was conducted to establish the plaza as a landmark space on the Carbondale campus.

SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors member Larry Mieldezis called the plaza a centerpiece during Fridays dedication ceremony.

We thought this would be a destination for people who would visit campus to take pictures, spend time with family, reminisce or think about the future and we were absolutely right about all of that, he said. It has become an iconic landmark on campus and it didnt even need a formal introduction to become that.

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The legacy of the late Dr. Emily England Clyburn continues at South Carolina State University.

Two freshmen students were inducted into the fourth class of Dr. Emily England Clyburn Scholars on Friday. They are: Marion Patterson, a mechanical engineering student from Rock Hill, and Elissia Lottihall, a speech, pathology and audiology student from Pageland.

These students are among, of course, our best and our brightest. More importantly, the Clyburns' generosity and good will have allowed these gifted and talented students to have access to an affordable college education, said Dr. Harriet A. Roland, dean of the S.C. State Clyburn Honors College.

More importantly, they will create a pipeline for the legacy of not only Dr. Emily England Clyburn to be continued, but U.S. Congressman James Clyburn as well because they were both so very dedicated to their alma mater. They believed in the importance of educating young people and providing them with access to a college education, Roland said.

S.C. States Honors College is named for Dr. Clyburn, the late wife of Sixth District Congressman James E. Clyburn. The Clyburn Scholars program is also named after her.

Dr. Clyburn, a Moncks Corner native, received her bachelor's degree in library science from S.C. State in 1961 and an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2010.

She and her husband raised more than $1.7 million since 2005 for the university. They also established the Emily England Clyburn Honors Scholarship Program.

The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College has a total enrollment of 223 honors scholars who have come from all across this great nation and international borders. They include students from all four of the degree-granting colleges here at S.C. State University, Roland said.

The congressman said his late wife had a strong commitment to the success of the Honors College, even asking him near the end of her life to take care of Dr. Roland and the Honors College.

I promised her that I would, said Clyburn, who donates all of his honorarium fees to the university.

Clyburn said he will be donating $25,000 to the Honors College from a speech he is set to make at a college in two weeks.

Roland said, It will go into the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College Endowment Fund to go along with that $1.7 million that we currently have.

Clyburn met his wife when they were students at S.C. State. He said she helped transform him into the U.S. congressman he is today.

I don't say that facetiously. Were it not for Emily, I would not be standing here, Clyburn said.

The congressman was joined at the event by members of his family, including two of his three daughters, Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed and Angela Clyburn, and his grandson, Walter.

He also touted the leadership of S.C. State Interim President Alexander Conyers and the commitments that he and his wife, Agatha, have made to the university.

Clyburn continued, I want congratulate the two of you for what you're doing with this institution. It doesn't take a genius to be able to see and feel the transition and attitude not just here on this campus, but throughout this community and around the state."

S.C. States Clyburn Honors College will be moved from its present location in the Moss Hall annex building behind the university's bookstore into the old Dawn Center building on campus, Conyers said. The larger building will be renovated and renamed.

Conyers said the Clyburn familys continued investments in students means a lot to the entire university.

Congressman Clyburn and his late wife have always gone above and beyond in supporting this institution and the fact now that Mrs. Clyburn's legacy will live on through these scholarships is just immeasurable, Conyers said.

A total collective giving of $1.7 million is phenomenal. To think that a man like Congressman Clyburn who has throughout his career donated all of his honorarium fees to South Carolina State is, again, absolutely phenomenal. We are grateful to him and his entire family for their investment in our students and our university," he said.

Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter at @DionneTandD

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The Orangeburg County School District is working to address its teacher shortage with an in-house program designed to help district employees become teachers.

The program, GROW Orangeburg, will provide the district's classified personnel with a degree and an opportunity to become certified employees.

Classified employees consist of school employees that do not need certification or licensure to be qualified for the job. Certified employees must have a certificate that proves they have obtained the necessary credentials and knowledge for the position.

"I love the idea that we are trying to be proactive," trustee Betty Pelzer said during the school board's regular monthly meeting Tuesday.

Pelzer said reading about teacher shortages across the country makes her really sad.

It is happening. What can we do about it? she said.

We are going to have to come up with some way to grow our own, she said. We have to treat them and stroke them a lot to keep them. We have to treat them right.

We have to do the right thing by our employees so we can keep them right here in Orangeburg, Pelzer said.

District Director of Classified Personnel Loretta Gadson-Washington said the district surveyed 236 classified employees with college degrees. About 112 responded to the survey.

Out of the 112, Gadson-Washington said 24 had an associate's degree, 61 a bachelors, 26 a masters and one a doctorate.

Of the 112, 97 said they were interested in the program and, of those, 60 have signed an agreement to become certified personnel for the district.

The district will seek to get certified personnel in its PACE (Partnership for Accessing College Education), Teachers for Tomorrow and CATE (Career and Technical Education) programs.

Gadson-Washington said the district does have the needed individuals in place to assist the district with the program.

The 60 individuals will be divided into four cohorts as part of the process to obtain certification. Some need to pass the Praxis exam, others have to do teaching and pass the Praxis exam, while others need to also take alternative certification to receive direct CATE certification, Gadson-Washington said.

The funding for the program will be paid upfront by employees for the Praxis exam and application fee for any alternative certification program. The district will reimburse the employees out of federal Every Student Succeeds Act funds.

The Praxis exam costs between $130 and $209, depending on the subject area.

Seminars will also be held for employees to help them with the Praxis exam. The district will also provide employees with resources available from the state as part of the process.

Under the program, teachers have agreed to work in the school district for three years.

Trustee Mary Ulmer said the effort has been tried before and says she is happy that teachers will be encouraged by the district to stay the course.

Please continue to encourage and push them and let's get these teachers, Ulmer said.

Board Vice Chair Dr. Debora Brunson said she is pleased with the program.

I am glad we are able to provide this assistance for our staff members, she said.

Brunson said she has talked to a lot of staff members who have just missed passing the Praxis exam by one or two points.

That can be very disheartening. That is a stumbling block in somebody's path but these people are excellent workers. They do an excellent job of teaching and management in the classroom, she said.

Trustee Idella Carson said she believes the state needs to change its ways of preparing teachers.

Our teachers have to take the Praxis first before they go into the area, Carson said. You go to school to become a lawyer. You take all your classes first, then you take the bar exam. You don't take the bar exam before you take the classes.

OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster echoed Carson's concerns.

It needs to be changed, especially given the shortages we had, Foster said. There are individuals who are being held up and children that are being disserviced because of a test that says you are certified but does not necessarily say you are qualified.

I think quality is what we look for as opposed to just a simple certification.

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New cell site in Branchville

BRANCHVILLE -- AT&T customers and FirstNet subscribers in Branchville are getting better wireless connectivity, thanks to a new cell site.

The new site will bring improved coverage along U.S. Highway 78 in Branchville between U.S. Highway 21 and U.S. Highway 178.

By enhancing the areas 4G LTE coverage and helping give residents and first responders faster, more reliable wireless service, AT&Ts investment will help customers get the most out of their mobile devices.

From 2018 to 2020, AT&T invested nearly $800 million in wireless and wired networks in South Carolina. The investments boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and their businesses.

With 4G LTE service, customers can experience better network connectivity while streaming videos, sharing on social media or texting family and friends.

The new site will also benefit public safety and first responders on FirstNet  public safetys dedicated communications platform and give South Carolinas first responders access to always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data. FirstNet is bringing public safety communications into the 21st century with new, innovative capabilities to help those users stay safe and save lives.

The enhancements also bring Band 14 spectrum to the area. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. We look at Band 14 as public safetys VIP lane. In an emergency, this band  or lane  can be cleared and locked just for FirstNet subscribers.

Edisto Pantry and Deli

Edisto Pantry and Deli at 1971 Old Edisto Drive celebrated its grand opening Oct. 6 complete with free pizza courtesy of the Hunt Brothers.

"It is a new location in town and it is very clean and very neat," owner Andy Patel said. "The environment is so fresh and modern. It is a great place with great music."

In addition to gasoline, the station has a deli complete with subs, breakfast, salads and pizzas. The station also sells lottery tickets, has a money order kiosk and Western Union bank machine.

The station opened about a year ago, but due to COVID the grand opening was delayed. The station employs seven.

In its short time of existence, the gas station has proven lucky.

The store has had two scratch-off ticket winners of $500,000 and $250,000 within the past year.

Prior to opening as a gas station, the building was formerly a tire shop.

Patel also owns the Edisto Pantry at 2814 Bamberg Road and Edisto Liquor, 204 Neeses Highway.

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Wyoming State Treasurer, Curt Meier, to speak at Rotary

On Monday, Oct. 18, the Rotary Club of Casper is honored to welcome Wyoming State Treasurer, the Honorable Curtis E. Meier, Jr. as the speaker at its noon luncheon meeting at the Ramkota. Members unable to attend in person may join via Zoom. Rotary Club members and guests are invited.

Meier, who was sworn in as the 31st Treasurer of the State of Wyoming on Jan. 7, 2019, will be speaking to the club about the role of the state treasurer, as well as Wyomings current financial situation.

Prior to his election, Treasurer Meier served in the Wyoming State Senate for 24 years. Curts background in business became an asset to the State of Wyoming as he fulfilled a wide range of legislative committee assignments:

State Treasurer Advisory Committee during the terms of former Treasurer Cynthia Lummis and Joe Meyer.

Select Committee on Capital Financing and Investments.

Legislative Liaison to the State Retirement Board, of which he is now a current member.

Appropriations Committee.

Chairman of the Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Committee.

Chairman of the Transportation, Highway, and Military Affairs Committee.

Curt has been recognized by numerous organizations for the work he has done for the citizens of Wyoming, including the distinguished Patrick Henry Award from the Wyoming National Guard Association for his outstanding and exceptional service to the armed forces.

Throughout his career as an elected official, Treasurer Meier has established himself as a champion of the Wyoming and U.S. Constitution, a strong advocate for the rule of law, and a gatekeeper for taxpayer dollars.

In addition to his public service, Curt is also a successful businessman, operating a farm and ranch in his hometown of La Grange, and formerly owned and operated an irrigation business.

A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Curt holds a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science.

Join Rotary for this special presentation to learn more about what our state can expect financially in the coming months and years.

Natrona County Republican Women meet

Natrona County Republican Women will have their monthly meeting, Monday Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Clarion Inn. We have moved our monthly meetings to the 3rd Monday evening of each month, so more members may attend. The cost is $20 per person and includes dinner. We will be discussing the Republican Women National Convention and our upcoming Gathering of the Goddesses event Nov. 20. When you are a member of Natrona County Republican Women you are also a member of the Wyoming Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women!

Please RSVP to ncrwmember@gmail.com or call 307-258-5936.

Reservations are due Sunday, Oct. 17 by noon please. Space is limited to 40-45 spots. Republican Women is open to any registered Republican.

Central Wyoming Quilts of Valor

Every Wednesday, the Central Wyoming Quilts of Valor is welcoming all quilters and long arm quilters. Crossroads Quilters is a local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a nationwide foundation. We meet at VFW on Bryan Stock Trail in Caper from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays to make quilts, which are awarded to military service members and veterans touched by war. Fabric, batting and quilting are provided.

If you have served, or know someone who has served, please contact Jenny Vass at 307-259-8321 or Cyndi Adams at 307-262-2701 to be awarded in Quilt of Valor. We are also looking for new members and re-welcoming old members  especially people who sew.

Railroaders set open house

The Central Wyoming Model Railroaders announce this years open house to start off the National Model Railroad month on Nov. 5. We will have our doors open at 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, at 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 6, and noon to 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 7. Our Clubhouse is located at 1356 N. Center Street right here in Casper. Follow Center Street north past the ex-Roosevelt School building. Go across the speed bump and if you end up in the River you went  block too far.

We are remodeling the N Scale layout to give more area for scenery and you will some of the techniques we use. We had to replace some underlayment on the HO layout and here too will be displayed some of the scenicing techniques we use. Gene Robinson, our O Scale man, has been working on getting the Lionel passing track to work so he can run two trains. So come and see what we are up to.

We still offer fix-it know how. We even offer to help you solve some of your problems. If you have equipment needs/desires we may be able to help there also as we do accept donations of stuff and find homes for it if it doesnt reside on our layouts.

There is no fee for attending our Open House but we do accept donations.

Would you like more information? Call Nathan at 307-258-7869, Harry at 235-4950 or Homer at 266-6439.

Updated Toastmasters information

Visit or join Casper Toastmasters Clubs to give a boost to your public speaking skills. Toastmasters can provide you with skills to open a world of possibilities through effective communication whether you are a professional, a student, a parent, a retiree, or other situation. You can achieve professional and well as personal goals as you develop your leadership skills. Toastmasters International has helped millions of men and women with their learn-by-doing, self-paced Pathways program. Go online to learn more at Toastmasters.org. Local contacts to check out are:

Morning Tour Toastmasters, first and third Mondays, 6:30 to 7:45 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, shaunagibbs0@gmail.com

Pioneer Club 97, first and third Wednesdays, noon to 1 p.m., Coldwell Banker Building, kevint@wyocpa.com

Pathfinder Club, second and fourth Tuesdays, 6 to 7:15 p.m., Casper Family YMCA and Zoom, swhitfield19@msn.com morning or before at the lodge. For more information, call 234-4839.

Casper Garden Club meetings set

Casper Garden Club meets the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Casper Senior Center. Educational program offering friendship and fellowship. Member of the Wyoming Federation of Gardeners.

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Bowls made of leather.

A little doll made of yarn.

A crocheted brain.

Art 321s annual fiber art show is back for the month of October, featuring a variety of textile spectacles.

As part of the event, three featured artists were invited to give informal talks about their work. James Dewey, a traditional Northern Arapaho beader, and Marvin Nolte, who makes traditional fishing flies, will both speak the evening of Oct. 22. Yong Hui Torske, a Casper quilter, visited Oct. 7.

The Casper Artists Guild hosts a fiber arts display in its gallery every year. But that doesnt mean the show is growing stale, said executive director Tyler Cessor.

Wyoming has a diverse crafting heritage, Cessor said: beading, quilting and leatherworking, to name a few.

The annual show is meant to celebrate those traditions, but also push the envelope of what people usually think about fiber art, Cessor said. Its the first time the exhibit features fishing flies, for example.

Marvin Nolte, who lives in Barr Nunn, has been tying traditional fishing flies for over 30 years.

The craft involves weaving together a colorful bouquet of feathers to make a fishing lure  a process that can take four or five hours, Nolte said.

He said the flies were originally used to attract Atlantic salmon during the Victorian era.

What evolved was a gaudy lure, he said.

The flies fell to the wayside as fishing techniques advanced, but were revived as an artisan craft in the latter half of the 20th century, Nolte said.

Today, theyre prized for their novelty and beauty. The vibrant feathers used to make them come from birds all over the world  South Africa, India, Belgium.

In addition to flies, Nolte has three handmade bowls on display this month. They have a shape and shine that mimics ceramic, but are actually made of leather.

Nolte used a lesser-known technique called vegetable tannage to make them.

Equally as bright and colorful as Noltes flies are Deweys beaded clothes and accessories.

Dewey, who is Northern Arapaho, said he grew up watching his mother and grandmothers bead. But didnt get into the craft until he started having kids of his own.

Thats because he mostly beads for his family, he said. Much of his creations are made to be worn at powwows, where he, his wife and daughters participate in traditional dance competitions.

Dresses worn by his wife and daughters, as well as other items like headdresses, moccasins and small bags, are all featured in Art 321s gallery.

Since he comes from a family of beadworkers, Dewey didnt find it too hard to pick up the skill, he said. The more difficult part is deciding on a design.

Its hard to get the color combinations that you want, he said.

Beading patterns and styles have been passed down by the Northern Arapaho for generations, he said. The patterns usually reflect nature: depicting things like animals, mountains or trees.

Torske is a returning guest of the fiber arts show.

Shes long taught classes in the discipline, including at Casper College, and co-founded the Crossroads Quilters, a local chapter of Quilts of Valor, a nonprofit group that makes quilts for veterans.

This years display shows off quilts Torske and her students made in honor of beloved quilter Sue Garman, who died in 2017.

The quilts follow one of Garmans patterns called the Halo Medallion Quilt, Torske said. They were made with an advanced technique called paper piecing, which is used to patch together tricky geometric shapes.

Its kind of a tedious, complicated process, Torske said.

Some fishing flies Torske made are also on display.

In addition to Nolte, Dewey and Torske, the show features a handful of other area artists across a wide array of media: crochet art, surface stitching, batik. A portion of the pieces are available for sale.

As October draws to a close, Art 321 is gearing up for its next batch of events.

The group is hosting its first Halloween dinner and art auction, Feast and Fright, on Oct. 30.

Art 321 is also accepting submissions for its annual Photo Fest and upcoming Postcard and Pint-Sized Art auction, both of which take place in November.

The submission deadline for all three events is Oct. 22. More information can be found on art321.org.

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The Wind River Reservation will welcome 50 new bison today  the largest release of bison yet to the reservation.

The release is part of a national effort to recover native bison populations once hunted to the brink of extinction, according to Caitlyn Fallon, senior communications coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation.

The herd will be split equally between the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, Fallon said in an email. This brings each tribes bison count to more than 60 and 30, respectfully.

Bison are native to most of Middle America, once occupying a territory that stretched from northeast Mexico up to Alberta and Saskatchewan, and as far east as Pennsylvania. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates some 30 million roamed the continent just a few hundred years ago.

But habitat loss, industrialization and overhunting by white settlers drove bison to near extinction. The loss of the animals helped force many tribes onto reservations as a key source of their food and supplies was depleted.

Only small pockets of bison in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains remain today.

Wild bison were completely wiped out from Wind River by the late 1800s  that is, until a small group was released to the Eastern Shoshone in 2016.

The last time the reservation received new bison was in 2019  both from herds in Montana, Fallon said. The Eastern Shoshone received five from the Fort Peck Reservation, and the Northern Arapaho received 10 from the National Bison Range.

Were trying to get back to our way of life, our culture, Northern Arapaho Tribal Historic Preservation Office Deputy Director Crystal CBearing told the Star-Tribune in 2019. One of those ways  is to bring the buffalo back.

The animals play an important role in numerous native cultures. The Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho and other indigenous nations have traditionally relied on bison for food and resources, as well as traditional ceremonies.

That was our way of living, CBearing said in 2019. It was our food, our shelter, our clothing.

Theyre also a keystone species in many native ecosystems, Fallon said.

As these great herds grazed across the land, they had a myriad of positive ecological impacts to not only the soil, water and plant life, but to insects and a variety of animals as well, she said.

The new bison derive from the herd at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. They been tested for brucellosis, a disease that can spread to livestock and has raised concerns in the past about the reintroduction of bison to places in the West.

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The Wyoming State Legislature has voted to hold a special session to combat federal vaccine mandates, but another obstacle remains.

When results of the vote came in Thursday evening, there were 36 lawmakers in the House and 18 in the Senate in favor of the special session, clearing the majority that was needed in each chamber (The Senate currently has 30 members, while the House currently has 59).

But once they gather, lawmakers will need to approve rules for the session. That will necessitate another vote on the sessions first day, and it requires a supermajority  or two-thirds  of each chamber. Past votes on the special session have not received a two-thirds majority.

If the rules proposed by legislative leadership do not obtain the needed votes, those leaders will move to adjourn the session, according to a Tuesday memo from Senate President Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, and Speaker of the House Eric Barlow, R-Gillette.

We will ask the respective majority floor leader to move for an immediate adjournment of the special session without considering any legislation, they wrote in the memo.

That move to adjourn would require a roll call vote. If leadership had the votes, the session would end. But if they dont, then the Legislature could either default to the rules of the most recent session  which would allow bills outside the scope of vaccine mandates and possibly prolong the session  or lawmakers could negotiate until enough of them can agree on a set of rules.

Before lawmakers can convene to vote on the proposed rules, they will be considered at a Joint Rules Committee meeting next week. Its unclear where and when it will be held, but its open to the public.

All Democrats, who make up roughly 10% of the Legislature, have consistently voted against the session and are not expected to change course.

Individual lawmakers votes on the special session will become public early next week once all the mail ballots have been received, according to Obrecht.

The session is set to take place Oct. 26-28, and if the rules are passed, will certainly take place in-person in Cheyenne. Holding a special session in person will cost roughly $25,000 a day.

The presiding officers may allow some legislators to appear remotely, but the vast majority (if not all) of the members will be at the Capitol, Matt Obrecht, Legislative Service Office director, said in an email.

If the session operates as currently proposed, the public will have a chance to comment on the first day when the Senate and House committees are hearing bills.

Democrats took issue with this aspect of the process, arguing that speeding up the lawmaking limits the publics ability to be involved.

Typically, the public would be able to comment as a bill travels from one chamber to the next, but in the format now proposed, both chambers will be hearing identical bills  or what are called mirror bills  so Wyomingites cant be present for all discussion on the bill.

Lawmakers are aiming to take on the Biden administrations executive order that requires employees at companies with over 100 workers to be vaccinated.

Some lawmakers are already drafting legislation.

Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, requested two bills for the session, he said. One would ban vaccine passports, while the other attempts to ban vaccine mandates.

As it stands, Grays bill banning mandates is not currently confined to companies over 100 employees. It classifies firing, demoting, promoting, compensating or refusing to hire based on vaccination status as a discriminatory or unfair employment practice.

If companies violate Grays bill, they could face civil penalties of a $500,000 penalty payable to each party. There may also be criminal penalties: a misdemeanor with jail time of up to six months, a fine of up to $750, or both.

If adopted, the $500,000 fine would drastically exceed most other employment discrimination payments. Most claims in Wyoming  which can stem from discrimination on the basis of disability, age, sex, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry or pregnancy  are paid out on a case-by-case basis based on the employees lost income and legal fees.

They average around $40,000 per claim, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Sen. Tom James, R-Rock Springs, is taking a narrower approach to the issue that would also institute a misdemeanor.

His bill bars any public servant from enforcing or attempting to enforce any act, law, statute, rule or regulation of the United States government relating to mandating covid vaccination, James posted on Facebook. Anyone violating the rule could be guilty of a misdemeanor and face up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

State statutes cant supersede federal law according to the U.S. Constitution, so it remains to be seen what effect the bills would have if they become law.

All bill requests are due at noon Thursday they can be posted publicly before the session begins.

Regardless of what happens at the session, Gordon has repeatedly signaled that he also plans to combat the executive order in the courts.

In early September, after Biden issued his executive order, Gordon announced the state was preparing to challenge the mandate in court. He followed that up with a second and third statement saying he remains committed to fighting the mandate using the judicial system.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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BOISE, Idaho  U.S. officials and a sheep industry group have dropped their appeals of a court ruling preventing sheep grazing in western Montana and eastern Idaho by a sheep research facility long targeted by environmental groups concerned about potential harm to grizzly bears and other wildlife.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month granted a request by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station and Colorado-based American Sheep Industry Association to drop the appeals filed earlier this year.

They had sought to overturn a ruling in April by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald E. Bush that the government hadnt adequately examined all of the impacts with its 2017 environmental review allowing the grazing.

U.S. officials opted to drop their appeals first and were followed shortly after by the association. The U.S. Department of Justice, which represents federal agencies in lawsuits, didnt respond to a request for comment sent through its online portal.

Were very disappointed that the feds dropped their appeal on this, said Chase Adams, senior director with the association. Thats the only facility dedicated to full-time sheep industry research, and the impacts to that facility are huge not just for the U.S. sheep industry, but in other areas of the world that have similar climate and elevation and terrain.

Grazing was suspended in 2013 following previous lawsuits by environmental groups contending the areas contain key wildlife habitat that is a corridor for grizzly bears between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. Conservation groups contend grizzly bears have been killed because of sheep station activities.

The groups also say bighorn sheep, which can acquire deadly diseases from domestic sheep, and greater sage grouse use the area.

Grazing resumed following the release of a 2017 environmental impact statement considering the effects of sheep grazing on wildlife.

Western Watersheds Project and the Center for Biological Diversity were among the groups that filed a new lawsuit in early 2019 challenging the governments decision allowing sheep owned by the University of Idaho to graze in the Centennial Mountains of Idaho and Montana.

The sheep station has two grazing areas in those mountains straddling the two states totaling about 25 square miles.

In the lawsuit, Bush ruled the government hadnt sufficiently examined the projects potential effects on grizzly bears and bighorn sheep, and didnt objectively analyze alternatives. He also ruled that the government had adequately examined the effects of grazing on sage grouse.

He said the government must review the project again in line with environmental laws, and until that review is complete, sheep grazing isnt allowed in those areas. That means redoing the environmental impact statement, a process likely to take at least two years.

Were hopeful that the government will come up with a new strategy and new use for the sheep station, said Andrea Zaccardi, senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. Grazing domestic sheep in the Centennials just does not make sense for the wildlife that live there.

The Agriculture Department has said that the sheep station conducts research on lands ranging from about 5,000 feet to nearly 10,000 feet in elevation.

The Sheep Experiment Station, based near Dubois, Idaho, has not only been targeted by environmental groups but has also been on the federal budget chopping block under the administrations of both President Barrack Obama and President Donald Trump.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, who represents the area, has played a crucial role in restoring funding.

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Coal production is increasing in Montana and Wyoming as demand in the Asia Pacific ratchets up.

Coming off a volatile year in 2020, which saw mine closures and furloughs, Montanas mining industry has turned out 20.3 million tons of coal in the first nine months of 2021. Thats a 2% increase of 524,000 tons over 2020, when the state had two more mines operating than it does currently. Production numbers through Oct. 2 are reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wyoming production is up 11.8 million tons compared to the first nine months of 2020, a 7% increase.

Exports have been a main driver in Montana coal production, explained Steve Read, who manages coal sales for Signal Peak. Exports are the mines bread and butter. If theres coal on a train from Signal Peak, its on its way to British Columbia for shipping and most likely bound for Japan.

We have spent years developing the Japanese market and that is our most reliable market. It is the highest valued market for our product, Read said.

Exports of U.S. steam coal, the kind used in power plants, were up 46.9% through the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2020. Its the kind of coal Montana and Wyoming produce. Part of that dramatic increase is because energy demand globally crashed in 2020 as COVID-19 shuttered industry. Thermal coal is benefitting from a sharp increase globally in natural gas prices.

Buyers in the Asia Pacific region accounted for 62% of this years exports, with 1.9 million tons going to Japan and 2.3 million to South Korea in the first six months. Both nations are primary destinations for Montana and Wyoming coal. India was the regions biggest buyer with 7.9 million tons.

Export markets fueled a coal boom in Montana and Wyoming during the first six years of the past decade. Coal companies like Cloud Peak Energy and Lighthouse Resources, once the heavy hitters of Montana coal, attempted to build their own coal ports, arguing that there wasnt enough shipping availability in the Pacific Northwest to keep up with demand. They also signed multi-million checks for mine development rights benefitting communities like the Crow Tribe.

But those big plans fell through, in part because in the Asia Pacific, Western U.S. coal companies are disadvantaged by distance. The worlds biggest exporter of all coal types, Australia, is much closer and benefits from lower shipping expenses. So does Indonesia, which is the biggest exporter of steam coal. U.S. coal exported well when prices were high, but when the market softened U.S. coal was often the odd man out.

Cloud Peak filed for bankruptcy in 2018, two years after having to suspend coal exports because of uneconomical export prices. The companies biggest mine, Spring Creek in southeast Montana, sold to the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, which hasnt pursued exports aggressively like Cloud Peak. Spring Creek is also Montanas largest mine. Cloud Peak had planned to build a coal export terminal near Bellingham, Washington.

Decker Mine, a short walk from Spring Creek was to be a primary source for Lighthouse Resources exports. For years, Lighthouse pursued developing a coal port on the Columbia River near Longview, Washington. The port was mired in environmental litigation. Lighthouse filed for bankruptcy in December 2020. Decker has shut down.

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Lately, Americans have been watching the news with concern. Thats because tight global supply chains are causing shortages for many everyday products. And at the same time, energy prices are rising dramatically, with supply failing to meet the demands of economies reemerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Soaring energy prices are already hammering European and Asian consumers. But they may hit U.S. consumers this winter, too. Gasoline prices are rising, heating oil prices have jumped more than 60 percent in a year, and natural gas costs have doubled in just the past six months.

Along with rising energy prices, the reliability of the nations electricity grid has also become a question mark. Blackouts and power outages have become increasingly common in California, Texas, and other states.

Despite these concerns, the Biden administration is pushing ahead with plans for a carbon-free U.S. power sector by 2035. To do so, the president aims to dramatically increase wind and solar generation  so that the U.S. can reach 80 percent emissions-free power by 2030.

Such a heavy reliance on weather-dependent sources of power will bring immense technical challenges  and the price tag will be extraordinary. But a lack of planning for safe grid reliability is the most troubling.

The Biden administration envisions a program that would offer many billions of dollars for utilities to deploy wind and solar capacity. However, there is no clear planning on how the nation will accommodate all of this new, intermittent power  or provide adequate incentives to ensure simultaneous backup power when the weather doesnt cooperate.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), likely the deciding Senate vote on the plan, has already warned that, We are going to leave ourselves in a situation by 2030 that we are not going to have reliability.

Grid operators and utilities are equally worried. One regulator from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission  which oversees the nations electricity markets  has warned that the proposal would be like, effectively dropping an H-bomb into the middle of them, adding, consequences will be profound, disruptive, and incalculable.

We are already getting a preview of this across the Atlantic. Europes race to dismantle traditional energy infrastructure, curb investment in fossil fuel production, and embrace renewable energy has left it woefully short of the energy it needs this winter  and increasingly dependent on Vladimir Putins natural gas.

U.K. electricity prices have now soared to record levels. Surging natural gas prices and low renewable output have also caused electricity prices in Spain and Portugal to triple over the past six months. And Germanys transition toward full-scale wind and solar power has boosted the countrys electricity prices to three times the U.S. average.

The road ahead calls for caution. Americas energy transition requires careful planning that builds on the shoulders of existing energy infrastructure. Policymakers must ensure reliable and affordable power  instead of clumsily dismantling it. U.S. consumers already face rising energy prices this winter. Bad policy shouldnt serve up another energy crisis as the next course.

Terry Jarrett is an energy attorney and consultant who has served on the board of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Missouri Public Service Commission. He regularly contributes to LeadingLightEnergy.com.

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The Cowboy State is weighing plans to host a multi-billion dollar demonstration nuclear power plant  TerraPowers Natrium reactor. The long history of similar nuclear reactors, dating back to 1951, indicates that Wyoming is likely to be left with a nuclear lemon on its hands.

The Natrium reactor design, which uses molten sodium as a coolant (water is used in most existing commercial nuclear reactors), is likely to be problematic. Sodium reacts violently with water and burns if exposed to air, a serious vulnerability. A sodium fire, within a few months of the reactor starting to generate power, led to Japans Monju demonstration reactor being shut down.

At 1,200 megawatts, the French Superphenix was the largest sodium-cooled reactor, designed to demonstrate commercial feasibility. Plagued by operational problems, including a major sodium leak, it was shut down in 1998 after 14 years, having operated at an average capacity of under 7 percent compared to the 80 to 90 percent required for commercial operation. Other sodium-cooled reactors have also experienced leaks, which are very difficult to prevent because of chemical interactions between sodium and the stainless steel used in various reactor components. Finally, sodium, being opaque, makes reactor maintenance and repairs notoriously difficult.

Sodium-cooled reactors can experience rapid and hard-to-control power surges. Under severe conditions, a runaway chain reaction can even result in an explosion. Such a runaway reaction was the central cause of the 1986 Chernobyl reactor explosion, though that was a reactor of a different design. Following Chernobyl, Germanys Kalkar sodium-cooled reactor, about the same size as the proposed Natrium, was abandoned without ever being commissioned, though it was complete.

All these technical and safety challenges naturally drive up the costs of sodium-cooled reactors, making them significantly more expensive than conventional nuclear reactors. More than $100 billion, in todays dollars, has been spent worldwide in the attempt to commercialize essentially this design and associated technologies, to no avail.

The Natrium design, being even more expensive than present-day reactors, will therefore be more expensive than practically every other form of electricity generation. The Wall Street firm, Lazard, estimates that electricity from new nuclear plants is several times more than the costs at utility-scale solar and wind power plants. Further, the difference has been increasing.

To this bleak picture, Terrapower has added another economically problematic feature: molten salt storage to allow its electric output to vary. Terrapower hopes this feature will help it integrate better into an electricity grid that has more variable electricity sources, notably wind and solar.

Molten salt storage would be novel in a nuclear reactor, but it is used in concentrating solar power projects, where it can cost an additional $2,000 per kilowatt of capacity. At that rate, it could add a billion dollars to the Natrium project.

This host of factors makes it reasonably certain that the Natrium will not be economically competitive. In other words, even if has no technical problems, it will be an economic lemon.

To top it all off, the proposed Wyoming TerraPower demonstration project depends on government funds. Last year, the Department of Energy awarded TerraPower $80 million in initial taxpayer funding; this may increase $1.6 billion over seven years, subject to the availability of future appropriations and Terrapower coming up with matching funds.

Despite government support, private capital has recently abandoned a more traditional project, the mPower small modular reactor, resulting in its termination in 2017. And it was Congress that refused to appropriate more money for the sodium-cooled reactor proposed for Clinch River, Tennessee when its costs skyrocketed, thereby ending the project in 1983.

A much harder look at the facts is in order, lest Wyoming add to the total of many cancelled nuclear projects and abandoned construction sites. Of course, the Natrium lemon might be made into lemonade by converting it to an amusement park if it is never switched on, like the Kalkar reactor, now refashioned into Wunderland Kalkar, an amusement park in Germany, near the border with the Netherlands. For energy, the state might look to its natural heritage  its wind power potential is greater than the combined generation of all 94 operating U.S. nuclear reactors put together, which are on average, about three times the size of Natrium.

M. V. Ramana is Professor and Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security and the Director of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia. Dr. Ramana holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Boston University. Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, holds a Ph.D. in engineering (nuclear fusion) from the University of California at Berkeley.

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ASSET by asset, the liquidators of the CL Financial group are selling off the company that it took Cyril Duprey and his nephew, Lawrence, 73 years to build up.

The liquidators are plodding through the sale of thousands of acres of land, millions of dollars worth of shares in a local conglomerate, a major local insurance firm, a manufacturer of resins and a security company.
Jerrod Johnson is the point of the spear of a new wave of soca parang music.

Aptly, Johnson is known in music circles as Bongo Spear. The Palo Seco-born musician catapulted into the national consciousness last year with his parang soca hit Ah Not Eating. His comical refrain of ah not eating nothing dat smelling so after being offered food by a neighbours wife became the unofficial anthem of Christmas 2020.
Mother of four, Rehana Jaggernauth, was beaten, stabbed and strangled before being thrown into the Guayamare River, where she drowned, an autopsy has found.

And her relatives are convinced that Jaggernauth was lured to her death by someone she knew.
PHOENIX  Arizonas attorney general claims Facebook admits to aiding human smuggling, and he wants U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate.

The company denies it is letting cartel operations use its website to connect with people trying to get into this country illegally. But a company official concedes that Facebook does allow people to share information about how to enter a country illegally or request information about how to be smuggled.

William Castleberry, the companys vice president of state policy, said thats far different than what Attorney General Mark Brnovich is claiming.

He said in a letter to Brnovich that the policy draws a line between the business of human smuggling and interfering with peoples ability to exercise their right to seek asylum, which is recognized in international law.

But Brnovich said that, as far as hes concerned, the company is facilitating the illegal entry of people into the United States, which is a crime.

His letter to Garland is the latest in a series of actions by Brnovich, who is running in a six-way race to be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, aimed at the Biden administration and its immigration and border policies.
A $20,000 fine was imposed April 29 after a health department inspection in January found dozens of deficiencies that put patients at risk, records show. The inspection, which included live observation, staff interviews and a review of internal records for the previous six months, found, among other things:

 Three times in one day, an inspector saw staffers fail to properly disinfect the skin of dialysis patients before inserting needles or tubing. Its the fourth time in five years the center has been cited for that deficiency.

 The report cited 102 cases in which theres no solid record that water used for dialysis treatments was tested for chlorine, which is highly toxic to such patients and must be removed with carbon filters. The unreliable testing logs posed a significant risk to patients for serious life-threatening events, the inspector said.

 At least 80 times, staffers did not keep proper track of whether a solution used to help stabilize pH levels during dialysis was mixed at proper strength and was not past its expiration date. Erratic blood pH levels can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Former President Donald Trump released a statement on Friday claiming there was voter fraud in Pima Countys 2020 election, which county officials have denied.

The claim follows the nearly year-long audit in Maricopa County that found President Joe Biden had won by slightly more votes than previously thought. Trump and Arizona Republicans had said for months that the taxpayer-funded audit would flip the election results in favor of Trump.

Trumps new statement points to an influx of mail-in votes that gained the lead for Biden in Pima County, which Trump asserts were fraudulent. Hes made similar claims about other states and counties since last November.

Fridays note also claims that publicly available data shows two Pima voting precincts had a ballot return rate greater than 100%, and says that a new election should be called or Trump should be declared the winner in Arizonas 2020 election.

County officials have outright denied the claims of voter fraud. They point out that both Republicans and Democrats were involved in counting Pima Countys ballots multiple times and the results were certified by officials representing both parties in the state.
The thing with paint is that you have to be careful of moisture  any time you paint the house, you want it dry, because if temperatures are too high, the paint will dry before it bonds to the structure, and you can peel it right off, Grant said. The ideal temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees. You want good dry weather, and you want a dry house, too  you dont want to be painting a day after it rains because theres still moisture in the substrate surfaces of the house.

Before putting paint to surface, a good amount of preparation must be done to ensure you get the most out of your project, said Anthony West, sales manager of Elder Paint & Wallpaper.

Its all in the prep work  if you prep well, a paint job is going to turn out well, West said. You need to start taping off any woodwork, taping off trim and making sure that everything is primed and ready to be painted. If youre repainting trim, make sure its scuffed well, so that it will receive its new top coat.

West said if you dont have much experience with painting interiors or exteriors, it may be worth it to invest in the services of a professional.
But in the defense motion this week, attorney Kevin Adams said the American Bar Associations guidelines mandate an incredibly thorough, detailed, wide-ranging and time-consuming preparation for the mitigation phase of a death-penalty case. Court records show that the state filed its notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Ware on Sept. 17, nearly nine months before his originally scheduled trial date.

Prosecutors listed five aggravating factors, including the death of a police officer and prosecutors belief that Ware could be a continuing threat to society.

Adams motion, pointed to a handful of other capital cases in other Oklahoma counties that took on average more than two years to reach a jury trial. A letter from a defense-retained mitigation preparation specialist indicates that Wares attorneys are still seeking a variety of Wares life records, including from hospitals, schools and jobs hes held.

The letter also says Wares attorneys are in the process of building a rapport with him and with other important figures in his life, such as parents and friends. It argues that a halt to that effort before their research is done could damage their relationship with Ware as a client and harm his case.
As a refugee success story, and an example of what the outcome can be when a community gets involved, Than seemed like a good person to talk to about our present challenge, so I reached out.

Than told me he cant help feeling for the Afghanis, who likely will come with stories similar to his own, and face similar difficulties ahead.

His first memory of reaching the U.S., he said, was just how good it was to finally feel safe.

There were no more soldiers shooting, no more artillery shells falling, he said, recalling the scene in Saigon as his family and others were evacuated by U.S. Marines.

Once in the states, Thans family, which included his parents and three older siblings, were sent to Tulsa under the care of College Hill Presbyterian Church.

The members sponsored the Thans, providing them a small house they had fixed up for them, and making sure they had all they needed to begin their new lives.

That included pretty much everything, Than said.

Making the transition even more difficult, the family spoke little to no English, he added.
The complexs main feature, a 58-bed VA hospital, is being fashioned from the existing Kerr and Edmondson state office buildings. New construction primarily consists of a new 436-space parking garage to be built and operated by the city of Tulsa and a psychiatric hospital to be owned by Oklahoma State University and operated by the state of Oklahoma.

The office complex, valued at $35 million, has been transferred from the state to OSU but will be signed over to the VA when the hospital is finished.

A lengthy roster of notables attended Fridays event, including U.S. Sen. James Lankford and Congressmen Kevin Hern and Markwayne Mullin, but notably absent was U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, who perhaps more than any single person was responsible for securing the federal governments $120 million stake in the project.

Explanations of Inhofes absence conflicted, but his influence on the project was made clear.

When we said Sen. Inhofe wants this done, it was like having the golden ticket, said OSU President Kayse Shrum, who began work on the project as president of OSU-CHS. Long before OSU applied for this special CHIP-IN program, Sen. Inhofe advocated for a VA hospital in Tulsa.
U.S. Sen. James Lankfords re-election campaign reported third-quarter receipts of more than $1.2 million, according to Federal Election Commission documents filed Friday.

Lankford, who expects at least two primary challengers, received net contributions of $1,117,354.46, and transfers of $126,510.21 from other committees.

About $860,000 came from individuals.

Third-quarter reports for Lankfords primary opponents, Jackson Lahmeyer and Nathan Dahm, had not been posted to the FEC website by Friday evening.

Lahmeyer issued a press release saying hed raised $450,000 for the election cycle, which would indicate that he raised almost $200,000 in the third quarter, based on previous filings.

Dahm did not announce his candidacy until Sept. 28, two days before the end of the quarter.

Fundraising for other members of Oklahomas congressional delegation were fairly modest by comparison.

First District Congressman Kevin Hern, who does not officially kick off his reelection campaign until next month, reported almost $160,000 in receipts, with cash on hand of $482,000 and debt of just over $1 million, owed mostly to himself.
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said late on Friday that it will accept mixed-dose coronavirus vaccines from international travelers, a boost to travelers from Canada and other places.

The CDC said last week that it would accept any vaccine authorized for use by U.S. regulators or the World Health Organization.

"While CDC has not recommended mixing types of vaccine in a primary series, we recognize that this is increasingly common in other countries so should be accepted for the interpretation of vaccine records," a CDC spokeswoman said.

The White House said Friday the new vaccine requirements for foreign nationals traveling to the United States will begin Nov. 8 for visitors crossing at land borders as well as international air travelers.

Representative Brian Higgins, a New York Democrat representing a district along the Canadian border, had on Friday asked the CDC if it would accept the mixed vaccine doses noting "nearly four million Canadians, equivalent to 10% of their fully vaccinated population, have received mixed doses of the available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines  this includes the AstraZeneca vaccine."

The CDC said the vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use, as well as those authorized by the WHO, will be accepted for entry into the United States, including the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The CDC said "individuals who have any combination of two doses of an FDA approved/authorized or WHO emergency use listed COVID-19 two-dose series are considered fully vaccinated."

The CDC plans to answer other questions and release a contact tracing order for international air visitors by Oct. 25.
Read what is in the news today:

COVID-19 Updates

-- More than two million AstraZeneca vaccine doses donated by Italy arrived in Hanoi on Friday night, bringing its total donations to the Southeast Asian country to nearly 2.8 million doses.

Society

-- Ba Ria  Vung Tau Province, home to popular beaches in southern Vietnam, on Friday welcomed about first 80 tourists in months as COVID-19 brought the citys tourism to a standstill.

-- Authorities in Hanoi decided to remove all COVID-19 checkpoints at the citys gateways on Friday night and will only maintain traffic police forces to control navigation.

-- Ho Chi Minh City has allowed the first water bus route to resume operations after nearly four months of suspension as part of the local governments enhanced social distancing order to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

-- Authorities in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa have allowed residents living in coronavirus-free areas to visit local beaches from Saturday following a prolonged period of social distancing.

-- A four-year-old was killed by a collapsed iron gate at a kindergarten in the central province of Quang Nam after climbing on the gate together with a friend.

World News

-- A British lawmaker was stabbed to death in a church on Friday by an assailant who lunged at him during a meeting with voters from his constituency, according to Reuters.

-- Outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday unanimously recommended the agency authorize a second shot of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for all recipients of the one-dose inoculation, Reuters reported.

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Friday was the last day the COVID-19 field hospital No. 4 in Ho Chi Minh City was in operation as the city authorities began the gradual restructuring of COVID-19 makeshift hospitals, Nguoi Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper reported, citing the municipal Department of Health.

The health department said that the makeshift hospital, which is located in the Vinh Loc B resettlement area in Binh Chanh District, has completed its mission, with no coronavirus patients under its treatment currently.

The hospital discharged its last inpatients on Thursday, according to leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Childrens Hospital, who managed the venue.

Authorities expect to officially dissolve the infirmary sooner than their original schedule, the end of November, as the COVID-19 pandemic has been put under control in the city.

Medical teams that had come to the hospital to assist the fight against COVID-19 also returned to their units.

Currently, the authorities are keeping 20 beds with oxygen tanks and only one of the buildings with a capacity of 200 beds in the Vinh Loc B resettlement area in operation.

About 20 doctors, nurses, and logistics workers from the Ho Chi Minh City Childrens Hospital are on standby at the COVID-19 field hospital No. 4, ready to handle new coronavirus patients when needed.

The hospital originally included 20 buildings divided into four zones on an area of over 30 hectares.

Each building has four floors, no elevators, and 40 rooms with a capacity for 180 to 210 patients.

The hospital had been put into official operation on July 7 before its emergency rooms and intensive care unit with a total of 185 beds equipped with oxygen tanks were established.

It had received a total of 16,129 COVID-19 patients, including 2,523 children and 706 people above 65 years old, as of Thursday.

The infirmary reported 61 deaths and 551 patients with worsened conditions that needed to be transferred to higher-level COVID-19 hospitals, accounting for 0.38 percent and 3.4 percent of its total patients, respectively.

At the peak of the current virus wave, the hospital handled 4,089 patients, including 176 requiring respiratory and circulatory support, at the same time.

During the 100-day operation, 20 medical workers and 33 militiamen, or 6.6 percent of the hospitals staff members, contracted the coronavirus.

All of them have been successfully treated and recovered from the disease.

The suspension of the COVID-19 field hospital No. 4 in Binh Chanh District went in line with the municipal health departments plan to gradually restructure its system of COVID-19 field hospitals between the end of this month and December.

Health authorities had put 15 district-level makeshift hospitals into operation as of October 8, providing nearly 7,000 beds for COVID-19 patients.

Of these, the COVID-19 field hospitals No. 3, 6, and 8 in the Thu Thiem resettlement area in Thu Duc City will be the last to bite the dust at the end of December.

In the meanwhile, those three institutions, with oxygen supplies and resuscitation beds, will continue admitting coronavirus inpatients after other infirmaries at the same level are shuttered.

The restructuring comes as the citys daily infections have been on a downward trajectory, from nearly 4,700 cases on September 29 to 1,131 on Friday.

Over 7.1 million of its nearly-nine-million population have been given at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and above 5.3 million have been fully vaccinated, according to the national COVID-19 vaccination portal.

The hardest-hit locality since the fourth virus wave struck Vietnam on April 27, Ho Chi Minh City has reported 415,875 local patients, accounting for half of the national tally of 852,986 community transmissions. Its death toll has reached 15,961 fatalities, according to the Ministry of Healths data.

Vietnam has registered 857,639 patients, including 788,923 recoveries and 21,043 deaths, since the pandemic first struck it early last year.

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Vietnams business hub Ho Chi Minh City will first resume interprovincial tours from November 1 before re-launching international tourism activities in early 2022, according to its plan for tourism recovery from COVID-19.

The plan has been launched as the southern city and the country in general are loosening strict COVID-19 restrictions to resume socio-economic activities under new normal conditions, a phrase the Vietnamese government uses to describe its new strategy of living safely with the coronavirus.

Accordingly, the tourism recovery will follow a three-phase roadmap that requires strict compliance with epidemic prevention measures.

In the first phase, which lasts from now to October 31, the city will reopen local tourism activities in green zones, meaning areas without known COVID-19 infection cases.

People can select tours organized by travel companies or go by themselves to destinations in districts where the pandemic has been put under control.

Hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as tourist attractions, in such areas can operate at no more than 50 percent of their capacity, subject to their meeting safe tourism criteria.

The second stage will commence from November 1 to the end of this year, during which intercity tourism will be allowed, mainly for green zones.

Locals, in addition to traveling within the city, may enjoy trips to other localities, and people outside the city may visit the citys tourist attractions.

In this phase, the allowable capacity limit for both accommodation service providers and tourist sites is raised to 70 percent provided they meet the safe criteria.

Some other services, including dine-in catering, may be allowed, subject to epidemic control situations.

In the last stage, that will begin from January 1, 2022, international tourism operations will be resumed along with domestic travel tours, based on actual epidemic control results at home and aboard.

In this phase, all tourist products are expected to be resumed without limitations, provided the operators ensure the principles of living safely with coronavirus.

At a meeting on October 9, the Ministry of Health reported that Vietnam has basically kept the COVID-19 pandemic at bay, with new infections and deaths falling markedly across the country, especially in the countrys epidemic epicenters, including Ho Chi Minh City.

When the pandemic hit the country in early 2020, the city has suffered the most with 412,978 patients and 16,093 deaths, the Ministry of Health reported on Friday.

However, the citys daily coronavirus fatality has declined drastically, from 340 cases on August 22 to 123 on September 25, 78 on October 8, and 61 on Friday.

Nationwide, 857,639 infections have been recorded, including 788,923 recoveries and 21,043 fatalities, in 62 out of the countrys 63 cities and provinces, except Cao Bang.

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Vietnams Ministry of Health has received nearly two million jabs of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donated by Poland and South Korea as support for the Southeast Asian countrys fight against the pandemic.

At a vaccine reception ceremony held in Hanoi on Friday, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen expressed his gratitude to the governments and peoples of Poland and South Korea for their aids to Vietnam.

The donations include 1.1 million jabs from South Korea and 887,600 doses from Poland, which were delivered to Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Vietnam is trying to access more vaccine supply sources for national vaccine coverage to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible. Therefore, the vaccine donations from Poland and South Korea are of great significance for Vietnams fight against the pandemic, Tuyen said at the ceremony.

Along with its first aid of 501,600 doses sent to Vietnam on August 21, Poland has so far donated a total of nearly 1.4 million AstraZeneca vaccine shots to Vietnam.

South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Park Noh Wan (L) and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen are seen at the vaccine reception ceremony in Hanoi on October 15, 2021. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

In addition, Poland last month offered Vietnam essential medical equipment and supplies worth around US$4 million for COVID-19 prevention and control.

At the ceremony, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Wojciech Gerwel expressed his country's gratefulness for the previous support by Vietnamese communities in Poland for the European countrys fight against the epidemic, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

That is the motivation for the Polish government and people to support Vietnam this time, the ambassador added.

Meanwhile, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Park Noh Wan said that his country is considering the possibility of supporting another 100,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

On August 8, South Korea provided Vietnam with 7.5 million syringes as part of the 30 million syringes South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui Yong pledged to offer Vietnam during his visit to the country in June.

Earlier on May 28, Vietnam received 40 thermal imaging scanners worth nearing $1 million donated by South Korea as support for Vietnams 10 international airports in detecting coronavirus infection signs.

Besides Poland and South Korea, Vietnam has earlier received vaccine donations from many other countries, including the U.S., Australia, France, Japan, Russia, the UK and China, among others.

The country has targeted to secure 150 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to vaccinate two-thirds of its 98-million population, but it has received only nearing 90 million shots from different sources, including COVAX Facility, contract purchases and donations.

By Friday, Vietnam had administered over 41.81 million first COVID-19 vaccine doses and some 17.19 million second shots to people nationwide, the Ministry of Health reported.

Since the pandemic hit the country in early 2020, the Southeast Asian nation has documented 857,639 COVID-19 cases, including 788,923 recoveries and 21,043 deaths, in 62 out of the countrys 63 cities and provinces, except Cao Bang.

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Tourism authorities of Vietnams central city of Da Nang are devising plans to welcome travelers after months of implementing strict restrictions against COVID-19 spread, with a vision to bring back foreign tourists in the future.

The local administration on Thursday agreed to open their doors to domestic tourists and is seeking principal approval from the central government to bring back international travelers, the municipal Department of Tourism stated on Thursday.

More specifically, city officials outlined a three-phase plan to relaunch local tourism services.

The first stage, lasting till the end of October, will target Da Nang residents and public officials on duty in the city.

The second phase, which starts in November, envisions a travel bubble model, where tourists from several provinces and cities deemed safe will be allowed to visit Da Nang and vice versa.

It is expected that the success of the model will decide the launch of the third phase, where tourism services will be operated in a new normal state.

Speaking on plans to reactivate services for foreign visitors, the Department of Tourism revealed that they are mulling a two-step rollout.

The first one is projected to start in November, offering tour packages and mandating seven-day quarantine for entrants on business trips, official duties, or family visits in Vietnam.

Subsequently, a second phase will be launched when the government approves the resumption of more commercial international flights.

During this phase, Da Nang will target lucrative markets like Korea and Russia, as well as areas that have achieved considerable control over the epidemic, namely Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, the United States, China, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe.

According to the tourism body, the resumption of tourism will be adjusted based on the real safety levels.

Once the epidemic prevention measures are heightened, the city will give tourism firms and visitors a notice 72 hours prior to the rollout.

The demand for Da Nang tourism is high among foreign markets, most notably Russia and Korea, Truong Thi Hong Hanh, director of the Da Nang City Department of Tourism, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

After upholding the stringent social distancing measures since August, Da Nang City has decided to resume most businesses, except beauty and recreational activities, from Saturday, following two weeks without new community coronavirus infections.

It is also one of the localities with the highest vaccination rates in the country, and is targeting to administer the first COVID-19 vaccine doses to all residents aged 18 and older by October 25, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

A leading tourist destination and a coronavirus epicenter last year, Da Nang has reported a total of 5,434 cases since the epidemic emerged in Vietnam in early 2020.

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Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Law professor Thaddeus Hoffmeister wrote a piece for The Conversation about whether unbiased jurors exist in the age of social media. A national publication covering K-12 schools quoted Chief Information Officer Tom Skill about keeping school networks safe. Spectrum News 1 Ohio and several local media reported on the Dayton Funk Symposium and Land of Funk Way. The Dayton Business Journal featured the Greater West Dayton Incubator's new director.

Tsarnaev Supreme Court appeal: Do unbiased jurors exist in an age of social media?

The Conversation

Thaddeus Hoffmeister, School of Law

3 cybersecurity best practices to keep school networks safe as students  and devices  return

K-12 Dive

Tom Skill, CIO

Dayton funk legends honored with street designation

Spectrum News 1 Ohio

Dayton Funk Symposium

Dayton street to get 'funky' new name designation to honor citys music history

ABC22/Fox45, WDTN-TV and Dayton Daily News

Sharon Gratto, music

University-led incubator names new leader

Dayton Business Journal

Greater West Dayton Incubator
New Las Vegas Strip Hotel 'Dream Las Vegas' In The Works

October 16 2021 Calum Grant

There are already plenty of fabulous hotel & casino's in Las Vegas, with some of the world's best poker rooms among them, but a new addition is coming to Las Vegas as plans to build a new 20 story hotel & casino with 527 rooms has been given the green light. The $500 million project will be erected next to McCarran International Airport and has had to jump over a series of hurdles after worries regarding illegal drone flying, laser lights, and domestic and terror attacks.

The Clark County Commission passed the plans for Dream Las Vegas in a 6-1 vote that took place on Wednesday, October 6. The new building will be constructed on top of a five-acre plot of land on the south edge of Las Vegas Boulevard, next to the airport and the Harley-Davidson dealership.

Construction to Begin in Mid-2022

The faces behind the 500 million dollar venture are David Daneshforooz and Bill Shopoff, who announced their project plans in February 2020. The former is the chief executive of Contour, a real estate company, and Shopoff is the founder of Shopoff Realty Investments. The pair hope to have construction for their Las Vegas boutique hotel begin midway through 2022, with the first clientele making their way through the doors in 2024.

With rooms only in the hundreds, Dream Las Vegas will be one of the smaller resorts on the Strip but that's where developer Shopoff believes they'll "find their following." The unique selling point is that it will offer boutique stays for visitors who do not want to spend their entire vacations in hotel-casinos that stretch further than the eye can see.

What are the best hotels in Las Vegas?

Fears Over Dream Las Vegas

A host of fears and concerns have plagued Dream developer plans for years, to the point where project plans had to be reviewed by the FBI, United States Homeland Security, and the Secret Service. Various major airlines also queried the plans as hotel laser lights and other illuminations could be a cause of concern for "flash blindness", a condition that could cause pilots to have their vision temporarily impaired.

The United States Transportation Security Administration carried out their own assessment which stated that the resort would "increase the risk to both the aircraft and the passengers due to active shooters and the ability throw things over the fence intended to cause harm".

In turn, the TSA worried that the airport would also be "more susceptible to Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive device attacks" and that areas that would be on the third and ninth floor of the hotel would "provide a direct line of sight for laser flashing and long gun attacks," according to county documents.

Resorts World has been the latest Las Vegas Casino to open their doors to the public.

Related: Resorts World Las Vegas: Everything You Need to Know

Dream Las Vegas to Make Design Alterations

Not to be dismissed that easily, law firm Kaempfer Crowell's Tony Celeste, the project representative, explained several changes to design plans to the commission before the vote was taken.

The porte-cochere (doorway to a building) will be moved so that the tower is further away from the airport property line and that it will be separated from the airport by a "nine-foot-tall, double-reinforced security wall". There will also be "dramatically reduced" sightlines to McCarran, Celeste further went on to say.

Rounding off the design changes, the parking garage will now be enclosed and another security wall will be added onto the proposed pool deck. Plans for rooms with balconies have been scrapped, and all rooms feature a "glass-break detector system" to alert security teams to anyone trying to compromise the windows.

Related: Caesars Palace Set for Multimillion-Dollar Makeover

Lead photo: hospitalitynet
Three main arteries for gas supplies to Europe, around which many political problems revolve in these days, while the old continent suffers from prices record of gas and a shortage of stocks before the onset of winter, AsumeTech writes.

October 31st is a very important date. On this date, a twenty-five-year contract ends, according to which natural gas flowed from Algeria to Morocco, and from there to Spain, through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, known by its acronym GME. However, in light of the recent political tensions between Morocco and Algeria, it was announced that the contract will not be renewed, and therefore the pumping of gas through this pipeline will stop.

This line has a maximum capacity of 12 billion cubic meters and last year transferred 3.7 billion cubic meters to Spain, according to Standard & Poors Global Platts platform, and about half a billion cubic meters to Morocco, and therefore this line supplies half of Moroccos consumption needs, in change to allow the passage of gas through its territory.

But there is another line called Medgaz which directly connects Algeria and Spain without going through Morocco. This line has already transferred 5.4 billion cubic meters in Spain last year, knowing that its capacity reaches 8 billion cubic meters, and is currently in an expansion was underway for its capacity, which is expected to be completed next month, to reach 10.5 billion cubic meters.

This line thus comes close to covering the absorption of the entire quantity exported from Algeria to Spain.

Just on the other side is the Nord Stream-2, which goes directly from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. It faces strong opposition from the United States, as well as Ukraine and Poland, the two countries through which the pipelines carrying Russian gas currently pass in Europe.

The Nord Stream-2 line has been completed and technical inspections by atmospheric pressure have begun, to verify that there are no leaks, and this process is expected to be completed by the end of year, after which it will obtain an operating license from the regulator in Germany. It is speculated that there may be opposition to the European Parliament and the German Parliament.

In the south of the continent, there is also the South Caucasus Pipeline, which has entered into operation at the end of last year, transporting gas from Azerbaijan via Georgia and Turkey to Greece, the Balkan countries and Italy.

This line faces geopolitical risks due to the emerging tension between Iran and Azerbaijan, with the two neighbours conducting military exercises on both sides of the border. This is the second challenge facing the pipeline after the 40-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Karabakh region last year.

***

Meanwhile, recently, Azerbaijan and Turkey reached an agreement on the supply of additional 11 billion cubic meters of gas via the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline until 2024. According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the agreement is of a preventive nature and is aimed at avoiding an energy crisis: We secure our reserves. Gas agreements with Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan indicate that we will not have such crises as in Western countries. For Turkey, this problem is irrelevant."
Already the fourth largest global exporter of seafood by volume, Russia plans to nearly double its total seafood exports by 2024. To achieve this, Russian fishing operators have unveiled plans to encourage greater investment in the industry, seeking to accelerate the roll-out of state-of-the-art vessels, modern seafood processing plants, and improved railways. As EUreporter writes, aslready the fourth largest global exporter of seafood by volume, Russia plans to nearly double its total seafood exports by 2024. To achieve this, Russian fishing operators have unveiled plans to encourage greater investment in the industry, seeking to accelerate the roll-out of state-of-the-art vessels, modern seafood processing plants, and improved railways.

There has been around $5bn invested in the Russian fish industry, said Petr Savchuk, deputy head of Rosrybolovstovo, the Russian Federal Agency for Fishing. But this is just the beginning.

In 2018, Russia started the construction of 35 new fishing trawlers and 20 new seafood processing plants, centred primarily around the countrys largest fishing ports on the Far East seaboard. In addition, Rosrybolovstovo set a target of building at least 100 new vessels by 2025, a 50% increase in the fleets overall capacity. However, since then, investment has begun to soar. In particular, Russia has unveiled plans to build railway hubs across the country, helping to speed up the movement of raw goods from the major fishing ports in Kamchatka to Russias Atlantic side, including its primary fishing export hub in Murmansk.

On 12 April this year, FESCO Transportation Group began transporting containerised fish along the Trans-Siberian route, with products travelling at speed from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg. From there, the shipment was shipped across to Bremerhaven in Northern Germany. According to FESCO, this new route is twice as fast as transporting products via Suez and it shows that Russian firms are upgrading their logistics with great success.

To reduce congestion, Russian authorities have also begun opening several more fishing export hubs throughout the country. As Savchuk explains: [hubs are] being developed, for example in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don and other big cities in Russia where big cold-store facilities are being built.

One company making an outsize contribution, both in the Far East and in the cod fisheries of the North Atlantic, is Norebo. Investing $45m in a new shipping terminal in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Norebo looks to create an end-to-end service for fishing vessels in Russia. The terminal will allow vessels to store their fish in refrigerating containers in the Far East before shipping them to western Russia, the US, and Europe.

Following the implementation of its fleet renewal programme in 2017, Norebo will soon have some of the most modern vessels operating not just in Russia but in the world. Radicalising how Russias fishing industry operates, Norebos new state-of-the-art vessels are set to increase energy efficiency, decrease waste, and create more comfortable working conditions for crews.

A modern fleet is a requirement of our times. Only new vessels with high-tech equipment can offer optimal catch processing, as well as high standards of safety and comfort for the crew, said a Norebo spokesperson.

It appears Norebo strives to achieve this and more with its latest fleet of vessels under construction.

Indeed, one of the groups vessels, named Captain Korotich, incorporates architectural design elements never used before on a Russian fishing vessel. The hull is capsule shaped with an Enduro Bow line, which allows for increased working space on board and improved seaworthiness. It also has an incredibly powerful engine (6200kW), which enables the vessel to reach speeds of up to 15.5 knots and operate in ice up to 0.5m thick, while using less fuel than other comparable engines.

Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the vessel will also use electricity generated by the trawl winches for lighting and repurpose the excess heat from the main engine to heat the ships rooms, including the cabins. Ingeniously, on Pacific vessels such as Captain Korotich, fish oil collected during waste processing is even put towards powering the boiler. These innovations reduce carbon emissions and eliminate unnecessary waste, all of which contributes to the excellent sustainability of the end product.

The companys newest longline vessels will also be equipped with modern multi-functional factories that allow for advanced catch processing directly on board. This means that the time between catching the premium quality fish and creating the final product, ready for cooking, is shortened dramatically, with processing waste also reduced to almost zero. Norebo has found the provision of onboard factories has even improved the final product that reaches kitchens, as processing the fish immediately after it is caught helps to preserve its freshness, taste and nutrients.

Five years has passed since Norebo first announced its fleet renewal programme. Since then, the company has revealed plans to build ten state-of-the-art vessels, with more still to come. But every time a new keel is laid, it feels like the first time all over again. As Norebo founder Vitaly Orlov reflected at the unveiling of the first vessel in 2018: Although Norebos current fishing fleet is up to date, the time to renew is coming. Today is a very emotional moment when we lay the keel of the first vessel. I hope that this event today will give a positive signal to the shipbuilding industry that Russia intends to build vessels that are as good as, or even better, than [from] shipyards anywhere in the world.

With Norebo leading the way, Russias fishing fleet already competes with the leading fishing nations of the world in terms of consistency, quality of product and commitments to sustainable practices. Considering the future investment plans already announced, Russia is well on its way to meet the target of nearly doubling exports by 2024, confirming its status as a world leader, ranking alongside the legendary fishing fleets of old.

In 2018, Russia started the construction of 35 new fishing trawlers and 20 new seafood processing plants, centred primarily around the countrys largest fishing ports on the Far East seaboard. In addition, Rosrybolovstovo set a target of building at least 100 new vessels by 2025, a 50% increase in the fleets overall capacity. However, since then, investment has begun to soar. In particular, Russia has unveiled plans to build railway hubs across the country, helping to speed up the movement of raw goods from the major fishing ports in Kamchatka to Russias Atlantic side, including its primary fishing export hub in Murmansk.

On the 12th of April this year, FESCO Transportation Group began transporting containerized fish along the Trans-Siberian route, with products travelling at speed from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg. From there, the shipment was shipped across to Bremerhaven in Northern Germany. According to FESCO, this new route is twice as fast as transporting products via Suez and it shows that Russian firms are upgrading their logistics with great success.

To reduce congestion, Russian authorities have also begun opening several more fishing export hubs throughout the country. As Savchuk explains: [hubs are] being developed, for example in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don and other big cities in Russia where big cold-store facilities are being built.

One company making an outsize contribution, both in the Far East and in the cod fisheries of the North Atlantic, is Norebo. Investing $45m in a new shipping terminal in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Norebo looks to create an end-to-end service for fishing vessels in Russia. The terminal will allow vessels to store their fish in refrigerating containers in the Far East before shipping them to western Russia, the US, and Europe.

Following the implementation of its fleet renewal programme in 2017, Norebo will soon have some of the most modern vessels operating not just in Russia but in the world. Radicalising how Russias fishing industry operates, Norebos new state-of-the-art vessels are set to increase energy efficiency, decrease waste, and create more comfortable working conditions for crews.

A modern fleet is a requirement of our times. Only new vessels with high-tech equipment can offer optimal catch processing, as well as high standards of safety and comfort for the crew, said a Norebo spokesperson.

It appears Norebo strives to achieve this and more with its latest fleet of vessels under construction.

Indeed, one of the groups vessels, named Captain Korotich, incorporates architectural design elements never used before on a Russian fishing vessel. The hull is capsule shaped with an Enduro Bow line, which allows for increased working space on board and improved seaworthiness. It also has an incredibly powerful engine (6200kW), which enables the vessel to reach speeds of up to 15.5 knots and operate in ice up to 0.5m thick, while using less fuel than other comparable engines.

Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the vessel will also use electricity generated by the trawl winches for lighting and repurpose the excess heat from the main engine to heat the ships rooms, including the cabins. Ingeniously, on Pacific vessels such as Captain Korotich, fish oil collected during waste processing is even put towards powering the boiler. These innovations reduce carbon emissions and eliminate unnecessary waste, all of which contributes to the excellent sustainability of the end product.

The companys newest longline vessels will also be equipped with modern multi-functional factories that allow for advanced catch processing directly on board. This means that the time between catching the premium quality fish and creating the final product, ready for cooking, is shortened dramatically, with processing waste also reduced to almost zero. Norebo has found the provision of onboard factories has even improved the final product that reaches kitchens, as processing the fish immediately after it is caught helps to preserve its freshness, taste and nutrients.

Five years has passed since Norebo first announced its fleet renewal programme. Since then, the company has revealed plans to build ten state-of-the-art vessels, with more still to come. But every time a new keel is laid, it feels like the first time all over again. As Norebo founder Vitaly Orlov reflected at the unveiling of the first vessel in 2018: Although Norebos current fishing fleet is up to date, the time to renew is coming. Today is a very emotional moment when we lay the keel of the first vessel. I hope that this event today will give a positive signal to the shipbuilding industry that Russia intends to build vessels that are as good as, or even better, than [from] shipyards anywhere in the world.

With Norebo leading the way, Russias fishing fleet already competes with the leading fishing nations of the world in terms of consistency, quality of product and commitments to sustainable practices. Considering the future investment plans already announced, Russia is well on its way to meet the target of nearly doubling exports by 2024, confirming its status as a world leader, ranking alongside the legendary fishing fleets of old.
Azerbaijan has a history as a Silk Road trading post, is home to sites that speak to its surprising Jewish, German, and Polish heritages, and has an abundance of riches when it comes to art, architecture, craft, food and drink, and more. Its welcoming, tolerant spirit offers the open-minded traveler myriad reasons to reflect on the various ways its been shaped by historical forces. Azerbaijan is a country that possesses deep traditions of hospitality, tolerance, and multiculturalism. Our main mission as Azerbaijan Tourism Board is to illustrate these features through exciting tourism products, said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board. Here, SkiftX looks at some of the Azerbaijani sites and traditions that can be traced back to key moments throughout the countrys history.

JEWISH HERITAGE SITES

Today, Azerbaijan is home to a sizable Jewish population, and reminders of its Jewish history appear throughout the country. One of the most significant is the Red Village, located near the Caucasus Mountains, an all-Jewish settlement of about 3,000 inhabitants considered the worlds last surviving shtetl. It is home to three synagogues, one of which doubles as the Museum of Mountain Jews.

The Red Village is connected to Guba  a historic, multicultural city  by a 19th-century arched bridge over the Gudialchay river. Here, visitors can partake in a Mountain Jewish culinary masterclass with local resident Naami Ruvinova, whose repertoire includes interesting twists on classic Azerbaijani dishes like dolma (stuffed leaves) and pilaf, and a vegetarian dish called gaylo. The Synagogue of Ashkenazi and Georgian Jews in Baku is one of the few synagogues to have been built in that part of the world during the last century, as well as one of the largest in Europe.

GERMAN HERITAGE SITES

An unsuspecting visitor to Goygol may be surprised to come across an abundance of German-style architecture. One of the German settlements established in western Azerbaijan around 200 years ago, Goygol is home to its own German history museum  originally the Saint Helena Lutheran Church  the first Lutheran church in Azerbaijan, dating from 1857. Another must-visit is the Goygol winery, located on the site of a winery established in 1860, and a cellar with 150-year-old German barrels.

Those with Bavarian appetites can seek out the private restaurant of Larissa Danilova, where the specialties include homemade sausages and pork ribs and cakes from German recipes. The home of the late Victor Klein, the last German resident of Goygol  soon to be converted to a museum  is also open to visitors. In Shamkir, as well as delighting in more German architecture, one may visit a still functioning Lutheran church, and drink Brau beer at the Excelsior Hotel, brewed in their own brewery using Austrian techniques.

POLISH HERITAGE SITES

The rapid development of Bakus oil industry between the early 1870s and World War I, a period known as the Oil Boom, brought great wealth to the city, triggering the construction of an eclectic mix of European architecture outside the old medieval walls. Much of the architectural reinvigoration in the new city was masterminded by Europeans, including a number of Polish architects. Together, they designed many of the citys finest buildings, blending the best of local and Western architectural traditions.

One of these architectural highlights is the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences (also known as Ismailiyya Palace), a Venetian Gothic masterpiece designed by Jozef Ploszko, said to have been inspired by Venices Palazzo Ducale. The French-Gothic Palace of Happiness, by the same architect, features a prominent statue of a Polish folk hero, Zawisza Czarny (Zawisza the Black). The Baku City Hall building was based on the design by the Polish architect Jozef Goslawski, and is currently home to Baku Executive Power. The city boasts many more Polish architectural landmarks, including the Lukoil office building, Union of Co-operatives, Baku Department Store, the Institute of Manuscripts, and the Holy Virgin Mary Catholic Church.

LEGACIES OF THE SILK ROAD

The great trade routes known as the Silk Road left deep traces in the political, economic, and cultural developments of the countries it passed through. As one of its main transit points, Azerbaijan was no exception, absorbing international influences in its art, music, architecture, cuisine, and more  all of which are on ready display today.

Cuisine: Gastronomic ideas spread easily along the Silk Road, and Azerbaijani cuisine today draws on influences from Iran, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Anatolia, and the Far East. The Baku, Shamakhi, and Ganja regions of Azerbaijan are known for dishes that combine dough and meat  sometimes with cheese  common in Silk Road countries. Cardamom, a flavorful ingredient in Indian cooking, is widely employed in Azerbaijani savory dishes, but also in traditional sweets such as shakarbura and pakhlava, also known as baklava.

Carpets: Azerbaijani carpets were traded everywhere along the Silk Road and were highly prized for their vivid colors, rich patterns, and quality. Today, they can still be found in the worlds most prestigious museums, private collections, and auction houses, while the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum in Baku holds the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world.

Silk: The settlement of Basgal  for centuries, a transit point on the Silk Road  is the center of the modern-day silk-weaving industry in Azerbaijan. It was here that the country adopted and developed the technology of silk production from the Orient, becoming renowned for its dying and ornamentation techniques.

Iron: Azerbaijans blacksmiths became famous on the Silk Road for their household utensils, weapons and armor, tools, and other items. Using raw iron usually brought from Russia and Fargana, blacksmiths of the Shamakhi region would make high-class daggers and swords that were popular in the Caucasus and Russia as prestigious accessories among noblemen. Swords known as shamakhiyya were also highly prized in Anatolia and the Middle East. The tradition is still alive today, in the village of Demirchi (literally blacksmith) in Shamakhi.

Music: Many of the traditional musical instruments youre likely to hear in Azerbaijan are descended from those that traveled along the Silk Road  instruments such as the balaban (a wind instrument often made of mulberry branches), the kamancha, the oud, the double-reed wind instrument balaban, the cylindrical double-faced drum nagara, and the gosha nagara. Other instruments such as the tar (stringed instrument in the lute family), tutek (whistle flute), daf (frame drum), and qanun (vertical harp-like string) can be heard in mugham, an art form combining classical poetry and musical improvisation thats also on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Architecture: Azerbaijan is home to an incredible diversity of architecture that speaks to its welcoming of outside influences: Zoroastrian temples, synagogues, churches and mosques, hammams, fortress cities and bazaar squares. Likewise, the architectural legacy of Azerbaijan can be viewed outside the country, in places such as Anatolia, Samarkand and Iran. A key feature of Silk Road trade cities, like Azerbaijans Sheki, were the caravanserais built to accommodate traders and travelers and their goods and animals. Today, two still remain in Sheki: the Upper and Lower caravanserais on Akhundzade. Since the 1980s, the Upper Caravanserai has been open to travelers, where guests can indulge in a cup of freshly brewed tea. Its a fitting reminder of the warm welcome and hospitality that Azerbaijan has traditionally extended  and continues to extend  to one and all.
The United States is ready to consider all options if Iran is not willing to return to the constraints of the 2015 nuclear agreement, US special envoy Robert Malley said on Wednesday. As Middle East Eye reports, speaking at an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Malley took a more cautionary tone in addressing the future of US-Iranian nuclear negotiations. "We will be prepared to adjust to a different reality in which we have to deal with all options to address Iran's nuclear programme if it's not prepared to come back into the constraints of 2016," he said, referring to the year the Iran nuclear deal was put into effect.

In 2018, former US President Donald Trump left the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reimposed devastating sanctions on Tehran. Iran continued to abide by the agreement but since 2019 has reduced its commitments.

When President Joe Biden took office in January, he and his administration sought a return to the accord, but negotiations have hit an impasse. The last round of negotiations ended in June without a set date for the next round. Malley, who has been leading the negotiations for the Biden administration, said that early on Washington had made it clear to Iran that if it returned to compliance under the JCPOA, the US would lift all sanctions inconsistent with the deal.

Malley called this a "major confidence-building measure". However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted in June that hundreds of additional sanctions relating to Tehran's "destabilising" behaviour would remain. In August, during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Biden also spoke of the availability of "other options" should negotiations with Iran fail. Iran's new hardline president, Ebrahim Raisi, has said the Islamic Republic is prepared to return to the negotiating table, but not under western "pressure".

Coordinating with Israel, Gulf allies

The US envoy noted that despite the lack of progress in nuclear negotiations, there appear to be positive developments taking place in the region, pointing out a series of interactions between Gulf countries and Iran.

Saudi and Iranian officials reportedly met in Baghdad in April to discuss their bitter rivalry, and Abu Dhabi conducted secret communications with Tehran, according to a report by the London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper. "Iran's neighbours are now engaging with Iran. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, all of the other countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council are now having interactions with Iran," Malley said. "Those can in fact lead to greater de-escalation if we use them in a proper way and create more incentives to address the nuclear crisis with Iran."

He made it clear that the US needs to coordinate with its allies in the Middle East to come up with ways to address Iran's nuclear programme, if negotiations fall through completely. "We're realistic. We know that there is every possibility that Iran will choose a different path. And we need to coordinate with Israel and other partners in the region," Malley said.

The envoy added that he will be travelling to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in the next few days to also coordinate with them over the efforts to return to the deal, and also discuss "what options we have to control Iran's nuclear programme if we can't achieve that goal".

Secretary Blinken is also meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan on Wednesday, where Malley said they will also be discussing this same issue. Speaking alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan on Wednesday, Blinken said that "time is running short" on an Iranian return to full compliance, but stressed that Washington believes "the diplomatic path is the most effective way to ensure" Tehran does not acquire nuclear weapons.

"What we're seeing from Tehran suggests that they're not" ready to return to the nuclear deal, Blinken said. "We're getting closer to a point where returning to full compliance with the JCPOA will not recapture" the benefits of the nuclear deal.

Lapid said: "Every day that passes, every delay in the negotiations, brings Iran closer to a nuclear bomb. If a terror regime is going to acquire a nuclear weapon, we must act. We must make clear that the civilised world won't allow it."
Azerbaijan plans to sign a document with France in connection with demining of its territories liberated from Armenian occupation [in the 2020 Second Karabakh War], Trend reports on Oct.16 citing the Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency.

The agencys head Vugar Suleymanov met with a delegation of the French National Commission for the Elimination of Antipersonnel Mines (CNEMA) with the participation of the French Ambassador Zacharie Gross in Baku.

At the meeting, information was provided on the demining operations carried out by the agency in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.

The main purpose of the visit of the French delegation is a possible contribution to the humanitarian demining activities carried out in Azerbaijan, studying the needs of mine victims and discussing the necessary support in this area. In the near future, its planned to sign a document on the relevant bilateral cooperation.
The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, Trend reports.

The erupted 44-day Second Karabakh War ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation.

Trend presents the chronicle of the 20th day of the Second Karabakh war:

- President Ilham Aliyev interviewed by A Haber TV channel.

- "Azerbaijans glorious Army has liberated Khirmanjig, Agbulag and Akhullu villages of Khojavend district. Long live Azerbaijans Army! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!" President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a post on his official Twitter account.

- The artillery battery belonging to the Armenian armed forces was destroyed, and the deputy commander of the forces regiment was injured. A list of the equipment of the Armenian Armed Forces destroyed at night was disclosed.

- The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office reported that 47 civilians were killed and 222 injured as a result of shelling of Azerbaijani settlements by the Armenian armed forces.

- The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry shared footage from villages of the Khojavend district of Azerbaijan, which were liberated from the Armenian occupation.

- The Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the humanitarian ceasefire, continued shelling the territories of Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam, Aghjabadi and Fuzuli districts of Azerbaijan.

- The Armenian armed forces launched a missile strike on the territory of the Ordubad district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

- The Armenian side bombarded a cemetery in Ahmadaghalilar village, Aghdam district.

- The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry shared new footage from the liberated Hadrut settlement.

- The state flag of Azerbaijan was raised above the border outposts liberated from Armenian occupation.
Pentagon chief Lloyd James Austin III will soon visit Georgia, the US Embassy in Tbilisi informed. He will also visit Ukraine and Romania.

In Georgia, the head of the Pentagon will meet with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze. According to Georgia-Online, Austin intends to reaffirm US support for the sovereignty of the Georgian state and discuss issues of bilateral partnership.

The tasks of joint security provision and the development of regional contacts in the Black Sea will also be discussed.
Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri announced today the upcoming naval exercises with Pakistan.

"We have reached good agreements, including on the joint naval exercises in the territorial waters of both Pakistan and Iran," Bagheri said.

The head of the Iranian General Staff added that the Pakistani Navy will take part in joint naval exercises of China, Russia and Iran, which will be held at the end of 2021-beginning of 2022.
According to the director-general of the Middle East department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Mir Masoud Hosseinian, Tehran expects the positive influence of constructive negotiations with the authorities of Saudi Arabia on the relations between Iran and Egypt.

"At the moment we are trying to improve relations with Egypt, but the process is slow. Of course, if there is a positive shift in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, then this will certainly have an impact on interaction with Egypt," ISNA quotes him as saying.
According to the Ministry of Health, the Latvian government donated 83,070 doses of Pfizer vaccine to Georgia, Georgian Journal reports.

As of October 16, a total of 1,906,882 vaccinations have been administered in Georgia. 1,009,387 people are vaccinated with at least 1 dose, which is 35.5% of the adult population. 897,299 people are fully vaccinated - 31.4% of the adult population. On October 15, 6,673 people were vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine.

As for COVID statistics, Georgia reported 5,076 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours. 44 more people died of the virus. The total number of deaths has reached 9 440.

According to Tengiz Tsertsvadze, head of the Tbilisi Infectious Diseases Hospital, Georgia is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, which may indicate the beginning of the "fifth wave" in the country.
NATO Secretary General's special envoy for the South Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina twitted today that he will arrive next week on a visit to the South Caucasian republics. First of all, Colomina will visit Baku for negotiations.

Looking forward to my first trip to the Caucasus next week. I will be visiting Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in my new capacity as NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia," Colomina wrote on Twitter.

The official also clarified that the purpose of his trip will be to further enhance NATO's engagement in the Caucasus.
Iranian naval forces intervened on Saturday to repel pirates who attacked an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, Fox News informs with a reference to Iran's state media reported.

Pirates in five speedboats attacked the unidentified tanker, but they fled after facing heavy fire from Iran's navy, the state broadcaster IRIB said on its website.

Irans navy has extended its reach in recent years, dispatching vessels to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to protect Iranian ships from Somali pirate attacks, Fox News reports.
Poland is planning to build a border wall costing more than 350 million to prevent migrants illegally entering from Belarus, Euronews reports.

A draft bill to construct the new border wall was approved by the lower house of the Polish parliament on Thursday. It had been backed a day earlier by the country's ruling conservative government.

"This is necessary in order to protect Poland from migratory blackmail in the long term - in this case, by Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin," Polskie Radio quotes prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki as saying.
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy said today that the state failed to cope with the task of explaining to the population the importance of vaccination against coronavirus.

"It's time to say bluntly: the information campaign to combat coronavirus and explain to people the need for vaccination has been lost by the state I think that scientists and experts could do better in this direction: the approach we said, you do does not work," he explained.
Russia and the United States are both dissatisfied with the present-day level of bilateral relations and believe that they should be improved, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told journalists following his visit to Washington, TASS reports.

"No doubts that any of the parties is satisfied with the present-day level of relations and, in principle, the main message at each meeting was that the relations must be improved," the Russian politician said.

Overchuk noted that his meetings with representatives of the US administration in Washington "took place after a lengthy break, which was a result of the pandemic and the current state of relations between the Russian Federation and the United States of America."

The Russian deputy prime minister arrived in the American capital of Washington DC on Thursday to head Russias delegation at the autumn session of Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington.
In Turkey, a new generation of technology was presented in the field of demining: a quadcopter equipped with a powerful laser to eliminate mines. The unique drone was developed by TUBITAK and ASISGUARD and was called Eren by Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu in honour of a teenager killed by militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party in Trabzon province.

According to the Anadolu news agency, in field tests, the Eren laser was able to penetrate a 3-millimetre steel plate from a height of 100 m in 10 seconds. Thus, a quadcopter, hovering over a minefield, can detonate mines from a safe distance.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed bilateral contacts with the Taliban movement (prohibited in Russia) with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In her opinion, the parties may conduct such negotiations in the future.

"We exchanged views on our negotiations with the Taliban and, perhaps, we will continue to conduct these negotiations together," RIA Novosti quotes the Chancellor as saying.
The UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported late Friday that two Turkish soldiers were killed and four others were injured when a roadside bomb targeted their convoy on the Idlib-Bab al-Hawa road, Kurdistan 24 reports.

The so-called Ansar Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, a little-known group of militants with unclear affiliation, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to local reports.
The faction of the Armenia nationalist bloc in the Armenian parliament wrote today on its Facebook page that the head of the faction, one of the main war criminals of the Karabakh war, organizer of the massacres in the Azerbaijani city of Khojaly, Seyran Ohanyan, was not allowed to attend the meeting of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in St. Petersburg.

The faction clarified that Ohanyan was simply not given permission to leave Armenia - the Special Investigation Service refused to release him from the country since he is being accused in a criminal case for embezzling public funds during the privatization of Dzora HPP.
The ITU Digital World 2021 with the theme "Joining hands to build a digital world" organized online by Vietnams Ministry of Information and Communications and ITU has closed

Acknowledging that the goal of helping everyone connect by 2030 is almost an impossible mission, Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that, if working together, member countries of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) can turn this goal into reality.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung delivered the closing speech at ITU Digital World 2021 (Photo: Le Anh Dung)

The ITU Digital World 2021 with the theme "Joining hands to build a digital world" organized online by Vietnams Ministry of Information and Communications and ITU closed on October 14.

In the closing speech, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that changing the name of the event from "Telecom World" to "Digital World" was the right decision. The integration of telecommunications, information and digital technologies has created a revolution called Digital Transformation.

Over the past three days, Ministers and leaders of the telecommunications, IT and digital industries from many countries around the world have shared Vietnam's views, policies and initiatives on digital transformation.

The online conferences of ITU Digital World 2021 had the participation of 2,400 delegates from 160 countries, the Vietnamese Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, Ministers of 32 countries and Deputy Ministers of eight countries. As many as 90 speakers from major research institutes and technology corporations also participated and shared their ideas at the event.

Within three days, 160,000 delegates visited and experienced the Virtual Exhibition within the framework of ITU Digital World 2021.

This is an unforgettable event. We have experienced an unprecedented crisis and will continue to be affected by the Covid pandemic. However, with the support of the host country and the direction and cooperation of the Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam, staff, and ITU members, we had a very successful event, said ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao.

Digital transformation is a mindset

According to Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, the common goal and mission of ITU member countries is to help people connect by 2030 (Photo: Le Anh Dung)

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that developed and developing countries are facing common challenges related to the pandemic and issues of Digital Transformation. The ITU Ministerial Roundtable discussed the key elements for Digital Transformation including: Broadband Infrastructure, Cutting Costs, Role of Governments.

The policy of one country can be very helpful to others. The success or failure of one country may be very valuable to others. In this process, the ITU plays an important role in sharing the best practices, driving investment and leading global initiatives, said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

He also said that we all have the same goal, a mission to help all people connect by 2030. With nearly 50% of the world's population still unconnected, this is almost an impossible mission. However, we can make this goal a reality if we work together, if governments work together with the ICT sector, he said.

According to the Vietnamese ICT Minister, digital transformation is a significant change. It is not just about technology transformation but a mindset transformation. For a company, the success of digital transformation depends mainly on the CEO, not the CIO. For a country, the success of digital transformation depends mainly on the Prime Minister, not the ICT Minister. This is the very important difference between IT application and Digital Transformation.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Houlin Zhao said: I think the Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam has done a very good job by persuading his Prime Minister to take time to attend this event.

5G - an important element in the National Digital Transformation Strategy

ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao suggested that ITU Ministers consider 5G technology an important element in the National Digital Transformation Strategy (Photo: Le Anh Dung)

The ITU Secretary General said: Developing broadband infrastructure and policies will be the key to 5G development. Deploying infrastructure is not enough, we also need to encourage the development of application solutions. Ministers should consider 5G technology an important element in the National Digital Transformation Strategy."

As planned, discussion sessions will be held from now until December 2021. According to a representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications, virtual exhibitions and videos of discussions are now available online for everyone to visit the virtual pavilions and explore the Ministerial Roundtable sessions.

On the evening of October 14, the last Ministerial Roundtable session with the topic Digitalizing daily life: Government services and digital content promote digital transformation" took place, chaired by Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standards Bureau.

At this session, ministers and experts from Lithuania, Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and others discussed many issues such as: the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the use of digital services and content; the role of government services in promoting digital transformation; and the need for Governments, industries and relevant organizations to work together to reduce digital inequality and ensure no one is left behind.

PV
Using the same ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine for two patients was a daring decision by doctors at Hospital 175 which brought wonderful results: both the patients were saved.

The female patients and the doctor who save their lives

On a peak day of the fourth Covid-19 outbreak, on August 6, Military Hospital 175 in HCM City received a female patient  Ngoc Hoai, 33. She had just given birth at Tu Du Hospital and was suffering from respiratory failure because of Covid-19 when hospitalized.

The treatment faced a lot of difficulties, Dr and Major Diep Hong Khang recalled.

The vital signs of the woman showed that if she had not had ECMO intervention, she would have definitely died, Khang said.

However, at that moment, there were only two ECMO machines and they were being used for two other patients. The lack of medical equipment during the peak days of the outbreak affected the treatment process.

It was so dangerous. What should we do to get ECMO for all three patients? The professional conscience of doctors prompted us to take full advantage of all the things we had at that moment to save the patients, Senior Lieutenant and Dr Nguyen Canh Chung said.

A bold initiative  sharing the same ECMO machines for two patients  was put into discussion. The Covid-19 treatment center then immediately consulted with specialists from the Ministry of Health (MOH), Cho Ray Hospital and engineers about the idea.

Soon after getting the agreement from the specialists, the doctors at Hospital 175 set to do something unprecedented.

On August 8, from 8.15pm to 9pm, the team completed the work of successfully connecting the ECMO for the patients. It was a long and stressful time for the whole team.

Hemodynamic and blood oxygenation indicators improved markedly. The doctors felt happy about the success, but had to experience tougher hours later.

The woman had faced problems during the two months of treatment at the Covid-19 Treatment Center because of blood clotting disorders, infections, severe pneumonia, and abdominal bleeding.

Captain Pham Tan Dat, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Unit, said there were moments when doctors thought they had to give up.

During the first surgery, she lost three liters of blood. And then she had to experience two more surgeries, which were carried out when the ECMO was running, Dat said.

After 45 days of using ECMO, including 18 days of sharing the machine, the patient was able to breathe on her own.

This was really a special case. Hoai only had one percent of hope. But we have succeeded, Dat said proudly.

The mother has been discharged from the hospital and her baby is now two months old.

Linh Giao

Inventor of rice ATM launches 'oxygen ATMs' to help Covid-19 patients in Saigon The first 'oxygen ATMs' were put into operation in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2 with the message "Giving oxygen-extending life".
Gas prices

Have you noticed a frightening trend at the gas pumps? Prices have risen higher than a black cats back. AAA Texas announced Thursday the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded had hit $2.93, 6 cents more than the previous Thursday and $1.07 more than the same day last year.

Drivers in El Paso were paying $3.15, highest in the state, while those in Lubbock were paying the least at $2.85 per gallon on average. Waco checked in tied for second-lowest with San Antonio at $2.86 per gallon, which is not inconsequential considering AAA Texas analyzes 27 metro areas.

Texans are paying the most for retail gasoline since 2014, AAA spokesperson Daniel Armbruster said in a press release. With more people traveling and returning to the office, demand for fuel is on the rise. Factor in surging crude oil prices due to OPEC+ forgoing further production increases and were seeing a trend that were not used to seeing in October.

Business roundup
Central Christian Church in Waco will celebrate 151 years of ministry Saturday and Sunday.

Originally scheduled for last year, the full weekend of activities and events was moved because of the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be a birthday party in the churchs Pumpkin Patch at 2 p.m. Saturday. Special music, speakers, dedicatory prayers and dramas depicting the churchs history will all be part of worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and a catered lunch will follow.

This family of faith has been sharing life and love in the name of Jesus Christ for 150 years, Senior Pastor the Rev. Brian Coats said. Not many churches can say that. Im honored to be a part of such a tremendous legacy of faith.

A Texas Historical Marker dedicated at the church in 1988 says:
She did not know who was sending the messages, but after she was 18, she received similar messages, including one in which the man said he had seen her cheering at a football game for a local high school where she was a cheerleader, though it was not a Connally school, the affidavit states. Knowing the person sending the messages had information about her outside her social media account added to her existing fears that he would sexually assault her, and the continuing messages and calls, sent as recently as May, made her afraid to go to school and to work, according to the document.
You have to take pride in the courthouse. If I show the city of Marlin we take pride in our courthouse, well then that starts spreading out. They can take pride in their businesses, in their houses and other stuff and the pride becomes much more contagious, Elliott said.

The renovation project started in December 2019 and was accomplished with a historic courthouse preservation grant from the Texas Historical Commission. The commission funded about $5.6 million of the project, while the county sold certificates of obligation to fund its $1.3 million share.

The county used part of the bond sale to buy a building for $260,000 and convert it into a courthouse annex for another $600,000 for use during the refurbishing project.

Jody Gilliam, who has been Falls County district attorney for almost 21 years, said county officials are proud of the renovation.

The courthouse needed it, Gilliam said. We had a lot of leaks before, so we are grateful that the courthouse has been rescued from the leaks and the cracks in the windows that allowed rainwater to come in. Its historical character has been put back in place and it is just a great place to work.
Thousands of McLennan County residents were motivated to roll up their sleeves and get the COVID-19 vaccine in the wake of the late summer surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, statistics show.

Since late July, more than 25,500 county residents have gotten fully vaccinated, about 22% of all residents fully vaccinated. In that time period, the percentage of eligible residents fully vaccinated has increased from 41% to 53%.

At the time we started seeing an increase in cases, we started seeing an increase in testing and vaccinations, said LaShonda Malrey-Horne, director of the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. It was a good thing that we saw people take it seriously.

But even now, McLennan County rates lag far below those of Texas as a whole, where about 63% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated. Malrey-Horne and others said they hope the recent waning of COVID-19 cases does not slow the countys progress in catching up before the next surge hits.

The public health district has continued its partnership with local school districts to get students and the surrounding communities vaccinated, holding clinics at every district in the county, she said. It also continues to hold clinics at churches, businesses and community events to make vaccination convenient.
Third, I charge my car at home at night and its more than sufficient for daily driving  it is not a fallacy. How much time do you spend at a gas station putting fuel in your car? Because I never have to do that.

Fourth, is it possible to run out of power? Yes, and its also exceedingly rare. My car knows how much power I need to get to the next charging station (or home) and will compensate accordingly.

Fifth, I have owned an electric car for several years. In all that time I have run across one charging station that was full. I waited for about 5-10 minutes and topped off my battery in about 15 minutes. My average charge time at a supercharger, on a trip, is about 20-25 minutes. You say youve seen it is a least an hour  well, someone is lying to you.

Lauritzen tries to drum up environmental opposition for electric cars but fails to note that battery technology is getting better and more efficient every day.

You cannot say the same for the oil extraction industry. And if were going to be purists about it, then we have to acknowledge that the least environmentally invasive mode of transportation is walking barefoot.

Cheryl Foster, Waco

Angels speak
WATERLOO  There were no injuries or damage after a shots-fired call to police Friday evening.

A report of shots fired was received at 7 p.m. in the 400 block of Florence Street, just off of Independence Avenue.

Waterloo Police found three spent shell casings in the alley on the even side of Florence, police said Saturday.

As of Saturday, no injuries had been reported as a result of the shooting. Police also didnt receive any reports of damage.

No arrests have been made in the incident.

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WATERLOO  The candidates sparred over leadership abilities, city budgets, economic development, dilapidated housing and the police department.

But the morale of the citys police officers quickly became a focal point of Thursdays debate between those vying for the job of Waterloo mayor in the Nov. 2 election.

Mayor Quentin Hart, who is seeking re-election, faced off against challengers Margaret Klein, a City Council member, and Sophia Mays. The event was part of an evening of debates that also included candidates for the Wards 1, 3, 5 and at-large seats on the council.

Held in the City Hall council chambers, it was moderated by Jayme Renfro, a University of Northern Iowa associate professor, and Courier reporter Amie Rivers. Sponsors were the Northern Iowa Student Government, Women of Action, Cedar Valley Activate and the American Association of University Women.

Klein waded into the topic of morale on a question about what the city is doing to attract people to its public safety departments.

We could correct the low morale, she said of the police force. Our department is in a state of chaos.

Klein added that what she wants more than anything is to bring peace back to that department. As mayor, I will let (police officers) come and have a respectful conversation about the morale.

Mays advanced a false claim about Hart, saying I thought I read somewhere that he stood with those who want to defund the police.

Hart pointed to factors like COVID-19 and the national backlash after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis for any morale issues among Waterloo police. But he pushed back against the idea that his administration isnt taking steps to address the problem  or that he wants to defund the police.

We have seen an incredible number of policy changes within our department, said Hart. In addition, he said the police budget has grown over 23% during his three terms in office, officers have been issued the latest body cameras and new uniforms, and mental health counselors have begun assisting law enforcement on the streets.

Thats a great start to increasing morale, said Hart.

Harts reference to the body cameras prompted Klein to note that she voted against purchasing them over cost objections.

I thought at half the price the program offered by Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls was just as good, she said. Klein also cast a vote against the uniforms and claimed it was related to the griffin  the former police department symbol some objected to as racist. Hart said it had nothing to do with that, the vote was simply for officers regular uniform allocation.

That led to a discussion about the effort to remove and replace the long-time symbol, a divisive process that encountered resistance among police officers.

We are where we are because of a lack of leadership, said Klein. A good leader would have prepared the way among officers for that change.

I would have first addressed their union, she explained. Knowing the importance (to officers), I would have tread very carefully.

Hart said the matter was brought to the police department as the process began and noted Klein was part of a unanimous council vote last year that started it. Klein said that preceded any decision to no longer use a griffin symbol in any form.

The talk about the griffin being removed, that went on for too long, said Mays. Were still talking about it now when theres more important issues.

Klein also butted heads with the mayor over the pace at which dilapidated homes are being torn down and how economic development efforts are going.

I think we need to overhaul our development agreements, said Klein. She pointed to the citys failed agreement with a past developer to renovate the Waterloo Convention Center and another developers perennially delayed construction of the All-In Grocers store.

Im going to support economic development, said Hart, who suggested that the process has been successful and defended the projects.

The grocery store is moving forward, he said. On the convention center, there was an exit clause. The city of Waterloo didnt spend any money in this agreement.

Mays questioned when people would see construction advance on the grocery store and said community improvements should be happening faster.

Waterloo is going in a slow progression toward doing better, she said. To me, it shouldnt take this long.

Ward 5

Incumbent council member Ray Feuss said the city needs to cut back on agreements that roll back its tax base in order to attract development.

Waterloo doesnt have to do the giveaways, Feuss said. We need to look at our development agreements and make sure were not giving away all of our tax base. We need to get some more money in city coffers instead of giving away the farm.

Challenger Dawn Henry said her biggest concerns for the Ward are parks and sewer problems.

The sewer concerns should have been fixed a long time ago. People regularly have water in their basements, Henry said.

Henry said city leaders need to listen to the rank and file at the Waterloo Police Department to address morale on the force. She said policies that discourage patrol officers from coming to the station place them at risk.

Feuss proposed undertaking a survey to develop a plan to address the issues.

Not everything an administrator or a chief does is wrong. But I also want that opportunity to nurture the people that are doing the work to make sure they are heard, Feuss said.

Ward 3

Ward 3 candidate Todd Maxson said when it comes to attracting new residents to the city, officials should focus on the basics like snow removal, street repair and litter.

I think we just got away from what people actually pay taxes for, said Maxson. Lets take pride in our city again, lets clean things up. Lets make it look pretty.

If elected, Maxson said he would consult a list of 15 people from different walks of life when it comes to making important decisions.

If theres a tough vote that comes up, Im going to make phone calls to every one of those people, and Im going to vote the majority of those phone calls, he said.

Nia Wilder said the city needs to support its small businesses and established businesses in order to attract new residents.

In order to get people to move to Waterloo and make Waterloo their home, we need to show them we have a sense of community and that when trouble arises, we can find solutions without tearing us apart, Wilder said.

Wilder said the upcoming election is a way for the underserved to have their voices heard.

There have been a lot of decisions that we havent been in on.  Now is the time to use our voices as our ballot and do what we can to make sure we are a part of the change and the transparency.

Ward 1

Candidates for Ward 1 differed in ways for the city to meet its budget with Micki McCracken proposing to cut taxes.

I think we need to take a deeper dive into the budget and see if there is anywhere we can cut to lower property taxes, McCracken said.

She proposed working with city leaders and getting advice from community members who have finance experience.

John Chiles said he wouldnt cut taxes because there isnt any place to cut the budget.

I dont believe a deep dive will help us find any money, Chiles said. We do not have the room in our budget to cut the essential services provided by our city

He said the city needs to take steps to raise property values  building homes and bringing in new businesses  to raise revenue that will pay for city services.

At-Large

Rob Nichols said housing is his top priority.

We really see some of our neighborhoods that have been left behind. I think there is an opportunity to make our neighborhoods look better, an opportunity to build some pride in the people in the community, an opportunity to build wealth.

Dennis Halverson said cutting taxes is toward the top of his agenda.

We have some of the highest taxes.  There is room, we need to find out where our tax revenues are not coming from and find out why. Maybe we need an audit right away to find out whats going on, why is Waterloo  of all places  not making that much money? Why are we so strapped? Halverson said.

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Andrew Wind Education Reporter I cover local schools and higher education for The Courier, where Ive been a reporter for the past two decades. Im a Minnesota native and have previously worked for newspapers there and in Illinois. Follow Andrew Wind Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
WATERLOO  Norman Ussery has been professionally involved in theater for the past 50 years, including the last seven years as executive director at the Waterloo Community Playhouse.

The curtain will come down Jan. 1 when Ussery accepts his new role as retiree. Entering stage right as executive director will be Anita Ross, current artistic director for Black Hawk Childrens Theatre.

Right now, the theater is in great shape physically, financially and artistically. But the theater is facing some challenges for the future, and if Im going to make the split, now is a good time to do it.

For my sake and the sake of the theater, Im not going to leave anything undone. But now is the right time to face the future with fresh leadership, Ussery added.

Ussery announced his intention to retire in April to the theaters board of directors. The board solicited applications nationally and conducted remote interviews as well as in-person interviews. Ross quickly put her name in for consideration and immediately accepted the position when it was offered.

Im excited, said Ross. It was quite a process, and I appreciate the boards thoughtful approach. It was all very transparent, and the staff knew. This is a great staff of people to work with. I went to them and asked, Is this something you can support? And they said yes, Ross said.

Her focus will be continuing to re-energize and rejuvenate the theater in COVIDs wake, maintaining WCP/BHCTs artistic integrity and building on the theaters 105-year-old legacy as one of the oldest community theaters in the nation.

During Usserys tenure, the theater has responded to the communitys changing demographic and reversed what had been sagging attendance at shows, rebuilding a strong following of audiences, donors and volunteers.

We have a dedicated staff, and we were able to become more adaptable. We became more adventurous with our titles, and at the same time, not neglecting shows that were familiar to the public, Ussery explained.

He also shepherded through several technological upgrades, including a new wireless headset microphone system, a projection system sound and replacing the Hope Martin Theatre stage.

The pandemic created challenges WCP/BHCT was able to weather, but it also has created a climate of more changes to come. There will be some restructuring and reorganizing that will begin in the new year.

Ross is getting her feet wet through this transitional period and will take over on Jan. 1.

Norm has been such a great leader and through the pandemic, we have appreciated his skills and insight and the positive track forward hes created. That makes it easier to focus on other artistic things we want to accomplish, she explained.

Ross has been BHCT director for 12 years. Previously, she was an actor/instructor and show manager with Poetry Alive! of Ashville, North Carolina, working with kindergarten through 12th-grade students in one-day to two-week residencies. She also performed and taught performance techniques and activities with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

She holds a master of fine arts degree from the professional acting program at Purdue, as well as a masters degree in library and information science from Indiana University and a bachelors degree in speech and theater education from Purdue.

Ussery doesnt know what hell be doing in retirement. Ill tell you when I get there, he said, laughing. I have learned in my life to plan without projecting the outcome. I have today planned right up until lunch, then well see.

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Quick. Do you know if marijuana is legal in your state? Is it approved for medical, or even recreational, use? If you dont know, that is completely understandable. We are 50 different states with a patchwork of laws regulating cannabis, nearly all of which are in direct opposition to federal law.

Its difficult to generalize state by state because the laws are so different. One states medical marijuana law may be limited to products containing CBD, a chemical extracted from cannabis and sold in oils, sprays, patches or lotions. Another states legislation might allow CBD products, plus the sale of loose marijuana for smoking or edible products. Some states require a doctors prescription for purchase, others only proof of residency.

As of February, 39 states, plus Washington, D.C., have legalized the medical use of marijuana. And, as of April, 18 states have fully legalized its recreational use if sold in small amounts through licensed dispensaries to customers over 21.

Without getting into the weeds, pun intended, on the permutations of state pot laws, the trend is firmly on the side of legalizing, but still regulating, cannabis. One major motivation is the millions of dollars in tax revenue it can deliver to cash-strapped states.

So, why does Uncle Sam still list marijuana as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act? Schedule I drugs are those considered to have a high potential for misuse and no accepted medical use. Those include heroin, cocaine and LSD. And, if the federal government still considers marijuana a dangerous product, why has its own Food and Drug Administration approved some cannabis compounds, namely THC and cannabidiol, for prescription use?

The situation is such a contradiction.

Take California, for example, where marijuana is legal for both medicinal and recreational use. The Los Angeles County prosecutor is dismissing some 60,000 past marijuana convictions. That follows 66,000 pot cases dismissed previously. District Attorney George Gascon says his action clears the path for them to find jobs, housing and other services  denied to them because of unjust cannabis laws.

Everyone is familiar with the competing arguments: marijuana is a gateway drug that can lead to harder, even fatal, drug use vs. marijuana has scientifically proven medicinal qualities and should be legalized for responsible recreational use, just like alcohol.

In 2013, the Obama Justice Department issued a memo to all U.S. Attorneys offices saying, in effect, that they should no longer enforce federal marijuana laws in states that had legalized marijuana in some form. In 2018, the Trump DOJ rescinded that order. If some hoped there would be a flurry of federal pot prosecutions, they were disappointed.

A slew of bills has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to rectify this confusing situation. Several would completely remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, regulating it like alcohol. Another would allow the Veterans Administration to recommend medical cannabis to vets to treat chronic illness. And the Sensible Enforcement of Cannabis Act seeks to protect lawful marijuana businesses and consumers.

The pandemic interrupted consideration of these bills, although The Safe Banking Act passed the House in April and now awaits action in the Senate. It would put a federal stamp of approval on cannabis commerce, freeing federally controlled banks and credit unions to do business with marijuana merchants without fear of reprisal.

Whether you partake or disagree with legalization, it makes no sense to have two competing sets of laws on marijuana. Its a fact that some form of cannabis consumption is lawful in most states. This cat is out of the bag and its time for Congress to step up to clearly define how to deal with it.

NM and pot

New Mexico legalized recreational marijuana sales in March during a special legislative session called by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for that express purpose. Personal use became legal June 29 and commercial sales will begin by April of next year. Medical marijuana has been legal for New Mexicans with certain conditions certified by a physician since 2007.
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month gave us a unified opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity of the Hispanic-Latino community and recognize our collective path forward to drive social and economic progress in New Mexico. This year in particular, we recognize the resilience of small business owners impacted by a global health crisis who continue to serve our community.

In New Mexico, theres an incredible story of growth, legacy and success as Hispanics represent the fastest growing sector of the economy. The economic strength of New Mexican Hispanics is also something to celebrate. A study commissioned and funded by Bank of America, and reported on by the Albuquerque Journal, found that New Mexicos Hispanic GDP grew to $36 billion in 2018  the latest data available  and is poised to continue excelling into 2022 and beyond. Additionally, the study found that 68% of New Mexico Hispanics work in the private sector, compared to 55% of other demographic groups. This is important for growing the diversity of New Mexicos economy which has a proportionally high number of government jobs.

However, the past year was challenging: 99% of Hispanic entrepreneurs say the pandemic created added stress around running their business, according to our recently released 2021 Hispanic Business Owner Spotlight. The need to attract and retain quality workers during these stressful times is not lost on Hispanic-Latino business owners  84% say they have changed, or plan to change, their approach to employee wellness and benefits as a result of the pandemic, as many believe that a strong workforce contributes to their businesss success.

Despite these challenges, the Hispanic-Latino business outlook is strong. Eighty-one percent of Hispanic-Latino business owners expect their revenue to increase over the next year, compared to 59% of non-Hispanic-Latino business owners, and economic optimism and hiring plans show sharp increases since last fall.

Hispanic business owners also gave back to their community even when facing challenges. Community values are strong amongst Hispanic business owners, as our survey showed that 60% have volunteered to help their local communities recover and thrive. Conversely, 66% say they have felt an increase in support throughout the pandemic from resources such as friends and family, online communities, local community support, small business bankers, and small business advocacy groups. While these business owners are optimistic about the economy and their projected revenues over the next year, these resources will continue to be valuable for any small business owner.

Hispanics and Latinos make up nearly half of New Mexicos population. As an integral part of our business community, there is no doubt Hispanic-Latino business owners contribute to the success of the state and its economy. We know this because my company, Bank of America, serves 12 million Hispanic-Latino clients, one million of whom are also business owners working to make a lasting positive impact on their communities.

We strive to serve this important segment of the community and in doing so have found success with programs and practices that your business can also consider implementing. These include:

 Providing digital Spanish-language resources for clients

 Hiring bilingual client-facing teams

 Investing in research to better understand the unique experiences of the Hispanic-Latino business community and finding ways to help them succeed. For example, we have commissioned an annual Hispanic Business Owner Spotlight which offers insight into this segment of business owners.

 Investing in community programs and partners that serve the Hispanic-Latino business community. Business owners should be connected to potential community partners and resources that can help them achieve their goals. As a bank, we take pride in supporting local entrepreneurs and have partnered with the Rio Grande Community Development Corp., which helps minority startups and micro-enterprises grow, as well as the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

 Working with organizations that protect and advance the culture of the Hispanic community. For example, we have provided grants to the National Hispanic Cultural Center to support their film program.

Supporting Hispanic-Latino businesses not only helps nurture the rich diversity of our community, but more importantly, it helps strengthen our local economy as these businesses continue to grow, creating job opportunities and giving back to our community.

The Executives Desk is a guest column providing advice, commentary or information about resources available to the business community in New Mexico. To submit a column for consideration, email gporter@abqjournal.com.<br>
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Two men are accused of shooting and killing a man before kidnapping his teenage sister late last month on the mesa west of Albuquerque.

Edgar Orona, 29, and Erick Garcia, 22, are each charged with an open count of murder, kidnapping, child abuse, armed robbery and conspiracy in the Sept. 25 death of 21-year-old Esteban Mercado-Rangel.

After shooting Mercado-Rangel, according to court records, the men forced his 16-year-old sister into a car at gunpoint, but she was able to escape soon after.

Garcia was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Oct. 10 on separate charges. A warrant has been issued for Oronas arrest.

In addition to the homicide, Garcia is charged in a Sept. 10 robbery in which he drove a car into the wall of a business adjacent to a gun store, hammered a hole into the gun store and stole seven firearms.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputies responded around 8:15 p.m. to the shooting and found Mercado-Rangels body on the mesa 15 miles west of Albuquerque. He had been shot at least once.

Mercado-Rangels sister told deputies they were shooting in the area when two men befriended her brother, smoked marijuana and tried to sell him a gun. She said the men helped them start Mercado-Rangels SUV before one of them shot him three times.

Deputies found Mercado-Rangels stolen SUV near Coors and Bridge SW, and the inside had been torched. They pulled data from Mercado-Rangels phone and found that he received a call from Oronas number before the homicide.

They found Oronas phone had been in the area at the time of the shooting, and found messages between him and Garcia referencing the homicide and other crimes, including a gun store robbery. In the 48 hours leading up to the homicide, the men discussed robbing someone at gunpoint and stealing a car.

The messages, translated from Spanish, included I will accompany you to the robbery and Today we will do the robbery. In messages days after the homicide, Garcia told Orona to leave the backpack and pistol at his house so they dont get the evidence.

Mercado-Rangels sister picked Garcia and Orona out of a lineup and said Orona was the shooter.

Garcia told deputies he didnt know the plan was to rob Mercado-Rangel.

He said the three smoked methamphetamine in the mesa, tried to sell Mercado-Rangel a rifle and exchanged phone numbers. Garcia told deputies they helped Mercado-Rangel jump his SUV before Orona suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him.

He said Orona then grabbed the sister, who was crying beside her brother, and forced her into the SUV. Garcia told deputies the two men met up in Albuquerque and Orona said the girl escaped.

He said they split up meth they took from Mercado-Rangels SUV and Orona, who was extremely paranoid, took the murder weapon with him and disappeared. Detectives found paperwork from Mercado-Rangels SUV in the trash at Garcias home.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

The New Mexico State Land Office is proposing a rule that would require state trust land lessees to submit an archaeological survey before starting projects like building pipelines or roads or drilling for oil and natural gas.

State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard said the rule would codify protections for sensitive cultural resources, compared to a policy or practice that could be undone by future administrations.

We live on land thats been resided on for tens of thousands of years, she said. There are many very vulnerable, significant cultural sites, properties and landscapes throughout our state.

The proposal is an initiative of the agencys recently-created cultural resources office, which houses three archaeologists and a tribal liaison.

Archaeological surveys are required for most land-disturbance projects on federal land.

Garcia Richard said many state land trust lessees already submit surveys, but this would make it a requirement.

We dont want it to be prohibitive in terms of cost for smaller (projects), she said. So were developing a compliance program that is going to help pay or assist with that archaeological work for smaller lessees.

Survey results would help the land office determine if lessees need to adapt project plans to avoid sensitive sites.

Under the proposed rule, the surveys could include consultations with tribal historic preservation officers.

The agency has sought feedback on the proposed rule from advisory committees of conservation and agriculture groups and oil and gas associations.

Garcia Richard said that process will help ensure the rule protects cultural properties without impeding the mission of the land office, which is to raise revenue.

This is quite a culture shift for this agency, which has seen over 100 years of developing state land with no real uniform protection, she said.

The agency is accepting public comment until Oct. 21 on the proposed rule, which could go into effect early next year.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.

If you go

WHAT: Cultural properties rule hearing

WHEN: 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 22

WHERE: In-person at the State Land Office, Morgan Hall, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe

ONLINE: Zoom link available at nmstatelands.org/culturalproperties/
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexicos newly created Citizen Redistricting Committee agreed Friday to send three options to the Legislature for redrawing congressional districts  two of which would split parts of the South Valley from the rest of Albuquerque.

The third proposal is more status quo-oriented, preserving the general concept of an Albuquerque-based district that includes the South Valley, a northern New Mexico-based district and a seat covering the southern half of the state.

The harshest debate centered on a proposal called the Peoples Map, or El Mapa de la Gente, designed by the left-leaning Center for Civic Policy.

It won approval on a 5-2 vote over the objection of both Republican appointees to the committee.

Supporters said it would establish a stronger Hispanic majority in the southern New Mexico-based district by moving parts of the South Valley and Albuquerques West Side into the 2nd Congressional District.

The seat is now held by the only Republican in New Mexicos congressional delegation, Yvette Herrell of Alamogordo.

I think the increase in Hispanic population in southeastern New Mexico needs to be acknowledged, said Lisa Curtis, a former state senator and Democratic appointee to the redistricting committee. For the last 20, 30 years, they have not had a voice.

But Christopher Saucedo, a Republican appointee and New Mexico State University regent, slammed the proposal.

It would break the conservative-leaning oil patch of southeastern New Mexico into three districts, and it would divide the South Valley in a way that doesnt make sense, he said, keeping the rural parts of the valley with Albuquerque while pushing the more developed parts into the southern district.

I have a real problem with this one, Saucedo said.

Despite his objection, the proposal was one of three approved for consideration by the Legislature.

Limit partisanship

The new redistricting committee  established earlier this year  was designed to limit partisan influence over the drawing of political boundaries. Committee members are prohibited from considering partisan data as they evaluate maps.

But the panels recommendations arent binding. The state Legislature, where Democrats hold large majorities, is set to hold a special session in December for redistricting.

Lawmakers will be free to choose one of the three recommendations from the committee, revise them or craft their own maps entirely.

New Mexicos 1st Congressional District is now represented by Democrat Melanie Stansbury, the 2nd district is held by Republican Herrell and the 3rd District is represented by Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez of Santa Fe.

The redistricting panel late Friday also worked on legislative maps and planned to resume its work next week to finish the recommendations.





Recommendations

The U.S. House options recommended by the committee include:

Congressional Concept A. It generally preserves the core of New Mexicos current congressional districts  one based in Albuquerque with the South Valley, one based in northern New Mexico and one covering the southern half of the state.

It makes some adjustments intended to reflect the wishes of Native American communities and acequia leaders.

It was recommended on a 4-3 vote, supported by the two Republican appointees and two of the three members appointed by the State Ethics Commission, retired Supreme Court Justice Edward Chavez and State Demographer Robert Rhatigan.

Opposed were the two Democratic appointees and one of the State Ethics Commission appointees, high school teacher Joaquin Sanchez.

Concept E Modified. It would move the unincorporated part of the South Valley  an area south of Bridge, roughly between Old Coors and the Rio Grande  into the southern-based congressional district, reflecting testimony from rural valley residents who felt overlooked when lumped in with Albuquerque.

The 1st Congressional District would include the rest of Albuquerque and the bulk of Rio Rancho, creating a largely urban district.

Native American residents would make up roughly 19% of the voting-age population in the northern-based 3rd Congressional District, a goal of the Navajo Nation.

Justice Chavez, chairman of the redistricting committee, worked on the proposal, adjusting boundaries, he said, to take into account public testimony.

It picked up support from the Democratic and Republican appointees of the committee, winning approval 6-1. Sanchez, the high school teacher, was the dissenting vote.

Congressional Concept H, also known as the Peoples Map. It moves parts of the South Valley and southwestern Albuquerque into the southern-based district.

Hispanic residents would make up 60% of the population, up from 52% when the district was drawn 10 years ago.

The proposal splits the conservative stronghold of southeastern New Mexico into all three districts. Under the current map, theyre unified in one district.

Some disparate communities, in turn, would share a district.

Parts of Hobbs in the oil patch, for example, would share the same congressional representative as Santa Fe, and most of Albuquerque would share a district with Roswell.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A simmering dispute over who has power over the states purse strings took a new twist Friday, with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office arguing legal precedent gives the governor sole authority to spend more than $1.7 billion in federal relief funds.

In a 46-page filing with the state Supreme Court, Lujan Grishams attorney also said the fact that the unallocated dollars from the federal American Rescue Plan Act are currently in a suspense account  not the state treasury  means the Legislature lacks the legal reach to earmark the money.

In short, the ARPA funds are not subject to appropriation because they are not in the treasury,  the governors chief general counsel Holly Agajanian argued in her filing.

Spending authority for federal dollars has emerged as a political tug-of-war over the past 18 months, with some lawmakers arguing the states Constitution gives the Legislature the power to appropriate public funds  with the governor holding the ability to veto such appropriations.

Two state legislators, Senate GOP floor leader Greg Baca of Belen and Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, filed a petition with the Supreme Court last month seeking to bar Lujan Grisham from spending roughly $1.1 billion of the $1.7 billion that has not yet been spent.

The two lawmakers, both attorneys, described the dispute in their court challenge as a constitutional emergency of generational importance.

They also pointed out that a Republican-led attempt to call an extraordinary legislative session to address the issue this summer failed to get enough Democratic support to move forward.

The states highest court asked for responses from the governor and other involved parties before it decides whether to hear arguments in the case. The Supreme Court justices could also issue a ruling without holding formal arguments.

State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg, a Democrat, sided with the legislators in a court filing this week, but the Governors Office said in its Friday filing that the treasurer omitted some information  including exactly where the federal dollars are being held  and misconstrued state law.

In addition, Lujan Grishams attorney said the separation of powers argument made by lawmakers can also be used to bolster the governors legal claim.

It would be just as much of a violation of separation of powers to intrude on the governors executive managerial function to administer federal funds in the states custody, Agajanian said.

The federal stimulus plan was signed into law by President Joe Biden in March and the governor announced in June that her administration would target more than $656 million of the federal money to replenish the state unemployment fund, which was all but drained by a spike of pandemic-related claims for jobless benefits.

The Lujan Grisham administration has also earmarked $10 million in financial incentives to entice New Mexicans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, $5 million to incentivize unemployed individuals to return to work, and $5 million to provide supplemental pay bonuses for chile field workers.

The bulk of the money remains unspent as the governor used her line-item veto authority in April to strike down the Legislatures proposal to earmark some of the funds for a popular college scholarship program and highway repairs, among other uses.

Meanwhile, the Governors Office has confirmed that top officials in the Democratic governors administration have held meetings with legislative leaders to discuss a spending plan for the unallocated relief funds.

Details of such a plan have not, however, been released yet.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque police say a man was shot in an apparent road rage incident Friday evening near Montgomery and Morris NE.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, said Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

He said officers were dispatched to a crash involving a white Mercedes sedan Friday, just before 8 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered that the driver of one of the vehicles had been shot.

According to witnesses, there were gunshots in the area and there was an argument (with) the occupant of another vehicle at the time of the gunshots, Gallegos said. He said detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide.

The name of the victim has not been released, and police have not said whether they have any suspects in the shooting.

At least seven slayings related to road rage have been investigated by APD since 2019, according to Journal records. Five of those occurred this year.

Nelson Gallegos Jr., 52, was killed on Oct. 6 when a road rage incident erupted in gunfire in front of a cafe at Old Town.

On June 30, 26-year-old Taylor Lord was fatally shot on the West Side. Lord, the passenger in a pickup truck, was shot when he approached the other car after a near-crash at Eagle Ranch and Paseo del Norte NW. Police are still looking for the shooter in that case.
Instagram Music

Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock allegedly focus on their solo projects, prompting rumors that they might follow in the footsteps of One Direction to break up.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - The future of Little Mix looks uncertain after each of its members reportedly signed solo management deals.

According to Britain's The Sun newspaper, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have been quietly negotiating new management and recording deals.

"They've been pretty open with each other about it," a source told the publication. "There are a lot of meetings happening at the moment. Some of them have already done management deals."

"Leigh-Anne has signed up with Dua Lipa's manager, Jade is cutting her teeth as a songwriter and presenter, while Perrie is working on other things too."

"They still get on great, despite everything that has happened with Jesy. But her departure put the cat among the pigeons. They all know there will have to be a career beyond Little Mix, so they've put things in place. The plan is to see out commitments, then turn to solo projects almost immediately."

The insider added, "The intention is to keep the band going too - but that's how One Direction ended and it's hard to believe they will have time for everything."

It follows the departure of Jesy Nelson, who exited Little Mix in December (20) citing mental health reasons and launched her debut solo single "Boyz" with Nicki Minaj last week (ends 10Oct21).
Virgin Money Giving Celebrity

The violist who recorded 'Yesterday' with the iconic Fab Four at Abbey Road has died at the age of 101 after completing two charity walks to raise funds for hospital and hospice.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kenneth Essex, the classical musician who recorded "Yesterday" with The Beatles and the theme to "Fawlty Towers", has died.

The viola maestro, who served in the Royal Navy during World War Two, went on to perform with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Amadeus Quartet and The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields before becoming an in-demand film and TV session musician.

Essex performed the title music to John Cleese's comedy series "Fawlty Towers", the theme to "The French Lieutenant's Woman", and provided the music for long-running British TV hit "Last of the Summer Wine".

He also joined the Fab Four in the studio at Abbey Road when they needed a viola sound on "Yesterday", once revealing he was paid just "five guineas" for a "simple" half-session.

Essex hit the headlines during the pandemic when he raised funds for Moorfields Eye Hospital in London by walking 10 kilometres before his 100th birthday.

He repeated the charity walk for his 101st birthday this year to raise funds for Hospice Aid UK. He completed the challenge by walking "two 500m circuits from [his] house, each day for ten days."

"I have been blessed with a musical talent, and have been very lucky to have had such an interesting musical career. I would like to give something back, and to help other people," so he explained.

His viola playing also contributed to the backing tracks of Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, and Tom Jones. "Many people will not know me, but they have certainly heard my playing!" he said.
WENN TV

Bosses at the streaming giant have let go of an employee who divulged 'commercially sensitive information' about the controversial comedy special 'The Closer'.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Netflix bosses have fired an employee who leaked confidential data regarding Dave Chappelle's controversial new comedy special, "The Closer".

Bloomberg editors used the information in a Wednesday (13Oct21) report, revealing chiefs at the streaming platform chiefs spent $24.1 million (17.6 million) on the comedian's "The Closer" and $23.6 million (17.2 million) on "Sticks & Stones", Chappelle's previous stand-up show for Netflix, which aired in 2019.

And on Friday, a representative for the company told The Hollywood Reporter the staffer had been fired for divulging the figures.

"We have let go of an employee for sharing confidential, commercially sensitive information outside the company," the statement read. "We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company."

Netflix bosses have been criticised for airing a comedy special that pokes fun at the LGBTQ+ community and three employees who publicly attacked the decision were suspended earlier this week.

Also on Friday, Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, whose 2018 comedy special Nanette was a huge Netflix hit, joined the growing chorus of disapproval over platform boss Ted Sarandos' comments in support of Chappelle's show, in which the comedian endorses views about transgender people, which the LGBTQ+ community and its allies consider offensive and transphobic.

Sarandos and his fellow executives in charge of the streaming service have also refused to remove the special.

Hannah shared a screen shot of a note she wrote to Sarandos, in which she raged, "You didn't pay me nearly enough to deal with the real world consequences of the hate speech dog whistling you refuse to acknowledge, Ted. F**k you and your amoral algorithm cult... I do s**ts with more back bone than you. That's just a joke! I definitely didn't cross a line because you just told the world there isn't one."

The Hollywood Reporter sources also suggest around 1,000 Netflix staff members, who identify as transgender or are supporters of the trans community, are planning a virtual walk-out on Wednesday (20Oct21), to further protest the decision by Sarandon and his fellow executives to stand behind "The Closer".
Instagram Celebrity

After exchanging wedding vows at a church, the 'Cooking with Paris' star and the venture capitalist reportedly will have a reception at her late grandfather Barron Hilton's Bel-Air, California estate.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Paris Hilton and Carter Reum's wedding date has been revealed. It's reported that the "Cooking with Paris" star and her soon-to-be-husband will exchange wedding vows at a church on November 11.

Revealing the news was Page Six. The publication further reported that the couple will have a reception at her late grandfather Barron Hilton's Bel-Air, California estate. "They sent out the save-the-date. They didn't include the location, but [the reception] is going to be at Barron's house," a source claimed.

Another insider, who is also invited at the wedding, told the outlet that they were not sure of the location. However, the insider believed that "it will be at a church and then [Barron's estate is] the buzz for the reception. It's highly likely it will be there. The invite says November 11. It's a beautiful invitation. It came in a blue box. It sort of looked like a Tiffany's box."

The Hilton family owned the property for 60 years until they sold it to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt for $61.5 million in May. Paris famously posed at the estate for the NSFW "Paris Hilton: Grandma Hilton's House" Vanity Fair photo shoot in 2000. At that time, she was still 19 years old.

According to Page Six, there will be three parties, including a carnival-themed bash at Santa Monica Pier. The second informant also divulged that there will be an "out-of-towners dinner."

Paris previously admitted that she was a little stressed out by the wedding planning. "It's been the most exciting and romantic time in my life - I just can't wait for the wedding. (But) it's stressful planning it," she told Extra in September.

The wedding will be documented in the Peacock series "Paris in Love". Speaking about her nuptials, the hotel heiress gushed, "I'm going to have the most incredible wedding video, because we have all the memories leading up to it."

Paris and Carter first sparked romance rumors in January 2020. After dating for around one year, the lovebirds got engaged in February. "I am excited about this next chapter and having such a supportive partner," she told Vogue at that time. "Our relationship is one of equals. We make each other better people. He was absolutely worth the wait!"
WENN/Patrick Hoffmann Celebrity

The 'Transformers' beauty and the former 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star are legally single again almost a year since she filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green have finalized their divorce nearly a year after they filed the court documents. The "Transformers" actress and the former "BH90210" star became legally single again on Friday, October 15.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ on Friday, the terms in the settlement include that the 35-year-old actress and her ex-husband agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their three sons. A source also told the outlet that there was no prenuptial agreement. Since their marriage lasted over a decade, anything acquired during it would be a 50/50 split between the two parties, according to California law.

Megan filed the divorce papers from Brian back in November 2020. At the time, the "Jennifer's Body" star cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation and requested joint legal and physical custody of their children, 9-year-old Noah, 7-year-old Bodhi and 5-year-old Journey.

The divorce filing came after Brian announced that he and Megan went separate ways. Speaking on his podcast "With Brian Austin Green" in May 2020, the 48-year-old actor unveiled that they called it quits at the end of 2019.

"Neither one of us did anything to each other," Brian, who is currently dating his "Dancing With the Stars" partner Sharna Burgess, told his listeners. "She's always been honest with me and I've always been honest with her."

Brian further shared, "And I know she will always love me and I know as far as a family, what we have built is really cool and really special." He added, "So we decided let's make sure we don't lose that. That no matter what we're always friends with each other and we're a united front with the kids."

A few months after the divorce filing, Megan was reportedly "excited to finalize her divorce from Brian to be with Machine Gun Kelly." A source close to the actress claimed, "Megan would like to wrap it up and get it finished as quickly as possible, but Brian is not exactly working with her on that."

"[Megan and MGK] plan to be together forever," the informant spilled. The so-called inside source went on to add that the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" actress "wants the divorce to be done with so she can move on and move ahead."
Instagram Celebrity

When accusing her ex-fiance of infidelity, the former star of 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' claims that he took a woman to her condo in Mexico while she's on a business trip.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Vicki Gunvalson has spoken out about her separation from Steve Lodge. In a message she shared online, the former "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star accused her ex-fiance of cheating on her.

On Friday, October 15, the 59-year-old reality star's best friend Tamra Judge mentioned her in a comment that read, "GET OUT OF BED @vickigunvalson and let's go whoop it up. I hate to see you so sad. No one is worth it girl. Especially after what you allegedly found out last night!" Tamra added, "You are beautiful, you are strong, you are smart! Don't let anyone tell you any different."

"Thanks Tamra. yes, I'm passing the baton on to you. My picker is obviously off," Vicki replied. After a fan took to the comment section to request "deets" on the situation, noting that Steve, who previously ran for governor of California, "seemed so wholesome and good for" her, she spilled, "He used me, he lied to me, he's been dating a 36-year-old and is not what he portrays himself to be. No Christian man would do what he's done."

Tamra then replied to Vicki's comment, explaining that all this happened "while [Steve was] sleeping in [Vicki]'s bed running for governor, using [Vicki]'s followers." In a separate comment, Vicki added, "While I was out of town working on a biz trip, he took her to my condo in Mexico! He's been flaunting around my town in OC making out in public places. It's disgusting."

Upon learning Vicki's accusations, Steve said in a statement, "The absolute lies she is now spreading on social media are very disappointing and disingenuous, to say the least." Steve added, "But I cannot say I'm surprised. She should not be dragging Tamra or anyone else into her lies."

"Vicki and I ended our engagement and relationship in December of 2020," Steve clarified as Vicki only confirmed their split in September this year. The politician continued, "We had not been in an intimate relationship since September of 2020."

Steve further stated that he has been living in Puerto Vallarta, in his own condo since the beginning of 2021. He added, "We remained friends, but it was clear to me Vicki was still wanting more, which I told her was not possible. I wanted to move on with my life and I could not do that with Vicki. I'm sorry that Vicki cannot accept this, but it was time." He concluded his statement as saying, "I still wish her all the best."
Instagram Celebrity

In the jaw-dropping clip shared on Instagram, the 42-year-old Major Lazer star can be seen wearing nothing but a leaf over his crotch and a pair of colorful Crocs.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Diplo has sent the Internet into a frenzy with his latest social media post. On Friday, October 15, the Major Lazer star surprised his online devotees after he let out a bizarre nude video.

The 42-year-old posted the clip on his Instagram page. In the footage, the DJ was seen holding the spore-bearing plants while wearing nothing but a leaf over his crotch and a pair of colorful Crocs.

Diplo used Edvard Grieg's classical composition "Morning Mood" from "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1" in the background of the video. In the caption of the post, he wrote, "My impression of the first human to ever try mushrooms #nationalmushroomday #mycology."

The post has since been flooded with comments from many. One in particular was his dancer pal Casey Frey who wrote in the comment section, "Ur on timeout dip."

Meanwhile, some of Diplo's fans sent out thirsty comments. One user jokingly urged, "Remove the leafff." Another echoed, "move the leaf dip." A third then quipped, "Still waiting for the wind to come up."

This arrived more than a week after Diplo addressed sexual misconduct allegations brought by Shelly Auguste. "It was my goal to never address a stalker... She was an obsessed fan of mine, and after I relinquished all contact with her, it appears that her only purpose in life has been to disrupt my work, my business, harass me and my close friends and attack me and threaten my family," he wrote on Instagram.

"I also learned at this time that a judge in Florida already issued a permanent restraining order to protect a family in Florida and the court had said she exhibited dangerous behavior," the EDM star added. "So this wasn't her first attempt to harass or stalk, I'm just as much bigger target."

"This is so frustrating and embarrassing," the musician concluded. "I am not this person and I won't be extorted by anyone no matter how stinging the press can be. Even over the past two years I've never been bothered by these rumours, if anything it has made me stronger and smarter, all of my friends and partners have never questioned me and that was what has been important to me."

Shelly filed a lawsuit against Diplo in 2020. She alleged that he groomed her for sex when she was a teenager, distributed revenge porn following their split and intentionally gave her a sexually transmitted disease.
WENN/Nicky Nelson/Avalon Movie

The 'Schitt's Creek' actor will make his debut in Tracy Letts' new play months after the 'Call Me by Your Name' star announced he was leaving the production for 'personal reasons'.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - "Schitt's Creek" actor Noah Reid will make his Broadway debut when he replaces embattled Armie Hammer in Tracy Letts' new play "The Minutes".

The production was in previews when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down theaters in March 2020. At the time, Hammer was playing Mr. Peel in the play. He announced that he would be leaving the production for "personal reasons" in April 2021, amid a series of sexual assault accusations against him.

"I have loved every single second of working on 'The Minutes' with the family I made from Steppenwolf [theater company]," Hammer said in a statement announcing his exit. "But right now I need to focus on myself and my health for the sake of my family. Consequently, I will not be returning to Broadway with the production."

Hammer was also forced to exit Jennifer Lopez's movie "Shotgun Wedding", political drama "Gaslit", and a new TV series about the making of "The Godfather". He reportedly checked into a treatment center at the end of May 2021 to seek help for drug, alcohol and sex issues.

Sources claimed that Hammer's family and estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers are supportive of his decision. One in particular spilled, "Elizabeth and kids dropp[ed] him off and walk[ed] in as far as allowed. A lot of hugs and seemed emotional."

Armie's career took a hit after a series of ex-lovers came forward with tales of his cannibalistic and quirky sex fetishes.

Los Angeles Police Department officials launched an investigation into the allegations in February 2021, and a month later the actor was accused of rape.
Instagram Celebrity

After insisting that he's the victim of alleged domestic violence, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion decides to end his ten years of marriage with his wife Heidi Northcott.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Chuck Liddell has filed for divorce from his wife Heidi Northcott. The former UFC star submitted the legal papers to the court days after he was taken into police custody for alleged domestic violence.

The 51-year-old former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion submitted the documents at a courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday, October 15, per TMZ report. His divorce filing came after he was taken into custody on October 11 after the authorities stated that he had been involved in a physical argument with his wife. The responding cops said that they got a call from his Hidden Hills home "regarding a family disturbance."

"Upon arrival deputies determined Chuck Liddell and his wife had been involved in a physical altercation," the sheriff's department explained. "Mr. Liddell was arrested for domestic battery." Following the alleged altercation, his wife reportedly did not require any medical attention.

As for Chuck, he was sent behind bars with bail set at $20,000. Later that day, however, the former martial artist was released from jail. When he walked out of the Lost Hills sheriff's department, he could be seen pumping his fist into the air as he entered a Mercedes-Benz awaiting his arrival.

Shortly after his release, Chuck took to his Instagram account to speak out about his arrest, insisting that he was the victim. "Last night the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies who responded were professional. While the information about this case will be revealed in due course, I believe it is important to convey and clarify a few facts about the situation," so said the former MMA star.

Chuck further stated that he "was the victim of the incident" and promised that "details of the case will reveal." He also shared that "the deputies informed [him] that [his] wife would be arrested." Offering more details, he added, "As I did not respond to her assault while I sustained bruising and lacerations. I volunteered to go in her place."

"This was one of the many times I have tried to shield a family mental health issue from the public purview," his statement continued. "It has become painfully apparent that this cannot continue, as our private life has now reached a public breaking point." He went on to ask the public to "respect [their] privacy as [he helps] to navigate [his] family through this difficult time."
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During his appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', the actor also discusses his new book, 'Act Like You Got Some Sense', and explains why he talks to his daughters like adults since early on.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Jamie Foxx revealed that he once gave Snoop Dogg a rather big task. While stopping by "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon", the actor told host Jimmy Fallon how he got the hip-hop icon to intimidate his daughter's boyfriend.

"What happened was my daughter, who didn't know that I had already run a background check on her boyfriend, he comes to the crib and Snoop happens to be there," Jamie shared. "I said, 'Snoop there he is right there. Shake him up.' "

According to Jamie, the "Young, Wild & Free" rapper then walked over to the boyfriend and just said, "Hey what's up? What's up cuz. Hey, look here you know. We her uncles, you know what I'm saying? So act accordingly homie." The "Django Unchained" star added, "He wanted to make it clear to the boyfriend that if he ever wronged Foxx's daughter, he'd be getting a visit from Snoop Dogg."

Elsewhere in the episode, Jamie discussed his new book, "Act Like You Got Some Sense", which will be released on October 19. Jamie said that in the book, he detailed that he has tried to utilize what his grandparents have taught him in Texas to his daughters in Hollywood. "In the book, you'll see [it] doesn't always work," he noted.

As to why he talked to his daughters like adults since early on, the actor explained, "I wanted to break down those barriers with your daughters, because your daughter's gonna need you. Especially when it comes to guys and relationships, I mean who else would know better than us? And so, by doing it early it pays dividends when they really have serious questions about guys I'm gonna kill."
Instagram Celebrity

The 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' alum reportedly was 'frantically searching' for her boyfriend's phone when he dropped it between their business-class seats as the plane was taking off.

Oct 16, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kourtney Kardashian may not be afraid of flying, but she is reportedly not a nice passenger. The reality TV star has been slammed by a fellow passenger for allegedly going berserk during one of her latest flights.

The 42-year-old was flying business on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York with her boyfriend Travis Barker on Wednesday, October 13 when she reportedly frantically searched for a phone. The eldest of the Kardashian sisters raised a fuss when the Blink-182 drummer dropped his phone between their business-class seats as the plane was departing the tarmac, the eyewitness tells Page Six.

As the plane was taking off, the mother of three is said to have started "frantically searching" for the phone. She reportedly demanded "five more minutes" when the flight attendant asked her to take her seat.

"She got into a bit of a kerfuffle and was quite bratty. She was not nice and was very much acting like a child," the source described Kourtney's antics. While Travis, who owns the phone, remained in his seat, the former "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star "was freaking out and kept saying, 'give me five more minutes,' " the source claimed.

"[The phone] fell underneath one of those crazy reclining chairs in [business class]. She was the one looking for it, and he was not moving," the source recounted. "She was in the aisle and was even bending over and using the light from her phone to search for it." According to the eyewitness, they eventually retrieved Travis' phone after the flight attendant spent "the next two hours dismantling the chair."

However, the passenger's account of the story has been debunked by a source close to Kourtney, who said, "It only took five minutes to dismantle!" The other source slammed the passenger for "exaggerating" as claiming, "She didn't ask for five more minutes, and the flight attendant felt so bad for rushing her, she apologized and made an announcement to help them on the flight."

Neither Kourtney nor her team has responded to the claims.
Global scientists reported in August that due to the climate crisis, droughts that may have occurred only once every decade or so now happen 70% more frequently. The increase is particularly apparent in the Western US, which is currently in the the throes of a historic, multiyear drought that has exacerbated wildfire behavior, drained reservoirs and triggered water shortages.

More than 92% of the West is in drought this week -- a proportion that has hovered at or above 90% since June -- with six states entirely in drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor. On the Colorado River, Lake Mead and Lake Powell -- two of the country's largest reservoirs -- are draining at alarming rates, threatening the West's water supply and hydropower generation in coming years.

Though summer rainfall brought some relief to the Southwest, the unrelenting drought there is about to get worse with La Nina, according to David DeWitt, director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

"As we move into fall, from October on, the Southwest US, based on all the best information that we have, they're going to see persistent intensification and development of drought," DeWitt told CNN. "There's, at this point, not any indication that they'll see drought relief."

La Nina is a natural phenomenon marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator, which causes shifts in weather across the globe. In the Southwest, La Nina typically causes the jet stream -- upper-level winds that carry storms around the globe -- to shift northward. That means less rainfall for a region that desperately needs it.

La Nina conditions have emerged in the tropical Pacific Ocean over the past month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday. With that and warming temperatures, DeWitt said the Southwest will see enhanced evaporation that will intensify drought in certain places.

"The net water balance going forward, from this point as the summer monsoon ends, is that we're going to see conditions continue to dry out," DeWitt said. "Places that have droughts will kind of persist or intensify, and places that don't have drought right now because it was recently ameliorated, we expect drought is going to redevelop."

NOAA published a report this week on the Southwest's historic drought, addressing a key question of when it might end. The answer, according to the report, is that the current drought could last into 2022 -- or potentially longer.

"More widely, my guess is that for much of the West, the current extent and magnitude of this drought is locked in until at least mid-2022," Justin Mankin, assistant professor of geography at Dartmouth College and co-lead of NOAA's Drought Task Force, told CNN.

The NOAA report concluded that climate change-fueled drought will continue to worsen and impose greater risks on the livelihoods and well-being of over 60 million people living in the Southwest, as well as the larger communities that rely on their goods and services.

"This has big implications for drought mitigation measures for different water districts, many of which are working hard not only to manage the impacts of this drought, but to invest in longer-term adaptive measures to be resilient to more droughts like this in the future," Mankin said. "Given scant resources to do both, these water districts need our support."

The nation's largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, are at record-low levels. Both are fed by the drought-ravaged Colorado River watershed, and supply drinking water to 40 million people and irrigation to rural farms, ranches and native communities.

The Bureau of Reclamation in August declared a water shortage on the Colorado River for the first time, triggering mandatory water consumption cuts for states in the Southwest beginning in 2022.

Projections released in September show a 66% chance that water levels at Lake Mead could drop to a level that would trigger even deeper cuts, potentially affecting millions of people in California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.

The agency also projected a 3% chance that Lake Powell next year could drop below the minimum level needed for the lake's Glen Canyon Dam to generate hydroelectricity. In 2023, the chance of a shutdown grows to 34%.

Drought and blistering heat has fueled major wildfires in the West this summer. According to Philip Higuera, fire ecology professor at the University of Montana, warming temperatures caused the record-low level of rain and humidity that dried out trees and vegetation, which in turn ignited more wildfires.

"You can have the same amount of vegetation in a forest, but if it's wet, it's not available to burn," Higuera previously told CNN. "These regions across the West that have record dry fuels, that makes more vegetation available to burn -- so basically, more of the forest is participating in these fires."

Oregon's Bootleg Fire, which started in July, became the second largest wildfire in the country this year; meanwhile, California battled the Dixie Fire -- the largest in the US this year and second-largest in state history. Currently, firefighters are battling the lightning-sparked KNP Complex and Windy fires, which are threatening Sequoia National Park and national forest.

According to Mankin, the longer-term fate of the Western drought remains bleak. What's needed now, he said, is several years of rain and mountain snow to replenish the draining reservoirs and rivers.

That becomes more unlikely as the climate crisis worsens. Experts say the West will only continue to see more droughts like the present one in the years to come --- and only rapid, immediate cuts to fossil fuels can halt this harsh trend.

"Global warming is making the atmosphere over the West warmer and thirstier, such that even the rain and snow that was once normal may be too little to quench it," Mankin said. "The only way to stop the kind of atmospheric demand increases that have made this drought so impactful, is to stop combusting fossil fuels."

The-CNN-Wire

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  President Joe Biden says he would prefer to slash the length of the new and expanded programs in his $3.5 trillion social safety net and climate change legislation, rather than eliminate programs entirely.

Biden is trying to reassure progressives who are worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations.

Democrats on Capitol Hill are working to reduce the sweeping package down to about $2 trillion in spending, which would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

The proposal includes everything from free child care and community college to significant provisions meant to combat climate change.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - Butte County is sending a strong message to drug dealers.

Were not going after people for a simple possession, were going after the dealers that are killing people, said Mike Ramsey, Butte County District Attorney.

The new fentanyl warning applies to all local drug dealers.

Once drug dealers are arraigned, a fentanyl notice is given to them.

The fentanyl notice informs drug dealers they could face murder charges and life in state prison if someone were to die from fentanyl-laced drugs they sold.

Ramsey said seven grains of fentanyl, which is equal to seven grains of salt, can be enough to kill someone.

Butte's Narcotics Task Force is also taking action against fentanyl.

Sergeant Sam Burnett said theres two main ways fentanyl is being distributed in Butte County: oxycodone M30 and xanax pills are being counterfeited with fentanyl.

Fentanyl is one of our primary focuses right now because of all the overdoses, so if we have two cases [that] come across our desk and one of them is for fentanyl and one of them is for methamphetamine, well go towards the fentanyl case prior to doing the methamphetamine case because of the dangers associated to fentanyl, said Sgt. Burnett.

Sgt. Burnett adds that more people are purchasing pure-powder fentanyl, snorting the drug as if it were cocaine or methamphetamine, and accidentally overdosing.

The county says, between January to April of this year, 11 deaths were associated with fentanyl, and the number has only increased in the last few months.

Ramsey hopes individuals stop buying drugs.

Stop! Also, because fentanyl is out there; it is a killer. You dont know that the drug that you may be taking isnt laced with fentanyl. It most likely is.

From 2019 to 2020, Butte County found overdose deaths increased by 34%.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - Christian Hammond is a software developer and business owner, but in his spare time, he gathers data from Butte County and the state to keep track of cases and deaths.

The Unofficial Butte County COVID-19 Tracker was created by Hammond.

Many people see the pandemic impacts through local business closed signs and people wearing masks around town.

Hammond sees the pandemic impacts through his screen.

"Every day what I do is I go through a few different places, I will check the website for the county dashboard and just kind of get a sense of what are the numbers looking like today," he said.

He's a software engineer and business owner, but on his own dime, he tracks coronavirus cases and numbers in Butte County.

"This is taking a lot of my time each day, but I still want to do it. So, let's go write some programs that can automate that. Pull the information from that, put it into a spreadsheet and really use that to get a better sense of what's happening."

Hammond resides in Palo Alto, but Chico is his hometown and he has family and friends that still live there, and they're part of the reason Hammond started the COVID-19 tracker.

"Why do it? Why keep it going?" asked Action News Now Reporter Esteban Reynoso.

"I live in Santa Clara County, it hit really, hit our culture there pretty hard and when that happens you, you take a real interest," he responded. "What I didn't see was Butte County taking it the same way, because it took longer for cases to appear here. My goal initially was to make sure my family and friends are safe, I want to make sure that they have the information they need, to be able to make the right decisions, and over time that turned into the full-on dashboard project."

He plans to continue tracking and gather the data throughout the pandemic.

"Is it something that is a hobby?" asked Reynoso.

"In a sense, yeah, I mean it's become one," said Hammond.

He only started taking donations for the website recently, thinking, like many of us did, that this pandemic would wind down. Unfortunately, that didn't come true.

Regardless of the donations, numbers will continue to be updated.

While the website is not deemed an official source of COVID-19 data, Hammond gathers the numbers from official sources like Butte County Public Health and the state's dashboard.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - A preliminary hearing was held in Butte County Superior Court today for the Comanche Creek homeless stabbing. At the end of the hearing, Jedidiah James Wright, 30, was held to answer on a charge of murder by Judge Kristen Lucena.

Lucena found that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to hold Wright for a jury trial on the allegation that he used a knife to stab and kill John Snoberger, 47, on Aug. 1.

During the preliminary hearing, officers from the Chico Police Department described the homeless encampment at the Comanche Creek Greenway as containing several hundred homeless individuals in difficult and crowded conditions, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

The officers testified the crowded conditions at the encampment make it nearly impossible to service the area, Ramsey said. Several members of the Comanche Creek encampment were also present at the hearing and testified about the conditions and the stabbing.

Ramsey said the evidence presented today showed Snoberger and Wright were both living at the Comanche Creek Greenway.

At approximately 3:50 p.m., Wright walked over to Snobergers camp to confront him about a fight between Snoberger and a friend of Wrights the day before.

According to witnesses, Wright confirmed Snobergers identity and then immediately stabbed him in the chest once with a small folding knife which wounded him fatally.

Wright then left the encampment and headed down E. Park Ave. where he was detained by Chico police and ultimately arrested, Ramsey said. Prior to his detainment, Wright disposed of the knife but directed officers to the weapon which was recovered.

Chico police officers were at the encampment within minutes and immediately began life-saving measures on Snoberger. Even with their efforts, Snoberger died within the hour.

Wright told officers that the stabbing had been in self-defense. However witnesses testified Wright had visited a campsite immediately adjacent to Snobergers earlier in the day to scope out the campsite, Ramsey said.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Miller argued to the judge that Wright did not have a valid claim of self-defense because the stabbing had apparently occurred in retaliation. Miller also argued that Wright had arrived at Snobergers campsite with the knife in an open position, ready to use.

Wright remains in custody at the Butte County Jail with no bail. He will appear in court on Oct. 27, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. to be arraigned on the charge of Murder with Use of a Knife.
A court in Lucknow has sent summons to Netflix staff and the makers of documentary film Bad Boy Billionaires in the criminal case filed by Sahara. The Court of Special Chief Judicial Magistrate Lucknow has issued summons to Netflix India director Abhishek Nag, documentary director Nick Read, and producer Reva Sharma, directing their appearance before the court on November 15.

Taking cognizance of the offences and recording statements of the complainant and their witnesses, the court issued the summons.

The case relates to the documentary series, Bad Boy Billionaires, which Netflix streamed last year on the life and growth of Sahara Group Chairman Subrata Roy Sahara, along with Vijay Mallya, and Nirav Modi.

Saharas has also filed a civil suit for recovery of damages against Netflix India and its directors, producers, etc., for Rs 500 crores in court in Kolkata.

Sahara alleges that Bad Boy Billionaires is completely baseless which is way beyond the facts.

Just to gain commercial benefits Netflix have created an ill-conceived, spiced up commercial film full of sensationalism with the title Bad Boy Billionaires at the cost of the image of Sahara Group which is unacceptable and highly objectionable, Sahara said in a press release.

All the accused have wilfully connived and attempted to portray the Chairman of Sahara Group in bad taste, it further said.
There is a saying that Sharing and Giving are the ways of God. On the occasion of Bijoya Dashmi, Dabur Honey announced a new CSR initiative to support the livelihood of honey collectors of Sundarbans, who have witnessed their livelihood being impacted due to multiple cyclones and massive floods in the region over the past few months. Christened Sweetness of Giving Back, this initiative aims to support the families of these honey collectors during these trying times.

The Honey Collectors of Sundarbans are the backbone of the Honey Industry in India. The floods, which came on the back of the devastating second wave of COVID, has severely impacted livelihood in the Sundarbans region, destroying crops and even leading to scarcity of drinking water across villages. As part of our mission to support the families of honey collectors, Dabur will be providing dry ration and other daily essentials for the next one year, to 23 families identified in this region who are involved in the profession of honey collection. This is not only in line with our mission of being Dedicated to the Health and Well-Being of every Household, but also to spread festive smiles during this period of Durga Puja Dabur India Ltd Category Head -Health Supplements, Mr. Kunal Sharma said.

To pay tribute to the Honey Collectors of Sundarbans, Dabur Honey also unveiled a digital film which seeks to promote the hard work put in by this community. Capturing the festive spirit through the happy faces celebrating Durga Puja with relishing mouth-watering Sandesh made from the fruit of their own labour i.e. Dabur Honey.

The film is conceptualised and produced by ICE Media Lab, a Content Shop specialises in content first brand films. Debojit Saha, Creative Head, ICE Media Lab said, The sight of the flood hit village & the state of villagers caught us numb when we reached there! During our previous assignment, we worked, ate and chatted with these people and the feeling was hitting even more. Once Dabur decided to give back to the honey collectors of Sunderbans, we decided to chip in with them. When we took the relief material, there including clothes, food and sweets, their joy had no bounds. We captured their reaction shots upon the receiving of the aid without them noticing the camera is on! It feels good to make a small impact to the community especially on the onset of Durga Puja! Pure bliss! Its a surreal feeling
After successfully venturing into the Tamil and Telugu markets, Disney+ Hotstar, one of India's largest premium streaming platforms is all set to World Premiere its first Malayalam movie- Nivin Pauly starrer Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham

Disney+ Hotstar, one of India's largest premium streaming platforms is all set to kickstart its Malayalam movie releases. Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham (Ka Kaa Ka), written and directed by Ratheesh Balakrishna Pothuval and starring Nivin Pauly, Grace Antony and Vinay Fort in the lead roles, is the first Malayalam film to be released through the platform. The Film is produced by Nivin Paulys production house, Pauly Jr. Pictures. Ratheesh Balakrishna Pothuval is also the director who won the Best Debut Director award for his debut film Android Kunjappan.

The poster of the film was released in social media on October 15th . Talking about his character in Ka Kaa Ka, actor Nivin Pauly said, I believe we all love to be entertained. When Ratheesh narrated this script to me, I felt this movie will provide the audience an opportunity to lighten up during these trying times. KKK is a charming, fun movie that families will love. It has eccentric characters, crazy situations and quirky humour. I am confident KKK will bring laughter back to the audience, something that has been missing for a while.

The release date and trailer of the film will be announced soon. Ratheesh Balakrishna Pothuval mentions Ka Kaa Ka will be an ultimate entertainer with elements to entertain every Malayalee movie buff. "Though the movie weighs high in intelligent comedy, the gripping storyline with twists and turns will also give the audience a never before seen experience" adds the director.
PhonePe, Indias leading digital payments platform launched regional brand campaigns to build awareness and drive preference for its offerings in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The campaigns were launched in September on digital platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Sharechat in addition to print and radio. The campaigns showcase trust, reliability and ease of use of digital payments and are tailored to the target audience in each region.

The Kerala campaign pays a delightful ode to the ubiquitous parippu vada, Keralas favourite snack. It combines the ease of payment with the joy of eating a vada, which is found in every nook and corner of the state. It explores different perspectives of parippu vada to drive the key strengths and offerings of PhonePe - easy fast digital payments for all needs, widespread merchant acceptance and triple-level transaction security. The films were directed by VK Prakash, the well-known Malayali director. The brilliant & versatile Malayali actor Jayasurya powers the campaign with his unique voice that adds the requisite pride, emotion, simplicity, and trust to the brand.

The campaign for Tamil Nadu adopts a micro storytelling format called PhonePe Shots. PhonePe has showcased carefully chosen and regionally nuanced slices of life moments in the everyday life of the people of Tamil Nadu. These moments are then connected seamlessly to key features of PhonePe such as simple & fast payments, reliability of the app, range of bill payments, and acceptance across a variety of offline & online merchants.

Commenting on the campaigns, Ramesh Srinivasan, Director  Brand Marketing, PhonePe said, With a user base of over 30 crore Indians and growing, we pride ourselves in not just being a national brand but also a regional one. The campaigns have used regional metaphors and cultural nuances relevant to Tamil Nadu & Kerala to target the audiences who are yet to try digital payments. The communication in regional languages is clutter-breaking in nature and has garnered significant brand love from audiences. We will look at doing more regional campaigns in future as we build PhonePe as the most preferred digital payments and financial services platform for a billion Indians.

The campaigns have struck a chord with the audiences from the southern states having already garnered over 1.75 million views on YouTube and Facebook.
According to media reports, Robert (Rob) Gilby is joining the international leadership team at Nielsen as President of Asia Pacific (APAC). He will be joining the company on 18th October, 2021.

Gilby has an overall experience of being a leader in APAC for more than 25 years. He has senior experience of holding senior positions at The Walt Disney Company, Turner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and advisory and board roles with the Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information, and its agencies.
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A friend of mine, another newspaper guy, absolutely loves duck hunting. He is about ducks the way my dad was about geese, which was plumb loco, as my mom used to say.

This time of fall my friend is in his glory. Chilly mornings, warm afternoons, some frost overnight once in a while, those are a few of his favorite things. Ive never been much for duck hunting. I could never hit a duck in flight, for one thing. For another, it always seemed like the shotgun version of ice fishing  sit in the cold and wait for something to happen. My friend begs to differ.

I like his enthusiasm. More than that, I like the way he goes about his duck hunting. He lives in a small city, so he has to ask landowners for a place to hunt. The weekend before the opening of duck season this year, he told me, he hopped in his pickup and spent five or six hours driving around, scoping out likely spots. Then he spent some time finding the owner of the property. This year, it was an older woman who lives in another state. She gave him permission to go onto her property.

His story reminds me of the good old days on our farm. Out where we lived, it happened mostly with pheasant season. Total strangers would pull into the yard and seek out my dad to ask if he owned a certain piece of ground and if he did, could they hunt it for an afternoon. The traffic wasnt constant, but it was often enough that I remember it clearly.

I thought little of it. When I was a kid, it seemed like a natural thing, people from towns or cities stopping to ask permission to hunt our pheasants. Sure, we knew those birds werent really our pheasants. They were on our land, though, eating our grain, drinking from our ponds. So, people asked permission.
We do not simply live in a post-Christian society. We live in a society that is deeply atheistic and therefore anti-Christian, writes Catholic priest and commentator Dwight Longenecker in his new book, Beheading Hydra: A Radical Plan for Christians in an Atheistic Age. In this insightful volume, he lucidly reviews for laymen the various pernicious beliefs that over centuries have overthrown Western societys Judeo-Christian faith and offers a plan for spiritual restoration.

Longenecker notes that Americans are experiencing a colossal collapse of organized Christianity, such that, for example, the number of Catholic priests dropped from 60,000 in 1966 to 37,000 in 2018. This crisis of faith is combined with a philosophical implosion and a cultural and moral maelstrom all at the same, he adds. This perfect storm is the culmination of five hundred years of devious philosophies, half-truths, godless ideologies, false religions, and rebellion against God, His Church, and His timeless truths, a septic tank of subterfuge.

We must choose to recognize the lies for what they are: different masks of atheism -- and atheism is itself a costume of the Antichrist, Longenecker concludes. Satan, after all, is the Father of Lies. Leading institutions like American schools, colleges, and universities are, in fact, institutions of atheist propaganda.

Turning to ancient Greece, for Longenecker the powerful serpentine image that illustrates the battle at hand is the Hydra -- the mythical water serpent that lurked in the swamps of Lake Lerna -- one of the entrances to the underworld. When one head was cut off, two more grew back in its place, he recalls this monsters famed characteristic. This provides an important intellectual metaphor, for Socrates used the Hydra as an illustration of the deceitful person who, when his argument is proved to be a lie, immediately comes up with two more arguments.

Longenecker analyzes sixteen heads of the modernist Hydra, beginning with materialism. Materialism itself is the main head of the Hydra. Put simply, it is the proposal that this physical world is all there is, he observes. If materialism is a mask of atheism, it is also a mask of nihilism. If there is nothing but this physical world, then ultimately there is nothing at all, because you and I and all things will die and decay into dust.

Another materialist corollary is Scientism. This refuses to admit the validity of forms of knowledge other than those of the positive sciences, and it relegates religious, theological, ethical and aesthetic knowledge to the realm of mere fantasy, Longenecker quotes from Pope John Paul II. Looking for scientific evidence for the eternal realm is like taking apart an alarm clock to look for time, Longenecker trenchantly observes.

Materialist Utilitarianism with its pleasure principle of the greatest good for the greatest number, as developed by English nineteenth-century atheists Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, is also nonsense on stilts. Who decides what happiness is Would base physical pleasures be lower and intellectual pleasures be higher? For example, would watching pornography be better than reading Plato? Longenecker queries. For Christians, moreover, faith and morals ultimately define pleasure, for the greatest happiness is eternal life and therefore, the greatest happiness for the greatest number means opening the door to eternal life to the greatest number of people.

By contrast, Utilitarianism seeks fulfillment through the denial of ethical standards in what Pope John Paul II called pragmatism. The resulting amoral utilitarian pragmatist does not see himself as cruel. Indeed, he always veils his cruelty with the euphemisms of kindness, Longenecker notes. Such kindness kills, as eugenicists and abortionists dont want just ethnic cleansing: they want to cleanse the whole human race of any deemed unfit to live, like pulling weeds or exterminating rats.

Unborn life has lost sanctity in a culture of unbridled lust, or what Longenecker terms eroticism, emotions enabled by modern technology. The invention of artificial contraception is more shattering than any other invention in human history. such as the wheel or fire, he concludes. The resulting

change in sexual beliefs and behaviors in the second half of the twentieth century was the most revolutionary of all the revolutions in the five hundred years that had gone before. We now live in a society in which the general rule about sex is that there are no rules about sex.

Eroticism corresponds to Sigmund Freuds understanding of sex as mere instinct, Longenecker observes, and under this Freudianism, the whole meaning of life itself becomes no more than the quest to find genital contentment. Yet the real definition of a man is a human with male reproductive organs, and the definition of a woman is a person with female reproductive organs, he counters. Thus to be fully human -- to operate as a human was designed -- is to be a father or a mother.

Longeneckers reasoning is exquisite, but he doubts reasons ability to slay modernitys Hydra. If one side believes in a greater source of truth, however, and the other not only denies it but doesnt even have a concept of a transcendent source of truth, debate is dead, he notes. Arguing with a relativist is like wrestling with an octopus in oil in the dark.

Meanwhile, a relativistic society is unlikely to doubt itself, given Romanticisms influence. Contrary to Christian understandings of humanitys sinful nature, eighteenth-century Geneva philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau preached the total goodness of man, Longenecker writes. Among other things, this means that the fallible will of the majority is also automatically and essentially good.

The fallen world has also infiltrated modern Christian communities, Longenecker observes:

The Hydra heads wear bishops miters, and the dragons are clothed in the rich robes of popular priests, the academic gowns of theology professors, the sober suits of Protestant pastors, and the sleek suits of prosperity-gospel preachers.

Only by the light of our lives will we defeat the darkness. Debate and dialogue now are pointless. Our lives must be our argument, Longenecker concludes. Therefore, Rod Dreher in his writings like The Benedict Option has read the signs of the times and has called for local units of faith and family to be the depositories of Christian culture and the seedbed for renewal. We are conditioned to expect instant success, but this will not happen, Longenecker wisely, yet reassuringly, warns of the struggle ahead. As with Saint Benedict, who did not live to see the fruits of the centuries-long civilizational renewal he initiated following the Roman Empires fall, and contrary to material atheists, an eternal God plays a long game.

Image: Sophia Institute Press

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Late Thursday night, a friend texted me the latest about the Texas abortion law in the courts. This is the story:

Texas can continue banning most abortions after a federal appeals court rejected the Biden administration's latest attempt to stop a novel law that has become the nation's biggest curb to abortion in nearly 50 years. The decision Thursday could push the law closer to returning to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has already once allowed the restrictions to take effect without ruling on its constitutionality. The Texas law bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks and before some women know they are pregnant.

It was a 2-1 vote.

So what happens now? I guess that going to the Supreme Court is the next step, but they are already reviewing the Mississippi law. So the Court is more likely to send it back to Texas and keep the law on the books even longer.

There are two things driving the pro-abortion lobby crazy when it comes to the Texas law.

First, it does not ban abortions. In other words, you can still get an abortion as long as there is no heartbeat.

Second, it makes the life inside the mother, or the beating heart, the principal in the story. We are no longer arguing about "my body," but rather a vibrant heartbeat inside the mother. It humanizes abortion like nothing else.

It all reminds me of that line from President Reagan: "I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born."

Yes, it makes you wonder about all those "heartbeats" not aborted in Texas in the last few weeks. Wonder what they will say in the future about the law that let them live and grow up to make "choices"? Yes, they want to grow up and make choices if only we let their hearts beat.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Pixnio.

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Civil order already is crumbling in Chicago, with its horrendous toll of murders, car-jackings, and looting of stores spreading into downtown and affluent neighborhoods from the ghetto strongholds where lawlessness has been rampant for years. The one thing Chicago cannot afford to do is lose a substantial number of cops, yet the actions of Mayor Lori Lightfoot threaten to do that, pushing ahead with a vaccine mandate, whose deadline for reporting vax status just expired at midnight Friday night.

Alice Yin of the Chicago Tribune writes:

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the police union are staring down a stalemate over the city's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Local Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara directed members to defy Friday's deadline to report their shot status. The mayor warned of discipline if they do. On Friday she took matters a step further, announcing the city's Law Department has filed legal action seeking court intervention against the FOP and Catanzara "for engaging in, supporting, and encouraging a work stoppage or strike." The union is not allowed to strike. Catanzara and the FOP in turn filed their own lawsuit against the city, Lightfoot and police Superintendent David Brown. Late Friday, a judge issued an injunction against Catanzara, precluding him from publicly encouraging his members to disobey vaccine reporting rules.

Gagging a union head in an active dispute with his employer seems wildly inconsistent with the First Amendment, but we seem to be in a post-Constitution regime at the moment. Lightfoot is pushing hard to enforce the mandate and has vowed "consequences" and is using confrontational language:

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said officers who refuse to report their vaccine status "do so at their peril." "Insubordination is not something that we can tolerate," Lightfoot said.

And:

"I cannot and will not stand idly by while the rhetoric of conspiracy theorists threatens the health and safety of Chicago's residents and first responders." She also said Catanzara was "encouraging a work stoppage or strike."

That last charge is a lie, as the FOP pointed out in a tweet:

President John Catanzara has never engaged in, supported, or encouraged a work stoppage. @LoriLightfoot is the only one who has said she will send our dedicated Officers home without pay if they choose to reject her unlawful orders.



Hold the line, CPD, like you always do. https://t.co/DPQtqjegcn  Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge #7 (@FOP7Chicago) October 15, 2021

The person who would be telling cops to stay home and not work is Lightfoot herself. The cops don't want to be forced to reveal their personal health information or to receive an experimental gene therapy that doesn't seem to fully prevent getting infected or passing along the virus.

But for all the bluster, Lightfoot is not pushing ahead immediately to force unvaxxed and non-reporting cops off the streets:

Since issuing the mandate, Lightfoot's approach has softened. Backing down from a rule that mandated vaccination for city employees, she has since agreed to give the unvaccinated an alternative: twice-weekly tests for the rest of the year.

Moreover, bureaucratic inefficiency is a factor:

[T]he city said it will take them days to sort out who got the shots and who didn't. The worry was that many police officers would have to be sent home, leaving the city without officers. But the city said going through thousands of records will take time, and no one will be asked to go home or not allowed to work.

So the specter of an apocalypse of fewer cops and thugs running wild is being postponed. One option that I suspect is being explored by Lightfoot and Illinois Democrat Governor Jay Pritzker is calling up the National Guard. But that carries a lot of risks, because Guardsmen are not trained in law enforcement and, as has happened in other situations of urban unrest, may resort to an armed response quicker and more readily than trained cops  especially if they are fired upon by the very well armed gang members who don't seem to be encumbered by Illinois's strict gun control laws.

FOP local president Catanzara seems to be contemplating a run for mayor, as he strongly hinted in a video released late Friday:

Mayor Lightfoot is being evasive:

As expected - @chicagosmayor dodges although @jaketapper asks her at least 4 times what are the numbers - how many CPD officers are complying with vaccine mandate. pic.twitter.com/85lZDw2Fp8  Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) October 15, 2021

Chicago is far from the only city facing a potential crisis from forcing vaccines on cops who refuse them. In Los Angeles:

Nearly 40 percent of LAPD officers have not gotten a shot, according to the department. "We are almost at a standstill," says William Briggs, president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, the city's civilian oversight board. "Officers are refusing to be vaccinated; they are taking a hard line."

In San Diego:

A union representing San Diego police officers is holding firm in its opposition to a requirement that all city employees get vaccinated against COVID-19, arguing Wednesday that department ranks could fall to their lowest number in years if the mandate is enforced. The city of San Diego will require all of its employees to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 1, 2021. If city police officers are given a choice between complying or losing their jobs, many who responded to a recent survey have said they will simply quit. Union representatives are using those numbers to threaten the risks of a depleted law enforcement corps.



Source.

If there is a showdown in Chicago or any of the other big cities forcing vaccines on cops, Catanzara has a point worth remembering:

"We have a profession that nobody wants to work in," Catanzara said on Fox News Thursday night. "It gave us a little bit stronger position. You can't lay off or get rid of thousands of cops because you'll never replace them. We can't even replace what we've got now."

Photo credit: ABC7 Chicago screen grab.

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The saying that desperate times call for desperate measures was never more true than when applied to vaccination. Consider the first vaccine in 1796, when a young boy was inoculated against smallpox. It had been noticed that milkmaids almost never contracted smallpox. Milkmaids frequently caught cowpox, a mild illness related to smallpox. British physician Edward Jenner theorized that infecting someone with cowpox would confer immunity to smallpox.

The procedure was simple enough. A cut was made in the arm, and fluid from cowpox blisters was smeared in the cut. The person would contract cowpox and then be immune to smallpox. Jenner's theory was correct, and he is now considered the father of vaccinology.

The procedure was simple, but to a modern eye, it also seems disgusting. Smearing liquid from cow blisters onto open wounds is not something most of us would care to do. Or would we? Smallpox was a very contagious disease that killed many of the people who contracted it. The survivors were immune to another attack, but they were also usually disfigured for life. Many people were very willing to take a desperate measure to prevent such a fate.

Louis Pasteur was not even a doctor when he developed a vaccine for rabies. In our modern world, rabies is a plot point in movies like Old Yeller. In Pasteur's time, rabid animals were so terrifying that any pet dog was suspect and might be killed out of hand. Rabies is almost 100 percent fatal. It causes hallucinations and painful spasms, and a person infected with the disease could become violently aggressive. People were so desperate that, by 1886, when it was known Pasteur had developed a vaccine for rabies, 350 people traveled to Paris to beg for treatment. Only one of the patients developed rabies. The rest were saved.

Now consider COVID. The total population of the world is more than 7 billion people. The number of people who have died from COVID is 4.9 million. That's a lot of dead people, but it's less than a fraction of one percent of the world population. Most people who get COVID don't get very sick. Some of them don't have any symptoms at all and only find out they've been infected with COVID when they test positive for it or turn out to have antibodies. The survival rate is estimated at between 97% and 99.75%.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When a contagious disease spreads rapidly, makes people horribly sick, kills a large number of the people it infects, and leaves the survivors disfigured for life, that is a time for desperate measures such as unproven procedures from people who may not even be doctors. That's how we learned that vaccines work, by people terrified of an agonizing death from smallpox or rabies and willing to be experimented on to have a chance of survival.

For the vast majority of the world's population, COVID is nothing more than a day or two of the sniffles. It's just not a serious disease that calls for mandates for mass vaccination. It's true that COVID is very contagious, but so is the common cold, and no one ever thought of shutting down the world before to prevent people from catching the sniffles.

Pandra Selivanov is the author of Future Slave, a story about a black 21st-century teenager who is sent back in time and becomes a slave in the Old South.

Image: Slaying a rabid dog by Dioscorides Pedanius of Anazarbos, from the Wellcome Image collection. CC BY 4.0.

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For a lot of Afghans who helped the Americans over the past twenty years in Afghanistan, it's too late.

But here we are: Joe Biden's State Department has announced that it will finally get around to evacuating Americans and their allies from the Taliban-controlled hellhole, following his disastrously chaotic pull-out last August. Evacuation flights should get going by the end of the year:

According to the Daily Caller:

The operation to retrieve U.S. citizens and Afghan allies left behind will require coordination with the Taliban and other governments, the official told The Wall Street Journal. Kabuls international airport remains closed to regular passenger travel since the U.S. ended its first evacuation attempt on Aug. 31. U.S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents and immediate family members will receive priority treatment in securing seats on evacuation flights, the official said. The State Department is hoping to eventually have several aircraft leave the country each week. Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants will be eligible for American evacuation flights, but they will need to complete most of the SIV vetting process, according to the official. Other Afghans at risk, such as female judges or government workers, will not qualify under the departments current plan.

Question: Wasn't that the plan they announced earlier, back when the chaos flights were taking off, filled with Afghan military-aged males who managed to push their way in front of women, children, old people, and the handicapped waiting in line to evacuate? That was a nasty chaos situation that was effectively an overseas border surge of migrants, not Americans, and certainly not Afghan allies. Those guys got left behind. The U.S. ended up transporting tens of thousands of random people with no right to be on those flights, many of whom were failed visa applicants and people with terrorist ties who were unable to pass vetting. The barbarism that has been seen from some of these transports  a gang of migrants who sexually assaulted a U.S. servicewoman on a U.S. military base and forced the military to operate on a "buddy system" on its own base  is absolutely disgusting.

The failure to vet the migrants, let alone throw them off, given that the military was sent to evacuate Americans and allies and those flight seats were American and allied seats, not migrant seats, was an absolute travesty of incompetence and failed leadership. Here's another problem, according to the Wall Street Journal:

Qatar requires all passengers to have valid travel documents. Other issues have arisen over the presence on the planes of stowaways, and the prevalence of fraudulent documents. The U.S. is unable to deport Afghans without valid travel documents and Qatar wont take them in.

In other words, they can't get rid of them. Most of these military-aged migrants the U.S. ended up transporting in lieu of Americans have no travel documents and no way for anyone to find out who they are. And the U.S. can't get rid of these lawbreakers; it has to keep them in to wreak havoc, sop up welfare payments, and commit crimes here in the U.S. The Taliban themselves said most of the people the U.S. ended up transporting in that havoc were economic migrants. They'd probably know.

What's wrong with this picture? Based on the Journal report, apparently, there are a lot of them still in the pipeline in the Qatar way station, and Qatar sure as heck doesn't want them. We are going to be stuck with them.

The Journal also notes that the U.S. will be working with the Taliban to get the people it should have gotten out last August.

That would be the same Taliban that are busying themselves with hanging, branding, cutting off body parts from, and otherwise killing former U.S. translators, spies, and other collaborators. Now the translators are expected to step up to the Taliban visa office, collect an exit visa, and make their way to the fleshpots of America while the Taliban, which are out of money, starve the rest of the country as well as themselves.

Sound as though they'll be amenable? The Journal notes that many Afghans are afraid to approach the Taliban for visas, given that they will flag themselves to the Taliban as former collaborators with the Americans as they wait for permission from the fiends to leave. Sound like a good bet for them? It sounds like an invitation to a helicopter hanging. What's more, with the Taliban serving as the "gatekeeper" as to who gets out, does anyone not think they won't seed the "go" list with terrorists for future 9/11 operations in the states? It sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Here's the problem with this wretched belated bid from the Bidenites to assuage the administration's miserable failure last August: it was promised earlier. And we got what we got. Now they are promising it again. Nobody was punished or fired for the last incompetence, so this one might be just as incompetent, complete with the transport of people who should not be on those planes at all. Nobody gets punished for incompetence. The Bidenites in their own minds never make mistakes  Joe himself called the chaotic evacuation of tens of thousands of migrants a great "success."

Now they are implicitly admitting it wasn't a success, since they need to go back and do the same thing over, this time under much harder conditions with the Taliban their partner. What could go wrong?

Image: Screen shot from Vice News video via shareable YouTube.

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I watched the video, horrified, knowing the end of the story, yet fascinated as it unfolded. The small plane's camera focused out the windshield, as the pilot, Dr. Sugata Das, routinely communicated with the tower. A 64-year-old cardiologist, Das commuted between San Diego and Yuma, having piloted the flight over a hundred times. Everything was fine last Monday. Then, suddenly, the plane spiraled down near the Santee, California high school, out of control. The video ended before the crash, but we know that the pilot and a UPS truck driver were killed, and the plane destroyed several houses. Two people pulled from a burning house survived with injuries.

The investigation into what happened is underway. Results are expected by October 26. Everything until then is guesswork, but we do know a few things: we know that the pilot was experienced and certified and had passed rigorous medical testing and certification.

Not being a pilot, I have no idea whether the theory that he somehow became disoriented and thought up was down is plausible. Certainly, there was no panic, no indication that the plane had a problem, per video and voice evidence. You can hear the tower telling him he's descending, calmly asking him to go up instead.

I have an active imagination. So, therefore, some questions. I've thought a lot about why the pilots for our major airlines don't want to take the COVID jabs. I'm not a medical doctor, so perhaps I'm applying my ignorance to questions I ought not to attempt to pose, but I want to do it anyway.

Let me start with a personal story. I had a close friend, who passed away maybe ten years ago. She died the day after returning from a family member's funeral in Greece. She called me the day she returned, and we arranged to have lunch the next day. She and I used to review restaurants together. We both enjoyed trying funky, off-beat new places.

When I called her the next morning to update the meeting time since I was running late, her husband picked up. He said two words: "She's dead!" I was stunned. He went on to tell me she lay down after breakfast for a nap because she was jetlagged and never woke up. My friend, in her early 60s, wasn't in the best of health, but certainly not at death's door.

They eventually determined that a blood clot, formed after she banged her carry-on bag into her leg, had caused her death, traveling through her system to her brain caused a pulmonary embolism. It apparently killed her instantly and quietly.

I've read a lot about the effects of the jab. How the spike protein doesn't stay in the arm it's injected into, but travels through the body; gets into the bloodstream; and moves to the lungs, heart, ovaries, etc. Even if there are no immediate large-organ problems, the spike proteins eventually end up settling in the smallest capillaries, the "spikes" causing destruction to these delicate vessels where they settle. We repeatedly hear about blood clots from the jab, along with myocarditis, and other heart ailments.

Given my friend's experience, I've worried, frankly, that flying with a vaccinated pilot could be dangerous. I guess my worry is somewhat mitigated by the fact that there are always two people in the cockpit. The co-pilot takes over if there's an emergency.

The CDC publishes a handy reference guide to blood clots and air travel. Studies have been done, as well, of clotting after vaccination, including this study that determined that severe clots could occur with some of the vaccines, and this CDC study of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following COVID vaccination. In both cases, J&J is cited as the causative vaccine here in the U.S.

I don't want to jump to conclusions. We need the time and effort for rigorous scientific questioning about these possibilities. Yet nobody's taken that time. Forced vaccination is happening all too quickly, with all questions and worries discounted.

If the questioning part, the cause-effect studies, and the accumulation of real-time data are happening at all, it's impossible for them to keep up with the relentless drive to jab everyone. If 86% of the 12- to 18-year-old population in my little burg is already vaccinated, as is the case, by the time actual research is accomplished to determine whether the vaccines will cause problems, it'll simply be too late.

Image: Boeing 737-700 cockpit by Ral Roletschek. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0.

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15,981 New Coronavirus Reported In India:- A total number of 15,981 new cases of coronavirus are reported in India in the last 24 hours taking the total tally of cases to 3,40,53,573. The number of active cases in India saw a huge decline in the cases as per the reports from the Union Health Ministry. With 17,861 new recoveries, the total number of recoveries in India climbed to 3,33,99,961. There are 2,01,632 active cases of coronavirus in the country for now. With 166 new deaths, the total number of deaths reported in India in total are 4,51,980. The total number of vaccines administered in India are said to be 97,23,77,045 and 8,36,118 doses of vaccines are administered in the last 24 hours in India.

Kerala continues to contribute a high number of cases and the state had 8867 new cases along with 67 deaths. As per the reports coming from the Union Health Ministry, more than 101 crore doses of coronavirus vaccines are distributed for the states and the union territories in the country as of now. The active cases comprised 0.60 percent of the total infections in the country and the recovery rate reached 98.07 percent. More than 11.12 crore dose vaccinations are still available with the states and union territories. As per the reports from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the total samples tested on October 15th are 9,23,003 and the samples tested in total are said to be 58,98,35,258.
(Image source from: Twitter.com/UV_Creations)

Ram Charan Announces 2 New Projects:- Top actor Ram Charan had to spend three complete years for RRR, a high voltage action-packed periodic drama that is directed by SS Rajamouli. NTR and Ram Charan played the lead roles in this action thriller that is aimed for January 7th 2022 across the globe. Ram Charan signed his next in the direction of Shankar and the shoot commences this month. The movie is aimed for release during Sankranthi 2023. Ram Charan announced two new films yesterday on the auspicious occasion of Dasara. He will next work with Jersey fame Gowtam Tinnanuri. The shoot commences during early 2023.

A warm evening with memorable conversation. Was a pleasure having you over @prashanth_neel @DVVMovies pic.twitter.com/ThPZ2wQY4q  Ram Charan (@AlwaysRamCharan) October 15, 2021

The film will be a pan-Indian release and will be made on a massive budget. Ram Charan also signed his next film in the direction of Prashanth Neel. The KGF director met Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan recently. The shoot commences soon after Ram Charan completes his current projects. DVV Danayya is the producer of this big-budget pan-Indian film. Ram Charan is now all set with a strong lineup of projects. After RRR, Ram Charan is keen to work with directors who can deliver pan-Indian films.
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The fatal stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess has been declared a terrorist incident, Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

The 69-year-old, who had been an MP since 1983, was fatally injured while meeting constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea near Southend at midday on Friday.

In a statement, the Met said Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, had formally declared the incident as terrorism.

The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism officers.

The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism, the force said.

A 25-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder is in custody at an Essex police station.

Sir David Amess (Ian West/PA)

Official sources told the PA news agency the man is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage.

As part of the investigation, officers were also carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area, the Met said.

The force believe the man acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection with the matter at this time, but inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs with immediate effect following the attack.

Chief constable of Essex Police Ben-Julian Harrington said 69-year-old Southend West MP Sir David was simply dispensing his duties when his life was horrifically cut short.

Tory veteran Sir David, who was described by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics, had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children.

(PA Graphics)

Ms Patel met police and representatives of the security and intelligence agencies after the stabbing, which took place as Sir David held a surgery in his Southend West constituency.

The Home Secretary has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs with immediate effect and will provide updates in due course, the spokesman for Ms Patel said.

The Daily Telegraph said the review would examine Operation Bridger, a nationwide police protective security operation established in 2016 after several threats to MPs following Parliamentary debates on Syria.

Ms Patel will make a statement to Parliament on the review on Monday, The Times reported.

The attack on Sir David came just five-and-a-half years after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by a far right extremist in her Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire.

The Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said police were contacting all MPs to check on their security in the wake of Sir Davids killing.

It is about doing the right things working with the police constabularies right across the United Kingdom because it is about joining that up, Sir Lindsay told BBC2s Newsnight.

I know that they are contacting all the MPs to check about their safety, to reassure them, because in the end we have got to make sure that is a priority.

He added: Those people who do not share our values or share democracy, they will not win and we wont let them win. We will continue to look at security, that is ongoing and it will continue.

Flowers at the scene near Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex (Yui Mok/PA)

Sir Lindsay said earlier that while it was right that security was reviewed following the latest incident, it was important to avoid knee-jerk reactions.

He told BBC Radio 4s PM programme: What we want to do is make sure MPs can carry out their duties. We have got to make sure MPs are safe.

His sentiments were echoed by the the Father of the House  the longest-serving sitting MP  Sir Peter Bottomley.

I predict all over the country this weekend, next weekend and in the months to come, MPs will hold advice sessions. That is what we do, he told the PA news agency.

There is no perfect security for anybody. My view has always been that in many other walks of life you are at far greater risk than a Member of Parliament.

MPs may get exceptional publicity. We are not exceptional people. Were ordinary people trying to do an ordinary job as well as we can. We accept the risks.

The question is  should MPs stop meeting their constituents face-to-face? The answer is we will go on meeting our constituents face-to-face.

It is unclear at this stage whether the attacker had booked an appointment to see Sir David at his surgery, was waiting for him or arrived during the surgery.
FILE PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington

(Reuters) - A non-profit ethics watchdog on Friday called for a probe into whether White House press secretary Jen Psaki violated federal law with an apparent endorsement from the White House podium of a Democratic candidate for governor in Virginia.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, said it filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), asking that it investigate whether Psaki violated the Hatch Act by advocating for the election of Terry McAuliffe.

McAuliffe, who served as Virginia governor from 2014 to 2018, is up against Republican Glenn Youngkin in the Nov. 2 election. Polls show it as a close contest.

The Hatch Act of 1939 limits the political campaigning activities of federal employees, except the president and vice president.

During a media briefing on Thursday, Psaki said: "We're going to do everything we can to help former Governor McAuliffe, and we believe in the agenda he's representing."

CREW said it appeared Psaki used her official authority or influence to affect the results of the election.

"OSC should commence an immediate investigation into the conduct described in this letter and take any appropriate disciplinary action against Ms. Psaki," the complaint read.

During the Trump administration, CREW logged complaints against multiple White House officials. One complaint against Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway led to an OSC recommendation that she be removed from federal service.

In an accompanying release, CREW President Noah Bookbinder said Psaki's potential violation paled in comparison to "the outrageous offenses of the Trump administration."

Asked about the complaint in an interview with CNN on Friday, Psaki said she would be more careful next time.

"Words certainly matter," she said.

(Reporting by Tyler Clifford and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Tyler Clifford; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Aurora Ellis)
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Today

A few showers early with overcast skies later in the day. High 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

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Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 46F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Defense and Commander of the Defense Army of Artsakh General-major Kamo Vardanyan visited the hospitalized servicemen who were wounded during the October 14 ceasefire breach committed by Azerbaijani troops.

At the Stepanakert Central Military Hospital, Minister of Defense Vardanyan thanked the servicemen for their service and wished speedy recovery.

Doctors assured the General-major that the course of treatment is proceeding without complications and the troops will be able to return to active duty soon.

General-major Vardanyan also visited the military position which was targeted by the Azeri forces on October 14 and reviewed the tactical situation.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani gave a harsh response to Azeri president Ilham Aliyevs latest statement accusing Armenia and Iran in colluding in drug trafficking.

Ignoring the neighborhood principles & making false statements cant be a sign of a tact. Accusation against a country that the world recognizes as a hero in the fight against drugs has no effect other than invalidating the speaker's words. Beware of the devil's costly traps, Shamkhani tweeted.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had also denied Aliyevs accusations and noted the cooperation between Armenia and Iran in fighting drug trafficking.

The Iranian foreign ministry had also denied Aliyevs accusations, vowing an appropriate response to Bakus groundless statements.

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan
The IAF chief will visit forward locations in Ladakh where both India and China are involved in a military stand-off since May last year

New Delhi: With China developing airbases along LAC, new Air Force Chief V.R. Chaudhari on Saturday reached Ladakh to review operational preparedness to counter any aggression by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

The Air Chief Marshal will visit forward locations in Ladakh where both India and China are involved in a military stand-off since May last year. The Air Chief will meet Indian Air Force personnel and Special Forces deployed in the forward areas near the Line of Actual Control.

This will be his first visit to forward location after taking over the charge of IAF.

Earlier this month, during the annual Air Force chief's press conference, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari had said that Chinese aircraft are still present at three bases across the Eastern Ladakh even as talks are going on for disengagement between the two countries.

However, he had said that while China is developing its infrastructure, it will not impact the air operations. He had pointed out that the Chinese Air Force's capability to launch multi-mission from such high altitude airfields will remain a weak area. "We are fully prepared," Air Force Chief had asserted.

The Indian Air Force has also deployed its assets in Ladakh to prevent any misadventure by the Chinese.

During Air Force Day on October 8, 47 Squadron of MiG-29 Upgrade aircraft, 116 Helicopter Unit of Advanced Light Helicopter Mark IV (ALH Mk IV) Rudra and Air defence Surface to Air Missile (SAM) squadron "2255 Squadron Det Air Force" were given Chief of the Air Staff Unit Citations for quick mobilisation in Ladakh after the tensions with China heightened last year.
Congress Working Committee has been convened after demands from some quarters to discuss important issues

New Delhi: Congress' top brass began on Saturday morning deliberations on key issues such as organisational elections, forthcoming assembly polls and thecurrent political situation at the first physical meeting of the party's working committee since the Covid outbreak. Party president Sonia Gandhi, former chief Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress chief ministers Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh and Charanjit Channi of Punjab attended the meeting.

Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma were among those present at the meeting at the AICC headquarters here.

The meeting of the party's top decision-making body -- Congress Working Committee (CWC) -- has been convened after demands from some quarters to discuss important issues, including some defections in the recent past.

The meeting also comes amid rumblings within the Congress' state units such as in Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan where the party is in power.

The G-23 leaders had been demanding to convene the CWC with Kapil Sibal last month and wondered who in the party was taking decisions in the absence of a full-time president. He has asserted that the G23 leaders' grouping is "not a Jee Huzur 23"
Savarkar has rightly been the target of those in India who believe in our inherent plurality and inclusiveness of vision

Hindsight is not the best lens to view history, especially when this provides one the indiscretion of being selective about facts. I was reminded of the verity of this at the needless controversy about whether Veer Savarkar was advised to submit a mercy petition to the British at the behest of Gandhiji. The fact is that Savarkar did appeal to the British to show clemency. It is also true that Gandhiji advised him to do so stating the facts and circumstances of his case. To make a causal link between these two independent facts and state them as truth is where the mischief originates.

Firstly, it is important to see the role of Savarkar in perspective. That he was a patriot was never in doubt. His burning passion was to see India free from British rule, and he paid a very high price for the courage of his convictions, including close to 12 years in jail, most of which in the horrific Cellular Jail in the Andamans  kaala pani. Even when he was studying law in England at the beginning of the twentieth century, he was persuaded to the cause of violent revolution against the British, and was arrested and deported to India for this reason. On his way back, when the ship docked at Marseilles, he made a courageous attempt to escape, was rearrested and incarcerated in the Andamans.

It is important to remember that not only Gandhi but Sardar Patel and Bal Gangadhar Tilak petitioned the British government for his release. It is true that Savarkar himself also did the same. Prisoners were given the opportunity to do so, and what Savarkar did was exactly what a great many revolutionaries of that time did also. Moreover, there was nothing unpatriotic about this, considering that at that time the Congress itself was looking not at throwing out the British but only greater autonomy under British rule. In fact, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi released a postage stamp in Savarkars memory in 1970. Of course, when the BJP came to power in 2002, it went further. The airport at Andamans was renamed as the Veer Savarkar airport, and a portrait of Savarkar unveiled in Parliament in 2003.

Savarkar has rightly been the target of those in India who believe in our inherent plurality and inclusiveness of vision. In May 1923, Savarkars short essay, Essentials of Hindutva was published. It is important to objectively analyze this polemic. We can have little objection to Savarkar when he claims that the term Hindu was recognised from ancient times, that a civilisation was associated with that name, that this civilisation in spite of its internal diversity was culturally cohesive, that  in spite of the caste system  it represented an ideological unity, and that it was always associated with a defined geographical territory, recognised by ancient texts  Bharatvarsha. A reading of Hind Swaraj would show that Mahatma Gandhi said much the same.

However, Savarkar went beyond this to argue that only those people could lay claim to belonging to India for whom it was both pitrbhumi or a fatherland and the land of ones ancestors, and divyabhumi or holy land. In saying this, he accepted that Hindus who had converted to Islam or Christianity could be Indian because their ancestors were born in India; but they had to be excluded because India was not their holy land since their religion had extraterritorial loyalties, centred in Mecca or the Vatican.

There can be no condoning of this racist argument. What is worrying, however, is that the BJP-RSS continue to believe in this goal as an article of faith, whatever gloss they may seek to put on it for expedient reasons. One direct consequence of Savarkars Hindutva doctrine was the birth in 1925 of the RSS. M.S. Golwalkar, the longest serving head of RSS (1940-1973), took the arguments of Savarkar to a new level of bigotry. In his book, We or Our Nationhood Defined, he wrote: The non-Hindu people of Hindustan must either adopt Hindu culture and languages, must learn and respect and hold in reverence the Hindu religion, must entertain no idea but of those of the glorification of the Hindu race and culture in a word they must cease to be foreigners; or may stay in the country, wholly subordinate to the Hindu nation, claiming nothing, deserving no privileges, far less any preferential treatment  not even citizens rights.

This dangerously xenophobic thinking in a country where, even if Hindus are in a majority, there are people in sufficiently large numbers of other religions, is a matter of deep concern, especially since the ruling party today does not expressly repudiate the theories of Savarkar and the RSS, or publicly and definitively deny the goal of a Hindu Rashtra. What is amazing is that the BJP does not understand how spectacularly impractical and irrelevant this goal is in todays India, more than seven decades after the adoption of the Constitution that guarantees a plural and inclusive Republic with full respect to people of all faiths, who have also lived here  not geographically isolated but cheek by jowl with other faithsfor centuries. The creation of a Hindu Rashtra would entail either expelling these very large minorities, which is unfeasible, or subjugating them as second-class citizens, which is a recipe for disaster. Quite apart from the violent mutilation of the Constitution, it would lead to perennial social instability, unmitigated religious strife, endemic community conflict and a state of public volatility that would put an end to the peace and harmony so necessary for progress and prosperity.

Savarkar needs to be judged in this context. His racist theory of a Hindu Rashtra needs to be strongly repudiated. But it hardly serves the purpose to ridicule him as a coward who was an unseemly supplicant seeking the mercy of the British. He was a courageous opponent of the British, who paid a huge penalty for the courage of his convictions. At the same time, he held dangerously xenophobic views which are inimical to our Republic today. Gandhiji would have recognised his courage in opposing the British, and strongly opposed his views on the creation of a Hindu Rashtra. That must be Savarkars place in history.
Graveside services for James "Jimmy" Gary Hope 67, of Athens, are scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday November 20, 2021, Union Cemetery in Crossroads, TX. Pastor Jeff Jackson will be officiating. Jimmy passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, October 24, 2021. Jimmy was born on July 3, 1954
ABS

If youre into Harley-Davidson s mechanical gladiators, you will have at least pictured yourself atop the final iteration of the mighty CVO Road King (aka FLHRSE). This monstrous piece of Milwaukee-bred machinery is put in motion by an air-cooled Twin Cam 110 juggernaut, featuring an electronic sequential-port fuel injection setup and a humungous displacement of 110 cubic inches (1,802cc).At around 3,750 rpm, the 45-degree V-twin powerplant will go about delivering as much as 118 pound-feet (160 Nm) of ruthless torque to a five-speed gearbox, which turns the rear seven-spoke hoop via a belt final drive. In terms of suspension, Harleys tourer is supported by a beefy pair of telescopic forks and dual air-adjustable shock absorbers.At the front, plentiful stopping power hails from dual floating discs, while the rear wheel is brought to a halt by a single brake rotor. Furthermore, the 2014 MY CVO Road King featuresas a standard feature on both ends. Milwaukees behemoth rolls on a set of Agitator boots, measuring 19 inches up front and 18 inches down south.Lastly, the wicked FLHRSE will tip the scales at a whopping 822 pounds (373 kg) when its gas chamber is full. Besides its brutal power output figures and top-notch chassis specifications, this bad boy is also, quite simply, a great-looking bike! Now that weve brought you up to speed with this titans fundamental characteristics, its time to get to the point.The 2014 Harley-Davidson CVO Road King presented in this articles photo gallery is going under the hammer with just 2,300 miles (3,700 km) on the clock! Youll be able to find this ravishing phenom on the BaT (Bring A Trailer) website until Wednesday evening (October 20), when the online auction will come to an end. However, the top bidder seems pretty determined to bring the FLHRSE into their garage, as theyre prepared to spend an eye-watering $17,500 on this purchase  for now.
The term  Gasser  is a reference to a style of drag car that was popular in the late 1950s through the 1960s that ran on gasoline as fuel rather than nitro race fuel. In the speedier classes, gassers were fitted with a straight axle front suspension that produced the nose-up stance, which marks the look of most gassers. Hot Wheels , the classic car obsessive toy company, has spent a good portion of the year touring America in search of the next tiny custom car it will add to its collection of 1/64-scale diecast car models.And the company is also invading the United Kingdom in search of international flair to the mix. In what is certainly a shocker, their UK addition is a Volvo P1800 modified as a classic American gasser which now moves on to the semifinal round.Lee Johnstone, the owner of this fantastic machine, built his P1800 "Ain't no Saint" from a stripped-down car which was just too far gone to restore. While the 1960s four-cylinder Volvo engines were highly tunable, Johnstone set upon an engine that, while off-kilter, was ideal to make his dream car drag ready. The 454ci V8 he sourced from his Chevrolet parts stock was supercharged to develop about 600 horsepower.This insane Volvo is no slouch on the track as it runs a 10.01 second quarter mile at 133 mph.To keep it in the family, Johnstone races his P1800 with his three daughters and, as a result, he named his team Johnstone & Daughters (JD) Racing."This is a beautiful example of a gasser  a drag racer with streetcar form. Often with dragsters, the chassis is so important that the body gets overlooked, but this example is fabulous with great attention to detail. It completely hits the Hot Wheels brief," said Jaguar design director Ian Callum, one of the Hot Wheels judges that selected the P1800 as the UK finalist.The lineup of potential winners already includes several gassers, one based on a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. If theres any justice in the world, Johnstone's P1800 will stand a strong chance to become the next addition to the series.The global semifinal round is scheduled for November 4, 2021, and "Ain't no Saint" will compete against some of the previous winners.There are two semifinal rounds yet to run before the grand finale planned set for November 13.






The main hull is dedicated to the owner, with



Elsewhere, the interior is



As always, I get inspiration from the military, stealth, aviation and space industries and, of course for this one, the villain in the movies with spies, Lucian says of his latest



The only condition for the potential owner, whether theyre the good guy or the villain, is that they have some $116 million to spend on it: M/Y Bond Girl comes with an estimated price tag of 100 million. The designers say theyre ready to further develop the study if the right person comes along.



With very sharp lines and a clean but aggressive design in gun-metal gray, Bond Girl evokes speed even though the designer duo fail to mention any type of specs. The only specification is that the trimaran could be made hybrid to increase its stealth factor and, presumably, to be in line with the Bond Girl owners environmental concerns.The main hull is dedicated to the owner, with the highlight being the two-story master bedroom with a gigantic bed and a floating balcony. The bedroom and, in particular, the bed are a nod to James Bonds prowess in terms of getting ladies to fall for him. If this is Bond Girls superyacht, she will need a proper place to welcome her lover. Five additional cabins offer sleeping for up to 10 guests  more than enough to get the party started.Elsewhere, the interior is furnished luxuriously but in a somber styling  again, in keeping with the 007 aesthetic or classic glitzy Hollywood movies. You get rich woods and plenty of glossy surfaces, as well as soft fabrics and dimmed lights, for an interior that looks straight out of a 5-star resort of the most prestigious kind. Crew quarters and machinery would be located in the two outer hulls , so as to offer privacy and the lowest level possible of noise and vibration for the main hull.As always, I get inspiration from the military, stealth, aviation and space industries and, of course for this one, the villain in the movies with spies, Lucian says of his latest project . Whether you are the good guy or the villain, this superyacht will perfectly fit for your next mission.The only condition for the potential owner, whether theyre the good guy or the villain, is that they have some $116 million to spend on it: M/Y Bond Girl comes with an estimated price tag of 100 million. The designers say theyre ready to further develop the study if the right person comes along.

Over close to six decades of the film franchise, James Bond has come to be associated with the finest taste in almost everything you could think of, notwithstanding his newly-found preference for beer, which some critics have deemed too crude. In other words, to say that something is James Bond-worthy is to slap a label of exquisiteness and high quality on it. M/Y Bond Girl (misspelled BOnd on purpose by the designers) definitely fits the bill. Its the latest superyacht concept to make virtual waves, a trimaran designed for stealth for a Bond Girl, though it could just as well work for one of the villains in the franchise. It is the work of designers Hannah Hombergen (the interior) and George Lucian (the exterior), and its described as an homage to the female characters in the 007 franchise.Bond Girl spans a total length of 76 meters (252 feet) and relies on a trimaran structure for more stability, enhanced comfort and space. Another advantage of the tri-hull is that it creates an artificial safe harbor where a chase vessel can be comfortably docked, because you know no Bond Girl or Bond villain is worthy of the name without a tender to match the mothership in performance and style.
It's been almost five decades since astronauts last set foot on the Moon as part of the Apollo program. Since then, the robotic exploration of space has seen incredible technical development and scientific breakthroughs. Finally, humanity will return to the lunar surface in 2024 as part of the Artemis program.However, before NASA begins shuttling people to our natural satellite, it has to build a network there. That will go beyond Earth's low orbit and connect space to Earth in a sort of Internet connection. The space agency's response to that is LunaNet.This vast network, which is designed to provide connectivity and services to lunar missions, started its journey at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The proposal for an internet-like architecture was initially suggested in 2019 in response to a request for communications and navigation solutions for small satellite constellations around the Moon.This is where things took off. Experts came together to develop this concept, and now NASA's team is already hard at work with transforming the LunaNet into a reality.The backbone for this "lunar internet" is the Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN). The DTN will ensure that data travels through the network and gets to its destination even if it encounters possible signal disruptions. Astronauts will be able to use the LunaNet via numerous nodes and communicate with the crew on and around the Moon in the same manner that we use Wi-Fi here on Earth. In addition, missions using the network will have access to position and time signals, allowing astronauts and rovers to navigate the rugged lunar terrain and return to their base.LunaNet will also use space-weather instruments to identify potentially dangerous solar activity, such as flares that erupt from the Sun and send harsh radiation towards the astronauts. With this new connectivity, the crew can be directly alerted.This will cut down the time it takes for network management on Earth to do so. These warnings will be comparable to the ones we receive on our phones when there is hazardous weather. The architecture's capabilities will also include a lunar search and rescue capability.LunaNet science services will allow nodes to use their radio and infrared optical communications links to conduct measurements that will help researchers from Earth better understand the Moon. For example, the nodes could allow for baseline observations of our satellite for an in-depth analysis of the lunar environment.Researchers could also use LunaNet antennas to peer into deep space and search for radio signals from distant celestial objects. Altogether, the architecture's capabilities will give scientists a new platform to test space theories, allowing them to extend their scientific knowledge.Recently, NASA released the " Draft LunaNet Interoperability Specification " in order to kickstart the development of this new "lunar internet." Technical discussions among industry experts from around the world are expected to follow.With LunaNet, the space agency will gain more insight into space connectivity and will be able to plan for future journeys to other alien worlds. By sending teams to the Moon, NASA is building the foundation that will allow astronauts to explore deep space. The Moon will serve as a testbed for technologies such as LunaNet that will help humanity get to Mars and beyond.
The Exp 65 crew worked science and upkeep as the station regained attitude control Friday morning. Meanwhile, a Russian trio gets ready for a Saturday night departure. https://t.co/a3ru7jQ2FK  International Space Station (@Space_Station) October 15, 2021

The Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft is expected to carry three space travelers living aboard the orbiting lab, including a Russian actress and her producer-director, back to Earth on Sunday, October 17th. To ensure that everything worked accordingly before their departure, Russian flight controllers conducted a scheduled thruster firing test on the spacecraft On Monday morning, the thruster firing continued after the end of the test window. This pushed the ISS slightly out of position at 5:13 a.m. EDT. It took half an hour for the flight controllers to regain attitude control of the space station. Currently, the orbiting lab is in stable condition, and the crew is safe. Flight controllers are assessing the situation."NASA and Roscosmos are collaborating to understand the root cause," reads a statemen t from NASA.This is not the first incident of such nature. On July 29th, the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module Nauka , which serves as a science facility, docking port, and spacewalk airlock for space operations, encountered a software failure.The module suddenly fired its thrusters, sending the ISS into an out-of-control spin. However, compared to the July 29th event, the ISS suffered a slight attitude change this time.This means that the departure of the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft remains on track. Commander Oleg Novitskiy and spaceflight participants Yulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko will return to Earth on Sunday.They will undock from the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module on Saturday at 9:14 p.m. EDT. Then, in a Soyuz descent module, they'll soar through the sky for a little more than three hours before making a parachute-assisted landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan.
EV

And to take matters further, what if the weather was brutally cold? Without battery power, thers is virtually no heating available in an electric vehicle due to high battery consumption. So at that point, youre in a vehicle stuck throughout the dark night with no battery power, no heating, no windshield wipers, no radio and no GPS or battery to recharge your phone.While this sounds like a plausible scenario, it may not be as plausible as it might seem on the surface.So do electric cars lose their battery charge in a traffic jam? Research has found that in just over an hour and 15 minutes,vehicles lose just 2% of battery charge if equipped with a 77kWh battery. Thats just roughly 8 miles' range. Research has shown that EVs can preserve their battery power rather well even if theyre stuck in traffic with music, air-con and headlights on.So how do you charge EV cars which do run dry in a traffic jam? What happens to an EV after one hour with heating, lights and stereo switched on? If youre stuck in a horrific traffic jam - with a less than full battery - should you melt down into a puddle of anxiety?A study from Which? says you can relax. The consumer group based their findings on data taken from a Volkswagen ID.4 EV by running the air conditioning and stereo and playing video in the rear seats for one hour. Over the course of the test, the battery was drained by just 2%. Assuming you began with a full charge in the VW battery, it would take a traffic jam almost 50 hours long to completely drain the battery.And the test was pretty exhaustive as the air conditioning was placed on its maximum setting, the headlights were on in their automatic setting, both front seat heaters were cranked up to a maximum setting, a tablet was streaming a film, and it was plugged into the USB charging socket.According to Lisa Barber, a product services editor at Which?, theres a ton of misinformation out there about electric vehicles and much of it centers on whether youre likely to run out of juice in a traffic jam.Our research has shown that electric vehicles can preserve their battery power well, even if they are stuck in traffic with the music, air-con and headlights on, Barber says. We know consumers are open to switching to electric vehicles, however there are several barriers to ownership that must be addressed.Which? did say the test was conducted in warm weather when the battery was functioning at peak performance and in cold weather, cells are considerably less efficient and drain faster.Chilly conditions cause the battery to drain more quickly as the speed of the chemical reactions that generate an electrical current within a battery slows down. Barber does offer than many EVs now have a built-in cooling and heating circuits to aid them in keeping the battery operating at optimum temperature.Without the internal combustion engine to produce heat for cabin comfort, electric car heaters must work harder to maintain a comfortable environment for the passengers. In answer to that problem, some electric cars - and likely more in the future - will use heat pumps which operate far more efficiently than regular air conditioning and heating systems. But it remains to be true that not all electric cars are equal in that regard.The bottom line is that there will always be those intent on finding what wont work and that engineers will find ways to address those concerns.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

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A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 74F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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Days after being ousted as prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu passed a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin promising a quick comeback, a source close to Netanyahu and a European diplomat told me.

Why it matters: Netanyahu and Putin had a close relationship that grew even closer after Russia began its military involvement in Syria in 2015. Netanyahu flaunted that relationship during election campaigns  meeting with Putin days before the 2019 vote and even featuring a picture of the two together on a campaign billboard to emphasize his stature as a statesman.

Behind the scenes: Shortly after Naftali Bennett was sworn in as prime minister on June 13, the Russian ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, visited Netanyahu bearing a personal letter from Putin which described their time working together.

Netanyahu read the letter and told the Russian ambassador: Tell President Putin I will be back soon," the sources say.

Flash forward: Bennett will meet Putin next Friday in Sochi, the Kremlin has announced. This will be their first meeting and will focus on Iran and Syria, according to Israeli officials.

Bennett will meet Putin next Friday in Sochi, the Kremlin has announced. This will be their first meeting and will focus on Iran and Syria, according to Israeli officials. What they're saying: We try not to compare Mr. Netanyahu to the current Prime Minister because Netanyahu worked with President Putin for lots of years and they knew each other very well and it takes time to develop new personal relationships," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told i24News.

The state of play: Netanyahu has not been able to destabilize Bennett's government, which appears on course to pass a budget in early November and thus buy itself another 18 months in power.
Virginia Democrat Terry McAuliffe has sworn off money from the Richmond company Dominion Energy. But the utility has found more subtle ways to back McAuliffe's gubernatorial bid, records show.

Driving the news: Dominion's political action committee has donated $200,000 to a murky political group called Accountability Virginia PAC, a group with ties to prominent Democrats that's been running ads attacking Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin from the right.

Dominion provided four cash infusions for Accountability Virginia totaling $250,000 from July through September, according to a quarterly financial report filed this month. It recalled one $50,000 payment in August.

It's the most the company has given to any statewide political committee in Virginia this year, according to disclosures on its website.

What they're saying: Our companys political donations are disclosed monthly on the company website. We give in a bipartisan, transparent manner as our voluntary disclosures demonstrate and will continue to do so, Dominion spokesperson Rayhan Daudani said in an emailed statement.

Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter called Dominion's donation an effort by McAuliffe and Virginia Democrats to "call in their special interest cronies to dump obscene amounts of money into shadowy organizations in order to protect their entrenched interests."

A McAuliffe campaign spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Why it matters: Dominion's support for Accountability Virginia provides an avenue for the utility, historically one of the state's largest political donors, to back McAuliffe's candidacy even as the former governor himself refuses its financial support.

Between the lines: Accountability Virginia PAC's messaging and tactics have nothing to do with energy or environmental policy, or even the general business climate in the state.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - A 20-year-old man with autism from Scottsdale has been missing for three weeks now and detectives are hoping more tips come in with credible information.

"We've received hundreds of different tips, mostly in Arizona, but as far away as the east coast and even internationally," said Detective John Heinzelman with the Scottsdale Police Department. But none of the tips that have come in have panned out with any definitive information, he says.

"We knocked on doors, over 500 different homes we've contacted, we've searched backyards, the desert area, there's a canal that runs nearby," Detective Heinzelman said. "We continue to have helicopters, drones. We had search and rescue crews that were on horseback and on ATVs."

Jubi left his father's house near Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. and Via Linda in North Scottsdale overnight on September 23rd with nothing but the clothes on his back. He left behind is ID and cell phone as well.

Family and friends continue search for missing Scottsdale man 20 year-old Najib Monsif has autism, and was last seen at his Scottsdale home early on Thursday morning.

"Everyday is another nightmare without my brother here. It's exhausting. Everyday we're doing everything we can. We're not giving up and we're not stopping," said Josie Monsif, Jubie's sister. "N othing's enough until Jubi's found, so we need more and more."

Detectives learned that Jubi enjoyed playing online video games with his brother, who is in college in Tucson. Jubi also had a Twitter account. They're now looking into digital data as to whether someone may have lured him away or helped him leave.
People who live on those streets and even family members of the men in question spoke out to keep the names. While other Tempe residents want the names gone and replaced to honor indigenous people and people of color.
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Trans employees and allies at Netflix are planning a walkout on Wednesday, Oct. 20 in protest of Co-CEO Ted Sarandos comments regarding Dave Chappelles new special The Closer, Variety has confirmed.

As reported by The Verge, a leader of the streamers trans employee resource group wrote the following in a message to members: Trans Lives Matter. Trans Rights Matter. And as an organization, Netflix has continually failed to show deep care in our mission to Entertain the World by repeatedly releasing content that harms the Trans community and continually failing to create content that represents and uplifts Trans content. We can and must do better!

Netflixs Most Twitter account dedicated to LGBTQ+ content posted Wednesday, We cant always control what goes on screen. What we can control is what we create here, and the POV we bring to internal conversations.

To be clear: As the queer and trans people who run this account, you can imagine that the last couple of weeks have been hard. We cant always control what goes on screen. What we can control is what we create here, and the POV we bring to internal conversations.  Most (@Most) October 13, 2021

On Monday, Variety exclusively reported that Sarandos had defended Chappelles special, which has been accused of containing transphobic and homophobic content, in a memo to staff.

Chappelle is one of the most popular stand-up comedians today, and we have a long standing deal with him. His last special Sticks & Stones, also controversial, is our most watched, stickiest and most award winning stand-up special to date, Sarandos wrote. As with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom  even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful.

In a statement to Variety, Netflix said the company encourages employees to disagree openly with the sentiment.

Dave Chappelles specials are consistently the most-watched comedy specials on Netflix, and have earned many awards, including both an Emmy and a Grammy for Sticks & Stones,' a Netflix spokesperson said. We support artistic expression for our creators. We also encourage our employees to disagree openly.

Shortly after Sarandos memo, three employees were suspended for crashing an executive meeting, including Terra Field, who identifies as trans and queer and had criticized Chappelles special on Twitter. According to Netflix, Field was not suspended due to her tweets, but for attending the meeting uninvited. On Tuesday, it was announced that the employees had been reinstated after finding that they did not join the meeting with any ill intent.

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The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a one-page order late Friday reinstating the nations strictest abortion law in Texas, which bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks.

Earlier in the week, Democrats in Texas lauded the decision to issue a temporary injuction on the law.

Texas Democrats are celebrating the news of a temporary injunction to Abbotts dystopian abortion ban, Texas Democratic Party Co-Executive Director Hannah Roe Beck said in a statement. This ban is uniquely harmful, exceptionally cruel, and blatantly unconstitutional  and since this ban took effect, people across our state are facing unconscionable obstacles to important healthcare and gutted access to their constitutional rights. Im incredibly grateful to the federal government for stepping in, doing the right thing, and suing Texas Republican government to block this ban

This injunction is an important step, but because its temporary, abortion rights are far from safe in the state of Texas. Texas Democrats continue to urge Congress to codify Roe v. Wade and ensure abortion rights are finally, fully protected for all Americans.

In 2021, its an outrage that a handful of conservative politicians are still meddling in our right to make the most important, intimate decisions about our lives. Advocates have been fighting tooth and nail to protect Texans right to access abortion, and Texas Democrats  and people across Texas and around the country  have been rising up alongside them. We will not go back.

However, Texas asked a federal appeals court Friday to step in as soon as possible to restore the states near-total abortion ban and filed its emergency request for an appeal two days after U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman temporarily blocked the new abortion law in response to a lawsuit brought by the Biden administration.

In Fridays request, state attorneys argue that Pitmans order to temporarily block the law at the United States request violates the separation of powers at every turn. They ask the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  considered to be perhaps the nations most conservative appellate court  to stop Pitmans order.

State attorneys argued the U.S. overstepped by suing the state since it will never be subject to one of the lawsuits allowed by the law and since the state does not enforce the law directly.

The new Texas law, known as Senate Bill 8, bans abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, but the state doesnt enforce it. Rather, ordinary people are empowered to file lawsuits against people or entities perceived to be helping someone get an abortion in the state in violation of the law. The law lays out a penalty of at least $10,000 for people or groups that are successfully sued.

Back in May, Texas Right to Life celebrated the bill advancing one step closer to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

"It's not only a law for actual enforcement, but think about how our laws can actually affect the culture and the conversation that we have about the unborn child," Kimberlyn Schwartz, the director of media and communication, said, via KVUE.

The one-page order by the appeals court late Friday gave the Biden administration, which had brought the lawsuit, until Tuesday to respond.

Laredos Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) was the only Democratic Representative to vote against the Reproductive Rights Bill  a response to the law allowing abortions  passed by The House at the end of September. He spoke about his decision, and his views on abortion, during a Zoom conference earlier this week.

Its called conscience, Cuellar said. I am a Catholic, and I do believe in rights and right to life.  Sometimes people vote because of political (views), they think this is a Democratic or Republican issue. To me, its a matter of conscience.

Cuellars anti-abortion stance is a major departure against his democratic competitors in next years election.

Both candidates in Tannya Benavides and Jessica Cisneros held a social media event in September with the Laredo Reproductive Health Coalition to discuss the impact of Texas Senate Bill 8. And each was also a part of the Rally for Abortion Justice event nationwide, which was locally held at TAMIU.

Each was critical of Cuellar at the time, with Benavides stating that they cant expect Henry Cuellar to be on our side because he has never been on our side, while Cisneros added that, Our anti-choice officials, including those in the State Legislature and Rep. Henry Cuellar, have decided to make healthcare even less accessible.

Cuellar didnt choose to comment after either event. But he did elaborate during his Zoom event, taking exception to those like Cisneros who refer to abortion as a womens health issue.

By the way, when people frame this as womens health  if you want to call it abortion, call it abortion, please call it abortion, Cuellar said. Womens health  I have added money for healthcare for women. I got two daughters and I surely want to make sure that we fight breast cancer and other things that affect mothers, so I have added millions of dollars on healthcare for women. But if you want to call it abortion, call it abortion. Its not a health issue.

Following the passage of the abortion ban in Texas back in September, several other states such as Florida filed similar legislation.

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The states largest law enforcement labor union has filed two grievances against the Orange County Sheriffs Office and now is threatening to sue.

In a Friday afternoon media announcement, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations accused the office and Sheriff Jimmy Lane Mooney of unfair labor practices that could be considered illegal union-busting actions.

In recent weeks, it has become evident that the highest level of elected officials are actively conspiring to violate the fundamental constitutional rights of the unionized county employees, CLEAT Executive Director Charley Wilkison said in a statement.

In the two grievances filed this week, CLEAT alleges the sheriffs office isnt following proper labor procedures during the collective bargaining negotiation and has been using putting pressure on employees through punitive action.

The organization said it is taking action on behalf of the unionized officers to bring both parties back to the negotiation table, but it will move forward with a lawsuit if it considers the county and officials to be acting in bad faith.

Orange County Judge John Gothia on Friday afternoon said that he was not aware of the allegations, so couldnt comment. But he said he has following the ongoing contract negotiations.

Negotiations for contract negotiations have multiple phases and moving parts, involving administration from the agency, elected leaders, unionized employees and, sometimes the public.

Wilkison said it is important to follow the correct process because it honors the will of voters in the county and a decision they made more than 30 years ago.

The voters of Orange County made the decision to give union rights to their sheriffs office employees in 1990, Wilkison said. Its the law. Even the politicians must follow the law with respect to the constitutional and union rights of the working people who protect and serve their communities.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

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Myanmar coup leader and commander-in-chief of the Burmese armed forces Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends a conference on International Security in Moscow, June 23, 2021.

ASEAN will invite a non-political representative from Myanmar to its summit this month, the blocs chair said on Saturday, confirming that the Burmese military coup leader will be shut out of the high-level meeting.

In response, Myanmar's junta issued a statement Saturday alleging the decision was taken without all members' agreement  the Association of Southeast Asian Nations decides on issues and actions based on consensus.

BenarNews had reported that ASEAN foreign ministers agreed at an emergency meet Friday to bar Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing from the summit, because he had reneged on implementing steps to restore peace and democracy.

[S]ome ASEAN member states recommended that ASEAN give space to Myanmar to restore its internal affairs and return to normalcy in accordance with the will of the people of Myanmar, ASEAN chair Bruneis statement said, referring to the period before the Feb. 1 military coup.

ASEANs member states considered the question of Myanmars representation at the Oct. 26-28 leaders summit, Brunei said. Some members had received the Myanmar civilian shadow governments request to attend, it added.

Following extensive discussions, there was no consensus reached for a political representative from Myanmar, the ASEAN chairs statement said.

Therefore, in view of the competing claims to attend the [summit]  the meeting accepted the decision to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar.

Myanmar was represented at Fridays ministerial meeting by the junta-appointed Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, who voiced the militarys reservations on the bloc disinviting Min Aung Hlaing, the statement said.

The Burmese junta-appointed Foreign Ministry declared its disapproval in stronger language.

Myanmar is extremely disappointed and strongly objected [to] the outcomes of the emergency foreign ministers meeting as the discussions and decision on Myanmars representation issue was done without consensus and was against the objectives of ASEAN, the ASEAN charter and its principles, it said in a statement on Saturday.

It also claimed the decision to keep Min Aung Hlaing out of the summit would greatly affect the unity and centrality of ASEAN. And it said it reminded ASEAN members that discussions on who would represent Myanmar were not necessary as there is no provision in [the] ASEAN Charter on such matters.

The military-appointed foreign minister also said ASEANs special envoy to Myanmar should avoid engagement with parties currently undergoing legal proceedings and groups the junta has declared illegal.

The election-winning National League for Democracys now-jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the civilian shadow National Unity Government (NUG), among others, were the entities to be avoided, the junta emissary said, according to Bruneis statement.

Erywan Yusof, ASEANs special envoy to Myanmar, canceled his trip to the country this week after being refused meetings with all parties concerned.

Min Aung Hlaing had agreed to these meetings and four other steps  called the five-point consensus  at an ASEAN meeting in April that was called to discuss the post-coup situation in Myanmar.

The coups mastermind has since tested other ASEAN members patience, with security forces continuing to kill anti-coup activists with impunity, in contravention of the consensus. During the more than eight months since the coup, Burmese security forces have killed close to 1,180 people, mostly anti-coup protesters.

Breakthrough for ASEAN

Stern action against Min Aung Hlaing was needed, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Saturday.

This was a difficult but necessary decision to uphold ASEANs credibility, the minister said on Twitter, about what some said was the blocs growing irrelevance.

I urge the Myanmar military authorities to swiftly and fully implement the five-point consensus.

The decision to bar the junta leader was a real breakthrough for ASEAN, said Southeast Asia analyst Aaron Connelly, referring to the groups legendary delays and dithering on important decisions.

It restores credibility to ASEAN diplomacy, and deprives the [junta] of an opportunity to portray itself as a legitimate government  portrayals which it had been using to discourage further resistance inside Myanmar, Connelly, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said on Twitter.

Still, questions remain about who exactly can be considered a non-political representative from Myanmar.

Some people on social media feared the Burmese military would not allow a genuine non-political person to attend the ASEAN summit. The junta may also send a stealth military representative, other observers worried.

Evan Laksmana, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said that technical-level talks  as opposed to high-level meetings  can be held with a non-political representative.

But who can be deemed as non-political but equal to ASEAN leaders? he asked on Twitter on Saturday.

Can the summit be called an ASEAN summit if one member is not politically represented?
Bennington, VT (05201)

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Snow this morning will yield to a mostly cloudy sky this afternoon. High 41F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 24F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming that employees refused to show up to work at five of Denver International Airports restaurants because of a supposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming a Delta Airlines pilot who had recently been vaccinated for COVID-19 died mid-flight within the last 10 days, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.
On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming a new tax policy allows the IRS to monitor all transactions involving bank accounts worth more than $600.
In this July 16, 2021, file photo, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical School, displays two of the acceptable N95 face masks that are included in a COVID-19 vaccination policy in Jackson, Miss. On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming a 2018 study that looked at the effectiveness of N95 masks versus medical masks found that masks dont stop the spread of viruses.
Balderdash Cellars owners Christian and Donna Hanson have been granted approval to pour spirits, as well as beer and wine, during special events.
The Checkup for Oct. 15: For J&J and Moderna recipients, it's (almost) booster time
Danny Jin, a Report for America corps member, is The Eagles Statehouse news reporter. He can be reached at djin@berkshireeagle.com, @djinreports on Twitter and 413-496-6221.
Another predominantly Black Michigan city is warned about toxic drinking water--just seven years after the Flint water crisis.

On Oct. 14, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for a whole-of-government response in Benton Harbor three years after the first reports of high levels of lead in tap water, NBC News reports.

It was only a week ago that her administration urged residents to use bottled water. Shes now vowing to step up efforts to replace lead pipes after state and local officials were criticized for mishandling the crisis.

"This whole-of-government response will proceed with the urgency and haste this threat demands," Whitmer wrote in a directive.

The governors order mandates free or low-cost lead-related services, including health care, to residents of Benton Harbor, a mostly low-income community that is 84 percent Black.

This urgent action comes after concerns were first raised in 2018 about contaminated water, according to The Detroit News. Each year since then, contamination levels have remained high.

The federal threshold for an urgent response to lead contamination is 15 parts per billion.

In 2018, eight homes tested above 15 ppb, with the highest level measured at 60 ppb. Three years later, 11 homes tested above 15 ppb with the highest one registering at 889 ppb, the News reported.

Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can harm children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It could cause behavior and learning problems, low IQ, and slow growth.

Its too late if you look at the blood lead data, Hanna-Attisha, a Flint pediatrician who exposed the Flint water crisis, said, according to MLive.com. We dont need further evidence that theres a problem here.

In April 2014, to save money, Flint officials began drawing water from the Flint River. Corroded pipes transferred lead into the drinking water. Although residents complained about the smell, taste and other problems with the water, city officials insisted that it was safe.

By September 2015, a group of physicians warned the city about high levels of lead in childrens blood. State regulators, ignoring those warnings, insisted that the water was fine until scandal became front page news across the nation.
The city of Louisville has agreed to pay $75,000 to a Black couple who say police removed them from their car and frisked them because of their race and that they were driving a nice vehicle.

According to the Lousiville Courier-Journal, as a condition of the payment, the couple and their lawyers are forbidden from criticizing the Louisville Metro Government or the cops involved in the incident in the media or on social media.

Michael Abate, a lawyer for the Courier Journal and the Kentucky Press Association, says the stipulations of the agreement are totally improper.

The city is paying to silence its critics," he said. "It is paying them off. And it seems designed to impede reform. It is bad policy and really troubling."

First Assistant County Attorney Ingrid Geiser said in a statement that the couple "are not prohibited from talking truthfully about what happened during their traffic stop," though she added the language "should have more accurately reflected the agreement of the parties."

In their federal lawsuit, Anthony Parker Sr. and Demetria Firman claim they were pulled over in 2018 for failing to use a turn signal, even though body camera footage shows they did turn it on. On their way home from church, they were subsequently stopped and frisked without reasonable suspicion in front of their 9-year-old son in a desperate attempt by the officers to find guns and drugs.

Neither were found.

The lawsuit also states that Firman was only allowed to leave the scene when it was apparent to the officers that Demetria and her now-husband were personal acquaintances with a colleague of the officers, the Courier-Journal reports.

The city agreed to the settlement on September 9 with the stipulation the Metro Government acknowledged no wrongdoing.
Philanthropist couple and Howard University alums Eddie and C. Sylvia Brown are making the largest alumni donation the HBCU has ever received.

According to a press release, the Browns pledged $5 million, which will be allocated toward Graduation Retention Access to Continued Excellence (GRACE), a need-based fund established by Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick in 2014.

We are extremely grateful to Eddie and Sylvia for making this historic gift to Howard University, Frederick said in the release. The GRACE Grant has helped to eliminate financial barriers to education for Howard students, and I am thrilled that the Browns were inspired to commit such a generous gift to this important fund. My hope is that students will be inspired by their story and generosity and that others in our alumni community will consider the many ways they, too, can impact current and future generations of Howard students.

The Browns say theyre giving back because Howard provided them opportunity as a community organizer assisted them in getting into the school when they had little money growing up.

I moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania when I was 15, Eddie Brown said, according to the university. We had a community organizer that would look out for the young Black children in the community. He came to me and my mother one day and said, I was contacted by a woman who wants to help a young African-American student go to college. And it was my 10th grade English teacher, actually, who was a graduate of Howard [who] said, You should go to Howard University.

Eddie later was awarded a full-ride scholarship due to his familys financial situation that would allow him to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering. He later went on to be founder of Baltimore-based Brown Capital Management, which today manages $17.3 billion in assets and is one of the oldest Black-owned asset management companies in the nation.

We were very fortunate to be able to go to Howard, Sylvia Brown said. I had student loans, and I know how hard that is. Being from a family of four, my parents did the best they could, but that was never enough to pay for all the fees. And thats been our mantra, to give to others and help them at least be able to get an undergraduate degree so they have a good foundation.

Our only hope is that students who benefit from our contribution do their best, she added.
A criminal grand jury investigation is underway involving a former Kansas City, Kansas police detective who allegedly "exploited and terrorized" Black people, CNN reports.

According to federal prosecutors, Roger Golubski, who reached the rank of captain when he retired in 2010, targeted residents of the citys north end for decades.

A 2019 civil lawsuit accused him of exploiting vulnerable Black women, including Black women who worked as prostitutes, framing innocent people, and working for a local drug kingpin. He is currently not charged with any crimes and has not faced discipline in connection with the allegations against him.

Stories about Golubskis alleged corruption are not new, according to The Kansas City Star. The newspaper published numerous pieces about the 69-year-old retired officer about accusations from alleged victims and their members. Some of the reporting detailed Golubskis connection to Black women killed in in the city.

Golubski first came under scrutiny in 2016 because of his involvement in the double murder conviction of Lamonte McIntyre, according to CNN. McIntyre was freed in 2017 after 23 years of incarceration in a case that the district attorney said was a manifest injustice.

McIntyres attorneys collected dozens of affidavits that provided alleged details of Golubskis wrongdoing and corruption, as well as alleged corruption involving the prosecutor and judge that led to his conviction.

Several witnesses said the retired detective was obsessed with Black women prostitutes and used his badge to coerce them.

The civil lawsuit accuses Golubski of providing information and protection to a local drug dealer who paid the ex-detective in cash and drugs for those services.

Federal officials declined comment to both CNN and the Star, citing the secrecy of grand jury proceedings. But at least three people have been called to testify in the investigation including Terry Ziegler, the retired Kansas City, Kansa Police chief who had been Golubskis partner for three years.

Ziegler told CNN that he had no knowledge of Golubskis reputation for the alleged misconduct and that he never witnessed any such thing. "They were trying to understand how I didn't know or was I trying to cover up things about Roger that I knew," he said. "I don't mind talking and telling people because I don't have anything to hide."

The case caught the attention of Jay-Zs Team Roc.

Local station KCTV reports that the rap mogul and entrepreneur took out a full-page ad in The Washington Post demanding a full investigation into the KCK Police Department.
St. Petersburg police on Wednesday (Oct. 13) charged a man, who was already behind bars in connection with the death of a 35-year-old woman, with the murder of a second woman.

Ken Knight, a spokesman for the St. Petersburg Police Department, said investigators dont believe the shootings were related and neither woman was the intended target of accused gunman Tyron Jackasal, 21, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

There were notable similarities in the two tragic cases. Jackasal allegedly fired at the victims, both of them mothers of two children, while they were sitting in cars.

Jackasal was arrested shortly after allegedly killing KMia Simmons, 21, on March 30. Days later, the police said he fatally shot Emily Grot. DNA evidence linked him to the first murder.

The suspect has been locked up in the Pinellas County jail without bail since the police arrested him on April 5 for killing Simmons.

With this new arrest, he faces two second-degree murder charges in the two shootings.

According to the police, Grot was sitting in the passenger seat of a car in a parking lot when Jackasal fired at the rear passenger door at about 10:50 p.m. The bullet penetrated the door and struck Grot in the back. A forensic analysis of the 9mm handgun casings at the scene matched Jackasals DNA profile.

In the other shooting, Simmons was holding her child, 1, in a Volvo when Jackasal fired at the vehicle, the police said. Her 2-year-old child was sitting in the back seat at the time. Investigators believe that the younger childs father was Jackasals target, who was an associate of another man whom Jackasal allegedly shot and robbed in March.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

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Sun and clouds mixed. High 53F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with late-night snow showers. Low 34F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
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BOISE - On Friday, October 15, 2021, acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced that the state of Idaho has received $2,255,613 in Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) grants. These OVW grants will help address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking victims throughout the state. Nationwide, OVW announced more than $476 million in grants.

Four OVW awards were granted to four Idaho recipients, including the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Bingham Crisis Center, the YWCA of Lewiston and Clarkston, and the Coeur dAlene Tribe. The awards will not only support local domestic violence and sexual assault victims with services, they will also provide funding to bolster the critical work of state and territory domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions.

The Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho encourages Idaho residents to be aware of the serious problem that is physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and other forms of emotional abuse by a current or former intimate partner. These forms of abuse affect millions of Americans and Idaho is not spared of this trauma, Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez said. It is estimated that nearly 20 people, on average, in the U.S. are abused by an intimate partner every minute, or 10 million instances of domestic violence every year. Domestic violence is connected to more than half of homicides with female victims, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Victims need an escape, and these funds provide that life-line, Gonzalez concluded.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a sobering reminder of the harm domestic violence inflicts across our country, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic means that for many survivors, abuse may be compounded by being isolated with an abuser, loss of income and stress over the virus itself, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. These OVW grants will provide local organizations with resources to support survivors as they heal, promote victim access to justice, and further local, state and tribal training efforts to best prepare officials to respond to these dangerous calls.

The OVW grants awarded in Idaho include the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Grant Program; the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program; the Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program; and the Training and Technical Assistance Program.

The State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions grant will allow the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to facilitate coordinating victim service activities and collaborating with federal, state and local entities engaged in addressing violence against women, provide training to Idahos tribal and community domestic and sexual violence organizations, public awareness activities, and public policy. In particular, the Idaho Coalition is focusing on increasing awareness and coordination on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

Also, the Training and Technical Assistance grant designated the Idaho Coalition as the national technical assistance provider on the prevention and response to teen dating violence and sexual assault in rural communities, focusing on increasing access to victim services for youth from historically marginalized communities who experience higher rates of dating violence and a lack meaningful access to intervention services.

Finally, the Transitional Housing Assistance grant will provide needed transitional housing funds to rural survivors of domestic and sexual assault in collaboration with domestic and sexual violence organizations and culturally specific service providers.

We are honored to receive these grant awards from the Office on Violence Against Women, said Kelly Miller, executive director of the Idaho Coalition. We are committed to increasing access to services for survivors from communities that have been historically marginalized and are invested in creating the societal conditions so violence is no longer a common occurrence and everyone can thrive.

Additional Idaho OVW grant recipients, the Bingham Crisis Center, the YWCA of Lewiston and Clarkston, and the Coeur dAlene Tribe, were similarly pleased to receive this federal funding, which will be instrumental in furthering their missions to support victims of crime.

Through their domestic abuse and sexual assault programs, the YWCA of Lewiston and Clarkston is dedicated to providing safety and support through advocacy and education while working towards social change and to provide a safe and understanding environment that fosters hope, healing and empowerment.

The mission of the Bingham Crisis Center is to work within the community to help eliminate domestic and sexual violence, promote healthy non-violent relationships by providing emergency services, shelter, individual and group treatment, education, and support services to survivors and their families.

The Coeur dAlene Tribes grant funding from OVWs Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program will support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects within Indian country to assist those victimized by sexual assault. Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commended the YWCA, the Center, and the Coeur dAlene Tribe for their commitment to victim services.
Editors Note: This is part of a series of articles explaining the mission of United Way  Reduce poverty and improve the human condition in Mecosta and Osceola counties  and the many agencies they support for the benefit of area residents.

Hospice of Michigan has been serving residents in the area since 1983 when it was known as Home Hospice. A dedicated group of volunteers helped drive the establishment of an office at 315 Ives Ave., Big Rapids, now home of the United Way.

For most of those years, they have been a member agency of the Mecosta-Osceola United Way. They are the largest statewide not-for-profit Hospice agency that provides end-of-life care.

Several years ago, they cared for a man who made his home under a bridge. The care team met him (or anyone) where he was and wanted to be, providing hospice services because they believe everyone deserves compassion and dignity at their end of life.

Their services are open access because it allows them to care for those who do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or do not have private insurance. Hospice care is appropriate when treatments are no longer effective and the burden becomes too much for family and patient to bear.

The Mecosta-Osceola United Way helps provide Grief Support Services, an important component of Hospice care. This enables Hospice of Michigan to provide grieving and bereavement counseling completely free of charge to individuals and families as well as to the community at large. These include support groups and individual counseling sessions. A most recent topic for support included, Grief & COVID-19, Hope and Loss.

Through their partnership with the United Way, Hospice has been able to address specific needs within the community, such as information and resources on Suicide Prevention. Other programs include the We Honor Veterans, a partnership with the VA and the NHPCO, as well as Massage and Music Therapy and Pet Visit Programs.

Future plans include wE-Connect which brings internet-enabled tablets to all patients as a standard part of care. A need has been identified to increase support for the bereaved in a virtual environment.

They recently awarded the United Way with the Delores Bos Crystal Society Award that honors impactful partners in their enduring mission to care for Michigan residents at the end of life.

Hospice of Michigan can be reached by calling 231-796-7371.
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The Brandon School Division is primed and ready to roll out the provinces new COVID-19 rapid testing policy on Monday, according to Supt. Mathew Gustafson.

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CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Meadows School guidance counsellor Alicia DeDecker shows a painting created for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to students on Sept. 29. Starting Monday, the province is requiring many public-sector workers, including educators, to be either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to rapid testing multiple times a week.

The Brandon School Division is primed and ready to roll out the provinces new COVID-19 rapid testing policy on Monday, according to Supt. Mathew Gustafson.

In a Friday morning interview with the Sun, Gustafson promised that all of the divisions roughly 1,600 employees  which includes teaching and support staff  will be either fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus or will start undergoing regular testing by the start of next week.

"We will follow the intent of the public health orders to full compliance," the superintendent said over the phone. "There will be no situation where somebody would either refuse to provide proof of vaccination or undergo frequent testing  and still be allowed in our schools."

This new rapid testing standard was announced late last month by the province, and is being applied to a variety of public-sector employees as of Monday, including those working in health care, child care or any other type of job that involves looking after vulnerable populations.

While government representatives couldnt get into the nuts and bolts of how this policy would be applied at every single workplace, Gustafson was able to provide the Sun with some insight into the BSDs official method of administering rapid tests to its employees who arent fully vaccinated.

For one thing, the superintendent revealed that every unvaccinated employee will need to provide a negative test three times a week, including one supervised test at a central location on Tuesday evening.

The remaining two tests can be completed at home, although the results must be submitted between Thursday evening and Friday morning and Sunday evening and Monday morning, respectively.

"That guarantees that every individual will have a negative test within 48 hours," Gustafson said.

The superintendent also clarified that BSD will be using the BD Veritor antigen test kits to start, since the province has provided them with a supply that will last until mid-December.

While the province is footing the bill for this supply, Gustafson admitted the division will have to cover some shipping and administrative costs to administer these tests, although this can be paid through BSDs Safe Schools funding.

In terms of how many BSD employees will need to undergo this rapid testing routine starting next week, Gustafson said he cant reveal those numbers due to privacy concerns.

Gustafson said he also couldnt disclose the divisions overall staff vaccination rate for the same reason.

Elsewhere in the province, the vaccination rate for the Louis Riel and River East Transcona school divisions in Winnipeg is 97 per cent, according to recent reporting from the Winnipeg Free Press.

Around 88 per cent of the Hanover School Division staff  much of which is located in a health district where community uptake of two doses among eligible residents is under 50 per cent  had provided proof of full immunization status as of Thursday.

Gustafson remains confident that his employees will similarly do the right thing, since theyve already taken on every new hurdle that has emerged throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our staff have demonstrated a lot of resilience and theyre highly motivated and professional and always have the students best interests at heart," he said.

"So I would say theyve risen to those challenges and have been quite creative and diligent in trying to meet the expectations to keep our students safe."

Of course, Gustafson also mentioned that unvaccinated employees will be subject to disciplinary action if they refuse to abide by the provinces new rapid testing policy.

And while the rollout of this testing infrastructure will be logistically challenging for his administration, Gustafson said they will find a way to make it work.

"Were confident in our process and  weve done contingency planning, so we should be able to adapt to any challenges that come up," he said.

BSD officials are responsible for managing 24 different schools that have a combined student population of around 9,500 pupils.

 With files from the Winnipeg Free Press

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
The YWCA Women of Distinction Gala Awards is returning this November after overcoming logistical hurdles and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN/FILE YWCA Brandon executive director Heather Symbalisty.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Gala Awards is returning this November after overcoming logistical hurdles and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heather Symbalisty, YWCA executive director, said planning for the 2021 gala has been a challenge.

"Its definitely been a roller coaster. The committee and Leann Bower who came on to help us plan the event have dealt with all kinds of variables for trying to hold the event," Symbalisty said. "But, we wanted to make sure that we held an event this year because we wanted to do something positive because its been such a glum and dreary time."

The gala marks the first YWCA awards ceremony since 2019 and the committee is looking forward to hosting special festivities for the community, Symbalisty said.

COVID-19 complicated gala plans due to the constant changes to public health measures and working with venues to see what accommodations could be made to facilitate a celebration.

She added the past 18 months have been a time of high stress and crisis for many in the community, and the committee saw the Women of Distinction Gala as an opportunity to share something uplifting and inspiring.

The committee decided to move forward with the event in early October.

The gala was originally set to take place at the Clara Clear Top Tent at the Keystone Centre but has now moved to the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Nov. 18 starting at 6 p.m. with a dessert reception and the awards presentation taking place at 7:30 p.m. Under the current public health orders, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend the event.

During the gala, the YWCA will honour the collective achievements, accomplishments and contributions of women throughout western Manitoba.

Women of Distinction is YWCA Brandons largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting women and families in need by providing shelter, programs, and services at both the Westman Womens Shelter and Meredith Place Transitional Shelter.

Symbalisty said the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium allows people to spread out.

On the day of the event, they will have desserts and beverages on hand during the brief visiting time before the awards ceremony.

Symbalisty added it is exciting being able to help the community unite once again after a year and a half of isolation during the pandemic.

"Were really looking forward to giving them the opportunity," Symbalisty said. "Lots of people have not seen each other in months, and in some cases over a year."

The ceremony will have audience members sitting in the auditorium in their specified groups with awards presented on the stage of the auditorium. Symbalisty said the event has also been carefully timed to ensure it is not too late of a night.

The YWCA takes pride in recognizing women in the community who show leadership and are empowered to provide some really positive impacts to the community as volunteers or through local businesses.

"They really support organizations like ours, like Samaritan House and the [Elspeth Reid Family] Resource Centre," Symbalisty said. "We just want to recognize them for all that they do."

She added contingency plans are in place for the Women of Distinction Gala to ensure the event can move forward if public health restrictions change.

If they are unable to host the event at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, they will use a truck and trailer to create a special float that will visit each winner at their home delivering awards.

"We look forward to seeing everybody. It will be a good evening," Symbalisty said.

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
VANCOUVER - The commissioner of British Columbia's public inquiry into money laundering was urged to look to future efforts to combat the crime rather than point blame at how hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal cash poured into provincial casinos.

Commissioner Austin Cullen, back centre, listens to introductions before opening statements at the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia in Vancouver on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER - The commissioner of British Columbia's public inquiry into money laundering was urged to look to future efforts to combat the crime rather than point blame at how hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal cash poured into provincial casinos.

The way forward in the fight against money laundering is through continued collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies, lawyers for the B.C. and federal governments said during closing submissions Friday at the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering.

"We note that of course while the commission's mandate does include the potential to make findings of misconduct, the province submits that should not be the principal focus of the inquiry," B.C. government lawyer Jacqueline Hughes told Commissioner Austin Cullen.

"This commission's most important work will be the recommendations it makes towards a path forward," she said.

Hughes said the provincial gaming regulator and Crown-owned B.C. Lottery Corporation held differing views about addressing illegal cash at casinos for years, but their working relationship has improved.

Steps taken by the province's Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch and the lottery corporation since the summer of 2015 have been effective in limiting suspicious cash at casinos, she said.

"With the benefit of hindsight, of course, all stakeholders could have done things differently, but the important point is they are now aligned in their willingness to work collaboratively to address and combat money laundering," said Hughes.

Cullen, who's also a B.C. Supreme Court judge, was appointed by the provincial government in 2019 to lead the inquiry after several reports said the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal cash linked to organized crime affected the province's real estate, luxury vehicle and gaming sectors.

The inquiry's mandate includes making findings of fact on the extent, growth and methods of money laundering in B.C., and whether the acts or omissions of responsible regulatory agencies and individuals "contributed to money laundering in the province or amount to corruption," the commission's website says.

Testimony at the inquiry concluded last month after hearing from about 200 witnesses, including former premier Christy Clark, cabinet ministers, police officers, gaming officials, financial crime experts and academics.

It heard testimony that investigators had raised concerns with gaming and government officials more than a decade ago that increasing amounts of suspicious cash was being used at Vancouver-area casinos.

Bill Smart, a lawyer for the B.C. Lottery Corp., told the inquiry on Friday that knowledge about money laundering and strategies to detect and prevent illegal activities have evolved over the years, which the inquiry should take into consideration.

"We respectfully submit to you that in assessing (the B.C. Lottery Corp.'s) anti-money laundering efforts in any given time, caution should be exercised to avoid hindsight bias, as risks and solutions always seem much more obvious in hindsight," said Smart.

He said prior to 2015, it was not uncommon for people to arrive at Vancouver-area casinos with bags filled with large amounts of cash. Those gamblers appeared willing to lose their money because they would return the next evening with more cash, he said.

"The cash may have been suspicious, but the patrons and their wealth generally were not, and there were plausible, potential legitimate sources of cash for these large amounts."

Smart said no one in government, the lottery corporation or the casino industry knowingly allowed illegal cash into the gaming venues.

"Viewed from the lens of what we now know, everyone could and should have responded more quickly to those large cash transactions," he said.

Federal government lawyer BJ Wray said the inquiry has raised public awareness and understanding about the threats posed by money laundering.

"Undoubtedly, the commission's final report will identify lessons that all governments can learn from as well as areas for further collaboration and co-operation between governments," she said.

The commission will hear further final submissions Monday and Tuesday.

- By Dirk Meissner in Victoria

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.
A private school linked to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, a group once described as an extremist cult by former prime minister Kevin Rudd, has received an estimated $9 million in JobKeeper payments.

In addition, the OneSchool Global network, which provides education for the children of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members from the ages of eight to 18 years, also received $34 million in federal and state government grants last year, or about $16,000 per student.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has called the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church an extremist cult that breaks up families. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church was established in the early 19th century in southern England and is now led by multi-millionaire Sydney businessman Bruce D. Hales, who is known by his congregation as the Elect Vessel, or the Man of God. It follows a strict doctrine, known as separation, under which church members are discouraged, on pain of excommunication, from eating, drinking, forming friendships or communicating with outsiders, except to do business with them.

They aim to live a life apart from worldly pleasures and associations, refer to themselves as the saints and to outsiders as worldlies.
Stormy weather and social distancing didnt stop Sydneysiders from celebrating Friday night drinks for the first time since June following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Eyebrows plucked, bodies freshly tanned, biceps pumped and dating apps ready to swipe, Sydneys show ponies strutted into restaurants, pubs and bars determined to revive the traditional bonhomie of the end of the working week.

The sun poked through Friday afternoon as diners packed into Ash Street and surrounds in the Sydney CBD. Credit:Rhett Wyman

A trickle of pedestrians walked past mostly empty shops along George Street, but trendy Ash Street restaurants were bustling with outdoor diners, despite the lack of office workers in the CBD.

Alex Orwin, head of operations at the Ivy precinct, said eateries such as Felix and Ash St Cellar were busy, while the Ivy pool club was booked out.
Over the next two sitting weeks a series of meetings will be held over the issue, starting with the Nationals on Sunday  which promises to be more of a Seinfeldian airing of grievances  and then the Liberals, joint party room and cabinet. Morrison doesnt need to land all of the Nationals support, and legislation for the target is not required, but a majority is preferred. These meetings are a Kabuki dance. Theyre as much about managing the internal politics of the Coalition as they are about whether or when Australia will make the pledge that needs to be made at Glasgow. Scott Morrison with the lump of coal he took into Parliament in 2017. Credit:Andrew Meares Whats also worth noting is how Morrison, the arch-pragmatist, has arrived at this point.

In 2009, during debate on Kevin Rudds Carbon Price Reduction Scheme legislation, he declared support for an Emissions Trading Scheme but not that ETS, while giving himself cover (and borrowing from Margaret Thatcher) on the need to give the planet the benefit of the doubt. He opposed, along party lines, Julia Gillards 2011 emissions trading scheme. He backed Tony Abbotts repeal of the scheme in 2014. And, famously, on February 8, 2017 he brought a lump of coal into the chamber and waved it around wantonly at the opposition and taunted Bill Shortens opposition. This is coal, dont be afraid, dont be scared, it wont hurt you ... its coal ... Its coal that has ensured for over 100 years that Australia has enjoyed an energy competitive advantage that has delivered property to Australian businesses and has ensured Australian industry has been able to remain competitive in the global market. It was a YouTube moment that has been used against the PM again and again.

Whats been forgotten is what he went on to say, and that matters too because it speaks to how this Prime Minister practices politics. Affordable energy is what Australian businesses need to remain competitive ... on this side of the House you will not find a fear of coal any more than you find a fear of wind ... you wont find a fear of sun, you wont find a fear of wave energy, you wont find a fear of any of these sources of energy but what you will find is a passion for the jobs of Australians who work for businesses that depend on energy security. So the door was open to the coming transformation  as long as, to use the more recent phrase, it was driven by technology, not taxes. As recently as the 2019 election Morrison was happy to warn that Labors more ambitious climate targets would end the weekend.

But on Friday, Morrison said on reaching net zero the challenge is not about the if and the when, the challenge is about the how. Whats changed? The politics of Australias never-ending climate wars has been mugged by the moment. As a Liberal MP put it to me several months ago, at the heart of the Morrison government is a focus group and the reality is Australians want greater action to mitigate the changing climate. The election of Joe Biden, the ambition of Boris Johnson, the EUs plans for carbon tariffs on imports, major trading partners like Japan shifting away from coal  this has all played a part. The Business Council, which shamelessly attacked Labors policy in 2019, is now on board. So too is NewsCorp, which has campaigned against climate action for years, and big miners such as BHP and Fortescue.
This time its a bill brought by Independent Alex Greenwich, with 28 co-sponsors from all sides of politics, and it has started its journey in the Legislative Assembly (the lower house). Last week Greenwich delivered a petition to State Parliament with more than 100,000 signatures in support of voluntary assisted dying, before tabling his bill on Thursday. Greenwich says he is motivated by people like Judith Daley, who stood beside him at a press conference on Tuesday and spoke about the horrible death she had in store with terminal lung cancer. He also says the NSW coronial data showing that one in five suicides of people over the age of 40 are people with a diagnosis of a terminal illness makes the legal reforms urgent. Surely, in NSW, our modern health system that has got us through the toughest and darkest days of the pandemic should be able to provide a better option than dying in cruel indignity or a violent and lonely suicide, Greenwich says. Voluntary assisted dying provides that option.

Greenwich says the legislation is modelled on the Western Australian laws with added safeguards, such as the creation of an assisted dying board with ultimate authority to approve requests and new offences to prohibit the ill person coming under any duress. The broad framework of who is eligible is similar to other states - candidates must be adults with sound decision-making capacity, and suffering a condition that is advanced, progressive and will cause death within six months (or 12 months for a neurodegenerative disease), and which causes intolerable suffering. Both Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Chris Minns are personally opposed to voluntary assisted dying but each have promised their MPs a conscience vote. Former premier Gladys Berejiklian had promised disgruntled MPs in the right wing of her party there would be no more conscience votes in this term of Parliament after the bruising abortion debate in 2019. However, Perrottet is himself from the Right faction and, as a newly minted leader of a minority government, he needs the support of Greenwich and other crossbenchers on confidence and supply issues.

Greenwich says he always intended to release the bill about this time but welcomed the fact that two of the new Premiers first acts were to promise a conscience vote on the bill and to ask Treasury to look into more funding for palliative care (this was done after the 2017 debate). Greenwich says he expects the debate to go for some weeks before a vote in the lower house. If successful, the legislation would then proceed to the upper house and could pass by the end of the year. Sydney MP Alex Greenwich alongside members of Dying with Dignity speaks to the media after introducing his Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill into the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Its not a done deal but changes in the make-up of Parliament and a potential shift in position from some MPs mean Greenwich is hopeful. He wants all voices to be heard in the debate, but warns it is not an issue where opponents should play games, filibuster and treat it as political sport. Andrew Denton, who founded Go Gentle to advocate for voluntary assisted dying after his fathers slow and painful death, says the vote will again come down to a handful of MPs, probably in the upper house, but there is also a risk the bill could pass with onerous amendments.

Its conservative compared with whats been legislated elsewhere, such as in Queensland or even South Australia or Tasmania, and thats for really sound political reasons, Denton says. The great danger of the parliamentary debate ahead is that some MPs will attempt to add a lot more barriers to effectively make it a difficult if not impossible last to access. Polls consistently show high community support for voluntary assisted dying and it is backed by organisations such as the Older Persons Advocacy Network, the Council on the Ageing, the Health Services Union, the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association and the Police Association. The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations also supports the reform, saying all Australian states have good checks and balances in place to protect people with disabilities and it has no concern with how the law has operated in Victoria since 2019. Yet there is also deep-seated opposition, particularly from religious institutions, and this will influence the views of many MPs. Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, describes the proposed law as the final abandonment of one of the cornerstones of Western civilisation: the sanctity of life. Raffel argues that the experience of other jurisdictions has shown that euthanasia - his preferred term along with physician-assisted suicide - has been extended over time to include mental illness, physical disability or simply a sense of having completed life. He points out many vulnerable people could be motivated by the desire not to be a burden since death was easier and less expensive than palliative care. He says the new bill contains fewer safeguards than the one rejected in 2017.

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher has warned that in a euthanasia culture those that die are the sick, frail, handicapped, depressed, poor, powerless and abandoned. Catholic Health Australia, the nations largest Catholic health and aged care organisation led by former deputy Labor premier John Watkins, is lobbying NSW MPs to oppose voluntary assisted dying, and consider medical advances in palliative care instead. Meanwhile, former premier Mike Baird, the chief executive of HammondCare, also argues that good palliative care provides an alternative path. Informed by the death of his mother earlier this year, Baird wrote in an opinion piece last week that every life matters until the last breath. Louise Hungerford at her home. Her husband Bernie died of motor neurone disease in 2009, 17 years after he was diagnosed. Credit:Louise Kennerley Louise Hungerford from Turramurra saw her husband Bernie die in 2009, 17 years after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1992. She says they were good years despite the progression of the disease; he worked until he couldnt, he watched his children play sport and read the drafts of their essays, and was a valued and loved member of the family.

For the last two years of his life, Bernie Hungerford would have qualified for voluntary assisted dying had the laws proposed by Greenwich been in place at the time, but his widow says he would not have chosen this option because of his Christian faith. That would not have been our philosophy because we knew that God was in control of everything, Hungerford says. He wanted to promote life, not to cut it short. Hungerford says the house had been renovated to keep Bernie at home and comfortable, he had a wheelchair-accessible car, and he underwent medical procedures such as the insertion of a gastric tube to extend his life. When the time came, he had a good death, surrounded by friends and family, a team of caring nurses and a patch on his skin for pain relief. While some of this was government funded or subsidised, the extended Hungerford family also contributed. The experience has made Hungerford believe that the government needs to put a lot more funding into palliative care and support for carers. She fears voluntary assisted dying - which she describes as the short-term, easy, convenient way - will remove the political pressure and undermine the value of human life. Maryanne Platt from Coogee has seen both the success and failure of palliative care.

When her brother died at age 53 from pancreatic cancer, he had nurses care for him at home and died over three days in a beautiful, peaceful manner. But when her mother Philomena Platt died earlier this year at 86, it was anything but. Maryanne Platt at Mahon Pool in Maroubra, where her mother asked to have her ashes scattered. Credit:Louise Kennerley Philomena Platt went into hospital in June with dysphasia, which prevented her eating because of a swollen throat. When it was no longer possible to feed her via intravenous drip and a feeding tube to the stomach also failed, she decided to cease treatment and go into palliative care. But Platt says the 17 days that followed were brutal, with her mother anxious and distressed, in constant pain, and slowly starving to death. Platt says her mother was a devout Catholic and although they had discussions about death and the fact she wanted her ashes scattered at Mahon Pool in Maroubra, she never said anything definitive about voluntary assisted dying. However, Platt believes she should have had the choice. I can confidently say that she would not see that she needs to die in a long, traumatic, prolonged way just because shes a Catholic, she says.

Dying with Dignity vice-president Shayne Higson says voluntary assisted dying is not an alternative to palliative care but an option for when it no longer works. Loading The reality is that for between 10 and 20 per cent of people, their symptoms cannot be adequately relieved, Higson says. These laws are needed to give people the choice to die peacefully at a time and place of their choosing usually surrounded by loved ones. Before watching her mother die and then later her mother-in-law, Kelman worked as a registered nurse in palliative care for many years and treated nearly 100 patients at the end of their lives. Palliative care is excellent but it can only do so much, she says. I would like to dare each politician voting to go and visit a palliative care ward and ask the patient and carer how they would like them to vote!
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size My eyes were opened to Blak media in the early 1990s when I first sighted a copy of the newly launched Koori Mail newspaper. I was captivated by the masthead, boldly, urgently, defiantly flying the colours of our flag: a war cry of resistance, presence, strength and kinship just laying there on the arm of the couch in our living room. I may have been dopey with adolescence, but I recognised the weight on that paper. This instrument was about us, but for us and obviously from us. Jack Latimore has recently joined The Age as the mastheads Indigenous affairs journalist. Credit:Jason South Below the masthead, all the other elements of the front page spoke of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters too. It would have been one of the earliest editions of the newspaper. Instantaneously, I knew I wanted to write something for it. Almost three decades later I would, for a short time, proudly file stories as its Victorian correspondent. The Koori Mail remains in print  recently celebrating its 30th anniversary since launch in May 1991 and is eagerly received by Indigenous communities around Australia. Until very recently, there existed two prevailing views from mainstream, white newsrooms about Aboriginal journalists and Aboriginal affairs stories. The first has been increasingly proven false, but remained all too common among white editors and journalists: the belief that Aboriginal journalists are incapable of reporting on Aboriginal affairs. Celebrated white journalists have shared this chestnut of racism with other white journalists in the past five years; I know because I was within earshot. The second is that audiences are not interested in Aboriginal affairs. Again, over the past five to eight years, this has been proven false. As the global Black Lives Matter movement brought attention to the scope of structural racism within the worlds predominant institutions, audience appetite for anything related to Blak news and current affairs has increased well beyond the interest of minority groups. Look at the turnout for the BLM rallies across Australia in June and July 2020. Look at the annual turnout for the Invasion Day rallies over the past decade. The rise of Blak media  or more specifically, Indigenous news media  in Australia over the past decade has been inspired and inspiring. Important new voices that were previously excluded by the mainstream have infiltrated the media ecology from the margins. But while the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission aims to bring the truth of Indigenous peoples lives and histories to a wider public, for decades Blak media have been doing the work of telling the truth for anyone prepared to pick up a paper, turn the dial or log on.

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More than 170 years before blogs and social media began to capture our attention, the Flinders Island Chronicle launched as the first known Aboriginal-produced newspaper. It was handwritten in English by three Aboriginal clerks: Walter George Arthur, Walter Juba Martin and a younger fella named Thomas Brune. The paper provided reportage of daily life for the Aboriginal detainees on the isolated Wybalenna mission on Flinders Island off the north-east coast of lutruwita-Tasmania. Loading Arthur, Martin and Brune worked under the missions commandant, the now notorious George Augustus Robinson. The Chronicle ran for about three years, until March 1839, when Robinson relocated to the Port Phillip Settlement on New Holland for an official appointment as Chief Protector of Aborigines. Robinson took 16 of the Wybalenna detainees with him across the strait to what would become Victoria, including Brune and Arthur. Among them, too, was Tunnerminnerwait, the feared Tasmanian resistance fighter. Tunnerminnerwait later accompanied Robinson on a tour of the settlements Western District in 1841. The pair investigated the massacre of about 200 Gunditjmara people in the Portland Bay area, an event known as the Convincing Ground massacre. They sought and gathered testimony of witnesses to establish and record what had occurred between the locals and European whale hunters some years previously. This makes Tunnerminnerwait the first Black investigative journalist in Victoria. The next significant period in Indigenous news media begins in 1924, with the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA). It was led by a Worimi fella named Fred Maynard and was the first politically organised Aboriginal group. It is also considered the origin of the Aboriginal self-determination movement. A big influence on the AAPAs work was Marcus Garvey, the prominent leader of the international Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements. The inaugural edition of the Abo Call, a newspaper produced by the Aborigines Progressive Association. As Fred Maynards grandson John Maynard has written: The AAPA saw, for the first time, Aborigines voicing their disapproval by holding street rallies, conducting meetings and conferences, utilising the power of the media through newspaper coverage, writing letters and petitions to government and King George V about the injustice and inequality forced upon Aboriginal people.

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By the mid-1930s, the AAPA had become the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA), and in 1938 began producing its own newspaper. The masthead  Abo Call: the Voice of the Aborigines  was edited by APA president Jack Patten and its reporting addressed the living conditions and other matters of interest to Aboriginal families and communities around the country. Important Aboriginal publications, writers and journalists continued to produce journalism across the assimilation era from the 1940s to the 1960s  although some publications were sadly characteristic of the times. In his 1996 anthology For The Record: 160 years of Aboriginal Print Journalism, Michael Rose notes that publications such as The Westralian Aborigine, published by the Coolbaroo League, in the mid-1950s took an editorial line that generally urged Aboriginal people to emulate a White, middle-class lifestyle. Yet throughout these years, as Brownlee Kirkpatrick and Marcia Langton have pointed out, community newsletters and annual reportsprovided news content by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people, from the annual reports of the Victorian Aboriginal Group and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders to Smoke Signals, published by the Melbourne-based Aborigines Advancement League. Smoke Signals, a publication of the Aborigines Advancement League. An explosion of voices Blak media proliferated in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. In Victoria, The National Koorier was produced in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy by Bruce McGuinness and Lin Onus. Robbie Thorpe and others took over for later iterations of the paper, which became The Koorier. In Redfern in inner Sydney came Alchuringa, published from 1971-1972. Another notable was the monthly Koori bina  directly inspired by Abo Call  produced between 1977 and 1979 by the Black Womens Action Group, which consisted of Naomi Mayers, Bobbi Sykes, Marcia Langton and John Newfong. (More on the late, great Newfong in a moment.) Newsletters produced by the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy were also important publications for their communities in the 1970s.

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Elsewhere during this period, Black Action emerged out of Tasmania; Black News Service out of Brisbane; Smoke Signal (not to be confused with the earlier Smoke Signals) and later the Palm Islander in North Queensland; while the N.Q. Messagestick covered Cape York; and from the Top End came the Land Rights News. There was also the lauded quarterly magazine Identity, produced for 11 years from 1971 with editors such as Jack Davis, Kevin Gilbert and  again  John Newfong. After getting a start at the ABC in Brisbane, Newfong would go on to work for The Australian before ultimately deciding to commit himself to progressing Aboriginal self-determination from outside the establishment media. The Sydney launch of Identity magazine. Left to right: Gary Foley, Billy Craigie, Tony Coorey and Norma Williams. Credit:Aboriginal History Archive, Victoria University In 1972, he drew on his contacts within the Canberra press gallery to disseminate the demands of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy after being appointed its media spokesperson. He would have an influential hand throughout that decade in the development of the Aboriginal Arts Board, the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service and other Indigenous-led organisations. He would also have a hand in the emergence of Black community radio at a policy development level and behind the microphone. One of the earliest Black community radio programs aired in Victoria on the ethnic community radio station 3ZZZ in 1970-71 and comprised a 15-minute weekly slot hosted by Bruce McGuinness and Gary Foley. Around the same time, Foley hosted his Koori Survival Show on 3CR. Black radio programs and stations proliferated in the late 1970s and early 80s. In Sydney there was Radio Skid Row, involving Nicola Joseph, Cheryl Rose and Tiga Bayles among others. It was followed by Radio Redfern in 1984. In Brisbane, Ross Watson had Murri Hour on 4ZZZ, as well as the Black Nation newspaper. Watson also had a hand in the political demonstrations against the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games as the coordinator for the Black Protest Committee. Elsewhere, theres Freda Glynn, who in 1980 co-founded and directed the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA). Freda Glynn, a key figure in the development of Indigenous television and the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association.

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Participation in television broadcasting followed the launch in 1980 of the AUSSAT national Australian communications satellite. First there was Imparja Television in 1987, chaired by Glynn for 10 years after it launched. Then in 1991, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody tabled its final report, with recommendations 205 to 208 recognising the significance of Indigenous representation in the media. Those recommendations were the starting point for the development of National Indigenous Television (NITV), launched in 2007 and currently sitting within the SBS suite of free-to-air channels. The commission also recommended that First Nations media organisations should be properly funded in recognition of the importance of their function, and that all media organisations needed to do better in presenting Aboriginal issues and educating their newsrooms to create better under-standings, on all sides, of issues relating to media treatment of Aboriginal Affairs. The surge of Blak media activity over the past 30 years has also seen a raft of community media organisations established to address local needs in regional and remote areas. Today the peak body, First Nations Media Australia, advocates for more than 100 remote Indigenous broadcasting services, eight remote Indigenous media organisations and 28 urban and regional First Nations radio services. Some of these organisations have recently developed partnerships with NITV. The work of the ABC in improving Indigenous representation in the news should also be applauded. Over the past 20 years a strong contingent of

Indigenous journalists have emerged along the national broadcasters Indigenous employment pathways. Then theres former ABC journalist Lorena Allam, who has collected three successive WalkleyAwards for her journalism with The Guardian in recent years. And I cant mention Walkley Awards without mentioning veteran broadcast journalist Stan Grant. Then theres industry legends such as Dot West, who has worked at regional, state and federal levels to strengthen Blak media through funding, policy and training, often while working as a broadcaster, producer and writer herself. And Black luminaries such as Gavin Jones, who established Deadly Vibe, In Vibe and The Deadlys. Away from the limelight and big media, a vital stream in the Blak media ecology sprang up in the late 2000s and early 2010s when Blackfullas started adopting Web 2.0 technologies such as MySpace, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. From around 2012, Aboriginal political commentators such as Kelly Briggs and Celeste Liddle were producing edgy Blak commentary and attracting large fan bases. Soon the size of their audience and the quality of their work demanded the attention of the legacy media. By then, other Indigenous rights campaigners had joined them in producing online content. In the same year, Leesa Watego created the Deadly Bloggers community site to aggregate and signal-boost the work of about 80 Blak writers.

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In the early 2000s, as the car market began to take off, Aiwa of Japan was among the best-known brands for car audio systems. Together with TVs, it was a reasonably well recognised brand in India even as the Sonys and Panasonics were making strong inroads. Around 2010, it went off the radar.

Now, the consumer electronics company, which made the first-ever tape recorder, is looking to resurrect its legacy charm for audiophiles in India. Aiwas retreat from the Indian market had partly to do with serial ownership changes. Though it made a name for itself with tape recorders and ...
Fifteen organizations of Dalit community on Saturday met Vijay Sampla, Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and handed over written complaints demanding strict action against those responsible for the brutal murder of a man whose mutilated body was found hanging on Friday at the site of farmers' protest near Singhu border.

Sampla said they are expecting a report from the Haryana government over the incident and will decide the next course of action.

"Today various organizations of Dalit community met me and have given written complaints against the Singhu border incident. All want that strict action should be taken for the brutal murder of Lakhbir Singh at Singhu border," Sampla told ANI.

"We have already sent a notice to DGP Haryana and Chief Secretary to take strict action and have also asked for return report. We are expecting a report by this evening and then we will decide what action needs to be taken. If needed, I will also go there. I am planning to go to his home town Tarn Taran in Punjab," he added.

He alleged that farmer leaders had "washed off their hands" of the entire incident " but "it's not correct".

"If they (the accused) are sitting with them in protest for 10 months and staying with them, then they are part of that protest only. The spot where they hanged him is also near the stage. Whatever incident occurs there they are responsible for it," he said.

National Schedule Caste Alliance, Bhartiya Baudh Sangh, Ravidas Vishawa Mahapeeth (Delhi), Valmiki Maha Panchayat were among the organisations that met the NCSC chairman.

Bhartiya Baudh Sangh president Bhante Sanghpriya Rahul said they were distressed with the incident.

"We strongly condemn it. Every day there is a new incident against the We met the chairman of the SC commission. He has given an assurance. We are demanding strict action against culprits," he said.

Haryana Police had said on Friday that a body of a man, with hands and legs chopped off, was found hanging on a police barricade at the farmers' protest site near the Singhu border.

An FIR has been registered in the case. The deceased has been identified as Lakhbir Singh resident of village Cheema Khurd in Tarn Taran district of Punjab.

The police said he was about 36 years old, worked as a labourer and had no criminal record or affiliation with any political party.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's Finance Minister here said the Biden Administration and leaders from the corporate sector in the US have welcomed recent economic reforms introduced by her government.

"The reforms that we've undertaken, particularly the steps taken for the withdrawal of the retrospective tax has been mentioned by the United States Administration as a very positive step," she said.

"The businesses with whom we have been interacting have also welcomed that decision," Sitharaman told reporters here at the conclusion of the Washington DC-leg of her US trip.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home.

She started her week-long trip from Boston.

"Many of them (businesses) thought it was bold and even though it took some time to come. We have also explained that they were legal compulsions before which we had to wait because some of the litigations which were going on had to come to a logical conclusion," she said.

"We waited and the moment the logical conclusions were reached, we went to Parliament in withdrawing that. That's been overall very positively welcomed," she said.

Responding to a question on a trade deal with the US, the finance minister said her focus was on investment incentivising agreement for which there is time till December.

"We have spoken about it. The two countries would like to carry on the negotiation and conclude at the earliest," she said.

"But on the larger issue of the trade itself, is something which commerce (ministry) is working together with the (American) counterpart. So, I have not engaged in depth into that," she said.

No stranger to India-US relationship, as she played a key role in this during her previous stints as the commerce and defense minister, this was Sitharaman's first trip to the US after the COVID-19 pandemic hit both the countries.

In addition to participating in the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here, her visit highlighted India's economic recovery and her government's commitment to long-term reforms.

On the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank discussions, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral meetings, the most significant of those was the India-US Economic and Financial Partnership.

That meeting was co-chaired by the finance minister and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

The discussions touched on key areas of economic recovery from the pandemic to macro economic outlook; cooperation on global economic matters; climate finance support to infrastructure funding and combating of financing of terrorism.

She had a series of meetings with business leaders both in Boston and Washington DC.

A dinner in her honour hosted by India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, at India House, was attended by top US officials, including Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry, World Bank President David Malpass, USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy.

These engagements provided an opportunity to highlight structural reforms which the government has brought during the pandemic.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's Finance Minister here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer.

It is unclear how the USD100 billion per year commitment given in the wake of COP21 has been extended, Sitharaman said after the conclusion of her meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here.

"From my side of course one of the issues that I did raise and it is also something which many people do take cognisance of is we actually don't know if there were any measures given to measure if money spent on a particular project by somebody will be part of that USD100 billion," Sitharaman said.

"So, what constitutes USD100 billion? How do we measure if actually USD100 billion has been given or only some of them has been given? So, not just that USD100 billion per year is coming or not but how do we measure that it is indeed coming or not, is also one of the issues," she said.

Sitharaman said several participants both in the IMF and World Bank meetings highlighted that issue.

"So funding is continuing to be a question of worry for many countries, as much as even the transfer of technology," she said.

"The issue is, again, as much as it is in the fund, do we know which technology that we are asking for transfer? Do we know which are those things which have to be considered for the debate and transfer of technology," she said.

Responding to a question, the finance minister asserted that her view on this was not a reflection of her dissatisfaction.

"I'm not stating it's a statement of this dissatisfaction because India's commitments are fulfilled. There are only six countries which kept the nationally determined commitments.

India's more than done it, and also submitted a report to show that this is what we have done. What had to be achieved by 2030, we have achieved alreadyalmost achieved, and now we've scaled up our expectations on renewable, we are touching 450 GW, she said.

"So, I don't think I can be even for a moment, disappointed or dissatisfied, clearly from our side. We are moving with our own resources in fulfilling our commitments," the minister said.

There are things to be done, she acknowledged.

"It is reminding, because the level at which many countries are, the levels of development at which each one has to be able to comply with an even a nationally determined commitment itself means a lot," she said.

Sitharaman also expressed concern over growing oil prices.

"So even as I'm putting more money into renewables and trying to be cleaner in the energy that we produce, this price rise is something which is going to be of worry to me," she said.

Responding to a question, the finance minister said that sustainable debt funding was discussed during the meetings.

In addition to her meetings at the IMF and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements.

Sitharaman has concluded the Washington DC-leg of her US trip.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home. PTI LKJ



She started her week-long trip from Boston.

(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.)
Nationalist Congress Party chief on Saturday said the Union government should handle the ongoing agitation against new farm laws with sensitivity, keeping in mind that majority of protesters are from Punjab, a border state.

The country has paid the price of upsetting Punjab in the past, he said, referring to former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassination during Khalistan militancy.

Speaking to reporters at Pimpri near here, Pawar, who has handled defense and agriculture portfolios at the Centre, was replying to a question about the farmers' agitation on Delhi borders which has been going on for several months.

"I have been there (to the protest site) two-three times. The Union government's stand does not seem rational," he said.

Participants in the agitation are from many states including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but most of them are from Punjab, Pawar noted.

"My advise to the Union government is, do not let farmers of Punjab get upset, it is a border state. If we upset the farmers and people from border regions, then there will be other ramifications," he said.

"Our country has paid the price of upsetting Punjab, even (then prime minister) Indira Gandhi lost her life. On the other hand, farmers of Punjab, irrespective of whether they are Sikh or Hindu, have contributed to food supply," the NCP chief said.

People living in border areas face several security-related issues which those living in states such as Maharashtra do not experience, he said.

"Therefore, when a person who is making sacrifices is siting in protest with some demands for a long time, paying attention to him is what the nation requires," Pawar 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.)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief on Saturday said that the lynching of a Dalit man at a farmer's protest site near the Delhi-Haryana border was extremely sad and shameful.

The body of a Dalit farm labourer from Punjab, Lakhbir Singh, 35, was on Friday found tied to an overturned police barricade at the Singhu border where farmers are protesting against the Centre's agri laws. His left hand was chopped off and his body had over 10 wounds caused by sharp-edged weapons.

Hours after the macabre crime, a man wearing the blue robe of Sikhs' Nihang order appeared before the media, claiming that he had "punished" the victim for "desecrating" a Sikh holy book.

"The brutal murder of a Dalit youth from Punjab at Delhi's Singhu border is extremely sad and shameful. The police must take the incident seriously and take strong action against the accused persons.

"The demands that the Dalit chief minister of Punjab should give a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to the aggrieved family, as was done in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident," said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions that is spearheading the farmers' agitation against the Centre's three agri laws, said a group of Nihangs has claimed responsibility for the brutal killing after the man allegedly tried to desecrate the 'Sarbloh Granth'.

A man, Sarabjit Singh, has been arrested in connection with the lynching. Earlier on Saturday, a Haryana court sent him to seven-day police custody.

According to police, Sarabjit named four more people during interrogations while pointing to their involvement in the incident.

(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.)
Claiming that India's foreign policy has become a diabolical instrument of electoral mobilisation and polarisation, interim President on Saturday said the consensus between government and Opposition on diplomatic issues has been damaged because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued reluctance to take the Opposition into confidence.

Speaking at the Congress' Working Commitee meeting, Gandhi said PM Modi's silence on borders issues is costing the nation 'dearly'.

"There has always been a broad consensus on foreign and neighbourhood policy in our country. But that consensus has been damaged because of the Prime Minister's continued reluctance to take the Opposition into confidence in any meaningful manner. Foreign policy has become a diabolical instrument of electoral mobilisation and polarisation. We face serious challenges on our borders and on other fronts. The Prime Minister told the opposition leaders last year that there had not been any occupation of our territory by China and his silence ever since is costing our nation dearly," she said.

She also slammed the Centre's Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) scheme, and said the country's social goals are in jeopardy because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's single-point agenda of "Becho, Becho, Becho" (sell, sell, sell).

The chief said the economy continues to be a cause of great concern "in spite of the government propaganda to make us believe that it is not."

"As we all know, the only answer the government seems to have for economic recovery is selling off assets built with great effort over the decades. The public sector has had not just strategic and economic objectives---it has had social goals as well, as, for instance, empowerment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and development of backward areas. But all this is in jeopardy with the Modi government's single-point agenda of Becho, Becho, Becho," she added.

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Leh (Ladakh) [India], October 16 (ANI): Amid tensions over build-up by the Chinese across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and reluctance to resolve remaining issues between the two countries, (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is visiting forward areas in Ladakh to review the operational preparedness of troops deployed there.

The IAF chief had himself flown sorties in the MiG-29 fighter jets over the Eastern Ladakh sector when he was the Western Air Command chief.

He was the Western Air Command (WAC) chief for a major part of the ongoing standoff with the People's Liberation Army going on since April-May timeframe last year.

"The Air Force Chief arrived at the Leh airbase on Saturday morning and would be meeting with the personnel and Special Forces deployed in the forward areas near the Line of Actual Control," government sources told ANI.

The sources said this is the first visit of the chief outside the capital to forward areas after taking over as the chief of air staff on October 1.

The Air Force had deployed its assets in a very aggressive manner in the Ladakh theatre after the Chinese army started showing its aggressive intent along the eastern Ladakh sector.

"The situation on the Line of Actual Control is that the Chinese Air Force is still present on three air bases on their side of the LAC. We are fully deployed and prepared on our side," Chaudhari had stated during his press conference on October 5.

The has an edge over the Chinese Air Force as the latter have issues launching operations from their high altitude air bases in Ngari Gunsa, Kashgar and Hotan and the others which are coming up in the region while the Indian Air Force can launch from multiple airbases near the Ladakh area and reach locations faster than their fighter aircraft.

In fact, sources said, the majority of the present preparation of the Chinese military across the LAC in the Tibetan Autonomous Region is to tackle the Indian Air Force only.

In view of the Chinese buildup, the Indian Army has also bolstered its preparations along the northern borders as they have now deployed almost an entire reserve tank division, over 50,000 troops and new equipment like the K-9 Vajra howitzers to tackle any misadventure.The Indian Air Force is also fast deploying assets along the LAC in both eastern and northern regions which are acting as force multipliers for the forces.

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The on Saturday claimed that is no longer regarded as a democracy and has earned the label of an "electoral autocracy", as it called upon all democratic parties to join hands in resolutely opposing the Modi government.

In a resolution on the political situation in the country, the Working Committee (CWC) said the "assault on democratic institutions completes the sad and shameless narrative of the Modi government".

" is no longer regarded as a democracy, it has earned the label of an electoral autocracy. Parliament has been contemptuously disregarded. The judiciary has been debilitated by not filling vacancies in courts and tribunals," the CWC said.

The alleged that independent watchdog bodies like the Information Commission, the Election Commission and the Human Rights Commission have been "debased and rendered virtual ciphers".

The media has been threatened into meek submission through raids and false cases, it claimed.

"Non-government organisations (NGOs) have been intimidated and their welfare activities have been halted. The government's agencies have been widely misused to suppress the voice of the people," the resolution alleged.

In a reference to the Pegasus spyware controversy, the CWC said the government has "surreptitiously used malicious spyware" to intrude into the lives of the people.

"Every aspect of democracy has been diminished. The Congress party will resist every sinister attempt to convert the country into a surveillance and police state. Under the Modi government, the constitutional promise of liberty and justice for all has receded into a vain hope," the resolution said.

The CWC believes that it is its duty to sound the alarm bells, it said.

"We do so and call upon all democratic parties and forces to join hands to resolutely oppose the Modi government in order to protect the values on which our country was founded and to advance the causes of the people," the resolution said.

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External Affairs Minister will pay an official visit to Israel beginning Sunday during which he will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

This will be Jaishankar's first visit to the country as External Affairs Minister.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday that Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Israel from October 17-21 at the invitation of Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Lapid.

He will hold a bilateral meeting with Lapid and will also call on President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy during his visit.

India and Israel elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in July 2017.

Since then, the relationship between the two countries has focused on expanding knowledge-based partnership, which includes collaboration in innovation and research, including boosting the 'Make in India' initiative, the MEA said.

During his visit, Jaishankar will interact with the Indian-origin Jewish community in Israel, Indologists, Indian students who are currently pursuing their education in Israeli universities, and business people, including from the hi-tech industries, the statement said.

The visit will also be an occasion to pay tribute to the valiant Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the region, especially during the First World War, it said.

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The on Saturday said the "brutal" mowing down of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri was a manifestation of the government's continuing "arrogance" and slammed Prime Minister for not removing the Union minister whose son has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, in a resolution alleged that the last seven years have witnessed a "diabolical design" to attack the livelihood of 'annadatas' and landless farm labourers.

Referring to the October 3 Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which eight people died, four of them farmers allegedly knocked down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers, the CWC said that "the brutal mowing down of farmers is a manifestation of the continuing arrogance".

"This incident was preceded by the Union minister (of state) for home affairs, himself an accused in a case of murder in which the high court has reserved judgment for 43 months, publicly threatening the farmers with dire consequences, while flaunting his own dubious antecedents," the said.

Despite his son having been accused and arrested under relentless public pressure, Prime Minister "shamelessly" refuses to remove Ajay Mishra as Union minister of state for home affairs, it said.

On October 3, after the four farmers were knocked down, infuriated people then allegedly lynched some people in the vehicles. The other dead included two BJP workers and their driver. In the incident, a journalist was also killed.

Farmers claimed that Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra was in one of the vehicles, an allegation denied by him and his father who say they can produce evidence to prove he was at an event at that time.

Ashish Mishra 'Monu' was arrested in the case on October 9 after 12 hours of questioning, and a court has accepted his police custody from October 12 to October 15.

In its resolution, the Congress said it is committed to the repeal of the three farm laws and ensuring a just and fair minimum support price mechanism for India's farmers as well as justice for landless farm labourers.

"We reiterate our continued resolve to fight this battle alongside farmers and farm labourers to defeat the Modi government's deliberate attack on India's 'annadatas'," the CWC said.

The party alleged that the "attack" on farmers began with a sinister design to deny the land acquisition compensation guaranteed by the Congress led-UPA through an Act of Parliament.

This was followed by a refusal to provide any form of relief from agricultural indebtedness, a dilution of the norms for crop compensation and the framing of a convoluted crop insurance scheme which singularly benefitted select insurance companies instead of the suffering farmers, the resolution said.

Agriculture was subjected to unjustifiable levels of taxation by imposing Goods and Services Tax (GST) on fertiliser (five per cent), pesticides (18 per cent) and tractors and agricultural equipment (12 per cent-18 per cent), it said.

Meanwhile, fertilizer, seed and pesticide prices skyrocketed, the resolution pointed out.

This was compounded by astronomical increase in diesel prices that are touching an unprecedented Rs 100 per litre and have even surpassed the Rs 100 per litre mark in several cities across the country, the resolution said.

All these retrograde and outright anti-farmer measures, including excessive taxation by the Modi government, have placed an additional burden of Rs. 20,000-25,000 per hectare on agriculture, it claimed.

"The plight of India's farmers can be gauged from the NSSO report, which highlights that the average income per day of the small and marginal farmer is a pittance of Rs 26.67/ day. And the average debt is Rs 72,000 per farmer. The average income per day is way below even the minimum daily wage for labour," the resolution stated.

For over ten and a half months, lakhs of farmers have been protesting peacefully on Delhi's borders, blocked by spikes and boulders on the highway from advancing further, it said.

The CWC also noted the "courage and consistency" with which Rahul Gandhi has fought for the cause of farmers and the "resilience" of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in fighting the onslaught on farmers in Uttar Pradesh.

In another resolution on the political situation in the country, the CWC said the tragic incident at Lakhimpur Kheri is a clear example of official support to the attempt to suppress the voice of the farmers.

The refusal of the prime minister to condemn the brutal murder of the farmers and to sack the minister of state for home affairs have shocked the conscience of the country, it said.

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Hardening its stand on peace talks with the government, the Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has said its position on the demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution is unchanged as these are emblematic of the Naga political struggle and identity.

The NSCN-IM, which resumed talks to find a solution to the decades-old Naga political issue after a gap of almost two years, said in a statement on Friday that the problem is "deeply rooted in India's malicious pleasure, violating the historical and political rights of the Naga people".

Meanwhile, A K Mishra, the Government of India's representative for Naga talks, held a meeting with the Working Committee members of Naga Political Groups (NNPG), an umbrella organisation of seven outfits opposed to NSCN-IM, in New Delhi on Friday, a release issued by the media cell of NNPG said.

"The consultation was a cordial affair with both sides displaying consistency and commitment of purpose, taking up the thread from where former Interlocutor R N Ravi left," it said, adding further deliberations will continue in the near future to work out the finer details of an enduring relationship.

However, talking tough, the NSCN-IM said the issue of a Naga national flag and Yehzabo (Constitution) were stalling a solution to the lingering problem, and accused the Centre of indulging in divisive policy. "Ironically, when the issue gets too hot to handle, the Government of started to indulge in divisive policy and flattery in the name of finding the Naga political solution," it said, apparently referring to the talks between the NNPG and the government interlocutor.

"The chequered history of the Indo-Naga political issue is clear enough before us, with accords and agreements that were never meant to be implemented in letter and spirit, it said and added the Naga flag with divine origin cannot be traded or bargained to make the Nagas infidel people."



The NSCN-IM had signed a Framework Agreement with GoI on August 3, 2015 but final agreement has not been reached yet.

The Working Committee of NPPG entered into a parallel dialogue with the Centre in 2017 and inked the Agreed Position the same year.

Talks were said to have concluded with both the groups in October 2019 during the tenure of then interlocutor R N Ravi but a final solution is still elusive.

The NSCN-IM, the largest of the extremist groups active in Nagaland, joined the peace talks with the government in 1997.

Hopes of a solution to the vexed Naga question brightened when Ravi, then the Centre's interlocutor, was appointed the governor of in 2019. However, things got bitter soon afterwards as Ravi accused NSCN-IM of delaying a comprehensive agreement and wrote a letter to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, calling the outfit "armed gangs" who were running a parallel government.

NSCN-IM responded by seeking removal of Ravi as the governor and interlocutor. Ravi was removed in September 2021 and Mishra was appointed the Centre's interlocutor for carrying forward the peace talks.

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A team of US researchers, including a scientist of Indian-origin, has shown for the first time that Covid-19 vaccines and prior Covid infections can provide broad immunity against other similar coronaviruses.

The findings build a rationale for universal vaccines that could prove useful in the face of future epidemics.

"Until our study, what hasn't been clear is if you get exposed to one coronavirus, could you have cross-protection across other coronaviruses? And we showed that is the case," said lead author Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster, Assistant Professor of Microbiology-Immunology at North-western University's Feinberg School of Medicine.

Penaloza-MacMaster collaborated with North-western Medicine physician, Igor Koralnik and Lavanya Visvabharathy, a post-doctoral research associate at Feinberg, to evaluate immune responses in humans who received Covid vaccines as well as in Covid patients.

"We found that these individuals developed antibody responses that neutralised a common cold coronavirus, HCoV-OC43," Penaloza-MacMaster said.

"We are now measuring how long this cross-protection lasts."

The three main families of coronaviruses that cause human disease are Sarbecovirus, which includes the SARS-CoV-1 strain that was responsible for the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Other coronaviruses are SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for Covid-19 pandemic; Embecovirus (that includes OC43) which is often responsible for the common cold; and Merbecovirus, which is the virus responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), first reported in 2012.

During the study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, plasma from humans who had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 produced antibodies that were cross-reactive (provided protection) against SARS-CoV-1 and the common cold (OC43).

The study found mice immunised with a SARS-CoV-1 vaccine developed in 2004 generated immune responses that protected them from intranasal exposure by SARS-CoV-2.

The team found prior infections can protect against subsequent infections with other coronaviruses.

Mice that had been immunised with Covid-19 vaccines and later were exposed to the common cold coronavirus were partially protected against the common cold but the protection was much less robust, the study found.

The reason, the scientists explained, is because both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are genetically similar while the common cold coronavirus is more divergent from SARS-CoV-2.

"As long as the coronavirus is greater than 70 per cent related, the mice were protected," Penaloza-MacMaster said.

"If they were exposed to a very different family of coronaviruses, the vaccines might confer less protection."

Given how different each coronavirus family is, that answer is "likely no", said the study authors.

However, there may be a path forward for developing a vaccine for each coronavirus family (Sarbecovirus, Embecovirus and Merbecovirus), they said.

--IANS

na/khz/ksk/

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Travel companies are expecting a heavy rush to the US following the withdrawal of curbs on fully vaccinated travellers from select countries, including India, on November 8.

The move will benefit those holding long-term tourist, business, and work visas. Also, new and extra flights by Air India and American Airlines are expected to provide better travel options.

Visa appointments (for fresh applicants) have been curtailed as part of local Covid-19 measures and there is no clarity yet on their normalisation.

The US update on acceptance of fully vaccinated Indians without quarantine from November 8 is a welcome development for our business travellers and also the family and leisure segments. Flight capacity is currently limited to flights under the bubble. Fares that are already over 60 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels may well see a further surge, said Indiver Rastogi, president and group head (global business travel), Thomas Cook India.

Return economy class fares for non-stop flights on the Delhi-Newark/New York route for travel between November 10 and December 30 are priced Rs 90,000-Rs 120,000. On certain dates, though, return tickets are a bit cheaper around Rs 70,000.

On Friday, the White House announced the lifting of Covid restrictions for vaccinated travellers from 33 countries, making it easier for those flying between the two countries.

Those inoculated with FDA or WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines would be accepted. The Joe Biden administration would separately issue orders and guidance documents to implement the new travel policy.

Travel restrictions for Indians came into effect on May 4 when the country was grappling with the second wave of the Covid pandemic.

Those restrictions meant that tourist or business visa-holders had to spend 14 days outside India in order to gain entry into the US. But the curbs did not apply to US citizens and permanent residents, among others. Students whose classes began after August 1 were allowed direct entry.

While traditionally November-December is the peak season for India travel from the US, this year there can be a rush on the outbound flights, too.

International travel will gain momentum with the decline in daily Covid-19 cases across the country and the easing of travel norms by leading global destinations, including the US. Fares will be higher in the initial few days. We expect their rationalisation after a week or so, said a spokesperson of Yatra.com.

Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, said: There is a jump of nearly 50 per cent in demand for US flights and we are hopeful that more routes and options will be available soon. There had been a significant jump in airfares in the recent past and as of now, rates have stabilised. We hope this trend continues as we expect more flight options.

At present Air India and United Airlines operate non-stop flights to the US from Mumbai and Delhi. From November 3, Air India is increasing frequency on the Delhi-Chicago route from six to seven per week. American Airlines is launching new services between New York and Delhi from October 31 and between Seattle and Bengaluru from January 4.

The US government decision to lift the travel restrictions is a positive development and now it must be followed up by increasing visa services in India. Visa appointments have been restricted due to local Covid-19 measures and staffing issues within the US Department of State, among others. This has impacted applicants of tourist, business, and work visas, said Poorvi Chothani, managing partner of LawQuest, an immigration law firm.

New H-1B visas have been issued to those who qualify under the Interest Exception policy. However, there are thousands of individuals who are approved and eligible to apply for H-1B visas and have been unable to join their new jobs in the US. Enhanced visa services in India are crucial to enable people to travel to the US, she added.




A second arrest was made on Saturday in connection with the of a Dalit man at a farmers' protest site at the Singhu border, police said.

Narain Singh, belonging to the Sikhs' Nihang order, was arrested by the Amritsar Rural police at Amarkot village in Amritsar district, they said.

On Friday, Sarabjit Sigh was the first person to be arrested in connection with the case. A court in Sonipat on Saturday remanded him to police custody for seven days.

Shortly after being taken into custody, Narain Singh claimed that he had surrendered before the police.

He claimed that before coming to Amritsar, he telephonically informed the SSP Amritsar Rural that he wanted to surrender. Singh claimed that he had asked the SSP to allow him to visit the Akal Takht but police took him into custody at Amarkot village near Jandaila town, 25 km away from Amritsar city.

Before his arrest, talking to the media, Narain Singh said that Lakhbir Singh, who was lynched, had been "punished" allegedly for sacrilege.

He said that the accused of the Bargari sacrilege incident in Punjab had not yet been arrested but now if somebody were to commit such a heinous crime, he would be punished on the spot.

Paramjit Kaur, the wife of Narain Singh, was present when he was taken into police custody.

Kaur said that she was "proud" of her husband as "he has punished the guilty person responsible for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. If someone commits such a heinous crime, now I will punish him."



Many Sikh outfits honoured Narain Singh with a robe of honour and even garlanded him with currency notes when he paid obeisance in the Amarkot Gurdwara.

The body of Lakhbir Singh, a labourer from Punjab's Tarn Taran district, was found on Friday tied to a barricade at the Delhi-Haryana border, where the anti-farm law protesters have been camping, with a hand chopped off and multiple wounds caused by sharp-edged weapons.

Hours after the macabre crime, Sarabjit Sigh, wearing the blue robes of the Nihang order, claimed that he had "punished" the victim for "desecrating" a Sikh holy book.

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As US multinational announced its decision to close its service in China due to the "challenging operating environment," concerns within the global business community have risen. Analysts said that as Beijing continues to tighten its grip over the private sector including the tech companies, there could be a few more that decide to slash down their operations.

Reuters tweeted, "Seven years after its launch in China, is pulling the plug on The company cited challenges of operating in a country with strict government regulations over content sharing."

"This could be the beginning as many are now becoming more and more wary of China as a market due to the uncertainty in its policy regime," an analyst told India Narrative.

The American tech giant however said that the company will launch a China-specific jobs-only platform called InJobs, which would not offer social feeds. Users of the new feature would also be unable to share or post articles.

A senior executive of a multinational company that is present in China said that the authorities that have been typically supportive of businesses have suddenly become hostile.

"There is a rising sense of apprehension among the businesses and this has definitely dampened sentiments, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic," the executive on condition of anonymity said.

In his blog, Mohak Shroff, senior vice-president of said, "We're facing a significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements in China."

It is worth noting that earlier this week, Harvard University announced its decision to move its Chinese language programme from Beijing to Taipei.

The university said that the growing "hostile environment" between China and the US was one of the main reasons for the decision.

Meanwhile, in another drastic step, the Chinese authorities published new data security draft regulations that would choke data sharing for multinational operating in China or even other firms which operate beyond the country.

According to Global Times, the new regulation would "ban the export" core and important data.

The Beijing based news organisation defended the step saying that this is necessary "to ensure national security and normal functioning of society," most others have registered their discontent.

China Briefing said that for multinational companies headquartered in China or with branches in China, cross-border data transfer might be inevitable when engaging with overseas companies or investors.

"Businesses are well advised to carefully evaluate if they fall into the scope of critical information infrastructures operators before transferring their data to overseas parties and must keep a close eye on future legislative developments to avoid compliance risks and potential penalties," it said.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

--indianarrative

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The perpetrators of communal violence in on Saturday vandalised six idols of the Daniapara Maha Shoshan Kali Mandir at Rashunia union in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj.

As per The Daily Star, the vandalism was carried out between 3 am and 4 am, confirmed Md Rashedul Islam, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sirajdikhan Circle).

"The temple had no security and only the idols were vandalised," he said.

"The main entrance lock was found broken and the tin shed was also cut and all the idols in the temple have been vandalised," said Shuvrata Dev Nath Vanu, General Secretary of the Daniapara Mahasmashan Kali Mandir Committee, reported The Daily Star.

"We are preparing to file a complaint with the police," he said.

"Such an incident had never happened before in the temple," added Shuvrata.

On Wednesday, communal violence broke out in several places in after news broke on social media about the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran at a Durga Puja venue on the bank of Nanuar Dighi.

Several puja venues were vandalized in the area of Chandpur, Chittagong, Gazipur, Bandarban, Chapainawabganj and Moulvibazar. The clashes resulted in several casualties.

On Friday, one man named Jatan Kumar Saha was killed and 17 were injured in an attack in Begumganj Upazila of Bangladesh's Noakhali district.

Also, a mob attacked an ISKCON temple in Bangladesh's Noakhali district on Friday and according to the community, one of its members was killed.

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China's Shenzhou-13 carrying three Chinese docked Saturday at its space station, kicking off a record-setting six-month stay as the country moves toward completing the new orbiting outpost.

The was launched by a Long March-2F rocket at 12:23 am Saturday and docked with the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station at 6:56 am, approximately six and a half hours later.

The two men and one woman are the second crew to move into the space station, which was launched last April. The first crew stayed three months.

The new crew includes two veterans of space travel. Zhai Zhigang, 55, and Wang Yaping, 41, and Ye Guangfu, 41, who is making his first trip to space.

They were seen off by a military band and supporters singing Ode to the Motherland, underscoring the weight of national pride invested in the space programme, which has advanced rapidly in recent years.

The crew will do three spacewalks to install equipment in preparation for expanding the station; assess living conditions in the Tianhe module and conduct experiments in space medicine and other fields.

China's military-run space programme plans to send multiple crews to the station over the next two years to make it fully functional.

When completed with the addition of two more sections named Mengtian and Wentian the station will weigh about 66 tons, much smaller than the Space Station, which launched its first module in 1998 and weighs around 450 tons.

Two more Chinese modules are due to be launched before the end of next year during the stay of the yet-to-be-named Shenzhou-14 crew.

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday renewed its commitment to cooperation with other nations in the peaceful use of space.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said sending humans into space was a common cause of mankind. China would continue to extend the depth and breadth of cooperation and exchanges in crewed spaceflight and make positive contributions to the exploration of the mysteries of the universe, he said.

China was excluded from the Space Station largely due to US objections over the Chinese programme's secretive nature and close military ties, prompting it to launch two experimental modules before starting on the permanent station.

US law requires congressional approval for contact between the American and Chinese space programmes, but China is cooperating with space experts from other countries including France, Sweden, Russia and Italy. Chinese officials have said they look forward to hosting from other countries aboard the space station once it becomes fully functional.

China has launched seven crewed missions with a total of 14 aboard two have flown twice since 2003, when it became only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a person in space on its own.

China has also expanded its work on lunar and Mars exploration, including landing a rover on the little-explored far side of the Moon and returning lunar rocks to Earth for the first time since the 1970s.

This year, China also landed its Tianwen-1 space probe on Mars, whose accompanying Zhurong rover has been exploring for evidence of life on the red planet.

Other Chinese space programmes call for collecting soil from an asteroid and bringing back additional lunar samples. China has also expressed an aspiration to land people on the moon and possibly build a scientific base there, although no timeline has been proposed for such projects. A highly secretive space plane is also reportedly under development.

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Three Chinese astronauts, including a woman, on board the Shenzhou-13, have entered the space station core module Tianhe on Saturday, the country's space agency said, hours after the spaceship was successfully launched for a record six-month mission.

The three -- Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu -- successfully docked with the radial port of the under-construction space station core module Tianhe.

They will stay in the space station for six months to complete its construction -- the longest manned mission in China's history. Wang is the first Chinese woman astronaut to visit China's space station.

The spaceship, launched on early Saturday morning, completed orbital status and conducted a fast-automated rendezvous and docking with Tianhe at 6:56 am (Beijing Time), forming a complex together with the cargo crafts Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3.

The whole process took approximately 6.5 hours, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.

The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China's Gobi Desert.

This is the second manned mission for China's space station, which is under construction. Earlier three other Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo returned to earth on September 17 after a successful three-month stay in the space station module during which they carried out several tasks to build it.

Billed as the most prestigious and strategically important space project for China after the country's recent Mars and previous Moon missions, the low orbit space station would be the country's eye from the sky, providing round the clock bird's-eye view on the rest of the world.

The space station is expected to be ready by next year.

Once ready, China will be the only country to own a space station while the ageing Space Station (ISS) is now a collaborative project of several countries. It is expected to be a competitor to the ISS and perhaps may become a sole space station to remain in orbit once the ISS retires.

The ISS is divided into two sections -- the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS), which is operated by Russia, and the United States Orbital Segment (USOS), which is run by the US as well as many other nations, including Japan and Canada.

China is building the space station by sending a series of space missions including the cargo craft, which docked with the Tianhe core cabin module.

The Tianhe was launched on April 29 and a cargo spacecraft with supplies on May 29.

Once ready, the station is also expected to be opened for China's close allies like Pakistan and for other space cooperation partners.

Ji Qiming, assistant to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) director, said last month that besides close cooperation with Russia, China is also having bilateral cooperation exchanges with countries including France, Italy, Pakistan and focussing on space experiments in fundamental physics, space medicine and space autonomy on the space station.

Separately, China and Russia also unveiled a road map to build a lunar space station, official media here reported. The station aims to develop research facilities on the surface of the moon, in orbit or both.

China's space station is also equipped with a robotic arm over which the US has raised concerns for its possible military applications.

The arm, which can be stretched to 15 metres, will also play a vital role in building the space station in orbit, Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space engineering project, had said.

will team up with the robotic arm to make in-orbit space station construction and maintenance possible.

China in the past had launched several scavenger satellites fitted with robotic arms to gather and steer space debris so that it burns up in Earth's atmosphere.

The new space station will operate in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 340-450 km above Earth's surface for more than 10 years.

The T-shape station has one core module at the centre and a lab capsule on each side. Each of the modules will weigh over 20 tonnes, with the total mass of the station expected to weigh about 66 tonnes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who spoke to the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-12 mission earlier, termed the project as an "important milestone" in the country's ambitious space exploration programme.

"The construction of the space station is a milestone in China's space industry, which will make pioneering contributions to the peaceful use of space by humanity," Xi had said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The "all-weather ally" of Pakistan, China has demanded USD 38 million compensation for the dead engineers at the Dasu Dam Project.

Mushtaq Ghumman, writing in Business Recorder said that China wanted to be compensated prior to resuming work on the stalled Dasu Hydropower Project.

On July 14, 2021, thirteen people, including nine Chinese engineers, two locals and two personnel of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) died and over two dozen other people sustained injuries when a bus carrying the team working on the project fell into a ravine after it was hit by a car laden with explosives.

According to Secretary Water Resources, Dr Shahzeb Khan Bangash, the civil work in the project has been stalled since the attack on Chinese engineers in July, reported Business Recorder.

The sources said the issue of compensation to the Chinese nationals is being discussed at a high level. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Water Resources and Chinese embassy were working closely on the compensation package, as well as, resumption of work on the project.

According to sources, the Steering Committee, comprising Secretaries of concerned Ministries had constituted another Committee which deliberated on the issues linked to the Dasu project, especially the volume of compensation being demanded by the Chinese government.

The Committee has constituted a Subcommittee, comprising all the relevant Ministries to discuss compensation package by taking the Chinese embassy on board as the proposed package is being termed as "irrational", said Ghumman.

Secretary Water Resources, the sources said, is hopeful that the compensation issue will be sorted out within a couple of weeks, after which civil work on the site will resume.

The Chinese firm, China Gezhouba Group Corp, which suspended work on the Dasu project after the bus incident, had announced negation of its decision to resume work and terminate Pakistani workers, at the request of the Pakistani government.

However, the company has not yet resumed work and is saying that it will not proceed ahead until a compensation package and more security of Chinese nationals is provided, reported Business Recorder.

(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.)
Finance Minister discussed the post-pandemic economic recovery, India's major role in the global fight against COVID-19 and preparations for the upcoming Climate Change Conference among other issues during her meeting with President David Malpass.

Sitharaman met Malpass at the headquarters in Washington DC on Friday.

"Both sides discussed various issues including #COVID #vaccination, #economicrecovery, preparations for #CoP26, initiative of #WBG for increasing lending space for India, IDA 20 replenishment, knowledge partnership with @WorldBank," Finance Ministry said in a series of tweets.

During the meeting, Sitharaman shared the measures being taken by India to contain the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, including the major role played by India on the global COVID-19 effort, the ministry said.

She appreciated the Group for their initiative for increasing lending space for India to enhance availability of finance for development.

The minister also mentioned that the focus should be on technologies that need to be moved from lab to field and those that require targeted global research in the pursuit of low carbon growth.

She highlighted three broad suggestions, including strengthening #LighthouseIndia, #technology and special focus on #FinancialSectorReforms and #infrastructure sector to strengthen the knowledge partnership with #WBG, it said.

Earlier, in her address to the Development Committee of the World Bank, she said India has not only faced the COVID-19 crisis with great resilience and fortitude but has also played a major role and "walked the talk" on the global fight against the pandemic.

She highlighted that the measures taken by the government have set a strong foundation of the country's sustained economic growth.

She said the Indian government, besides taking economic relief measures, has also undertaken significant structural reforms to turn the crisis into an opportunity and emerge stronger.

The minister also discussed the preparations for the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home. She started her week-long trip from Boston.

In addition to her meetings at the Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements.

(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.)
Rajasthan Chief Minister who has arrived here to take part in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday has met senior party leader Ambika Soni.

According to sources, the meeting between the two senior Congress leaders lasted about 2 hours following which the Rajasthan Chief Minister left for Jodhpur House.

The CWC meeting is expected to begin at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday.

According to sources, Gehlot will also meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Delhi besides attending the CWC meeting.

Gehlot, a party veteran, also discussed several organisational issues with Soni.

Ahead of the Rajasthan chief minister's visit to Delhi, the state's party in-charge Ajay Maken also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and provided her feedback on the current situation in the state.

Also, Maken in Jaipur held one-on-one meeting with all the party MLAs and workers regarding the cabinet expansion, after which it was expected that Gehlot would soon expand the cabinet. However, Maken said the cabinet could not be expanded due to Gehlot's health conditions.

The CWC meeting is being considered "very important" in view of the situation in Rajasthan.

Three others leaders from Rajasthan -- CWC members Raghuveer Meena, Jitendra Singh, Raghu Sharma will also attend the meeting, apart from

After Punjab, the possibilities of cabinet expansion are being explored in Rajasthan too.

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma who has been appointed in-charge of Daman Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli, will participate in the CWC meeting for the first time.

--IANS

ptk/pgh

(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.)
Addressing the Working Committee (CWC) meeting, interim President on Saturday slammed party leaders for speaking to the media.

In her opening remarks, she said: "I have always appreciated frankness. There is no need to speak to me through the media. So let us all have a free and honest discussion. But what should get communicated outside the four walls of this room is the collective decision of the CWC."

Sonia Gandhi's statement comes after after senior party leader Kapil Sibal had recently said that "there is no president in our party, so we do not know who is taking all the decisions. We know it, yet we don't know, one of my senior colleagues perhaps has written or is about to write to the interim president to immediately convene a CWC meeting so that a dialogue can be initiated".

In her remarks on Saturday, she also said the party is ready for the internal elections.

"The entire organisation wants a revival of the But this requires unity and keeping the party's interests paramount. Above all, it requires self-control and discipline. I am acutely conscious of the fact that I have been interim President ever since the CWC asked me to return in this capacity in 2019. We had thereafter, you may recall, finalised a roadmap for electing a regular President by June 30, 2021."

But due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, this deadline was extended indefinitely by the CWC in its meeting held on May 10, she added.

"Today is the occasion for bringing clarity once and for all. A schedule for the full-fledged organisational elections is before you."

She also praised young leaders for taking over leadership role

"In the last two years, a large number of our colleagues, particularly the younger ones have taken on leadership roles in taking party policies and programmes to the people, whether it be the agitation of farmers, provision of relief during the pandemic, highlighting issues of concern to youth and women, atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis and minorities, price rise, and the destruction of the public sector. Never have we let issues of public importance and concern go unaddressed."

Regarding the farmers protests, the Congress interim President said: "The shocking incidents at Lakhimpur Kheri betrays the mindset of the BJP, how it perceives the Kisan Andolan, how it has been dealing with this determined struggle by Kisans to protect their lives and livelihoods.

She said that the economy continues to be a cause of great concern in spite of the government propaganda and the only answer the Centre seems to have for the country's economic recovery is selling off assets built with great effort over the decades.

"The public sector has had not just strategic and economic objectives, it has had social goals as well, as, for instance, empowerment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and development of backward areas. But all this is in jeopardy with the Modi government's single-point agenda of 'Becho, Becho, Becho'."

She said that prices of essential commodities, including food and fuel continue to rise unabated.

"Could anyone in the country ever imagine that petrol prices would be over 100 Rs rupees a litre, diesel would be nearing the Rs 100 a litre mark, a gas cylinder would cost Rs 900 and cooking oil would be Rs 200 a litre. This is making life unbearable for people across the country."

also condemned the killings in Jammu and Kashmir and said minorities clearly have been targeted.

"This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We have done so and I do so again this morning. Jammu and Kashmir has been a Union Territory for two years. The entire responsibility for bringing the perpetrators of these barbaric crimes to justice is that of the Union government. Restoring social peace and harmony and confidence amongst the people in Jammu and Kashmir rests with the Modi government too.

"There has always been a broad consensus on foreign and neighbourhood policy in our country. But that consensus has been damaged because of the Prime Minister continued reluctance to take the Opposition into confidence in any meaningful manner. Foreign policy has become a diabolical instrument of electoral mobilisation and polarisation. We face serious challenges on our borders and on other fronts. The Prime Minister telling the opposition leaders last year that there had not been any occupation of our territory by China and his silence ever since is costing our nation dearly," she added.

The Congress faces many challenges but, "if we are united, if we are disciplined and if we focus on the party's interests alone, I am confident that we will do well".

--IANS

ptk/miz/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.)
The on Saturday mocked the meeting as "parivar bachao working committee" and alleged that it offered no answers to the issues of the party's internal rift and its leadership's failures, and instead indulged in spreading lies.

spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also criticised the CWC for not reacting to the ghastly murder of a Dalit man at the Singhu border, one of the sites for the farmers' protests, and questioned if the opposition party stood with the "Talibani mindset" behind the killing. Anarchic elements are using farmers for their politics, he said.

"For the sake of petty and cheap vote bank politics, opposition parties, especially the Congress, will maintain deafening silence on this key issue. They will not have courage to call spade a spade because it does not suit their political narrative," Bhatia said while also attacking farmer leader Rakesh Tikait for his reported remarks that organisers cannot be blamed for such a incident.

Taking a swipe at Sonia Gandhi over her assertion that she was a "full time and hands on" Congress chief, he noted her status as the interim president of the organisation and the demand of the group of disaffected party members, referred to as G-23, that it should have a full time head.

"It will not be wrong to say that it was less a and more a parivar bachao working committee (save family working committee)," he said, alleging that Gandhi's opening remarks did not touch on a host of issues facing the party and left unanswered people's questions about Congress-run governments in different states.

The Congress again advanced the of lies and spreading confusion, he said, in an apparent reference to her attack on the Modi government over a host of issues, including three "black (farm) laws", killings in Jammu and Kashmir, Lakhimpur Kheri violence and the state of the economy.

Bhatia cited the police lathi-charge on a group of protesting farmers in the Congress-ruled states of Punjab and Rajasthan and also noted that a law on contract farming brought in by Punjab says that farmers can be arrested for breaking the agreement.

This is what a black law is, and the Congress president should ensure that it is withdrawn, he said.

The spokesperson also took a dig at her for the part of her statement in which she is noting that all CWC are now doubly vaccinated, paving the way for its first physical meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak, as he noted the opposition party's trenchant criticism of the Modi government's vaccination policies.

The Congress should offer words of thanks to scientists and doctors when 100 crore doses of vaccines are completed in a few days, he added.

Bhatia also criticised Gandhi for not visiting her Lok Sabha constituency of Rai Bareli for over 21 months, alleging that she has been a failure as a MP.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An insight into citizen's legal rights in India by Sarthak Chaturvedi, Lawyer at Supreme Court

New Delhi (India), October 16,(ANI/PNN): Have you ever been in a situation where you've been victimized, discriminated against, or taken advantage of, and you didn't act since you weren't sure whether you could or not? Well, it's time to empower yourself legally and understand your rights as an Indian citizen. While most of us Indians are aware of some of our basic legal rights, here are some of them which you might not know about.

1- The right to file an FIR-

According to the Indian Penal Code, 166 A, A Police officer can't refuse to lodge an FIR. As an Indian citizen, you have a right to file an FIR for a cognizable offense, and a police officer who refuses to lodge the FIR is punishable for committing a crime under Section 166A(c) of the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court has said that in such cases, "the police officer will be liable for prosecution and punishment."

How to exercise this right?

Visit the police station (ideally near the crime scene) and present all the information before the concerned officer in charge. Also, Section 154 of the CrPC gives a choice to the informant to furnish information orally or in writing.

Note: Guidelines issued by the Delhi Police entitle women to the privilege of registering a complaint via email or even through the post if they can't go to the police station.

What to do when your right is violated?

If the concerned officer in charge refuses to register a first information report about the commission of a cognizable offense within his territorial jurisdiction under Sec. 154(3) following actions can be taken -

(a)Approach The Superintendent of Police:

The informant can approach any senior officer of police or the Superintendent of Police, or the Commissioner of the police with a written complaint.

If the Superintendent of Police is satisfied that such information discloses the commission of a cognizable offense then, he might investigate the case himself or direct an investigation to be made by any police officer subordinate to him.

(b) Complaint to Judicial Magistrate:

If even after submitting a complaint to Senior Police officials no FIR is lodged, then the informant is legally entitled to file a complaint to the Judicial Magistrate/ Metropolitan Magistrate u/s 156(3) read with Section 190 of the criminal procedure, thereby requesting the FIR to be registered by the police and commencing investigation into the matter.

(c) Legal Remedy:

A Writ Petition may be filed in respective High Court for seeking damages/compensation if the inaction of the Police on the complaint/non-registration of FIR has resulted in frustration/deprivation of --life and liberty of any person, guaranteed under Article 21 of Constitution of India.

2- The right to claim a refund-

The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 guarantees every consumer the right to a complete refund if they are not satisfied with their purchase or in the event that the consumer has not been able to utilize the services that he had paid for.

In fact, It is illegal and an unfair trade practice to print "No exchange or refund" on bills and invoices.

What to do when your right is violated?

In case money is not refunded by the company, you can send a legal notice. If the money is still not refunded, file a complaint in the consumer forum for deficiency in service. You can also register a criminal complaint of cheating against the defaulters.

3- Right of parents to be maintained by their children-

According to the Section 125 of Cr. P.C, parents (father or mother whether biological, adoptive or stepfather or stepmother, whether senior citizen or not) have the right to claim maintenance from their adult children.

What to do when your right is violated?

Approach the court with sufficient proof that your sons/ daughters who are capable of supporting you have neglected to do so. An application for maintenance may be filed against any person, liable to pay the same.

4- Right to equal pay for equal work-

The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 is a law that mandates equal pay for both men and women for equal work done by them. When two or more people have done the same work under similar circumstances, they are entitled to be compensated equally.

What to do when your right is violated?

Employees have the right to file a complaint with the concerned labor authorities when an employer breaches these provisions.

The appropriate labor authority, after verifying the merits of the case, may initiate an inquiry into this matter and take the appropriate action.

Note: Employers are required to maintain registers that should contain the particulars of the remuneration of their employees.

5- The rights of a woman when arrested-

As per section 46 of the criminal procedure code ( CrPc), apart from exceptional circumstances, no woman can be taken into custody before sunrise or sunset (After 6 pm and before 6 am). And, under no circumstances a male police officer can arrest a woman.

What to do when your right is violated?

If a woman finds herself in a situation where there is a violation of arrest procedure by the police authority, then she must:

(a)Refuse her arrest if the due procedure of law is not followed by the arresting police authority.

(b)Contact her Advocate to seek legal guidance & remedy.

(c)Remind her legal rights to the arresting police authority.

(d) Complain to the Station House Officer (SHO) of the police station where she has been arrested.

(e) Can complain to the Magistrate having local jurisdiction.

6- Right to take legal action if a traffic police officer snatches the key of your vehicle.

Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 says that if the traffic police officer snatches the key from the car or motorcycle, you have a right to launch a Legal proceeding against that traffic police officer.

What to do when your right is violated?

If the police officer snatches your vehicle keys without any reason, take photos of what is happening and file a complaint against that traffic police officer.

7- Your right under the Police Act, 1861

As per the Police act, 1861, a police officer is always on duty whether he/she is wearing a uniform or not. If an officer is approached by the victim, the officer could not refuse to help because he/ she is not on duty.

8- Right under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

As per the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, no company can fire a pregnant woman. It may be punishable by a maximum of 3 years of imprisonment. This rule is applicable to both private and public sector employees.

9- Right against the Cheque Bounce

A cheque bounce is an offense under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, punishable with a fine which can extend to twice the amount of the cheque or imprisonment for a term not more than two years or both.

What to do when your right is violated?

If you have received payment via a cheque, which later bounces, you should immediately contact a lawyer and send a legal notice to the person who is supposed to pay you.

If you do not receive a payment within 15 days of the legal notice, you can file criminal charges against the person, and he might go to jail for it.

10- Right to a Free Legal Aid

Under Article 39-A of the Constitution of India, the government has enacted this act to provide free legal aid service to all those who cannot afford to opt for the services of lawyers.

11- Right to Information (Article 19 (1) (a)

Under the RTI Act, any citizen of India can request information from any public authority, and the authority will have to revert back at the earliest or within thirty days.

If the matter involving a petitioner's life and liberty, the information has to be provided within 48 hours.

What to do when your right is violated?

Public officials who deliberately delay or obstruct an application for information or who deliberately provide incorrect or misleading information can be punished under the RTI laws.

In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is important to know your legal rights as an Indian citizen. Not knowing these basic legal rights can have an impact on everything from your personal safety to your job security.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Flag Showcased And Vande Mataram Played On The Mr. Olympia Stage For The First Time In America! Sahil Khan Does Us Proud Once Again

Orlando (Florida) [India], October 16 (ANI/PNN): The prestigious 2021 Olympia competition took placelast week in Orlando, Florida, where bodybuilders from around the world competed in 11 categories. Across the globe, this is touted as the biggest night in the world of Bodybuilding.

Fitness and Youth Icon of India, Sahil Khan, was this year's proud presenting sponsor at the event, being the first-ever Indian to do so @sahilkhan

Sahil Khan accomplished a lot of feats with this event. For the first time in the 50+ years of bodybuilding history of Olympia, was the Indian Flag showcased, and Vande Mataram the song played on the stage. A proud moment indeed for him and all of us back home. Sahil says, "I cannot describe to you those moments when I was on the stage and to see the country's flag and Vande Mataram playing. It is a moment etched in my memory forever. A truly proud and humbling moment to be able to see your country's flag and song play out at such a prestigious event, I could made it happen, and I am very happy. "

He had graced the occasion as presenting partner with his very popular brand MYFITNESS, popularly known as MyFitness Peanut Butter, which is India's first and only US FDA certified Peanut Butter.

Not only was he India's first sponsor to the prestigious event, but he was also ushered in as a Chief Guest during the award ceremony, twice presenting positions, including presenting the Men's Physique winner Brandon Hendrickson with 1st place. A lot of first's there, Sahil!

A sold-out and much-anticipated event, The 2021 Olympia featured the highest combined winning money in the 57-year history of the contest at 1.6 million dollars! With the Egyptian IFBB professional bodybuilder Big Ramy winning the grand prize of $400,000.

The event is hosted by the International Federation of Body Building & Fitness (IFBB). One of Mr Olympia's most well-known winners is Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is a seven-time consecutive winner of the title.

(https://www.instagram.com/sahilkhan/?utm_medium=copy_link) Sahil Khan proudly says that two times winner of Olympia Big Ramy is also associated with us in promoting our brand My Fitness Peanut Butter, which is a big honour for us.

Good to see one of our own also carving his niche on this prestigious platform.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], October 16(ANI/PNN): One of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, Intas Pharmaceuticals, has made a progressive breakthrough in the Antifungal Therapy domain with the launch of the world's first Super Bioavailable Itraconazole-SB 100mg by the Brand Name of Itaspor-SB Forte/Subawin. It has been recently approved by Indian Regulatory Authorities.

Conventional Itraconazole mainstay drug to fight fungal infection has high result variance and low patient compliance because of dosing dependence upon food, acidic beverage, antacids consumption etc. and overall cost of treatment.

Itaspor SB Forte/Subawinis expected to improve patient compliance and reduce the Doctor's counselling time. It will reduce dosing to half. Furthermore, patients can take it with or without a meal with just water or as directed by the physician. The cost of the therapy is also reduced substantially.

As per published literature and clinicians' experience, the Itraconazole molecule has low blood drug concentration, affecting safety and efficacy when taken orally. These blood levels highly vary from patient to patient. Moreover, the recommendation to take it with a full fatty meal and an acidic beverage further reduces patient compliance and adds to the problem of desired blood drug concentration. Another factor is the cost of therapy for fungal infection patients, as treatment duration varies from 3 to 8 weeks.

"Intas' newest formulation within the 25-year-old brand Itasporis formulated with Super Bioavailable (SB) Technology that makes 1 Itaspor-SB Forte capsule equivalent to conventional 200mg Itraconazole," said Dr Alok Chaturvedi, Senior Vice-president & Head - Medical Affairs, Intas Pharmaceuticals.

"Given the benefits of Super Bioavailable (SB) Technology like half the drug, no inter-patient variability, freedom to prescribe with/without food, any beverage, even with Antacids, and that too with a reduction in overall treatment cost certainly seems to be a win-win proposition.", said Dr R D Kharkar, Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Mumbai.

About Intas

Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a leading, vertically integrated pharmaceutical company based in Ahmedabad, India, having end-to-end capabilities of formulation development, manufacturing and marketing along with backward integration of APIs. Intas has more than 18,000 employees, sells products in more than 85 countries and has 14 manufacturing sites worldwide. The Intas group's revenues amounted to USD 2.1 bn in FY 2020, and the compounded annual growth rate of Intas' revenues has exceeded 25% in the past 10 years.

For more information, please visit (https://www.intaspharma.com/)

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 16 (ANI/PNN): Professional Academy of Management Studies (PAMS), one of the leading management institutes in India operating under Prime Sapphire Education (PSE), has unveiled the Growth+ program to nurture and polish the talent of budding professionals and make them industry-ready.

The Growth+ program is an exceptional opportunity for students who aspire to garner an edge over their competitors. It is a unique platform for graduates to hone their foundational management expertise.

The program pledges to enhance students' career paths and delivers a strategic blend of knowledge and practical upskilling.

''PAMS is also eyeing to provide 100 per cent placement assistance while training the students to present themselves on the corporate frontier. The program involves conducting mock interviews, imparting vital and significant courses of management studies as well as grooming sessions including various aspects of the business world, email writing, business ethics, corporate behaviour, employee rights and much more,'' said Pritesh Jain, founder, PAMS.

''This will enable the students to stay informed of the new challenges and trends. It also brings into the limelight the up-skilled characteristic of a student that serves as a helping hand while transforming the individual into a productive workforce,'' added Jain.

The Growth+ program is segregated into four categories-:

Basic

(Certification: Executive Certificate in Business Management)

The Growth+ basic program aims to deliver a strategic knowledge of the general management studies that will assist beginners to earn and progress in life. The duration of this course is six months, and the fee for the same is INR 15,500.

Prime

(Certification: Advanced Certificate in Business Management)

The Growth+ Prime course delivers an overview understanding of the general business management and specialization studies that help the student to make a mark in their respective fields. The duration of this course is nine months, and it incurs a fee of INR 35,500.

Pro

(Certification: Executive Program in Business Management)

The Growth+ Pro program guarantees to provide superior services with a comprehensive understanding of General business management, advanced business management studies, and various specializations that would make an individual proud of his accomplishments. The fee for the course is INR 50,500, and its duration is 15 months.

Premium

(Certification: Post Graduate Program in Business Management)

The Growth+ premium is a customised program that creates courses according to the student's preferences and requirements. The fee of the same depends on the student's requirements while its duration can range anywhere between six months to one year.

For more information please visit:-(http://www.pamsedu.com/)

Prime Sapphire Education is a premier educational consultancy and was incepted more than a decade ago. The consultancy operates to bridge the gap between students and universities. The consultancy has carved a distinctive niche in mentoring students to pick the right course and embark on a successful carrier journey.

For more information please visit:-(http://primesapphireeducation.com/)

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Dubai [UAE], October 16 (ANI/PRNewswire): The next big thing to happen to businesses and industries is sustainable business transformation, which we call the successor to digital transformation.

Using machine learning today facilitates greater sustainability and contributes to a positive social impact, allowing companies for the first time to be more profitable.

Since the corporate superpowers of the next century will be data-driven, AI-led sustainable superpowers need to define and design their AI Strategy TODAY!

How do sustainable, AI-driven business models of the future work? Do you want to understand the business and strategy context? The Data Tech labs' distinguished CEO, Dr Amit Andre, enables his audience to relate to technology without being overwhelmed by it. That makes his speaking sessions a must attend.

AI may conjure up sci-fi fantasies or worries about robots taking over the world for many of us. We have portrayed AI in the media in every imaginable way. It is only a guess how it will evolve in the future. Its current trends suggest a very different development of how AI will be used in our daily lives.

Join us to hear Dr Amit Andre speak on these topics, he will speak at GITEX GLOBAL 2021 in Dubai: -

Topic 1 - Demystifying next gen AI adoption

* Date - 18th OCT

* Time - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Topic 2 - Space Science with Python & Natural Language Processing

* Date - 20th OCT

* Time - 11:50 am to 12:15 pm

The GITEX Global Leaders Vision is dedicated to the Golden Jubilee of the United Arab Emirates and features innovation visions and digital revolutions of the region's leading government figures.

Useful Links

* Website - (https://tdtl.world/)

* Email Id - reachus@tdtl.world

* Phone - +91 98904 56581

* Facebook -(https://www.facebook.com/thedatatechlabs/)

* Twitter - (https://twitter.com/thedatatechlabs/)

* Instagram -(https://www.instagram.com/thedatatechlabs/)

* LinkedIn - (https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedatatechlabs/)

Team Marketing TDTL, shubham.shrivastva@tdtl.world, +91 8261966544

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Xi Jinping meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in November 2014. Photo: Pang Xinglei/Xinhua

(The Straits Times)  Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone on Friday, in which the two leaders discussed ways to jointly boost economic recovery.

In a readout by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lee and Mr Xi talked about a host of issues that both countries can work together on, such as cross-border and supply chain connectivity, trade and investment, smart cities and climate change.

They also said there should be more collaboration in newer areas such as the green economy and the digital economy.

The two leaders reaffirmed the strong ties between Singapore and China, and the benefits reaped from bilateral cooperation even under trying conditions because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two countries have three official projects  in Suzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing.

Lee and Xi last spoke in July last year, when the Chinese leader called to congratulate Lee on the result of the Singapore general election.

In a readout by Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency on Friday, Xi said Singapore and China, as close neighbors and partners, have helped each other overcome difficulties in the face of the pandemic, a sign of the relationship's resilience.

He added that China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Singapore, resume the flow of travelers between the two countries safely and collaborate on vaccine and drug research and development.

The leaders also discussed regional and international developments, and spoke of the strong ties between China and ASEAN on the 30th year of establishing dialogue relations.

China and Singapore will meet later this year for the 17th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation summit, the highest-level exchange on primarily economic cooperation.

This story was first published in The Straits Times.

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Painter Zhang Ben opened his new exhibition on Nov. 6 at Shanghai's M50 Art Zone. Zhang, born in Huangshan, East Chinas Anhui province, in 1984, is now working at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. Known for his Symbolist oil paintings, Zhang presents a surrealistic space that reflects his inner self, including religious elements. Xiangwai Artha, an art-sharing platform, contributed to todays gallery

Nov 19, 2021 06:03 PM
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Photo: BC gov. Flickr Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry

Another 667 new COVID-19 cases were identified in British Columbia in the past 24 hours, including 101 in the Interior.

The new cases bring B.C.s total since the pandemic began to 196,433 cases, and 5,128 remain active. Active cases dropped by 220 since Thursday.

Hospitalizations dropped by 11 in the past 24 hours, to 367, and 152 people are being treated in intensive care.

There are currently 817 active cases within Interior Health.

There were 13 new deaths reported throughout B.C. in the past 24 hours, including two in the Interior and 11 in the Fraser Health region. This is the most single-day deaths reported in the province since February. To date, 2,055 British Columbians have died after contracting COVID-19.

A new COVID-19 outbreak was declared Friday at Quesnel's GR Baker Memorial Hospital, and there remains 19 active outbreaks among care homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals. Five of the outbreaks are in the Interior.

The new/active cases include:

246 new cases in Fraser Health  Total active cases: 2,221

75 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health  Total active cases: 724

101 new cases in Interior Health  Total active cases: 817

184 new cases in Northern Health  Total active cases: 734

59 new cases in Island Health  Total active cases: 572

In the past 24 hours, 16,498 doses of a COVID vaccine were administered in the province. As of Friday, 89% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83% received their second dose.

From Oct. 7-13, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 68.3% of cases and from Sept. 30-Oct. 13, they accounted for 76.3% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Oct. 7-13)  Total 4,019

Not vaccinated: 2,478 (61.7%)

Partially vaccinated: 265 (6.6%)

Fully vaccinated: 1,276 (31.7%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 30-Oct. 13)  Total 439

Not vaccinated: 312 (71.1%)

Partially vaccinated: 23 (5.2%)

Fully vaccinated: 104 (23.7%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 7-13)

Not vaccinated: 273.3

Partially vaccinated: 76.2

Fully vaccinated: 30.4

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 30-Oct. 13)

Not vaccinated: 51.3

Partially vaccinated: 10.4

Fully vaccinated: 2.3
Re.: No severance for care aides (Castanet, Oct. 15)

I was absolutely astonished to read the Castanet article (Friday) morning about the firing of (LPN) Preet Kaur from Chartwell Chatsworth for refusing to be vaccinated.

To me, it exemplifies the outrageous beliefs held by anti-vaxxers about their unbelievably selfish rights that endanger the health and safety of their peers, family and friends, not to mention the entire community.

Notably, I was distressed to read that people dont get terminated with cause unless they kill someone. This juvenile expression of fact by Ms. Kaur obviously stems from a lack of understanding in the difference between the laws on murder or manslaughter and employment law. Pity her poor patients!

Ms. Kaur speaks about her religion and her values. Clearly, she was able to compromise those values for her own self-interest and the ability to come to Canada. It is unfortunate that she is not willing to do so, to protect the health and well-being of the frail and elderly at Chatsworth and anybody else who has the misfortune to come into close contact with her.

One would think that with all these values, she would also recognize her moral obligation to protect the people she serves.

In the midst of a terrifying pandemic which has taken its toll on all of us, including the front-line health care workers, it strikes me as curious that she expressed no qualms about those she endangered as an LPN at Chartwell Chatsworth. However, she was thinking that she could take her severance and move on. Oops! Pity any community she might move on to.

Ms Kaur provides a litany of detail about her personal beliefs and habits. Are these relevant to anybody but herself? I surely dont care and doubt that anybody who has lost a loved one to Covid-19, or experienced it up close, gives two hoots about her values. She must obey the laws of our land, in spite of all of her regrets about coming here.

If you wonder why you came to Canada, Ms. Kaur, we hope it is because we are an inclusive land of many cultures, with freedom from political tyranny and the opportunity to live happily.

However, we do have a rule of law. There are many practicing Sikhs in this valley, wonderful upstanding citizens who take Tylenol, eat meat and endorse getting the vaccination.

You are totally entitled to your personal extreme choices for your body. But the laws to protect everybody elses body must be obeyed by you, or you face the consequences.

Your personal rights do not supersede the well-being of the whole.

Laws are enacted to protect society, not your right to dispense with anything with which you do not personally agree.

Caryl McCabe
Photo: The Canadian Press

Pierce Schoel thought he might be able to avoid a long wait at the passport office in Kitchener, Ont. by going in the middle of the day.

He was surprised to discover lineups out the door. The security guard told people they'd likely be waiting two, even three hours. But with a long-awaited trip to Mexico on the horizon  his first overseas trip since the pandemic began  he stuck it out.

"I've been waiting to travel for quite a long time," Schoel said after applying for his passport Friday. "I'm ready to get back out there and start travelling."

He's not the only one. Schoel and his fellow travellers in line may be part of the deluge of passport applications Canadian officials are braced for.

Urgent passport services have been available throughout the pandemic, but with borders closed and public health measures in place most people had little use for them.

Service Canada issued more than 2.3-million passports the year before the pandemic began, but handed out only 363,225 the year after that.

Already demand is climbing, with 467,541 passports issued this year as of Sept. 30.

The Canadian government still recommends against non-essential travel outside of the country because of the risk of contracting COVID-19 abroad and bringing it home.

But with the U-S border set to reopen to vaccinated travellers on Nov. 8, the federal government is preparing for a rise in demand for passport services.

"As travel restrictions are lifted, Service Canada is preparing for an increase in demand for passport services," read a statement from Employment and Social Development Canada.

The department's website said people can expect to get their passports about 20 days after they apply at Service Canada, but some people report waits of just over a month.

The government is closely monitoring the increased demand, according to Mikaela Harrison, the press secretary of Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen.

The government has protocols in place to continue to provide passport services to Canadians within service standards, she said in a statement.

"I think I gave myself enough time but I am happy that my parents told me to check when my passport expired, because I honestly didn't even think about it until they said so," said Schoel.

As vaccination rates rise across the globe, so will traveller confidence, according to Tourism Economics, a global research firm.

"We expect a more significant easing of restrictions to follow and traveller confidence to expand, with international arrivals set to regain pre-crisis levels by 2024," said the firm's June 2021 Global Travel Service report.

The firm expects international travel to remain at about 59 per cent below pre-crisis levels, but said there remains significant pent up demand.

Meanwhile the government is reporting higher than average call volumes related to passport applications, and has urged people not to visit Service Canada unless absolutely necessary.

The government has also extended the eligibility period for renewals, so passports that expired on or after Feb. 1, 2019 can be renewed.

That way Canadians can wait to renew their passports until they actually have plans to leave the country.
Photo: The Canadian Press The International Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ont. and Niagara Falls, N.Y.

It's the news nearly four million Canadians have been waiting to hear: people who received doses of two different COVID-19 vaccines will qualify as fully vaccinated when the U.S. reopens its land borders to non-essential travel next month.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made the announcement late Friday, capping a whirlwind week of developments signalling the imminent end of 19 months of pandemic-induced North American travel restrictions.

People with "any combination" of two doses of a vaccine approved by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization "are considered fully vaccinated," the agency said in a statement.

"While CDC has not recommended mixing types of vaccine in a primary series, we recognize that this is increasingly common in other countries so should be accepted for the interpretation of vaccine records."

The news also confirms what the White House acknowledged earlier Friday would be a likely development: that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, approved by the WHO but not the FDA, would be deemed acceptable.

The CDC had already given the green light to overseas travellers who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, but until Friday had not expressly confirmed the same policy for those crossing into the U.S. by land.

Earlier in the day, White House officials said the new rules would go into effect Nov. 8, both at the land borders and for people arriving from a number of overseas countries where travel to the U.S. has been banned since March 2020.

The U.S. won't ask its forthcoming visitors to submit to a COVID-19 test prior to crossing the land border, unlike Canada, which requires travellers to show proof of a recent negative test  a costly condition of entry that runs about $200 a pop. Travellers flying into the States will still be required to have a negative COVID test completed no more than three days prior to entry.

New York congressman Brian Higgins, who has been relentlessly campaigning against the travel restrictions for months, is urging the federal government in Ottawa to reconsider that rule.

"I think that the U.S. decision to allow Canadians coming into the United States without a test again underscores the potency of the vaccine," Higgins said in an interview Friday.

"I would like to see that reciprocated by our Canadian neighbours."

The Nov. 8 start date comes a full three months after Canada initially began allowing fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents back across the border in August.

"It will be what we make of it, and I'm happy that people can now be reunited with loved ones and all those other issues," Higgins said.

"But the fact of the matter is, the U.S. border to our Canadian neighbours should have been opened months ago."

The U.S. Travel Association has estimated the Mexican and Canadian border closures have been costing American businesses $1.5 billion in travel exports  domestic spending by foreign visitors  every month.

As for the test requirement, public health officials in Canada made it clear Friday it's not going away any time soon.

"We're in a situation in Canada where our health systems are still very fragile," said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer.

"We need to still be very vigilant and careful at this point, but we will have ongoing discussions with the CDC and the United States to see what is reasonable in the trajectory going forward."

The White House has never explained publicly why it waited three months after Canada began relaxing its restrictions. Speculation focused on a desire to open both land borders at the same time, something a burgeoning immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border made politically difficult.

"Canada shouldn't have had to wait for Mexico," said Maryscott Greenwood, CEO of the D.C.-based Canadian American Business Council.

"The science, the politics, the policy, the reality  none of that would lead you to say, 'Let's do these things in tandem.' What would be better to do in tandem is Canada and the U.S. work in tandem across our common border, and Mexico and the U.S. work in tandem across that border. That makes some sense."

Higgins agreed, noting that the U.S. is letting vaccinated travellers in Mexico enter the country even though only 38.5 per cent of that country's population is fully vaccinated.

"This whole argument that, 'We have to wait until we achieve a higher rate of vaccination,' is thrown out the window," he said.

"The U.S. federal government proved my point on that  they're saying, 'Hey, look, we'd like to have more Mexicans as a percentage of the adult population vaccinated, but if they're vaccinated, they're safe."

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland demurred Thursday when asked whether, in the future, Canada would press its case for the U.S. to use separate and distinct policy approaches to its northern and southern borders.

"I think that we need to be respectful of every other country's sovereign decisions around its borders, and of every other country's sovereign right to manage its borders as it sees fit," Freeland said.

"Having said that, I think it's also worth pointing out that Canada has a very effective, very close partnership with the United States, as we should."

Since the dawn of the NAFTA age 25 years ago, the U.S. has tended to see its two frontiers through an economic lens  and in that context, they are more similar than most Canadians realize, said Bill Anderson, director of the Cross-Border Institute at the University of Windsor.

"People have the idea that in Mexico, what you've got is a whole bunch of people trying to get across the border illegally, and maybe you have some imports and exports of tomatoes and tequila. That's not it," Anderson said.

"It's very similar (to Canada) in terms of the ports of entry. A lot of business people are crossing on a regular basis too, and of course, there's a lot of crossing for tourism, there's a lot of family crossings  the volume of people crossing legally is huge there as well."
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Dr. Bill Seymour, president of Cleveland State Community College, was selected in 2020 to serve on a national learning community to address the issues facing rural community colleges.

Funded by the Ascendium Foundation, the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement assembled 26 leaders from rural community colleges across the nation to explore the challenges they face in serving the rural citizens and industries in their region. Dr. Seymours selection was the result of the work that Cleveland State has performed under the presidents leadership, which has been recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges, and the Community College Research Center.

A year later, Dr. Seymour has served as a coauthor on the first policy brief in the six-part Rural Community College Leader Series, designed to help state, college and communities improve their reach among underserved student populations. The paper, Creating a College Going Mindset, was written by both Dr. Seymour and Dr. Vickie Karolewics, president of Wallace State Community College  Hanceville in Alabama, and is available to colleges nationwide on the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement website. In addition to the paper, Dr. Seymour co-hosted a webinar for community college leaders around the nation.

It was an honor to be a part of this important initiative, said Dr. Seymour. I hope the series and webinars help college leaders in rural settings to find ways to better serve their students. By participating in the project, I was able to glean important information and innovative ideas that will benefit Cleveland State as we continue to find better ways to serve the citizens throughout our service region.

Dr. John Squires, executive director of Advancement and Planning at Cleveland State added, Under Dr. Seymours leadership, the college has become a recognized leader in providing quality programs, with a high level of student success. Dr. Seymours experience and vision will now benefit other rural community colleges throughout the nation.








Jennifer Lawrence is one of the worlds biggest stars. She shocked Hollywood with 2010s Winters Bone, which earned her an Oscar nomination. Lawrence has been dominating the film industry ever since. She took a break from acting, but now shes back with a collection of exciting movies coming down the pipeline. See below to check out Lawrences upcoming six movies.

Jennifer Lawrence stars alongside star-studded cast in Dont Look Up

Dont Look Up is a black comedy. The Big Shorts Adam McKay wrote and directed the screenplay for the star-studded cast. Lawrence stars alongside Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Ariana Grande, Ron Perlman, Matthew Perry, Mark Rylance, among others.

The story follows two low-level astronomers (Lawrence and DiCaprio). The Earth is in the collision course for a comet that will destroy the planet. Dont Look Up comes to theaters Dec. 10 and Netflix on Dec. 24.

A24s Red, White and Water stars Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence | KYLE GRILLOT/AFP via Getty Images

Red, White and Water is an upcoming drama. Lila Neugebauer directs a screenplay written by Elizabeth Sanders, Luke Goebel, and Ottessa Moshfegh. A24 will distribute the movie.

Red, White and Water explores the story of a U.S. soldier stationed in Afghanistan. They must learn to adjust back to typical life after suffering from a traumatic brain injury during combat. The release date is currently set to sometime in 2022.

Mob Girl brings Lawrence into the crime world

Jennifer Lawrence to star, produce true-life mafia story 'Mob Girl' https://t.co/ky2JMaCwqa pic.twitter.com/xEv1jdasGO  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 24, 2019

Mob Girl is a biographical crime drama starring Lawrence and Lucas Royalty. The Great Beautys Paolo Sorrentino directs a screenplay that he co-wrote with Angelina Burnett. Its based on Teresa Carpenters non-fiction book titled Mob Girl: A Womans Life in the Underworld.

The story is about Arlyne Brickman, a former mafia informant and mob moll. There isnt much known about Mob Girl and no release date has been set.

Bad Blood brings Adam McKay back into the fold

Shape Of Waters Vanessa Taylor To Script Theranos Scandal Pic Bad Blood For Adam McKay & Jennifer Lawrence https://t.co/FdRt2kd8MN pic.twitter.com/gI042nnq1C  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 14, 2018

Bad Blood is a biographical drama that reunites Lawrence with Dont Look Up director McKay. The Shape of Water co-writer Vanessa Taylor adapts John Carreyrous book titled Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup.

Bad Blood is centered on entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes, who is the head of a biotech company. Her success results in the company becoming worth billions of dollars. However, a federal investigation calls her ethics into question. Bad Blood has no release date set.

No Hard Feelings is an R-rated comedy

Jennifer Lawrence, Gene Stupnitsky Team for Sonys No Hard Feelings https://t.co/tu6Q6Mq7qG  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 13, 2021

Variety reported that Sony Pictures has acquired No Hard Feelings. The Office writer Gene Stupnitsky directs a screenplay that he co-wrote with John Phillips. Its being described as an R-rated comedy with Lawrence already attached to the project before the acquisition.

No Hard Feelings is set in Montauk, New York. Variety compares it to the 1983 Tom Cruise film Risky Business and 2011s Bad Teacher. There is currently no release date.

The Sue Mengers biopic is currently untitled

Apple and Netflix engaged in a bidding war to acquire Lawrences Sue Mengers biopic. Apple reportedly emerged victorious in the bidding war. Mob Girl director Sorrentino is attached along with Lawrence in the lead role.

Mengers was a widely-known female Hollywood agent. She broke into the male-dominated field and collected huge clients. Her client list included Barbra Streisand, Michael Caine, Brian De Palma, Faye Dunaway, Steve McQueen, Gene Hackman, Cher, among many others.

Lawrence is returning from her acting break with a bang. She already has quite the collection of large titles. Shes working with a group of attention-grabbing directors. Stay tuned for more information on these exciting titles.

RELATED: Jennifer Lawrence Called Herself The Worst Part of The Hunger Games
You cannot have a show as long-running and as popular as Greys Anatomy without having loved and lost a few characters along the way. Now, in its 18th season, we have seen many characters enter Seattle Grace/Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Fan-favorite characters getting killed off and those leaving to pursue other options. Some we were happy to see go away. Others, we really wish would come back.

Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd and Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery | Michael Desmond/Getty Images

Fans hope Addison will return to help Amelia

Recently on Reddit, a fan questioned, What character (or two) that has left (but not died) would you bring back to help revitalize Greys? The responses that have followed have all been quite entertaining with most people having an opinion.

Some characters have a bigger fan base than others. Quite a few people wish for a return of Christina (Sandra Oh) since she would bring a little sass back to Seattle.

Some wish Alex and Izzy (Justin Chambers and Katherine Heigl) would return because we want to know how they turned out as a couple and miss the Evil Spawn. There are a few shout-outs for Callie and Arizona (Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw) since we all hold fond memories of Calzona.

However, according to popular opinion, the one character most fans seem to want back at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is none other than Addison (Kate Walsh). One fan said Addisons return could be good for Amelia, saying: Addison would be another option. She could come back to help Amelia, or work on a case.

How could Addy help Amelia?

Throughout season 17 of Greys Anatomy, there is a bright spot in the coronavirus (COVID-19) darkness. The passion and romance of Amelia and Link. They are new parents of Scout, and co-parenting three other kids with Owen, battling a pandemic as doctors, and still manage to find the time to be passionate with one another.

On the surface, you may be wondering why the Reddit user would suggest Addy return to help Amelia. However, as you look a little harder at the ending of season 17, the answer becomes more evident. Amelia is a character that is constantly evolving and becoming stronger. She has always dealt with her demons.

The passion is there between Link and Amelia, but she does not feel she understands her struggles with addiction. She feels that it is her character flaws that ruined her previous marriage to Owen, and she doesnt want to make the same mistakes this time. When Link proposes, she wants to know, Why? She does not want more kids, and he does. She doesnt want the traditional life that Link is proposing.

Fans seem to feel that if Addison would return, she could help Amelia by encouraging her to stay true to her growth as a recovering addict. The key for Amelia is to learn to love herself, something which Addys character is fully capable of doing, despite her own complicated past.

The story behind Addison and Amelia

Addy and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) have a long history together. Addison was married to Derek (Patrick Dempsey) before he met Meredith and for a little while afterward. The two officially divorce in season 3, episode 1. Soon after, she leaves Seattle Grace to pursue a life in LA and a Private Practice career.

Amelia, who we do not learn anything about until season three of Greys Anatomy, is Dereks baby sister. She first joins Addison in Private Practice, before later coming to join Derek in Seattle. It is during her time in LA that we learn a lot about Amelias relationship with Addison. Addison views Amelia as her sister because of her relationship with Derek.

When Amelia falls back to drugs, we learn what triggered her previous drug addictions. She had watched her father get shot for his watch, something that haunted both her and Derek. We see her relapse into heavy drugs until she wakes up next to her dead fiance. Amelia asks the police to contact Addy to say she is ready for rehab.

What does Addisons return to Greys Anatomy mean?

Kate Walsh traveled to Australia a year ago for holiday and has fallen in love with not only the country but a West Australian farmer (Andrew Nixon of Moora, WA). She has been living happily in Perth in a suburb of Cottesloe. Her current projects are off the big screen as she is working on the worlds largest coral restoration project.

Addison has finally returned to Greys Anatomy and fans couldnt be more excited. Entering the show with a splash and a groundbreaking uterine transplant, its clear Addison is back in full force. Her first moments back had her debating her chances of the Catherine Fox award and bonding with Meredith over their shared history with Derek, according to TV Line.

Only time will tell what is in store for Addison and her relationships with Amelia, Meredith, and more, but its sure to be an exciting season!

RELATED: Greys Anatomy: Is Amelias Latest Storyline the Perfect Opening for a Surprise Addison Return?
Article Highlights:

The court denied the request to dismiss the case from Josh Duggars legal team

Duggar family critics question who will pay the $500,000 in legal fines if Josh Duggar gets charged

Duggar family critics suspect Jim Bob Duggar already helps Josh Duggar pay his legal fees

Anna Duggar and Josh Duggar | Kris Connor/Getty Images

Josh Duggar news continues to dominate the headlines as his November trial looms closer. Recently, his legal team went to court to push for four motions that would assist his case. Additionally, they hoped for the court to dismiss his case completely. Unfortunately, his defense couldnt get his case dismissed, and the courts denied the motions. And now, Duggar family critics wonder who will pay the $500,000 in legal fees if hes charged.

Josh Duggars recent court appearance didnt go the way his legal team hoped. KNWA Fox24 reports the four motions set in place by his legal team were to suppress statements and request for an evidentiary hearing, to dismiss for Governments failure to preserve potentially exculpatory evidence, to suppress photographs of Duggars hands and feet while in custody, and to dismiss indictment for violation of the appointments. The courts denied all of them. Additionally, the courts ruled against dismissing the case.

Now, Duggar family critics wonder whats next. Some family followers thought he may take a plea deal, though it seems he has a finite amount of time to do so. Others suspected Jim Bob Duggar may push Josh to take a deal to avoid putting the family in a negative light any longer.

Duggar family critics wonder who will pay the $500,000 in fines if he is charged on both accounts

Josh Duggars mug shot | Washington County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images

Us Weekly reminds us the U.S. Attorneys Offices press release read, Duggar is charged by indictment with receiving and possessing child pornography. If found guilty, this comes with years of jail time. Not only that, but Josh Duggar will have to pay $250,000 in fines for each count. For him, this means he could face a fine of up to $500,000.

So, who will pay the $500,000 if the courts charge Josh? Duggar family critics on Reddit suggest the government may come for Joshs assets if he doesnt have the money in his name. Others wondered if Josh Duggars wife, Anna Duggar, would be liable to help pay the fines.

I realize the government will come for any assets he has, but if all of his properties and other assets combined dont add up to the amount he owes, then what happens? a Reddit user questioned.

Some suggested the government could potentially come after Anna. But PocketSense notes only states that operate under community property rules abide by the idea that a debt incurred by one spouse automatically becomes the debt of the other spouse. Arkansas is not a community property state. It seems Anna might not have to pay for legal debts Josh incurs. And, because most of Joshs assets allegedly live under Annas name, this could protect his assets  though, we may have to wait and see what happens here.

Others suspect Josh will have to pay the fees himself via garnished wages and tax returns. This leaves Anna out of the picture.

Duggar family critics suspect Jim Bob Duggar helps pay Josh Duggars legal fees

A federal judge has dismissed four motions filed by reality TV star Josh Duggar's legal team in his child pornography case in Arkansas. https://t.co/GAeATpJkMY  THV11 (@THV11) October 13, 2021

Will Jim Bob Duggar step in to help Josh Duggar if exorbitant fines come into play? Were not exactly sure how much money the Duggar family can offer Josh at this point, especially with TLC canceling Counting On. But Duggar family followers suspect Jim Bob helps Josh manage his legal fees. Additionally, he allegedly helped pay for a fence around the home of Joshs current host family, the Rebers. He did this to ensure Joshs privacy.

Josh Duggars trial is set for Nov. 30, 2021.

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RELATED: Josh Duggar News: Defense Claims Government Got Rid of Evidence That Couldve Proven Joshs Innocence
The 1970s were iconic for horror movies. Along with the emergence of the final girl trope, slasher movies rose to prominence during the decade. Additionally, Biblical themes became popular. Here are our top 5 scary movies from the 1970s to add to your Halloween movie list.

Slasher movies ruled during the 1970s

Linda Blair | Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

In 1974, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ripped into theaters. Producers filmed for four grueling, sweaty summer weeks in Texas. Moreover, it was loosely based on the grisly crimes of Ed Gein. The Silence of the Lambs also later took a cue from Geins gruesome crimes.

Sally Hardesty (played by Marilyn Burns) is recognized as one of the first final girls in the horror genre. Sally and her brother Franklin (Paul A. Partain) set out to check on their grandfathers grave after its vandalized. Several friends join them on the journey.

Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) appears and ruthlessly hacksaws them, one by one. Sally escapes from a slaughterhouse, jumps out a window, and jumps into a moving truck to escape the killer.

Four years later, in 1978, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), a luckless babysitter from Haddonfield, Illinois, faces off with her nemesis Michael Myers. It was violent and messy. Moreover, it was only the first matchup of many over the decades. Halloween Kills, the 12th movie in the Halloween movie franchise, just hit theaters October 15, 2021.

There were also terrifying supernatural Halloween movies

Out of the 1970s also stepped emerging horror writer Stephen King. Carrie, released in 1976, tells the tale of a shy teen armed with terrifying supernatural powers. Sissy Spacek stars as the title character. Carries classmates bully her at school. Additionally, her religiously abusive mother bullies her at home.

The teens telekinetic powers ultimately take control of the situation. Carrie was the first of many terrifying Stephen King movie adaptations. The most recent was a prequel to The Shining (1980), called Doctor Sleep (2019.)

The Amityville Horror (1979) wrapped up the end of the 70s with creepy aplomb. The movie tells the (somewhat true) story of a family that moves into an old house. They subsequently languish in fear after discovering the house hosted the murders of an entire family by a possessed soul.

Supernatural occurrences drive the entire family mad. The Amityville Horror got a glut of sequels over the years. Additionally, it got a reboot in 2005 starring Ryan Reynolds. But were partial to the subtle nuances of the 1970s version.

Horror movies based on religious lore made great Halloween movie choices as well

The 70s was also popular for great Halloween movies based on religious tenets and biblical lore. 1973s The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin became an instant classic and a widely-parodied, and seriously imitated, franchise.

According to Wikipedia, producers based the movie on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. The movie follows young Regan (Linda Blair) as she begins engaging in terrifying behaviors. For example, she levitates and speaks in tongues. The ensuing exorcism challenges the very foundations of reality.

Obviously, The Exorcism is the ultimate example of a religious horror movie. But the sub-genre became wildly popular during the decade of disco. The Wicker Man (1973), The Omen (1976) and The Devils (1971) all played on religion and the devil in their themes. Even our previously mentioned Carrie dabbled in the religious occult.

To sum up, the 70s was clearly a decade of well-earned screams.

RELATED: 5 Nostalgic Trick-or-Treat Halloween Movies for a Creepy, Cozy Night In
Dear Evan Hansen is a film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical premiering this past September 24. It brings to the movies all the characters and songs of the musical and allows audiences to experience the show in a whole new way.

Part of bringing the musical to the big screen was filming it on sets and at various locations. Because the movie primarily takes place in high school and the suburbs, the filming locations seem like they could be anywhere. So for fans of the musical who wonder where Dear Evan Hansen was filmed, heres a look at the sites.

What is Dear Evan Hansen about?

The Dear Evan Hansen cast at the Los Angeles premiere | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Like the musical, the movie Dear Evan Hansen is about Evan Hansen and his web of lies that spirals out of control. Ben Platt, who created the title character, played the role on Broadway and elsewhere.

Evan is a teenager with severe anxiety issues. One day, thanks to a misunderstanding, the Murphy family thinks Evan is the best friend of Connor Murphy, a teen who died by suicide.

Instead of correcting the misunderstanding, Evan creates a series of lies about Connor and his feelings about his family. Craziness ensues from there.

The musical Dear Evan Hansen was a hit that won many Tony awards, including one for Platt. He reprised the role for the film. Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Amy Adams, and Julianne Moore also joined the star-studded on-screen cast.

Where was Dear Evan Hansen filmed?

Dear Evan Hansen started filming in late 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. But fortunately, many scenes were outdoors.

According to Distractify, filming began in Los Angeles, though its unclear which scenes were shot there. Most of the other filming locations, on the other hand, were in Georgia. And as movie buffs might be aware, Atlanta is where a lot of the filming and behind-the-scenes work took place.

However, Atlanta wasnt the only place in Georgia where the team filmed scenes for Dear Evan Hansen. Distractify reports that Ellison State Park in Fayetteville was also a filming location. That was likely where they shot the scenes in the forest, including the parts explaining how Evan broke his arm.

As for the apple orchards that became a plot point later in the movie, those scenes were filmed at B.J. Reece Orchards in Ellijay, Georgia.

Last, the team shot the high school scenes on location at a real high school. The schools name is Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School, located in Fayetteville.

Filming during a pandemic

Because producers filmed Dear Evan Hansen during the pandemic, the cast and crew had to take many COVID-19-related safety precautions. According to Distractify, Blackhall Studios in Atlanta served as a testing site for everyone. Even with testing, though, they still played it safe because vaccines hadnt rolled out yet.

Everyone was wearing masks and social distancing during rehearsals, Distractify reports. However, Platt lived with Dever during filming, which helped take their minds off the social isolation.

But overall, the cast found the experience rewarding. As with many film productions, Platt and Dever recalled being emotional on the last day of shooting.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.

RELATED: Amy Adams Said Ben Platt Made Her Cry on Set of Dear Evan HansenI Was a Disaster
Church leaders react to fatal stabbing of British MP David Amess; police say it was terrorist attack

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Shocked by the death of Conservative British Parliamentarian Sir. David Amess after he was stabbed multiple times at a church Friday, the country's Christian leaders are reacting to what U.K. authorities are calling a terrorist attack.

Police in the district of Essex, northeast of London and where the 69-year-old lawmaker was killed, said a 25-year-old man has been arrested and that the initial investigation suggests Islamist extremism as a possible motive for the attack, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Amess, who was married with five children and was known for his socially conservative viewpoints and pro-life stance against abortion, attended a public meeting for his "constituency surgery" at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea when the attack occurred.

In the U.K., constituency surgeries are face-to-face meetings that officeholders have with their constituents.

According to reports, he was brutally stabbed several times and later died despite paramedics attempting to save him for two hours.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said he was "shocked and saddened" by the incident, Crux Now reported.

"This death throws a sharp light onto the fact that our Members of Parliament are servants of the people, available to people in their need, especially in their constituencies," he said. "This horrific attack, as David was undertaking his constituency surgery, is an attack on our democratic process and traditions."

The cardinal added that the lawmaker "carried out his vocation as a Catholic in public life with generosity and integrity," and pointed out that he was "respected by all political parties across the House."

Archbishop Justin Welby also issued a statement, saying he was "truly devastated."

"The murder of an MP, in the course of caring for their constituents, is a deep blow to this country, its citizens and everyone who desires a peaceful and flourishing democracy," he added.

He further noted that Amess' "deep faith fuelled his sense of justice" and Britain was "all the poorer" now.

"The only antidote to violence and hatred is love and unity," he continued. "In this horrific and tragic moment we must come together, across political difference, and be the light that refuses to be cowed by darkness."

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said in a statement: "I had the great honor of calling David Amess a friend when I was Bishop of Chelmsford."

"He was the MP for the constituency where I grew up, and not only did he always faithfully serve those people and that place, but had a particular concern for the Christian community born of his own deeply held Christian faith as a member of the Roman Catholic community."

Reacting to the MP's death, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics," according to Reuters.

Johnson continued, David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we have lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague and our thoughts are very much today with his wife, his children and his family.

Amess is not the first member of Parliament to be murdered while attending a constituency meeting.

Helen Joanne Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen who took office in May 2015, was murdered in June 2016 while she was present at a constituency surgery. Prosecutors deemed the slaying to be related to "political and/or ideological reasons."
Florida pastor, husband of North Lauderdale commissioner arrested for domestic violence

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After enjoying what appeared to be a whirlwind romance shared on social media, Damion Orlando Archat, the husband of North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin, who also serves as senior pastor at Embassy Church of South Florida, was arrested Monday on several counts of battery charges, including domestic battery by strangulation and resisting an officer.

Arrest records acquired by The Christian Post from the Broward Sheriff's Office Friday show that Archat, 39, was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. Monday at a location within the jurisdictional limits of North Lauderdale. Officers on the scene also noted that there were indications that Archat, who is also a well-known pastor, was under the influence of alcohol.

Details on Archats victim(s) were redacted from the report under Marsys Law, but it noted that Archat allegedly intentionally touched and struck a female victim against their will. He allegedly pushed her on her left shoulder, causing her to fall to the floor, then proceeded to choke her.

Damion then got on top of [redacted] and with both hands, grabbed [redacteds] throat and proceeded to choke her, causing her airway to be obstructed until [redacted] almost passed out. Damion also struck [redacted] in an unknown area of her body while [redacted] was inside the drivers side of [redacteds] vehicle, the report said.

Damion went to the left rear passenger side door, opened it, and reached inside the vehicle, grabbed [redacteds] shirt, who was on the rear right passenger side of the vehicle, violently pulled [redacted] out of the vehicle, and threw her to the floor. Damion intentionally caused bodily harm to [redacted], Officer Vincent Cornelius wrote.

When officers tried to arrest Archat, he reportedly resisted, forcing officers to tackle him to the ground.

The legal definition of domestic battery is any willful and unlawful touching, that is harmful or offensive and is committed against an intimate partner. It was unclear Friday if Martin was the victim in the attack, but one image posted on Facebook shows her with a battered face.

Embassy Church of South Florida did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CP on Friday. In a statement to NBC 6, the city manager for North Lauderdale said: Please be advised that the city has no comment as it is a private matter and we are not in contact with Ms. Martin.

Martin, who was sworn into her position as commissioner of North Lauderdale in December 2020, is the first African American Caribbean woman to be elected to that office. She is also founder and operator of Embassy College and The Embassy Academy, a K-12 private school, according to the North Lauderdale website.

A Facebook Live video shows that she agreed to marry Archat after he proposed to her on July 5, 2020. She is described on the North Lauderdale website as a newlywed who is was raising five daughters with Archat.

Archat, who was previously married, is no stranger to marital issues. A 2019 report alleged he was involved in an adulterous affair with Martin while he was married to another woman.

Just weeks ago, however, on July 27, he posted on Instagram that he was celebrating his one-year anniversary with Martin in prayer.

We are just leaving the church we brought in our anniversary with prayer dedicating our marriage back to God for another year. #LifeTime #Anniversary #iLoveMyWife, he wrote.

He also copiously documented his whirlwind romance with Martin on his Instagram page, promising in the lyrics of a song just over a year ago that he would be the man of her dreams.

I heard it in songs wondering could it really be that someone could love me unconditionally. Something more than love more like my destiny, with flaws and all she's still perfect for me so I'll be the man that give you comfort and provide security, he wrote in a post attached to a clip of a song he said he wrote just for Martin. I'll be the man that loves you always, I'll be the man that brings you peace. I'll fall in love with you just two times when you're awake and when you're asleep so for the rest of your life. I'll be the man of your dreams.
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While many Americans are hanging spooky decorations and picking out costumes in preparation of Halloween, October is also Clergy Appreciation Month. Its a time to not only celebrate church leaders but also to remember the important role they play in our society and local communities, including the significance of their mental health. Unfortunately, however, pastors and church leaders have suffered from increased mental health concerns for far too long.

While I am not a mental health professional, I consider myself to be a pastors pastor. Over the years, I have pastored churches in Colorado, Michigan, New York and the United Kingdom. Additionally, through World Challengethe organization I leadI have conducted pastors conferences in more than 60 countries around the world, speaking and ministering to well over 100,000 pastors. Through these opportunities, I have experienced firsthand and seen the struggles pastors face on a day-to-day basis.

According to a study by Lifeway Research, 23% of pastors acknowledge they have personally struggled with a mental illness. That is almost one-in-four pastors. Why are pastors uniquely positioned towards depression and anxiety?

In 2013, a study by the Clergy Health Initiative at Duke Divinity School stated, the demands placed on clergy by themselves and others put pastors at far greater risk for depression than individuals with other occupations.

Think about that. Expectations by themselves and others.

Pastors are exposed to the depths of human suffering, unlike any other profession. The paramedic is there following an accident, but the pastor walks alongside the family at the hospital. The funeral home director takes care of the death of a family member, but the pastor provides spiritual support. The doctor takes care of the cancer patient while the pastor prays for them. The teacher educates the student with a disability while the pastor helps support the family. It is the pastor who is expected to be present and supportive through all of lifes challenges and tragedies. They are sharing in all the suffering of their flock. The weight of this burden can be heavy.

Being a pastor is a public position. Criticism is ripe for any sermon, prayer, event and so forth. Pastors are constantly hearing if their sermon was good or not, if an event was worthwhile to attend or poorly managed. Criticism can have tremendous effects on a pastors self-esteem and self-worth. For pastors who are self-critical as well, this can add to the burden and uphill battle to maintain a positive outlook.

All of this leads me to ponder, what we can do about this problem?

In recent years, the topic that got the most response on my podcast was around pastors, depression and suicide. Listeners were dissatisfied with the idea that a pastor would be dealing with things like depression. Instead, listeners felt that pastors should be providing answers to lifes problemsnot experiencing them. This thinking emerges when we put pastors on a pedestal. We have to remember that pastors are human just like the rest of us. While they should be a step ahead of us in our spiritual journey in order to lead us along, we cant demand more of them than that. Pastors experience hardship and emotions just like the rest of us.

Pastors must learn self-care. Like the old adage says, Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping someone else, it is vital that pastors are emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy in order to do their job well. However, pastors often believe the opposite and want to take care of everyone else first. While admirable, over the long haul, this approach will only leave them burnt out and empty.

Pastors need to also practice the spiritual disciplines they preach. Daily scripture reading, prayer, and time with the Lord will help encourage and equip pastors for their role in supporting and leading others. These disciplines are essential to the Christian way of life and for keeping us focused on the truth. The Lords promises are new every morning and we need to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus every day.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, dont be afraid or ashamed to reach out for clinical help. There are many organizations available and willing to help, such as Standing Stone Ministry who specifically helps church leaders. No one should be alone in their time of pain and need.

As Christians, we should commit to praying for our pastors and church leaders each and every day. I implore you to make this a regular practice during the month of October. Our pastors do better when they live healthy, spirit-filled lives. Lets do all that we can to help and encourage them.
SBC legal team resigns after vote to waive attorney-client privilege in sex abuse investigation

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The legal counsel for the Southern Baptist Convention has resigned less than a week after SBC Executive Committee members voted to waive attorney-client privilege during an investigation into the panel's handling of sexual abuse claims against churches.

In an Oct. 11 letter sent to Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd, the SBC's general counsel, attorneys James Guenther and James Jordan of Guenther, Jordan & Price law firm of Nashville, Tennessee, cited the committee's decision to waive attorney-client privilege as a key reason for their departure from the denomination after over 60 years of service.

"We simply do not know how to advise a client, and otherwise represent a client, with the quality of advice and representation the client must have, and in keeping with the standard of practice our firm tries to uphold, when the client has indicated a willingness to forego this universally accepted principle of confidentiality," the team wrote.

After weeks of deliberations, the committee voted 44-31 on Oct. 5 to allow Guidepost Solutions, the firm investigating the committee's handling of sexual abuse claims within SBC churches, to review privileged communications between committee members, staff and their lawyers as requested by messengers and the Sexual Abuse Task Force.

In response, at least 10 executive committee members resigned either before the vote or shortly after, The Tennessean reported.

The investigation was prompted by a 2019 report from the Houston Chronicle that documented hundreds of abuse cases in Southern Baptist churches over decades.

Some committee members had expressed concern over waiving privilege, citing risks to the convention's insurance. Some also warned doing so could jeopardize the financial stability of the SBC and make the denomination susceptible to lawsuits.

In their letter, the attorneys stressed that maintaining local church autonomy helps protect the SBC legally. They said committee members voted to waive privilege without fully understanding the "effect" doing so will have on the convention.

"The attorney-client privilege has been portrayed by some as an evil device by which misconduct is somehow allowed to be secreted so wrongdoers can escape justice and defeat the legal rights of others," Guenther and Jordan wrote. "That could not be further from the truth."

"The concept is rooted in a principle of judicial fairness and the belief that our nation of laws is best served if persons or entities can communicate with their legal counsel freely and confidentially. There is nothing sinister about it. It does not corrupt justice; it creates a space for justice."

The attorneys said that they do not want their decision to be harmful to the Executive Committee, adding that they would be willing "to continue providing legal counsel during a transition and in a limited and specifically defined role going forward."

Guenther, 87, who has been general counsel for the SBC since 1966, told The Baptist and Reflector in August his firm has represented the SBC in approximately 50 cases where the denomination was being sued over alleged wrongs that occurred in local churches.

The newspaper reports that Guenther's firm has never lost an ascending liability suit because SBC is not a hierarchical denomination and the convention has no control over churches.

Guenther told the outlet in August that while there have always been controversies within the denomination, Southern Baptists have consistently "weathered those disputes."

"I think that cooperation, which is entirely voluntary, depends on Baptists having trust in the institutions and the leadership of the convention. Controversies endanger that trust but Southern Baptists have historically gotten through those divisions and moved forward," he said.

Floyd told Baptist Press the attorneys had "admirably served the legal needs of the Southern Baptist Convention and the SBC Executive Committee" for decades and had been a "pivotal guide through numerous changes" in SBC culture and polity. Floyd previously called for empathy as SBC leaders navigate how to best proceed with the investigation.

"The loss of their institutional knowledge will be irreplaceable," Floyd said. "With deep regrets, we accept their decision and fully understand their reasoning behind it and their need to withdraw. We are extremely grateful for their 56 years of superior service to the Southern Baptist Convention and the Executive Committee."
Seventh-day Adventist Church experiences lowest rate of growth in 16 years

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The number of people joining the Seventh-day Adventist Church dipped below 1 million in 2020 for the first time since 2004, according to a recent report by the denomination.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church held its 2021 Annual Council on Sunday in Silver Spring, Maryland, with the gathering featuring a combination of in-person and virtual attendance.

David Trim, director of the Churchs Archives, Statistics and Research Department, noted that people entering the denomination, known as accessions, went from approximately 1.3 million in 2019 to approximately 800,000 in 2020.

This marks the first time the number of accessions has dipped below 1 million in a year since 2004, according to a report published on Sunday.

Trim told those gathered that while COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns likely contributed to this decline, he believes that another potential factor is a decline in personal evangelism, which he labeled the crucial importance of interpersonal contact.

Erton Kohler, who was elected secretary of the church earlier this year, gave his first report to the Executive Committee during the gathering.

During the last 18 months, the church has suffered but faced it head-on, reinvented itself and, by the grace of God, overcame its challenges, stated Kohler.

Its time to move forward, fully depending on prayer and on our biblical identity, accepting the commitment to be a positive influence in this world, and renewing our focus on virtual and in-person mission through Christs method.

According to the Seventh-day Adventist World Church Statistics 2020 web page, despite the drop in accessions, other metrics on the denomination showed signs of improvement.

From Dec. 31, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2020, the number of churches in the denomination went from about 91,140 to around 92,186, while the total membership went from 21.556 million to about 21.760 million.

Last October, at the 2020 Annual Council, which was held virtually due to ongoing pandemic gathering restrictions, it was reported that the denomination expected to experience a $26 million decline in tithes and mission offerings.

Juan Prestol-Puesan, treasurer for the denomination, told the Executive Committee in a virtual presentation at the time that they were in survival mode as a result of the drop in donations.

According to reports received from division treasurers, the decrease in tithe income could be estimated as low as 5 percent and as high as 25 percent in some places, and the decrease in mission offerings as low as 10 percent and as high as 40 percent, stated Prestol-Puesan, as reported by the Adventist Review.
Bible-engaged Americans more hopeful, despite suffering trauma and heartache: report

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The third chapter of American Bible Societys State of the Bible report released this week reveals that those who read Scripture have more hope than those who are less engaged, and shows how the Bible brings healing to people who are suffering.

The Hope for the Hurting chapter released on Wednesday shows how Scripture Engaged people over-index for hope though they experience stress at average levels.

Just because people are in the church, just because theyre deeply engaging in Scripture, that doesnt mean they get a pass on stress or trauma, John Farquhar Plake, director of ministry intelligence for American Bible Society, told The Chrisitan Post in an interview.

In fact, oftentimes they over-index for experiencing both stress and trauma in their lives, Plake said. Whats different and really hopeful for us is, we discovered that those same people who are experiencing really high levels of stress and trauma are also experiencing very high levels of hope, and they have a deep ability to forgive those who have hurt them [if they engage with Scripture]. And thats really different. It doesnt mean they have a different experience in life, but they experience life differently.

The findings from the report come from data collected by ABS in January through surveying over 3,300 Americans nationwide.

Scripture-engaged people, though they have average levels of stress, they have way above average levels of hope, Plake explained. I just think of Jesus talking to His disciples and saying, In this world, youll have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. Theres a way that Gods Word and Gods presence gives us that allows us to live differently in the midst of the same circumstances, and that is really transformative.

Plake said that in the midst of stress, trauma and a national increase in stress over the last year, Americans are finding hope in Gods Word.

Americans are finding comfort in Scripture," Plake said in a statement. While being part of the Church doesnt mean hardships disappear, our study found that when Americans are rooted in Scripture, we are better able to forgive and to cope with trauma or stress. Were seeing in real-time how the Bible shows us that our story does not end with hurt and pain  we have hope beyond our suffering. As people consistently interact with truth found in the Bible, they see a way forward toward a brighter, more hopeful future.

The chapter also highlights the relationship between trauma and forgiveness.

Marlaina Centeno, a church partnership associate with the ABS' Trauma Healing Institute, said the Bible helps others understand how to suffer through observing Jesus.

American Bible Society recognizes the trauma indicated in the State of the Bible as a major barrier of full relationship with God and the Bible, she said.

We know that trauma separates people from God and from their communities, but the trauma healing program at American Bible Society, we know that healing is actually found in Scripture. So you have this tension of trauma separate from the Scripture, but also the Scripture brings healing, so how do we do that? Well, our trauma healing ministry incorporates the truth of the Bible in a very gentle way in a community setting with trained facilitators in the Bible.

Centeno explained how the Bible provides a model of how to deal with trauma and heartache.

Our trauma healing model has been globally proven, transforming community after community as hurting people from every walk of life encounter our own wounded Savior. So when we see Jesus as one who has gone through suffering and how He was able to overcome it, we have a model through the Bible, she added.

Plake said Chapter 3 deals with the hardships that people are experiencing, such as heightened stress and trauma, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and social and political unrest. Next months chapter will focus more on the good news, he said.

I think maybe Chapter 3 is in some ways the bad news, [but] the good news is coming, he said.

ABS released its first two chapters of the State of the Bible report earlier this year and will release the remaining six chapters of the report between July and December.

The thing that I would just want to not miss in all of this is that a quarter of Americans are really experiencing very high levels of stress, and it can be difficult to understand that when were all in it together, he said.

I think pastors, church leaders, and people who care for others need to recognize theres a lot of stress and difficulty that people are enduring, and were not done with it yet. So we need to be looking for, how does the Bible equip us and how does Chrisitan community equip us to care for others and love them through their hurt to the point where they experience Gods hope and Gods healing, he added. I trust that this chapter will help point some of our colleagues to really good resources.
Chinese woman faces federal charges for setting multiple fires at historic Alabama church

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A 27-year-old Chinese national who arrived in the United States on a student visa from China has been charged with setting multiple fires inside First Baptist Church of Montgomery in Alabama.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said it has filed federal charges against Xiaoquin Yan, 27, a Montgomery woman who was accused of committing arson at the church on Sept. 29, news station WSFA 12 reported.

Pastor Mark Bethea told agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that during his interaction with the woman after the service on Sept. 26, he ultimately escorted the female from the premises of the church. He later found that the church's security staff had been approached by the same woman who was "acting suspiciously," so they wrote down her license plate number.

The security also observed two blue duffel bags with white wiring inside the vehicle.

When the woman visited the centuries-old church, she asked church custodians about where security cameras were positioned and requested a tour of the building, according to the indictment, Alabama Political Reporter said.

After the arson incident, ATF agents were able to match an older Buick LeSabre to the one registered to Yan, whose vehicle could be seen speeding up to leave the church in the early hours of Sept. 30.

The fire caused at least $25,000 worth of damage, according to court documents.

If convicted, the woman, charged with second-degree arson, faces up to 20 years in prison.

Yan's visa has also been revoked, The Epoch Times reported.

Yan was originally held on a $30,000 bond at the Montgomery County Detention Facility and Montgomery County District Judge Monet M. Gaines increased the bond fivefold to $150,000 after Attorney Daryl Bailey said in a motion that the $30,000 bail was woefully inadequate to secure her presence in court given her strong ties to an overseas country.

The motive behind the arson remains unknown and the judge has ordered an evaluation of Yans mental state.
Evangelical churches have higher percentage of 'practicing Christians' than mainline, new poll finds

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A new survey reveals that evangelicals account for a higher share of practicing Christians than their mainline counterparts.

The American Bible Society released the seventh chapter of its 11th annual State of the Biblereport Thursday, titled The Bible in the American Church. Data in the chapter was based on a survey of 3,354 adults conducted in January.

The chapter differentiates between self-identified Christians and practicing Christians. A practicing Christian is defined as one who identifies as a Christian, attends a religious service at least once a month, [and] strongly agrees their faith is very important in their lives. In contrast to practicing Christians, who have incorporated the faith into their life and routine in a transformative way, self-identified Christians are those who simply say they believe.

The study found that practicing Christians account for 42% of those affiliated with the evangelical tradition, 31% of historically black denominations, 28% of mainline Protestants and 22% of Catholics. Additionally, two-thirds of practicing Christians (67%) are Scripture engaged, 29% are in the movable middle, while 4% are Scripture disengaged.

An earlier chapter in the report outlined the different categories of Scripture engagement, which respondents were placed into based on a Scripture engagement scale created from responses to a questionnaire about the frequency that they read the Bible, the impact it has on their life and the centrality of its influence on the users choices and decisions.

Bible Engaged Christians achieved a score of at least 100 on the Scripture engagement scale. They were defined as those who interact with the Bible regularly, the values and principles of which mostly influence their relationships with God and others.

Those in the Movable Middle received a score ranging from 70 to 99 on the Scripture engagement scale and range from those who sporadically interact with the Bible on the low end, to those who periodically open the Bible as a source of spiritual insight and wisdom. The Bible disengaged scored less than 70 on the Scripture engagement scale and interact infrequently with the Bible, which has minimal influence on their daily lives.

The survey also found that three-quarters (75%) of practicing Christians read their Bible at least once a week, while 84% read the Bible at least monthly. By contrast, just 28% of non-practicing Christians engage with the Scripture on at least a weekly basis, and 39% read the Bible at least once a month. The groups with the highest rates of practicing Christians engaging in weekly Bible reading were evangelicals (93%), historically black Protestants (87%) and mainline Protestants (80%).

A plurality of practicing Christians (46%) believe that the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally, word for word, while an additional 40% agree with a statement asserting that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and has no errors although some verses are meant to be symbolic rather than literal. A plurality of self-identified Christians (34%) sympathize with the latter point of view.

Baby boomers account for the plurality of practicing Christians among evangelicals (34%), historically black Protestant churches (35%) and Catholics (36%). The only denomination where millennials comprise a majority of practicing Christians is mainline Protestants, where 27% of millennials fall into the category, followed by 23% of baby boomers.

While 50% of practicing Christians reported that the amount of Bible reading they have engaged in has increased over the past year, just 21% of self-identified Christians said the same. Increases in Bible reading were largest among evangelical practicing Christians, 55% of whom said they spent more time with the Bible in the past year. A majority of historically black Protestant practicing Christians (54%) also reported a growth in Bible engagement over the same time period.

Reacting to the data from the latest chapter of the State of the Bible report in a statement, John Farquhar Plake, the director of ministry intelligence for the American Bible Society, said, Across all traditions, the Church needs to recognize that there are a growing number of people who call themselves Christians but dont actually know how to interact with the Bible or live a life dedicated to Christ. Plake expressed optimism that the number of practicing Christians will increase going forward.

The data show us a real opportunity to step into that gap to actively encourage and disciple believers to engage with Gods Word, he added.
43% of millennials 'dont know, dont care, dont believe' God exists: study

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Just 26% of Gen X and 16% of millennials believe that when they die, they will go to Heaven only because they confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as their savior, compared to nearly half of the generation before them, a new study has found.

The American Worldview Inventory 2021, a survey of the philosophy of life on American adults from Arizona Christian University, assessed the worldviews of four generations: millennials (born 1984-2002), Gen X (1965-1983), baby boomers (1946-1964) and builders (1927-1945).

Researchers found that among other recent generations, millennials have gone farther in cutting ties with traditional Christian views and normative biblical teaching.

For example, nearly half of all boomers believe that when they die, they will go to Heaven only because they confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as their Savior, compared to only 26% of Gen X and 16% of millennials.

A staggering 90% of builders believe you treat others as you want them to treat you, while less than half of millennials agree.

Additionally, 43% of millennials stated they either dont know, dont care or dont believe God exists compared to 28% of boomers, and 44% of millennials believe Satan is a real and influential, compared to 64% of boomers.

The study also found that overall, younger Americans are significantly more likely than the two previous generations to embrace horoscopes as a guide and Karma as a life principle, to see getting even with others as defensible, to accept evolution over creation, and to view owning property as fostering economic injustice.

On spiritual matters, Americans younger than 55 are far more likely to distrust the Bible and to believe God is uninvolved in peoples lives.

Interestingly, a majority of Americans call themselves Christian, ranging from 57% of millennials to 83% of builders.

Researchers warn that the beliefs and behaviors of younger Americans, especially millennials, threaten to reshape the nations religious parameters beyond recognition.

In fact, this radical spiritual revolution has created a generation seeking a reimagined world without God, the Bible, or churches, they wrote.

Commenting on the study, George Barna, CRC director of research, said that Gen X and the millennials have solidified dramatic changes in the nations central beliefs and lifestyles, adding: The result is a culture in which core institutions, including churches, and basic ways of life are continually being radically redefined.

The American World Inventory corroborates an earlier study from Barna that found that two-thirds of teens and young adults (65%) agree that many religions can lead to eternal life compared to 58% of teens and young adults surveyed in 2018.

Additionally, 31% of teens and young adults strongly agree that what is morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society, compared to just 25% in 2018.

Recent survey data released by Gallup found that one in six Gen Z adults identify as LGBT  the highest percentage of any generation in history  and that number is likely to continue to increase.

Jacob Bland, the new president and CEO of Youth for Christ, told The Christian Post that despite the challenges facing todays young people, he looks toward the future with optimism.

Teens today are facing crises like never before, but its often in the darkness that light shines the brightest, he said. To enter into a disciple-making relationship where you're introducing a kid to an unconditional love that maybe they've never even considered, showing them the goodness and love modeled in Jesus  there's a lot of hope in that.

Jesus has a way of being new and fresh for the circumstances of today, and He is certainly doing that, Bland added.
Veoneer, Inc. (VNE) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2021. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus Estimate

This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.89 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +7.3%.

Revenues are expected to be $418 million, up 12.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings Whisper

Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Veoneer, Inc.

For Veoneer, Inc.The Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -7.46%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Veoneer, Inc. Will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?

While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Veoneer, Inc. Would post a loss of $0.91 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.89, delivering a surprise of +2.20%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom Line

An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Veoneer, Inc. Doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America

A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. Its bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made.

The only question is Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?

Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today its free. Discover 7 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



Veoneer, Inc. (VNE): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
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The Seattle School Board could soon vote on a resolution that urges the state Department of Health to require coronavirus vaccinations for all Washington students.



A vote on the resolution was originally scheduled to take place during a special meeting on Oct. 13. The board elected to postpone that vote until its regular meeting on Nov. 3, saying it wants more time for community input.



The resolution was put forward by Board President Chandra Hampson who represents Northeast Seattle. It asks the state Board of Health to add the COVID-19 vaccine  once its been approved for use in children ages 5-11  to the list of shots students are already required to get before attending public school in Washington.



COVID-19 is still a material threat to the health and safety of all students within the Seattle Public Schools community, a draft of the resolution says. [It] disproportionately threatens the health and safety of children of color, and is a further threat to the successful continuation of in-person instruction.



A resolution is not legally binding and individual school districts in Washington do not have authority to impose vaccine requirements. However, a push from the elected body of the states largest school district to make coronavirus vaccines mandatory for students could put pressure on state health officials, who do have that authority.



A spokesperson for the state Board of Health told the Seattle Times that the board may consider making the vaccine mandatory if a version of the shot for children ages 5-11 is approved by federal regulators.

There have been 414 positive cases  360 among students  in the district since the start of the school year, according to the districts online COVID-19 data. Of those cases, nearly half were reported in the southern part of the district. The case counts represent community transmission, meaning students and staff may not have contracted the virus in Seattle schools.



In Washington, 69% of people 12 and older are fully vaccinated and 75% have received at least one dose, according to state data.
Members of the Manistee County Democratic Party have been very busy the past few weeks.

In August, we hosted a cruise on the Princess of Manistee which brought over 100 old and new friends together to enjoy conversation and a beautiful Lake Michigan sunset.

On Sept. 11, we gathered to remember those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks as well as honor the 2021 Don Jennings Awardee Shirley Madden for her long history of service and leadership advocating for causes important to the people in Manistee County.

On Saturday, Oct. 2 a Rally for Womens Rights organized by the Manistee Democratic Party women in leadership was attended by over 80 vocal activists carrying signs and listening to speakers in support of a womans right to choose. Our Blue Tigers group has helped to support the monthly Feeding America Food Truck at the Manistee Armory parking lot with donations and volunteers. The Blue Tigers have also recently helped non-traditional students obtain their high school completion with donations to help cover transportation costs.

We hope readers will also notice that there have been many letters to the editor of this newspaper from our active members advocating for action: Action to stop voter suppression legislation. Action to protect our Great Lakes by shutting down Line 5; Action to support the recommendations of the medical experts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; Action to stop the Big Lie about the 2020 election; Action to support the bipartisan infrastructure bill; and action to support the Build Back Better Plan through the reconciliation process.

Many voters in Manistee County are coming to the realization that the alternative to simply do nothing, ridicule those who have the courage to act, and then spread misinformation, fear, and division is not in their best interest. Sadly, we are seeing evidence in both Lansing and Washington D.C. where the opposition party has consistently decided to vote no obstructing any legislation that is intended to help working American families find a better quality of life. The amount of misinformation about these progressive legislative initiatives on social media is mind-boggling.

Conversely, we are pleased and proud to see a much more positive example how elected representative government should function shown by the Manistee County Board of Commissioners. Unlike many other Michigan County Commissions, ours has been a shining example of cooperation between the members from the different political parties. Manistee County commissioners have remained focused on the business of running this county and have not been distracted by conspiracy theories, the Big Lie, or COVID-19 mandates.

It is becoming clear that Manistee County can be a great example for how we may disagree on political policy but are able to work together to compromise and achieve true win/win outcomes. A good example is the recently completed reapportionment process for the Manistee County Board of Commissioners based on the 2020 census data. This process included the chairpersons of both the Manistee County Republican and Democratic parties as well as the county attorney, the county clerk, and the county treasurer.

The 2020 Census data showed that Manistee County increased population by a total of 299 residents, less than 1%. Instead of wasting time and resources trying to gerrymander the districts to one partys advantage, we were able to complete this process with minimal change to the existing district boundaries while simultaneously keeping voters in townships and school districts as intact as possible to minimize the cost and potential confusion to voters in future election processes.

Manistee County voters must also be confident that our election process is safe and fair. The recent open-to-the-public demonstration of the election equipment used by the Manistee city clerk had zero attendees. This zero-attendance fact can only be attributed to the total trust that voters have in our very capable and dedicated local city and township clerks and their existing systems. It is obvious that Manistee County voters are too smart and savvy to have been duped by the My Pillow Guy or the Cyber Ninjas!

We trust that you will note that Manistee County Democrats are a group focused on action and working to get the tough work done. We realize that we have a lot of work to do to change the narrative and the initial impression that many may have of those of us who are proud to be known as Democrats. This column has previously addressed the overly simplistic labels that have been used against Democrats. We understand that these labels are easy to understand and easy to use, but the facts are clear that they are simply wrong when used to describe Manistee County Democrats! When you are resolved to act, mistakes will be made.

Twenty-twenty hindsight and second guessing from the safety of the sidelines becomes the norm. It takes courage and mental toughness to take action. We will continue to work to earn your trust and support. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have an opportunity for us to help take action to improve the quality of life here in Manistee County.

John Helge is a veteran U.S. Army officer and has recently retired after a 40-year career leading technical sales teams focused on the challenges of industrial water and energy sustainability. He is currently serving as chairperson of the Manistee County Democratic Party. He can be contacted at johnmhelge@gmail.com.
Courtesy photo /U.S. Border Patrol

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo South Station rescued two children from the fast-moving current at the Rio Grande near Chacon Creek, authorities said.

The rescue occurred on Oct. 14, when a group of migrants attempted to cross the border illegally. Once on the U.S. side of the river, the group entered the creek to avoid detection.
Just a couple of months after announcing plans for Phase II of its Dos Picos system with construction of a natural gas processing facility in Midland County, Pinnacle Midstream II is awarding contracts for the project.

Houston-based Pinnacle has selected Saulsbury of Odessa the EPC  Engineering, Procurement and Construction  contract to design and install the new facility, which will have a capacity of 200 million cubic feet per day.

We could see a line of sight to put in a 200 million cubic feet per day facility, J. Greg Sargent, Pinnacles founder and chief executive officer, told the Reporter-Telegram in a telephone interview.

He said Saulsbury was chosen in part because the company helped with the planning of the initial phase. Saulsburys location in Odessa, Midlands western neighbor, was also a determining factor, he said.

Sean Trotter, vice president, EPC-Engineering and Major Projects with Saulsbury, told the Reporter-Telegram by telephone that this is the companys 60th cryogenic processing facility since 2006 and represents over 10.4 billion cubic feet per day of processing capacity. It is the companys 22nd facility installed in West Texas.

The environment has been difficult for the industry over the last 18 months, Trotter said. Were pleased to secure a project of this size coming out of the downturn.

He said Saulsbury was pleased to work with Pinnacle and pleased to work on a project in its own backyard.

And even though there are signs the industry is coming out of the downturn, he said Saulsbury is not resting on its laurels.

Its a competitive environment, its a competitive atmosphere. There are a number of good contractors seeking the same contracts.

The Dos Picos system was announced in December 2019 with a commitment from DoublePoint Energy, now part of Pioneer Natural Resources to serve Midland, Martin and Glasscock counties.

Sargent said the company ultimately aggregated enough gas commitments to proceed with Phase II.

There are several good midstream companies, he acknowledged, but Dos Picos is designed for pad projects of 16 to 25 wells.

A lot of midstream assets are not designed to turn on 25 wells at one time, he pointed out.

As winter approaches and with it fears of another storm like Winter Storm Uri, Sargent said Dos Picos is built with weatherization in mind. Like other midstream companies, he said the facility will have heat tracing and insulation. Pinnacle also hydrates the gas to not allow freezing and insulates the instrument lines so instruments dont freeze.

One of the causes of the blackouts during Winter Storm Uri was the loss of electricity to gas processing plants, leaving them unable to process gas and move it through pipelines to power generating stations. Dos Picos, Sargent said, will have standby generators and, possibly solar panels in the future, to ensure the processing plant remains operational.

Growth has been faster than expected, said Drew Ward, partner and chief commercial officer, as rising demand and constrained supplies send commodity prices higher.

Ward cited concerns about a shortage of natural gas in storage for the coming winter along with rising demand for liquefied natural gas for driving crude to $80 a barrel and natural gas to $5-6 per Mcf.

Theres been a lack of investment and production coming online in the last two months, Ward said. Weve been baking our case for the last 12 months and now were eating it.

Though current price levels are in part the result of underinvestment in the industry, he doesnt see natural gas prices sustained at current levels long-term.

Well see volatility, he predicted. I think an $80 crude floor is strong; I dont see it collapsing further. If we can get through this winter without a super cold snap, well see natural gas prices come off a little.

If anyone had told operators six months ago that prices would be at current levels, he said, they would have said you were crazy.

As it prepares its 60th cryogenic processing facility, Trotter said Saulsbury always looks for its next projects.

Likewise, Sargent said that as Pinnacle grows, Well do blocking and tackling, give good service to our customers and service new customers.
Texas Congressman August Pfluger held a town hall in Odessa Thursday, reporting to roughly 100 constituents in attendance on his activities in the nations capital, and listened to residents concerns on the issues.

Pfluger, who is serving his first term in Congress, addressed numerous hot button issues during the event.

A primary issue that the congressman discussed in detail was the controversial National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which he characterized as having been one of the few extremely important pieces of bipartisan legislation for decades, but now Democrats are planting poison pill amendments that could jeopardize the bill that funds our military and defense.

Pfluger, a Republican from San Angelo, told the audience he voted to send the NDAA to the Senate, where he strongly believes there are enough votes to strip the poison pills, including a red flag gun control provision that would harm the Second Amendment rights of veterans and a provision that would extend military draft registration to women.

Explaining his vote in support of the legislation, the congressman said that in addition to the essential funding for our military, the bill provides a pay increase to soldiers, authorizes military forces to secure the southern border, and would update our existing weaponry and technology to ensure the military remains competitive against major adversaries like Russia and China.

Pfluger said that unless the poison pill provisions are stripped out, he would be a hard no on the legislation when it comes back to the House.

I will not vote for the NDAA unless the red flag provision is stripped out, Pfluger said.

Other issues addressed during the town hall included the budget reconciliation, which he characterized as one of the most damaging pieces of legislation this country has ever seen. Among 42 major problems with the legislation, he said, includes amnesty for 8 million illegal immigrants, free college tuition for illegal immigrants, tax hikes for all Americans and funding for abortions with taxpayer dollars.

Saying he understands all too well how difficult it can be to get passionate or heated about these major issues, the congressman said he kept his composure as he voted no on raising the debt ceiling and described walking past Speaker Pelosi on his way out of the House and made sure she knew he voted no.

Addressing the issue of vaccine mandates, Pfluger stated that while he was pro-vaccine, he was also for personal choice and described President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate as a most egregious overreach.

Pfluger said he signed a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, urging the governor to push back hard against the Biden administrations mandate.

On border security, Pfluger stated that roughly 2 million people will cross into the country this year. He also said the Biden administration was failing to carry out their constitutional duty under Article 4 of the constitution to protect the states against invasion.

The congressman is also trying to force the White House to reveal how many suspected terrorists have entered the country, information he says is presently being withheld from the public.

Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis also stood and addressed the crowd, describing a recent human trafficking bust where 32 human trafficking victims were stuffed inside a house, and said that the open border policies of the Biden Administration are enabling more human suffering and crime  burdening local law enforcement across the state.

Pfluger took several questions from residents and elected officials and concluded by re-emphasizing his position on key issues, including his opposition to deficit spending, and protecting national security issues unique to his district that include a strong military and agriculture industry.
Here is how you can sponsor your loved one for Canadian permanent resident status.

Can I sponsor my spouse or partner for Canadian immigration?

Can I sponsor my spouse or partner for Canadian immigration? Here is how you can sponsor your loved one for Canadian permanent resident status.

Can I sponsor my spouse or partner for Canadian immigration? Here is how you can sponsor your loved one for Canadian permanent resident status.

Can I sponsor my spouse or partner for Canadian immigration? Here is how you can sponsor your loved one for Canadian permanent resident status. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Bringing families together is one of the major goals of Canadas immigration system.

The main way Canada does this is through its Spousal, Partner, and Children immigration sponsorship category. Canada looks to welcome around 80,000 immigrants through this category each year.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to obtain Canadian permanent residence. The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes same-sex relationships.

Looking to sponsor your partner? Complete this form so a Campbell Cohen lawyer can help you!

Eligibility criteria for sponsors

The eligibility criteria to sponsor your loved one is as follows:

You must be at least 18 years old

You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or are registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act. If you are a Canadian citizen currently living abroad, you will need to demonstrate to IRCC you intend to live in Canada with your partner upon them gaining permanent residence. Permanent residents looking to sponsor must reside in Canada at the time of submitting their sponsorship application.

You must demonstrate you are not receiving social assistance unless you have a disability.

You must show you can meet the financial needs of your loved one in Canada.

Who you can sponsor

Sponsored individuals must be at least 18 years old and fall under one of the following groups:

Spouse: This means your partner is legally married to you.

This means your partner is legally married to you. Common-law partner: This means your partner is not legally married to you, but has been living with you for at least 12 consecutive months.

This means your partner is not legally married to you, but has been living with you for at least 12 consecutive months. Conjugal partner: This means your partner is not legally married to you, has been in a relationship with you for at least one year, resides outside of Canada, and is unable to marry you due to a cultural, religious, or legal obstacle. For example, interfaith marriages are restricted in your partners country.

How to submit your sponsorship application

You need to submit two applications to IRCC: the sponsorship application and permanent residence application. IRCC asks you to submit both applications together.

Step 1: Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria to sponsor.

Step 2: Get the application package from IRCCs website.

Step 3: Pay all required fees on IRCCs website. Examples of fees include processing, right of permanent residence, and biometrics fees.

Step 4: Mail both applications together to IRCC.

Once IRCC approves the application, you and your partner must fulfil certain obligations. You are financially responsible for your loved one for at least three years. Your partner is not allowed to sponsor another person for five years after they obtain Canadian permanent residence.

Looking to sponsor your partner? Complete this form so a Campbell Cohen lawyer can help you!

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
As a prominent Bay Area California CIO, Ralph Loura has lost track of the number of tech startups that have asked him to join their fledgling boards of directors.

You have to be very selective, and also careful about your brand, says Loura, who sticks largely to advisory board roles with several Silicon Valley startups. Currently the CIO of optical networks provider Lumentum, Loura sits on two national nonprofit boards, the Technology Business Management Council and Genesys Works.

You should only join companies you feel strongly about, he advises. There has to be good chemistry there with the leadership team.

That good chemistry with the founder of Boston-based backup software startup GRAX is what led CIO Ken Grady of Idexx Laboratories to sign on as GRAXs only independent board director in early 2019. The five-member board includes the CEO, CTO, two venture capitalists and Grady.

Idexx Laboratories Ken Grady, CIO, Idexx Laboratories

Since CIOs and their teams are the primary targets for GRAX products, I am the voice of the customer, so they look to me for the value proposition, says Grady, who was originally a strategic advisor and influential early customer. He was asked to join the GRAX board after a candid conversation with the CEO, where Grady spoke up about how customers were actually using the software. Let your customers tell you your business model, he advised.

As Gradys experience shows, enterprise CIOs can certainly provide valuable customer perspectives to a tech startup struggling to break into the $1.6 trillion U.S. tech market. But whats in it for you? What makes a seat on a startup board worth untold hours of your unpaid time and effort? Below are some expert answers to a few key questions CIOs should consider when a startup CEO invites you to take a seat.

Who are the founders and how will your skillset help?

Pedigree matters, says Sanjay Mirchandani, CEO of Commvault and a former board member at data management startup Datameer. Fall in love with at least three startups before you choose one.

Consider how much help you can provide in accelerating their success. Then do some serious homework. Who are the VCs behind them? What track records do they have? Mirchandani adds. Engage with the VCs, talk about their portfolios. See where they have holes in their strategy.

Idexx CIO Grady recommends asking practical, probing questions like: Whats your sales motion? How do you find your customers? How long does it take to turn on your product and get value?

His final question is about the endgame. I would ask, OK, founder, whats your exit plan? Are you riding this all the way or looking to sell off to AWS or Google?

Are you willing to share your CIO network connections to drive sales and help acquire new customers?

If that question makes you cringe, youve already got your answer. Lending your expertise to the sales side of product positioning is a role reversal for many CIOs, who are most accustomed to fielding vendor pitches, not producing them.

Joining a startup board is a mixed bag in many respects, cautions Phil Fasano, CEO of Bay Advisors and a veteran CIO and board-level advisor. First, you aren't working for money but for equity. So, pick a company you'd like to own for a long timeand one you feel passionate about their value.

Your job as a CIO on a startup board is doing business development, helping to govern and providing advice to the CEO, he adds. You'll be expected to open your Rolodex."

You'll be expected to open your Rolodex. Phil Fasano

How do you elegantly explain where you draw the line? when pitching to your CIO network, asks Julie Cullivan, an experienced board director and former chief technology & people officer for Forescout Technologies in Silicon Valley. I didnt find it to be a huge problem, she says, recalling how she would reach out to vouch for a particular product with CIO friends, but would not pressure them further.

Lumentum Ralph Loura, CIO, Lumentum

I recommend having that conversation (with the startup board) up front, she says. Find out how much of their interest in you is about leveraging your network versus helping grow the company or manage its enterprise risk.

Fulltime CIOs Loura and Grady both stressed the importance of drawing a clear line between their day jobs and their board advisory roles. I sat down with my Idexx CEO and we drew up conflict-of-interest guidelines, says Grady, who only speaks in support of GRAX products as a board member, not on behalf of Idexx.

Before Loura took his enterprise CIO role with HP in 2014, he made a full-disclosure list of all his advisory board roles. I know of cases where people are asked to resign after failing to keep their employers fully informed, he adds.

Will this experience enhance your business leadership brand?

Almost certainly, it will. Serving on a startup board introduces CIOs to entirely new angles on real-world business challengesfrom merger & acquisition debates to working directly with venture capitalists to rethinking product strategy.

Its absolutely an education, says Idexx CIO Grady. Its given me a very different perspective on M&A from an insiders point of view. In his interactions with his own company directors now, he brings those fresh perspectives on strategic, sustainable growth to ongoing board discussions.

Julie Cullivan Julie Cullivan, board member and advisor

Your engagement with the startups leadership team is also likely to be deeper and more varied. Its a very different commitment level in how you support a startup board, Cullivan notes. For example, while the executive team ultimately has to make the decisions, if theyve never done an executive compensation exercise, they may ask for your help.

Perhaps the greatest asset to your brand as a business leader is the ton of connections youll make with a new crowd of early investors, venture capitalists, and portfolio company managers, Cullivan points out. Dont underestimate the power of that network.

Would an advisory board or observer role be a better fit for now?

For fulltime CIOs, the potential time sink and additional responsibilities may simply be too daunting a commitment to make. Therein lies the enduring appeal of advisory and board observer roles.

I really think the advisor and board observer roles are an excellent route to take, whether you end up in a board member position or not, says Cullivan, who currently serves on five boards in a mix of director, advisor, and observer roles. From engaging in ad hoc advisory meetings to sitting in on board meetings, I may not be a voting member but Im going through the investment rounds and learning so much about the startup processes.

Longtime CIO Kevin Barnes served as a board observer for several Silicon Valley startups from 2018 to 2020 while he was managing director for the venture capital division of Ferguson Enterprises. He particularly enjoyed the greater levels of collaboration and cooperation during the startup board conversations. Everyone is in the room is vested in that success.

While there were some technology elements in those board deliberations, most of the focus stayed on business fundamentals, staffing, recruiting, go-to-market plans, customer service and pricing models, Barnes recalls.

What enterprise CIOs can bring to those boardroom exchanges is that famous helicopter view of how an entire large company operates end-to-end, says Barnes, currently CIO of Rex Signature Services and an executive partner with Fortium Partners.

That perspective can be a big advantage for startups, to have CIOs sharing how they successfully helped their organizations evaluate and adopt new technologies, he points out. The change management aspects. Fostering the required alignment across the executive group and with the user base. Everyone whos been in the CIO chair has the battle scars when these steps are not done well!
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Snow showers this morning. Becoming partly cloudy later. High 38F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

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(CNN)  The United States' new international travel policies are just weeks away from going into effect.

November 8 will be the official start of a wide reopening of the United States to fully vaccinated foreign travelers arriving by air and land, the White House announced Friday.

While some details still have to be worked out, the firm date comes as a relief to many would-be travelers who have been in limbo since plans were announced on September 20 to implement a new international air travel system in "early November."

This week, similar plans were announced to open US borders with Canada and Mexico to vaccinated visitors for tourism and other nonessential travel. The November 8 date applies to both land and air travel.

Here's everything we know so far about what the new policies will mean for travelers:

Who can travel?

The policies allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the United States, replacing a patchwork of bans and restrictions that have been in place since the start of the pandemic.

That means foreign nationals arriving from countries that have been subject to bans -- China, Iran, Europe's Schengen area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India -- will soon be allowed under the policy that applies to all international travelers.

The vaccination requirement goes into effect November 8.

Which vaccines are accepted?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already alerted airlines that all FDA approved and authorized vaccines, as well as vaccines that have an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the WHO will be accepted for entry into the United States.

That means the AstraZeneca vaccine, in use in places including Canada and Europe, will be accepted. The Sputnik V vaccine developed in Russia has not been approved by WHO or FDA.

While the CDC has not commented yet on vaccines for travel across land borders, a White House official told CNN it expects the same vaccines will be accepted.

People are considered "fully vaccinated" by the CDC two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

What about unvaccinated Americans?

Unvaccinated Americans can still enter the United States but will face more stringent testing requirements for air travel.

They will be "subject to stricter testing requirements," including a test within one day of their flight's departure for the United States and an additional test when they return, Jeff Zients, the White House Covid-19 response coordinator, said when he announced the new international air travel rules on September 20.

The announcement about Mexico and Canada land borders on October 12 did not specifically address unvaccinated Americans, but the vaccination requirement is directed at "inbound foreign national travelers."

What about unvaccinated children?

While little has been said in the announcements of the new international travel system about children, the Department of Homeland Security told CNN that the vaccination requirement will not apply to children who are not eligible.

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, indicated on September 20 that the more stringent air travel rules outlined for unvaccinated Americans "at this point, would obviously apply to children as well."

It's unclear whether entry requirements will be the same for foreign national and American children. CNN has requested clarification on travel requirements for children.

What about mixed-dose vaccinations?

The CDC is working through the question of mixed-dose vaccinations, according to senior administration officials. The CDC will offer guidance "in the coming weeks" related to the vaccination status of individuals who received doses of two different vaccines, one official said on October 12.

Is testing required?

Fully vaccinated air travelers are still required to test negative for Covid-19 within three days of their flight's departure for the United States, in line with the current testing rule.

As mentioned above, unvaccinated American citizens will be required to take a Covid-19 test within one of day of their departing flight and again after arrival.

There is no testing requirement at land borders.

What kind of documentation is required?

Details about what will be acceptable proof of vaccination are forthcoming, a White House official said Friday.

At land borders, vaccinated individuals crossing for nonessential reasons should "be prepared to attest to vaccination status and to present proof of vaccination to a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officer upon request," the official said.

Another senior administration official said Tuesday that agencies are working closely with the CDC on both land and air requirements and should have a decision in "coming days as to what the proper documentation looks like."

Airlines already have systems in place to collect the testing information required of air travelers because all air travelers entering the US are already required to present a negative test result.

The White House official said that more operational details related to international travel will come "well in advance of November 8 to enable preparation for a smooth transition to the new system."

Who can no longer get into the United States?

The new international travel system largely bars unvaccinated foreign nationals from entering the US.

Unvaccinated travelers coming from countries not affected by travel bans who currently are allowed to fly into the US (from Mexico and Canada, for example) will no longer be allowed entry as of November 8.

A White House official told CNN further guidance on "very limited exceptions" to the requirements will be provided in advance of the international travel policy's start.

At land borders, the vaccination requirement going into effect on November 8 applies to nonessential travel such as tourism and visits with friends and family.

Individuals traveling for essential reasons, including truck drivers and students, will still be allowed across borders until early January, whether they're vaccinated or not.

In early January, a vaccination requirement will go into effect for all foreign nationals crossing the borders by land or ferry.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The United States has a reopening date. Here's what travelers need to know."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, CNN Philippines, October 16)  President Rodrigo Duterte said his administration is committed to speed up the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi, as the city marks the fourth year of liberation.

The President on Saturday led the commemoration at the Rizal Park in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, where he also inspected the newly-constructed Jameo Mindanao Al-Islamie or the Grand Mosque.

In his speech, Duterte stressed that the government "is doing its best to expedite the completion of rehabilitation projects at the soonest possible time."

Government officials and Malacanang have been reiterating that the Marawi rehabilitation will be completed before Duterte's term ends in 2022, or almost five years after Marawi was freed from Maute terrorists.

READ: Rehabilitating Marawi City, a promise yet to be fulfilled?

"We, in the government, are strongly committed to bring back the city's glory and we will continue to foster cooperation among concerned stakeholders so that Marawi will be able to build back better and stronger," Duterte said.

The President also praised local officials and the Task Force Bangon Marawi for accomplishing the programs, projects, and activities under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

"Let me again give recognition to our soldiers and police personnel and local constituency for their bravery, sacrifice, and determination in defending and liberating Marawi City after five months of battle," Duterte said.

"I pray to God that it will never happen ever again," he added.

Duterte also said his administration "remains steadfast in securing our nation against terrorism, violent extremism, and other lawless elements."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16)  Prices of vegetables in Metro Manila have seen a spike due to lower yields caused by tropical cyclone Maring, a Department of Agriculture (DA) official said Saturday.

Maring's damage to agriculture as of Saturday stood at 1.7 billion, affecting 56,718 farmers and fisherfolk, the department reported. Maring left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday after spawning floods and destructive winds in many areas.

"Sa mga gulay, nakita natin ang paggalaw ng [presyo] dahil ito nga rin ay epekto ng nasalantang mga produce natin," Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said in a government briefing.

[Translation: For vegetables, we saw their prices move partly because of the damaged produce.]

Evangelista did not indicate prices.

"Definitely 'pag nabawasan po ang yield dahil natamaan ng bagyo, tataas po ang price points ng ating mga gulay dahil iyong logistical cost ay ganun padin po and yet mas kaunti na po ang nadadala sa merkado," she added.

[Translation: Definitely, when yields go down due to a storm, price points of vegetables will go up because the logistical cost remains the same even when fewer products are offered in the market.]

Amid the price hikes, the DA is busy looking for alternative sources of vegetables to still meet Metro Manila's demand, Evangelista said.

She also asked vegetable retailers to consider consumers' buying capacity amid the COVID-19 pandemic by not raising the prices of their products.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, CNN Philippines, October 16)  The Philippine National Police plans to deploy more police officers in public areas and establishments as the pandemic response task force eased Metro Manila's COVID-19 alert level status, its chief said Saturday.

Despite the downgrade in the capital's alert level, PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar said the police will still strictly enforce health protocols to avoid another surge in new infections.

"Sa pag-uumpisa ng implementasyon ng Alert Level 3 sa Metro Manila, inatasan ko na ang ating mga unit commanders sa Kalakhang Maynila na maging alerto at aktibo sa pagpapatupad ng minimum public health safety dahil baka maging kampante ang ating mga kababayan sa pagluwag ng patakaran na mauwi lamang sa muling pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID sa ating bansa," he was quoted as saying in a statement Saturday.

[Translation: With the implementation of Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila, I have instructed our unit commanders in Metro Manila to be alert and active in the implementation of minimum public health safety because our countrymen may become complacent, which may lead to a resurgence of COVID cases in our country.]

RELATED: Health expert warns of COVID-19 rebound amid NCR's premature easing to Alert Level 3

Eleazar said police officers must also cooperate not just with local government units, but also with business establishments. He instructed more police to patrol these areas.

The Inter-Agency Task Force earlier this week decided to place the capital region under Alert Level 3 from Saturday, Oct. 16 to 31.

This allows establishments to expand their operations, with 50% outdoor venue capacity and an indoor venue capacity of 30% for fully vaccinated individuals.

READ: Cinemas, theme parks at limited capacity: What to expect under Alert Level 3
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16)  The country welcomed the largest shipment of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines delivered so far, and another batch of Pfizer doses.

A total of 720,000 doses of the Russia-made vaccine arrived Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

Inter-Agency Task Force special adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said there are now over 1.3 million Sputnik V vaccines delivered to the country.

With the arrival of the fresh Sputnik V shots, the country has now breached the 92 million mark in total COVID-19 vaccine deliveries since inoculations started in March, according to Herbosa.

Meanwhile, some 207,090 more doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine also arrived Saturday night.

This is the third batch of Pfizer shots procured by the national government after an initial 862,290 doses arrived Thursday, and a shipment of 1,068,210 shots Friday.

Herbosa said the newly arrived Pfizer doses will be used for the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 with comorbidities.

Cebu and Davao also received fresh supplies of the US-made vaccines, he added.

The Philippine government has set a target of about 104 million vaccine doses to be delivered to the country by end of October.
(CNN)  British lawmaker David Amess, a member of Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, has died after being stabbed several times at a constituency meeting east of London.

Amess, 69, a Member of Parliament who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked at around midday Thursday by a man who walked into a meeting with voters from his electoral district being held in a Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

"He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene," Essex police said.

"A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered."

The UK's Counter Terrorism Command will lead the investigation into the murder, police said later Friday. "It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident. But as always, they will keep an open mind," Ben-Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, told reporters.

Aerial footage showed multiple police officers outside the church and an air ambulance at the scene. A large cordon extended down Eastwood Road, where the church is located, with members of the public gathering behind it and multiple side streets closed off.

The killing was another grim moment in Britain's political history. It marks the second murder of a sitting British lawmaker in five years, after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed in her constituency in 2016, and has reignited discussions about the safety of the UK's elected officials.

Boris Johnson was joined by all of his living predecessors in expressing shock, and lawmakers from every corner of the political spectrum spoke of their sadness, their concern, and their anger after another of their colleagues was killed while meeting with his constituents.

'A terrible day for democracy'

Amess' stabbing was met with shock across Britain's political divide. In a statement from Downing Street, Boris Johnson said from Downing Street the MP "was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics."

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future," Johnson said. "We lost today a fine public servant."

The leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, wrote on Twitter: "Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff."

Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Amess was "a kind and thoroughly decent man" and "the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet."

"Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David's family," Cameron said. Cameron's successor Theresa May added the news was "heartbreaking" and "a tragic day for our democracy."

She described Amess as "a decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties."

And former Labour leader Tony Blair said in a statement to PA Media: "David and I came into Parliament together in 1983. Though on opposite political sides I always found him a courteous, decent and thoroughly likeable colleague who was respected across the House."

"This is a terrible and sad day for our democracy," Blair said.

Flags outside Parliament were lowered to half staff after his death.

Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Amess "a great public servant" who "loved being an MP." Sajid Javid, the UK's Health Secretary, called him "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role."

Amess entered Parliament in 1983, initially representing the Basildon constituency. He served continuously in the House of Commons since then, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the chamber.

Amess was knighted in 2015 for his political service. He supported Britain's departure from the European Union, and his main areas of expertise were animal welfare and pro-life issues, according to a biography on his website.

In March, Amess asked a question in Parliament about how to stop "senseless murders" with knives, after a teenager in his constituency was killed in a knife attack.

He was married and had five children.

Britain's second murdered lawmaker in five years

Within Britain's political bubble and beyond, the murder dredged up painful memories of the shocking killing of Jo Cox five years ago.

That incident rattled the nation and led to calls for lawmakers to receive personal protection when in public -- a sentiment that re-emerged Friday following Amess' death.

"All elected representatives must be able to go about their work without the fear of physical or verbal attacks," Amess' colleague, Conservative MP Eleanor Laing, said in a tweet on Friday following the stabbing. "What has happened to Sir David Amess in Essex today is unforgivable."

Amess was not considered a controversial politician, and despite the length of his tenure, he was not a widely known political figure in the UK.

In a book he wrote last year about being an MP, Amess said Cox's murder was "totally unexpected" and the event had changed the way MPs interact with members of the public, particularly in relation to constituency surgeries.

"These increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians," he wrote.

"I myself have over the years experienced nuisance from the odd member of the general public at my own property. We regularly check our locks," Amess added.

MPs in Britain typically meet with residents in their constituencies face to face during "surgeries," and it is uncommon for them to have a security detail.

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted Friday questions were "being rightly asked" about the safety of lawmakers, adding she "will provide updates in due course."

"This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country," the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle said in a statement sent to CNN. "In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs' security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family, friends and colleagues."

In 2010, Stephen Timms was stabbed during a constituency meeting by a 21-year-old student, who was angry over Timms' previous support of the Iraq War. Timms survived the attack and is still a lawmaker. And in 2000, a Liberal Democrat councilor was murdered at the office of MP Nigel Jones.

Cox's widower, Brendan Cox, wrote the news "brings everything back."

"My thoughts and love are with David's family. They are all that matter now. This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo I hope we can do the same for David now," he said on Twitter.

Cox was killed by a man with extreme right-wing views, just days before the UK's heated referendum on leaving the European Union. That campaign and its fallout raised the temperature of political discourse in the country, and several politicians have since spoken about receiving abuse in person and online.

"This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life," Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of Amess' Conservative Party, said after his stabbing.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "British lawmaker David Amess stabbed to death at constituency meeting."
Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order Friday activating a nine-member Colorado National Guard unit to ensure this year's elections are secure.

The Colorado National Guard Defensive Cyber Operations Element will help with election cybersecurity defense from Saturday through Nov. 4, which is two days after the polls close on this year's election.

Hickenlooper: 'We're in a cyber war' U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday said he supported taking action against international cybercriminals and the nations that harbor them while touring the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs.

Besides three statewide ballot questions, local Colorado communities collectively have at least 170 questions in their respective jurisdictions, after clerks began mailing out ballots this week.

The secretary of state has requested the support, the decree states.

"Like many states, Colorado uses online voter registration systems that allow eligible citizens to access and update their voter registration information," according to the order Polis signed. "These systems are protected by various security features that maintain confidentiality and prevent data tampering or interference with data.

"Even with such security features, online voter registration systems could provide an avenue for cyber actors to gain unlawful access to voter registration databases. Outside of Colorado, voter registration databases have been compromised by cyber actors hacking into various systems. While cyber actors are unable to modify voter records, breaches could result in the release of voters personally identifiable information. The exposure of voters personally identifiable information does not threaten the integrity of our State elections, but could undermine public confidence in the system and suppress voter registration. The Colorado National Guard Defensive Cyber Operations Element has unique cyber capabilities to assist in protecting critical election infrastructure."

Read the executive order by clicking here.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
Queries, as well as a general exchange of genealogical material that readers would like to share, will be printed in the column for free. Contact Joan Griffis by e-mailing JBGriffis@aol.com.
October brings four zero-day exploits and 74 updates to the Windows ecosystem, including a hard-to-test kernel update (CVE-2021-40449) that requires immediate attention and an Exchange Server update that requires technical skill and due diligence (and a reboot). The testing profile for the October Patch Tuesday covers Windows error handling, AppX, Hyper-V and Microsoft Word. We recommend a Patch Now schedule for Windows and then staging the remaining patch groups according to your normal release pattern.

You can find more information on the risk of deploying these Patch Tuesday updatesin this infographic.

Key testing scenarios

There are no reported high-risk changes to the Windows platform. However, there is one reported functional change and an additional feature added:

As always, confirm that printing performs as expected with physical printers and virtual printers. Verify there are no issues with printer drivers. We suggest an assessment of which printer driver software is still using 32-bit code for application management.

Test your non-English websites, looking for broken or uneven characters in Thai, Lao, Korean, and Arabic.

The Active Directory feature BanndIP has been updated. We suggest validating AD authorization for both active and passive network traffic. You can find out more here .

Microsoft has updated the media codec, so testing large image and video files should be part of the testing plan.

The STORPORT.SYS component was updated this month, so check applications that depend on this Windows feature.

I think it is now safe to say that the Microsoft AppX format was not as widely adopted in the enterprise as expected. Even so, there were significant upgrades to Microsoft AppX containers and deployment tools included in this October update. If you have an enterprise Microsoft "store" for your applications, we recommend installing/uninstalling both your AppX applications and their associated runtimes.

On the topic of lesser-used Windows features, the Microsoft NTFS file system was updated to include a fix for symbolic links (helpful with UNIX migrations). If you are in the middle of a large UNIX migration, you may want to pause things a little and test out some large (and parallel) file transfers before deploying this update.

Known issues

Each month, Microsoft includes a list of known issues that relate to the operating system and platforms included in the update cycle. I have referenced a few key issues that relate to the latest builds from Microsoft, including:

Devices with Windows installations created from custom offline media or custom ISO images might have Microsoft Edge Legacy removed by this update, but not automatically replaced by the new Microsoft Edge. This issue is only encountered when custom offline media or ISO images are created by slipstreaming this update into the image without having first installed the standalone servicing stack update (SSU) released March 29, 2021 or later.

Major revisions

At the time of writing this for this July update cycle, there were two major updates to previous released updates:

CVE-2021-38624 : Windows Key Storage Provider Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. This is Microsoft's third try at patching this Windows key storage component, and unfortunately a major upgrade was required. This month's affected systems include Windows 11; Microsoft strongly recommended that immediate action be taken to update systems.

CVE-2021-33781 : Azure AD Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Again, another third try to resolve this issue. However, for this Azure AD issue, these latest changes are more informational (correcting CVE titles and documentation) and include an updated affected system list to include Windows 11. No further action required here.

Mitigations and workarounds

CVE-2021-40444 : Microsoft is investigating reports of a remote code execution vulnerability in MSHTML that affects Windows. The company is aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability by using specially-crafted Microsoft Office documents. An attacker could craft a malicious ActiveX control to be used by a Microsoft Office document that hosts the browser rendering engine.

Each month, we break down the update cycle into product families (as defined by Microsoft) with the following basic groupings:

Browsers (Microsoft IE and Edge);

Microsoft Windows (both desktop and server);

Microsoft Office;

Microsoft Exchange;

Microsoft Development platforms ( ASP.NET Core, .NET Core and Chakra Core);

Adobe (retired???, not yet).

Browsers

Microsoft published 33 updates to the Chromium-based Edge browser this cycle. Given how Chromium does not integrate deeply into the desktop or server operating system, potential collisions or dependency issues are unlikely. You can find out more about the Chromium project's update cycle andrelease notes here.

However one of the key components (IEFRAME.DLL) of Internet Explorer (IE) was updated this month. It is possible that third-party applications and in-house developed software may depend on this key library. For this particular update, It looks as if Microsoft has changed how browsers tabs are handled, particularly how they are created. If you receive "Invalid Pointer Bad Ref Count" (or similar) errors in your testing, it may very well be related to this update to the core Internet Explorer system libraries (DLL's). Add both of these groups of browser updates to your regular update schedule.

Windows

This month, Microsoft published four critical updates for the Windows ecosystem and a further 45 patches rated as important. Unfortunately, update CVE-2021-40449 for the Windows Kernel has been reported as exploited. This pairs a difficult-to-test, low-level update to Windows core systems with an urgency to mitigate or patch. We have included testing guidance in a section above that covers a lot of this month's Windows changes. However, testing kernel updates is very tough. Test your core apps thoroughly, release your updates in rings or stages, and add this update to your Patch Now schedule.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft released 16 updates to Microsoft Office and Microsoft SharePoint, with one rated as critical (CVE-2021-40486) affecting Microsoft Word and the remaining patches affecting Excel and SharePoint. The Word security issue, while serious, has not been publicly disclosed and there are no reports of exploits in the wild. Note: SharePoint will require a reboot after its update. We recommend adding these to your regular patch release schedule.

Microsoft Exchange Server

Unfortunately, Microsoft Exchange Server updates are back for October. There are four patches for Exchange Server (both 2016 and 219), all rated as important. However, CVE-2021-36970 has a base rating of 9.0, according to the vulnerability rating system CVSS. This is really high (meaning serious) and usually would warrant a critical rating from Microsoft. However, due to the limitation of the "scope" of vulnerability, the potential damage is much reduced.

Microsoft has published updated documentation detailing a number of known issues relating to this month's Exchange Server patches where a manual application of MSP files does not correctly install all of the necessary files. In addition, misapplying this update may leave your Exchange server in a disabled state. This issue applies to the following October updates:

This installation issue is a particular concern when applying updates using User Account Control (UAC), and does not happen when you use Microsoft Update. Otherwise, note that this Exchange update will require a server reboot; we recommend adding this update to your regular update schedule.

Microsoft Development Platforms

Microsoft released three updates to Visual Studio and one patch for .NET 5.0 this month. All were rated as important by Microsoft and at worst could lead to information disclosure or "denial of service" (application specific and localized). The Visual Studio updates are very straightforward and should be included in your standard development release cycle.

Adobe (really just Reader)

Adobe released four updates to its core Reader product group with security bulletin APSB1221-104. Two of these updates (CWE-416 and CWE-787) are rated as critical by Adobe. While both of these have CVSS scores of 7.8 (which is pretty high for a PDF reader) they do not require an urgent update. Add these to your regular update schedule.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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UPDATE: The White House confirmed on Saturday that President Joe Biden did receive the UConn Dairy Bars ice cream and brought home leftovers. Read story here.

STORRS  President Joe Biden nearly left his visit to Connecticut Friday with a specially made supply of ice cream from the UConn Dairy Bar  until the plan melted.

The nearly 70-year-old establishment had made a fresh batch of chocolate chip  the presidential favorite  for Biden to take with him.

However, Biden didnt get to leave with it, according to Stephanie Reitz, a spokeswoman for the University of Connecticut.

Reitz speculated the reason may have been Secret Service had not been able to secure the site in advance, or possibly due to COVID-19 concerns.

We had gallons in the [Dodd] Center but, alas, none of it made it into his hands, Reitz said by phone.

Biden, who has a known sweet tooth for ice cream, had visited UConn Friday for the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights. The president has made other impromptu stops for ice cream during his travels, including a visit to an ice cream parlor in La Crosse during a visit to Wisconsin in June.

Chocolate chip won over Husky Tracks, the shops signature combination of vanilla ice cream with chunks of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and fudge swirl, as well as banana chocolate chip. The plan had been to pass the ice cream along to the president, possibly set inside a sugar cone.

The dairy bar opened in 1953 to sell products made by the creamery, part of the universitys College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. The creamery has been in operation for more than a century, according to UConn, and bottled milk until the early 1990s.

When Vice President Kamala Harris visited Connecticut in the spring, her security detail stopped to pick up pizza from Zuppardis Apizza in West Haven and Sallys Apizza in New Haven.

Reitz said the ice cream would not go to waste.

Staff writer Dan Haar contributed to this story.
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BRIDGEPORT  The school district has committed to improving air quality in its buildings.

Bridgeport has begun rolling out air purification units to cafeterias, classrooms and some offices, and assessing the state of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems throughout the district.

Local teachers have long called attention to extreme hot and cold temperatures in Bridgeport schools, and some with windows that dont open all the way.

The schools facilities department told a school board committee last week that it would dive into the HVAC assessments to identify issues and determine next steps.

Not change parts, not fix something for today, but what is a long-standing solution for the issues that we currently have? said Jorge Garcia, the director of facilities. This assessment gives us the kind of data that we need to really dig in and figure out what these problems are.

Over the last several months, statewide education groups have made air quality a focus of their advocacy. The teachers union, alongside superintendents and school staff, recently called on the state to improve school air quality, including temperature, humidity and contaminants like mold.

A recent survey of nearly 1,000 teachers showed air quality was a major concern in schools across Connecticut. While 97 percent of respondents reported faulty HVAC and ventilation systems, roughly a quarter said their concerns have been actively addressed.

Air purification was a commitment that we made, and thats been a hot topic at the state level in terms of opening schools, Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Michael Testani told school board members last week.

Garcia said he and a COVID-19 committee found purifiers that meet CDC recommendations by replacing a rooms air at least three times per hour.

They reviewed up to eight versions, considered when they could get the units and how difficult they are to install, as the district continues to look for new ways to protect students from the airborne virus.

As of Tuesday, 69 children, or 0.4 percent of students, had tested positive for COVID-19 this academic year since schools welcomed them back on Aug. 30.

The school facilities team began with installing the purifiers in cafeterias: We wanted to make sure the most used part of the facility was being addressed early on, Garcia said. The process was completed as of last week, Testani reported.

Next, they were rolled out to 786 classrooms as of Tuesday, and 11 schools remain to be completed by the start of this week. The units will be put in the main office, nurses offices and other common areas too by the end of the month.

The machines have gauges on them, so teachers and staff can confirm that theyre working.

Total spending is at $1.75 million of COVID-relief funds so far, according to an estimate at the recent facilities school board committee.

A slower process, the school facilities department, alongside an engineering firm, is reviewing the results of district-wide HVAC assessments. Those will be used to find lasting air quality solutions in schools with complex systems, Garcia said.

Garcia described the HVAC updates as a huge component of expenditure and taking a lot of time and effort.

Weve got a lot of issues out there with AC, as you all know, said Garcia. Im sure you get the complaints.

Garcia summarized plans to address school temperature: chillers for Tisdale and Batalla, designs for air-conditioning at Wilbur Cross and Columbus, and boilers at Skane, Hall, Blackham and Curiale.

The facilities department also began work over the summer, including so teachers can let fresh air into their classrooms.

As teachers wanted to open these windows, and let more fresh air in, there was a need for screens, said Garcia.

The director said his team re-screened all of Read School and the first floor of Hallen, began work on Thomas Hooker and will continue to look at other buildings.

Well continue to look to re-screen buildings so teachers feel comfortable opening windows, he said.
Contributed /Connecticut State Police

BRIDGEPORT  A New York woman was killed and two other people were hospitalized Friday after a four-car pileup on Route 8, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police identified the woman who died as 37-year-old Tiffany Benjamin. She was a resident of the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens.
The Oct. 8 headline in the newspaper caught my eye: Pentagon climate plan: War-fighting in hotter, harsher world.

The article opens by saying that the new Pentagon plan calls for incorporating the realities of a hotter, harsher earth at every level in the U.S. military, including training troops on how to secure their own water supplies and treat heat injury. The story concludes with the statement that the U.S. military is the single largest institutional consumer of oil in the world, and as such is a key contributor to the worsening climate globally.

At this point Im confounded.

The Pentagon preps for harsher climate conditions for the safety or our troops and defense of our nation while at the same it worsens the conditions on a daily basis. Is there any logic in this?

Our current administration asks China to reduce its contributions to climate damage while it advocates for a Pentagon expansion that pollutes the planet. Who is kidding whom?

A few months ago, teen climate activists awakened me to the connection between climate change and U.S. militarism. The high schoolers put it in simple terms: the cost of building one nuclear submarine, estimated at $5 billion by the U.S. Budget Office, is a colossal waste. They say that the U.S. already has 66 nuclear submarines, more than all the other nations combined, and our dollars could be put to much better use. Then they give me 10 examples of how they would use our taxpayer money.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists affirms the teens insight. An article in the Bulletin informs me that America is building a new warhead 20 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, will be able to kill hundreds of thousands of people in a single shot, will cost roughly $100 billion to build, has already cost $13.3 billion to begin engineering, and will not be ready until roughly 2029. It adds that the U.S. Air Force plans to order more than 600 of them and concludes with this statement:

To put that price tag in perspective, $100 billion could pay 1.24 million elementary school teacher salaries for a year, provide 2.84 million four-year university scholarships, or cover 3.3 million hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. Its enough to build a massive mechanical wall to protect New York City from sea level rise.

In a November 2020 referendum, New Haven voters were asked if they wanted Congress to transfer funds from the military budget to cities for human needs, jobs and an environmentally sustainable economy. Voters responded with a resounding 83 percent yes.

Our own Sen. Chris Murphy, fierce advocate for gun control in our nation, admits that his children, like my children and grandchildren, are anxious about the future of the planet and their own future. On Sept. 9, 2021, he tweeted: My kids dont understand why I work on anything other than climate change. Why does anything else matter if you dont fix this, they wonder.

I remember a Scriptural query from my childhood in Kentucky, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:35), and I wonder: Is it possible for our mighty nation to have a change of heart?

Can we shift from our outdated cold war defense stance to a worldview that protects all life on this planet? Can our state of Connecticut and other states in the U.S. move from a Pentagon-dependent work force to industries more appropriate for the 21st-century? In early COVID days, at the bidding of then-President Trump, General Motors switched gears  in two weeks  from producing cars to producing ventilators.

Our engineers are smart. And our nation, at its core, prides itself on caring for all.

Transforming our mindset and our workforce wont happen in two weeks. But it can happen.

My teenage friends ask When? What will have to happen to stop the madness?

Millie Grenough, of New Haven, is a member of the City of New Haven Peace Commission and a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine.
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Local

Camden to host meeting on water concerns in SMWA district

Bowman

CAMDEN  Camden officials are asking county residents, developers and others with concerns about water availability and other water-related issues in the South Mills Water Associations service district to show up for a special meeting on Monday.

The meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. at the South Mills Volunteer Fire Department, is designed for both SMWA customers and would-be customers to talk about their demand for water and other concerns, Camden Manager Ken Bowman said.

(Camden) commissioners are giving them an open forum to talk about water up there: the need for water, water pressure, the quality of water, he said, referring to the northern part of the county.

Bowman said Camden officials continue to hear from developers, contractors and landowners  large and small  about water availability in SMWAs service territory. The county also hears from existing SMWA customers about issues like water pressure and water quality, he said.

The availability issue is particularly significant because without adequate water, the Camden Planning Department cant approve permits for any development projects.

The bottom line is, unless water is available, we cant approve any permits that are submitted, Bowman said.

County officials are hopeful developers and others with water needs in SMWAs territory attend Mondays meeting.

We want to hear from these folks who are trying to develop up there, the issues they are facing that are causing them concern, and how we can resolve this, Bowman said.

Bowman said Camden already sells about 150,000 gallons of water a day to the South Mills Water Association. He said the SMWA is requesting Camden sell it more water but thats problematic because the countys own system is nearing capacity. He noted demand has moved the county to embark on a project to build a new well.

But even if Camden could increase the amount of water it sells the SMWA, its not going to alleviate these other concerns like water quality and pressure, Bowman said.

Asked about those concerns, Wayne Raper, the SMWA manager, said in an email the nonprofit cooperative is dedicated to providing safe and sanitary drinking water to our members and customers.

As for SMWAs system capacity, Raper said the agencys board of directors first priority is to its current customers.

We do everything we can to provide water that is appropriate for those purposes, he said. Any new additions to the system are considered and evaluated based on a number of criteria. One of those criteria is whether or not the association has the capacity to serve the new customer as well as our current customers.

Raper said the SMWA has tried, without success, to buy more water from the county.

We have spent considerable time trying to work with Camden County and secure water from its system to supply our ever-growing demand for new customers. Unfortunately, the County has been unable to accommodate our requests so far, he said.

Raper said the SMWA hopes Mondays meeting will show Camden officials there is a real need (for water) in our service territory.

We welcome the County governments desire to help, and we are hopeful that the County will not stand in the way of our regional growth and economic development, he said.

Bowman noted that the past relationship between Camden commissioners and the SMWA board has been contentious. He believes all parties will have to be realistic if everyone is going to move forward.

And regardless of what comes out of Mondays meeting, resolving water issues in the county is critical to Camdens future growth, he said.

Camden as a whole is growing, he said. Demand (for water) is there. Camden needs to address this.

Its unclear how  or whether  the South Mills Water Associations separate negotiations with Pasquotank County for the county to buy its distribution system in northern Pasquotank would affect SMWAs operations in northern Camden.

The Pasquotank Board of Commissioners unanimously voted in June 2020 to offer the SMWA almost $1.4 million for the Pasquotank portion of the associations water distribution system.

If the sale goes through, 1,049 South Mills Water Association customers in Pasquotank would be added to Pasquotanks water system. Most of those customers live in and around the Newland community.

The associations total outstanding debt is currently around $2.2 million and $957,403 of it is associated with the Pasquotank portion of its system. If the sale is completed, the association would pay off the $957,403 debt.

Raper did not respond to a question about the current status of the negotiations with Pasquotank.
I last saw David Amess a fortnight ago in the slightly incongruous setting of a houseboat moored on the Manchester Ship Canal.

We were attending the annual conference party thrown by Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price, where David was in typically ebullient form.

As he left, he asked about my mother  the former Labour MP for Hampstead & Highgate  with whom he used to spar across the Commons chamber.

Give her my love, he requested, though Im not sure she would remember me.

All Labour MPs remember David. His surprise victory in Basildon on Election night 1992 brought an end to the partys hopes of ousting John Major.

But it was never held against him. As the warmth and sincerity of the tributes that have been paid from the Labour benches attest.

All Labour MPs remember David. His surprise victory in Basildon on Election night 1992 brought an end to the partys hopes of ousting John Major

Though not all of those tributes have been welcomed. As news of the appalling attack was filtering through, a tweet from Angela Rayner expressing her own sympathies provoked anger from several Tory MPs and officials.

She was calling us scum a few days ago, one told me. She doesnt get to express sympathy today.

In the immediate aftermath of a horrifying event such as this, its understandable that emotions run high. So its important not to reach for knee-jerk-reactions, or apportion unnecessary blame.

But when an elected Member of Parliament has just been stabbed to death in their constituency surgery  and a house of worship  its also important not to hide unpalatable truths.

A court case is pending, and the terrible facts surrounding the death of David Amess will be brought to light.

But those seeking a direct parallel between the comments of Angela Rayner and the attack in Leigh-on-Sea should desist. Whatever motivated his killer, it will not prove to have been some ill-advised words at a Labour fringe meeting.

But if the brutal killing of a Conservative MP should not be used to draw inappropriate political parallels, it should at least give people pause.

And more specifically, it should give people on the Left pause.

When Jo Cox was murdered, a consensus quickly formed, one that prevails. It held that while she was murdered by a single individual, he did not act alone.

Thomas Mair was a product of what was loosely dubbed far-Right extremism. He had links to the National Front and the English Defence League, and toured the internet, immersing himself in extremist far-Right propaganda.

Poison that still exists today. It can be seen in the fragmented but still active far-Right hate groups. It can be seen at the fringes of elements of the pro-Brexit movement. And it can increasingly be identified among elements of the anti-vax movement.

So the threat of Right-wing extremism is real. But at least it is recognised and, in the main, universally condemned by the political mainstream. And it exists primarily on the political fringes.

This morning, we have to begin to talk about and confront the scourge of Left-wing extremism.

It is a very different creature to the extremism of the Right. It is less overtly violent. But it is equally toxic and represents an equal risk to our democracy and its parliamentary representatives. Because, crucially, it does not reside on the political margins.

When an elected Member of Parliament has just been stabbed to death in their constituency surgery  and a house of worship  its also important not to hide unpalatable truths

One of the tributes issued to David Amess was from Labour MP John McDonnell. But in 2011, McDonnell said this: I want to be in a situation where no Tory MP, no Tory or MP, no Coalition Minister, can travel anywhere in the country or show their face anywhere in public without being challenged by direct action.

He added: Any institution or any individual that attacks our class, we will come for you with direct action.

Another of the tributes issued to David Amess came from Jeremy Corbyn. But recently the former Labour leader spoke at a fringe meeting at conference, at which he said: Youve probably noticed members of the Socialist Campaign Group disproportionately go through hell, high water and beyond at the hands of the media and the briefing machines can we just have a thought tonight in absolute solidarity with our great friend Claudia Webbe for what shes going through?

Last Wednesday, Webbe was found guilty of harassment after threatening to throw acid at her partners female friend, and to send naked photos of her to her children.

The hatred on the far Right of politics is  rightly  well documented. But its no longer sustainable to continue to ignore and normalise the hatred nurtured within the mainstream of the Labour Party and the wider Labour movement.

When it was reported that Iain Duncan Smith and his wife had been assaulted walking towards the secure zone of the Tory Party conference, it was done so almost as an afterthought. The abuse and harassment of Conservative MPs and delegates attending their conference has become so routine it barely merits comment.

In fact, a perception has formed that for Tories this is merely the price of doing business.

Within Labour  the mainstream of the party, not the fringe  that is literally the view. The belief is that the Tories, simply because they are Tories, deserve whats coming to them.

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Angela Rayner did not brand all her Conservative parliamentary colleagues scum because she really believes theyre all scum. She said it because shes politically ambitious, and she thinks to get on in the Labour Party this is what her members want to hear. And shes right, they do.

When it was reported that Iain Duncan Smith and his wife had been assaulted walking towards the secure zone of the Tory Party conference, it was done so almost as an afterthought

Politics is tough. All parties attempt to caricature  and to an extent demonise  their opponents. It was Conservative Central Office that was behind the most literal example, the Tony Blair Demon Eyes poster.

But it is no longer possible to draw equivalence about the toxicity that exists within the two main parties. A visceral hatred of Tories is now embedded in Labours DNA in a way that is simply not reciprocated.

John McDonnell is not some Twitter warrior, but the former Labour Shadow Chancellor. Does anyone seriously think Rishi Sunak would contemplate instructing Tory activists to subject his opponents to the ominous-sounding direct action?

Could anyone imagine Theresa May expressing solidarity with a Tory MP a day after evidence had been presented in court they had threatened to throw acid in someones face?

Its not OK any more. Casual hatred of Conservative politicians and activists simply for committing the crime of being Conservatives is not acceptable. Not just because it ultimately proves counterproductive to the Lefts cause. Or because of the threat it poses to wider political engagement and democratic discourse. Its wrong because its wrong.

A visceral hatred of Tories is now embedded in Labours DNA in a way that is simply not reciprocated. John McDonnell is not some Twitter warrior, but the former Labour Shadow Chancellor

And everyone  at least every sensible, decent person, of which there are many  in Labours ranks knows its wrong. Keir Starmer knows it. Angela Rayner knows it. Every Labour MP knows it. How Never Kissed A Tory hatred is the currency of Labour politics.

It cant continue like this. It cant take the killing of a Conservative MP in their constituency office for the Left to set aside their tribalism and acknowledge the essential decency of one of their opponents.

Not least because that tribalism will not be set aside for long. Tomorrow, the House of Commons will gather for a moment of reflection. Sir Keir Starmer and other Labour MPs will help lead the tributes. And then it will be back to business as usual. Tories  they hate the poor, they hate the migrants. They deserve everything they get.

They dont. Because theyre not scum. Tories are good, honest, decent, committed public servants, who just happen to have a different political philosophy.

David Amess wasnt the exception, he was the rule. And its time for people on the Left  indeed, for all of us  to start to recognise it.
The travel restrictions caused by the pandemic have had a catastrophic impact on our ability to connect with families, friends, or for business.

Globally, air travel collapsed more than 90 per cent at the height of the crisis, and the UK was one of the worst-hit countries.

As an island, the UK depends on air transport to connect to the world. When the borders were closed, and expensive testing and quarantine requirements were put in place, everyone in the UK suffered  jobs and businesses in the economy, but also the mental health and wellbeing of millions of people who were denied the chance to visit family and friends abroad, or who were just desperate for a holiday in the sun.

In the circumstances, we were all forced to rely on digital substitutes: Zoom, Skype, Teams, FaceTime and so on. We had no choice but to use these options because real face-to-face contact was impossible.

'When I was running British Airways, I was always being told that soon a lot of flying would be killed off by video calls. I think our experience of virtual meetings over the last two years has shown us the opposite: that there is no substitute for a real meeting,' says Willie Walsh (above)

The travel restrictions caused by the pandemic have had a catastrophic impact on our ability to connect with families, friends, or for business. Globally, air travel collapsed more than 90 per cent at the height of the crisis, and the UK was one of the worst-hit countries

So I suppose we should be grateful that the technology exists to at least give us a certain level of interaction during this terrible pandemic.

But I am sure I am not the only person who, nearly two years into this crisis, has had enough of virtual meetings. Spare us from another Zoom family quiz!

And as a business tool, we're all fed up with the same problems that occur time and again. People stuck in the 'waiting room' because someone forgot to let them in. Squinting at a tiny presentation on a screen. Yelling at the guy who always forgets to take himself off mute.

We've all probably got to the point where we cheer when the connection goes down.

The collapse in travel has tested to destruction the prophecies of many so-called 'futurologists' that such technologies would render travel obsolete.

When I was running British Airways, I was always being told that soon a lot of flying would be killed off by video calls. I think our experience of virtual meetings over the last two years has shown us the opposite: that there is no substitute for a real meeting.

I attended a conference in Dublin last Tuesday, the first international conference held in Ireland since the start of the pandemic. Eight hundred people were there.

In the circumstances, we were all forced to rely on digital substitutes: Zoom, Skype, Teams, FaceTime and so on. We had no choice but to use these options because real face-to-face contact was impossible. (File image)

These were people who had been doing business over Zoom and Teams, and they couldn't wait to get back to meeting face to face. We had 600 people at the IATA annual meeting in Boston earlier this month  and there was the same attitude.

The value of face-to-face interaction is far superior to anything technology allows us to do. Gathering together, hugging a loved one, shaking the hand of a colleague or a client  these things cannot, and will never, be matched by ones and zeros floating down a fibre-optic cable.

As we emerge from the worst of Covid-19, our society faces numerous challenges. But there's one thing I am sure of: people will still want to travel. Expats will still want to visit home.

Holidaymakers will still want to explore abroad. Conference delegates will still want to network. Deal-makers will still want to read the body language of their opposite numbers.

We've got proof of this. Every time a country is taken off the UK red list, bookings to that country spike. The latest example is the United States.

At last, the White House has given the go ahead for vaccinated travellers to visit from November 8. It's great news. Bookings from Europe to the US jumped 250 per cent when the opening was just hinted at last month.

Given a chance, travel  and much-needed jobs  will bounce back. But it will need help.

Between February and August, the PCR test positivity rate of arriving passengers to the UK was one per cent, and the positivity rate from testing the general population was seven per cent. So we can confidently say travel is not increasing the UK's Covid-19 risk. The Government shut down air travel  now we're going to need Government support to ensure Britain flies higher in the future

The UK used to be the world's number three aviation market. Only the US and China carried more passengers. And that traffic supported over one million jobs. That is a testament not only to the adventurous British public, but also to the professionalism and excellence of the UK aviation sector.

Successive UK governments have consistently taken this success for granted. They've treated airlines as a cash cow, raising billions in air taxes.

They've allowed the country's principal air gateway, Heathrow, to gouge its customers, providing massive returns to its shareholders while making it the most expensive airport in the world to do business.

But the pandemic has shown that this complacent attitude towards one of Britain's few undoubted business success stories cannot continue.

Key EU competitors have overtaken Britain in many respects, whether in the size of their airlines, the number of routes served, the flexible response to the pandemic, or their competitive cost base. The British people and the British economy are set to pay a price for this Government neglect.

It is not too late. The UK still has a strong base to rebuild. But it will need the Government and Civil Service to take aviation seriously as a strategic asset for Britain.

Consider the environment. Airlines recently committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, giving the opportunity of green flights for all. But to achieve that, we need much more sustainable aviation fuel to be made.

The Biden administration is incentivising the production of at least 11 billion litres of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. This is leadership. It comes in stark contrast to the EU ReFuel initiative, which imposes mandates but provides no incentives to achieve them.

And we need the aircraft manufacturers to develop clean electric and hydrogen planes. The Government can help to encourage that investment. Diverting, say, 1 billion of air passenger duty would be a big help.

Government can also get serious in making Heathrow's shareholders share the pain the rest of us have felt in the pandemic.

They are looking to make back the money they lost in the past couple of years, not by reducing their dividends or making efficiency savings, but by increasing landing fees by 90 per cent. That means a typical family travelling through Heathrow could be paying some 100 more. Only a monopoly could behave like this.

Most urgently of all, the Government has to get a grip on the pandemic restrictions. Getting rid of PCR tests for vaccinated travellers this month will be a welcome step. Simplifying the ridiculous traffic-light system and reducing the number of red list countries is also good news.

But the same mistakes that led to the UK having the most expensive PCR tests in the world are being repeated with the move to antigen tests. You can pick these up in Europe for 5 on the high street.

But in the UK, the state-sponsored rip-off will continue, with tests costing 35, available only from a closed shop of providers. It's not good enough.

Between February and August, the PCR test positivity rate of arriving passengers to the UK was one per cent, and the positivity rate from testing the general population was seven per cent. So we can confidently say travel is not increasing the UK's Covid-19 risk.

We're all sick of Zoom. We'd much rather zoom off to visit people in person. But getting back those jobs, those air routes and those opportunities won't happen by magic.

The Government shut down air travel  now we're going to need Government support to ensure Britain flies higher in the future.
One of the great virtues of our noisy and sometimes bad-tempered parliamentary democracy is that it makes politics more peaceful.

The divisions and discontents of our society are given a voice in the Westminster chamber, in a way so many countries lack.

Opposition is able to speak loudly. Government has to respond. Ministers are heckled, jeered at and mocked.

Those of us sitting at home can feel that our frustrations and disappointments are recognised and understood at the very top.

This is why the ferocity of clashes across the Commons floor is a national asset, not a thing to be regretted.

The divisions and discontents of our society are given a voice in the Westminster chamber, in a way so many countries lack. Opposition is able to speak loudly. Government has to respond. Ministers are heckled, jeered at and mocked

We have seen, in a number of recent tragedies, the eruption of savage violence into our politics. And now we have the killing of the much loved MP Sir David Amess, just a few years after the murder of the equally beloved Jo Cox during the Referendum campaign

Many Americans, for instance, watch Prime Minister's Questions and wish their Congress was so rumbustious and alive. We have a safety valve which they do not.

But sometimes it fails, either because some people are so selfish and fanatical that they refuse to be governed by Parliament and its laws, or because of some other sort of violent, intolerant zealotry or disproportionate fury.

We have seen, in a number of recent tragedies, the eruption of savage violence into our politics. And now we have the killing of the much loved MP Sir David Amess, just a few years after the murder of the equally beloved Jo Cox during the Referendum campaign.

Both are mourned, and always will be, by their devastated families and by a nation united in grief and sympathy. Yet how did it come to this? We must find out, not least because such violence, especially the use of knives, is all too common on our streets nowadays.

The Southend MP was himself well aware of the problem, long before tragedy came to his door.

After a machete attack on the MP Nigel Jones in 2000, as a result of which his assistant Andy Pennington tragically died, Sir David wrote: 'The British tradition has always been that Members of Parliament regularly make themselves available for constituents to meet them face to face at their surgeries.'

Southend MP Sir David said of Jo Cox that she had been attacked 'in the most barbaric fashion imaginable'

But, he added, after regretfully summing up the precautions he would now have to take: 'These increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians.'

Later he said of Jo Cox that she had been attacked 'in the most barbaric fashion imaginable'.

And the same is true of the killing of Sir David. But how should we respond?

This is harder. Horror and dismay are a bad basis on which to build policy. It is all too easy to mandate apparently tough new safety rules and restrictions.

Experience shows it is incredibly hard to undo them later if they turn out to have unintended, unwanted consequences.

We can never wholly eliminate risk. So let us be very careful when it is suggested that MPs should in future minimise their contact with the public, for safety's sake, or even cease direct meetings altogether.

It is that contact which makes our MPs proper representatives  not just of the contented, happy and well-off (who need them less) but of the poor and the unlucky, the troubled and the marginal, who tend to besiege their surgeries.

These attacks have undoubtedly made it harder for MPs to meet the public. But surely it is not beyond us and the police to devise precautions that allow direct contact to continue, while making such assaults much harder.

In these sad times we should neither jump to conclusions nor rush to judgment, but instead plan sensibly for the future.
A concrete layer diagnosed with incurable lung cancer at the age of 33 has issued a warning about the little-known symptom that was the only one he experienced.

Kane Wolter had suffered from back pain for years, but assumed it was par for the course for a man who spent most of his waking hours on a construction site.

His world was shattered in October 2017 when a routine scan revealed tumours had grown across the entirety of his left lung, days before he was due to marry his long-term partner, Sian, in Bali.

Doctors gave him just months to live, but the father-of-two from Geelong, Victoria, has defied their predictions and says he is determined to see his little girls Olivia, eight, and Indie, five, grow up.

Kane, now 37, smoked since the age of 15 and wants others who do the same to realise they are not invincible.

Kane Wolter (right, with wife Sian) had suffered from back pain for years, but assumed it was par for the course for a man who spent most of his waking hours on a construction site

His world was shattered in October 2017 when a routine scan revealed tumours had grown across the entirety of his left lung (Mr Wolter is pictured with his daughters Olivia and Indie)

'We had no idea he was sick, no idea what was coming. It knocked us for six,' wife Sian, 36, told Daily Mail Australia.

'We were about to go and get married, and life just flipped around.'

Despite his devastating prognosis, Kane responded well to targeted immunotherapy which has stopped the progression of his disease, but cannot cure it.

Four years after his diagnosis, he is back at work and likes to hike in his spare time. The family prefer not to dwell on how long he has left.

'He went and climbed the You Yangs [mountains near Melbourne] the other day - you really wouldn't know,' said Sian.

'It's crazy how well he looks from the outside, but inside he's really ill, he's always in a lot of pain but never shows it.'

Despite his devastating prognosis, Kane responded well to targeted immunotherapy which has stopped the progression of his disease, but cannot cure it

Symptoms of lung cancer The main symptoms of lung cancer are: * A cough that doesnt go away after 2 or 3 weeks * A long-standing cough that gets worse * Chest infections that keep coming back * Coughing up blood * An ache or pain when breathing or coughing * Persistent breathlessness, tiredness or lack of energy * Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss Less common symptoms may include: * Changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing) * Difficulty or pain when swallowing * Wheezing or hoarse voice * Swelling of your face or neck * Persistent chest or shoulder pain Source: Cancer Council Australia Advertisement

The Wolters, who both smoked for more than a decade before Kane's diagnosis, had sobering words for those who still do.

'Everyone knows smoking is bad for you, but it was still a shock at 33,' Sian said.

'We never thought it would happen to us, but it did happen and it can happen to anyone. People should remember that.'

On top of his illness, the doting dad has had the stress of a pandemic to deal with.

'It's been pretty painful, it's taken a lot from us,' said Sian, who raises awareness about lung cancer on her Instagram account, The Patient's Wife.

'I can't go in there to be with him during treatment, the kids can't come in and they don't understand why.'

She added: 'Covid has take the personal part out of cancer care. Patients have no one to hold their hands or sit with them through eight hours in the chair while they're having chemo, it's a long day to do it all and it's a lot to face all on your own.'

Kane (left, with Olivia, and right, with Indie) is one of an estimated 13,710 Australians diagnosed with lung cancer each year

Both Kane and Sian are double vaccinated, and the mum didn't mince words when it came to anti-vaxxers protesting the jab.

'It makes me quite angry,' she said.

'I just wish people would go and do it. Kane never asked what was in his chemo bag because he knew it could save his life, it's the same with this - why hesitate?'

Kane is one of an estimated 13,710 Australians diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

It was the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2017, and is expected to remain so in 2021.

Four years after his diagnosis, Kane is back at work and likes to hike in his spare time; the family don't like to dwell on how long he has left

While lung cancer is widespread, it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are vague and often do not present until advanced stages.

Unlike cervical, breast and colon cancer, there is no early screening programme for the disease.

Common warning signs include a persistent cough, recurring chest infections, coughing up blood, pain while breathing and unexplained weight loss.

Less common symptoms include changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger, and persistent back pain like Kane experienced.

For more information on lung cancer and treatment, please visit Cancer Council Australia here.


Queen Letizia of Spain once again proved her fashion prowess and thrifty style when attending an award ceremony in Barcelona.

The royal mother-of-two, 49, looked typically elegant in a Felipe Varela gem-encrusted dress as she stepped out with her husband King Felipe, 53, for the 70th edition of the Planeta Novel Prize at the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

She'd originally wore the dazzling number in 2018 to the Princess of Asturias Awards, pairing it then with black strappy heels and eye-catching silver globe earrings.

This time around Letizia opted to pair the statement attire with black court heels, shimmering drop earrings, while keeping her hair sleeked back.

Queen Letizia of Spain (pictured) once again proved her fashion prowess and thrifty style when attending an award ceremony in Barcelona

The royal mother-of-two, 49, looked typically elegant in a Felipe Varela gem-encrusted dress as she stepped out with her husband King Felipe (pictured together)

The Planeta Novel Prize is a Spanish literary prize, awarded since 1952 by the Spanish publisher Planeta Group to an original novel written in Spanish.

Attending the glitzy event alongside her husband, Letizia pulled out all the stops, commanding attention in a gown created by one of her favoured designers Felipe Varela.

The impressive jewel-encrusted frock in midnight blue was adorned with silver rhinestones and hand-embroidered in cream floral patterns.

The midi-length design - with a fitted body to accentuate the royals slender frame - featured short sleeves and a flared skirt.

The royal pair (pictured) attended the 70th edition of the Planeta Novel Prize at the National Art Museum of Catalonia

Letizia (pictured at the event) had originally wore the dazzling number in 2018 to the Princess of Asturias Awards, pairing it then with black strappy heels and eye-catching silver globe earrings

This time around Letizia (pictured left) opted to pair the statement attire with black court heels, shimmering drop earrings, while keeping her hair sleeked back

The Planeta Novel Prize is a Spanish literary prize, awarded since 1952 by the Spanish publisher Planeta Group to an original novel written in Spanish. Pictured, the royal couple at their table

Letizia completed her look with matching midnight blue earrings, boasting shimmering, dainty tassels.

She opted for a smattering of glamorous makeup and kept her hair sleeked back, while wearing a white face covering.

Her husband, who appeared equally charming in a striped suit teamed with a light blue tie, also donned a face mask.

Attending the glitzy event alongside her husband, Letizia (pictured) pulled out all the stops, commanding attention in a gown created by one of her favoured designers Felipe Varela

The impressive jewel-encrusted frock in midnight blue was adorned with silver rhinestones and hand-embroidered in cream floral patterns. Pictured, Letizia and Felipe
Sarah Ferguson has thanked well-wishers for their 'kind and thoughtful' birthday messages - after Princess Eugenie shared a sweet tribute on Instagram to mark her mother's milestone.

The Duchess of York, who turned 62 yesterday, took to Instagram to express her gratitude to her followers and shared a selection of images - including one of her blowing out a candle on a luxury cake.

'Thank you so much to everyone for the kind and thoughtful birthday messages,' Fergie wrote in the caption of the post, which included snaps of her sitting on a rock in a stream.

Sarah's youngest daughter Princess Eugenie, 31, who welcomed her first child, August Brooksbank, in February this year, took to her social media account yesterday to send warm wishes to her 'dearest Mumma'.

Eugenie shared a touching image in her post, with the snap - thought to be taken at the same time as Sarah's outdoorsy photos - showing the royal being cuddled by her mother, while hiking on the Queen's Balmoral Estate, according to Hello!.

The Duchess of York, who turned 62 yesterday, took to Instagram to express her gratitude to her followers and shared a selection of images - including one of her blowing out a candle on a luxury cake (pictured)

Princess Eugenie shared a sweet tribute to Sarah on Instagram to mark her mother's 62nd birthday (pictured)

'Thank you so much to everyone for the kind and thoughtful birthday messages,' Fergie wrote in the caption of the post (pictured)

The mother and daughter duo were seen celebrating the Duchess of York's birthday out on the town on Thursday, as they stepped out at the China Tang restaurant in Mayfair.

'Happy birthday to my dearest Mumma,' Eugenie wrote on Instagram, while sharing the snap of the two of them embracing.

Sarah and her daughter were suitably dressed for the occasion, with the former sporting a tartan shirt and a blue coat tied around her waist.

The Duchess of Yorks hair was in a low-key up-do, while she held a pair of red glasses in her one hand.

Meanwhile, Eugenie sported a grey top with a navy button-up jacket wrapped around her waist, teamed with black trousers.

In one photograph shared by Sarah, the Duchess sported a tartan shirt while sitting on a rock in a stream

The Queen's granddaughter completed her look with a pair of stylish sunglasses, while keeping her locks down.

It is believed the snap was taken at the Queen's Balmoral Estate. The royals often spend a portion of their summer holidays at the monarch's Scottish residence.

On Thursday, Eugenie joined her mother at China Tang restaurant to mark Fergie's 62nd birthday.

Eugenie nailed smart casual for the outing sporting a monochrome look in a long sleeveless black dress layered over a long-sleeved white top, teamed with on-trend white trainers.

The Duchess of Yorks hair was in a low-key up-do, while she held a pair of red glasses in her one hand (pictured)

Eugenie, 31, who welcomed her first child, August Brooksbank, in February this year, took to her social media account yesterday to send warm wishes to her 'dearest Mumma' (pictured)

Meanwhile, Fergie looked smart in a military inspired blazer and a knee-length black dress. She added a hint of fun to her outfit, teaming her smart ensemble with a pair of loafers emblazoned with cat faces.

Mother and daughter looked in great spirits as they made their way home after dining out, linking arms as they made their way down the street.

And it looked like they took home some treats, with Fergie toting a small box in her hand, while Eugenie carried a bag emblazoned with the upmarket restaurant's logo.

Princess Beatrice, who recently welcomed her first daughter, Sienna with husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, understandably missed out on the occasion.

The mother and daughter duo were seen celebrating the Duchess of York's birthday out on the town on Thursday, as they stepped out at the China Tang restaurant in Mayfair (pictured)

It's believed Eugenie is still on maternity leave from her role at gallery Hauser & Wirth where she's a director, but she's been keeping busy with her philanthropic interests.

Earlier this week, she had an article published in Spear's magazine, which she co-wrote with Clare Brook, CEO of the Blue Marine Foundation, calling for greater protection of the world's oceans.

'There is only one ocean. The challenges it faces are sadly man-made and most can be turned around if we act now. If we work together to protect it, the ocean will protect us  in perpetuity,' she said.

However, it's no doubt been a rocky week for the York family as Prince Andrew's legal woes rumble on.

Eugenie celebrated her third wedding anniversary with husband Jack Brooksbank earlier this week. Pictured, the couple during their wedding

On Sunday the Met announced it would take no further action over accuser Virginia Roberts's allegation that she was trafficked to London as a 17-year-old and forced to have sex with Andrew, after its officers reportedly spoke with her.

It will also take no further action over claims that financier Epstein groomed and abused other young women in Britain.

And a source close to the Duke told MailOnline: 'It comes as no surprise that the Met Police have confirmed that, having reviewed the sex assault claims against The Duke for a third time, they are taking no further action.

'Despite pressure from the media and claims of new evidence, the Met have concluded that the claims are not sufficient to warrant any further investigation. The Duke has always vigorously maintained his innocence and continues to do so.'

However, he is still facing a civil lawsuit in New York in which Miss Roberts - who lives in Australia and is known by her married name, Giuffre - also claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew at Epstein's mansion in New York and on Little St James, his private island in the Caribbean.

She alleges she was 'trafficked' to London in March 2001, where she was photographed next to Andrew in Maxwell's house.

Andrew has insisted he has 'no recollection' of meeting Miss Roberts and has repeatedly denied her account of events.

He told a 2019 Newsnight interview he was at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking, Surrey, on the day they supposedly went dancing and had sex.

He has hired a team of well-known US lawyers to fight Miss Roberts' civil claim in New York, where a preliminary hearing is due to be held next month.
Beleaguered Melburnians have spent an agonising 258 days in lockdown since the pandemic began.

But while you might expect the residents of the world's most locked-down city to be too deflated to queue for anything other than a Covid vaccine, a sizeable number are still willing to wait in line for something very different: the 'world's best croissant'.

Armed with hoods and umbrellas, masked food lovers braved the pouring rain on Saturday to get their hands on pastries from Kate Reid's iconic Lune Croissanterie in Fitzroy, 10 minutes' drive from the CBD.

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You might expect the residents of the world's most locked-down city to be too deflated to queue for anything other than a Covid vaccine, but a sizeable number are still willing to wait in line for something very different: the 'world's best croissant'

Armed with hoods and umbrellas, masked food lovers braved the pouring rain on Saturday to get their hands on pastries from Kate Reid's iconic Lune Croissanterie in Fitzroy

The renowned bakery serves a decadent menu of that includes oozing pain au chocolat and sugar-laced almond croissants, widely hailed by food critics as the best in the world.

Originally opened in a hole-in-the-wall in Elwood in 2012, Kate Reid used her background as a Formula 1 aerodynamicist and a stint studying pastry-making in Paris to produce buttery, flaky creations that have become a Melbourne institution.

In 2015 she opened Lune's flagship store in a converted warehouse on Rose Street in Fitzroy, which was quickly followed by a smaller store in Melbourne CBD.

Lune was due to launch in New South Wales in August 2021, but problems on the construction site slapped the brakes on its interstate expansion.

Co-founder Cam Reid, who opened the flagship store with his sister, Kate, in Fitzroy in 2015, confirmed on Friday that the Sydney branch should open in 'late 2022 or early 2023, but stayed tight-lipped on the location.

'The site in Sydney requires a lot of restoration,' Kate told Broadsheet.

'Delays started happening - one month, two months, six months. Suddenly, we had...all of these processes in place ready to go north and expand, but the site wasn't available.'

The renowned bakery serves a decadent menu of that includes oozing pain au chocolat and sugar-laced almond croissants, widely hailed by food critics as the best in the world

Originally opened in a hole-in-the-wall in Elwood in 2012, Kate Reid used her background as a Formula 1 aerodynamicist and a stint studying pastry-making in Paris to produce buttery, flaky creations that have become a Melbourne institution

Things moved faster further north in Queensland, which got its first taste of Lune's magic with the opening of a new store in South Brisbane on August 5.

Hundreds of hungry Brisbanites queued for hours to get their hands on the croissants in the midst of a seven-day Covid shutdown.

Long lines of pastry fans were pictured outside the Lune Croissanterie in South Brisbane as staff opened its doors for the first time on August 5.

Lune's croissants (pictured) have been catching the attention of chefs and international pastry makers for many years

At one point the queue stretched for more than 350 metres down Manning Street and around the block.

Punters hoping to try the famous croissants queued from as early 5.30am to be first in line for the grand opening at 7.30am.

Lune co-founder Kate Reid said staff were told to give customers outside the Brisbane branch clear instructions about social distancing requirements.

'We've got staff stationed down the line setting the expectation of how customers will need to interact with the line in order to get served,' she said.

'We have also liaised with the police to check with them if they had any problems.'

Kate Reid used her background as a Formula 1 aerodynamicist and a stint studying pastry-making in Paris to produce buttery, flaky croissants that have become a Melbourne institution

'We showed them our plan and invited them to come and check and they have been incredibly happy with what we're doing.'

She said the bakery has more than a year of experience operating in Melbourne during Victoria's first and second waves.

'We take it super seriously because one case or one infection shuts it down, it costs us so we take it incredibly seriously,' she said.

The Sydney store is sure to draw crowds when it finally launches if the response to the Brisbane bakery is anything to go by.

Punters outside the Lune Croissanterie wait in line to try one of the 'world's best croissants'

Lune has been catching the attention of chefs and international pastry makers for many years, with a 2016 New York Times article asking: 'Is the world's best croissant made in Australia?'

Earlier this year, the team took over a second space 250m down the street and launched Moon, a sister bakery that makes nothing but 'crullers', a braided cousin of the deep-fried doughnut popular in the US and Canada.

Kate brought the idea from New York where she was first introduced to the cruller in 2016 by New York Times food critic, Oliver Strand, Broadsheet reported.

On the other end of Rose Street, foodies are standing in line for up to an hour to get their hands on one of six signature flavours: vanilla glaze, cappuccino, chocolate, raspberry/passionfruit and cinnamon

Instagram is filled with photos of crullers which are often accompanied by cups of coffee, hot chocolate and chai latte from Moon's in-house brand, Coffee Supreme

The semi-permanent pop-up serves six flavours - vanilla glaze, cappuccino, dark chocolate, raspberry and passionfruit and cinnamon sugar with a touch of ground cardamom - for $5.50 a piece.

Since opening just 250 metres from Lune on May 28, Moon has played host to queues of customers that snake their way down the full length of Rose Street from 7.30am on Thursdays and Fridays, and 8.30am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Instagram is filled with photos of crullers which are often accompanied by cups of coffee, hot chocolate and chai latte from Moon's in-house brand, Coffee Supreme.

Moon crullers (pictured) are being fried just 250 metres from the original Lune Croissanterie

The quirky choux pastries (pictured) are a fancy, fluted version of the deep-fried doughnut

Fans have been gushing about the pastries in excited posts since the bakery served its first customer on May 28.

'Went to the Moon today, lucky it was within my 10km radius. All I have to say is, it was worth the one hour wait,' one woman wrote.

Another added: 'Never thought I'd end up queuing up for more than an hour but f**k, worth it.'
Pacemakers can be upgraded to automatically warn doctors when a patient is showing signs of deteriorating heart health, which could save thousands each year from emergency hospital treatment.

The common implants record the activity a patients heart and circulation, and this triggers electrical pulses when necessary to correct irregular rhythms.

But now scientists at the University of Manchester have created a program that can monitor that vital data collected via sensors attached to the pacemaker and, when it spots worsening in the patients condition, send doctors a warning.

Specialists are notified via an app, and then can quickly prescribe medication, helping avoid problems getting to a critical stage.

Results of a two-year study of 400 patients published last week show this technology could slash the risk of hospitalisation. And it would be simple, say researchers, to add the program to every one of the 27,000 pacemakers used by Britons.

About one million Britons live with heart failure, when the organ becomes unable to pump blood effectively around the body.

Pacemakers can now be upgraded to alert doctors of impending heart problems so medication can be prescribed quickly to mitigate possible damage

One of the most common triggers is a heart attack, which damages the cardiac muscle, but it can also result from problems with heart valves, viral infections and genetics

One of the most common triggers is a heart attack, which damages the cardiac muscle, but it can also result from problems with heart valves, viral infections and genetics.

It leads to a range of problems, including a build-up of fluid in the lungs, causing breathlessness and fatigue, as the body is starved of oxygen. A quarter of heart failure patients dont survive longer than a year, succumbing to kidney failure, infections and, ultimately, a fatal cardiac arrest.

While treatment has improved dramatically in the past decade, the condition still accounts for more than 10,000 deaths in the UK every year. It also causes severe ill health: 86,000 heart patients a year require emergency hospital treatment, due to severe symptoms.

While a heart transplant is sometimes an option, the typical treatment is medication. This includes drugs such as diuretics to help rid the kidneys of excess water and salt. Other medicines stabilise an irregular heart rate.

Patients usually get a check-up with a nurse every six to 12 months, but experts say this is not frequent enough to spot the sudden decline often seen in patients.

Dr Fozia Ahmed, consultant cardiologist at the Manchester Heart Centre and lead author of the study, says: If a patient with heart failure is unwell between appointments, we rely on them getting in touch. Often what feels like a small change in symptoms to the patient, such as suddenly feeling fatigued, may be far more serious.

But they wont report it to their doctor until it is too late.

The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust study, however, showed that pacemakers with the new technology installed helped reduce hospitalisations by 30 per cent. According to Dr Ahmed, the data that pacemakers produce when monitoring vital signs, such as heart rate, activity levels and fluid levels, has rarely been seen or used by healthcare professionals. They have all this valuable data and no one has thought to look at it, she says.

Dr Ahmed and her team accessed data from the pacemakers of more than 400 patients under her care. It identified high-risk patients whose heart rates had become erratic or those with raised levels of water in their lungs. She says: Usually we would change their medication and that would be enough to avoid an emergency trip to the hospital.

One patient to benefit from the technology is Fiona Gallacher, a 60-year-old former councillor from Manchester who suffers from heart failure and has had a pacemaker for more than a decade to treat an irregular heartbeat.

Fiona, who joined the University of Manchester trial in 2018, says the technology gave her a sense of security.

She says: Earlier this year I got an alert saying my fluid levels were too high. Immediately I got a call from the doctor who booked me in for an appointment the next day.

I was given new medication to reduce my fluid levels and Ive been on it ever since.

She adds: Its given me real peace of mind knowing that someone is always watching.

Dr Ahmed says hospitals across the country have already shown interest in the technology and expects it will be used in specialist units within the next few years.
Last week The Mail on Sunday revealed that hundreds of thousands of the UKs highest-risk patients are in danger of missing out on a vital third Covid jab because many NHS staff werent aware they needed one.

On September 1, health chiefs advised that half a million Britons with certain illnesses that affect the immune system would need three jabs rather than two.

The issue has become confused because the same Covid vaccines are used for the so-called third primary dose  to give extra protection to those who are immuno-compromised  and the booster being offered to all healthy over-50s, whose protection from their two jabs may be fading.

The key difference is in clinical need, and therefore timing. Official guidance is that the third primary dose should ideally be administered just eight weeks after the second jab. By contrast, the booster should be given no earlier than six months after the second jab.

For example, in transplant patients and those with blood cancer, two jabs offer little protection, but three give a better outcome. Just to add to the confusion, these patients will also need a booster at a later date.

After our article was published, NHS England issued a strict deadline to GPs and hospital doctors: every high-risk patient must be invited for their third vaccine by October 11. That was last Monday yet, according to scores of letters sent to us, some patients are still waiting.

On September 1, health chiefs advised that half a million Britons with certain illnesses that affect the immune system would need three jabs rather than two, but the roll out has been confusing for both GPs and patients

Margaret Keenan, pictured right, was the first person to receive the coronavirus vaccine in December last year. In September, she received her third booster jab along with nurse May Parsons, who gave her the first shot

Transplant patients and those with blood cancer, two jabs offer little protection, but three give a better outcome. Just to add to the confusion, these patients will also need a booster at a later date

One, a cancer patient currently undergoing chemotherapy, has received no advice or communication from her GP or cancer specialists about a further jab.

Another, who suffers chronic blood cancer, said that booking a third jab has proved impossible. We phoned our GP surgery last week and were told they are not doing any vaccinations and to call 119 [the NHS coronavirus call centre], she wrote. We called 119 and were told the GP surgery should be ordering the third vaccines in, so we phoned the GP surgery back and were told they had no knowledge of this. So I still havent got an appointment and, frankly, I dont think it is good enough.

The sentiment is the same for many  readers are furious to learn their doctors are not aware a third jab is necessary.

Doctors have called the situation a dogs dinner. One GP told The Mail on Sunday: Its a total mess. The third primary dose is still a complete blind spot, and yet, at the same time, perfectly healthy adults are getting boosters.

But the overriding theme among readers is confusion about who is eligible for what. According to guidance from NHS England, all 500,000 patients with conditions that affect the immune system  or those taking immune-suppressing drugs  should be offered a third dose. This includes blood-cancer patients, those undergoing organ or stem-cell transplants, people with immune deficiency diseases, and patients taking some types of immune-suppressing drugs.

GPs and patients have described the situation as chaotic with no clear direction about who should be given a booster jab and when they are eligible - with claims that healthy adults are receiving doses at the expense of immuno-compromised transplant recipients and those fighting blood cancer

Those who live with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohns, and even asthma may fit into the latter group.

Some readers were puzzled by this list, believing they were entitled to a third primary dose because they are clinically extremely vulnerable due to diabetes or heart disease. In fact, these patients do not qualify because for them, two doses of the jab are highly effective, according to the latest studies. They are, however, eligible for a booster shot.

Your Covid-19 questions answered Q: Will we soon have to pay for lateral flow tests? A: Not just yet, but plans to charge the public for the rapid tests are in the works. Last month Health Secretary Sajid Javid set out his Covid plan for autumn and winter plan. Under the plan, lateral tests will remain free to access in the coming months in order to control the spread of the virus. This is because Covid cases are expected to rise as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors, where the likelihood of infection rises. The Government worries that a rise in Covid hospitalisations, brought on by a rise in cases, combined with a bad winter flu season could again put the NHS under pressure. But the plan also revealed that at a later stage the universal free provision of lateral flow tests will end, meaning individuals and businesses using the tests will bear the cost. The decision has been criticised. Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the senior teachers union NAHT, said: Removing free access to Covid tests while cases are still high would be reckless. Nor can schools bear the cost of paying for tests for all their pupils and families. A: Are we seeing the effect of booster jabs yet? Q: Not yet. More than a third of jabbed Britons over 80 have been offered their booster dose of the Covid vaccine, according to the latest NHS England figures. Despite this, hospital admissions are on the rise in this age group. Likewise, Covid deaths, which are stable across most age groups, have been steadily rising in the over-80s in recent weeks. The booster jabs are expected to increase protection against Covid in those who are most vulnerable. Studies from Israel, which began its booster jabs for people over 60 in July, have shown those who receive the extra jab are 11 times less likely to be infected. In the UK, there are worries that the programme, which began a month ago, is moving too slowly. Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said the booster campaign appeared somewhat more sluggish than the UKs initial vaccine rollout. Advertisement

Reader Brian Rigg asked: My wife has myeloma, so is on the list for a third dose. But she had her second in April, which means shes gone far longer than eight weeks. Does this mean shell miss out?

The answer is no  and experts say those in this situation should not worry. Eight to 12 weeks are the intervals that have been studied, but if patients have gone longer, it wont be the end of the world, says Dr Adele Fielding, blood cancer specialist and president of the British Society for Haematology. The most important thing is to get the third jab as soon as its offered, for the best possible protection.

For patients struggling to get a third primary dose, the advice is to get a booster instead, as it is the same vaccine. Im telling my patients to get their hands on any third dose  no matter what it might be called, says Dr Fielding.

It seems to be very easy for patients to book in for boosters either by calling the vaccine hotline, 119, or by booking in online.

Ask if you can have a note added to your medical record, explaining you are eligible for a third primary dose. But if this isnt possible, dont worry. Keep a note of when your jab was. Hopefully, in six months time the logistical errors will be ironed out and we can help these patients get their actual booster dose. Part of the reason for confusion among doctors about the third primary dose stems from the way the scheme was planned. Vaccine body the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation asked GPs to identify and contact eligible patients.

But Dr Fielding says this was inappropriate. She adds: They might not be aware of or have any control over the timing of treatments these patients take that suppress the immune system, which is important. For instance, a vaccine dose should be given before someone undergoes chemotherapy, rather than during their treatment, or it might not work properly.

My team spends hours discussing these issues with patients, and further hours emailing and calling GP practices to try to get timings worked out for specific patients.

Some patients eligible for a third primary dose may not yet have been identified by their consultants. Dr Fielding says: Many specialists dont see their patients often, or may have assumed that GPs would be organising everything.

Georgina Mussett, 69, from Scarborough, who has a twice-yearly steroid treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, claimed that when asked, staff at her hospital clinic didnt know the difference between the third primary jab and the booster. Ive heard nothing from my consultant and the nurse said, We dont get involved with the vaccine. 

Her GP, meanwhile, said they could offer only a booster  and she would have to wait until November to get it. Ive basically been banging my head against a brick wall for a month, says the retired administrator. Its been frightening, really. I had blood tests showing I have no antibodies, which didnt surprise me because of the drugs I take. So Ive been staying inside mostly because cases have shot up around here and I worry about people not wearing masks.

Last night, Georgina finally received an invitation for her third primary dose from the GP.

For patients struggling to get a third primary dose, the advice is to get a booster instead, as it is the same vaccine

The previous day, she had posted an information pamphlet about the jab through her GPs letterbox, following advice from The Mail on Sundays health team and the charity Versus Arthritis.

Heaven knows when I would have heard anything without that, she says. But I should not have to trawl through endless information to get a result.

Others, however, havent been as fortunate.

Susan Peters, 59, from Hampshire, takes immune-system-suppressing pills for a rare skin condition that causes painful ulcers, making her eligible for the third primary dose. But when she asked her consultant, he laughed, she says. I feel as though my consultant and my GP have written me off as mad. Theyve said, Dont be silly, we havent heard of this, youre talking rubbish,  says the nurse, who has yet to be invited for the jab.

Susan has delivered a letter about the third jab  using information from the Government website  to her GP surgery.

But it was only after reading your article that I knew I had to do that, says the mother-of-two. And I am very grateful for that. Otherwise, how are people supposed to know what to do?
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This time the story is of a criminal who burgled homes and, shockingly, raped and sexually assaulted elderly people over 17 years before he was finally caught. In a terrific performance, Clunes seems to have grown even more into the part of the eagle-eyed policeman, who is drafted in to re-energise a directionless team, while the four-part series really highlights the painstaking and forensic nature of great detective work. ITV Hub, available now

Luther

Idris Elba is the brilliant but troubled cop DCI John Luther. In the first episode of the first series  there are five  he is investigating Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), who is suspected of murdering her parents.

Morgan, too, is brilliant  she went to Oxford at 13 and completed a PhD in astrophysics at 18  but she is also a psychopath. She becomes Luthers companion and sometimes his quarry.

Idris Elba (above) is the brilliant but troubled cop DCI John Luther. In the first episode of the first series  there are five  he is investigating Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson)

Pretty much everything about the show is wildly implausible but its also hugely entertaining, although you might find yourself thinking that, just once, it might be nice to have a TV detective who actually does things by the book. BBC iPlayer, series 1-5, available now

Rik Mayall: Lord Of Misrule

The Young Ones Cliff-loving Rik, Blackadder braggart Lord Flashheart, evil Alan BStard in The New Statesman as the big cheese of the 1980s alternative scene, Rik Mayall was the bright future of comedy.

Then suddenly he was its past, after his shocking death from a heart attack in 2014. He was only 56. In an affectionate profile, fellow comics Ben Elton and Alexei Sayle pay tribute, while older comedy legends Michael Palin and Lenny Henry also tip their hats to a talent gone too soon. BBC iPlayer, until Friday
The Tragedy Of Macbeth

Almeida Theatre, London Until November 27, 3hrs 5mins

Rating:

The Cherry Orchard

Theatre Royal Windsor Until November 13, 2hrs 50mins

Rating:

Shining City

Theatre Royal Stratford East, London Until Saturday, 1hr 50mins

Rating:

The first surprise of Yael Farbers The Tragedy Of Macbeth, writes Holly Williams, is that its taken her so long to tackle the play  it is perfect for the directors moody aesthetic.

The second is that shes managed to stretch one of Shakespeares briskest plays to over three hours. But if the first half is perhaps too restrained, the second roars towards its bloody conclusion.

Of all the Macbeths Ive seen, this one gives its central couple the furthest distance to travel. Initially, they are positively ordinary: James McArdles Macbeth is a cheerful, decent sort, speaking the verse with easy naturalness.

Saoirse Ronan (above, with James McArdle) makes a powerful British stage debut as Lady Macbeth, she starts off more scornful, exasperated wife than any kind of monstrous vamp

And while Saoirse Ronan makes a powerful British stage debut as Lady Macbeth, she starts off more scornful, exasperated wife than any kind of monstrous vamp.

By the second half, however, they are both completely destroyed by guilt. McArdles burns hot; prizes surely await for this wild, searing performance. Ronan, meanwhile, casts a chill  you shiver to watch her mind crack.

Theres a nightmarish quality to her restlessness.

Farber turns the screws further with some canny interventions. Children are both witness to, and victims of, the blooming violence. Farber inserts Lady Macduff and her children into earlier scenes, so we have a greater emotional investment when they are brutally murdered  but she also makes Lady Macbeth an aghast witness to this butchery.

Special mention must go to Akiya Henry as Lady Macduff, whose reaction to her child having its throat cut is utterly nerve-shredding.

As an audience, were implicated in the action: the banquet where Banquos blood-dribbling ghost appears is almost like a political rally, the Macbeths addressing their speeches into microphones to us.

And the dark-suited witches famous first line, When shall we three meet again?, becomes the far more incriminating When shall we all meet again?  jarring, to be honest, until its repeated at the plays conclusion, as the young Fleance wields a gun.

Farber hammers home the idea that violence begets violence.

Farbers work always delivers stunning imagery, and she conjures a murky, misty Scotland, sound-tracked by growling cello and witches sighs. As we move towards a high-octane ending, Farber extends Lady Macbeths inability to wash herself clean of blood into a visual metaphor for the Macbeths drowning in remorse.

Lets just say, the production comes with a warning that the front rows may get splashed.

Ian McKellen must be relieved, writes Mark Cook, after taking on the arduous role of Hamlet at the age of 82 in Sean Mathiass inaugural summer season at Windsor, now to be playing a relative bit part in The Cherry Orchard.

Of course, as the failing old servant Firs, he steals almost every scene hes in.

Ian McKellen (above) must be relieved after taking on the arduous role of Hamlet at the age of 82 in Sean Mathiass inaugural summer season at Windsor, now to be playing a relative bit part

Chekhovs final play, with its tragic-comic depiction of an eccentric bunch of self-deluding idealists, dreamers, would-be lovers and philosophers, and the rise of the middle classes over an indolent aristocracy, requires a delicate balancing act.

Mathias marshals a real ensemble, capturing moments of farce, tragedy and fragility with admirable fluidity.

Theres a lovely performance, too, from Francesca Annis as the debt-ridden Ranyevskaya, returning to her country estate only to find her home and its orchard being snapped up by Martin Shaws self-made Lopakhin.

Emotionally OTT, she is also impulsive and generous to a fault, and sobs at the news of her loss as dance music plays in the background. Its a moving juxtaposition.

But I shant forget in a hurry the sight of the stooped Firs, left alone and forgotten in the house. Audience laughter at him struggling with the locked door freezes as he folds, collapsing on his suitcase, and dies.

A trademark Chekhovian moment seamlessly fusing comedy and tragedy.

Conor McPhersons Shining City gets a worthwhile revival.

As John, Brendan Coyle (above) gives a beautifully nuanced performance of bewilderment and pain but Nadia Falls production feels sluggish

Set in the run-down consulting room of a Dublin psychotherapist, Ian, they mostly involve his sessions with John, a sales rep who recently lost his wife and claims to see her ghost. Though its clear that Rory Keenans shrink has problems of his own.

Its a wordy piece but McPherson also has a nice ear for the comedy of male interaction and verbal tics. As John, Brendan Coyle gives a beautifully nuanced performance of bewilderment and pain but Nadia Falls production feels sluggish. MC

What If If Only

Royal Court Theatre, London Until Saturday, 20mins

Rating:

A new Caryl Churchill play is always a theatrical event  even when, like this one, its barely 20 minutes long. Nonetheless, this polished gem of a thought experiment contains multitudes and multiverses.

John Heffernan (unhelpfully softly-spoken, at first) plays a man talking to a dead lover, desperate for their return. This desire seems to conjure Linda Bassett, with a glint in her eye.

Her high-concept character is the spirit of a future that never happened  a better, more equal future, she promises. She exhorts the man to make that future happen; if he can, his loved one will be alive there.

John Heffernan (above, unhelpfully softly-spoken, at first) plays a man talking to a dead lover, desperate for their return. This desire seems to conjure Linda Bassett, with a glint in her eye

Then  in an extraordinary speech  Bassett seems to be possessed by the clamouring voices of many other potential futures, some featuring aliens or asteroids, climate disaster or robots, all vying to be brought into existence, till the overwhelmed man cant take it anymore.

In the final moments, Bassett insists that she is, in fact, now simply the present: just continually happening.

Despite its brevity, Churchills intriguing play probes at our inability to accept mortality, loss, and uncertainty. It reflects certain contemporary anxieties about whether its even possible any longer to imagine a better world  while also reminding us, caustically and comfortingly, that the present is all we ever really get.

Holly Williams
The Last Duel Cert: 18, 2hrs 32mins

Rating:

Venom: Let The Be Carnage Cert: 15, 1hr 37mins

Rating:

Ron's Gone Wrong Cert: PG, 1hr 46mins

Rating:

Halloween Kills Cert: 18, 1hr 46mins

Rating:

More than 40 years ago, Ridley Scott made his cinematic debut with The Duellists, about two French cavalry officers locked in an endless round of duels during the Napoleonic Wars. Part of the films appeal is that no one understood why they were duelling.

There are no such problems as Scott returns to similar territory with The Last Duel, set 400 years earlier during the turbulent reign of King Charles VI of France. Two aspiring knights  Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver)  fall out when a parcel of land intended for one is controversially gifted to the other.

But theres worse to come when de Carrougess beautiful new wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), catches the eye of the charismatic but womanising Le Gris. Suddenly, the deadly tournament that provides the gripping opening begins to make some sense.

Ah, but what exactly has happened?

Theres worse to come when Jean de Carrougess beautiful new wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer, above), catches the eye of the charismatic but womanising Jacques Le Gris

Despite filming being interrupted by Covid, Scotts re-creation of the 14th Century is muddily convincing, exhausting bloody battle scenes and all. But just as you find yourself longing for a little sunshine, so you find yourself longing for someone to take hold of it all in the way, say, that Russell Crowe did with Gladiator or Harrison Ford did in Blade Runner  two of Scotts best films, of course.

But with Damon in taciturn mode and Driver handsome but unsympathetic, no one does; at least until its almost too late. Thats because Eric Jagers book has been adapted by Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener using what film buffs would call a Rashomon structure, named after the Japanese film best known for the now-familiar device of replaying the same events from different perspectives.

Its only when Marguerite takes centre stage that this long film belatedly comes alive.

With Matt Damon in taciturn mode and Adam Driver (above) handsome but unsympathetic, no one takes hold of it all; at least until its almost too late

Three years ago, Venom, the Marvel spin-off that sees Tom Hardy playing a journalist whose body is also home to a carnivorous alien symbiont, was one of those films that divided critics from cinema audiences.

We all hated it but audiences, particularly young audiences, flocked to it.

I expect something similar will happen this time around with Venom: Let There Be Carnage, despite the whole thing being played more for laughs and there being two symbionts, not one.

The new one is red and multi-limbed and goes by the name of Carnage. Which, given that hes in the body of a condemned serial killer (Woody Harrelson), is probably a good choice.

Still massively dependent on CGI, its definitely not for most grown-ups.

By distinct contrast, accompanying adults  except possibly those employed by Apple  will enjoy Rons Gone Wrong, a likeable childrens cartoon about a new digitally connected childrens toy designed by the Bubble Corporation to be your best friend out of the box.

Its just that the damaged one given to the awkward Barney doesnt really work. Never quite reaches top gear but there are some lovely lines.

Despite the return once again of the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis (above, with Judy Greer), its sequel, Halloween Kills , is quite dreadful

Three years ago, Halloween surprised us all by marking the 40th anniversary of the horror franchise and actually being quite good. Despite the return of the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis, its sequel, Halloween Kills, is quite dreadful.

Not so much trick or treat, just terrible.
Crossroads

Jonathan Franzen Fourth Estate 20

Rating:

Crossroads is set in 1971, so it is really a historical novel, just as a novel written in 1971 and set in 1921 would be.

Fifty years ago, America was still sending her children to fight the war in Vietnam. At home, it was a time of bell-bottoms and bandanas and clumpy Dr Scholls shoes, of the civil-rights movement and student protest, of campfire singalongs to Youve Got A Friend, of soupy poets such as Rod McKuen and cod philosophers like Carlos Castaneda.

This was the America of Jonathan Franzens early adolescence: he was 12 that year. America was then, as now, a much more religious country than the UK. In an autobiographical essay published in 2005, Franzen wrote of his early involvement in a local hippy-dippy Christian youth group called Fellowship, which came under the wing of the more orthodox First Congregational Church.

In an autobiographical essay published in 2005, Jonathan Franzen (above) wrote of his early involvement in a local hippy-dippy Christian youth group called Fellowship

Fellowship was so popular among the more rebellious teenagers that parents who would normally have rejoiced that their children were growing up Christian were concerned at their enthusiasm. Might it be a cult?

It was led by a charismatic, long-haired pastor called Bob Mutton, who, Franzen recalled, in poor light was mistakable for Charles Manson. He held his 250 young followers in his thrall.

Muttons blue-collar background and his violent allergy to piousness made him a beacon of authenticity In his simmering and strutting and cursing, he personified the adolescent alienation that nobody else over 20 seemed to understand.

Mutton stood for a new approach to Christianity: direct, streetwise, more interested in personal growth than religion. He wore an army jacket and talked like a p****d-off tough guy himself. You made yourself look childish, not cool, if you defied him.

Franzen has now fictionalised Bob Mutton, transforming him into Rick Ambrose, the charismatic leader of a Christian youth group called Crossroads. Ambrose has long hair and a beard and, in a poor light, might be mistaken for Charles Manson.

Fifteen years older than the go-ahead Ambrose, and full of resentment towards him, the stuffier, more agonised pastor Russ Hildebrandt is unhappily married to chubby Marion and increasingly at odds with their four children.

This is a long (just under 600 pages) and intricate novel about the stresses and strains of family life at a time when formal rules are no longer respected. It is set just before Christmas 1971.

Things are falling apart. Poor old Hildebrandt is on non-speaking terms with the trendy Ambrose and shunned by Ambroses youthful followers. Meanwhile, Hildebrandt has fallen in love with a flirtatious young widow, and out of love with his own wife, who describes herself as the fat little humiliation hes married to.

Russ Hildebrandt is one of the most uneasy, conflicted figures in modern literature. In a marvellous scene, both funny and sad, he tries cannabis for the first time. It fills him with paranoia.

It seemed to him that every word hed ever uttered had been loathsome, slimy with self-interested calculation, his fatuousness audible to everyone and universally deplored.

Fuelled by self-loathing, Hildebrandt is also increasingly irritated by his children, whom he suspects of aligning themselves with Ambrose simply to get their own back on him.

He discovers that his younger son, the 15-year-old Perry, is already dealing in drugs. Despite himself, Hildebrandt cant wait to tell poor Marion. He could already taste the cruel pleasure of informing her that Perry was a drug-user, of rubbing her nose in what her coddling had wrought.

His other children are in various stages of losing their old sense of respect for their father. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to be your son? asks his eldest, Clem, who, only a few years before, looked upon him as Atticus Finch.

IT'S A FACT In America, the world's largest Christian population, there are more than 200 separate Protestant denominations. Advertisement

Sickened by the way middle-class white Americans are getting out of fighting in Vietnam by attending university, and thus sending poor black Americans to die instead of them, Clem has given up his place at college and has posted a letter to the draft board, saying he is now available for service.

Back in 2010, Time magazine placed Jonathan Franzen on its cover, under the headline Great American Novelist. Ever since then he has been viewed through this random prism, his books either over-praised or over-scorned, according to whim.

In many ways, his strengths as a novelist consist of the solid, understated virtues of craftsmanship, good plotting and an ability to create a wide range of characters. His prose may have none of the meticulous beauty of Updike, or the furious energy of Roth, but it does its job well.

But what gives his writing its edge also makes it uneven: sometimes he seems to bristle with Kingsley Amis-style irritation at the petty absurdities of his own creations, and then, without warning, he starts viewing them with sympathy, seeing the world through their eyes.

Thus, he first introduces Hildebrandts cookie-crunching wife with merciless comic precision. As soon as people had met her and identified her position in the community, situated her at the Very Nice end of the all-important niceness spectrum, she became invisible to them. Sexually, there was no angle from which a man on the street might catch a glimpse of her and be curious to see her from a different angle.

This sort of thing has made Franzen unpopular in some liberal circles. Unsurprisingly, he has been dismissed as a sexist. Yet he can abruptly change tack; by the end of the book, Marion has become her own woman, sympathetic and heart-rending, freed from the dual scorn of her fellow characters and their creator.

Sometimes, this unevenness in Franzens writing can be more frustrating. He will devote pages and pages to stodgy descriptions of humdrum activities, such as catching a bus or going shopping, but then, a few pages later, he will summarise a much more crucial episode in just a few crisp sentences, almost as though someone had told him to get a move on.

This meant that in Crossroads, as in his other novels, I found myself feeling riveted, then slightly bored, then riveted, and then slightly bored once again.

Though he is a good, old-fashioned storyteller, withholding and revealing information at just the right moments, Franzen is essentially a novelist of ideas. This makes his work easier to admire than to enjoy.

Others have found fault with Crossroads for its characters all-consuming interest in God. Everyone in the Hildebrandt family is busy trying to balance their own appetites and needs against the ethics of the Christian faith.

They are happy to talk about angels and devils, about evil spirits and prayer and redemption. They feel Gods presence, or they yearn for it.

Franzen devotes pages to intense theological discussions between ordinary people. Even the otherwise comical Marion is seriously obsessed with the nature of sin and its place in modern society.

She wondered if good Protestant churches like First Reformed, in placing so much emphasis on Jesuss ethical teachings, and thereby straying so far from the concept of mortal sin, were making a mistake. Guilt at First Reformed... was a version of liberal guilt, an emotion that inspired people to help the less fortunate. For a Catholic, guilt was more than just a feeling. It was the inescapable consequence of sin. It was an objective thing, plainly visible to God. Hed seen her eat six sugar cookies, and the name of her sin was gluttony.

This emphasis reveals a cultural divide. To a British readership, faith-based discussions are not commonplace. They may possibly seem implausible or irrelevant.

But even now, 50 years on, most Americans are still profoundly influenced by the Bible, and alert to its calls. On the other side of the Atlantic ocean, there are still angels and devils, and Franzen is among their sharpest chroniclers.
I hadnt been mean at all. The person attacking me hadnt read the piece

Im just home from London Fashion Week. Gah!

In a way, it was lovely to be in the big old smokedy-smoke*, standing outside a venue in my tall shoes, observing young people, ambition writ large on their eager, shiny faces, milling expectantly. I imagine that to them Im the equivalent of me spotting legendary fashion figures Suzy Menkes or Grace Coddington 20 years ago, though perhaps slightly less recognisable, given I dont have an Elvis quiff, or flame curls.

I adore the eccentricity of the fashion wannabes: the fur motorbike helmet that was never once removed. The bare midriffs (Arent you cold? I muttered under my breath).

But I have mixed emotions about my career in fashion. There were high points: the chauffeur-driven drive to Lake Como, the last few miles lit by candles, for dinner with Donatella. Dancing alongside Madonna in Paris. The Dior show held inside the Orangerie at Versailles when Gisele was first to appear on the very long catwalk in a black Bar suit. We emerged from that show on to the lawn where a risotto big enough to be seen from space was being stirred, a string quartet playing. The evening was only marred by the fact that not one fashion editor would give me a lift back to central Paris in their town car so I had to get a bus, which to my horror was going the wrong way.

When I left my editorships to write for the Mail, I hadnt realised how very different my experience would be, given magazines rely on luxury advertisers, so need to be uncritical. Here, we are not expected to fawn at all. Sent to New York for fashion week  fresh from my glossy and the routine of someone fetching my morning Marmite on toast  I was shocked, at the Donna Karan show, not to be shown to a seat but told, by a very young lady** from the same firm that had bowed and scraped before me for years, to go and stand over by that wall. I cried. I soon toughened up. I had to, given I was bodily ejected from backstage at Christopher Kane***.

But it has been a little galling, this past week, having emailed every designer grovellingly for a ticket (Im a huge fan!), to get assigned just one during the entire event. Particularly when my one-time apprentice and now editor of a newspaper posted about her ecstatic time front row at Erdem when I wasnt allowed inside and was told to move away from the velvet rope.

Before anyone comments that I am merely entitled  as they did when I tweeted about being unable to get toast in first class on the way to London (and no, I havent claimed the fare or hotel or taxis on expenses, thanks very much)  this isnt about me wanting to be front row as some sort of status thing. Its because I cant tell you about the clothes  what to buy, what not to waste your hard-earned money on  without seeing them first hand, feeling the fabric backstage.

Streaming isnt the same. If I just do that, I cant tell you that a former editor has a photo of herself as her screensaver.

Or that the editor of a big important glossy, who I stood next to on the steps of the New York Public Library before the Victoria Beckham show (and before you ask, no, I didnt get in), had a great big bogey. The people in this industry are not as polished as they make out to be, and its my job to burst their bubble a bit with my barbs.

But its funny, the pull fashion has. I now really want a lovely, slouchy blazer from Cos, which held a runway show on the last afternoon. This a high-street brand Ive always reviewed glowingly. Was I whisked inside to take a seat?

Not on your nelly.

* That line is from Bridget Jones. Is anyone ancient enough to get my references, or should I not bother?

** Foetus.

*** Id thought if I did a backstage story about the make-up, I could slip unseen to a seat to watch the show.

Contact Liz at lizjonesgoddess.com and stalk her @lizjonesgoddess

Everyones talking about Liz Joness Diary: The Podcast! 

Join Liz and her trusty (long-suffering) assistant Nicola as they dissect her weekly YOU magazine diary and delve into the archives to relive the bust-ups, betrayals, bullets and much more in this brilliant podcast. Theyre outspoken, outrageous and utterly hilarious. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and mailplus.co.uk
Katie Pipers life was devastated by a horrific attack, but in her darkest days this former atheist found emotional solace in an unlikely place, as she tells Julia Llewellyn Smith

At her lowest point, Katie Piper was in constant, agonising pain. She was just 24 when Danny Lynch  a man shed dated for only two weeks  raped her then paid a hitman to attack her with sulphuric acid. Initially doctors doubted shed survive. The acid had melted away her features, burnt her oesophagus and blinded her left eye. She spent 12 days in an induced coma followed by seven weeks in intensive care, and had to be fed through a tube for a year.

As doctors had to rebuild her face and vision, Katie, then an aspiring TV presenter and model, found herself facing a lifetime of ongoing treatment. Old friends shunned her when they went out partying. Isolated and depressed, she did something that by todays standards seems astonishingly unusual: she turned to religion. I started going to church twice a week because I was horribly lonely, she says. It felt like a safe place. I felt I wouldnt get abused or rejected and have nasty things said. And I was right  it was the first place after my injuries I could safely be in a crowd.

Its fascinating hearing Katie talk so openly about her faith. While no one bats an eyelid at celebrities who meditate or believe in the power of crystals or horoscopes, its rare to hear someone so young and glamorous praising old-fashioned church. I think Christianity needs a new PR, she jokes. There are so many misconceptions.

Katie had never hidden her beliefs but no one paid much attention until she was appointed presenter of the BBCs Songs of Praise last year. Loads of people were shocked. I had lots of positive reactions but also some negative and I lost [social-media] followers. Some thought I shouldnt be influencing people either way. A lot of my followers are like-minded individuals whove faced adversity. Some have come through the other side but others are still in a place of anger, asking, Why has this happened? and feel anti any kind of God. Katie understands this rage. Recalling her early days in hospital, she says, My life was in tatters. I felt so empty, filled with nothing but fear and shame. How could I ever get through this? It took a nurse saying, Things happen for a reason. God has great things in store for you to inspire Katie  whod been brought up an atheist  to begin praying.

Still, she was so despairing she resolved that as soon as she left hospital shed take her own life. Then the weirdest feeling crept up on her. I felt as if I was full of light, she recalled. She heard a voice in her head saying, Everythings going to be OK. Your journeys just begun. Of course it took more than a few prayers for Katie to turn her life around, but her faith has been her bedrock.

My mum told me: youre just going to have to get on with it, dear

Today, aged 38, shes a panellist on Loose Women, an ambassador for haircare brand Pantene and the author of several bestselling books. More than a million people follow her on Instagram and, having feared her disfigurement would prevent her finding love or having children, shes happily married to carpenter Richie Sutton and they have two daughters, Belle, seven, and Penelope, three.

Although Katies packed schedule means she cant now get to church often, she still worships. I do it in a very modern way with an app called Lectio 365 that every day sends you a prayer then a traditional scripture related to Bible reading, with advice on how you can apply them in a modern sense. There are some verses from the Bible included in her latest book A Little Bit of Faith, which gives a positive affirmation for every day of the year, but also thoughts from great authors and even Katies mum Diane, a retired primary school teacher (her father David is a barber), who, at one of Katies lowest points, firmly told her, Youre just going to have to get on with it, dear.

Mums very empathetic and soft, but shes not gushy. Now if anything bad happens we all use that phrase as a joke in the family WhatsApp group, grins Katie, who grew up with elder brother Paul and younger sister Suzy in a Hampshire village. But it was actually really good advice about living life as it is, rather than mourning what it isnt. While sometimes you need to wallow, to be angry, to have self-pity, you also need to know when to put that behind you.

Her way of doing that was to establish the Katie Piper Foundation to provide burns and scars victims with services such as physiotherapy and psychotherapy  areas where, as a patient, shed felt the NHS was lacking. But as donations dried up during lockdowns, her rehab centre had to close and now consultations are only available online. We got half of the money we had before, but the need for our services increased by five times during the pandemic. Domestic violence has increased, as has self-harm and also accidents. Some data shows thats because of hand gel  its very flammable, and people have been rubbing it all up their forearms then going out to use the barbecue, lighting cigarettes, getting too close to candles

Its shocking to think that she has endured more than 400 operations, although she says shes stopped counting: I just accept that operations are part of my life and theyre a privilege. In a lot of countries people dont have access to something like the NHS and get to a point where theres no more that can be done for them. And actually, she continues mischievously, an operation is a day off from the kids.

Katie with husband Richie and daughters Penelope and Belle

Shes equally philosophical about the trolling she encounters on social media. One of my best affirmations is Hurt people hurt other people, she says. You always know trolling comes from a place of pain, so you try to take the stance Thank God Im not in that much pain because that would be horrible.

Its hard not to be humbled by Katies grace but its something she shrugs off. For lots of people, wisdom would come with age but I wasnt afforded that luxury. In the early days I was getting by in 24-hour windows  seeing the physio, staying alive  rather than having big, long-term plans. Then I began writing [her autobiography Beautiful]. That was cathartic and healing and gave me a profession, which does a lot for you psychologically  gives you confidence and purpose and a distraction.

Katie stresses that shes not always in some Zen-like state of calm, though. Its an evolving thing. In the past 18 months, the most robust person might have struggled.

Its been especially tough for her seeing so little of her mum, who for the past seven years has suffered from bowel cancer, which spread to the liver, lungs, skin and lymph glands. We didnt see them for more than a year; Christmas on Zoom was s***. But now we can do a lateral-flow test and go to see them. We just dont go to big events like we used to, but thats fine; its not what you do together thats important, its the time you spend together.

Once again, its impossible not to be wowed by Katies positivity. Nothing is ever put on to us that we cant deal with. The toughest journeys are given to the strongest soldiers because they can do them, she says. So when life gets really, really s***ty, I think, Well, it must be because I can handle it. Other people might have a breakdown  and I wouldnt want that, so Ill take the brunt, Ill be fine.

Katies new book A Little Bit of Faith is published by SPCK Publishing, price 14.99*. To donate to Katies charity, please visit katiepiperfoundation.org.uk. To order a copy for 12.74 until 31 October, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over 20.
15 years later, she has become an international award-winning filmmaker by Sue Carpenter, who first met BELMAYA NEPALI in 2006 for YOU magazine

in 2006, when Belmaya wanted to let the world know how girls were treated in her country

At WOW (Women of the World) Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, a young woman climbs on to the stage. Born in a poor hill village in the west of the country and barely literate, she grips the microphone, shaking at the prospect of speaking in public. But as she begins to tell her tale  of being orphaned and half-starved as a girl; of being beaten by her drunken husband  the crowd falls silent, spellbound.

What is remarkable is not just the hardships and tragedy this 28-year-old woman has endured but how, through taking up a camera, she has transcended them. Thanks to her powerful, authentic voice, she is now an international, award-winning filmmaker, feted at festivals from London to Toronto.

and on the cusp of receiving international recognition, 2018

Her story has been charted over 14 years for a new feature documentary I Am Belmaya, which has just been released in honour of the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October. Fittingly, Belmaya Nepali is not only the subject of the film but also the co-director.

Its an achievement she couldnt have begun to imagine as a child. Her problems started in 2000, when Belmayas beloved father died, closely followed by her mother. Previously an unruly but carefree child, running barefoot around her village, eight-year-old Belmayas life imploded that day. Brought up haphazardly from then on by her four elder brothers and one sister, what little food they could muster would go to the boys first. Belmaya often went hungry. Some days shed shin up a neighbours tree to steal plums.

She missed out on years of school because she had to cut grass for the familys cow, or gather firewood from the forest, lugging heavy loads in a bamboo basket on her back. When she did turn up at school one day, her teacher mocked her for having a brain filled with cow dung. She dropped out again. Not that her brothers cared. Educating girls is a low priority in much of Nepal, particularly for poor Dalit (low caste) families such as Belmayas  girls soon marry and belong to their husbands family, so why invest in their education? Desperate to escape her struggles, Belmaya ran away and ended up in a home for girls in the city of Pokhara.

My links with Nepal date back to a commission from YOU magazine to write about a womens refuge in Kathmandu. It was a story that led to my co-founding a UK charity, Asha Nepal, to fight against exploitation of women in Nepal. In 2006,

I went to Pokhara to lead a photography project teaching Nepalese girls from disadvantaged backgrounds  some homeless, some orphaned, most suffering from neglect and a lack of education. It was there that I first met Belmaya.

She stood out immediately. While the other girls had learnt to be demure and compliant, as society decreed, Belmaya was an edgy teenager who couldnt keep her mouth shut if she felt something strongly. I want to be a photographer! she would proclaim. Id show how girls have suffered breaking up stones, cutting firewood, while boys sit comfortably and order girls about.

Girls suffer whilst boys sit comfortably and order us about

And yet she had this irrepressible spirit of joy. Wearing her favourite colour of shocking pink, her dark eyes flashing, shed grab the camera, getting up close to her subject and firing off dozens of shots. Shed regularly turn the lens on herself  long before the selfie, and there was no screen to pose in front of. This trove of bold and quirky images would, 15 years later, help to tell her story and reveal her individuality in I Am Belmaya.

But beneath her exuberance lay a brooding neediness. It wasnt until the day I left that I saw her full vulnerability. She broke down in uncontrollable tears. I had offered her a lifeline, valued her and her achievements, and now I was leaving. It was heartbreaking.

Things got worse. After I left, the home shut its doors to outsiders and locked away the girls cameras. No more volunteers, no more visitors, no more contact. Was it because the girls had tasted freedom of expression, instead of obediently poring over their books? Neither Belmaya nor I ever found out, but she told me years later that life became untenable again. With outsiders prying eyes banished, the staff would beat the girls if they didnt do their chores or perform well in their studies.

In 2013 I went back to find the girls, hoping that by now they had left the home. To my dismay, most of them were still under the control of the home and couldnt speak to me. Belmaya, however, had moved away. I finally tracked her down through a social worker. Through the hiss of his mobile phone, her voice came through, earthy and unmistakable. But I was not prepared for the photos he sent. They showed Belmaya, veiled, limp and emaciated, standing by a thatched hut, a baby girl clutched to her side. She was married and living in dire poverty in her husbands remote village. She had escaped one abusive situation for yet another, suffering at the hands of both her husband and mother-in-law.

Sue teaching photography to the girls in Pokhara, Nepal, 2007

The following year, however, the young family moved back to Pokhara to seek work. At that time, I heard about a local Nepali filmmaker, who was training semi-literate girls like Belmaya to tell their stories through film. I put the pair in touch. Here was another lifeline and Belmaya grasped it. Using a further education fund created from the photo project, she embarked on the documentary filmmaking training. I loved that it picked up the baton from the photo project, giving her the tools to tell her own story from her point of view.

We agreed that, as a filmmaker myself, I would capture the process as she took up the camera again, hoping to witness her grow in skills and the confidence to make her own film.

When we next met it was in her rented room, a windowless concrete box with a roll-down garage door that either exposed their entire life to the street or plunged them into darkness. She was meek and polite, and in the lightbulb-lit gloom my heart sank. Later, when we moved to the bright rooftop to film our conversation, she gradually opened up. There was so much to catch up on and understand.

One of Sue Carpenters YOU magazine reports from her travels to Nepal, 2007

Failing at school, Belmaya had gone to a vocational training centre, where she met her husband. Shed hoped marriage would improve her life, but it only got worse. Ive never seen happiness, she said, her eyes black and lifeless, and Ive given up on finding it.

I asked what her dream would be. If Id studied more, she said, I could have got a better job. I wouldnt have to be dependent on my husband and brothers. Thats what she wanted above all: independence. Within days of her picking up the camera again, I saw sparks of her old self. All the struggles women go through, I want to show these, she announced. I want to stand on my own feet.

Belmaya, aged 23, with her daughter Bipana, four, 2016

But, as her fighting spirit revived, so the domestic abuse became worse. Despite approving the training and the documentary, her husband became increasingly resentful of his wife spending time out of the home. Our cameras bore witness as the friction led to a dramatic crisis. It was a turning point for both Belmaya and the film.

Against all odds, Belmaya emerged stronger and her husband an apparently reformed man, looking after their daughter while his wife took filming jobs. Key to her empowerment was the completion of her film, Educate Our Daughters. In it, she confronts her past and explores the issue of girls education with a raw honesty that has captured hearts around the world.

That film has proved the biggest turning point in her life. When she screened it to her village at a magical pop-up cinema, her most revered brother  who had hitherto scorned her endeavours  said, with tears in his eyes, Wow! Youve done it!

It meant so much to Belmaya  but more was to come. The film was selected for the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival, the peak of achievement for Nepalese filmmakers. When asked how filmmaking had affected her life, Belmaya said, Now I only focus on how to move forward.

Sue and Belmaya attend the UK Asian Film Festival awards in London, 2019

And move forward she did. In 2019, she was invited to the UK Asian Film Festival, where her film was in competition. Leaving her daughter in her sisters care, she boarded the plane in a state of nervous excitement  it was her first time ever out of the country. A week of screenings culminated at the grand awards ceremony at BAFTA in London. Shaking, Belmaya gripped my hand as we awaited the announcement: This years winner of the Short Film Competition has flown here from Nepal She really had done it! The village girl with no future was now an international award-winning filmmaker.

Belmaya and daughter Bipana, now nine, live simply in one room in Pokhara (when her husband returned to his old ways, she had the courage to separate from him). She has achieved her longed-for independence, surviving the pandemic on income from her film Stronger, a film commission by the UK Asian Film Festival. Bipana attends a good school, and during lockdown has been able to study online via Belmayas phone.

I tell young girls, with all your goals and talents, go forward  you can do it!

The pandemic has held an unexpected silver lining. Through charity online screenings of I Am Belmaya weve raised over 12,000 for projects in Nepal and two years income for Belmaya as co-director. She has made connections that have led to film commissions for non-governmental organisations, online English lessons and an online filmmaking workshop for young women in Nepal, which she led with amazing aplomb. Belmaya has become a source of inspiration and hope for many women like her.

At the end of her WOW Festival talk, Belmaya told the audience, I feel very proud because despite coming from a Dalit family, where I was discriminated against in my own village, I have come so far today. She is all too aware, though, that thousands of girls in Nepal have not had opportunities to change their lives. Since the start of the pandemic, with schools either shut or teaching online, many more girls are missing vital years of education.

Belmayas crusade is to inspire a new generation of girls to achieve their dreams. Theyll feel inside, I can do it if I do it with all my heart  but they still cant, because they have obligations. In our culture, we make girls get married at a young age. I tell them, Lets not. With all your goals and talents, go forward! You can do it!
More than 20 years after her untimely death, Carolyn Bessette Kennedys effortlessly understated look continues to inspire new generations, says influencer and YOU fashion columnist Joanne Hegarty

Carolyn Besette Kennedy working her understated chic in a sleek two-tone dress for a Cartier party with her husband John F Kennedy Junior, 1996

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was just 33 when her gilded life came to a shockingly tragic end in the plane crash that also killed her husband John F Kennedy Jr and her sister Lauren.

But her story didnt end on that dark night of 16 July 1999 when the single-engined aircraft  piloted by John  vanished from radar screens before plunging into the Atlantic Ocean near Marthas Vineyard.

Astonishingly, 22 years later, Carolyn  a former Calvin Klein publicist who became famous for her elegant understated chic when she married into American royalty  has become a fashion icon to a whole new generation of young women, the ultimate proof that great style really is eternal.

Exhausted and bored by the overdone looks of some celebrities, who flaunt their wealth with their heavily branded designer clothes, many of todays 20- and 30-somethings have been searching for a different kind of influence. They have found it by returning to the golden era of the 90s when some of them were only just born  and to one particular fashion muse. And if you look closely at some of todays most fashionable stars, you can see Carolyns strong influence in how they style their looks.

This fitted ivory Versace gown for LAs Fire & Ice Ball was a perfect choice for her slender 5ft 9in frame, 1998

Of the legion of social-media accounts that have been dedicated to Carolyn, there are a few that really stand out with their knowledge and unique content. Take @officialcarolynbessettekennedy on Instagram, which has amassed 32.6k followers since fin tech worker Mary Taylor created it, with the aim of providing something more refreshing to look at.

There are no celebrities like Carolyn any more, says 23-year-old Mary. The young are fascinated by her look because she is the opposite of people like the Kardashians and their extravagant style. Although Carolyn wore designer clothes, her choices were subtle and unpretentious  you wouldnt look at her and immediately know the label she was wearing. She also liked to mix high and low brands.

Mary gets lots of messages from young women asking her what she thinks Carolyn might have worn for a particular event. Often theyre going to their prom and want to dress like her, she explains. I think a lot of people are drawn to Carolyn because of her energy and the way she carried herself. She was immensely private and almost used her beautifully subtle style to deflect attention away from herself  which of course makes her look, and her, all the more interesting.

Jack Sehnert, 33, a handbag and accessories design director for upmarket brand Steve Madden in New York, snagged the handle @carolynbessette six years ago and today has 46.6k Instagram followers. A fan of Carolyn since his days at design school, Jack  who loves the thrill of unearthing previously unseen photos and videos of his style icon, then sharing them to be admired by others  has also noticed a lot of interest bubbling up about Carolyn recently. So what does he put this new love for her and her chic, minimalist outfits down to?

With John outside their New York apartment  Carolyn was the queen of neutrals and clean lines as her head-to-toe Prada outfit proves

My age group is constantly bombarded with so many trends and celebrities and influencers with overdone looks, so we find Carolyns effortless and elegant style really refreshing. Shes such a muse for me because she was so clever in how she mixed labels, shapes and materials and also in how she put her look together  if you look at the old images of her you can see how many different ways she wore a white shirt. She certainly knew a thing or two about fashion and also liked to wear new upcoming designers, too.

Here in the UK, an account called @cbk_closet meticulously details every piece of Carolyns wardrobe. Ive been reading about Carolyns style for a number of years now, says the fashion fan who set it up but prefers to stay anonymous. However, last year I kept seeing a lot of these closet accounts for Gen-Zers  so I decided that it was time Carolyn got one, too.

Personally, I have admired Carolyns style for the past decade  especially how she mastered dressing for all the high-profile events she started going to after she began seriously dating John. I would still wear most of her outfits today, which is amazing considering it was over two decades ago that she was dashing around New York in them.

Her style was subtle. You wouldnt look at her and immediately know the label she had on

For glittering occasions, CBK, as shes often referred to, would mostly wear black, though occasionally white, and had a knack of making an impact by using distinct clean lines and shapes that complemented her slender 5ft 9in figure. Of course, she was very beautiful, so simplicity suited her. Everything about her was curated with clever subtlety.

A big fan of Prada, Carolyn enjoyed a hefty discount with the label, which she used often at Barneys, one of her favourite New York shopping haunts, and she put designer Yohji Yamamoto on the global map wearing several of his new collection pieces months before they hit the catwalk. Indeed, while on a trip to Britain to stay at Buckingham Palace (John was trying to convince Prince Charles to appear in his political magazine, George), she wore a long navy Yohji Yamamoto skirt.

Running errands in New York in a Prada coat  its bold hue a stunning departure from her usual softer palette; unlike todays overdone stars, Carolyn loved simplicity as this LBD shows, 199

Away from the red carpet, her daytime looks are also fascinating to study, with even old trusty denim jeans getting a style elevation. She liked to pair Prada camel coats with Levis, Gap and Petit Bateau

T-shirts and wore accessories such as a large Birkin or a Prada spazzolato-leather bag (she had it in three different sizes) on repeat.

She had an experts eye for a vintage find, too: one of her dreamiest coats was a leopard-print number unearthed at a Parisian flea market, although she eventually gave it to her husbands assistant and publicist, RoseMarie Terenzio. Apparently, Carolyn had worn it so often she was afraid the paparazzi, permanently camped outside her and Johns New York apartment, would make fun of her if she was photographed in it any more.

Despite her love of fashion, according to RoseMarie, Carolyns wardrobe was smaller than you would think. But it was very well thought out, with mostly high-quality pieces. Carolyn hated waste and often gave unwanted items to charity or friends and family  something else that no doubt appeals to todays eco-conscious fashion generation.

With her trusty Birkin bag, 1997

Of course, it wasnt just how Carolyn dressed that catapulted her into the limelight. Up until the last tragic chapter, her life reads like a fairy tale: the humble fashion sales assistant who worked her way into the upper echelon of American society and married the most eligible bachelor in the world. Many young women are still captivated by this story and tell it over and over again on platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.

Born in 1966 in New York, into a thoroughly middle-class family  her father William was an engineer, her mother Ann a school administrator  Carolyn was the youngest of three and had elder twin sisters, Lauren, who died alongside her, and Lisa.

After college, where Carolyn studied teaching, she worked as a sales assistant at a shopping mall in the small town of Newton, Massachusetts. It was there that she was talent-spotted by Susan Sokol, a travelling sales coordinator for Calvin Klein. Sokol was so impressed with Carolyns style and grace that she later recommended her for a position dealing with Calvin Kleins high-profile clients.

It was during a Calvin Klein suit fitting that Carolyn first met her future husband, though at the time John was the on-and-off boyfriend of actress Daryl Hannah. Carolyn and John began dating in 1994 and married on 21 September 1996 in a small church on a remote island off the coast of Georgia.

Carolyn, in her preferred black for glittering events, with John on 1 May 1999

The wedding meant that media scrutiny of her life, which was already intense, reached fever pitch. But she always refused to give any interviews, so there is still lots of mystery surrounding her personality, although those that worked in the fashion industry, and her friends describe her as a funny, cool girl.

On the last day of her life, Carolyn went to Saks Fifth Avenue to find a dress to wear to the wedding of Johns cousin Rory Kennedy on Marthas Vineyard. She chose a $1,630 (around 1,200) black off-the-shoulder silk crepe number from Rive Gauche, the ready-to-wear line from Yves Saint Laurent.

Carolyn never got to wear that dress. Investigators said the crash was probably caused by the pilots failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night. It was five days before divers recovered the bodies from the ocean floor.

A shocking end to a dazzling life. But its wonderful that far from being forgotten, CBKs style influence continues to endure all these years on.

Carolyn's style legacy

Carolyn, the height of chic in a dress by Yohji Yamamoto, one of her go-to designers, 1998; Angelina Jolie channels her wow factor, 2015

Teaming a Prada coat with a pair of Levis (which she often bought from thrift stores); Hailey Bieber works the look 24 years on

Giving an everyday look edge with a Gucci headscarf, 1996; Bella Hadid adopting the same approach earlier this year
Antiques bring history and personality to a home and to this vintage store with a difference

The living-room space is painted Drab Green by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint (edwardbulmer paint.co.uk), which gives the room depth and is the perfect backdrop for antiques. Painting the woodwork the same tone creates a sense of serenity

The rooms all have their original floorboards, which provide a timeless setting for the shops mix of antique furniture, fabrics and art, including this Georgian daybed and mid-century lamp

Step beyond the beautiful double-fronted Georgian facade of No 44 High Street, Tetbury, and youll notice two things. One, that at just one room deep, the property is far cosier than its grand exterior would suggest; two, its colours: such soothing, tranquil and velvety tones that make you want to stroke the walls.

While its relaxed, seemingly thrown-together interiors style makes it look every inch a much loved and lived-in home, it is actually a carefully curated antiques shop; each room a show space for all manner of vintage furniture, mirrors and art.

The only way I could consider running my business from here, given my main home and family are in London, was if I could stay over while at work, says its owner, antiques dealer and interiors designer Josephine Ryan. Despite the property not having a proper kitchen and only a shower, she says: I love being here. At night when the shop is closed, it is magical. I sit in the smallest room, painted in a serene shade called Drab Green, with the fire and candles lit and the shutters firmly closed, and I feel like Im in a period drama!

Tetbury, in Gloucestershire, is well known for its many antiques dealers and design shops, so it is the perfect place for Josephine, whose love of time-worn finds  she confesses to always falling for the frayed edges of used silk curtains or foxing in mirrors  help to bring a calm mood to No 44s interior.

Her shop is full of natural materials  linens, painted floorboards and scrubbed wooden tables. Old mirrors you cant see yourself in and battered pewter are key to her style, along with fresh flowers or foraged foliage, such as a single bloom or a lichen-covered branch which bring life to a scheme. You can never have too many vases displayed thoughtfully on a shelf  even when not in use they look interesting, she explains.

As for decorating, Josephines advice is to do as she does and work with the period architecture of the room you are decorating but also to create your own personal style. Paint bare wood furniture, build bespoke cupboards with salvaged antique fronts, install unpolished stone or granite worktops that show the inherent beauty and natural pigment.

Also, use natural fibres, in particular linen, which has an earthiness and chic that works beautifully as curtains, gives texture to upholstery and is luxurious as bedlinen.

Lastly, Josephine says, Take inspiration from everywhere  on a bus, a country walk, art galleries  and remember what delights you. Of course, she adds, seek out junk shops and boot fairs  and dont be afraid to ring the bell of an antiques shop either! josephineryanantiques.co.uk

This is an edited extract from Calm by Sally Denning, published by Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd, price 25. To order a copy for 21.25 until 31 October, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over 20.

In the hallway, a rustic wooden table and Belgian oil painting set against walls painted in a calm, natural tone and flagstone floor creates a vibe that feels more like visiting a friends house than walking round a shop

Sky-blue walls and off-white woodwork give the dining space an airy, open mood. Chunky antique furniture takes centre stage, while an old armchair  upholstered in Josephines go-to linen  is a favourite spot for her dog Ted

For a calm vibe, Josephine suggests teaming similar shapes or colours together on a mantelpiece or table. Or play with scale to create a striking focal point, as with this oversized dried foliage in a huge urn

The bedroom walls are painted in restful Jonquil by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint (edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk). These paints are eco-friendly and allow walls and woodwork to breathe as well as giving a slightly textured finish

How to channel Josephines vintage vision

From getting the best price to mixing and matching, here are her tips

Keep an open mind. Antiques  unless they are copies, in which case avoid  are one-offs, so it may take time to find what you are looking for.

Be ready to bargain. While dealers will let you pay with cards, cash still gets you everywhere.

Take a measuring tape and also swatches of fabric or wallpaper, and even a photo of your room to help you picture how your antique item will look in your home.

If you love something, buy it. Youll regret it later if you dont. Some things may cost more than you expect to pay, others may be less. It will all balance out in the end. Antiques will last you your lifetime.

Create collections  things always look better in multiples, such as threes and fives. And mix your styles  think a Georgian table with mid-century chairs, a Swedish chest of drawers with a rococo lamp.

Before you part with your money, think about transport costs. While delivery is sometimes included in the price, always check first.

Remember, antiques get reused so are green!

Britain's best antique fairs

Where to go hunting for your dream vintage piece

Ardingly Antiques Fair

With around 1,700 stalls and goods ranging from furniture to silverware, Ardingly, near Gatwick in West Sussex, has a reputation as one of the best fairs to source quality European decorative items. Its two-day market  often a Tuesday (20 admission) and Wednesday (5 admission)  is held most months. iacf.co.uk/ardingly

Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair

This fair is on four times a year and regularly attracts over 300 quality antiques dealers from around the UK. Held in the stunning and historic setting of North Londons Alexandra Palace, it boasts everything from antique silver, jewellery, pottery and glass to more contemporary items. Admission is 6. iacf.co.uk/alexandra-palace/

Lincolnshire Antiques & Home Show

Youll find everything from fine antiques, including art and furniture, to architectural salvage at this one-day, bi-monthly vintage extravaganza. Established in 1995, this unmissable event has a reputation for attracting not just collectors, but the likes of set designers and prop buyers, too. Admission 5. asfairs.com

Sunbury Antiques Market

If you like an early start, get down to this Surrey gem at around 6.30am  apparently this is the best time to beat the queues and bag yourself a one-of-a-kind vintage find from one of its 700+ traders. Held on the first and last Tuesday of every month, entry is free  as is parking. Were sold! sunburyantiques.com/kempton

Newark Antiques Fair

This two-day, bi-monthly event is the ultimate treasure-hunting ground  in fact, its the largest in Europe. Spread over 84 acres at Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, it is host to over 2,500 stands selling everything from vintage vinyl records to rare coins. Admission is 20 on Thursdays and 5 on Fridays. iacf.co.uk/newark
Since it first hit Netflix last month South Korean horror series Squid Game has captivated audiences in over 90 countries, quickly becoming the most watched international show in the streaming platform's history.

Viewers were enthralled by the blood-soaked dystopian thriller that pits players against each other in contests fought to the death for a chance to win cash.

And while the Asian drama is obviously fictitious and a pointed critique of modern life, one of the show's side plots where human beings have their organs harvested and sold is very real.

China's Communist Party removes hearts, kidneys, livers and corneas from 100,000 dissidents and political prisoners every year, with a government-run 'kill to order' organ-trafficking network operating on a grand scale, human rights groups claim.

But the international community remains powerless to stop the slaughter because the World Health Organisation is compelled to accept the totalitarian nation's 'inadequate and misleading' hospital data without question.

One of the side plots in the smash hit Korean horror thriller Squid Game is a human organ-harvesting racket

But the international community remains powerless to stop the slaughter because the World Health Organisation is compelled to accept the totalitarian nation's 'inadequate and misleading' hospital data without question. Pictured: Chinese medical staff in Wuhan on January 25, 2020

President Xi Jinping's (right) Communist Party removes hearts, kidneys, livers and corneas from 100,000 dissidents and political prisoners every year, with a government-run 'kill to order' organ-trafficking network that parallels the violent South Korean horror Squid Game (the show's villain pictured left)

'The most common organs removed from the prisoners are reportedly hearts, kidneys, livers and corneas - UN Human Rights Office

Just a week before the Netflix hit was released, Beijing furiously denied the existence of a state-sponsored organ harvesting program after the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner said China was 'targeting specific ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities held in detention' and raking in a billion dollars a year.

Nine UN Special Rapporteurs from the Human Rights Council spent over a year unearthing witness testimony and examining China's highly suspicious organ donor rates to shed new light on the terrifying 'kill to order' market.

'UN human rights experts said today they were extremely alarmed by reports of alleged "organ harvesting" targeting minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims and Christians, in detention in China,' the statement said.

'They have received credible information that detainees... may be forcibly subjected to blood tests and organ examinations such as ultrasound and x-rays, without their informed consent; while other prisoners are not required to undergo such examinations.

'The results of the examinations are reportedly registered in a database of living organ sources that facilitates organ allocation.

'According to the allegations received, the most common organs removed from the prisoners are reportedly hearts, kidneys, livers, corneas and, less commonly, parts of livers.'

UN human rights experts said they were extremely alarmed by reports of alleged "organ harvesting" targeting minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims and Christians, in detention in China. Pictured: Uyghur protesters in Hong Kong

The UN Human Rights Council received credible information that detainees... may be forcibly subjected to blood tests and organ examinations such as ultrasound and x-rays, without their informed consent; while other prisoners are not required to undergo such examinations

Ethnic Uygur women often subject to the terrifying practice of organ harvesting, protest as Chinese riot police move in at Urumqi in China's far west Xinjiang province on July 7, 2009

The grim statement also points out that this form of alleged trafficking relies heavily on skilled health care workers sworn to protect their patients including 'surgeons, anaesthetists and other medical specialists' as well as participation from various public sector professionals.

'Some prisoners receive death threats and threats of organ harvesting from the police, if they do not renounce their beliefs or refuse to cooperate with the police,' the statement said.

One of the 'red flags' with China's organ transplant system is that recipients can book surgeries at specific times and locations.

In other medical systems this does not happen because surgeons cannot predict when a person who has elected to be an organ donor will die.

Under an 'ethical' process approved by the WHO, the deceased's organs will be matched to the most urgent patient on a transplant list who is within travelling distance of the hospital.

For many desperate people it can take years to receive transplant surgery as recipients must be the same blood-type as the deceased and have the same sized organ.

One of the 'red flags' with China's organ transplant system is that recipients can book surgeries at specific times and locations. Pictured: Police detain a man during a rally in Hong Kong on December 22, 2019 to show support for the Uighur minority in China

The alleged trafficking relies heavily on skilled health care workers sworn to protect their patients including 'surgeons, anaesthetists and other medical specialists' as well as participation from other public sector professionals. Pictured: A Uyghur re-education camp in Hotan China's northwestern Xinjiang region

Plainclothes policemen watch as a female Falun Gong practitioner resists arrest while being forced by police towards a police van on May 11, 2000, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square

An undercover phone call to a Chinese military hospital shows just how easy it is to get human organs The follow transcript is an undercover phone call made to a the People's Liberation Army No. 107 Hospital in Yantai, Shandong Province on September 1, 2019. It shows how human organs are supplied on demand in China. EXCERPT: Investigator: Oh, if the registration is okay, in the fastest case, how long do we have to wait? Dr Feng Zhendong: It depends on if we have the liver source. If you had called earlier, then we would have had it today. Investigator: What does it mean that if I had called earlier? Dr Feng Zhendong: It means that I would have done it for you today. Investigator: So it can be done quickly, right? Dr Feng Zhendong: Right... our hospital generally has relatively abundant liver sources, many donated organs. So our liver sources are relatively abundant. Investigator: So almost every day you have [organs]. Whether it matches or not is another issue. Is that what you mean? Dr Feng Zhendong: Not almost every day, but we basically have [organs] almost every month... in the fastest cases, we basically have organs every week. Advertisement

But undercover phone calls made to Chinese hospitals as part of the independent China Tribunal hearings in 2019 show how fast patients can get surgery under the 'kill to order' system.

In one excerpt, Dr Feng Zhendong from a Shandong Province military hospital tells the investigator over the phone about the 'abundance of organs' which arrive 'every month'.

Although China's disturbing state-sponsored organ-trafficking has been well-documented for decades, there is very little the international community can do to stop the horrific trade.

Beijing is able to coverup their human rights abuses by under-reporting transplant data to the World Health Organisation which is compelled to accept the official statistics of member states.

Susie Hughes, the Executive Director of The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China said China's claims they are performing 10,000 to 20,000 do not stack up.

'A recent statistical analysis of China's current organ transplant system showed the numbers China has been putting out have been falsified,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'When you examine hospital revenues, bed utilisation rates and the number of surgical teams from the official Chinese data... the figure is more likely to be between 60,000 to 100,000 transplants per year.'

The China Tribunal found the Uyghur Muslim minority along with followers of the banned spiritual practice Falun Gong, are essentially being used 'as an organ bank' for domestic and foreign buyers.

Falun Gong practitioner Jinato Liu, who was incarcerated for over two years gave terrifying testimony to the expert panel.

'I was locked in a cell with about eight drug addicts, who were commonly induced to abuse Falun Gong practitioners.

'These drug addicts were rostered on shifts to persecute me by the guards' order.

'The cell had a surveillance camera installed, so the guards knew everything that happened inside.

Pictured: A contestant in the Squid Game show is covered in blood after another player's head is blown off in a hellish version of a children's game

Undercover phone calls made to Chinese hospitals as part of the independent China Tribunal hearings in 2019 show how fast patients can get surgery under the 'kill to order' system

'Don't go against the Communist Party. Don't resist them. If you do... where your heart, liver, spleen and lungs will be taken, you won't even know' - Falun Gong practitioner, Yu Xinhui.

'One day a drug addict inmate was beating my back and waist and another inmate came in from outside and yelled at him: "Don't injure his organs"!'

Uyghur prisoner Zumuret Dawut said she was taken to hospital on the first day of her three months in detention to have her organs scanned.

'Only after they removed the black hood from over my head did I realise I was in a hospital,' she said in her testimony.

'I saw police in uniform everywhere, also people wearing white coats walking about, so I guessed that I was in a hospital.

'They drew blood samples first, then X-rayed my internal organs.'

Another Falun Gong member, Yu Xinhui, who spend six years behind bars said a prison system medical practitioner had tried to warn him of the horror.

Uyghur prisoner Zumuret Dawut said she was taken to hospital to on the first day of her three months in detention to have her organs scanned. Pictured: Uighur woman in Urumqi China hold their missing relatives ID cards after they had been detained by authorities

Despite the findings, Beijing has repeatedly denied forced human organ harvesting is practiced in China, calling the UN's statement 'fabricated' and 'defamatory'. Pictured: Falun Gong practitioners in Taiwan

'One prison doctor who was sympathetic to us Falun Gong practitioners secretly told me,' Mr Yu said in his evidence.

'Don't go against the Communist Party. Don't resist them. If you do, when the time comes, you won't even know how you have died.

'When it happens, where your heart, liver, spleen and lungs will be taken, you won't even know.'

Despite the findings, Beijing has repeatedly denied forced human organ harvesting is practiced in China, calling the UN's statement 'fabricated' and 'defamatory'.

The Chinese government has also described the heart-breaking witness testimonies as coming from 'actors'.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Protesters held a sit-in Thursday at the Interior Department building in downtown Washington and clashed with police as they challenged fossil fuel projects and called for the declaration of a climate emergency. Multiple arrests were reported.

An Interior Department spokeswoman said a group of protesters rushed the lobby, injuring at least one security officer who was taken to a nearby hospital. Police and protesters clashed outside the building, and officers used Tasers against several unarmed protesters, a spokeswoman for the protest group said.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was traveling Thursday and was not in the building during the protest.

"Interior Department leadership believes strongly in respecting and upholding the right to free speech and peaceful protest,'' Melissa Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Haaland, said in a statement. "Centering the voices of lawful protesters is and will continue to be an important foundation of our democracy. It is also our obligation to keep everyone safe. We will continue to do everything we can to de-escalate the situation while honoring First Amendment rights.''

She said protesters were taken in for booking.

Jennifer Falcon, a spokeswoman for the Indigenous Environmental Network, a coalition of Native American and environmental activists, put the number of people arrested at 50.

Protesters gather to call on the Biden administration to do more to combat climate change and ban fossil fuels outside the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The protest was part of "a historic surge of Indigenous resistance" in the nation's capital that started on Monday, Indigenous Peoples Day, outside the White House, she said. More than 100 people were arrested as protesters linked arms and sat along the White House fence line to call on the Biden administration to do more to combat climate change and ban fossil fuels.

The Andrew Jackson statue at the center of Lafayette Park across the street from the White House was defaced with the words "Expect Us" - part of a rallying cry used by Indigenous people who have been fighting against fossil fuel pipelines. Jackson, a slave-owning president, forced Cherokees and many other Native Americans on deadly marches out of their southern homelands.

Protesters also climbed a flagpole outside the Army Corps of Engineers office, demanding a stop to Line 3, an oil pipeline upgrade that was recently completed in Minnesota. The pipeline will bring tar sands oil from Canada to Wisconsin.

Falcon said in an interview that her group has no formal role in that protest, which she said was led by "autonomous, frontline leaders" and "water protectors.''

The group called for an end to fossil fuel projects such as Line 3 and the Dakota Access oil pipeline, as well as abolition of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and restoration of millions of acres of land seized from Native Americans.

Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe in New Mexico, is the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

Protesters who refuse to obey the law and leave the building after multiple warnings may be arrested, Schwartz said.

--

This story was first published on Oct. 14, 2021. It was updated on Oct. 15, 2021, to correct that the Line 3 pipeline is not still under construction but has been finished.
A furious patient claims he was forced to wait outside a medical centre in a makeshift plastic booth after the practice banned him from coming inside because he wasn't vaccinated against Covid.

A video shared on TikTok showed a plastic tarp and fabric-covered dividers with chairs in between outside the entrance to the Fairfield West Medical Centre in Sydney's west.

Fairfield was one of Sydney's major Covid hotspots at the height of this year's Delta outbreak.

'This is the doctor's offices now for the unvaccinated people, as I got told on the phone when I made my appointment,' the man behind the camera said.

'It's outside. Very professional. This is the Australian medical system. What a joke, It's an embarrassment.'

The 30-second clip sparked a heated debate on TikTok about how unvaccinated residents were being treated as NSW emerges from lockdown.

Those who haven't received both Covid jabs in NSW are banned from visiting cafes, bars and restaurants until December 1.

'Why are the vaccinated scared of the unvaccinated?' one commenter said underneath the video.

Another bizarrely claimed it was an example of 'medical apartheid'.

Many social media users though thought the idea of an outdoor waiting area looked like 'a good idea' and applauded the centre for accommodating unvaxed people.

Anti-vaxxers have raged at a video showing an outdoor treatment area at a medical centre they believe was created to keep unvaccinated people outside while vaccinated people were allowed in

One woman pointed out the irony of attending a healthcare facility for medical help during a pandemic and expecting to be welcomed inside despite being unvaccinated.

'So you want their help but you won't help them by getting vaccinated? This is why people say you are selfish. Don't you get it?' she wrote.

NSW Chair of the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Dr Charlotte Hespe told Daily Mail Australia the measure was reasonable and not just for unvaccinated patients.

'A lot of practices will have patients waiting outdoors in a covered area or their cars,' Dr Hespe said.

'It's all about having safe strategies where people are at the least likelihood of infecting others if they do have covid without realising it.'

Dr Hespe said it doesn't matter about the patient's vaccination status and that it's all about reducing the risk of transmission in doctor's waiting rooms.

Fairfield West Medical Centre. Fairfield was one of Sydney's major Covid hotspots at the height of the Delta outbreak in mid-2021

'We have taken a view it doesn't matter if you're vaccinated or unvaccinated you're still at risk of having covid without knowing, so therefore it's about protecting everybody,' she said.

There is currently no policy in place requesting GP's separate vaccinated and unvaccinated patients but Dr Hespe believes everyone should be treated the same.

'There is no encouragement to separate patients out in terms of access to care,' she said.

'I am aware there are some individuals who have been putting out policies around that but that's their individual response certainly not a recommendation from the RACGP or the AMA.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Fairfield West Medical Centre for comment.
The family of the former Government minister James Brokenshire said they were 'overwhelmed' by the tributes and donations that have been made in his memory.

Mr Brokenshire, 53, died on October 7 from lung cancer.

His family set up a fundraising page to encourage people to share memories, photographs and donate in his memory.

His widow Cathy said that feelings over his death are 'still so raw' but she is immensely proud of the impact he continues to have as donations for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF), one of his favoured charities, have topped 45,000.

In his last tweet on August 31, Mr Brokenshire shared a picture of himself on a walk with his 'amazing' wife Cathy, and said that his lung cancer had 'progressed'. He died yesterday

She said: 'We are overwhelmed with the kind words, beautiful memories and generous donations people have made in memory of James, particularly from people who had never even met him but recognised what kind of man he was and what he tried to achieve throughout his life.

'While it is still so raw at the moment, I know in time this is something we will be able to cherish.

'We are so appreciative of the support Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has given, both to James after his diagnosis, and to us after his death, by setting up this tribute page. So, to be able to raise such an incredible amount to help the charity continue its excellent work provides a great deal of comfort and pride.'

Mr Brokenshire, the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, previously served as Northern Ireland secretary and security minister

Mr Brokenshire, the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, who previously served as Northern Ireland secretary and security minister, announced he had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018 and had surgery to remove the upper lobe of his right lung.

At the time, non-smoker Mr Brokenshire said he had been prompted to see his GP after coughing up a small amount of blood.

He became vocal in calling for national screening for lung cancer, and in April 2018 used a debate in Parliament to call for a national programme to improve poor survival rates.

Mr Brokenshire said much stigma surrounds lung cancer, with many people incorrectly believing it is only caused by smoking.

Nearly 700 individual donations have now been made to the tribute page, including many from people within his constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup.

A spokesman for W. Uden & Sons Family Funeral Directors said its donation had been made 'in memory of an exceptional man  James has been an utter credit to his profession and has served our local community like no other'.

Mr Brokenshire, pictured with wife Cathy, stepped down as Northern Ireland secretary in January 2018 on his 50th birthday, after his cancer diagnosis

Two thirds of people with lung cancer are diagnosed at late stage and it is responsible for over a fifth of all cancer deaths in the UK, according to the RCLCF, which believes there should be a national lung cancer screening programme.

RCLCF chief executive Paula Chadwick said: 'We will continue to campaign for a national screening programme in memory of James and the 35,000 others who lose their life to lung cancer every year.'

Mr Brokenshire had also backed efforts by Baroness Jowell, who died in May 2018 after suffering a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour, for more experimental treatments to be available on the NHS.

In January, he suffered a recurrence of a tumour and later said the 'somewhat troublesome' lung had been removed by surgeons at Guy's Hospital in south London.

But in August, he confirmed his lung cancer had 'progressed' and he was starting a new line of treatment.

Mr Brokenshire's family said he had been in hospital in the days before his death but his condition had rapidly deteriorated.
The former FBI agent who interrogated infamous 'Co-Ed Killer' Ed Kemper has revealed how the experience led him to develop a profile that analyzes serial killers that's still used today.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, 'father of serial killer profiling' John Douglas described his chilling encounter 1973 with Kemper, who killed and dismembered six college students, three members of his own family, and a family friend in the '60s and '70s.

Douglas' 25-year career in the bureau inspired the David Fincher-directed series Mindhunter, and Kemper is the subject of the first episode of his new FOX Nation series The Killer Next Door, which examines five of the worst serial killers of our time, and is narrated by the decorated ex-agent.



Kemper's murderous spree started when he was only 15 years old, when he killed his grandparents to spite his abusive mother and father.

Years later, when Douglas asked Kemper why he would commit such an act at such a young age, the serial killer replied: I wanted to see what it felt like.

After those initial murders in 1964, Kemper spent fewer than five years in confinement.

He was released to his mother at the age of 20 after receiving psychiatric treatment, and his juvenile criminal record expunged.

Former FBI agent John Douglas has exclusively revealed what it was like to interrogate the infamous 'Co-Ed Killer' Ed Kemper, who killed and dismembered 10 people in the '60s and '70s, and how it led him to develop a profile that analyzes serial killers that's still used today

Kemper detailed to Douglas in a 1973 interview at California Medical Facility in the city of Vacaville, murderous urges he felt as a child, which he said would release on animals - some-thing Douglas would discern to be a telltale sign of a serial killer in his revolutionary profile

Unfortunately, however, that was only the start of Kemper's killing spree - and the murders only got more brutal from there.

In the '70s, the 'Co-Ed' killer still lived with his mother, a professor at the University of Santa Cruz, in a modest home in the beachside city.

It was here that Kemper embarked on his descent into madness and murder, after receiving an increasing amount of abuse from his mother.

Douglas said the abuse left the hulking murderer - who stood at a towering 6-foot-9 and weighed nearly 300 pounds - permanently traumatized.

His mother broke him, Douglas told DailyMail.com.

She neutered him psychologically, through years of psychological abuse.

Douglas said Kemper's mom would keep him locked in a cellar as a youth, where he would steal his sister's dolls without his mother's knowledge and dismember them.

'He would cut their heads, legs and arms off - like what he he would later do with real woman.

Edmund Kemper was tabbed the 'Co-Ed Killer' after sending Santa Cruz into a state of terror after killing and dismembering six college students in the scenic California city in the 1970s - as well as his mother, his grandparents, and one other woman

Kemper would go on to snatch, murder and dismember six female college students over the course of two years, bringing the bodies back to his mother's apartment and removing their heads and hands.

'He would keep them in the closet, and have sex with the corpses,' Douglas also detailed.

Parts of the girls' bodies were found washed up on the beaches of Santa Cruz in the 1970s.

Kemper was eventually was arrested in 1973 after killing his mother and her best friend in what would be his final two murders. He was still only 22.

Douglas interviewed Kemper later that year, when the agent was just 25 years old.

The pair spoke at California Medical Facility in the city of Vacaville, a federal prison that some killers like Kemper get into by playing up their mental instability to the courts.

'He was very intelligent,' Douglas recalled of their encounter, which is dramatized in the new FOX Nation show.

The ex-agent, now 76, added that Kemper also 'liked to talk  he had an IQ of 145.

When Douglas asked to speak with Kemper, the federal agent attempted to diffuse the situation by taking of Kempers cuffs and shackles.

Douglas had served as a street agent since joining the bureau just two years earlier.

He also worked as a hostage negotiator, and said that he looked to capitalized on that skillset when interviewing the serial killer, who was three years his junior.

I wanted him to think It was not an interview or an interrogation  it was a conversation, Douglas recalls.

He [Kemper] asked to see my credentials, asked me about my job

He told me he wanted to be a law enforcement officer

During the interview, Douglas said he did things he would not usually do in later cases.

I brought a tape recorder and took notes  which was the wrong move. Kemper did not like that. People in that place [Vacaville] are generally very paranoid  and criminals in general do not want to be perceived as a snitch, especially when incarcerated.

Kemper was a hulking man, and had to duck under a 65 doorway when entering the room,' according to Douglas.

He dwarfed Douglas, who was 62.

Despite his size, Douglas said Kemper was not an intimidating figure  adding he was not a bully  he was bullied upon.

He would talk to me at great lengths about the abuse he suffered as child by his mom.

He said she would tell him, Youre a bum, youre nothing, youre just like your father.

His mother was a professor at the University of Santa Cruz, and Kemper would hang around the campus, sometimes trying to pick up girls and get a date, he told me during our interview

Douglas (pictured at right) interviewed Kemper when he was just 25, while the Co-Ed Killer, as he was colloquially tabbed by press outlets at the time, was just 22. Douglas, however, remarked that Kemper was surprisingly intelligent and outspoken, which helped the young agent prepare for future interrogations and profiling of a slew of still-to-come serial killers

His mom would tell him, those women are too good for you Stop trying you could never have a woman like that.

He told me that he thought Yes Mom, I can have them  by killing them.

He told me he would rehearse pick up line, rehearse picking up coed before he actually started going through with murdering them.

He would also rehearse killing them, and killing his mother  he would stand by the foot of her bed as she slept holding a claw hammer, fantasizing about killing her, but not yet going through with it.

When I asked what he was thinking while standing over his sleeping mother, he told me, I just wanted to smash her."

He then started killing girls his mother said he could never have.

What's more, he would bury their severed heads outside her bedroom window, and position them so that they were angled so that they would be staring upwards toward her  since she would tell him that she enjoyed people looking up at her  what she deemed a sign of respect.

During the meeting, Douglas showed him [Kemper] a false sense of empathy to better understand his behavior and his motives behind the killings the agent - who serves as narrator for FOX Nation's new true crime show, The Killer Next Door, which premieres Sunday on the streaming service

During the meeting, Douglas showed him [Kemper] a false sense of empathy to better understand his behavior and his motives behind the killings.

A hard part of the interview,' the agent recalled, 'was when we asked him about his crimes.

He told us about fantasies of killing, killing his mother  all his crimes began with fantasy.

'Most people dont carry through with their fantasies, but Kemper began his murders with fantasy, and then carried them out

He told us that the murders helped him feel empowered and in control.

Douglas then admitted he was in awe of the killer at times, who possessed a surprising intelligence.

His recall was amazing  the details, the weather the day of each crime, what the victim was wearing.

After the meeting, Douglas realized in order to be successful in these kinds of meetings, he needed to know everything about the case beforehand and establish a rapport with these killers.

During his time with the behavioral science unit, and after his interview with Kemper, Douglas says he came up with the idea to teach officers criminal psychology by conducting interviews with killers, and seeing if there were any patterns that emerged between them.

He would employ strategies that some labelled reverse psychology,' but Douglas attested that its better described as reverse engineering.

We would first build a profile of serial offenders, killers who killed 3 or more people on different occasions, interview them, and define different sets of interrogation techniques for particular offenders  sometimes trying to provoke them. Provocative techniques.

These killers were not born this way  they were made this way.

Douglas went on to describe triggering points that led people like Kemper to kill, noting that specific events triggered him.

He was rejected by his mother, travelled to his father in Montana and was rejected by him.

At this point, he planned to kill his paternal grandparents, as a form of revenge against his parents.

When Douglas questioned him as to why he killed his grandparents, his first step into his descent into madness, he told the agent, I wanted to see what it felt like.

Kemper also detailed to Douglas murderous urges he felt as a child, which he said he would frequently release on animals - something Douglas would later discern to be a telltale sign of a serial killer in his groundbreaking profile.

He would kill cats, he told me  he would behead them and bury them alive.

He buried his sisters pet cat while it was alive, dug it up once it was dead, and cut its head of and put it on a post in his familys backyard

He would later dig up and have sex with his victims bodies.

However, Kemper still did his best to win over Douglas - who said he was wary of the killer's tricks, and said he actually learned from them.

Douglas said he took advantage of Kemper's well-spoken nature and willingness to speak freely about his sordid crimes. Here the killer is pictured during a televised interview with the FBI in 1988

He tried to manipulate me during our interview  he would try to be friendly and earn my trust, and help me along with the interview.'

I realized you cannot rehabilitate someone like that Douglas discerned, referring to Kemper. High intelligence, manipulative.

The ex-agent then went on to explain how Kemper had avoided police attention over the course of his string of grisly crimes.

Kemper was difficult to catch because he would desecrate the bodies, so forensic scientists at the time did not have much to go on. He would also put various body parts in different locations.

During the April meeting in 1973, Douglas also discussed the murder of Kemper's mother and her friend earlier that year - a crime that Kemper ended up turning himself in for.'

When Kemper killed his mother  his final murder  he thought there would be a manhunt, he told me.

He took a bunch of caffeine pills and drove 1000 miles away to Boulder, Colorado.

When he realized no one was after him, he called the Santa Cruz Police Department.

He actually had to call them two times because the cops didnt believe him.

Kemper, known by many as 'Big Ed,' was apparently friendly with a host of cops in the Santa Cruz Police Department, as he frequently hung out at a neighborhood police bar, The Jury Room, even while the murders were going on, Douglas revealed.

He would buy them drinks and ask about the cases, Douglas told DailyMail.com.

When I asked him why, he told me it was to see what they were up to and pick up clues on whether they were onto him or not.

Douglas went on to say that Kemper served as a sort of case study for the young agent, who would go on to pioneer how investigators treated cases surrounding serial killers.

Douglas said he took advantage of Kemper's well-spoken nature and willingness to speak freely about his sordid crimes.

He was matter-of-fact about everything.

I would tell him that I wanted specifics during the interview, and he would give them to me.

FOX Nation's five-installment series covers killers like Kemper, Larry Gene Bell, Gary Heidnik - who served as the inspiration of Silence of the Lamb's 'Buffalo Bill' - 'Killer Clown' John Wayne Gacy, and 'Son of Sam' David Berkowitz

He told me how he collected newspapers and news clippings covering his crimes, Douglas recalled, before adding, The case served as a precursor to techniques I would later use and teach to profile these killers.

I learned from Kemper.

The former agent, who retired from the bureau in 1995 after forever changing how the organization approached cases, discussed how the Kemper case was what sparked this important advancement.

What they call the Macdonald Triad  the three signs that indicate a serial killer  bedwetting, fire setting and animal cruelty was only completed from things we learned from Kemper.

Before Kemper, animal cruelty was not a sign specified by profilers and investigators  on forms, there was only bedwetting, fire setting, and a section marked other. This changed after Kemper.

After his meeting with the Co-Ed Killer, Douglas would transfer to the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit in 1977, and went on to interview - and profile - the likes of Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Dennis Lynn Rader - the BTK Killer.

After profiling dozens of notorious serial killers, the accomplished agent authored a 57-page questionnaire used by agents to profile serial killers.

At the time of criminal profiling's conception, Douglas said he was doubted and even criticized by his own colleagues, until both police and the FBI realized that he had developed a useful tool for the capture of criminals - especially serial killers.

In the interview, Douglas revealed some of the study's criteria: victimology, police investigations, forensic findings, the offenders background, pre-offense behavior, post offense behavior.

The work, however, took its toll on Douglas.

He said he eventually suffered a break down and anxiety attacks due to the nature and volume of the work, starting in 1983.

In one instance, where he was training 300 cops in New York City on interrogation techniques, he suffered a crippling anxiety attack, at age 38.

Later on, in a hotel room in the city, he fell into a coma after collapsing with flu-like symptoms. His left side was temporarily paralyzed and he was hospitalized for two weeks.

Douglas retired from the force in 1995, and has since written several text books used in college-level criminal profiling classes. He also authored several books, including Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit - for which a screenplay is currently being written.

He also serves as the narrator for FOX Nation's new series - the first episode of which chronicles the Kemper case.

Kemper, meanwhile, is still imprisoned in Vacaville, and was last up for parole in 2017 - a motion that was promptly denied.
A judge has denied Empire actor Jussie Smollett's last ditch attempt to dismiss his criminal case for allegedly lying to police when he reported that he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack, and a date has been set for trial.

Smollett, 39, had told police that two masked men attacked him in downtown Chicago in January 2019, where he was filming Empire.

He was charged weeks later with filing a false police report, after investigators concluded that he staged the attack and paid two brothers to carry it out because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career.

An attorney for the former Empire actor, who played Jamal Lyon on the show, said Smollett's rights were being violated.

He has already performed community service and given up a $10,000 bond under a previous deal with Cook County prosecutors to drop charges.

'A deal is a deal. That's ancient principle,' attorney Nenye Uche said.

But Judge James Linn noted that Smollett's case now was being led by a special prosecutor appointed by another judge, an arrangement that he would not upset.

Jussie Smollett (pictured leaving the courthouse today) played Jamal Lyon on hit show Empire (right). A judge denied his last-ditch effort to dismiss criminal charges against him for allegedly lying to police about a racist attack against him in January 2019

The Chicago police charged the actor (pictured in court in March) with filing a false police report. His jury selection begins November 29

The men accused of helping orchestrate the attack were identified as Abel and Ola Osundairo. The pair were detained and questioned by police on February 13, 2019. They were later released on February 19.

Smollett allegedly agreed to pay them $3,500 to stage the attack.

Ola Osundairo is a personal trainer who appeared in an episode of Empire. Smollet and Ola reportedly became friendly and traded 'workout tips' via text message.

On February 20, Smollett was arrested and accused of lying to the police.

He was bailed out on a $10,000 cash bond and charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report.

Smollett was hospitalized following the fight that he allegedly paid two brothers $3,500 to attack him

The Chicago Police arrested him in February 2019 for filing a false police report. He was released on February 20 after paying a $10,000 bail. That case, however, was dropped on March 26 by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in return for the actor forfeiting the $10,000 bond he paid

The actor seen leaving Cook County Court after posting 10 per cent of his 100,000 bond

His attackers were identified as Abel and Ola Osundairo. Ola was on one episode of Empire and Smollett and allegedly swapped workout tips via texts afterward

That case, however, was dropped on March 26 by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in return for the actor forfeiting the $10,000 bond he paid.

The City of Chicago would later sue Smollett for $130,000 for the cost of the investigation.

The case was revived when a special prosecutor charged Smollett with disorderly conduct over the police reports. The actor has pleaded not guilty.

Although Uche tried to have the case dismissed, he said Smollett wants 'nothing more than to go to a jury and clear his name.'

Speaking on Marc Lamont Hill's Instagram in mid-September, the actor said: 'I'm going to give it up to God, but if I'm being completely honest, I don't think that... they're not going to let this go.

Smollett (center) starred in the show alongside Taraji P. Henson (left) and Terrence Howard (right)

The actor reportedly staged the attack because he was allegedly unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career

'There is an example being made and the sad thing is there is an example being made of someone who did not do what they are accused of.

'On one hand, when I step back, I see how [Chicago Police] played the narrative, the way that they served it to the people. That it was intentionally created to make people doubt from the very beginning.

'From the very, very beginning, it was made to seem that I was lying about something or everything. But at the same time, I'm not really living for the people who don't believe.'

The city of Chicago have requested that the FBI hand over records of their own probe into Mr Smollett's case.

Linn said jury selection in Smollett's trial would start November 29.
A former cop turned NASA executive has been found guilty of murder after killing his next door neighbor after years of fighting over loud music, garbage, and dog poop.

Michael Hetle, 54, shot Maryland National Guardsman Javon Prather, 24, in Springfield, Virginia - a suburb of Washington DC, in March 2020.

He then pointed the gun at Prather's wife as she rushed to save him and shouted: 'You want it too?

A jury deliberated in a Fairfax County court room from 10 am to 4:30 pm on Thursday to find him guilty of first-degree murder.

Hetle could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced on January 28.

He tried to argue that he fired the shots in self-defense to protect his family, claiming that Prather threatened him for months before the the deadly encounter.

But the jury did not believe Hetle's defense after video footage of the violent attack was shown as evidence.

Michael Hetle, 54, was found guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting his neighbor Javon Prather, 24

Hetle's Ring camera recorded the deadly shooting that occurred in a Virginia neighborhood (Pictured: Prather is seen knocking on Hetle's front door following an earlier argument)

Hetle and Prather feuded for three years before things turned deadly on March 4, 2020 (Pictured: Hetle fired seven shots in six seconds killing Prather)

Hetle claimed that Prather was killed in self-defense but the jury did not agree (Pictured: Hetle pointed his gun and threatened Prather's wife Janelle when she tried to check on her husband)

Fairfax County prosecutor Joe Martin shared in court that Hetle sent an email to the neighborhood association warning that his feud with Prather could 'result in tragedy.'

On March 4, 2020, Hetle fired seven shots in six seconds, murdering his neighbor with whom he shares a wall as nearby residents and the victim's wife watched in shock.

Prosecutors said that Hetle was upset that the homeowners association and police had not done more to act on his complaints about Prather.

Video footage recorded on Hetle's Ring doorbell camera captured the deadly encounter.

Prather is seen knocking on Hetle's front door. Hetle claimed that Prather knocked on the door so violently that the door was forced open.

'It was this look of pure rage,' Hetle said in court when describing Prather's face before he opened fire. 'His eyes were wide and bloodshot.'

The former police officer is then seen coming outside and firing seven shots without saying a word.

Hetle is recorded firing four shots at point-blank range, two shots in Prather's back as he runs away and falls down the front steps, and then the final shot as Prather lays in Hetle's driveway.

Prather's wife Janelle is then seen rushing over to her husband as Hetle aims his gun at her threatening: 'You want it too?'

As she yells about calling the police as she tries to get to her husband's body he continues shouting: 'You get the f**k out of here,' 'Get out,' 'Get away.'

Prather (pictured) was a National Guardsman. Hetle was a NASA executive and former cop

Hetle sent an email to his neighborhood association warning that his feud with Prather could 'result in tragedy' on the day of the deadly incident

Hetle and Prather lived next door to each other in Springfield, Virginia sharing a wall

Prather's wife eventually ignores the threats and works up the courage to drag her husband's body into their yard.

One of Prather's relatives was overcome with emotion when the disturbing clip was played in court and began sobbing uncontrollably.

Fairfax County prosecutor Lyle Burnham referred to the shooting as an execution during his closing statement.

He said: 'He didn't want Javon hurt. He didn't want Javon to leave. He wanted Javon dead.'

The neighbors feud began in 2017 when Hetle claims that Prather used his hose after he had denied him permission to use it to clean his car.

Things escalated over the next three years with Hetle even filing a restraining order against Prather's wife after she allegedly threw items at his house and car.

Hetle complained to police about his neighbors several times. In other video evidence shown in court, Prather is seen yelling from his porch as police officers walk out of Hetle's home.

Prather's wife insist that the conflict between Hetle, a white man, and Prather, a bi-racial man, was racially motivated as testimony revealed that Hetle often referred to his neighbor using a racial slur.

Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano agreed that he believes race played a role in the shooting.

'Mr. Prather served in the Maryland National Guard and had a bright future ahead of him,' Descano said. 'He should be with his family and community today.'

At the time of the shooting, Hetle worked as an executive officer to the associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

He previously worked for the Bellevue Police Department, until his resignation in 2003, and had been involved in two fatal in-the-line-of-duty shootings.

In 2001, he shot dead an unarmed Latino man during a domestic violence call, and in 2000 he shot and killed an armed bank robbery suspect, the Washington Post reported.

Hetle was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in both cases, but the family of the unarmed Latino man filed a civil suit against him and the city. The family later settled the suit for $75,000.
Early this year, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion in fines and settle a criminal charge over claims they defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX

The 737 MAX jets had two deadly crashes within months, killing 346 people

Boeing admitted in a settlement that unnamed employees conspired to defraud the FAA about 737 MAX training issues

Forkner, 49, was charged with two counts of fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce and four counts of wire fraud

He said if the government takes this case to court, 'the truth will show that Mark did not cause this tragedy'

Boeing pilot Mark Forkner's lawyer David Gerger called his client a 'scapegoat' in the 'search for truth'

The lawyer for Boeing's former top pilot has said his client is being made a 'scapegoat' for the failings of the 737MAX jet after he was criminally indicted on Thursday on charges of deceiving safety regulators who were evaluating the plane, which was later involved in two deadly crashes.

Mark A. Forkner, 49, was Boeing's former top pilot who was involved in testing the 737 Max jetliner and was accused of giving the FAA incomplete information with lead to the deaths of hundreds.

His lawyer David Gerger said Forkner is being made a 'scapegoat'.

'This tragedy deserves a search for the truth  not a search for a scapegoat,' he told DailyMail.com. 'If the government takes this case to trial, the truth will show that Mark did not cause this tragedy, he did not lie, and he should not be charged.'

He is the first person to be charged with a crime in connection with the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which together killed 346 people. Families of passengers have called for more prosecutions.

The indictment accuses Forkner of giving the Federal Aviation Administration false and incomplete information about an automated flight-control system that played a role in the crashes. He is facing six counts of fraud.

On Friday, Forkner pleaded not guilty as he made his first appearance in federal court in Fort Worth. A magistrate set trial has been set for for November 15.

In January, Boeing agreed to a $243 million fine as part of a $2.5 billion settlement with the Justice Department. The government agreed not to prosecute Boeing for conspiracy if it lives up to terms of the settlement for three years.

Mark Forkner (left), Boeing's former chief technical pilot for the MAX, was charged with two counts of fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce and four counts of wire fraud after deceiving safety regulators and giving incomplete information about flight-control system that caused two deadly 737 Boeing MAX crashes. Forkner's lawyer David Gerger (right) said his client was being made a 'scapegoat'

Gerger is now calling on former employees of Boeing, FAA, or airlines to come forward with the truth.

'To those of you who know the truth  you may have worked at Boeing or the FAA or an airline  now is the time to help the truth come out.,' he said in an email to DailyMail.com.

'Help us make Mark's trial a search for truth, not a search for a scapegoat.'

Nadia Milleron, whose daughter was killed in the Ethiopian crash in March 2019, said: 'Forkner is just a fall guy. He and Boeing are responsible for the deaths of everyone who died in the Max crashes.

'The executives and board of directors of Boeing need to go to jail.'

Milleron is among relatives suing the company in federal court in Chicago, where Boeing is based.

Forkner was Boeing's 737 MAX chief technical pilot during the plane's development.

Prosecutors said that because of Forkner's 'alleged deception,' the system was not mentioned in key FAA documents, pilot manuals or pilot-training material supplied to airlines.

The flight-control system automatically pushed down the noses of 737 Max jets that crashed in 2018 in Indonesia, and in 2019 in Ethiopia.

On October 29, 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew.

It was the first major accident involving the new Boeing 737 MAX series of aircraft, introduced in 2017, and the highest death toll of any accident or incident involving the entire Boeing 737 series.

Five months later, on March 10, 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which operated Ethiopian flight 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard. It is Ethiopian Airlines' deadliest accident to date.

Wreckage is piled at the crash scene of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 near Bishoftu, Ethiopia

The flight-control system automatically pushed down the nose of the 737 Max, including the Lion Air jet (pictured) which crashed on October 29 2018, killing 189

Most pilots were unaware of the system, called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, until after the first crash.

'He deprived airlines and pilots from knowing crucial information about an important part of the airplane's flight controls,' Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. said in a statement.

Forkner was charged with two counts of fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce and four counts of wire fraud.

Federal prosecutors said he is expected to make his first appearance in court on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas. If convicted on all counts, he could face a sentence of up to 100 years in prison.

Boeing designed the Max to be a more fuel-efficient version of the venerable 737 that could compete with a plane developed by European rival Airbus.

The flight-control system was meant to make the Max fly like previous 737s despite a tendency for the nose to tilt upward under some circumstances.

Congressional investigators have suggested that Forkner and Boeing downplayed the power of the system to avoid a requirement that pilots undergo extensive and expensive retraining, which would increase airlines' costs to operate the plane.

''This inexcusable type of corporate greed goes far beyond the chief pilot at the company that haphazardly made these aircraft in an effort to increase profits,' Robert A. Clifford, lead counsel on the Ethiopia crash, told Law and Crime.

Chad Meacham, acting U.S. attorney for the northern district of Texas, said Forkner tried to save Boeing money by withholding 'critical information' from regulators.

Forkner was Boeing's 737 MAX chief technical pilot during plane's development

'His callous choice to mislead the FAA hampered the agency's ability to protect the flying public and left pilots in the lurch, lacking information about certain 737 MAX flight controls,' Meacham said in a statement.

Forkner's attorney David Gerger has previously said that his client would never intentionally hide a safety issue.

'Mark flew the MAX. His Air Force buddies flew the MAX. He would never put himself, his friends or any passenger in an unsafe plane,' Gerger told the Wall Street Journal in 2019.

The messages appeared to have been the first publicly known observations that the crucial MCAS anti-stall system behaved erratically during testing before the aircraft entered service.

Malfunctions with the MCAS system, complicated by inadequate training, were implicated in the fatal crashes of Lion Air 610 in 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines 302 just months later.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX airliner is pictured at its Renton factory in April of last year. The pane resumed service last year after being grounded for 20 months following the two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019

The comments by Forkner in internal messages were among those pinpointed by U.S. lawmakers in hearings in Washington as evidence that Boeing knew about problems with flight control software.

Forkner persuaded regulators to approve excluding details of the new MCAS flight-control system from the 737 MAX's pilot manuals, according to a U.S. House investigation.

Boeing benefited from the exclusion, because it reduced the mandatory new training for pilots who had flown older models of the 737, making the upgraded jet more attractive to potential airline customers.

The MCAS, which kicks in automatically in some flight conditions, is intended to push the nose of the plane down to compensate for a tendency of MAX planes to pitch up due to larger engines.

Investigators believe that when it malfunctioned on the fatal flights, the pilots did not realize that the MCAS was pushing the noses of the planes down, and thus didn't take steps to disable it.

Prosecutors are also reportedly looking at another former Boeing pilot, Patrik Gustavsson, in their criminal probe.

Forkner left Boeing in 2018 to work for Southwest Airlines, where he worked until last year.

Early this year, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion in fines and settle a criminal charge over claims they defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX. Soon after the two crashes in 2019, the plane manufacturing company fired its chief executive at the time, Dennis Muilenburg.

The two crashes severely hurt Boeing's reputation and its relationships with airlines, regulators and policymakers. The plane manufacturing company soon fired its chief executive officer after the two crashes and the scandal has cost it billions of dollars in damages

The settlement attempted to pin the blame on a handful of rogue employees, stating that the misconduct was 'neither pervasive across the organization, nor undertaken by a large number of employees, nor facilitated by senior management.'

Then in May Boeing also agreed to pay a $17 million fine and improve its supply chain and production practices after installing unapproved equipment on hundreds of planes.

Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft were only cleared to return to the skies in late 2020, and the firm has also suffered from the collapse of the travel industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Mean girl' Melissa DeRosa, Andrew Cuomo's former top aide, has confirmed her split from her husband after a trying year in which she attempted to defend the disgraced governor from sexual harassment allegations and helped cover up the true death toll at New York nursing homes.

DeRosa, 39, said she and Uber executive Matthew Wing recently split and will put their $2.59million Brooklyn Heights home up for sale after living apart for a year following what she called an 'emotionally and mentally trying' two years.

The estranged couple already appear to be living separate lives. DeRosa rang in her birthday last month with a sexy selfie she posted to Twitter captioned: 'Ok 39, let's do this' and 'has been staying at her sister's house in Cape Cod' since resigning her position in August, sources told the New York Post.

She has reportedly been looking to move back to Manhattan and has her eye on New York's Greenwich Village after an eventful last few years.

The pair met in 2013 while working in Cuomo's communications office. She rose to become Cuomo's most trusted aide and was a fixture at his Emmy-winning daily Covid-19 press briefings.

But behind the scenes, she worked to to limit the damage of sexual harassment allegations by 11 women against the three-term governor, according to a report published by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo's former aide and fiercest defender Melissa DeRosa has confirmed her split from her Uber executive husband Matthew Wing (pictured together left and right) after five years of marriage as the pair's swanky NYC apartment hits the market for $2.59million

DeRosa served as Secretary to the Governor of the State of New York - the most powerful appointed official in the state. She was by Cuomo's side at virtually all his daily press conferences on the Covid-19 pandemic that captured the nation's attention

DeRosa rang in her birthday last month with a sexy selfie she posted to Twitter from her sister's house (left and right with sister Jessica Davos) in Cape Cod captioned: 'Ok 39, let's do this'

In efforts to diffuse another scandal, she later admitted Cuomo's administration had downplayed the number of nursing home Covid deaths.

Her closeness to Cuomo, 63, was evident at a dinner they had together in September 2016, less than two weeks after she married Wing.

Photos obtained by DailyMail.com showed the couple seated closely in a booth at Knickerbocker Bar & Grill on September 8, 2016, where DeRosa smiled and flashed her brand-new wedding ring.

Despite the photos of the pair cozied up at dinner and the intense pressures of scandal, DeRosa and her soon-to-be ex-husband are blaming Covid for the breakdown of their marriage, the Post reported.

'They simply grew apart, and they have been living apart for a year,' a friend told the Post.

'Their marriage broke down over time, and it was exacerbated during Covid, when they wound up in separate places.  Melissa spent time in Albany, and Matt works for Uber and spent some time in San Francisco,' the source added.

DeRosa has reportedly been looking to move back to Manhattan after a 'never ending summer' in Cape Cod and has her eye on the Greenwich Village neighborhood

On August 8 - less than a week after James's damning report - DeRosa resigned from her $200,000-plus-a-year post as Cuomo's most powerful aide, saying 'the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying'.

A day later she made a hush-hush, dressed-down visit to the New York Governor's mansion in the hours between her resignation and his. Cuomo's office director Stephanie Benton picked DeRosa up from her parents' home and drove her to the mansion, where she stayed for four hours.

Sources said DeRosa quit because she realized the governor - who had previously steadfastly refused to resign - had no future in the job following the sex pest scandal. She was reportedly no longer willing to stand up for him in public.

'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of New York for the past 10 years,' DeRosa said in a statement.

'New Yorkers' resilience, strength and optimism through the most difficult times has inspired me every day... I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues,' she added.

Tellingly, DeRosa's statement did not make a single reference to Cuomo in her resignation statement.

Following their split the pair has put their three-bedroom, two-bathroom Brooklyn Heights duplex on the market for $2.59million

The couple purchased the Brooklyn Heights home for $2.2million shortly after marrying in 2016

'The Brooklyn house was often empty. But they remain friends,' a source said of the pair's Brooklyn home, which is now up for grabs

DeRosa and her husband reportedly did not spend any time in their Brooklyn duplex (pictured)

Despite the intense pressures of scandal, DeRosa and her soon-to-be ex-husband are blaming Covid for the breakdown of their marriage but said in a joint statement: 'Despite the fact that this chapter in our lives is ending, we are and always will be very close friends'

Cuomo resigned in New York City two weeks later and DeRosa, in her final act of loyalty, was seen leaving with Cuomo and his two daughters.

Months later DeRosa and Wing confirmed rumors of their divorce in a joint statement that read: 'Despite the fact that this chapter in our lives is ending, we are and always will be very close friends.'

Following their split the pair has put their three-bedroom, two-bathroom Brooklyn Heights duplex on the market for $2.59million, which they purchased for $2.2million shortly after marrying in 2016, the Post reported.

'The Brooklyn house was often empty. But they remain friends,' a source told the Post.

The couple began discussing divorce in the late spring after 'they decided that the marriage had run its course,' and they worked out an agreement over the summer. There are currently no online court records indicating a divorce filing in New York state, the Post reported.

In the meantime the couple is still living apart and DeRosa appears to be spending lots of time with family while cooped up at her sister's Cape Cod home. It's unclear where Wing has been living or if he is still in California.

Yet the couple has been sure to lawyer up. DeRosa is being represented by famed lawyer Robert S Cohen - who has represented Melinda Gates - and Wing is being represented by lawyer Sheila Riesel - who has appeared before the US Supreme Court three times, the Post reported.

DailyMail.com spotted a dressed down Melissa DeRosa visiting the Governor's mansion less than 24 hours after she quit as Cuomo's top aide

A day after DeRosa's resignation Cuomo was joined by two of his daughters Michaela, 23, and Mariah, 26 (center), and DeRosa (far left)

The news of the divorce comes after DeRosa's former boss resigned from office in August following revelations about his alleged sexual harassment and criticism about the way he insisted - in the early months of the pandemic - that Covid-positive nursing home residents must be allowed to return to the homes once they had recovered.

DeRosa admits to covering up Cuomo's darkest Covid secrets In a remarkable confession made during a conference call with New York state Democrats, DeRosa admitted that the Cuomo administration his damning information about deaths among nursing home patients, amid fears that it would be used against them in an investigation. DeRosa revealed that officials 'froze' in August when former President Donald Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ) asked for the data, before rebuffing the request. Cuomo's top aide told lawmakers: 'We were in a position where we weren't sure if what we were going to give to the Department of Justice, or what we give to you guys, what we start saying, was going to be used against us while we weren't sure if there was going to be an investigation.' The data remained secret for months until January, when New York Attorney General Letitia James's office published a bombshell report saying that the state had undercounted the number of nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent. It forced New York States Department of Health to reveal that the true death toll among nursing home residents was 12,743, rather than the previously acknowledged 8,711. New York had only counted residents who died in nursing homes, leaving out 4,000 residents who were taken to hospital and died there. DeRosa's shocking admission came shortly before the Associated Press revealed that more than 9,000 patients were sent back to nursing homes - a figure 40 percent higher than official data. Neither Cuomo nor his office have issued a statement acknowledging DeRosa's bombshell admission, despite calls from local lawmakers for a public apology. Advertisement

DeRosa quit less than a week after New York Attorney General Letitia James  like Cuomo, a Democrat  issued a damning 168-page report detailing the governor's abusive behavior, involving 11 women.

Cuomo has strongly denied that he ever touched anyone inappropriately but he acknowledged hugging and kissing female aides and other women and has painted James's report as politically motivated.

James is likely to run for governor in 2022.

Meanwhile, DeRosa was uniquely unpopular among Cuomo's close aides. 'The only person with more enemies than Andy is Melissa,' one source close to the governor told the New York Post.

Another said: 'She is a ruthless, heartless, evil human being who will rip your heart out in order to get what she wants.'

Earlier this year, when DailyMail.com published exclusive pictures of Cuomo and DeRosa getting cozy as they dined at the Knickerbocker Bar and Grill in Manhattan, Cuomo was still living with his then-girlfriend and celebrity chef Sandra Lee.

They showed him leaning in close to DeRosa after a third member of their party had left.

'When they sat back down again, it was different body language,' said one witness, describing the time after the third diner had left.

'Before, it was a very formal business dinner and then all of a sudden they got much closer, she turned toward him and her legs were very close to his under the table.

'He was quite brazen about it. It was all in public view in a restaurant,' a second witness said.

At the time DeRosa angrily denied she had anything more than a professional relationship with Cuomo.

'There have been misogynistic rumors in Albany and in government for years but I never thought I'd have to respond to them in the press,' she said in a statement.

'The Governor and I have never had an intimate relationship. The Governor and I have been close friends and colleagues for over ten years - we've had countless meals together and suggestions or innuendo around that is inappropriate, offensive and wrong.'

DeRosa was seen with Cuomo last May (pictured). She reportedly felt he had no path to remain in office after New York General Attorney Letitia James's damaging report concluded he sexually harassed 11 women

'She'll rip your heart out': How DeRosa worked to limit allegations by Cuomo's sexual assault accusers New York General Attorney Letitia James published a bombshell report in August detailing how DeRosa worked to discredit several of the women who accused the former governor of sexual assault. DeRosa (pictured), the secretary to the governor, fiercely defended Cuomo as 11 women accused the former governor of sexual harassment The document concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women and DeRosa immediately felt the heat from the report as she became a target of criticism. Former colleagues ripped her as a 'ruthless, heartless, evil human being'. In the spring, before James published the 168-page document, DeRosa played a key role in limiting the damage of the sexual assault allegations. James revealed that she and other top aides dragged their feet when Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old health policy adviser, reported Cuomo's deeply uncomfortable probing of her sexual history and previous abuse. Instead they should immediately, under state law, have passed Bennett's complaints to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations. After Bennett came forward with her allegations, the Executive Chamber instituted 'changes in staffing' so that 'they would avoid situations where the Governor might be seen as being in a compromising situation with any woman'. The former Executive Chamber said of DeRosa: 'She doesn't have time for niceties (and) will rip your heart out in order to get what she wants.' DeRosa was reportedly furious with Cuomo for his behavior towards Bennett. While at a traffic light DeRosa berated her boss, saying: 'I can't believe that this happened. I can't believe you put yourself in a situation where you would be having any version of this conversation,' before getting out of the stopped car. Charlotte Bennett (left), a 25-year-old health policy adviser, reported Cuomo's deeply uncomfortable probing of her sexual history and previous abuse but DeRosa and her team dragged their feet instead of immediately passing Bennett's complaints to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations In 2020 Lindsey Boylan, a former state economic development official, began tweeting allusion to harassment from the sex pest. Yet she would not make a full, public allegation until March of this year, which is when DeRosa released Boylan's personnel record to certain media outlets. DeRosa even admitted that she made the move to discredit Boylan when speaking to James's team, and said that she made the decision because Boylan's tweets about the governor - including that he was 'one of the biggest abusers of all time' - became 'more and more escalating,' the report stated. Former aide Josh Vlasto told the investigators that if DeRosa decided to leak the files it was 'safe to say' the move 'was consistent with what the Governor wanted or had been discussed with him and he approved it'. A current aide - who has since accused Cuomo of groping her - told James's team she saw DeRosa's efforts to discredit Boylan for herself. The report said DeRosa called the former official 'crazy' and accused her of having a political agenda. DeRosa also played a part in circulating a proposed op-ed, originally drafted by Cuomo, that contained 'personal and professional attacks' on Boylan, and later sharing it with current and former Executive Chamber employees. Lindsey Boylan (pictured) said Cuomo made inappropriate comments towards her and physically touched her on various parts of her body and a current aide confirmed to James's team that DeRosa worked to discredit Boylan 'The draft letter or op-ed attacking Ms Boylan - particularly when combined with the release of the confidential internal records to the press - constitutes retaliation,' the investigators wrote. Another former employee was asked by DeRosa to call a current staff member - known as 'Kaitlin', who also accused Cuomo of harassment - and record the call, asking if she was working with Boylan or if she 'had her own allegations against the Governor or was talking to reporters'. And when a state trooper made allegations against Cuomo, DeRosa - who served as Cuomo's Chairwoman of the New York State Council on Women & Girls - tried to bury them and convince a newspaper editor not to publish them. When a reporter from The Albany Times-Union called requesting comment on the state trooper's allegations, DeRosa yelled at the newspaper's editor shouting: 'You guys are trying to reduce her hiring to being about looks. That's what men do.' Advertisement
Former New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss has confronted CNN's Brian Stelter after he suggested a controversial column by a Republican senator that she published 'endangered lives'.

Weiss appeared on Stelter's media podcast, Reliable Sources, and said she was still angry at the revolt against the June 2020 column, where Senator Tom Cotton said Donald Trump should send in the military to quell George Floyd protests.

Weiss resigned from the paper weeks after the column was published amid an outcry by liberal activists and after more than 1,000 Times staffers signed a letter protesting the publication.

The Times later said it had been wrong to publish the column and blamed a 'significant breakdown in our editing processes'. Weiss blasted the paper for 'living in total fear of an internet mob'.

She now runs her own newsletter, on Substack.

Appearing on Stelter's podcast on Thursday, Weiss said that it would take 'an epidemic of courage' to allow open debate within The New York Times.

She asked the host: 'Do you believe, Brian, that an op-ed can literally put people's lives in danger?.

'Do you believe that that op-ed put people's lives in danger?'

Bari Weiss (left) appeared on Brian Stelter's podcast on Thursday and discussed the future of the media, plus her thoughts on the June 2020 op ed by Tom Cotton that ultimately led to her departure from The New York Times

A furious internal backlash followed the controversial June 2020 op-ed from Senator Tom Cotton (above)

'If 1,000 journalists said 'No, it is wrong that New York Times editors were fired over an op-ed by a Republican senator, that's insanity, that's craziness,' she said.

'If 1,000 people stood up and said that rather than 1,000 people in the case of Tom Cotton signing a letter saying their life was in danger, the whole news media would be different.

'It's really about people standing up, saying no to the mob, saying yes to free speech and yes to openness to debate, and showing that in doing that, they can not just survive the mob but also come out on the other side of it.'

Stelter said that he believed The New York Times should allow those offended by the content to speak out.

'Doesn't there need to be room for the people who feel like the op-ed did endanger their lives?' he asked Weiss.

'It doesn't mean there needs to be capitulation, but their voices should be heard, too.'

Weiss replied: 'Anyone can feel anything. Do you believe that that op-ed put people's lives in danger?'

She added: 'I don't think that op-ed did, and one of the reasons I'm interested in what you do is the idea that everything is problematic, that everything is hostile.

'These words have been weaponized in order to be used against people in ways that I feel and I fear.'

The op-ed, titled 'Send in the Troops', called for federal troops to respond if there was violent rioting in major U.S. cities.

Times publisher A. G. Sulzberger initially stood behind the decision to publish the piece, but the paper's leadership buckled in the wake of Twitter backlash, much of it led by the paper's own employees.

Many Times employees tweeted that running Cotton's essay put 'black lives in danger,' including the lives of black reporters.

Then Weiss resigned, citing 'constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views.'

Weiss has described herself as a 'left-wing centrist', but her writing often critiques the perceived excesses of the left, and speaks out against 'woke' cancel culture.

'Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor,' Weiss wrote in a furious public resignation letter.

'As the ethics and mores of that platform have become those of the paper, the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space.'

Cotton's op-ed was eviscerated on Twitter by the New York Times community and many readers declared their intent to stop reading the publication altogether

Weiss, in her resignation letter, said her opinions had resulted in her being bullied by coworkers.

She described the Times as a 'hostile work environment' and criticized management for allowing her coworkers to 'publicly smear' her on Twitter and also on company-wide Slack messaging channels.

Weiss said some employees would post an axe emoji next to her name on company Slack channels and others would discuss the need for her to 'rooted out' if the NYT was 'truly inclusive'.

James Bennet left the Times Opinion section last summer following intense criticism from colleagues over various controversies

'My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I'm 'writing about the Jews again',' Weiss wrote in her resignation letter.

'Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in.

'There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly 'inclusive' one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.'

She went on to describe that behavior as unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment and constructive discharge.

'I do not understand how you have allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper's entire staff and the public.

'And I certainly can't square how you and other Times leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage,' she wrote.

Weiss's Substack is now attracting widespread attention for its focus on cancel culture, transgender issues and freedom of speech, among other contentious issues.
Boeing employees are reportedly planning a weekly 'sickout Fridays' protest against a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The aerospace giant said on Tuesday it will require its 125,000 US employees to be vaccinated by December 8 under an executive order issued by President Joe Biden for federal contractors.

'Compliance with these requirements is a condition of employment,' states a Boeing internal presentation from Tuesday viewed by reporters. 'Employees who are unable to meet these requirements ... may be released from the company.'

Employees can request exemptions 'due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief.' Any employee granted such an exemption will have to 'undergo frequent testing for COVID-19' and be ready to 'present a negative test result upon request.'

The policy will apply to roughly 125,000 U.S.-based employees company-wide, with about 57,000 of those in Washington state.

But the move has sparked outrage from some staffers, with protesters who claimed to work for Boeing seen in front of the manufacturer's factory in Everett, Washington.

There there are now reports of a 'Sickout Fridays' protest by staff.

Journalist Jack Posobiec tweeted pictures of texts and flyers he said he had received from a Boeing employee in Seattle calling for workers to walk out once a week.

'Boeing has acted in bad faith and new [sic] months ago the[y] we're going to mandate us at the end of the year,' the text reads.

'They are now leading the world to believe we have ample time to make a decision by Dec 8th. That's a lie.'

'We are protesting at the union and we are now doing the #Freedomflu.'

It is not clear if any Boeing staff actually called out sick yesterday.

Some Boeing employees appear to be planning a weekly protest against the airline giant's new COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Journalists have posted videos of people picketing in front of Boeing's Washington state factories and now there are reports of a new 'Sickout Fridays' in an attempt to buck the mandate

They're also known as #FreedomFlu Sickouts, as explained by one person who contacted a journalist about the protest

Jon Holden, president of International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751, in his message to members in the October issue of the union paper, wrote that 'the reality is our members are polarized on this issue.'

The Machinist Union released a statement on Friday, acknowledging that the mandate is a divisive issue for its members, asking employees to choose 'between beliefs or their jobs.' The mandate does not allow for a testing option, unless approved for medical or religious exemption.

'We are not anti-vaccine, but we disagree with a vaccine mandate. We don't believe that is right,' the union wrote in its memo.

The union says it'll begin bargaining the effects of the decision with Boeing beginning on Friday.

Protesters were seen in front of Boeing's Washington state factory

Boeing said on Tuesday it will require its 125,000 US employees to be vaccinated by Dec. 8 under an executive order issued by President Joe Biden for federal contractors

'Compliance with these requirements is a condition of employment,' states a Boeing internal presentation from Tuesday viewed by reporters

NOW: Hundreds of @Boeing workers in Washington state are out protesting the vaccine mandate outside the factory.



They told me they are not complying. pic.twitter.com/YcX6WmLS8s  Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) October 15, 2021

President Joe Biden in September ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans  private-sector employees as well as health care workers and federal contractors  in an all-out effort to curb the surging COVID-19 delta variant.

At the time, Biden sharply criticized the tens of millions of Americans who are not yet vaccinated, despite months of availability and incentives.

'We've been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us,' he said, all but biting off his words. The unvaccinated minority 'can cause a lot of damage, and they are.'

Republican leaders  and some union chiefs, too  said Biden was going too far in trying to muscle private companies and workers, a certain sign of legal challenges to come.

Companies applying the mandates to their employees include Amtrak, BlackRock, Cisco, Citigroup, CVS, Deloitte, Delta DoorDash, Equinox, Facebook, Ford, Goldman Sachs, Google, Lyft, McDonald's, MGM, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, NBCUniversal, Netflix, The New York Times, Twitter, Tyson Foods, Uber, United Airlines, Viacom, Walgrenes, the Walt Disney Company, Walmart and the Washington Post.

President Joe Biden in September ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans in September
A search by police in Florida that has lasted for a month ramped up in intensity on Friday with officers searching swampland armed with rifles in an area where it is believed Brian Laundrie may be hiding.

The search for Laundrie in the swampland began in September, but for the first time police crime scene tape was erected around the site, an area known as Carlton Reserve.

The reserve is where the 23-year-old fugitive is believed to have begun a solo hike, according to Laundrie's parents.

FBI and local search and rescue teams have been combing the swampy, alligator-infested region near the Laundrie family's home in North Port, Florida in hopes of finding him.

North Port Police in are searching swampland in an area where it is believed Brian Laundrie may be hiding

The search for Laundrie in the swampland began close to a month ago but there appeared to be a renewed sense of urgency around the site on Friday

Police get their van stuck while still searching for Brian Laundrie on Friday

The search began in an area known as Carlton Reserve where the 23-year-old fugitive is believed to have begun a solo hike, according to Laundrie's parents.

The FBI and local search and rescue teams have been combing a swampy, alligator-infested region near the Laundrie family's home in North Port, Florida

Officers were seen carrying rifles as they made their way into the swampland

At one stage, one of the vans belonging to police appeared to get stuck in the mud

North Port police are working together with several other law enforcement agencies  including the FBI, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sarasota County Sheriffs Office, Sarasota Police Department, Venice Police Department and K9 search and rescue teams.

Officers were seen carrying rifles into a wooded area with North Port Police Department telling one eyewitness that it was all part of a 'training and searching' activity that also involved the FBI.

The search for Laundrie has continued for more than one month

Officers were seen carrying rifles into a wooded area with North Port Police Department telling one eyewitness that it was all part of a 'training and searching' activity that also involved the FBI

Officers had to use all their might in order to free a van which had become stuck in the mud

The search for Laundrie is involving officers from across a range of law enforcement agencies

For the first time on Friday, police crime scene tape was erected around the site

There was a large law enforcement presence on Friday at the Sarasota County nature reserve where the search for Brian Laundrie has been focused

During the afternoon, officers were seen carrying large rifles into a wooded area of the reserve

Also on Friday, Laundrie's father Chris could be seen setting up a new Ring doorbell camera to the front porch of his home.

He decided to fit the device following disturbances earlier in the week when supposed protesters attempted to confront Chris and his wife Roberta by banging on the door of their home, demanding that the couple 'speak up soon'.

Last weekend, some people also demonstrated outside of the couple's home in the hope the Laundrie's might speak.

On Thursday, federal and local authorities were aided by the services of a cadaver dog, K9 Diesel, a cadaver dog belonging to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, whose headquarters sit about a 90-minute drive from the search.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said that the agency is the only one with a dog trained to sniff out human remains.

K9 Diesel is a three-year-old Labrador Retriever who is certified in human remains detection. He began working for PCSO in July 2019.

Brian Laundrie's father, Chris, would be seen collecting the mail from outside his home Friday

Brian Laundrie's father refused to answer questions from gathered press as he walked on by

Christopher Laundrie could then be seen affixing a Ring doorbell camera to the front of his home

Chris Laundrie could be seen testing out their new Ring doorbell camera after protesters were also at the the home earlier in the week attempting to confront him and his wife Roberta

K9 Diesel, a cadaver dog provided by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, will aid in the search for Brian Laundrie

FBI and local search and rescue teams have been combing a swampy, alligator-infested region near the Laundrie family's home in North Port, Florida in hopes of finding Laundrie (seen left with slain fiancee Gabby Petito)

K9 Diesel is a three-year-old Labrador Retriever who is certified in human remains detection. He began working for PCSO in July 2019

The image above shows K9 Diesel joining in the search at the Carlton Reserve on Thursday

K9 Diesel is the only K9 integrated with PSO's Forensics Unit full time and is one of the only forensics-integrated K9s in the country.

That means that whatever K9 Diesel finds is preserved immediately since there is no need to wait for a forensics team to arrive at the scene to process evidence.

'We have sent the HRD (human remains detection) K9s a few times and patrol K9s (who are also trained to track those who are missing) a few times,' a PCSO spokesperson told WFLA-TV.

'For more insight, we're one of the only law enforcement agencies in Florida that have HRD K9s in house, so we're often requested to assist in that aspect across the state.'

Wednesday marked one month since Laundrie's parents told authorities that they last saw their son alive. Laundrie was reported missing on September 17.

According to his parents, Laundrie went for a hike in the Carlton Reserve area on September 14.

Meanwhile, several law enforcement vehicles were spotted at one of the entrances to Carlton Reserve on Thursday

The day before he went missing, law enforcement officials said they considered him to be a person of interest in the disappearance of Gabby Petito.

On Tuesday, a Wyoming coroner announced the 'van life' girl who traveled with Laundrie on a cross-country trip that they documented on social media, died after being strangled.

Petito, 22, died three to four weeks before her body was found September 19 near an undeveloped camping area along the border of Grand Teton National Park in remote northern Wyoming, Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue said in a news conference.

Blue declined to say more about the autopsy or the case overall, saying he was prevented by Wyoming law that limits what coroners can release.

Petito had been on a cross-country trip with Laundrie, visiting Colorado, Utah and other states. She was reported missing September 11 by her parents after she did not respond to calls and texts for several days while the couple visited national parks in the West.

Blue previously classified Petito's death as a homicide  meaning her death was caused by another person  but had not disclosed how she was killed pending further autopsy results.

A 'detailed analysis' led to his conclusion Petito was strangled, Blue said. 'Nothing is obvious in a case like this,' he said.

Blue said little more about Petito's physical condition - including whether she may have been strangled directly by somebody's hands, a rope or some other item - but noted when asked that she wasn't pregnant.

The three to four weeks her body was believed to be in the wilderness, however, put her death around the August 27-30 period investigators believe Petito and Laundrie had traveled to the area.

Petito's case has led to renewed calls for people to pay greater attention to cases involving missing Indigenous women and other people of color, with some commentators describing the intense coverage of her disappearance as 'missing white woman syndrome.'

Wednesday marked one month since Laundrie's parents told authorities that they last saw their son alive. Laundrie was reported missing on September 17

The search for Laundrie has generated a frenzy, with TV personalities like Duane Chapman - known as Dog the Bounty Hunter - and longtime America's Most Wanted host John Walsh working to track him down.

Petito and Laundrie posted online about their trip in a white Ford Transit van converted into a camper.

They got into a physical altercation on August 12 in Moab, Utah, that led to a police stop, which ended with police deciding to separate the quarreling couple for the night.

No charges were filed, and no serious injuries were reported.

Investigators have searched for Laundrie in Florida and also searched his parents' home in North Port, about 35 miles south of Sarasota.

Federal officials in Wyoming last month charged Laundrie with unauthorized use of a debit card, alleging he used a Capital One Bank card and someone's personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000 during the period in which Petito went missing.

They did not say to whom the card belonged.

Asked about the coroner's determination, the attorney for the Laundrie family, Steven Bertolino, in a statement noted his client only faces the fraud charge in the case.

'At this time Brian is still missing and when he is located we will address the fraud charge pending against him,' Bertolino said.
An emergency was sparked at a Canberra shopping centre over fears of a gas leak, but it turned out to just be a smelly piece of fruit.

Firefighters were called to Dickson Shops in Canberras inner north on Friday just before midday to investigate reports of a gas leak.

An exclusion zone wasnt established, but the community was asked to avoid the area while firefighters determined the source of the leak.

Firefighters were called to Dickson Shops in Canberras inner north on Friday just before midday to investigate reports of a gas leak

An exclusion zone wasnt established, but the community was asked to avoid the area while firefighters determined the source of the leak

However, after an hour at the scene, firefighters confirmed that there was no gas leak, but instead, a Durian fruit had caused the smell.

The owner of a tenancy above the shops advised firefighters of the potential source of the smell, and a short investigation determined the smelly fruit was the culprit.

Durian fruit is a tropical fruit commonly found across swaths of Asia and is known for its pungent smell, which can drift some distance.

Firefighter crews left the scene shortly after the origins of the smell were confirmed, and individuals were able to re-enter the shopping precinct.

The owner of a tenancy above the shops advised firefighters that the potential source of the smell was from a Durian fruit, which was later confirmed to be the culprit (stock image)

This isnt the first time Durian fruit has led to an evacuation amid fears of potential gas leaks.

In 2019, emergency services responded to reports of a strong smell of gas at a University of Canberra Library, causing the building to be evacuated.

Investigations later discovered the Durian fruit close to an air vent on the second level of the library, and it was taken away in a sealed bag.
An New York City woman has been found guilty of robbing a half-dozen homes of victims who were attending their spouses' funerals after finding her targets through obituaries on Legacy.com.

Latonia Stewart, 30, from the Bronx, was found guilty of six counts of robbery in a Westchester court on Thursday and could face more than 20 years in prison.

Stewart she broke into a half-dozen homes between Winter 2017 and Spring 2018.

The 'Funeral Burglar' now faces between 3 and 15 years in prison for each of the six counts after jurors only deliberated for two hours. She will be sentenced on November 22.

Stewart targeted mourners who had lost their spouses, using Legacy.com to find her victims.

'This defendant targeted these grieving people because she knew they wouldnt be home,' said Assistant District Attorney Stefanie DeNise in her closing argument.

According to the authorities, Stewart gained access into homes by smashing windows and glass doors using a mallet hammer she kept under the seat of her vehicle.

Latonia Stewart, 30, from the Bronx, was found guilty of six counts of robbery after she broke into a half-dozen homes between Winter 2017 to Spring 2018. The 'Funeral Burglar' now faces between 3.5 to 15 years in prison for each count after jurors only deliberated for two hours. She will be sentenced on November 22

She was arrested in May 2018 after police found her leaving a deceased person's home in Watch Hill. She was found with the obituary pulled up on her phone, as well as stolen property in her car and in her home

She attacked the home of her first victim in December 2017 before striking five more and stealing $40,000 in property, according to the New York Daily News.

She stole jewelry and other personal items from her victims.

'It is absolutely appalling that people mourning the loss of a loved one were specifically targeted and taken advantage of in such a cruel and heinous manner,' Westchester D.A. Miriam Rocah told the Daily News.

Stewart was linked to burglaries in Rye Brook, Cortlandt, Scarsdale, Irvington, Ossining, and Tarrytown - all towns close to New York City.

She also faces additional charges for home invasions in Greenwich, Connecticut, and in Carmel in Putnam County, New York.

She used Legacy.com to source her victims through their spouses' obituary and would strike while they were at the wake or the funeral, knowing they wouldn't be home

She was arrested in May 2018 after Greenburgh police officers waited outside a home of a recently deceased person on Watch Hill Drive and observed Stewart driving her Acura MDX on the Sprain Brook Parkway.

Stewart's baby was in the car at the time of her arrest.

'It's a despicable crime,' Greenburgh Police Chief Christopher McNerney told NBC New York at the time.

When police later searched her car and home in The Bronx, they allegedly recovered more stolen property and burglar's tools.
Melbourne has become the cheapest capital city in Australia to rent a home for the first time ever - and it's all thanks to its neverending lockdowns.

Melbourne's weekly median rent for houses now sits at $430, less than any other city and $10 less than the next cheapest Adelaide, according to a Domain report released on Thursday.

Unit rental prices are also the lowest coming in at an average of $375 per week.

As the Victorian city recently became the most locked down place in the world, Domain's Chief of Economics and Research Dr Nicola Powell said a 'mass exodus' had seen many Melburnians flee interstate or into regional areas.

'Tenants have grappled with the longest lockdown of any city in the world and that's really weighed on people's decisions about where they're going to live,' she told 7 News.

Melbourne has become the most affordable capital city to live in around Australia

Due to the city suffering six gruelling lockdowns, Melbourne saw a 'mass exodus' with residents fleeing interstate or into regional areas

'It's quite the title to have for Melbourne. What we're seeing is rapidly rising rents in other capital cities where Melbourne house rents have really remained steady.'

WEEKLY MEDIAN HOUSE RENTS FOR EACH CAPITAL CITY Sydney $580 Melbourne $430 Brisbane $460 Adelaide $440 Perth $450 Canberra $645 Darwin $620 Hobart $495 Advertisement

Surprisingly, rent prices for both units and houses are actually lower now than they were before the pandemic, where as rents in other capital cities have increased in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Properties closer to the inner city are even costing tenants the same as they would have a decade ago.

'When you have a look at inner-city unit rents, they are similar to what tenants are paying back in 2009 to 2010 - they are currently at $375 a week,' Dr Powell said.

Compared to March last year where rental prices soared, house rents are now $10 cheaper per week and units have decreased by $60, according to the Domain report.

Rents are cheapest the closer residents are to the city, with prices going up in suburbs with more space as families look to expand their homes.

Dr Powell said that over the past quarter unit rent prices have slightly gone up by $5 each week and urged tenants to get in now if they wanted a good deal.

Meanwhile, for houses and units outside of the Melbourne's inner city such as in regional areas or the Mornington Peninsula, prices have gone up.

Dr Powell said 'record highs' have been seen in these areas and in the outer-eastern suburbs which she guesses could be down to tenants wanting a second home to escape to during lockdown.
The NYPD's hate crime unit is hunting for a woman who poured gasoline on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn and set it alight, as New York City's crimewave continues.

The incident took place Thursday night at around 7:27 pm, according to police. They received a call for an arson incident outside the Yeshiva of Flatbush on Avenue J.

A Yeshiva is a Jewish school that focuses on traditional religious texts. There are about 275 Yeshivas in New York City.

When they arrived, police determined that a woman poured gasoline in front of the building and lit it on fire.

A security guard for the school was able to douse the fire with water.

No injuries occurred as a result of the blaze. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The NYPD released footage of the woman dousing the ground with gas, and also a close up picture of a woman they wanted to speak to in relation to the incident.

The woman police are searching for is about 5'4', average build, with dark hair; she was last seen wearing all dark-colored clothing, black shoes and carrying a red gasoline canister.

The NYPD's hate crime unit is hunting for a woman who poured gasoline on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn

The NYPD released footage of the woman dousing the ground with gas, and also a close up picture of a woman they wanted to speak to in relation to the incident

The case is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force.

Several local politicians commented on the incident.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident 'an attack on all New Yorkers' in a tweet. He said they will bring the suspect to justice.

State Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident cowardly and directed New York State Police's Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD.

'At around 7:30PM last night, an unidentified individual poured gasoline in front of the Yeshiva of Flatbush and ignited it,' Hochul said. 'Thankfully, there were no injuries, but I want to make it very clear that this cowardly act of hate has no home here in New York. No child should ever be made to feel unsafe, especially in a place of learning.'

Both 2021 New York City mayoral candidates weight in on the story as well.

Democratic candidate and former NYPD officer Eric Adams called the incident a 'despicable and vile act -- and outside of a school, no less.'

'We must find the person responsible for this hate crime and immediately bring her to justice.

Republican candidate and Guardian Angels Founder Curtis Sliwa, speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail Friday, continued to call for reforms and help for those with mental health afflictions.

'She seems like a woman who is emotionally disturbed,' he said. 'Unfortunately, we have so many emotionally disturbed persons who are acting out and in some incidents in the past it has resulted in attacks against members of the Jewish community, particularly the Orthodox or Hasidic.'

'We have to get the emotionally disturbed off the street and into hospitals and healthcare facilities, or else we'll just have more of this, as we have under de Blasio as mayor,' he added.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident 'an attack on all New Yorkers' in a tweet. He said they will bring the suspect to justice

State Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident cowardly and directed New York State Police's Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD

Democratic candidate and former NYPD officer Eric Adams called the incident a 'despicable and vile act -- and outside of a school, no less'

Republican candidate and Guardian Angels Founder Curtis Sliwa, speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail Friday, continued to call for reforms and help for those with mental health afflictions

The city's overall crime rate is down a quarter of a percentage point this year through October 10 as compared to last year, according to the NYPD's most recent data.

However, crime is up in certain categories, especially among hate crimes. Through October 10, there have been 423 hate crimes in the city, up 93 percent from last year's 219.

Other offenses are up as well, such as assaults and rape, which are up 7.7 percent and 2.7 percent from last year, respectively.

Grand larcenies are also up 2.4 percent from last year, with grand larceny from automobiles up 14.5 percent.

And shooting incidents have increased 3.5 percent over last year, with a little over 1 percent more shooting victims.

Random attacks on the subway have become an almost daily occurrence in the city.
Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet has been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend his crown.

The stallion broke down 800m into his gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The valuable entire was having his final piece of serious work heading into a defence of his Cox Plate crown at the racetrack next week. The tragedy also comes just hours before Everest - the country's richest race - and Caulfield Cup are set to take place.

Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet has been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend its crown

Sir Dragonet started his racing career in Ireland out of the all-conquering stable of Aiden O'Brien before his sale to an Australian ownership group last year (pictured, Sir Dragonet after winning Cox Plate at Moonee Ponds in 2020)

'It is with great sadness to report that Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet has been euthanised after tragically breaking down in a track gallop this morning,' the Moonee Valley Racing Club confirmed in a statement.

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher was at Moonee Valley as Sir Dragonet was one of 18 horses scheduled to go through their paces ahead of the Cox Plate carnival.

The horse reportedly faltered 800m into his gallop.

'We're heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanised on course,' Ciaron Maher Racing said in a statement.

'In the year that the Dragon has been in our care, he has won our hearts with his exploits both on and off the track.

'In the year that the Dragon has been in our care, he has won our hearts with his exploits both on and off the track.'

Sir Dragonet won the $5million Group 1 W.S Cox Plate last year. The champion stallion beat out Armory and Russian Camelot for the top gong.

Sir Dragonet started his racing career in Ireland out of the all-conquering stable of Aiden O'Brien before his sale to an Australian ownership group last year.

The syndicate struck immediate paydirt when Sir Dragonet won the $5 million Cox Plate at his first Australian start for Maher and his training partner David Eustace.

The stallion broke down 800m into his gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday

The incident comes as a shock to the horse racing community with The Everest just hours away from happening at Royal Randwick in Sydney

Sir Dragonet ran sixth in the Melbourne Cup at his next outing and returned in the autumn to win a Group One race in Sydney.

He was on target to run well again in the Cox Plate after two lead-in races when finishing close-up each time behind boom horse Incentivise.

'Our condolences go out to his owners, connections and all who cared for this wonderful horse,' Ciaron Maher Racing said.

'It has left a hole in our hearts but we're forever thankful for our time with him and he will forever remain a Cox Plate champion.

'Rest easy Dragon.'

The incident comes as a shock to the horse racing community with The Everest just hours away from happening at Royal Randwick in Sydney.

The $15million race was given an exemption to host a crowd of 10,000 punters.

Trainer Matthew Dale and wife Amy Dale at the Everest Race Day at Royal Randwick in 2020

The $15million race was given an exemption to host a crowd of 10,000 punters

The boost is still well short of the 42,000 who packed Randwick Racecourt in 2019 for the event.

The Australian Turf Club has drawn up its Covid-safe protocol for the day which includes one punter every four square metres.'

Chief executive Jamie Barkley said he was thrilled the race would be going ahead.

'The Australian Turf Club has been working closely with the NSW government throughout the pandemic and we are thrilled to be opening the gates to more people this Saturday,' he said.

'Sydney and our racing is back open for business during the $50 million Everest carnival and for a race and event being watched around the world.

'The Sydney spring is ready to shine with spectators and the ATC is ready to a lead the way in a COVID-safe reopening across the city.'
Parts of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal were 'always provisional', Lord Frost admitted yesterday.

The Brexit Minister's comments came as fresh talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol began in Brussels with European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic.

Lord Frost said the Government always knew elements of the deal might be 'difficult to make work in practice' and it was 'not surprising' that renegotiation of the agreement was needed already.

The peer, who negotiated the deal, also left the door open to a compromise on the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in resolving trade disputes in the province.

Parts of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal were 'always provisional', Lord Frost admitted yesterday

Mr Johnson was accused of negotiating in 'bad faith' this week after ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings said the Government planned to 'ditch' bits of the deal it didn't like after the 2019 election, adding: 'Cheating foreigners is a core part of the job.'

Lord Frost denied this but added: 'The protocol was agreed at a particular moment. We knew some elements would possibly be difficult to make work in practice, and aspects were left open for discussions in 2020 and afterwards.

'I don't think it's surprising we found that was the case. The fact that the protocol has a consent mechanism for four years' time showed we recognised it might be necessary to renew or otherwise consent for these arrangements.

'In that sense they have always been a little bit provisional and open to review.'

He warned this week that disruption caused by EU checks on goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland was so great that the UK might trigger Article 16 of the Protocol, effectively suspending parts of it.

The Commission responded with concessions. But Brussels rejected the UK's core demand to remove the ECJ as arbiter of disputes. Lord Frost said the Government would not allow the EU's highest court to retain jurisdiction over a part of the UK.

But the two sides are said to be exploring a compromise based on the system for settling disputes between the EU and Switzerland, in which they would be dealt with by an independent arbitration panel.

Mr Sefcovic said he had no mandate to renegotiate the protocol, but added: 'We could be in the home stretch with our proposals on the table. Let's try to solve all these issues before Christmas.'
A project manager at Apple who co-founded a protest movement against the company has been fired for 'non compliance'.

Janneke Parrish, a program manager for Apple Maps based in Austin, Texas, was one of two employees of the company to create a forum for complaints.

On Thursday she was fired, with Apple blaming her dismissal on her deleting some apps from her work phone.

Parrish, 30, was certain that her firing was a consequence of her leading the dissent.

'There are consequences for speaking out. There are consequences for doing the right thing,' she tweeted on Friday.

'But we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. #AppleToo is about asking Apple to do better, to end systemic discrimination, abuse, and pay inequity.

'Do the right thing.'

Janneke Parrish, a program manager for Apple Maps based in Austin, Texas, was fired on Thursday. She was a leader of the 'AppleToo' protest movement, and said her firing was a result of her activism to highlight harassment and discrimination. Apple said she was fired for deleting apps and documents from her work devices before she handed them over

Parrish co-founded the protest movement #AppleToo, demanding that the company bring about 'systemic change in the work place'

Parrish said an Apple lawyer and a human resources worker told her on a phone call on Thursday that she was being fired.

They said it was because she had deleted files from her company computer and phone before handing them over to be examined, but she said the apps and documents contained personal and financial information that she didn't want to share.

She told The New York Times she had deleted screenshots of things like programming bugs she was working to fix.

She said she also deleted the Robinhood stock trading app because she did not want Apple to see 'how much money I lost investing in GameStop' and the Pokemon Go gaming app because 'I feel a little embarrassed I played Pokemon Go.'

Parrish said she was investigated because company officials thought she had leaked a recording of an Apple staff meeting to the media, which she said she did not do.

Parrish and an Apple software engineer, Cher Scarlett, launched in August a website to allow workers across the company to submit stories about workplace harassment and discrimination.

'For too long, Apple has evaded public scrutiny,' they state on their site.

'When we press for accountability and redress to the persistent injustices we witness or experience in our workplace, we are faced with a pattern of isolation, degradation, and gaslighting.

'No more. We've exhausted all internal avenues. We've talked with our leadership. We've gone to the People team. We've escalated through Business Conduct. Nothing has changed.'

Cher Scarlett, who worked with Parrish to publish allegations of workplace complaints at Apple, still works for the company. She said that Apple does not care about its employees

Scarlett, who still works for Apple, told The Washington Post on Thursday: 'Apple does not care about its employees. It cares about money.

'Maybe that's capitalism, and that's just the way corporations are. But I can't live my life further accepting it and not saying something about it.'

Ashley Gjovik was fired in September after allegedly leaking information of an internal meeting to The Verge. She is taking Apple to a tribunal for their work conditions

Apple has refused to comment on Parrish's firing, but said that they took complaints of harassment or discrimination seriously.

'We are and have always been deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace,' said Josh Rosenstock, an Apple spokesman, in a statement.

'We take all concerns seriously and we thoroughly investigate whenever a concern is raised and, out of respect for the privacy of any individuals involved, we do not discuss specific employee matters.'

Parrish's firing came a month after another employee, Ashley Gjovik, for allegedly leaking confidential information from a September 17 internal meeting, the details of which were reported in The Verge.

Gjovik, a senior engineering program manager, had for months been tweeting allegations of a toxic work environment.

Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, sent a note to all Apple employees in September saying that 'people who leak confidential information do not belong' at Apple.

He also said the company was doing 'everything in our power to identify those who leaked.'
Unvaccinated Americans are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized and seven times as likely to die of COVID as people who have received the jab, CDC study finds
Almost 150,000 elderly care home residents are being forced to empty their savings to 'prop up the broken care system', new figures show.

Official statistics yesterday laid bare the postcode lottery  with pensioners in the South East nearly twice as likely to pay for their own care as residents in the North East.

Overall, nearly one in three have to pick up the bills for their own care, including thousands who are forced to sell their homes. It is the first time national data showing what proportion of care home residents 'self-fund' has been released by the Office for National Statistics.

The Daily Mail has spent two years campaigning for reform of the broken social care system, which forces dementia patients to fork out billions for their care rather than being supported by the state.

People in England pay the full cost of social care until their assets  including the value of their own homes  fall below 23,250. But last month Boris Johnson announced that an 86,000 cap on lifetime care costs will be introduced in 2023 to reduce the pressure on pensioners to sell their homes to pay their bills.

Jimmy Quinn, 75, from Yeovil in Somerset, died in February just weeks after selling his property to cover a 1,400-a-week care bill

War hero had to sell his home A Falklands hero was forced to dig into his life savings and sell his home to pay for his specialist dementia care costs. Jimmy Quinn, 75, from Yeovil in Somerset, died in February just weeks after selling his property to cover a 1,400-a-week care bill. His daughter Natalie said: 'At the same time that my dad was receiving care for his Alzheimer's, my mum developed a brain infection. 'But the difference was that mum received quality unpaid care through the NHS and recovered, whereas we had to pay through the nose for my dad's care and now he's not here. Why should social care be any different from the NHS?' Mr Quinn became a stand-up comedian after leaving the Royal Navy. Advertisement

This will be funded with a 1.25 percentage point tax hike on national insurance and dividends  called the 'health and social care levy'. From 2019 to 2020 143,774 residents paid for all or some of their own care  37 per cent of the total.

The proportion of self-funders was highest in the South East, at 45 per cent, and lowest in the North East, at just 24 per cent, reflecting house price variations.

Care homes in the most deprived districts had a smaller proportion of self-funders  22 per cent compared with 54 per cent in the most affluent areas. And half of residents in care homes for people aged 65 and over were self-funding, compared with 5 per cent of those in homes for younger residents.

Gavin Terry, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'It's astonishingly unfair that to this day around half of older people living in residential care are paying for their own care costs.

'People with dementia can typically pay up to 100,000 for their care in their lifetime, and in some cases be forced to sell their homes. During the pandemic, we tragically saw the cost of our broken social care system  people with dementia accounted for one in four deaths from coronavirus.

'For decades social care has been treated as an afterthought, with measly, drip-feed funding  70 per cent of older care home residents have dementia.

Last month Boris Johnson announced that an 86,000 cap on lifetime care costs will be introduced in 2023

'The Government must address the financial and emotional toll this shortfall of social care funding takes on them and their families.

'The Government needs to provide an immediate cash injection in the upcoming spending review, with a minimum of 3.9billion.'

Pete Davies, senior organiser at the GMB union, said: 'The under-funding and exploitation of our care system has weighed heavy on those who find themselves having to pay for their own care.

'Many people are paying far above the rate that a local authority would pay for the same service.

'Ultimately, they are paying over the odds and often being plunged into debt to prop up a broken system  one that relies on gross injustice to generate bloated profits for shadowy private companies.'
Ghislaine Maxwell has already been convicted by the court of public opinion, according to her brother Ian.

The ex-tycoon, 65, maintains that his sister is innocent as she awaits an imminent trial on sexual abuse and trafficking charges alleged to have taken place between 1994 and 2004.

Miss Maxwell, 59, will appear in court in New York next month accused of recruiting women as teenage girls for her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile who hanged himself in 2019 while awaiting trial.

The Maxwell clan insist their youngest sister is innocent and are putting on a united front as they fight for her freedom after she has been locked up for 471 days in a small cell in Brooklyn.

Brother Ian, 65, maintains that his sister is innocent as she awaits an imminent trial on sexual abuse and trafficking charges alleged to have taken place between 1994 and 2004

Her elder brother Ian said: This is a family that sticks together.

Ghislaine has people who love her; people who trust her. This is a family that has been knocked down, gets up, gets knocked down again and then gets up.

We are a family that fights for each other and this is a big fight we are in. We are hopeful justice will prevail as it must.

Mr Maxwell and his younger brother Kevin went on trial in 1996 but were acquitted of fraud charges.

Mr Maxwell believes his sister was wrongly denied bail three times - despite the family putting up a surety close to $30 million - because of public perception.

Mr Maxwell believes his sister was wrongly denied bail three times - despite the family putting up a surety close to $30 million - because of public perception

He told the Daily Telegraph: There is an obvious abuse of human rights.

The right to the presumption of innocence, the right really to due process, including the ability to defend yourself properly.

He added: The narrative is all women must be believed. Epstein was a monster, but Epstein is now dead.

So Ghislaine is the monster and shes a woman makes her doubly a monster. And shes the daughter of Bob Maxwell makes her trebly a monster.

Their father, disgraced newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell, died 30 years ago after falling overboard to his death from his yacht Lady Ghislaine.

Just over a month before the criminal trial starts, Miss Maxwell was finally and officially given the names of the women who have accused her of recruiting them as teenage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse them.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman who has accused Prince Andrew in a civil claim of sexual assault and rape, is not among the complainants in the Maxwell trial.

Miss Maxwell, 59, will appear in court in New York next month accused of recruiting women as teenage girls for her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile who hanged himself in 2019 while awaiting trial

Mr Maxwell said: Its an extraordinary situation.

Neither the UK police nor, it would seem, the US authorities are using the allegations of Virginia Giuffre. They didnt use them as far as I know in the arrest and prosecution of Epstein in 2008. They are not using Giuffres testimony in the prosecution of Ghislaine.

If her claims are strong and true, and there is back-up evidence to support them, why arent they using them? In my opinion, it speaks volumes as to credibility.

I cannot imagine someone would tell such lies. It is too unconscionable. What I think seems evident is that she was deeply confused. She seems to me to be a very, very confused lady.

Prince Andrew has effectively been cancelled as a result of these allegations.

Maxwell denies procuring underage girls for Epstein and sex trafficking of a minor.
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Sydneysiders are well and truly celebrating the end of lockdown as they flock to the Royal Randwick Racecourse for TAB Everest - the city's first major event in months.

Australia's richest race has been allowed to host a maximum of 10,000 guests on Saturday after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet approved an exemption for the bigger crowd to attend the $15million event.

Major events are only allowed up to 5,000 guests under the current Covid-19 restrictions, but the boost to 10,000 is still well short of the 42,000 who packed Randwick in 2019 for the event.

Massive crowds were nowhere to be seen in Melbourne as the Caulfield Cup kicked into gear. The Caulfield Racecourse was next to empty with wet weather and heavy restrictions on outdoor gatherings prompting racegoers to stay at home.

But for many in Sydney it was finally an excuse to dress up after being stuck at home for four months with men rolling through the gates in their best suits and women donning an array of coloured dresses and headpieces.

One major difference from previous years is the latest fashion accessory of the face mask, with punters required to wear face coverings while indoors.

Racegoers turn up to Royal Randwick for the first major event in Sydney since restrictions eased with thousands expected to head to The Everest on Saturday

Punters flocked to Royal Randwick for the TAB Everest as the rediscovered the ups and downs of being trackside with a fistful of bets

Two punters - one dressed in a classy blue jacket and another in a green dress - attend Royal Randwick on Saturday

Sydneysiders are seen heading into the Royal Randwick Racecourse as they gear up for a day of races at TAB Everest

The Everest marks the first time a major event has been held in Sydney since restrictions eased earlier in the week

Glammed-up racegoers pose for photos as the country's richest race - The Everest - gets underway on Saturday afternoon

Some 10,000 punters are expected to attend The Everest - the country's richest horse race - on Saturday

Ecstatic punters pose for photographs as the first major event since Sydney emerged from lockdown kicks into gear at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Group of Sydneysiders dressed to the nines and nursing beers pose for a photograph at Royal Randwick on Saturday

The 10,000 strong crowd is a welcome sight at Royal Randwick compared to the scaled-down Everest that was hosted last year during tough Covid restrictions

A woman wearing an emerald green is seen enjoying a day out at The Everest carnival

Massive crowds were nowhere to be seen in Melbourne as the Caulfield Cup kicked into gear with a near empty racecourse seen on Saturday

All racegoers will need to show proof of vaccination on entry and under the Australian Turf Club's Covid-safe protocols, guests will be restricted to one every four square metres.

Rapid antigen testing will be set up for trainers and jockeys when they arrive on the course while the owners of the horses will not be allowed to visit the raceday stalls.

Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club argued that because the event is mainly outdoors - where the virus is less likely to spread - it should be given the go-ahead.

A group of mates cheer as they watch the horses take to the track at The Tab Everest

Ladies dressed to the nines as they headed into the Randwick track on Saturday

A group of friends are seen strutting their stuff as they head into the Royal Randwick Racecourse

The day of races was full of celebrations for many as punters watched on with excitement

A bunch of Aussie celebs made appearances at The Everest on Saturday including former Sunrise host Sam Armytage with husband Richard Lavender

Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson is seen enjoying a day out at The Everest carnival on Saturday. AFL star Heath Shaw is also pictured

Big Brother and The Voice Australia host Sonia Kruger is seen enjoying The Everest carnival on Saturday

Crowds of punters are seen watching on as the races kick off at The Everest on Saturday

Racegoers are seen on the edge of the track at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday as freedom finally returns to Sydney

The main event will kick off at 4.15pm but racegoers flocked in from early on Saturday morning to enjoy a day out

Sydneysiders were just happy to be out of the house as they flocked to the racetrack following months of being locked up at home

Racegoers are full of smiles trackside as they enjoy a day of races at Randwick Racecourse

Strict Covid-19 rules have been set in place for the event with rapid antigen testing being set up for trainers and jockeys as they arrived

Crowds packed the grass near the racetrack on Saturday for Australia's richest race

Police were seen making their way through the crowd ensuring everyone was complying with the rules as racegoers started to kick their heels up

A total of 10,000 people will be allowed at the highly anticipated event in Randwick

One man is seen cheering on the horses at The Everest on Saturday

AFL player Buddy Franklin wore a suave suit and sunglasses as he made his way into the racecourse

The massive crowd will be a welcome sight for organisers after they were forced drastically scale back numbers at the event in 2020.

Police were seen making their way through the crowd ensuring everyone was complying with the rules as racegoers started to kick their heels up.

Some other Aussie celebs also made their appearances such as television presenter Sonia Kruger, former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, AFL star Heath Shaw and Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson.

Saturday's event however got off to a tragic start with the announcement Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet had been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend its crown.

Crowds gather on the green as the Everest kicks off at Royal Randwick under sunny skies on Saturday

Tables have been set up on the green to seat some of the 10,000 spectators and follow Covid-safe protocols at the Everest

Sydneysider dressed in haute couture and a florid headband while attending Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday

One punter throws the peace sign as she lets her hair down to enjoy a sunny day out at the Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Spectator poses for a photograph while sitting on a lawn chair set up on the green near the racecourse at Royal Randwick

Racegoer rocks an all-pink ensemble with a wide brimmed hat while attending Royal Randwick on Saturday

One spectator cannot contain her excitement and shows off an empty flute glass while attending the first major event in Sydney in months

For most punters it would be the first time in months they were able to dress up after Sydney emerged from lockdown this week

Sydneysider opts for a trim, elegant white formal dress as she attends the Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday

A racegoer flaunts a classy pink coat as she attends The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday

Spectators enjoy a couple of drinks as thousands turn out for The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Glamorous punters pose for photos as they show off their lavish outfits

Glamorous racegoer takes a selfie as she walks with her friends into the Royal Randwick Racecourse to attend The Everest

Punters dress to the nines as they hit the Royal Randwick to watch the country's richest race on Saturday

Sydneysiders wear face masks as they attend The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday

A couple of dapper punters make a few hand gestures at the camera as they make their way into the Royal Randwick Racecourse

The stallion broke down 800m into its gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday, just hours before The Everest was due to kick off.

'It is with great sadness to report that Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet has been euthanised after tragically breaking down in a track gallop this morning,' the Moonee Valley Racing Club confirmed in a statement.

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher was at Moonee Valley as Sir Dragonet was one of 18 horses scheduled to go through their paces ahead of the Cox Plate carnival.

The horse reportedly faltered 800m into his gallop.

'We're heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanised on course,' Ciaron Maher Racing said in a statement.

'In the year that the Dragon has been in our care, he has won our hearts with his exploits both on and off the track.'

Sir Dragonet won the $5million Group 1 W.S Cox Plate last year. The champion stallion beat out Armory and Russian Camelot for the top gong.

This year marks the fifth year running for The Everest with Nature Strip tipped as the favourite for the main event which will kick off at 4.15pm.

Sydney copped 10mm of rain on Thursday night which could leave the racetrack soften than usual.

A dozen horses will face off for the starter, with the winner pocketing an eye watering $6.2million in prize money while second place will take home $2.3million.

The racecourse will welcome in 10,000 punters on Saturday after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet approved a higher attendance for the event

For many it was finally an excuse to dress up after being stuck at home for four months with men rolling through the gates in their best suits and women donning an array of coloured dresses and headpieces

Punters will need to show proof of vaccination upon arrival at the horse racing event while masks are mandatory indoors

Sydney copped 10mm of rain on Thursday night which could leave the racetrack soften than usual

Sydneysiders are well and truly celebrating the end of lockdown as they flock to the Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Everest

A racegoer chooses a classy all white ensemble as she attends The Everest at Royal Randwick, in Sydney, on Saturday

Major events are capped at 5,000 people under current Covid rules but 10,000 have been given the tick of approval to attend The Everest

The main event will start at 4.15pm on Saturday afternoon with Nature Strip tipped as the favourite

Racegoers are seen walking through the gates of the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday morning
The traditional Christmas photo with Santa Claus is set to go ahead this year at major shopping centres across the nation as the festive season approaches, but things will be very different from previous photo sessions due to Covid-19.

Westfield announced that Mr Claus will arrive in its shopping centres on November 13 with strict measures in place to keep everyone safe.

Kids won't be able to join Santa on his throne or sit on his lap to tell Mr Claus what is included on their Christmas present wish lists.

Westfield announced that Mr Claus will arrive in its shopping centres on November 13 with strict measures in place to keep everyone safe (stock image)

Instead, families will have to be seated 1.5 metres away in a socially distanced manner.

Face masks will have to be worn by those who visit as well as Santa in every state and territory except for Western Australia, but this will be determined by the restrictions of each government by December 1.

The lengthy queues of waiting for Santa photos will also vanish as online bookings will have to be made prior to arriving at the shopping centres.

The lengthy queues of waiting for Santa photos will also vanish as online bookings will have to be made prior to arriving at the shopping centres (stock image)

Another safety precaution is that people over the age of 16 may have to show that they are double vaccinated to see Santa Claus.

A landscape photo, which took the place of the usual portrait shots last year, will also remain in place to ensure Covid safe distancing.

Families will have to sit 1.5 metres away to remain socially distanced and a landscape photo will be take the place of the usual portrait shot (stock image)

Scentre Group General Manager Customer Experience Lillian Fadel said Westfield is ecstatic to be allowing families to meet Santa.

'We're delighted to be welcoming Santa back to our centres to meet families this festive season,' Ms Fadel told the News Corp Australia Network.

Ms Fadel mentioned that the traditional props and decorations will fill the photo locations.

Another safety precaution is that children over the age of 16 may have to show that they are double vaccinated to see Santa Claus (stock image)

Santa Claus even noted his excitement at being able to see all the joyful children's faces soon and to give them a great Christmas after a difficult year.

'No matter what the restrictions are, my elves and I are working hard behind the scenes to make sure all children get to put in their requests for a very merry Christmas,' Mr Claus said.

Westfield Plus members can reserve their spot to meet Santa now, while non-members will have the chance from October 22.

Westfield has also arranged for Santa photos to occur virtually if there are any sudden changes to Covid-19 regulations.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Scentre Group for further comment.
He was jailed for eight years and served 10-year driving ban after prison release

Young filmed a 'How to Beat the Speed Cameras' video weeks before, court told

An Amazon warehouse worker who was high on drugs while driving at up to 141mph before killing two women in a crash on a blind bend has been jailed for eight years.

Caroline Ball, 63, and Margaret Collier, 59, died almost instantly after 25-year-old Daniel Young overtook a line of cars at around 90mph just four months after getting his licence back following a six-month ban.

Young also filmed a video named 'How to Beat the Speed Cameras' a few weeks before the fatal crash, showing him deliberately driving on the wrong side of the nearby B6052 at 80mph in a 30mph zone, heard Derby Crown Court.

The victims, who both worked as cleaners at a site near the M1, had travelled from their homes in the Sheffield area along the A6135 through Eckington before their vehicle was hit head-on at Renishaw on October 7, 2020, the court was told.

Judge Shaun Smith QC heard Young left work after a night shift at Amazon's site in Barlborough, near Chesterfield, at 5.30am and drove his BMW on the A6135 at between 115mph and 141mph in a 40mph zone.

Passing sentence, Judge Smith ordered Young to serve a 10-year driving ban after his release from prison.

Caroline Ball, 63, and Margaret Collier, 59, died almost instantly after 25-year-old Daniel Young (pictured above) overtook a line of cars at around 90mph

Young, who appeared via a video-link from HMP Lincoln, looked at the floor and appeared to fight back tears as Judge Smith told him that a lorry driver had wrongly thought the BMW was racing another vehicle because of its speed.

The judge told Young: 'The next time you were seen was when you went past a camera outside a local Co-op.

'The time-over-distance calculation has been worked out. You were travelling between 115mph and 141mph down the hill towards Renishaw on a speed limit of 40mph.

'Your next manoeuvre was to overtake the vehicles in front of you around a blind bend, on the wrong side of the road.

'You negotiated that bend at approximately 90mph. Tragically Caroline and Margaret were travelling on the opposite carriageway.

'As they went around that bend the last thing they would have seen was your car on their side of the road.'

The court heard the impact occurred with such force that the Corsa being driven by Ms Ball was pushed 30 metres backwards into a hedge.

Judge Smith said a blood test had shown that Young, of Coal Aston, Dronfield, was twice the legal limit for cannabis.

Detective Constable Scott Cooper said: 'The sentence handed down to Young will never bring back Caroline and Margaret (above), but I hope that it brings some closure to their families'

Young pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, having initially denied speeding while claiming he was not to blame for the 'tragic accident'.

But Judge Smith told him: 'A mobile phone taken from you on arrest tells another story. A video with the title "How to Beat the Speed Cameras" was found on the handset.

'It was filmed from the driver's seat of your car - you could be heard laughing and talking and were filming yourself driving.

'On that occasion you were travelling at over 80mph when the speed limit was 30mph.'

The judge added: 'I appreciate what is said in the victim personal statements (by relatives of those killed) about these kind of offences being like murder and that equivalent sentences ought to apply.

Passing sentence, Judge Smith ordered Young to serve a 10-year driving ban after his release from prison (file photo of Derby Crown Court)

'But parliament has decreed otherwise. You demonstrated by the presence of that video a reckless disregard for speed limits and a determination to avoid detection.'

Following the sentence, Detective Constable Scott Cooper, from Derbyshire Constabulary's Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'The complete disregard that Daniel Young showed that morning is utterly staggering.

'But this was no one-off event. The evidence found on his own phone shows that he would use the public roads as his own personal racetrack - filming himself laughing at speeds that would eventually rob two families of two beloved women.

'The sentence handed down to Young will never bring back Caroline and Margaret, but I hope that it brings some closure to their families, and shows that driving in the same way as Young is simply unacceptable.'
A critical piece of President Joe Biden's climate agenda, which would replace coal and gas-fired power plants with wind, solar and nuclear energy, will likely be dropped from the budget bill pending in Congress because a West Virginia Senator opposes it, The New York Times reported on Friday.

White House staffers are revising the Clean Electricity Performance Program legislation due to strong opposition from Senator Joe Manchin, the centrist Democrat from coal-rich West Virginia whose vote is crucial to its passage, the newspaper said.

Machin wants to reshape the Clean Electricity Performance Program - a $150billion program that would reward those who use clean energy and fine those who don't - to make it so that burning fossil fuels would not be eliminated.

A major part of President Joe Biden's climate change plan could be pulled because of West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (right). The plan would replace coal and gas-fired power plants with wind, solar and nuclear energy, but it will likely be dropped from the budget bill pending in Congress because Manchin - who has a personal connection to the coal industry - opposes complete elimination of its usage

'Senator Manchin has clearly expressed his concerns about using taxpayer dollars to pay private companies to do things they're already doing,' Manchin spokesperson Sam Runyon told Reuters in a statement.

'He continues to support efforts to combat climate change while protecting American energy independence and ensuring our energy reliability,' Runyon said.

Manchin has personal ties to the coal industry and earned half-a-million dollars from its production last year, according to The New York Times.

Machin's state is the second-largest in coal production and the seventh in natural gas in the country. He received more donations from oil, coal and gas industries than any other senator in his last campaign and personally profits between $1 to $5million from his Enersystems Inc stock - a coal brokerage company he founded in 1988.

He made $491,949 from his share last year in the company that his son has run since 2000, The New York Times reported.

Both Manchin and Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a centrist from Arizona, have objected to the initial $3.5trillion price tag for Biden's spending plan to fund social programs and fight climate change.

Manchin represents the second-largest coal-producing state in the country. He opposed Obama's climate previous because it would be 'bad for West Virginia.' He received more donations from oil, coal and gas industries than any other senator in his last campaign and personally profits between $1 to $5million from his Enersystems Inc stock - a company he founded in 1988. He made $491,949 from his share in the company that his son has run since 2000

He also opposed Obama's climate plan because it was 'bad for West Virginia.'

As a result, President Biden faces a difficult balancing act in trying to bring down the cost but not alienate Progressive Democrats, who also are essential to passing the legislation.

Biden's policy plan is for the US to produce 80 per cent of its electricity through zero-carbon sources by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035, analysts say.

'This policy is an essential foundation for rapidly reducing emissions in the most polluting sectors of the economy,' Richard Newell, President of Resources for the Future, told The New York Times.

Machin's version is expected to be less ambitious compared to Biden's, which could hurt the President as he travels Glasgow in the coming weeks for the United Nations climate change summit.

The rest of the world is wary of the US' commitment to climate change following former President Donald Trumps disregard for it, according to The New York Times.

Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat and author of the program, warned that Machin's revisions could cost her and other Democrats' votes.

'We must have strong climate action in the Build Back Better budget,' she told The New York Times. 'I'm open to all approaches, but as I've said, I will not support a budget deal that does not get us where we need to go on climate action.'

The US is the largest emitter of climate change pollution, historically. With Biden's promise to cut the US' emission by 50 per cent of 2005 levels, Machin's revision could harm his promise.

With electricity sector producing a quarter of greenhouse gases in the country, Democrats hoped to add in a clean electricity program in the budget bill - with many Progressive Democrats are saying is non-negotiable.

Despite coal producing decking in the US, Machin wants to reshape the Clean Electricity Performance Program - a $150billion program that would reward those who use clean energy and fine those who don't - to make it so that burning fossil fuels would not be eliminated

There's been a decline in coal producing in the last few years, but it's still a highly coveted industry. Manchin's revision could lose the progressive vote if it loses the ambition of Biden's original intention. The revisions also pose threat to Biden, who will be traveling to Glasgow in the coming weeks for the UN climate change summit. Manchin's revisions could harm the view of the US and climate change - one the world is already wary of following Trump's disregard for climate change

'This is our moment. We cannot  we don't have any more time to wait,' Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said at an event in San Francisco on Friday.

In the evenly split Senate, every Democratic vote will be needed for passage.

Following a meeting this month on Capitol Hill with his fellow Democrats, Biden suggested the bill could be trimmed to around $2trillion over 10 years.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report in August detailing the immediate need to shift away from fossil fuels to avoid catastrophe.

Scientists have warned nations need to keep the average global temperature from increasing 1.5 degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, despite the average temperature already increasing 1.1 degrees Celsius, according to The New York Times.

The White House had no comment on The New York Times report on Friday evening.
Josh Frydenberg has slammed Daniel Andrews for turning Melbourne from the most liveable city in the world to the most locked down one.

The federal treasurer blamed the state premier for trashing the reputation of the city with his hardline stay-at-home orders in an op-ed for The Herald Sun.

'Melbourne has gone from the world's most liveable city to the world's most locked down city,' he wrote.

'The damage done by lockdowns is clear. Our cafes are quiet; our lanes are empty; and our stadiums, normally filled with cheering fans, are deserted.'

Melbourne holds the record for the most days spent in lockdown since the pandemic began at the start of 2020.

The Victorian capital city has spent more than 255 days in stay-at-home orders, beating the previous 234 days held by Buenos Aires in Argentina.

The never ending lockdowns has forced businesses to close their doors, pushed thousands of staff out of work and driven down real estate prices so that Melbourne is now the cheapest capital city to rent a home - for the first time ever.

Josh Frydenberg has slammed Daniel Andrews for turning Melbourne from the most liveable city in the world to the most locked down one

Melbourne holds the record for the most days spent in lockdown since the pandemic began at the start of 2020

'Melbourne is famous for its cultural vitality; its music, museums, and its warm hospitality,' Mr Frydenburg wrote. 'But Covid has hit and hit us hard.'

Mr Frydenberg called on Mr Andrews to begin rolling back restrictions in line with his neighbouring state NSW.

'Victorians who have given up so much, are rightly asking the question; why are the people of NSW granted more freedoms at 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates than they are?' he wrote.

'Victorians, like those in NSW, have done the right thing and got the jab, and in return, they deserve their lives and their freedoms back.'

NSW and Victoria have provided different roadmaps to life out of lockdown at the 70 and 80 per cent double dose vaccination target.

NSW scrapped its five kilometre travel rule for Sydneysiders when the state hit the 70 per cent target last week.

Victoria intends to keep a 25km travel radius for Melbourne residents when it reaches the milestone on October 26.

Face masks will still be mandatory in both indoors and outdoor settings. NSW, on the other hand, has only mandated it for public indoor settings.

NSW will also scrap guest limits on weddings and funerals when the state reaches 80 per cent double dose - expected this weekend.

Victoria will enforce a 150 person cap on weddings and funerals when it reaches the mark on November 6.

NSW and Victoria have provided different roadmaps to life out of lockdown at the 70 and 80 per cent double dose vaccination target

The never ending lockdowns has also impacted the real estate market with Melbourne now the cheapest capital city to rent a home.

Melbourne's weekly median rent for houses now sits at $430, less than any other city and $10 less than the next cheapest Adelaide, according to a Domain report released on Thursday.

Unit rental prices are also the lowest coming in at an average of $375 per week.

As the Victorian city recently became the most locked down place in the world, Domain's Chief of Economics and Research Dr Nicola Powell said a 'mass exodus' had seen many Melburnians flee interstate or into regional areas.

'Tenants have grappled with the longest lockdown of any city in the world and that's really weighed on people's decisions about where they're going to live,' she told 7 News.
An bus has crashed into the side of a home in Oakland, California, after being hit by a stolen car which was fleeing from police, leaving seven people injured.

The driver of the stolen Toyota allegedly ran a red light while fleeing from the California Highway Patrol around 2.30pm today.

The car smashed into the side of the AC Transit Line 29 bus, which was sent careening into the home.

The driver of the car was arrested at the scene. The accident injured all four occupants on the bus and three people in the car.

Two handguns and an assault rifle was found inside the vehicle.

AC Transit Line 29 bus crashed into the side of a home in Oakland, California, after an accident with a stolen car who was running from the California Highway Patrol around 2.30pm today

The stolen Toyota allegedly ran the red light when it hit the bus, causing the collision. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reportedly starting chasing the stolen Toyota at 2.05pm just east of the Caldecott Tunnel until it was hit the bus

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reportedly starting chasing the stolen Toyota at 2.05pm just east of the Caldecott Tunnel.

But the CHP's Contra Costa unit quickly discontinued the chase, according to Fox 2.

The car was monitored by the Oakland Police Department's helicopter as it headed westbound on Highway 24 before it entering the tunnel, where officers resumed the chase.

CHP reported the car continued onto I-980 and exited at 27th Street before colliding with the AC bus on the order of 10th and Market Streets, causing the bus to collide with a residential home.

Roughly one-third of the bus rammed through the house with the side of the vehicle suffering structural damage.

The bus narrowly missed the Market Street sign as it crash into the house, leaving the majority of the bus across the front lawn.

It is unclear if anyone was home or injured in the house.

The four occupants on the bus, including the driver, suffered minor injuries.

Three of the four occupants of the Toyota suffered moderate to major injures and at least one was hospitalized, according to ABC 7.

All four occupants on the bus were injured, including the driver. They suffered from minor injuries. The three of the four occupants of the Toyota were moderate to majorly injured and at least one was hospitalized. The driver was arrested on the scene

All of the car's occupants were between 18 and 21 years old, according to Fox 2.

The vehicle was allegedly stolen in Berkeley, California.

The 29 and 88 bus services were disrupted due to the accident until around 10pm on Friday.

DailyMail.com contacted the California Highway Patrol and AC Transit.
9/11 enraged and pained me like all Americans. But unlike many of my peers, the events of 9/11 aren't what compelled me to join the military. For me, I found myself working as an accountant in a cubical post college. From my cubical one day in 2004, I was able to watch the Marines moving through the city of Fallujah on the news. At the center of this violent attack, was the unit V18. Watching those Marines filled me with awe, respect, and love. I knew how much I loved America, and I was mad at myself for not making more sacrifices for the country. I called the Marine Corps that day and began my journey.

After 17 years, I want to express how grateful I am for everything the Marine Corps did to mold me into the man I am. Despite the recent events, and everything that has been discussed today I owe the Marine Corps a lot.

The Marine Corps for me was never supposed to be a career. But I've stayed as long as I have for two reasons:

1. Love for the Marines and

2. The opportunity to make a difference on the battlefield as a leader.

I truly believe America is the greatest country in the world.

I truly believe the American military is the greatest military in the world.

I truly believe the Marine Corps has the best talent of all the military services.

But I also truly believe fundamental change needs to occur in the military. I have observed that the General officers are unable or unwilling to hold themselves accountable.

I have always loved the Marines. But as my recent public comments illustrate, I have started questioning the long-standing system of the Marine Corps, and for that matter, the military as a whole.

Prior to the withdrawal of Afghanistan, I was reflecting on the often-told stories about the previous Commandants Wilson and Barrow. Those two Commandants led the USMC after the failures in Vietnam. The narrative told today is that Commandants Wilson and Barrow 'fixed the service' with their generational shift. They fixed the Service by raising the standards on the junior enlisted Marine. Said another way, the junior enlisted Marines weren't capable of winning the Vietnam war, or the next war, so the Generals needed to fix the Service.

I was thinking about the parallels of Vietnam and Afghanistan as I read General Berger's letter to the Force dated 18 August. This letter in my opinion perfectly illustrates senior military leader's inability to see the true pain in Service members following a failed war effort. General Berger told Service members their sacrifices were worth it without offering any connection back to a bigger purpose. He concluded the letter with how Service members should go seek counseling. At no point did he acknowledge any failures of the leadership.

A week after reading his statement, I was sitting in my office on August 26th, and I was told that 13 service members had been killed and many more injured in an SVEST attack. I also knew the majority of the casualties were from V18 my first unit. My mind was immediately taken back to my friend Dave Borden, who was hit with an SVEST when we served in Ramadi together with V18. It was the same situation playing out again. I thought about all the time I spent with Dave in Walter Reed, and in the half-way treatment house months later. I thought about LCpl Gluff who was killed in that SVEST attack next to Dave. And at the same time as these thoughts ran through my mind, I was receiving pictures from a friend on my phone from Marines who were involved in the recent Abby Gate Afghanistan SVEST incident.

In that moment I had clarity. I realized the military was continuing to make the same mistakes because senior leaders continued to diagnose the wrong problem. I concluded that our senior leaders were either unable or unwilling to have an honest discussion about our failures in a public forum that would necessitate REAL change. I also decided that quietly addressing these concerns within the chain of command would be ineffective. I knew my complaints would never be heard by the Commandant, the SECDEF, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, or the American people if I went through the proper channels. Reference the charges I tried to prefer against General McKenzie. It is a perfect example of how going through the system doesn't work.

In the first video I connected the failed Afghan withdraw, the attacks on V18, and General Berger's letter to the force. I stated, 'The reason people are so upset right now is NOT because of the Marine on the battlefield. That Service member has always rose to the occasion and done extraordinary things. The reason people are so upset right now is because their senior leaders let them down, and none of them are raising their hands and taking accountability.' I ended by saying, 'I've been fighting for 17 years and I'm willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders I demand accountability.'

That Thursday night, as the video started to go viral, I stated on my LinkedIn page that I did not plan to resign despite all the demands for my resignation. At that time, that is how I felt. I wanted to remain in the Marine Corps.

When I came into work the next morning, on August 27th, the first person I spoke to was Col Emmel. He asked what I was trying to achieve with the video. He told me he didn't think I would be able to affect any real change. He then told me that morning that I would NOT be relieved immediately. He told me to go home for the weekend and an investigation would take place, and that following the investigation the command would decide if it warranted my relief and/or follow-on administrative action.

When Col Emmel left my office, my Battalion Executive Officer came in so we could conduct a turnover. He was going to run the Battalion in my absence. He said, 'I don't need anything from you sir. I just want you to know how much I respect you, and how political and fucked up the Marine Corps has gotten. That's why a lot of guys are getting out. That's why our old Gunner got out. In fact, I first heard about your video when our old Gunner called me this morning. He said, your new boss just posted a video that is all truth. I'm sure he's going down, but someone needed to have the courage to say it. Please tell him how proud we all are of him.' My Battalion Executive Officer then went on to say, 'We all know it's political. You know the joint chiefs who signed a letter condemning the January 6th attacks how political was that? I'm not saying I condone the January 6th attacks, but I am saying for all the joint chiefs to sign a letter on that topic, but not to condemn any of the other recent riots that have caused more damage and deaths is purely political.' To which I responded 'Yes, those idiots on January 6th were unorganized and unintelligent. If ever there was a force that used deliberate thought, the outcome could be much worse.'

At no time did I ever advocate for the violent overthrow of the government. I was led into the conversation of the January 6th attacks by someone I trusted, and then my words were twisted. Furthermore, the investigating officer then took that statement and led every witness he interviewed with questions about my involvement in the January 6th attacks. This in my perception, was as an attempt by the Marine Corps to paint me into something I'm not. The Marine Corps, despite their best efforts, was not able to find any evidence of insurrection. If the Marine Corps could have charged me with insurrection they would have.

Then later that same Friday the 27th, while I was back at my house, without explanation, Col Emmel called me back into work, even though he told me to take the weekend off. When I came back into work, he relieved me for cause. He never explained why he did a 180, and I didn't ask. I'm not sure if it was my Battalion Executive Officer's comments, or a decision made above Col Emmel. But at the time, not even understanding what my Battalion Executive Officer had said, I agreed that the relief was best for the Marine Corps. And I wanted, and still want, what was best for the Marine Corps. When I left work, I made a post stating that I had been relieved, 'and that my command was doing exactly what I would have done.' After publicly announcing my relief, at that time, I still planned on allowing the investigation to run its course, and to remain in the Marine Corps without further statements.

But after my relief, when I got home and back on my social media, I saw a post from my old commanding officer Colonel Hobbs. He commented below my statement on LinkedIn that I didn't plan to resign and stated, 'If Stuart Scheller were honorable, he would resign.' This comment devastated me. He didn't call me. He didn't text me. He didn't email me. Someone who I even stated in my second video, 'That I loved like a father.' He demonstrated that he didn't care about me at all. And even though he's retired, Colonel Hobbs is still very active in the Marine Corps. In fact, he called after my second video and left me a voicemail stating that he and General Neller were discussing my situation. That's the influence Col Hobbs still has.

After reading his comment following my relief, my thoughts went from disappointment to anger. It was the first time I started thinking about resigning. I started thinking, if my call for accountability can result in me being fired and investigated in 24 hours, and my greatest mentor in the Marine Corps can immediately turn on me without any empathy for me as a human being, maybe my senior leaders don't care about me at all. Maybe, this is not an organization that I want to be a part of. This led me to my second post on Friday the 27th, where I stated, 'Last night when I posted the video I immediately had multiple Marines call and ask me to take down the post. 'We all agree with you Stu, but nothing will change, and it will come at a huge personal cost to you.' Now that I've had time to process I'll offer this we can't ALL be wrong. If you all agree then step up. They only have the power because we allow it. What if we all demanded accountability? Every generation needs a revolution.'

This post is where the Marine Corps and I started parting ways dramatically. My calls for revolution were always about changing the system. A system that centralizes power and fails to hold senior leaders accountable. A system that will immediately turn on you if you speak out.

Col Emmel called me that Friday night and made it very clear that I was heading towards legal action with the most recent post and reminded me again of the social media policy.

So I took Saturday to contemplate my situation. In that day I came to the conclusion that the Marine Corps didn't really care about me, and that best case, I would be hidden in an office for three years as a failure. But that most likely I was heading towards a BOI for separation based on my use of the word revolution. This situation led me into the second video that I posted on Sunday August 29th. The second video was me declaring that I felt like the General Officers and leaders of the military didn't understand or care. In the video I stated my intention to resign and give up my retirement. I also stated, 'I want to be clear that I love the Marine Corps.' And then I went on to state, 'Follow me and we will bring the whole fucking system down.' If I could go back, I would have chosen different words. But at no time was that a call to violence. I was stating that the system is broken and needs to be rebuilt. I still feel this is the case. I still feel fundamental change is required. I still feel a revolution, or rebuilding the broken system is the only way to fix the shortfalls if senior leaders are unable or unwilling to fix it themselves.

Following the post of the second video, that Sunday afternoon my CO texted me to call him. Immediately after he texted me, the SOI XO called me. I answered his call and spoke to him for over ten minutes. He obviously thought I was suicidal, which I knew I wasn't. He kept stating that he would come meet me, and I kept stating that it wasn't necessary. We repeated the same thing over and over to each other until finally I got frustrated and said, 'That's enough. I answered your call out of professional courtesy. I am not suicidal. And I'm not going to continue having this conversation.' And then the phone call ended. I didn't call Col Emmel back because I had just spoken to his XO for a great length of time, and I assumed that was sufficient.

I kept my phone on for the rest of the day and no one called me until later that night. Two Marines I know, Major Cummings and LtCol Helminski texted me that NCIS arrived at their houses respectively. Both told me NCIS was looking for me. To which I responded, 'Why didn't they just call me and ask where I was?' They didn't know. So I told both of them the same thing, 'I'm fine, and I can talk to NCIS tomorrow morning at 08:00 when I show up to work. I am not suicidal.' Then I saw a statement released by the Marine Corps public affairs office that stated, 'the Marine Corps is trying to locate LtCol Scheller to ensure his safety and the safety of those around him.' I was furious about this statement. I assumed if the Marine Corps was REALLY trying to locate me, that they would have been smart enough to call me. The SOI XO was able to reach me. My peers were able to reach me. This seemed like an obvious attempt from the Marine Corps to paint me as suicidal. Which was another indicator to me that the system didn't really care about me, but only wanted to protect itself. If they really thought I was suicidal why not call me unless they were actually hoping I would commit suicide.

When I went into work the next morning the Marine Corps narrative of my unstable mental health continued to be discussed. My CO told me he wanted me to volunteer for a mental evaluation. I told him that wasn't necessary. So he ordered me to get a mental health evaluation. I did, and they determined what I knew all along, which I wasn't mentally unstable, just very angry at what I perceived to be consistent betrayal.

The mental health angle is frustrating for many reasons. The Marine Corps never ordered me to get a mental health evaluation when I missed the birth of my first child while deployed to Afghanistan. The Marine Corps never ordered me to get a mental health evaluation when I missed the funerals of all three of my grandparents while on different deployments. The Marine Corps only cared about my mental health once I publicly challenged the leadership.

After I was released from the hospital, I felt like all bets were off. I felt like the Marine Corps was out to get me, and I didn't feel like a single officer or previous peer had my back. Just reference the comments about me in the investigation. They called me, 'narcissistic, egotistical, entitled, too relaxed, abusive, bi-polar, poor selection to battalion command, treats people like shit, embellished combat record, smirks unnecessarily, supports January 6th attacks, should go to jail, etc.' No one said anything positive. Not one. While at this time I hadn't actually read the investigation, I could feel their contempt in every conversation.

Also, at this time my family was out of state and my marriage was falling apart. All I wanted to do was to travel up to my wife and try to make amends. I asked Col Emmel for leave, but he wouldn't allow it until all my medial and out-processing administration was done. He said my number one priority should be preparing to exit the Marine Corps, and all other things could wait. So I had to continue to come into work every day, which in my opinion, was never about my best interest.

The following day, on Tuesday, August 31st, I submitted my resignation letter because I knew the divide between the Marine Corps and myself was too deep for repair.

The next day, Wednesday September 1st, I made four posts that I later deleted. Two were directly to General Berger; in one post I stated that I heard General Burger was trying to court martial me. I then went on to comment about his current initiative to revoke the authority of Battalion Commander's to manage their unit's social media. To me this is an example of the system centralizing control. In a second post to General Berger, I thanked him for addressing the need to discuss the withdraw of Afghanistan. A third post I made that day was in response to the attack on my small business. I spoke to my business partner who told me MCCS was potentially pulling my product, The Perfect Ribbon, off the shelves of the Marine Corps exchanges because of my actions. Again, this was just another example of how I thought the Marine Corps was unlawfully attacking me. Again I thought, why would they do that if they actually cared about me? My fourth post that day was to my wife. She wasn't answering my phone calls. I wasn't able to take leave, and even though I knew she had taken down her social media, I knew my plea to her would be forwarded. But in hindsight, I shouldn't have made any of those posts. So I ended up deleting all four posts from that Wednesday. I concluded that I was under duress and that the posts didn't accurately reflect my message. I also deeply regret the way I handled what should have been a private conversation with my wife.

But I never went back and deleted my messages demanding accountability, or how I thought the system was failing. I made another post on Thursday 2 September clarifying my position and demand for accountability. I very clearly stated that 'I planned to bring the whole system down in a constitutional manner with one loud voice.'

At this point, I felt the world was against me, and all I could see was the hypocrisy of the system. Everything I thought about frustrated me. So I made another post on Labor Day that quoted the right in the Declaration of Independence for the people to throw off the old form of government if it isn't serving the interests of the people. I also illustrated my frustration with General officers who take jobs with high paying government contractors following their retirement. This seems highly unethical to me and is another symptom of our inability to hold senior leaders accountable. For example, the current Secretary of Defense got a high paying job with Raytheon to be on the board of directors following his military retirement, which in itself is unethical. But then he was selected to become the Secretary of Defense. The ethical issues with this conflict of interest are obvious to me.

Later that week, on Friday September 10th, I published a third video titled United WE stand. In this video I was trying to communicate my emotional process. I was trying to show all the people who kept calling me crazy that I was just a normal guy, like all other Service members asked to kill people in the last 20 years. I wanted to normalize the psychological impact on service members after a failed war. I wanted other Service Members to see that it's normal to get mad. And that just because you're mad, doesn't mean you're bi-polar or have a mental illness. That it's normal to cry. That it's normal to question why your government asked you to commit violence. That it's normal to demand accountability from the same senior leaders who asked you to commit the violence. At no time in that video did I state I was going to use violence to hold my senior leaders accountable. But again, that is how the message was spun. I posted the video to demonstrate how these emotions are normal, but somehow I was painted as even crazier than before. Everyone was telling me that I was having a mental break down.

Following this video my lawyer was trying to make a deal.

But at the time, I felt like my honor and reputation were at stake. I felt the Marine Corps was challenging me without addressing my demands for accountability AT ALL. I felt like at that point, if I had taken any agreed upon deal, I would always have been painted as the stereotypical crazy veteran. I felt like all my very valid points would have been forgotten.

And to be clear, I am a command selected Battalion Commander. Can you imagine a LCpl demanding accountability for rape or any other valid complaint? How do you think the command would treat those Marines? Do you think the command would be more sympathetic to them than how they have treated me? This whole process, in my opinion, should be a case study on how the system can turn on someone who speaks out. I truly hope going forward that Marine Corps leaders can better tolerate challenges to the system.

I ended up deciding to post a fourth video, on Thursday September 16th, to ensure my request for accountability was not forgotten. I posted the video in my uniform, because unlike my previous two videos, I was very controlled and deliberate in the fourth video. In the fourth video, I was speaking directly to the General officers. I also stated my intention to prefer legal charges against General McKenzie so that my command, who was trying to hold me accountable, would also be forced to take a formal position on the charges I levied against General McKenzie. But up to this point, they have denied me this right.

After I posted the fourth video, my command finally grew tired of reminding me about the social media policy and issued me the gag order. To be clear, I never stated that I would stop posting. I only signed and acknowledge that Col Emmel gave me a gag order. After signing, I remained silent for the rest of the week on social media. During that week I was fighting four sperate legal battles with four different groups of lawyers. My wife handed me a separation agreement, my business partner initiated a process to buy me out of the company since my name hurt the brand, I was trying unsuccessfully to prefer legal action against General McKenzie, and I was also trying to defend myself against the legal actions being brought towards me by the command. It was a tough week for me personally and professionally.

Then that weekend, on Saturday, September 25th, I deliberately made three posts that violated the gag order. I did so willingly.

I knew if I said true things that were hard to hear, my command would likely overreact and send me to jail. I felt this overreaction would ultimately bring coverage to my situation and force the General officers to answer tough questions about the hypocrisy of our situations.

But even though I anticipated my command would send me to jail, when I went into work on Monday, I was very disturbed that Col Emmel stated on the confinement order that I was a flight risk. Up to that point, I knew Col Emmel was very upset with me, but I didn't take it personally. I also sympathized with his responsibility to hold the party line. But when he stated formally that I was a flight risk with absolutely no evidence of this, I felt like he lied to silence and punish me. The truth is that I came into work every day and had responded to every request even after he refused to let me take leave. The only time I failed to communicate with him was the one text he sent me after my second video, which again, I felt was appropriately addressed after I spoke to his XO for ten minutes. Yet still somehow, he listed on a formal document that I was a flight risk to justify my confinement.

While in the brig I again tried to submit a resignation in lieu of trial, but my command rejected it. They wanted a conviction of guilt. Thus, I obviously signed a deal to plead guilty to a litany of charges at special court martial, which brings us to today. But the attacks from the Marine Corps continued even after my release. Following my release, the Marine Corps leaked confidential documents to the senior pentagon journalist for Task and Purpose. Of note, the Marine Corps placed my medical records in the investigation, and then leaked these documents to Task and Purpose. For them to leak my medical records is truly heartbreaking. Furthermore, had I leaked something to the media, I would have gone back to jail. But no one in the Marine Corps will be held accountable for the leaked documents. In the article ran by Task and Purpose, I was painted as a violent extremist, Fascist, and the journalist even made a connection to Hitler. Obviously, you can understand that I was very angry following the article. After everything I've been through, I feel it's reasonable to conclude that the Marine Corps and Task and Purpose were working together in an effort to smear my name. I also feel that it's possible the Marine Corps was trying to bait me into posting again.

This is not the America I know. This is not the America that I have fought so hard to defend the last 17 years.

In summary, I was never charged with a false official statement. Because everything I have said is true. If the Marine Corps could have charged me with, they would have. My statements all center around the fact that I do not believe General Officers are held to the same standards as junior leaders. I also believe, that similar to post Vietnam, the Marine Corps leadership is trying to spin the narrative about our failures on the junior enlisted without taking a hard look at themselves. I also believe that once I spoke out, the Marine Corps wholistically took every opportunity to attack me, and never actually cared about my well-being.

But it's hard for the Marine Corps to defeat someone who refuses to quit. Going forward, I am still demanding accountability from my senior General officers. Since this endeavor began, not a single General officer has accepted accountability. Not a single General officer has contacted me directly in any forum to deescalate the situation. Since this endeavor began, I have acknowledged that I should be held accountable for my actions. I am standing here today pleading guilty. This is me accepting accountability. But it deeply pains me that my senior leaders are incapable of being as courageous.

Without accountability from our senior leaders, the system cannot evolve, and the military will ultimately keep repeating the same mistakes in the future. It doesn't matter if a SSgt squad leader is highly efficient in distributed operations if the General officers have relegated themselves to 'yes sir' responses. We need senior leaders who possess the morale courage to push back when something doesn't make sense.

Furthermore, I understand that my process of criticism was unorothodoxed and not within official Marine Corps channels. I essentially requested mast in a very public setting. I acknowledge that it was potentially damaging to the Marine Corps' reputation. But I felt the conversation and need for change outweighed the potential negative bad press. I did what I did because I thought it was in the best long-term interest of the Marine Corps. I have always wanted to make the Marine Corps better. Not damage the Marine Corps. I acknowledge that my actions placed the Marine Corps in a position where they were forced to respond and couldn't quietly hide behind closed doors.

My actions were very public, and at times, very emotional. But I think the emotional rollercoaster that I went through, is what every service member in the country goes through. The only difference is that my experience was very public. And unlike the 22 Service Members a day who kill themselves, I decided a long time ago that I will never be broken. No matter the struggle I will prevail stronger. Post Traumatic Growth. But even with that mindset, that doesn't mean I don't experience pain. That doesn't mean I don't experience depression. That doesn't mean I don't take time to cry.

If the leaders of the military actually cared about service members, and their sacrifices, all the current and previous senior leaders would engage in public discussions about the shortfalls in their decision making. Senior leaders accepting accountability would heal more service members than any other initiative. The junior service members deserve that from their leadership.

I believe the General officers have demonstrated that they are unable or unwilling to hold themselves accountable. As a result, I believe fundamental change needs to occur in the military.

I am being held accountable for my actions. The General officers should be held accountable for their failures.

Thank You,

Lt. Col. Stu Scheller
The United States is committed to offering condolence payments to the relatives of the 10 people killed in a botched drone strike in Afghanistan in August.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members of the blast in Kabul relocate to the United States.

Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition & Education International.

'Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,' Kirby said.

He did not say how much money would be offered.

On August 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemari Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound.

Ten members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.

The United States is committed to offering condolence payments to the relatives of the 10 people killed in an errant drone strike in Afghanistan in August

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members of the blast in Kabul relocate to the United States

'[Pentagon officials] reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,' Kirby said

Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a 'tragic mistake' and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.

During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, 'providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,' according to Kirby.

Ahmadi's 24-year-old stepson Samim Ahmadi told The Washington Post that 'the situation in Afghanistan is not good'. He added: 'Whether in America or another country, we want peace and comfort for our remaining years.

'Everyone makes mistakes. The Americans cannot bring back our loved ones, but they can take us out of here.'

The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group's 'facilitator' and disrupted the militants ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Discrepancies between the military's portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged.

On August 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemari Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound

Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a 'tragic mistake' and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack

The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization.

There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon's assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.

The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.

Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

In the wake of a suicide attack that killed 13 US troops at the Kabul airport who cannot be brought back, US officials had intelligence that such a vehicle was involved in planning another attack, McKenzie said.

A detailed timeline released by the Pentagon showed that on the morning of August 29, Ahmadi left the compound near the Kabul airport where he lived with his children, two brothers and nieces and nephews.

On his way to work Ahmadi picked up a coworker to carpool before stopping at the home of NEI's director at 8.52am to pick up a laptop.

The director's home had been under intense surveillance by MQ-9 Reaper drones and McKenzie continues to insist that solid intelligence links the home to ISIS-K.

'It was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology,' Head of US Central Command Gen Frank McKenzie said

McKenzie said that the order to carry out the strike was given by the commander of the over-the-horizon strike team, who has not been named publicly.

For days after the August 29 strike, Pentagon officials asserted that it had been conducted correctly, despite immediate reports from the ground that as many as seven children had been killed.

Days after the attack President Joe Biden gave a speech in which he marked the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan by the August 31 deadline. He touted America's ability to strike terrorists and targets without boots on the ground.

But he failed to mention the high civilian casualty rate from the August 29 drone strike, and he failed to mention that children had been killed.

'We struck ISIS-K remotely, days after they murdered 13 of our service members and dozen of innocent Afghans. And to ISIS-K, we are not done with you yet,' he said in his speech.
A COVID-positive teenage girl with other health conditions has become the youngest Victorian to die during the current outbreak.

Victoria's COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar on Saturday confirmed a 15-year-old girl had died while infected with the virus.

She was among seven deaths reported over the past 24 hours, with the others involving three men and two women aged in their 50s to 80s.

Their deaths takes the toll from the current COVID-19 outbreak to 138.

A COVID-positive teenage girl with other health conditions has become the youngest Victorian to die during the current outbreak

'That is a sad and tragic case, we won't be making more comments on her. But we will send our best wishes to her family and the family of all those who have lost their lives with COVID, particularly in the last 24 hours,' Mr Weimar told reporters.

Victoria reported a further 1993 locally acquired infections on Saturday, as its active cases jumped to 21,600.

Almost 80,000 virus tests were conducted on Friday, while more than 40,000 vaccine doses were administered at state-run hubs as the state closes in on its 70 per cent full vaccination target.

Mr Weimar said 88.5 per cent of Victoria's over-16 population have now had one vaccine dose and 64.3 per cent both.

Meanwhile, the Victorian government is under fire over a COVID-19 restriction 'anomaly' that will let fully vaccinated people from NSW travel across the state before Melbourne residents.

Doubled-dosed Victorians and non-residents from 'red zones' such as Greater Sydney will be able to enter Victoria without quarantining for 14 days from 11.59pm on October 19.

They must still return a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival in Victoria, and then isolate, get tested again within 72 hours and remain in isolation until they receive a negative result.

Fully vaccinated travellers from "orange zones" will also no longer be required to get tested or isolate upon arrival.

The permit changes, which do not apply to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people, open the door for Victorians to reunite with family and friends from NSW weeks before those in the state's regions.

Victoria's COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar on Saturday confirmed a 15-year-old girl had died while infected with the virus

Melburnians are currently subject to a 15 kilometre travel limit, which will expand to 25km when 70 per cent of people over 16 are fully vaccinated, and regional travel is banned until it hits 80 per cent coverage under the state's roadmap.

When pressed on the inconsistency on Friday, Health Minister Martin Foley told reporters to 'take a chill pill'.

'There will of course be transitional anomalies but as we get to 70 and 80 per cent, as per the roadmap, they will evaporate,' he said.

Shadow Treasurer David Davis said it was "bizarre" and "strange" Sydneysiders would be able to go to any part of Victoria and follow local restrictions rules, while he couldn't visit his father on the Mornington Peninsula.

'It clearly doesn't make sense that you can have people flow in from NSW in that way and yet 5.5 million Melburnians are locked down,' he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to announce the exact date Melbourne will exit its sixth lockdown on Sunday, with the state to hit 70 per cent full vaccination ahead of schedule next week.
Liberal reporter Elizabeth Drew is facing backlash over a now-deleted tweet which mocked the killing of British conservative politician Davis Amess, just hours after he was stabbed to death at a meeting with his constituents.

The 85-year-old columnist, who frequently appears as an MSNBC guest and has written columns for the New York Times, The Daily Beast and Vanity Fair, tweeted a tasteless joke referring to the murdered MP's last name.

'A perfect last name for a pol who's stabbed at a town meeting. British lawmaker dies after being stabbed multiple times while meeting with constituents, police say David Amess,' Drew tweeted Friday morning.

Sir David, 69, was murdered on Friday by a crazed knifeman while he held a meeting with his constituents in a church in Essex, England.

Shortly after receiving backlash for her insensitive post the reporter took down the tweet.

'Apols for a lapse. Tweet deleted,' the 85-year-old wrote.

85-year-old liberal columnist Elizabeth Drew, (left) who frequently appears as an MSNBC guest tweeted a tasteless joke hours after British politician David Amess (right) was killed

But her apology came too late as she was met with harsh criticism from those who found it tasteless.

'Elizabeth 'Drew' much attention to herself by tweeting a disgusting message regarding the death/murder of a human being,' one person tweeted.

'@VanityFair horrified at Elizabeth Drew's tweet about a friend of mine being murdered today. Sickening!,' another person tweeted.

Someone else tweeted: 'She presumably meant he - lying there having been stabbed to death - was 'a mess'. There are some abhorrent people out there with strange attitudes masquerading as their humour. Elizabeth Drew is one.'

Officials said Amess's murder is being treated as a terror attack 'linked to Islamist extremism'.

Cops have raided two homes in London and a British Muslim man of Somali descent is in police custody.

It is believed the attacker acted alone, and investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection but enquiries continue.

A much-loved MP and a proud father of five, Sir David gave away his daughter Alex, 31, in marriage just weeks ago.

The shocking attack, which came five years after the murder of MP Jo Cox, ignited a row over the protection of parliamentarians.

British home Secretary Priti Patel responded by ordering an immediate review of security arrangements.

MI5 are also said to be taking part in the investigation and will be looking into whether the suspect was known to authorities through the anti-terror PREVENT scheme.

Yesterday the family of Mrs Cox, who was shot and stabbed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, by a Right-wing terrorist in June 2016, said Sir David's murder was an 'attack on democracy itself'.

Mrs Cox's husband Brendan said: 'Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself.

'There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets.'
An anglican church in regional NSW has come under fire for a displaying a sign attacking the state's new Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Rector of Gosford Rod Bower Tweeted an image of the Gosford Anglican Church billboard on Friday that read: 'LetItRipDom Will Kill Us All'.

The sign comes in response to Dominic Perrottet's new NSW roadmap changes, where quarantine will be scrapped for double-jabbed travellers in November.

Rector of Gosford Rod Bower Tweeted a controversial image of the Gosford Anglican Church billboard on Friday that read: 'LetItRipDom Will Kill Us All' (pictured) on Friday

The changes mean Sydneysiders will be able to undertake quarantine-free travel to London, Los Angeles and Bali before they can fly to Brisbane or Perth.

Criticism of the billboard divided users on social media as to whether the sign was appropriate or not.

Former Federal Counter Terrorism Agent, Carrick Ryan, disagreed with the religious leader's critique of the NSW Premier's reopening changes.

The billboard come in criticism to Premier Dominic Perrottet's (pictured) shock decision to reopen international borders and scrap quarantine for fully-vaccinate travellers from November 1

'Usually a massive fan, but this is incredibly disappointing,' he replied.

'I'm not a Perrottet fan but he is opening conservatively with high vaccination rates and allowing families to reunite. I hope you can understand what that means to so many Australians. Please reconsider your stance.'

'Not your best take, Fr Bower. People need to be reunited with their families and vaccines will let that happen safely,' commented another.

'"Kill us all" is a massive over-reaction to small risk, and undermines value of vaccines. Please, as a sensible and compassionate man, reconsider this sign. '

'No-one is letting it rip. NSW is highly vaccinated and there are restrictions remaining even at the 80% fully-vaccinated level. Such a bad take from someone whose stance is normally great,' tweeted a third.

The #LetItRipDom hashtag appeared on Twitter this week since the state eased its restrictions at the 70 per cent vaccination mark, with some users fearing another Covid-19 disaster.

NSW will welcome fully-vaccinated overseas travellers from any part of the world from November 1

'Can anyone offer plausible reassurances that this reopening won't end really badly? Anyone?' Tweeted one person.

'With Perrottet as Premier, NSW has abandoned any pretense of following medical advice re Covid. Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to quarantine at all. As a Sydneysider, I find this horrifying. I fear the impact on the vulnerable,' commented another.

'Living up to his nickname. This guy...has trashed the National Plan. No care for the vulnerable who arent able to get vaccinated. This is reckless,' added a third.

The division comes as the Premier declared Sydney as Australia's 'truly only global city' on Friday as he reopened the state to the world while Victoria and Queensland remain shut.

In a shock move that sparked confusion Mr Perrottet delivered the stunning dig on Friday while announcing changes to Covid-19 restrictions and hotel quarantine.

NSW said it would welcome people from any country around the world as long as they are double-vaccinated from November 1.

'The alternative is to stay closed from the world, we're not doing that. Sydney is Australia's truly only global city.

'When people think of Australia, they think of this,' he said while pointing to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Gosford Anglican Church for comment.
A toddler received a special visit from cops after he phoned emergency services to invite them over to his house to play with his toys.

New Zealand Police shared audio of the heartwarming phone call to Facebook on Friday afternoon after a four-year-old boy from the country's South Island wanted to show officers his prized possessions.

'While we don't encourage children to call 111 to show us their toys, this was too cute not to share,' police wrote.

The call began with the child saying: 'Police Lady?.... Can I tell you something?'

The police dispatcher responded, telling the child he could tell her something.

After a moment of hesitation, the child then says: 'I've got some toys for you Come over and see them.'

'You've got some toys for me?' the woman responded.

'Yep. Come over and see them,' the boy replied.

The police dispatcher asked where the boy was located before the boy's father noticed what was occurring and quickly grabbed hold of the phone.

'Hello, we've received a 111 call. I'm guessing it was a mistake, a child making a mistake there?' the dispatcher said.

The father quickly noted that it was a mistake, and the young boy had been helping out while his mother was sick.

'I was focussing on the other child and he snuck out,' the father added.

But shortly after the call, the emergency dispatcher arranged for a surprise visit to the boy's household.

Constable Kurt visited the four-year-old boy from New Zealand's South Island after he called police and invited them over to his house to play

Constable Kurt responded to the dispatcher's call-out and arrived at the child's house, where he was shown 'an array of toys'.

'He did have cool toys!' Constable Kurt noted.

The lucky boy also got to see the police patrol car and watch the vehicle's flashing lights.

Police added that the officer 'had a good educational chat with the child and his parents about only using 111 for emergencies'.

Many individuals commented on the heart-melting moment and commended police on visiting the young boy.

One user wrote: 'OMG, I'm tearing up again (sniff sniff), that's so precious.'

'Absolutely love this how gorgeous! So lovely of the Police to respond to his request!' wrote another.

While a third said: 'Awesome guys! You made the kid's day.'
'Rogan is right that its dishonest to say he took horse dewormer when he did not,' CNN political commentator Mary Katharine Ham, pictured, tweeted

One of CNN's political commentator's, Mary Katherine Ham, has spoken out against her employer and defended podcast presenter Joe Rogan who earlier this week accused the network of 'lying' about his use of ivermectin when he had coronavirus.

In a clip from Wednesday's The Joe Rogan Experience that went viral, Rogan grilled CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta about the broadcaster's coverage of his use of the drug after he was diagnosed with Covid-19, which he claims he recovered from in five days.

After a tense back-and-forth, Gupta eventually agreed that the anti-parasite drug, which was prescribed to Rogan by a doctor, should never have been described by CNN as a horse de-wormer.

The argument appeared to rumble on Friday when Ham tweeted in support of Rogan's accusation, branding the reporting 'horses***' - although she did not call out the network by name.

Her tweet came after podcaster Joe Rogan slammed CNN's chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta for 'lying' about his course of treatment

Ham continued to criticize CNN calling their description of ivermectin as 'horse dewormer' as 'horses***'

'Rogan is right that it's dishonest to say he took horse dewormer when he did not,' Ham tweeted.

'It was irresistible to dunk on him for a lot of people, so they went with that instead of sticking to 'hey, this anti-parasitic isn't recommended for COVID treatment,' which would've been credible.'

Ham continued as she responded to a follow up tweet by Federalist political editor John Daniel Davidson, who wrote: 'Well, it WAS recommended by Rogan's doctor, so that also wouldn't be credible. And it's not like Rogan's doc is the only one in the country recommending Ivermectin off-label. The MOST they could have said, credibly, is that the CDC doesn't recommend it.'

Ham responded: 'Agreed, I'm not looking to explicate the entire Ivermectin fight in one tweet. That was shorthand for a pronouncement that would have been more suitable than 'he's taking horse dewormer,' which is just straight, well, horses---.'

'I'm happy for folks to take it safely & half expect there may end up being better data later on.,' Ham went on.

CNN anchor Don Lemon (pictured left) has denied the network lied about Joe Rogan's Covid-19 treatment after it said that the popular podcast host took 'horse dewormer' in a discussion with CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta (right) who appeared on the 'The Joe Rogan Experience' on Wednesday

Gupta has since faced further backlash since Rogan's podcast whilst speaking to his colleague Don Lemon, who repeated the 'horse dewormer' narrative and denying the network 'lied'.

'[Rogan] did say something about ivermectin that I think wasn't actually correct about CNN and lying,' Lemon began in reference to the podcast.

'Ivermectin is a drug that is commonly used as a horse dewormer. So it is not a lie to say that the drug is used as a horse dewormer. I think that's important- and it's not approved for COVID, correct?'

Rogan slammed the network for 'lying' by saying he took 'horse de-wormer,' despite the fact that his Ivermectin pills, which are used widely around the world, were prescribed by a doctor

'That's right,' Gupta replied. 'It is not approved for COVID and you're right, even the FDA put out a statement saying basically reminding people- it's a strange sort of message FDA, but said 'You're not a horse, you're not a cow, stop taking this stuff' is essentially what they said referring to ivermectin. Now, I think Joe's point is that-

Lemon interjected: 'That it's been approved for humans but not necessarily for COVID, right?'

'That's correct,' Gupta continued. 'It's been used for a parasitic disease- it's called river blindness and it's been very effective for that, but, you know, just because it works for one thing doesn't mean it works for something else.'

Despite his insistence that CNN never lied about how it characterized Rogan's use of the drug, Lemon's show used an on-air graphic last month that said: 'Joe Rogan announces he has COVID, is taking horse dewormer ivermectin.'

During a panel discussion on the issue, Lemon also told CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner that Rogan 'took the deworming drug ivermectin that's been touted by fringe right-wing groups.'

Reiner hit out at Rogan, saying the host is 'promoting kind of a crazy jumble sort of folk remedies and internet-prescribed drugs. He's not helping matters when he's promoting this sort of nonsense therapeutic mix.'

Joe Rogan and CNN's Dr Sanjay Gupta debated the coverage of the anti-parasite drug Ivermectin in Wednesday's 'The Joe Rogan Experience'

In response to a clip of Lemon talking with Gupta, Substack journalist Glenn Greenwald jumped to Rogan's defense, writing: 'There is zero ambiguity they lied about Joe Rogan.'

'They told viewers he took horse dewormer: a 100% lie. He took the human version of ivermectin prescribed by his medical doctor,' Greenwald tweeted out on Thursday. 'But as I said, lying is not frowned upon at CNN: it's encouraged.'

'It's true that ivermectin is not approved for treatment of COVID. That has nothing with the lie CNN told. They said Rogan took horse dewormer. He didn't. And CNN and Don Lemon are such little people, with so little integrity, they can't admit they lied,' he added angrily.

The network was one of many critics of the podcast host taking the drug, which has been approved to treat parasites in humans and animals.

Former UFC commentator and Spotify star, Rogan, 54, also drew criticism from Dr Anthony Fauci when he revealed he took the drug in an Instagram video last month.

Studies have shown that Ivermectin decreases viral loads and may prevent COVID deaths, but the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control recommend against using it for COVID, saying better studies are needed.

The FDA went so far as to send out a tweet telling people: 'You are not a horse, you are not a cow. Seriously, y'all, stop it'.

Gupta seemed overwhelmed by Rogan's line of questioning: 'We're going so fast'

Rogan recovered last month after what he called a 'kitchen sink' approach.

On Wednesday's episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, he repeatedly pressed Gupta on his coworkers' claims that he took animal drugs.

'Calling it a horse de-wormer is not the most flattering thing, I get that,' Gupta said.

'It's a lie,' Rogan responded.

'It's a lie on a news network  and it's a lie that they're conscious of. It's not a mistake. They're unfavorably framing it as veterinary medicine.'

Gupta pointed to what he called a 'snarky' tweet by the FDA telling people they are 'not a horse,' seemingly comparing it to his CNN colleagues' statements.

'Why would you say that when you're talking about a drug that's been given out to billions and billions of people? A drug that was responsible for one of the inventors winning the Nobel Prize in 2015?

'A drug that has been shown to stop viral replication in vitro - you know that, right? Why would they lie and say that's horse de-wormer? I can afford people medicine, motherf*****. This is ridiculous,' Rogan said, prompting Gupta to laugh.

Gupta seemed to compare his CNN colleagues' assertions to the above tweet by the FDA

Ivermectin, available in human and animal concentrations, is used by 250 million people a year. Studies show it helps reduce viral load, but health experts say more research is needed

Ivermectin is available over-the-counter for horses, though health authorities have warned against humans taking the larger animal concentrations.

Rogan went on to criticize mainstream media for pushing a false narrative about Ivermectin, a broad-spectrum, anti-parasitic 'wonder drug' taken by 250 million people a year, according to a 2015 Nobel lecture.

'It's just a lie, but don't you think a lie like that is dangerous on a news network, when you know that they know they're lying?' Rogan asked.

Gupta seemed overwhelmed: 'We're going so fast.'

'Dude, they lied and said I was taking horse de-wormer,' Rogan shot back. 'First of all, it was prescribed to me by a doctor along with a bunch of other medications.'

Gutpa conceded: 'If you got a human pill - because there are people that were taking the veterinary medication, and you're not, obviously, you got it from a doctor - so it shouldn't be called that.

'Ivermectin can be a very effective medication for parasitic disease and, as you say, it's probably a quarter billion people have taken it around the world.'

'More, way more. Billions of people have taken it,' Rogan said.

'Does it bother you that the network you work for out and lied, just outright lied about me taking horse de-wormer?' Rogan asked point-blank.

'They shouldn't have said that,' Gupta finally admitted.

'Why did they do that?' Rogan asked.

'I don't know,' Gupta said.

'You didn't ask? You're the medical guy over there,' Rogan charged.

'I didn't ask, I should have asked before coming on the podcast,' Gupta said.

Gupta, 51, is a practicing neurosurgeon and professor at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. He attended the University of Michigan medical school and joined CNN in 2001.

The CNN correspondent's talk with Rogan started out on fairly friendly terms, with Gupta telling Rogan he was 'glad' that he was better.

Rogan has made controversial comments criticizing vaccines and coronavirus lockdown measures

'Thank you,' Rogan responded. 'You're probably the only one at CNN who's glad  The rest of them are all lying about me taking horse medication.'

'That bothered you,' Gupta said.

'It should bother you too,' Rogan shot back. 'They're lying at your network about people taking human drugs versus drugs for veterinary.'

Last month, Rogan announced he fell ill on August 28, during the Florida leg of his live tour. He told his Instagram followers that he took Ivermectin along with monoclonal antibodies, Z-pack antibiotics and a vitamin drip for three days and that he felt great.

The announcement kicked off a flurry of criticism for the popular podcaster, who signed a deal with streaming service Spotify worth a reported $100 million last year.

Dr Fauci, Biden's medical advisor, went on CNN and said that Rogan took the 'livestock de-wormer ivermectin,' adding that it 'doesn't have any effect on COVID, obviously,' according to Yahoo News.

Dr. Fauci tells @Acosta that disinformation, like that being spread by Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan, is, "one of the enemies of public health." pic.twitter.com/4A3gUB3rWZ  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 5, 2021

Fauci also called Rogan 'one of the enemies of public health.'

Rogan has previously railed against vaccines and vaccine mandates, saying that young and healthy people don't need to be jabbed. On Wednesday, he also revealed that he was nearly vaccinated in Las Vegas a few months ago but missed his appointment, according to Newsweek.

Ivermectin was discovered from soil samples collected in Japan by microbiologist Satoshi Omura in 1970, according to the journal Trends in Parasitology.

Omura won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015 along with American biologist William C. Campbell, of the pharmaceutical company Merck.

The Nobel committee wrote: 'Its impact on improving the overall health and welfare of hundreds of millions of men, women and children, mostly in poor and impoverished communities, remains unmatched.

'It continues to defy many preconceived concepts, with no drug resistance developing in humans despite years of extensive monotherapy. Tis has led to it being included on the World Health Organization's 'List of Essential Medicines,' a compilation of the most important medications needed in any basic health system.'

An August 21 article in the American Journal of Therapeutics concluded that 'using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease. The apparent safety and low cost suggest that ivermectin is likely to have a significant impact on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic globally.'

The CDC says more 'adequately sized, well-designed, and well-conducted clinical trials are needed' before recommending Ivermectin for coronavirus.
Hundreds of residents have flocked to Bunnings stores across Queensland to grab a sausage sizzle and a jab as the state records zero locally acquired Covid cases on Saturday.

The Queensland government announced the vaccine roll out at Bunnings stores on Tuesday in a bid to boost vaccination uptake across the sunshine state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government was trying to bring new ways to protect residents with Bunnings vaccination clinics opening for the first time on Saturday.

'So families can get their Bunnings sausage and a dose of vaccine,' the premier told parliament on Tuesday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government was finding new ways to bring protection to the state's population by turning Bunnings stores into vaccine clinics (pictured)

More than 33 Bunnings retailers are offering the jab across the state, stretching from the Gold Coast, inland to Dalby and as far north as Cairns.

The move comes as the state recorded zero new locally-acquired cases on Saturday with three overseas acquired and detected in hotel quarantine.

A total of 16,140 vaccines were administered across the state in the past 24-hours, and 7,335 tests undertaken.

Queensland's chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young (pictured) was spotted eating a Bunnings snag after a press conference at a vaccination pop-up in Brisbane on Saturday

Hundreds gathered for a vaccination and a Bunnings sausage on Saturday to help the sunshine state increase its jab rates (pictured, a Queensland resident receives a Covid-19 vaccine)

The state has now reached 71.7 per cent first dose and 55.5 per cent double dose.

A home quarantine trial for 1000 stranded residents has also begun as the government begins to address plans for re-opening.

'It is important that we do everything we can to implement strategies that will help manage the virus in our state,' Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said on Tuesday.

Vaccinations are offered at retailers from the Gold Coast, inland to Dalby and as far north as Cairns to boost the state's jab rate (pictured, Queenslanders line up at Covid-19 vaccination clinic at Bunnings in Brisbane)

The home quarantine trial offers an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and how it can be expanded, she said.

It is the first sign of the government's plan for allowing interstate travellers back into Queensland, after Ms D'Ath on Monday issued the call for more Queenslanders to get vaccinated.

'The next five to six weeks are crucial,' she said.

'That is your mission. Get yourself protected and that helps protect our whole community and allows us to open up.'

QLD has now reached 71.7 per cent first dose and 55.5 per cent double dose (pictured, Bunnings in Brisbane turns into a vaccination clinic)

'Families can get their Bunnings sausage and a dose of vaccine,' the premier told parliament on Tuesday (pictured, residents line up for a sausage sizzle at Bunnings vaccination clinics)

But the 'vague promises' of when the border will reopen should be done away with in favour of a concrete plan, employer organisation the Australian Industry Group says.

'Talking vaguely of a Christmas reopening schedule and then upping the ante on vaccination targets is far from the circuit breaker announcement that the government needs to deliver to encourage people to get the jab,' Queensland Head of AI group Rebecca Andrews said on Tuesday.

'We need an unequivocal statement from the premier, backed up by health authorities, that the state border barriers will be removed on the Monday after the state reaches 80 per cent vaccination coverage of all of those eligible to get the jab.'

There are 29 active COVID-19 cases in Queensland.
NYPD cop Yvonne Wu, who has been charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly shooting her ex-girlfriend and killing her new lover after lying in wait at their home in Brooklyn, is still in hospital having told police that she was suicidal.

Wu, 31, and Jenny Li, 23, had split up a month ago, but the officer was unable to get over the relationship.

Li's new girlfriend, Jamie Liang, 24, was shot dead after arriving home with Li at Li's Bensonhurst apartment.

Wu allegedly slipped in through a backdoor which was unlocked at Li's home and lay in wait for her on the bed, opening fire as the couple returned home.

She allegedly opened fire shooting Liang multiple times and hitting Li in the torso. Li survived and is in the hospital but Liang died on Wednesday night.

Wu is said to have confessed to the crime before being taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn where she remains after telling officers she is suicidal, the New York Daily News reports.

On Friday night, a cleaning crew was seeing arriving at the home along with the landlord of the building to assist in tidying up the bloody scene.

On Friday night, a cleaning crew arrived along with the landlord of the building to tidy up the bloody scene

NYPD cop Yvonne Wu, 31, left, opened fire at her ex-girlfriend, Jenny Li, 23, and Li's new girlfriend, Jamie Liang, 24, right, at Li's home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, on Wednesday night

Although nothing was believed to have been removed from the residence, photographs of the crime scene were taken by workers who entered the premises wearing protective hazmat suits.

Due to her hospital stay, Wu has not appeared in court on any charges, but an arraignment may happen next week with the accused killer possibly appearing by video link from hospital.

Li and Wu dated for two years but broke up last month in ugly circumstances. Friends say the cop, who was eight years older than her ex-girlfriend, was jealous and possessive.

Friends have said the shooting was preventable and that Wu had already got into an altercation with the two women weeks before the shooting, friends revealed on Thursday.

The landlord of the property where the bloody shooting took place was seen on the doorstep

Crew members wearing hazmat suits arrived on scene on Friday night in a bid to clean up

Li, Wu's ex-girlfriend, didn't report the altercation to the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau because she thought she could 'handle it on her own,' her friend told the Daily News.

'It should have been prevented,' the friend told the News. 'The cop was already stalking them...[Jenny] didn't want the police involved. She wanted to handle it on her own. She thought she could handle it.'

Liang allegedly wanted Li to report the altercation to the Bureau, but Li talked her out of it.

Wu reportedly told police she wanted to kill herself following the shooting, but was reported by neighbors to have appeared calm.

It's believed further photos were taken of the crime scene on Friday evening

NYPD sources said Wu, pictured, was an exemplary officer who was regularly lauded for her good work

Friends set up a GoFundMe for Liang's family on Thursday and shared kind words about her.

'Our beloved friend, Jamie Liang, was taken away from us on October 13, 2021. She was a victim in a Brooklyn homicide case. We are raising funds to help her parents and family with the funeral arrangements.

'Jamie was a 24year-old dental student at NYU who had a bright future ahead of her. She was loved by so many and filled every room with her kindness and lively spirit. We live to honor all the joy that she brought to the lives of her family and friends,' the page says.

Liang was believed to have been studying dentistry. She was due to graduate in 2024.

The page seeks to raise $20,000 to pay for Liang's funeral. By early Saturday morning, more than $37,000 had been raised.

The New York Attorney General's Office told DailyMail.com it was reviewing the case.

Because it involves a cop shooting a civilian, the case is automatically referred to State Attorney General Letitia James' office.

This is the moment Wu was cuffed and taken in a police car to the hospital to undergo evaluation. She remained there as of Saturday morning
Union chiefs are said to be preparing strike action for British HGV drivers after ministers backed plans to make it more attractive for foreign hauliers to work in the UK.

British businesses are said to be 'appalled' by Government-backed plans to allow overseas drivers make 'unlimited journeys at low rates' to combat shortages and save Christmas.

They say the move risks British labour being 'undercut' by cheaper foreign companies as national union Unite prepares to discuss potential strike action with hauliers, reports The Times.

In desperate efforts to plug the gaps amid a national driver shortage, the government have agreed to a relaxation in 'cabotage' rules - which currently limit EU-based companies to making a maximum of two trips in the UK within a week.

But Rod McKenzie, managing director at the Road Haulage Association, warned ministers would be allowing firms from abroad 'do unlimited work at low rates, undercutting UK hauliers who are facing an acute driver shortage, rising costs and staff wages'.

Sharon Graham, Unite's new leader whose trade body was accused of 'holding Christmas hostage', added that the treatment of British drivers was 'nothing short of a disgrace'.

The news comes just days after thousands of supermarket and delivery drivers were to be consulted over a mass walkout - the largest strike threat of its kind since the notorious Winter of Discontent more than 40 years ago.

British businesses are said to be 'appalled' by Government-backed plans to allow overseas drivers make 'unlimited journeys at low rates' to combat shortages and save Christmas [File picture]

Consumers have already faced barren supermarket shelves while shopping in major UK retailers, but could see more if the industrial action goes ahead

The recent supply chain crisis, which many fear will continue to cause empty shelves into the festive season, has given truckers 'power', the union said.

As a result, their representatives are demanding commitments from ministers to provide clean toilets and catering facilities at truck stops as well as a pay rise for veteran drivers, after new starters were offered salaries of 50,000 to get behind the wheel.

Mr McKenzie told BBC R4's Today programme that any agreement to allow foreign firms unlimited access across the UK could 'sabotage' British businesses.

He said: 'I spoke to some of our members last night and they were appalled, ridiculous, pathetic, gobsmacked.

'This is about taking work from British operators and drivers and giving it to Europeans who dont pay tax here and pay peanuts to their drivers.

'The government has been talking about a high wage, high skill economy and not pulling the level marked uncontrolled immigration and to them this is exactly what it looks like.'

This week, families were warned to start shopping for Christmas now amid fears that supplies of toys, electrical goods and other products will be disrupted by the logjams at UK ports.

Retail leaders say the shortage of HGV drivers to carry loads from docks around the coast is threatening festivities and the wider economy.

Meanwhile, unions are said to be discussing the potential for industrial action. The government has played down the impact of any strike.

Sharon Graham said: 'Britain's drivers kept the nation moving during the worst crisis in living memory. It's time for employers to pay workers a proper rate for the job.

'Enough is enough. Unite will be consulting its members before deciding on the next steps, including exploring the options for industrial action.'

Unite's new leader Sharon Graham (pictured) has promised to operate 'on the edge of the law' to protect members' rights

Containers are stacking up at Felixstowe, Britain's biggest container port, in yet another pre-Christmas crisis emerging as it is taking ten days instead of five for each one to be moved due to a lack of HGV drivers and port staff

Ikea and Nestle are among the huge businesses that say their products are being snarled up due to a lack of HGV drivers that is hitting all parts of British life

But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps downplayed any threat of strike action looming over the winter period, as MailOnline understands Unite's representation in the haulier industry sits at around 15 per cent of all drivers.

He told the BBC: 'We're not in the 70s where there was a big unionised block of lorry drivers.'

It comes after comments from the head of the British Port Association explained a lack of HGV drivers had caused deliveries to slow down at Britain's busiest ports.

Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of the British Port Association said haulier shortages had meant goods were 'sitting around longer than you expect' in Britain's ports.

He added: 'The lack of haulage isn't stopping ports from doing things, it's just slowing things down at the moment.

'It's a big problem across the board, not just in the container sector as we've seen this week but also the roll-on roll-off - where trailers are dropped at ports and collected by domestic drivers.

'We're now also seeing a bit of an impact in the bulk sector. It's not a major problem at the moment, but it could be, so we're supporting some of the moves government are making to make it easier for people to come in an drive.'

The soaring cost of Christmas was laid bare last night amid rising prices on Chinese imports as well as higher petrol, energy and food bills

Mr Ballantyne also appeared to back the Government's drive to loosen cabotage restrictions, describing it as 'quite a helpful move'.

He added: 'I know some domestic hauliers in UK are nervous about this, but in terms of having overall resource in Britain, we do like that. Coupled with other factors, immigration visas and the relaxation of driver's hours.

'But it's important to say these are not long term solutions, government and industry need to look at ways to attract new and young people into the sector.'

One in three retailers in Britain are expecting prices to increase over the next three months amid cost pressures from rising transport costs, higher energy prices and ongoing labour shortages.

The British Retail Consortium said there are 'clear signs' the combination of issues are 'starting to filter through to consumer prices', and small retailers across the UK say they are expecting to have to charge more.

But others said they are 'desperately holding off from being a Christmas grinch and keeping everything the same' because they don't want to give shoppers more reasons not to buy in what is already a tough market.
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Dozens of climate activists have been arrested after they clashed with police in Washington DC and forced their way into the Interior Department building in scenes that some have called reminiscent of the US Capitol riot.

An Interior Department spokeswoman said a group of demonstrators rushed the lobby on Thursday, injuring multiple security officers, at least of whom was taken to a nearby hospital.

Police and protesters clashed outside the building, and officers used Tasers and batons against several unarmed protesters, representatives for the activist group said. The group said 55 participants were arrested.

The dramatic scenes came during five days of demonstrations in the capital organized by a Native American climate group calling itself 'People vs Fossil Fuels', which is demanding that President Joe Biden cease approvals for fossil fuel infrastructure and lead a renewable energy transformation.

Footage shared by Washington Post reporter Ellie Silverman shows protestors pushing their way into the Interior Department, while chanting 'sign the treaty' and 'protect the water'.

An overwhelmed officer appears to flash his taser at the angry crowd gathered at the entrance to the federal building.

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Native and other environmentalist groups gather outside the US Capitol on the fifth day of 'People vs. Fossil Fuels' protests in Washington, DC on Friday. Protesters hold banners demanding the U.S. President Joe Biden to reject fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency while police take security measures

Climate protesters are pushing police, trying to force their way into the Department of the Interior where other activists have made it inside in an attempt to occupy the building. pic.twitter.com/IVhvPdTAYu  Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11) October 14, 2021

Footage captured protestors who made it inside the Department of the Interior who were linked arm and arm for a sit-in protest while officers look on.

The climate activists were seen after rushing the lobby of the federal building

Hundreds gathered for the week of marches and demonstrations, seen above. But some among the group drew criticism after storming the Interior Department for a sit-in

Protesters look through the doorway of the Department of Interior building on Thursday during a sit in held by climate activists

Protesters watch police officers arresting their colleagues during the demonstration. Environmental activists were arrested after occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Department of Interior

Police officers escort a protester out of the Department of Interior building after a sit-in held by climate activists on Thursday in Washington, DC. Climate advocates and Indigenous leaders are joining the 'People vs. Fossil Fuels'' protests

Police clashed with dozens of protestors who made their way inside the Interior Department

Another video shows one protestor try to climb into the building through the door while the crowd cheers in support.

Footage also captured protestors who made it inside the Department of the Interior, who were linked arm and arm for a sit-in protest while officers look on.

Conservative critics quickly compared the scenes to those of January 6, when thousands of Donald Trump's loyalists stormed the US Capitol.

Andy Ngo, a conservative commentator who frequently criticizes left-wing demonstrations, called the climate demonstrators 'extreme' and tweeted that it was 'a scene reminiscent of Jan. 6.'

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was traveling Thursday and was not in the building during the chaotic protest.

Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe in New Mexico, is the first Native American Interior secretary.

'Interior Department leadership believes strongly in respecting and upholding the right to free speech and peaceful protest,'' Melissa Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Haaland, said in a statement.

'Centering the voices of lawful protesters is and will continue to be an important foundation of our democracy. It is also our obligation to keep everyone safe. We will continue to do everything we can to de-escalate the situation while honoring First Amendment rights.''

She said protesters who were arrested were taken in for booking.

Dozens of activists were arrested on the final day of a week-long climate protest in the nation's capital

A climate activist is arrested following a sit-in against fossil fuel pipelines outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Protestors gathered in front of an entrance chanting 'sign the treaty' and 'protect the water'

The protest was part of 'a historic surge of Indigenous resistance' in the nation's capital that started on Monday, Indigenous Peoples' Day, outside the White House, said Jennifer Falcon, a spokeswoman for the Indigenous Environmental Network.

More than 100 people were arrested as protesters linked arms and sat along the White House fence line to call on the Biden administration to do more to combat climate change and ban fossil fuels.

Demonstrators defaced the Andrew Jackson statue at the center of Lafayette Park across the street from the White House was defaced with the words 'Expect Us' - part of a rallying cry used by Indigenous people who have been fighting against fossil fuel pipelines.

Jackson, a slave-owning president, infamously forced Cherokees and many other Native Americans on deadly marches out of their southern homelands.

Protesters also climbed a flagpole outside the Army Corps of Engineers office, demanding a stop to Line 3, an oil pipeline upgrade that was recently completed in Minnesota. The pipeline will bring tar sands oil from Canada to Wisconsin.

Demonstrators defaced the Andrew Jackson statue at the center of Lafayette Park across the street from the White House was defaced with the words 'Expect Us', a rallying cry against fossil fuel pipelines

Native American climate activists and allies are arrested at the US Capitol during a youth-led civil disobedience action against the continued use of fossil fuels, on Friday, the fifth and final day of a week of action hosted by People vs. Fossil Fuels

Native American climate activists and allies, many under the age of 18, await arrest at the US Capitol during a youth-led civil disobedience action against the continued use of fossil fuels on Friday

Allies of Native American climate activists form a protective wall around as they speak during a protest at the White House action against the continued use of fossil fuels on Wednesday

BREAKING: Indigenous Leaders are occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC for the first time since the 1970's. #PeopleVsFossilFuels



INSIDE THE BUILDING: pic.twitter.com/bnvnRE7ZrD  People vs. Fossil Fuels (@FightFossils) October 14, 2021

Falcon said in an interview that her group has no formal role in that protest, which she said was led by 'autonomous, frontline leaders' and 'water protectors.''

The protests continued on Friday as Indigenous groups and other environmental activists marched to the Capitol.

Nearly 80 people were arrested on the fifth day of the 'People vs. Fossil Fuels' protest. That brings the total arrested during the week to more than 600, organizers said.

Under a banner declaring 'We did not vote for fossil fuels,' activists pressed Biden to stop approving new pipelines and other fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency.

Demonstrators urged members of Congress to 'listen to the people' who sent them to Washington and take urgent action to phase out fossil fuels that contribute to global warming.

Capitol Police said 78 people were arrested on obstruction or crowding charges. Three of those arrested also were charged with assault on a police officer.

Protesters link arms as they sit in the driveway to the garage to Department of Interior building on Thursday

Climate protesters march to the White House on Tuesday in Washington, DC as part of a week of demonstrations

The group was urging the Biden administration to do more to curb climate change and ban fossil fuels

Climate protesters march to the White House on Tuesday in Washington, DC. The sign referencing 'MMIW' stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Speakers said Biden was not following through on his promises to act on climate change.

'It's ridiculous. He promised, just like they've done in the past, "We'll talk about it, we'll bring it to the table." Where's our seat?' asked Isabelle Knife, 22, a member of the Yankton Sioux tribe of South Dakota.

'We haven't had a seat. We haven't been heard,' Knife said. 'It takes youth to be on the frontlines. It takes us to put our bodies on the line.'

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration was 'listening to advocates and people who have been elevating the issue of climate for decades.

Environmental activists 'have important voices, and theyve put climate on the front of the agenda when it wasnt 10 years and 20 years ago, Psaki said Thursday.

She encouraged activists and anyone who supports action on climate change to look at Bidens proposals in a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a larger Democratic-only plan to address social and environmental issues.

'He's trying to push across the finish line ... an enormous investment and commitment to addressing the climate crisis,' Psaki said. 'Thats in his legislative agenda thats currently working its way through Congress now.'

'It doesn't mean his climate commitment ends once he signs this into law; it just means that's what our focus is on now, and it will have a dramatic, important impact,' she added.
Boris Johnson's short-term foreign policy goals have made it impossible to make agreements with him, senior French sources have claimed.

Politicians in Paris believe the prime minister is a populist who wants to use France as a scapegoat to keep pushing his Brexit agenda and he has no interest in solving issues in the cross-Channel relationship.

One diplomat told The Guardian the situation is perilous and Britain appears to be waiting until after the French election in April to improve the damaged relationship.

A French source said: 'The instability is that some have concluded that Johnson and Lord Frost [the Brexit minister] do not want agreements on the Northern Ireland protocol, or anything much, but will continue ramping up demands until they are impossible.'

The French claims mirror accusations in Britain that Macron's view of London is clouded by internal politics.

Boris Johnson's short-term foreign policy goals have made it impossible to make agreements with him, senior French sources have claimed

The president is expected to appoint Europe minister Clement Beaune as a key figure in his election campaign team.

Beaune has frequently taken swipes at the UK, saying the country is obsessed with France and threatened to reduce energy supplies if London does not back down over Channel Islands fishing rights.

Paris was infuriated when Jersey only granted licences to 12 small French boats out of 47 applications this summer - with warnings that vessels could mount a blockade.

France is also among a number of countries seeking trade reprisals if Northern Ireland protocol talks stall, while the migrant crisis remains another sticking point between the two nations.

The UK promised in June to pay 54million to help cover the cost of policing migrants attempting to cross the Channel but last weekend, France claimed that 'not one euro has been paid'.

Politicians in Paris believe the prime minister wants to use France as a scapegoat to keep pushing his Brexit agenda

One of the main bones of contention remains the Aukus submarine defence pact that resulted in France losing a major contract with Australia.

A meeting that was cancelled between French and British defence ministers is yet to be rescheduled amid the fallout from the snub.

Since the Aukus furore, Joe Biden has made concessions and assured Macron it would not be repeated, but Johnson has made no such promises.

The prime minister has even promoted Admiral Sir Tony Radakin to chief of defence staff, the official most involved in scrapping the submarine contract.

Johnson also told France to 'prenez un grip' and 'donnez moi un break' in the row about the secret deal that tore up a separate French contract.

The problem is worsened because France does not see Johnson as a normal politician, but someone who is guided only by the polls and what is popular with British voters.

The president is expected to appoint Europe minister Clement Beaune as a key figure in his election campaign team

The mayor Calais, Natacha Bouchart, said last weekend the British are 'cynical, sarcastic and unable to reform their own labour laws even though they in fact largely promote illegal work and reinforce the pull factor'.

It is believed that 7,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year alone, double last year's figures.

Meanwhile in the latest row, France rallied its European allies to present a 'common front' against the UK in the row over post-Brexit fishing licences.

Ten nations - including Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium - joined the French in signing a joint statement that calls on the UK to abide by the terms of the Brexit trade agreement and ensure 'continuity' for French fishing fleets.

They take particular issue with Britain's demand that French vessels supply geolocation data to get a licence, saying it 'is not provided for in the deal.'

France is still thought to be preparing separate 'retaliatory' measures designed to punish the UK and which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

In France's parliament last week, Prime Minister Jean Castex accused Britain of reneging on its promise over fishing.

'We see in the clearest way possible that Great Britain does not respect its own signature,' he said, adding that 'all we want is that a given word is respected.'
The sister company of the under-fire lab that wrongly told 43,000 they were Covid-free is being probed because of travel test complaints.

Testing operations at Immensa Health Clinic Ltd's laboratory in Wolverhampton have been suspended because of the faulty tests.

And it has been revealed its sister company Dante Labs is now also being investigated by the Competion and Markets Authority (CMA) over concerns it may be treating customers unfairly.

This included by not delivering PCR tests and results on time or at all, failing to respond to complaints or provide proper customer service, refusing or delaying refunds when requested and using terms and conditions which may unfairly limit consumers' rights.

The CSA said Dante was 'a popular provider of PCR travel tests in the UK this summer'.

A negative PCR means people will not have needed to isolate and could potentially have spread the infection to many other people.

The errors at Immensa relate to test results given to people between September 8 and October 12, mainly in the South West of England, but with some cases in the South East and Wales.

There are no technical issues with test kits themselves and people should continue to test as normal, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

Immensa is run by Andrea Riposati, who is also chief executive of Dante labs. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced in September it was investigating Dante Labs over concerns it may be treating customers unfairly

Map shows: The week-on-week percentage change in positive tests in regions across England

The errors at Immensa relate to test results given to people between September 8 and October 12, mainly in the South West of England, but with some cases in the South East and Wales

Q&A: Everything you need to know about Immensa Health Clinic How many tests does it carry out? Officials said Immensa has done more than 400,000 swabs since September 8, which was equivalent to about 11,400 a day. The company says online that it has completed more than three million Covid tests at its Wolverhampton site since it was founded in May last year. Who was affected by the blunder? Some 45,000 Britons may have been given the wrong Covid results, officials said. The site mainly processes PCR swabs from centres in the South West, but also checks tests from other parts of the country. What caused the testing error? Officials are still baffled as to what triggered the error in PCR tests at present. But analysing each swab for the virus involves several steps and complex machinery. What goes on inside the lab? Once a Covid swab arrives at the lab it is processed by technicians to see whether it contains Covid. But leaked footage has shown employees fighting at the lab in January at the height of the second wave. Does it process holiday PCR tests too? The lab is not thought to process holiday tests. But Immensa Health Clinic is owned by Dante Labs, which offers day-two and day-eight tests to people arriving in the UK. It is currently under investigation after regulators were told it was failing to deliver Covid tests to customers and issue refunds. Advertisement

It said a full investigation is being carried out into why and how incorrect results were given.

Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of UKHSA, told the BBC it was likely only a few thousand of the 43,000 affected were still infectious.

She added that it was 'not clear yet' what went wrong in the private laboratory, adding that it was 'accredited to all of the appropriate standards'.

NHS Test and Trace estimates that around 400,000 samples have been processed through the lab, but new samples are now being redirected to other labs.

Test and Trace is contacting people who could still be infectious to advise them to take another test, while close contacts who are symptomatic will also be advised to take a test, as is already recommended.

PCR tests can detect Covid several weeks after infection.

If a person has a positive lateral flow result, they are told to have a follow-up PCR to confirm the finding.

Dr Will Welfare, public health incident director at UKHSA, said: 'We have recently seen a rising number of positive LFD (lateral flow) results subsequently testing negative on PCR.

'As a result of our investigation, we are working with NHS Test and Trace and the company to determine the laboratory technical issues which have led to inaccurate PCR results being issued to people.

'We have immediately suspended testing at this laboratory while we continue the investigation.

'There is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and the public should remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided.

'If you get a positive LFD test, it's important to make sure that you then get a follow-up PCR test to confirm you have Covid-19.

'If you have symptoms of Covid, self-isolate and take a PCR test.'

The Government awarded Immensa a 119 million contract in October 2020 to urgently 'develop volume for PCR testing for Covid in line with test and trace requirements', the contract shows.

The contract did not go to tender under rules allowing urgent responses to the pandemic.

A further 50million was awarded to Immensa by the Government in a contract last September.

Immensa was incorporated as a company in the UK in May 2020.

According to the Immensa website, the firm was new to Covid testing. It said: 'In 2020, we adapted and evolved into Covid testing, taking advantage of our laboratory network, scientific expertise, and digital systems to deliver world-leading Covid-19 testing solutions.'

NHS Test and Trace has suspended testing operations provided by Immensa Health Clinic Ltd at its laboratory in Wolverhampton, following an investigation into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they have previously tested positive on a lateral flow

Graphic shows: The step-by-step process for a PCR test completed via postal delivery

Andrea Riposati, chief executive of Immensa, said: 'We are fully collaborating with UKHSA on this matter.

'Quality is paramount for us. We have proudly analysed more than 2.5 million samples for NHS Test and Trace, working closely with the great teams at the Department for Health and UKHSA.

'We do not wish this matter or anything else to tarnish the amazing work done by the UK in this pandemic.'

Among the testing sites affected are Newbury Showground in Berkshire.

A man from nearby Swindon said his confidence in the accuracy of his recent Covid test result has been impacted by the issue at the Immensa laboratory.

Tim Barton, 48, said he and his family received positive lateral flow tests after falling ill with coronavirus symptoms earlier this month but their PCR tests came back negative.

Immensa Health Clinic, in Wolverhampton, has been suspended following an investigation revealing it may have incorrectly processed PCR tests. The lab (pictured) has been paid 120million by the taxpayer for its services

The client relationship director said: 'My son, daughter and myself all had positive (lateral flow tests)  we then had PCR tests done at the test site in Swindon all of which came back negative.

'This will undoubtedly impact people's confidence in the accuracy of these types of tests they could have cost lives.'

Meanwhile, in Wales, about 4,000 people may have been affected from testing sites in the Gwent and Cwm Taf Morgannwg areas.

Dr Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, said: 'We now know 43,000 people are believed to have been given false negatives, but this doesn't even come near to the cost of the mistake.

'Many of these people will have been forced into school or work, potentially infecting others. This could be part of the reason behind some of the recent rises we've seen.'
A group of masked demonstrators at the University of Sussex staged a protest on campus demanding lecturer Kathleen Stock lose her job.

Video footage showed a mob of protestors standing in a group on a patch of grass next to a footpath on the university campus.

They could be heard chanting loudly and holding up an array of slogans on signs as people walked past.

In-keeping with their demonstrations until now, those who attended the rally all wore masks on their faces to conceal their identities.

A group of masked demonstrators at the University of Sussex staged a protest on campus demanding lecturer Kathleen Stock lose her job

The mob of protestors stood in a group on a patch of grass next to a footpath on the university campus holding up signs and chanting loudly

In-keeping with their demonstrations until now, those who attended the rally all wore masks on their faces to conceal their identities

It comes after the students defended their decision to remain mostly anonymous.

Stock, who works as a philosophy professor at the university has been subjected to a student-led campaign over her views on trans rights - with further action planned for this afternoon.

It is believed the campaign is being led by a group of 15 students, who have previously been seen posing in balaclavas and holding up a sign reading 'Stock out'.

The threat she faces from the demonstrations have even led to her being advised to install CCTV at her home and to hire security to protect her on the university's campus.

Students who are demonstrating to demand the resignation of lecturer Kathleen Stock (pictured) have defended their decision to remain mostly anonymous

Until now, the students involved in the campaign have chosen to remain anonymous, but speaking to The Times, 23-year-old Rio Jacques, involved in the demonstrations, defended other students' rights to hide their identities.

Speaking to the paper he said: 'We try to keep as much anonymity as possible. It's plausible deniability as well.

'It's cloak and dagger, but that's not the way we want it. The masks, it's not meant to be threatening. It's just for the protection of people that want to be vocal.

'No one wants to lose their place at university, but we don't want to sacrifice our right to defend ourselves with our words.'

The groups leading the calls for Stock's resignation are known as Reclaim Sussex and Anti Terf Sussex, of which Jacques - who is transgender - is involved in both.

He said that part of his motivation for joining the campaign was as a result of his parents' reaction to announcing he wanted to transition and said their negative views were informed by online stories by Stock.

Until now, the students involved in the campaign have chosen to remain anonymous, but 23-year-old Rio Jacques (pictured), involved in the demonstrations, defended other students' rights to hide their identities

And although he acknowledged that the demonstrations must be hard on Stock, but claimed that Stock was adding to the negative impact on the mental health of the trans community.

It comes after the BBC was forced to make a correction live on air after it allowed a University of Sussex student union officer to falsely accuse Stock of supporting anti-transgender statements.

On Wednesday's broadcast of BBC Politics Live presenter Jo Coburn interviewed Amelia Jones, the union's elected transgender and non-binary representative about the feminist academic at the centre of a free speech at universities row.

During the programme, Ms Jones made a string of comments about Professor Stock, 48, including allegations that students had boycotted her classes before and stating she publicly supported a declaration to 'eliminate trans people in law'.

The student union rep added there was 'strong feeling within the community' that transgender students at the University were 'unsafe' and felt 'intellectually threatened' by Professor Stock.

It is believed the campaign is being led by a group of 15 students, who have previously been seen posing in balaclavas and holding up a sign reading 'Stock out'. Pictured: Members of Anti Terf Sussex hide their faces in a picture of their protest on social media

But on the following day's broadcast of Politics Live, host Jo Coburn read out an official correction after Professor Stock rebuked Ms Jones' comments.

It comes as public demonstrations by University of Sussex students are planned for this afternoon - after the gender expert was branded a 'transphobe' and posters were put up around campus demanding her resignation last week.

Prof Stock, a trustee with activist group LGB Alliance - who have previously been accused of 'anti-trans' policies - has been advised by police not to visit campus, and teach her lectures online due to concerns for her safety.

She has faced a torrent of online abuse, and been branded a 'terf' for writing that she disgreed with the 'transwomen are women' mantra, and calling for female safe spaces.

The term 'terf', which stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist, was levelled at JK Rowling after she disagreed with an online article describing 'people who menstruate'.

Amelia Jones (above) Sussex University's elected transgender and non-binary representative said Professor Kathleen Stock publicly supported a declaration to 'eliminate trans people in law'

She also stated there was 'strong feeling within the community' that transgender students at the University were 'unsafe' and felt 'intellectually threatened' by the gender expert

Further protests have been planned against Professor Stock at the University of Sussex

Ms Jones told Politics Live on Wednesday: 'Professor Stock at Sussex, who has signed Women's declaration of sex-based rights which wants to eliminate trans people in law and wants to stop teaching of trans identities in British schools, I think when a professor like that is employed by a university the trans students feel that if someone holds those views there they do not feel safe with a professor holding those views.

'Feminists argued that universities have a duty to protect students and workers from sexual harrassment and other forms of discrimination in the classroom.'

She reiterated trans students feel 'intellectually threatened' by Prof Stock, who is a trustee of LGB Alliance and suggested students have previously revolted against her.

'People have changed courses due to her, people have not attended her modules due to the strong disagreement with her views,' Ms Jones said on the programme.

But an official correction from the BBC was broadcast live on Thursday's edition of the programme.

In her own words: What does Kathleen Stock believe about gender and trans issues? Kathleen Stock explained her views on trans issues in written evidence to Parliament in November 2020 here: Womanhood and manhood reflect biological sex, not gender or gender identity;

The claim 'transwomen are women' is a fiction, not literally true

Sexual orientation (being gay, being lesbian) is determined by same-sex attraction, not attraction to gender identity

Spaces where women undress and sleep should remain genuinely single-sex, in order to protect them;

Children with gender identity disorders should not be given puberty blockers as minors. Advertisement

That statement read: 'We discussed the issue of freedom of speech on University campuses. We talked about the case of Kathleen Stock, an academic at the University of Sussex who is accused of transphobia.

'Yesterday, we spoke to a student union officer at the University who said Prof Stock had signed a declaration that wanted to eliminate trans people in law.

'Prof Stock has contacted us to point out that she supports the protection of gender reassignment, saying the text of the declaration she signed does not amount to the claim that trans people should be eliminated in law

'She said my arguments are about the precise legal form protections all trans people should take and how they interact with protections with other groups.

'I do not want to stop all teaching of trans rights or trans identities in British schools and I have never said this.'

In April, Amelia Jones was elected as the University of Sussex's trans and non-binary representative.

In her manifesto, Ms Jones accused the University's 'Trans Equality Policy' as being 'full of empty words' and promised to make curriculums on the teaching of trans issues more representative.

She also claimed she would ensure 'Sussex stays a Stonewall diversity champion.'

Signs put up last week in the pedestrian tunnel connecting Falmer train station to the university's campus under the A27 said Prof Stock 'makes trans students unsafe' and 'we're not paying 9,250 a year for transphobia'.

Prof Stock has since been advised to teach her students online over fears for her security, and warned that her academic career has been 'effectively ended' by Sussex Union branch.

It comes after Sussex Police launched an investigation into whether a university philosophy professor was a victim of harassment after she faced a campaign of 'bullying' over her views on trans rights - as students were warned they could be disciplined.

Reacting to the BBC's correction, Professor Stock took to Twitter to say she was pleased that her views were now correctly represented.

She wrote: 'Yesterday some false statements were made about me, unchallenged, on BBC Politics Live, by a student obviously unfamiliar with my body of work and views. Pleased to get a correction on the programme today.'

Signs demanding the firing of Professor Stock been put up in the pedestrian tunnel connecting Falmer train station to the university's campus under the A27

Reacting to the BBC's correction, Professor Stock took to Twitter to say she was pleased that her views were now correctly represented

The BBC has been contacted for comment.

Banners saying 'Stock Out' have been held alongside burning flares and scores of people have been criticising her under the Twitter hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni  although many others have been using it to support her.

The university's vice chancellor Professor Adam Tickell said last Friday that if any students can be identified as being involved, then 'we will certainly take investigations and disciplinary action as appropriate under our regulations'.

Prof Stock had last week been backed by the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, who called the attacks disgraceful.
The attack, which came five years after murder of MP Jo Cox, ignited row over protection of MPs

Priti Patel says politicians 'cannot be cowed' as MPs revealed they will be going ahead with planned surgeries

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The suspected killer of Conservative MP Sir David Amess has been named for the first time as police were granted more time to question him.

Ali Harbi Ali, named by sources, allegedly stabbed Sir David, 69, to death in Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on Friday afternoon as the backbencher for Southend West met with constituents. The police have not named the suspect and are not confirming the name.

Police have previously said they are treating the attack as an act of terror, and Scotland Yard said in an earlier statement that they were investigating the possibility of links to Islamist extremism. The Metropolitan Police arrested a 25-year-old on suspicion of murder on Friday and counter-terrorism officers have raided three properties in London. It was previously reported that Sir David's alleged killer had lived in the constituency after his family fled war-torn Somalia in the 1990s.

Scotland Yard announced tonight that detectives have been granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court which allows them to hold a man on suspicion of the murder of Sir David until next Friday, October 22.

In a statement, the force said: 'Late on Friday, whilst in police custody, the man was subsequently further detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and he is now being held at a London police station. On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until October 22, when the warrant expires.

'As part of the fast-paced investigation, officers have attended three addresses in the London area and conducted searches. One of these searches has concluded and the others are ongoing. A post-mortem examination has taken place today.'

Hundreds of well-wishers including the 69-year-old MP's constituents, Muslim leaders from Southend's mosques, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and MPs across the political spectrum have joined in an outpouring of grief following the death of Sir David, a devout Catholic and prominent supporter of Brexit who was first elected to Parliament in 1983.

It is understood that Labour and the Liberal Democrats will not stand candidates in the upcoming Southend West by-election after the killing of Sir David.

Labour is set to follow the principle established after Jo Cox's murder in 2016, when the major parties declined to select candidates in the subsequent Batley and Spen by-election. As a result, it is understood Labour will not contest the by-election to find a successor to Sir David. The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed they will not fight for the seat when a date is set.

Party sources told the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges that Labour will not be fielding candidates in the by-election in Sir David's constituency, while one senior Labour figure told Sky News' Jon Craig that Opposition parties should give Tories 'a free run' in the ballot.

And Lord Pendry, a Labour former minister, called for all major opposition parties to stand aside in the by-election out of respect for Sir David. He said: 'This is an occasion when you see the leader of the Opposition (Sir Keir Starmer) and the Prime Minister together, and it shows that our democracy transcends all that sort of thing. I think we should be saying that whoever the Conservatives put up, it is their seat because they were deprived of it, so they should have it back. I think all the major parties should stand aside in the interest of democracy and our own democratic way of life.'

As Sir David's wife and children grieve privately at home, the MP's extended family including cousins and second cousins left a note celebrating 'a great man and member of our family'. Outside the scene of the attack, constituents recalled the work the 'absolutely wonderful' MP did in his community during his almost 40-year career. Moira and Pat, cousins of Sir David, wrote: 'Thinking of your lovely family. Can't believe this has actually happened. Will always love you.'

Meanwhile, two vigils have been held. Constituents last night went to St Peters Church in Leigh-on-Sea to shed a tear at the shocking death of their beloved MP and on Saturday afternoon dozens of well-wishers lit candles and gathered to remember the life of Sir David outside the town's Civic Centre.

Outside Southend police station, Home Secretary Priti Patel said a 'balance' must be struck between the accessibility and safety of MPs as questions are raised over whether face-to-face meetings should be held in constituencies in the future.

Southend faith leaders called Sir David's death an 'indefensible atrocity' and described the father-of-five as an 'upstanding friend to our Muslim community' who had attended weddings, mosque openings and the launch of the town's first Muslim Scout group.

In a statement published on the Essex Jamme Masjid website, on behalf of 'all Southend mosques', they said their thoughts and prayers were with Sir David's family, friends and colleagues. It comes five years after Labour MP for Batley and Spen Jo Cox was murdered on her way to a surgery in 2016.

Elsewhere in the murder investigation:

Lone knifeman 'inflicted multiple stab wounds during attack on Sir David Amess in Southend on Friday';

British man, 25, arrested by police at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody in Essex;

It is understood he lived in Sir David's constituency after his family came to the UK from Somalia in the 1990s;

Officers are currently carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and these are ongoing;

Police believe the man acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident;

Attack was labelled terrorism and police said a potential motivation was linked to Islamist extremism.

People during a candlelight vigil at Belfairs Recreation Ground near to Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea

People during a candlelight vigil at Belfairs Recreation Ground near to Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Police officers remove floral tributes to British MP David Amess, who was stabbed to death during a meeting with constituents

People of all ages leave flowers at the scene near Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex where Conservative MP Sir David Amess was brutally stabbed 17 times by a suspected Islamic extremist

A much-loved MP and a proud father of five, Sir David gave away his daughter Alex, 31, in marriage just weeks ago

The Met Police confirmed that the killing of Southend West Sir David Amess (pictured) is being treated as a terror incident 'with links to Islamist extremism' as a British man with Somali heritage remains in police custody on suspicion of murder

Blue balloons were handed out at a vigil in Southend on Saturday afternoon as constituents paid tribute

Candles were set up on a table as well-wishers paid tribute to Sir David at a vigil on Saturday afternoon

Dozens of mourners headed out for a vigil to remember Sir David following his death on Friday afternoon

Mourners lit candles at a vigil to remember the veteran MP and father-of-five on Saturday

Left: A card and flowers from cousins Moira and Pat near Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea. Right: Other tributes near Belfairs Methodist Church

Wellwishers thanked Sir David Amess after his near four decades of service in the House of Commons. Pictured: One tribute read: 'Thank you for your service to the community. Rest in peace'

Steady streams of people have left flowers and written notes of support outside the scene of the attack at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex over the past 24 hours

Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer, Priti Patel and Sir Lyndsay Hoyle arrive to the scene of Sir David Amess's killing in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex to pay tribute Saturday

The Prime Minster's floral wreath message read: 'To the memory of Sir David Amess MP, a fine parliamentarian and a much-loved colleague and friend'

Catholic priest 'prevented from giving Sir David Amess last rites by police' People attend a Catholic mass conducted by Father Jeff Woolnough at St Peter's church in Eastwood A Roman Catholic priest has claimed that police prevented him from giving Conservative MP Sir David Amess his last rites as he lay dying in his Essex constituency. Father Jeffrey Woolnough arrived at the police cordon stretching across tree-lined Eastwood Road North in Southend West, offering to administer the last rites to the devoutly Catholic MP yesterday. But he revealed: 'The officers said that because it was a crime scene, and also the nature of the scene, it just wasn't possible.' Parish priest Father Jeff Woolnough, who was denied access by police to administer the Last Rites Conservative councillor David Garston described Sir David as 'probably one of the best constituency MPs in the country', and said: 'Because he was so accessible, and because he was everywhere, he obviously left himself vulnerable and didn't think twice about it. 'You couldn't get very far [with him] because he'd stop every hundred yards to talk to somebody.' Advertisement

Reverend Clifford Newman, of Belfairs Methodist Church said the MP held his surgery there because he wanted to be where his constituents were. He told the PA news agency: 'The church is a natural place where people look to.

'He was a person who was for the community and wanted to be in the community, and so a church is obviously a community place. It's a Methodist church, so it's not like Catholic or Anglican churches, it's much less formal, but there are pews within the church and it has a couple of community halls.'

The reverend, who did not know Sir David personally, said he was at home when the attack happened, and rushed to the scene when he heard about it to 'gauge where people are'.

'There's a lot of raw feeling obviously with the family and obviously with our church members, but also within the community itself,' he added.

A statement on behalf of 'all Southend mosques' read: 'Sir David's murder was an indefensible atrocity, committed on the grounds of a place of worship and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. This act was committed in the name of blind hatred, and we look forward to the perpetrator being brought to justice.'

Members of Southend's Muslim community paid tribute to Sir David, with Ruhul Shamsuddin, joint secretary of Essex Jamme Masjid, describing the MP as a 'tremendous force for good and pillar of support for our community'.

'This was senseless violence against a truly wonderful man,' he said.

Iftikhar Ul Haq, Imam, UKIM Southend Mosque and Dr Arshad Ghori, president, UKIM Southend Mosque, said Sir David was 'always reachable, he showed great compassion for communities and always was there to offer support'.

Ibrar Azam, secretary, Faizane Madina Masjid Southend, said he was 'saddened' by Sir David's death.

Meanwhile, an Iranian opposition group has paid tribute to Sir David, describing him as a 'human rights champion' and an 'enemy of many dictators'.

Hossein Abedini was among several members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran who laid flowers and framed photos of the MP near the church where he died.

Mr Abedini said: 'Sir David had a very important role in supporting the people of Iran, the uprisings happening in Iran, the Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf.'

As part of this, Sir David had recently called on the Government to ban Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric, from attending the Cop26 global climate summit in Glasgow, Mr Abedini said.

Southend councillor John Lamb said Sir David had 'helped so many refugees'.

'There are some Iranians in London he has helped so often with family and problems, even in their own country,' he said. 'They hold great respect and admiration for him and they are as devastated as we are that this has happened to him.'

The Council of Somali Organisations also condemned the 'brutal murder' as they described the death as 'senseless' and said it expresses its 'deepest sympathy and condolences' to his family and constituents.

CSO director Kahiye Alim said: 'I send my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sir David Amess MP. His life was one of service to others and we will remember his legacy is one of empowerment and community building. We utterly condemn this brutal murder, which is an affront to all of our values and our democratic society itself.'

MPs and members of Sir David's Southend West constituency have paid tribute to an 'absolutely wonderful' parliamentarian today.

'Free run' for the Tories: Labour and Lib Dems both WON'T stand a candidate in Southend West by-election after Conservative MP Sir David Amess was murdered, say party sources Labour and the Liberal Democrats will not stand candidates in the upcoming Southend West by-election after the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess by a suspected terrorist as the veteran politician met with his Essex constituents, it has been claimed. Sir David died after he was allegedly stabbed multiple times in Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea yesterday afternoon by a British national thought to be of Somali heritage. Police are treating the incident as an act of terror and Scotland Yard said in a statement overnight that its initial inquiries 'revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism'. Labour is set to follow the principle established after Jo Cox's murder in 2016, when the major parties declined to select candidates in the subsequent Batley and Spen by-election. As a result, it is understood Labour will not contest the by-election to find a successor to Sir David. The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed they will not fight for the seat when a date is set. Party sources told the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges that Labour will not be fielding candidates in the by-election in Sir David's constituency. One senior Labour figure told Sky News' Jon Craig that Opposition parties should give Tories 'a free run' in the ballot. Advertisement

Former Labour MP Paula Sheriff told Sky News her friend Sir David 'was kind, he was caring, he was a real gentleman, he had loads of charisma and he literally lit up a room when he walked in'.

One influential Conservative backbencher has said MPs will be more wary about what they do in light of Sir David's death. Bob Blackman said he began having all his surgeries virtually or on the phone when Covid struck the UK, and has no plans to resume in-person surgeries any time soon.

He told the PA news agency: 'I've had demonstrations that were outside my office from various different groups at different times, which is quite scary, particularly for staff.

'I think it's like everything else, you've just got to be wary of what you do now, because, unfortunately, we don't know what else is going to happen.'

He added: 'I haven't contemplated a return because I was required to shield. I'm not running any risks on Covid even though I've been vaccinated.

'It's like everything else, you've to think about your vulnerability. But at the same time, you want to go meet people, go to functions, go to events.

'I think one of the issues is going to be we will be thinking twice about the types of surgeries David was holding, the drop-in surgeries.'

Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said she would 'prefer' to meet constituents behind a screen to prevent possible stab attacks. But the former shadow home secretary said having constituency surgeries observed by police could risk putting people off from visiting their local MP.

Ms Abbott told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: 'It's very difficult. I've been talking to colleagues. There was one in north London who was telling me that because of death threats she had a police officer outside her advice session - and a police car, in fact.

'Well of course the number of people coming to see her dropped right down.

'You don't want to have a set-up which is so off-putting to ordinary people that just want help. So I wouldn't support airport-style screening.

'I would prefer going forward to meet constituents behind a screen, as we have now for Covid and so on - that might be quite complicated to arrange but at least you know someone's not going to just lean over the desk and stab you, which could happen now.'

Labour MP Karl Turner said there was only so far politicians could go to protect themselves from attacks without alienating constituents. The Hull East MP told PA news agency he has not considered suspending face-to-face meetings in the wake of Sir David's death, having only recently resumed them after coronavirus restrictions were lifted.

The Prime Minister lays a wreath of flowers at the foot of a tree in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex and Sir Keir Starmer stands behind him

Home Secretary Priti Patel silently pays her respects to veteran MP Sir David Amess in Essex on Saturday morning

Forensic officers with Essex Police are pictured inside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

A mother and her young daughter arrive prepare to lay flowers by a police cordon outside a Baptist church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Make Southend a city: Calls for Essex resort's status to be upgraded in honour of murdered MP David Amess after his decades-long campaign MPs are calling for Southend-on-Sea to be given city status in honour of a 21-year campaign by Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was killed in a suspected terror attack on Friday. Since the year 2000, Sir David had relentlessly pushed for the Essex resort to be upgraded - most recently arguing that it would help attract some much-needed investment post-Brexit and Covid. Now following his tragic death, colleagues from both sides of the aisle are demanding his wish be granted, arguing it would be a 'fitting memorial' for the 69 year old. It comes as The Queen is set to designate new cities in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee next year, and local authorities have been putting forward their towns for city status since June. Conservative MP for Kingswood Chris Skidmore said: 'David would badger me constantly about making Southend a city. 'Not only did we exchange many letters, had meetings, every time I saw him in the tea room or passed him in the corridor he would shout out 'don't forget to make Southend a City'. No opportunity was ever missed. 'He told me once that it was his one great ambition left in Parliament that he would one day see Southend become a city. 'It became a running joke every time he raised it, but he was passionately serious about making it happen.' Advertisement

'I think other MPs feel more vulnerable but I think we have got to carry it on,' he said.

'We have to be vigilant ourselves, that's the truth. I've got CCTV in almost every room in the constituency office - I've always had that, even before Jo (Cox). I think you can do as much as you can possibly do but if a knife-wielding maniac bursts into your room, what can you do about that really?

'I think you've got to take the risk. I'm not pretending to be any kind of a hero, far from it, but I think it is a pretty bad deal if you can't see your MP.'

Erica Keane laid flowers for her constituency MP and told the Telegraph: 'I feel as if I have lost a family member. My heart is broken, my heart is broken for his family and for his children and for Southend, which we love dearly. He was everywhere and he was Southend.'

Another constituent, Sheila Clark, added: 'We don't have things like this happen round here, but he was such a good, good man.'

Nikki Nicholls and her children Ozzie and Maisie went to lay flowers at the scene and Mrs Nicholls told Sky News: 'Obviously the family were part of the community. We all knew him - it's just such a shock. It shouldn't happen.'

Seven-year-old Maisie added: 'We've come to say sorry because he was such a nice man.'

An Iranian opposition group has paid tribute to Sir David Amess, describing the MP as a 'human rights champion' and an 'enemy of many dictators'.

Hossein Abedini was among several members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran who laid flowers and framed photos of Sir David near Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the MP was stabbed to death.

Mr Abedini said: 'Sir David had a very important role in supporting the people of Iran, the uprisings happening in Iran, the Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf.'

As part of this, Sir David had recently called on the Government to ban Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric, from attending the Cop26 global climate summit in Glasgow, Mr Abedini said.

Meanwhile, Priti Patel has defiantly warned politicians 'cannot be cowed' by terrorists as the debate over the security of MPs intensifies in the wake of the brutal killing of veteran MP Sir David Amess.

The Home Secretary has revealed an urgent review into the safety of our elected representatives is underway, as police chiefs across the country are being consulted on the risks all 650 MPs face.

Speaking on Sky News, Mrs Patel insisted a balance can be struck between continuing open surgeries and ensuring elected representatives are kept safe, despite calls from a handful of MPs to temporarily suspend face-face constituency meetings.

'We are shocked and saddened': Prince William and Kate lead tributes to murdered MP Sir David Amess as Boris Johnson praises 'true gent' The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge led a great outpouring of grief after the brutal stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Prince William and Kate said they are 'shocked and saddened' by the incident which saw the veteran MP killed while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. In a statement, the couple said: 'We are shocked and saddened by the death of Sir David Amess, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues. W&C' Boris Johnson was among colleagues from all parties hailing the veteran Conservative - who died after being attacked at a constituency surgery' as a 'true gent' and a 'decent' family man. And there was defiance that MPs must not bow to an 'attack on democracy' by refusing to meet voters face to face in future. Returning to Downing Street to address the shocking news after a Cabinet away-day in Bristol, the PM said: 'All our hears are full of shock and sadness.' Advertisement

Ms Patel said: 'We will continue to review and strengthen measures, and rightly so. The Speaker and I will continue to support MPs. Policing will continue to support MPs. That work is underway.

'There are measures in terms of policing and measures we take upon ourselves. There will be further guidance that will go to MPs led by the Speaker of House. But we are open to surgeries, doing our job.

'We will absolutely stand by the principles which we are elected by - to serve our constituents in the open way in which we have been doing so. But also recognising there are safety and protection measures we have to undertake too.

'We will carry on, we live in an open society and democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual or people with motives to stop us from functioning and serve our elected democracy.'

Former minister Tobias Ellwood urged MPs to end surgeries but Speaker Lindsay Hoyle held his last night amid widespread debate over MPs' security and how to better protect parliamentarians.

Robert Largan, the Conservative MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, said he would still hold his surgery from 10.30am this morning while a number of other councillors took to social media to express their defiance.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Harriet Harman, who was sworn in to the House of Commons on the same day as Sir David in the 1980s, said she would be writing to the Prime Minister to ask for a Speaker's Conference to find a solution.

Asked whether there could be a balance between the safety of MPs and the democratic process, Ms Patel today said: 'It can be balanced, it can absolutely be balanced.'

The Prime Minister and Sir Keir were joined by Home Secretary Priti Patel and speaker of the House of Commons and Labour MP for Chorley Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who were also carrying wreaths as all across the political spectrum unite in their grief.

The four senior politicians walked together for the unannounced visit at 9am, before each paid their respects in silence. A convoy of cars brought the Prime Minister and the other politicians to the tape barricades. They did not make any statement to the assembled media.

The Prime Minster's floral wreath message read: 'To the memory of Sir David Amess MP, a fine parliamentarian and a much-loved colleague and friend'.

Left: Ms Patel and Sir Lindsay brought wreaths to lay at the scene. Right, a well-wisher brings tributes

Police officers stand guard as well-wishers place floral tributes at the scene of the fatal stabbing of Sir David

Floral tributes left by well-wishers outside the Conservatives office in Southend following the death

A councillor left a note addressed to Southend West Conservatives following the death of Sir David

A note expressed sympathy following the death of Sir David on Friday. Right, a constituent thanks Sir David

One note called Sir David a 'truly lovely man' as dozens of tributes were laid at the scene and constituency office

Defiant MPs continue to run surgeries despite Sir David Amess' murder MPs have continued to run planned surgeries today despite the killing of Sir David Amess. Robert Largan, the Conservative MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, said he would still hold his surgery from 10.30am this morning while a number of other councillors took to social media to express their defiance. Afterwards he took to Twitter to write: 'Thanks to everyone who came to my surgery this morning, especially those who just came to say hello & wish me well. It really does mean a lot. 'I'll keep on doing my weekly surgery, all year round, whatever the weather! We all need to stand up for our democracy!' Alec Shelbrooke MP for Elmet and Rothwell held his supermarket surgeries as usual today. On Twitter he wrote: 'I held my MP Supermarket Surgeries as normal this morning.' Craig Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire, also held a surgery on Saturday alongside his Conservative colleague from the Welsh Parliament, Russell George. Mr Williams tweeted: 'Busy surgery with @russ-george in Guilsfield this morning. Thought of Sir David Amess throughout. 'A special shout out to @DyfedPowys for their presence and reassurance. Montgomeryshire' Kieran Mullan, the Tory MP for Crewe and Nantwich, tweeted: 'Surgery today, we must not let people force us to do things differently. 'David would not have wanted that.' Former minister Chris Skidmore said he has continued to hold face-to-face constituency surgeries despite someone previously being put behind bars for threatening to kill him. The Conservative MP for Kingswood in South Gloucestershire said he holds two types of surgeries: one where verified constituents book to see him at his office and a second where he holds drop-in sessions, including at supermarkets where shoppers are invited to talk to their MP over the shop tannoy. Mr Skidmore, a former universities minister, said: 'I would still want to continue those. 'I've been an MP now for 11 years, I won the seat and have taken it up to an 11,000 majority by doing these type of visible, community-based appearances. 'I feel as a member of Parliament who was born and grew up in my constituency, it feels absolutely natural that I would continue to hold in-person events. 'I've had someone in the past who has been in prison for threatening to kill me, so I recognise these threats, but it is a cornerstone of our British way of life when it comes to our democracy - very few countries have this.' Advertisement

Hundreds of mourners from the local community also brought flowers to lay at the barricades set up across the road leading to the scene of the killing.

Sir David was meant to have been giving a speech at a dinner for the local Conservative association last night in nearby Rochford. Instead, floral tributes were being laid and more than 100 locals attended a vigil. One card left on flowers at the scene read simply: 'Sir David Amess  RIP such a gentleman.'

After laying a wreath at the scene, Miss Patel told the BBC: 'We're all struggling to come to terms with the fact that Sir David Amess has been so cruelly taken away from us.'

She said Sir David 'was just a passionate advocate and champion for Southend' and was 'a man of the people'.

'To me he was a dear and loyal friend'.

She added tributes paid to Sir David reflect 'the warmth, love and affection' held for him.

Meanwhile defiant MPs have continued to run planned surgeries today despite the attack.

Former minister Chris Skidmore said he has continued to hold face-to-face constituency surgeries despite someone previously being put behind bars for threatening to kill him.

The Conservative MP for Kingswood in South Gloucestershire said he holds two types of surgeries: one where verified constituents book to see him at his office and a second where he holds drop-in sessions, including at supermarkets where shoppers are invited to talk to their MP over the shop tannoy.

Mr Skidmore, a former universities minister, said: 'I would still want to continue those.

'I've been an MP now for 11 years, I won the seat and have taken it up to an 11,000 majority by doing these type of visible, community-based appearances.

'I feel as a member of Parliament who was born and grew up in my constituency, it feels absolutely natural that I would continue to hold in-person events.

'I've had someone in the past who has been in prison for threatening to kill me, so I recognise these threats, but it is a cornerstone of our British way of life when it comes to our democracy - very few countries have this.'

Robert Largan, the Conservative MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, said he would still hold his surgery from 10.30am this morning while a number of other councillors took to social media to express their defiance.

Afterwards he took to Twitter to write: 'Thanks to everyone who came to my surgery this morning, especially those who just came to say hello & wish me well. It really does mean a lot.

'I'll keep on doing my weekly surgery, all year round, whatever the weather! We all need to stand up for our democracy!'

Alec Shelbrooke MP for Elmet and Rothwell held his supermarket surgeries as usual today. On Twitter he wrote: 'I held my MP Supermarket Surgeries as normal this morning.'

Craig Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire, also held a surgery on Saturday alongside his Conservative colleague from the Welsh Parliament, Russell George.

Mr Williams tweeted: 'Busy surgery with @russ-george in Guilsfield this morning. Thought of Sir David Amess throughout.

'A special shout out to @DyfedPowys for their presence and reassurance. Montgomeryshire'

Kieran Mullan, the Tory MP for Crewe and Nantwich, tweeted: 'Surgery today, we must not let people force us to do things differently.

'David would not have wanted that.'

Detectives said their early investigation revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism. It is believed the attacker acted alone, and investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection but enquiries continue.

Whitehall officials have revealed the primary suspect was not on any official terror database, reports the BBC.

However sources told the Guardian that the suspect has the same details as someone who was referred to the Prevent programme - set up by counterterrorism bosses to stop vulnerable people from being radicalised by extremists. MI5 are also said to be taking part in the investigation and will be looking into whether the suspect was part of the scheme.

Prevent involves local authorities and police and sees potential targets for radicalisation referred and assessed. If they are deemed a terrorism risk, they may be referred to the Home Office's Channel Programme or given help from a mentor. In some cases police will intervene.

Forensic officers at the scene near Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea

Items from inside the hall were bagged up to use as evidence as forensic officers worked at the scene

Police move flowers left in Parliament Square, London, inside Parliament gates

Concerned mourners brought flowers to the scene as tributes were laid

Death of David Amess: What we know so far - The Southend West MP was fatally injured at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex at midday on Friday and died at the scene. - Essex Police said the response of the emergency services to the incident was immediate and officers arrived at the scene within minutes. - A 25-year-old British man of Somali heritage was arrested immediately at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Police say a knife was recovered. - The Met Police have confirmed their counter-terror team is leading the investigation and that the incident has formally been declared a terror incident. -Police say the attack has been 'linked to Islamist extremism'. -Two homes in London have been searched in connection to the attack. Detectives are not looking for any other suspects. - Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs 'with immediate effect'. Advertisement

The Met earlier said it was carrying out searches on two homes in the London area as part of their investigation, but that at this time, the evidence suggests the suspect worked alone. They are also searching his laptop and phone and quizzing his associates to establish any potential extremism links.

The force's Counter Terrorism Command unit are working with officers from the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police. It is understood the suspect lived in Sir David's Southend West constituency after his family came to the UK from Somalia in the 1990s.

The shock killing - just five years after the murder of MP Jo Cox - has re-ignited the debate about MPs' security and whether or not they should operate face-to-face meetings with constituents without special measures in place.

Labour MP and speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle held his own surgery last night and told BBC Two's Newsnight that the terrorists 'will not win'.

The MP for Chorley, stressed the importance of face-to-face surgeries and warned against a knee-jerk reaction following Sir David's death.

He said: 'Those people who do not share our values or share democracy, they will not win and we won't let them win.

'We will continue to look at security, that is ongoing and it will continue.'

However Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood suggested that it was time for such surgeries to come to an end.

He told BBC's Radio 4: 'I would recommend that no MP has direct surgery - you can move to Zoom, there are other ways, you can achieve an awful lot over the telephone, you can get things moving far faster than having to wait for a surgery date.'

More than 600 MPs will be contacted by police today to go over their security details after Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered an immediate review following a meeting with intelligence and other agencies.

'The home secretary has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs with immediate effect and will provide updates in due course,' a spokesperson for Ms Patel said.

According to the Times, Whitehall officials have had concerns about a possible lone-wolf attack by people who have become radicalised during lockdown.

Tributes have been pouring in for Sir David while a vigil was held at St Peters Church in Leigh-on-Sea last night.

John Lamb, a Conservative councillor who rushed to the church when he heard what had happened, said: 'He was doing a surgery in the Methodist church here to speak to local people and pick up on their problems.

Police contact ALL MPs to check on their security as politicians warn 'we can't go on like this' - but what security do MPs have in their constituencies? Police are contacting all MPs to check on their security in the wake of the killing of Sir David Amess, the Commons Speaker has said. Sir Lindsay Hoyle spoke to Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel following the fatal stabbing of the 69-year-old MP in his Southend West constituency. Sir David is the second MP to be killed in five years, after the murder of Jo Cox by a far-right extremist in 2016. Speaking to BBC2's Newsnight, Sir Lindsay said: 'It is about doing the right things working with the police constabularies right across the United Kingdom because it is about joining that up. 'I know that they are contacting all the MPs to check about their safety, to reassure them, because in the end we have got to make sure that is a priority.' Speaking on Sky News, Mrs Patel insisted a balance can be struck between continuing open surgeries and ensuring elected representatives are kept safe. She said: 'We will continue to review and strengthen measures, and rightly so. The Speaker and I will continue to support MPs. Policing will continue to support MPs. That work is underway. 'We will absolutely stand by the principles which we are elected by - to serve our constituents in the open way in which we have been doing so. But also recognising there are safety and protection measures we have to undertake too. 'We will carry on, we live in an open society and democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual or people with motives to stop us from functioning and serve our elected democracy.' Sir Lindsay added: 'Those people who do not share our values or share democracy, they will not win and we won't let them win. We will continue to look at security, that is ongoing and it will continue.' Even before the murder of Jo Cox in 2016 concern was growing over the threat to MPs away from Parliament. The improvements were championed by Sir Lindsay Hoyle during his time as Deputy Speaker, and he has continued the drive since taking over from John Bercow. Every politician is currently thought to have had a security assessment in the constituency, and they get a 'standard' package such as alarm systems, shutters, CCTV and personal alarms for staff. If the police deem it necessary MPs can also access 'enhanced' measures. The authorities do not specify what that can include, but it is thought to include secure transport and guards. The costs are met through a central contract with Chubb, organised by the Commons. However, there are concerns that most of the measures are applied to offices and homes, while surgeries often happen at churches or other buildings that might not be secure. Advertisement

'I'm told that when he went in for his surgery there were people waiting to see him, and one of them literally got a knife out and just began stabbing him.'

At 12.05pm yesterday, the police were called and said they were on the scene 'in minutes'. Witnesses described how the knifeman made no attempt to leave the scene and waited for police to arrive at which point members of the public described him as being compliant.

Kevin Buck, the deputy chairman of the local constituency association, told the Telegraph: 'I was told that he stabbed Sir David and that he just waited there in the church hall until the police arrived. There was no attempt to flee.'

Sir David collapsed in a pool of blood and paramedics battled for more than an hour to save his life, but sadly he died just before 3pm.

A much-loved MP and a proud father of five, Sir David gave away his daughter Alex, 31, in marriage just weeks ago.

Yesterday the family of Mrs Cox, who was shot and stabbed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, by a Right-wing terrorist in June 2016, said Sir David's killing was an 'attack on democracy itself'.

Mrs Cox's husband Brendan said: 'Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself.

'There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets.'

Mrs Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater, who has replaced her as the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, said her partner had asked her to step down from politics.

She said: 'Totally shocked by what has happened to think that something so horrific could happen again to another MP, to another family.

'And scared and frightened  a real rollercoaster of emotions.

'I find myself now working as a politician and trying to do good things for people and it's really important you get good people in public life, but this is the risk we are all taking and so many MPs will be scared by this.

'My partner came home and he said he didn't want me to do it any more because the next time that phone goes, it could be a different conversation.'

MPs from across the board have called for Southend to be made a city in memory of Sir David - a cause that has long been championed by the Southend West MP.

The MP would regularly raise the matter at Prime Minister's Questions or during debates at the Commons, often to the amusement of his colleagues, and as recently as this week told BBC Essex his plan was to 'wear them down until they say yes'.

Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, said: 'David campaigned for so many wonderful things including animal welfare and to make Southend a city. That would be a fitting memorial.'

In response to a tweet suggesting Southend be given city status, Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, said: 'Absolutely; I can't think of a better way to honour his memory.'

Phillip Miller, owner of Southend's Adventure Island theme park, also said turning the town into a city would be 'a fitting epitaph' for the late MP.

Sir David is the sixth MP to be killed since the Second World War, and the ninth in history.

It is not known whether his wife Julia, who is his part-time caseworker, was in the church at the time.

The MP, who was an ardent Brexiteer, was seen laughing and speaking to people on the steps of the church just 15 minutes before he was killed.

Sir David wrote last year about the importance of meeting constituents despite what had happened to Mrs Cox.

He wrote: 'She was a young woman with a family going about her duties, as we all do, completely unaware of the threat that she faced.

'While it is often said that good can come out of someone's death, it is difficult to see what good can come from this senseless murder'.

He also admitted he had been threatened at his home: 'I myself have over the years experienced nuisance from the odd member of the general public at my own property.

'We regularly check our locks and many others have CCTV cameras installed but probably the most significant change has been with constituency surgeries.'

Flowers have also been left in Parliament Square, London following the death of veteran MP Sir David Amess

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs were in shock at what he described as an attack on democracy. He said he wanted to see a greater police presence at constituency surgeries.

But he said it was vital that voters were able to engage directly with MPs.

Sir Lindsay said: 'David was a lovely man, devoted to his family, to parliament and his Southend West constituency. He was well liked by members and the staff alike, and during his almost four decades here, built a reputation for kindness and generosity.

'We will need to discuss and examine MPs' security and any measures to be taken.'

Yesterday the Prime Minister paid tribute as there was an outpouring of grief from other MPs.

Boris Johnson said: 'He was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the public figures who led a great outpouring of grief after the brutal stabbing of Sir David Amess. Prince William and Kate said they are 'shocked and saddened' by the incident which saw the veteran MP killed while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

In a statement, the couple said: 'We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community.

Pictured: David Stanley (centre left) with Sir David Amess promoting the Music Man Project, a music education service based in Southend for children and adults with learning disabilities, which was championed by David throughout his tenure as MP

Sir David became the sixth MP to be killed recently and the first since the death of Jo Cox in 2016. Pictured: the scene

Pictured: Police and paramedics are said to have treated his wounds for more than an hour before he passed away

Pictured: Armed police at the scene after the stabbing happened next to an A-board advertising the MP was in the building

A local Tory lowers the flag to half mast. Sir David was a committed constituency MP who had devoted his life to meeting local residents and trying to help with their problems

Sir David was meant to have been giving a speech at a dinner for the local Conservative association last night in nearby Rochford. Instead, floral tributes were being laid and more than 100 locals attended a vigil. (Above, a member of the public places flowers near the scene)

Pictured: The union flag flies at half mast in Downing Street, London, in the wake of the horrific attack this afternoon

Pictured: Essex Police remain on scene at Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed several times at a constituency surgery this afternoon

Judith McMahon, a close family friend of MP David Amess, mourns at a church after Amess was stabbed during surgery

Police officers attend following the stabbing of MP Sir Amess as he met with constituents at a constituency surgery

The political world reacted with deep sadness to the grim events that unfolded in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on Friday

'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues. W&C.'

The death of Sir David also brought tributes from across the world, including from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said in a post on Twitter: 'I am shocked by the news that British MP Sir David Amess was stabbed and killed today.

'My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, and on behalf of all Canadians and Parliamentarians, I offer my deepest condolences to his colleagues and all who are mourning this loss.'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison echoed Mr Trudeau's statement, saying: 'Shocked and terribly saddened by the awful loss of Sir David Amess, stabbed and killed in the UK while doing his job, serving his local community as an MP.

'Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Sir David, all his colleagues in the UK Parliament and Sir David's family and friends.

Australia's leader of the opposition, Anthony Albanese, also added his sympathy, saying: 'Shocked and saddened to hear the news that Sir David Amess MP was killed in the UK.

'On behalf of Australian Labor I extend my deep and sincere condolences.'

At a vigil last night more than 100 people packed into St Peter's Catholic Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

Rev Clifford Newman, the vicar at the Methodist church, took place, said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with David and Julia, his wife, and the family and the many people he has helped in the past.

'The local Baptist minister told me that he's helped refugees.'

A second vigil took place at St Peters Catholic Church where Father Jeff Woolnough, who called Sir David 'Mr Southend', described the MP as a 'fine gentleman and a knight of the realm' who was much loved by all members of the community.

First elected in Thatcher's 1983 landslide, Sir David was one of the longest-serving Tory MPs.

He never made it: MP's assailant queued to see him... then launched his savage attack

By Sam Greenhill, Arthur Martin, Mario Ledwith and Neil Sears for the Daily Mail

It was as sudden as it was savage. A man pulled out a knife and 'just began stabbing' David Amess.

The ferocious attack left the 69-year-old veteran Conservative MP gasping for life on the floor of the church hall.

He was so grievously injured by 'more than a dozen' stab wounds that medical staff battling to save him could not stabilise him enough to take him to hospital. After two desperate hours, a helicopter air ambulance which had landed in a nearby field took off again, empty.

Sir David was a committed constituency MP who had devoted his life to meeting local residents and trying to help with their problems.

When he arrived for his regular surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, shortly before midday, several were waiting to see him. John Lamb, a Conservative councillor who rushed to the church when he heard what had happened, said: 'He was doing a surgery in the Methodist church here to speak to local people and pick up on their problems.

Armed police swamped the Belfairs Methodist Church as the MP was being treated for his wounds on the floor inside

MP sister of Jo Cox says her partner told her he wants her to quit in wake of Sir David stabbing The MP whose sister Jo Cox was murdered said her partner has asked her to step down after Sir David Amess was killed. Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire, said she felt 'frightened' following the attack on the Tory MP at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, in Essex, on Friday. And her family, who lost Ms Cox when she was murdered moments before she arrived at a constituency surgery in 2016, knew the pain that Sir David's loved-ones will have to endure. She said: 'My partner came home and he said he didn't want me to do it any more because the next time that phone goes, it could be a different conversation. 'There are so many layers to this. At the heart of it are David's family and friends. 'I know for them now that their lives will never be the same again, they will think about this every single day for the rest of their lives. 'Even David's staff - so many other people today will have been out there trying to do the right thing, trying to do a really important job in public life, and this happens. 'I cannot believe that this has happened. It feels very raw for me. Advertisement

'I'm told that when he went in for his surgery there were people waiting to see him, and one of them literally got a knife out and just began stabbing him. He was with a female member of staff from his constituency office and another female member of staff from his parliamentary office.'

Speaking outside the church, the shocked councillor said: 'It has been two hours since it happened, and they are still working on him  he hasn't been taken to hospital yet.

'He's a family man, he's got four daughters and a son.'

Another witness said the MP had been 'stabbed quite a few times', while Sky News reported there were 'more than a dozen' knife wounds. The brutal assault on Sir David was over in seconds, but the knifeman does not appear to have been in a hurry to leave the murder scene.

Terrified members of the public dialled 999. Lee Jordison, 40, who works in nearby Hicks butchers, said: 'It is very shocking. I've worked up here and lived up here all my life, and never seen anything like this  it's terrible.'

Officers from Essex Police were the first to arrive, within five minutes, followed moments later by an armed response unit. They found the 25-year-old suspect still inside the church hall, and also recovered a knife. The alleged killer was led out to a police van.

Anthony Finch, 38, an electrician, said: 'We arrived to do some work on the adjacent building. I saw an upset lady on the phone saying 'You need to arrive quickly  he's still in the building'.

'I went into the client's house, and when I came back out there were loads of armed police, and overhead there was an air ambulance as well as a police helicopter. I saw the suspect get put into a police van, get taken away and then they cordoned the whole road, and pushed us all down the road.

'What we then heard was that it was David Amess. He's very well thought of in our area  he fights for good causes and sticks up for people around here.'

Flowers at the scene alongside a note reading 'RIP. Such a gentleman xxx' near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea

Many of Sir David's constituents remembered his dedication to the community in Southend where he served for decades

As word spread, a Roman Catholic priest, Father Jeffrey Woolnough, arrived at the police cordon stretching across tree-lined Eastwood Road North, offering to administer the last rites to the devoutly Catholic MP. He said: 'The officers said that because it was a crime scene, and also the nature of the scene, it just wasn't possible.'

Conservative councillor David Garston described Sir David as 'probably one of the best constituency MPs in the country', and said: 'Because he was so accessible, and because he was everywhere, he obviously left himself vulnerable and didn't think twice about it.

'You couldn't get very far [with him] because he'd stop every hundred yards to talk to somebody.' Another local councillor, James Courtenay, said that surgeries were the MP's passion and a scheduled hour-long session with constituents often stretched to four or five hours.

Sir David was meant to have been giving a speech at a dinner for the local Conservative association last night in nearby Rochford. Instead, floral tributes were being laid and more than 100 locals attended a vigil. One card left on flowers at the scene read simply: 'Sir David Amess  RIP such a gentleman.'

Ben-Julian Harrington, Essex Police's chief constable, said that officers and paramedics had 'worked extremely hard to save Sir David'.

Crusader of backbenches who loved Strictly  but not Eurovision... and whose talismanic victory in Basildon in 1992 first told Britain that Major, not Kinnock, would be PM

By David Wilkes for the Daily Mail

He was known to colleagues as 'Basildon man'  and not just because he was a constituency MP through and through.

Sir David Amess first entered political folklore during the 1992 election when his famously Tory Essex seat was expected to fall to Neil Kinnock's Labour, who many thought was certain to oust John Major's government.

Yet the moment Basildon flashed up blue, and Sir David's infectious smile peered out from television screens, Conservatives breathed a deep sigh of relief in the knowledge that the Welsh windbag's dream of becoming Prime Minister was at an end.

For that reason alone, this genial father of five will always hold a precious place in Tory hearts.

Family man: David beams proudly with his son, also David, and daughter Katie while wife Julia cradles baby Alexandra in 1990

Kind, genial soul: When Sir David was knighted in 2015, he dressed head to toe in armour and rode on horseback to celebrate

In a poignant tribute, Father Woolnough, leading the service, said: 'He carried with him that great east London spirit of having no fear and being able to talk to people and the level they're at. Not all politicians I would say are good at that.' Members of the church and local community members attended the short-notice vigil this evening, just hours after the MPs death

Tonight a group of 80 mourners have gathered to attend a vigil in nearby St Peters Catholic Church to pay their respects

David Amess, the Tory veteran first elected in Thatcher's 1983 landslide who fought for Brexit and campaigned to ban fox-hunting David Amess and wife Julia, with their fourth child, baby daughter Alexandra. They are pictured with two of their other children, David and Katherine David Amess was one of the longest-serving MPs on the Tory benches, having first been elected in Margaret Thatcher's 1983 landslide. The married father-of-five was known as a staunch right-winger, having been a Eurosceptic for years before the referendum campaign. The 69-year-old has been an opponent of same-sex marriage and anti-abortion, but also took some less traditional Conservative positions - including campaigning against fox-hunting. Despite his true-blue credentials he was popular across the political divide, known as a family man and a hard-working constituency MP. One of his four daughters with wife Julia, Katie, is an actress and model who was named Miss Essex in 2008. Sir David also came to public attention in 1997 when he was tricked into condemning a made up drug called 'Cake' on the satirical TV programme Brass Eye. The MP had never been a minister during his near-four decade stint in parliament, although he was briefly a ministerial aide. However, he held a number of important behind-the-scenes roles - which were rewarded when he was knighted in 2015 for political and public service. Sir David pictured with his pet Vivienne when they entered the Westminster Dog of the Year competition Sir David was a member of the Health Committee, and also served on the Administration Committee - which oversees the Parliamentary facilities such as catering. He wa currently on the 'Panel of Chairs' at the Commons, making him one of the senior MPs who fill in for Speaker Lindsay Hoyle chairing debates. Sir David was educated at a grammar school in London and then Bournemouth University, before becoming a recruitment consultant. He contested and won Basildon for the Tories in 1983, when Mrs Thatcher trounced Michael Foot to secure an 144 majority. However, when the seat was redrawn in 1997 he saw it would inevitably be taken by Labour, and was selected for Southend West. He still holds the seat with a majority of more than 14,000. Advertisement

But to Parliamentary colleagues, there was so much more to him than that, personal qualities that made him a vastly popular figure across the political divide.

He was a kind, genial soul, always quick to raise a laugh in the Commons. Watching this deceptively charismatic figure on his feet in the chamber, it was virtually impossible not to take a shine to him.

Rarely, if ever, when called by the Speaker did his polite question not concern his beloved Southend. A long and much-loved campaign to make the Essex seaside town a city now sadly remains unfulfilled.

Even Sir David's Early Day Motions could raise a giggle around the Commons tea room.

One saluted Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke on their 'achievement in putting a smile on the nation's faces with their performances' after their exit from Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.

Another congratulated Dame Helen Mirren  who went to school in his Southend West constituency  on her Oscars triumph in 2007.

The Eurovision song contest, on the other hand, brought out the Brexiteer in him. It was, he claimed, an event 'designed to humiliate the UK'.

But on the whole, the glitz and glamour of the showbiz world appeared to delight him.

And why wouldn't it?

His daughter Katie is a former Miss Essex who went on to become a Bafta-nominated actress and appeared in Hollywood blockbusters such as a Harry Potter film and Captain America: Civil War.

Born in Plaistow (then in Essex, now east London) and raised a Roman Catholic, Sir David was educated at St Bonaventure's grammar school in Forest Gate and then Bournemouth College of Technology, where he earned a degree in economics and government.

His first job was working as a primary school teacher in London's East End, teaching at St John the Baptist primary school in Bethnal Green for a year in 1970-71.

He then spent a short time as an underwriter before becoming a recruitment consultant.

By 1983 he was a Tory parliamentary candidate and entered the Commons partly as a result of Margaret Thatcher's wildly popular policy of letting council tenants buy their homes, a measure that greatly appealed to the citizens of Basildon.

He married his wife Julia in the same year and they went on to have five children  a son and four daughters.

His friend and fellow MP Jerry Hayes, who entered Parliament in the very same year as the Conservative member for the neighbouring constituency of Harlow, says that Sir David never seriously sought high government office. 'He always believed his true vocation was to represent his constituents in Essex, something he did for 38 years with diligence, skill and good humour,' he says.

'David liked to be out and about, pounding the streets of his constituency, speaking up for those who needed his help and advice.

'Not for him the bullet-proof limousine and a battalion of special advisers. His political outlook was that of a slightly old-fashioned parliamentarian. He spoke up for the ordinary man and woman in his constituency, and of course for animals, about which he cared passionately.

'I am sorry to say it was precisely this selfless determination that placed him in mortal danger yesterday, and cost him his life.'

During his near four-decade stint in Parliament, Sir David was briefly a ministerial aide, but he held a number of important behind-the-scenes roles and was knighted in 2015 for political and public service.

Politics-wise, Sir David was a staunch Right-winger, having been a Eurosceptic for years before the referendum was held.

It is true that some of his beliefs might be considered deeply unfashionable these days.

The 69-year-old was an opponent of same-sex marriage and, as a devout mass-going Catholic, strongly anti-abortion.

But being the maverick he was, he also took some less traditional Conservative positions, being one of very few Tories to campaign against fox hunting. Controversial viewpoints these may have been, but they never appeared to dull his popularity throughout Westminster.

Committed: Sir David, pictured with PM Boris Johnson, was known for his devotion to his constituency

Animal lover: MP, who campaigned against fox hunting, with pet in front of Houses of Parliament

In a sign of the affection in which he was held among MPs, Corbynite Paula Sherriff, who was ousted during the 2019 election, broke down in tears on the radio yesterday upon news of Sir David's death.

'I loved him,' Miss Sherriff told Shelagh Fogarty on LBC. 'David was a wonderful, wonderful man  I have lost a friend today.'

Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon, also paid tribute to Sir David as 'a wonderful man' who was funny, kind and 'cared about the most disadvantaged in our communities' and 'embodies Essex'. The fun side of his character often shone through. On December 30 last year, he posted a photo of a cardboard cut-out of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on Twitter.

He wrote: 'Whilst Margaret didn't live long enough to see this day, I am sure that she is rejoicing in heaven. At last we 'got Brexit done'!'

The Iron Lady put in another surprise appearance this summer when Sir David brought the cut-out to his daughter Alexandra's wedding.

One episode he preferred to forget occurred in 1997. He was tricked into condemning a made-up drug called 'Cake' on the satirical TV programme Brass Eye, developed by comedian Chris Morris.

Pictured: Tributes at the scene near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Much loved: Flowers and a balloon left at the scene, following the stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess

Last night local councillor James Courtenay paid tribute to his late local MP saying he was 'a hardcore constituency MP who decided many years ago that he wasn't looking for career advancement in Westminster'.

Other local leaders also paid tribute to the dedicated politician.

Margaret Borton, Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, says: 'Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Sir David. The tragic news today has shocked us all.

'Sir David was a dedicated Member of Parliament and servant to the local community.

'I don't think I can put into words just how devastating this is.'

Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Council, says: 'I am profoundly shocked by the news and my thoughts are with Sir David's family and friends at this awful time.

'Sir David was a great advocate of Southend-on-Sea, cared deeply about the community and will be sorely missed This really is a terrible day for the whole community of Southend-on-Sea.'

Tony Cox, leader of the Conservative group on Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, says: 'We are all shocked and saddened by the death of Sir David Amess.

'He was a great man, a great MP, a respected parliamentarian and respected by his residents. What we cannot lose sight of here is that a wife has been robbed of a husband and five children have been robbed of a father.

'He was a passionate believer in the right of life and it's poignant that his life has been so cruelly taken away. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.'

Surgeries were 'his passion' and a two-hour session could often stretch to four or five hours, Mr Courtenay added.

True to form, Sir David was meant to have been at a dinner for the local Conservative association last night at the Saxon Hall, Rochford, where he was due to give a speech.

It was a speech, tragically, he never got to make.
The ex-bishop of Rochester today claimed 'no church is perfect' as he defended his decision to convert to Catholicism.

Michael Nazir-Ali, who was the Bishop of Rochester from 1994 until 2009, could be ordained as a priest as early as next month after spending 'some years' considering the change.

It comes as the Roman church faced hundreds of fresh allegations of historic sex abuse in light of a French probe. But Dr Nazie-Ali today said he was not deterred.

When asked by BBC Radio 4's Today programme why he still decided to convert, he said 'the Catholic church is not the only church' to face such accusations.

He added: 'No church is perfect and I am certainly not pretending the Catholic church is perfect. I think it is absolutely right that this business about the abuse of children should be fully investigated and brought out into the open.'

Michael Nazir-Ali (pictured), who was the Bishop of Rochester from 1994 until 2009, could be ordained as a priest as early as next month after spending 'some years' considering the change

The married father-of-two revealed The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, did not try to convince him to stay. He added: 'I think he respected the decision that I had made and I was grateful for that.' Pictured, Dr Nazir-Ali with Prince Philip in 2002

Earlier this month, an independent commission examining sex abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in France said it believed 3,000 child abusers  two-thirds of them priests  have worked in the church over the past 70 years.

The commission president, Jean-Marc Sauve, said in an interview published in the newspaper Journal du Dimanche that 22 cases have been forwarded to prosecutors for alleged crimes that can still be pursued.

More than 40 cases of alleged crimes that are too old to be prosecuted but that involve suspects who are still alive have been forwarded to church officials, Sauve said.

Dr Nazir-Ali said the abuse of children 'should not be swept under the carpet' but as a diocese bishop in the Church of England he was aware of instances of Anglican ministers sexually abusing young members of their congregation.

'I know that this occurs in all the churches,' he added. 'And indeed in many other public bodies and indeed in the home.'

The married father-of-two went on to reveal The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, did not try to convince him to stay. He added: 'I think he respected the decision that I had made and I was grateful for that.'

Dr Nazir-Ali (pictured in 1996) has previously accused the CofE of 'jumping onto every faddish bandwagon'

Dr Nazir-Ali has previously accused the CofE of 'jumping onto every faddish bandwagon about identity politics, cultural correctness and mea culpas about Britain's imperial past'.

But in today's interview he simply said the CofE needs clearer 'teaching on marriage and the family, conscience and freedom.' He added that the Catholic church was a global body which made decisions as a unit, while the CofE often doesn't consult its members on changes.

He said: 'There is a lack of a sense of belonging to a worldwide, universal body, where decisions that affect everyone are taken by everyone together and not unilaterally by one part of the church or another.'

The 72-year-old has now joined the Catholic Ordinariate, which was set up in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI to allow Anglicans to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

Dr Nazir-Ali's switch to Catholicism comes just weeks after the Bishop of Ebbsfleet Jonathan Goodall did the same. A source close to him reportedly said that Bishop Goodall was also unhappy with the direction of the church.

In 2010, five bishops left because of their dissatisfaction about the introduction of female bishops.

Dr Nazir-Ali's conversion to Catholicism is seen as the most significant since Graham Leonard, the former Bishop of London, who was received into the Church in 1994 after rejecting the ordination of women priests.

Other high-profile conversions have included the Duchess of Kent; former Prime Minister Tony Blair and ex-Conservative cabinet minister Anne Widdecombe.

Married father-of-two Dr Nazir-Ali was the Bishop of Rochester from 1994 until 2009

Dr Nazir-Ali has been married to Valerie (pictured) since 1972 and they have two adult sons

Dr Nazir-Ali was received by Monsignor Keith Newton and will be ordained to the Catholic priesthood for the Ordinariate in due course, with the permission of the Holy See.

Earlier this week, he said: 'I believe that the Anglican desire to adhere to apostolic, patristic and conciliar teaching can now best be maintained in the Ordinariate.

What is the Ordinariate and why was it set up? Pope Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI established the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in 2011 to allow Anglicans to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Converts joining the ordinariate are allowed to keep some Anglican liturgy and traditions, and it has the full support of Pope Francis. Many of the converts in its early years were said to have increasingly have felt isolated since the Church of England decided in 1992 to ordain women as priests. They were becoming disenchanted with the Church of England's liberal teachings. In 2012, Benedict XVI gave 150,000 to the Ordinariate which was put into a fund to buy places of worship and provide stipends for priests. The Ordinariate takes its name from an 11th century vision by a woman in Walsingham, Norfolk, who claimed the Virgin Mary led her in spirit to Nazareth to see the place where an angel told her she would bear a son. Benedict XVI caught Catholic and Anglican leaders in England by surprise in October 2009 when he gave them notice of his announcement that he was creating the Ordinariate. Advertisement

'Provisions there to safeguard legitimate Anglican patrimony are very encouraging and, I believe, that such patrimony in its Liturgy, approaches to biblical study, pastoral commitment to the community, methods of moral theology and much else besides has a great deal to offer the wider Church.

'I am looking forward to receiving from the riches of other parts of the Church, while perhaps making a modest contribution to the maintenance and enhancement of Anglican patrimony within the wider fellowship.

'Ministry in the Church of Pakistan, in the Middle East generally, in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion remains precious to me and I see this as a further step in the ministry of our common Lord and of his people. At this time, I ask for prayers as I continue to pray for all parts of the Church.'

Since resigning as a bishop in 2009, Dr Nazir Ali has been the director of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue (OXTRAD), which helps preachers in parts of the world and in situations where the Church is in danger of persecution.

Dr Nazir-Ali had previously spoken out about the CofE's reaction to cancel culture and woke issues, and criticised its failure to care for parishes.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph in February, he said: 'The institution, however, seems engrossed either in lengthy, costly and far fetched "safeguarding" allegations against prominent church figures, or in jumping onto every faddish bandwagon about identity politics, cultural correctness and mea culpas about Britain's imperial past.'

In 2008, he claimed that radical Islam was filling the moral vacuum left by the decline in Christian virtues and dated the downfall of Christianity from the 'social and sexual revolution' of the 1960s, saying this had wrecked British society.

He said the 'newfangled and insecurely founded' doctrine of multiculturalism had left immigrant communities 'segregated, living parallel lives'.

Dr Nazir-Ali was a respected academic within the CofE, and holds academic awards including from the Universities of Karachi, Oxford and Cambridge.

Dr Nazir-Ali with the Queen at Wolferton Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk in 1998

Dr Nazir-Ali was a respected academic and researcher within the Church of England

He cannot be ordained a Catholic bishop because he is married, but he has plentiful knowledge of the denomination having been educated by Catholics as a child in Karachi.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: 'I am grateful for Michael Nazir-Ali's decades of devoted service to the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

'His expertise in evangelism, interfaith dialogue, ecumenism, and theological education has been a great gift. He will continue to be a blessing to the global church as he joins the ordinariate.

'I will be praying for him and his wife, Valerie, that this new step in their journey might draw them ever closer to God in Christ.'

Dr Nazir-Ali's conversion to Catholicism is seen as the most significant since Graham Leonard (pictured), the former Bishop of London, who was received into the Church in 1994 after rejecting the ordination of women priests

Monsignor Newton said: 'Since its erection in 2011, Michael has always shown great interest in the development of the Ordinariate in the United Kingdom.

'Those of us who serve the Catholic Church within the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham are delighted at his reception into full communion and forthcoming ordination.

'He brings a great experience of the Anglican Communion and is in a unique place to articulate that Anglican patrimony, described by Pope Benedict XVI as a treasure to be shared, which now has an honoured place in the Universal Church.'

The CoE is made up of 42 independent dioceses and more than 12,500 parishes. The Catholic Church of England and Wales has five provinces, divided into 22 dioceses.
A young father and Covid vaccine sceptic who spent eight days in a coma after catching the virus has urged others not to repeat his mistake and go and get the jab as soon as possible.

Melbourne father Aaron Desira had to learn how to walk and feed himself again after battling the deadly virus for two weeks in hospital.

Mr Desira, from Werribee in the city's south-west, spent more than a week in an induced coma after testing positive to the virus on September 23.

Melbourne Dad Aaron Desira was placed in an induced coma just days after testing positive for Covid-19

The father of two - who has two young children - said he first felt symptoms while he was working in Bendigo in regional Victoria on September 22.

He drove home, got tested and isolated while waiting for his results.

He tested positive the next day, just two days before he was booked in to get his first dose of a Covid vaccine.

The father said his symptoms started off as similar to a cold before moving into hot sweats, a bad headache and increased breathing difficulty.

He became incoherent three days later on September 26 and was rushed to Geelong Hospital.

'I was there for a night on oxygen and then they made the call they were going to intubate me, put me into an induced coma,' he told The Geelong Advertiser.

'I was then in a coma for eight days,' he said, adding his condition worsened very suddenly.

Mr Desira's wife Lisa and two children Isaiah, 11, and Harper, 9, also contracted the virus.

Mr Desira (left) said while he was confident he would recover, his family were extremely worried for his health

He said while he was confident he would recover from the virus, his family were extremely worried for his health and that it got 'too much' for his wife - with his father stepping in to help with doctors calls.

Once he woke up from his coma, he was moved from the ICU to the hospital's Covid ward where he had to learn how to walk again and feed himself.

On Monday, Mr Desira was able to walk unassisted out of the hospital, a goal he had set for himself when he started his recovery.

The self-confessed vaccine non-believer says that while he wasn't a full-blown anti-vaxxer, he was definitely hesitant about receiving the jab

Now, the self confessed 'non-believer' is encouraging others to get their Covid jabs as soon as possible.

'It affects everyone differently, so don't think because you're young and fit you're gonna pull through  Two of my colleagues were infected at the same time, one was unvaccinated and he just got flu like symptoms, the other was vaccinated and got severe flu-like symptoms, and then me, who was basically knocking on death's door,' he said.

He was hesitant about the vaccine at first but decided to roll up his sleeve when Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made it mandatory for construction workers.
A serving police officer has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in Jersey.

The officer, 48, of States Police in Jersey, was not on duty at the time of the alleged assault in St Aubin last Saturday.

He and the victim know each other, police said, and he is currently in custody for questioning.

The victim is being given support by officers and police are appealing for two men who may have seen the incident at around 10.15pm.

A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at around 10.15pm in St Aubin, Jersey. Pictured: Police would like to speak to these men in connection with the incident

The witnesses are not suspected of wrongdoing but could assist with enquiries, police said.

States of Jersey Police said: 'The people we would like to speak to are: Two men who were seen on CCTV talking to an honorary police officer outside the Trafalgar pub in St Aubin at around 10.15pm about some concerns they had.

'The first man was wearing dark trousers, a white top and white shoes, thought to be trainers.

'The other man is wearing a dark top, with blue shorts with white stripes down the side and very distinctive bright red or orange trainers.

'Another witness police would like to speak to was originally in the Trafalgar pub, and then got the bus into town where he interacted with those involved in the incident.'

It continued: 'This man is described as over 40 years old, and wearing a distinctive Hawaiian sleeveless vest.

'These people are not suspected of any wrongdoing and are not involved in the incident we are investigating.

'We believe they could help with our enquiries and would ask them to contact us as soon as possible.'
A desperate search will continue into the night for a four-year-old girl who has gone missing from a campsite in rural Western Australia.

Cleo Smith was last seen about 1.30am on Saturday at the Blowholes campsite on the coast at Macleod, north of Carnarvon.

The girl was wearing a pink one-piece sleepsuit with a blue and yellow pattern when she was last seen.

A frantic search is underway after a four-year-old girl disappeared while camping with her family in Western Australia. She is pictured wearing the suit she was in when she went missing

A full land search is under way and police say they won't scale back efforts until last light.

Some land resources will continue the search overnight before the rescue mission resumes at first light on Sunday with the aid of marine and air assets.

In a Facebook post Cleo's mother Ellie wrote: 'Last seen 1:30am and gone when woken up at 6am from our shared tent.

'Very very unusual for Cleo. Please if you see anything unusual or suspicious call the police.'

Carnarvon Shire president Eddie Smith told Perth Now the family were well-known locals, and the community were out in force helping with the search.
Five men are facing life in jail after being convicted of the drive-by murder of a shop owner who was gunned down on a quad bike as he left a barbecue.

Abdul Rahman Abubaker, 24, suffered catastrophic injuries after being blasted with a shotgun and died hours later in hospital.

The dessert shop boss was riding a quad bike away from a party to mark the start of Ramadan in Stratford Place in the Highgate area of Birmingham in May 2018.

A court heard three cars in a convoy had pulled up shortly beforehand and the fatal gunshot was fired from one of the vehicles.

Within 72 hours two of the cars had been set alight and destroyed to try and destroy evidence, while the third had disappeared without trace.

Abdul Rahman Abubaker, 24, suffered catastrophic injuries after being blasted with a shotgun in Stratford Place in the Highgate area of Birmingham in May 2018 and died hours later in hospital

It is not currently known what the motive was behind the attack.

A lengthy investigation led to the arrests of Fahmi Daahir, Mustafa Omar, Abdirahman Dirie, Shire Elmi and Abdirahman Yusuf in August last year.

Elmi was tracked down in Glasgow while Yusuf was arrested at a London airport after coming back from Sweden where he'd fled less than a month after the murder.

The other three were detained in Birmingham.

By reviewing footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras, detectives established four cars - of which three were stolen - had initially met in Hams Road Alum Rock, Birmingham.

One car was abandoned but another, a VW Passat, was sent out on several trips to scour the area near the barbecue.

A lengthy investigation led to the arrests of Fahmi Daahir (right), Mustafa Omar (middle), Abdirahman Dirie, Shire Elmi (left) and Abdirahman Yusuf in August last year

A stolen Ford Kuga - part of the convoy from which the fatal shot was fired - was taken back to Hams Road and set alight within six minutes of the shooting.

A taxi was ordered to pick up a group further down the road shortly afterwards.

An examination of the Kuga found shotgun cartridges and the remnants of a fuel container in the scorched shell.

Another vehicle in the convoy - an Audi A3 - was discovered in Arley Road, Alum Rock, after being set alight three days after the killing.

Daahir's sock was found in the car and he, along with Yusuf admitted arson ahead of the trial.

Cell site records also established telephone communication involving members of the group.

Daahir, 23, of Nechells; Omar, 21, of Alum Rock; Yusuf, 23, (left) of, Aston; Elmi, 23, of Glasgow and Dirie, 21, (right) of Newtown, were remanded in custody. They will be sentenced at a later date

Police traced their movements, including Daahir and Yusuf being within a vehicle which was in the convoy that evening and Elmi and Omar being in Hams Road.

All denied murder but were convicted following the trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Daahir, 23, of Nechells; Omar, 21, of Alum Rock; Yusuf, 23, of, Aston; Elmi, 23, of Glasgow and Dirie, 21, of Newtown, were remanded in custody.

They will be sentenced at a later date.

Superintendent Edward Foster, of West Midlands Police, said: 'This has been a complex investigation during which Abdul, along with his family and friends, have been at the forefront of our minds.

All denied murder but were convicted following the trial at Birmingham Crown Court (pictured)

'We will never probably never know the reason behind this tragic killing and who actually fired the fatal shot.

'Undoubtedly, there were others who were part of this horrific attack but whose identities remain unknown.

'But it's clear this was the culmination of careful planning which involved all five of these men who have been convicted today.

'They helped destroy or conceal cars while two fled the country in their attempt to avoid being caught.

'However, due to the diligence, dedication and expertise of our officers and staff we ensured this wasn't the case.

'Each of them played a role in causing, or assisting, the tragic murder of Abdul and they will now rightly spend considerable time behind bars.'
A lone woman was able to fight off a stranger who came up behind her in a park and attempted to choke her with a metal chain around her neck.

Police are now on the hunt for the man that they believe may have been involved in the 'terrifying attack' in a park in east London.

Officers have released an e-fit of the suspect and are appealing for information.

The Metropolitan Police have released an e-fit (pictured) as they hunt for the man that they believe may have been involved in a 'terrifying attack' on a woman in a park in east London

The woman, in her 20s, was sat on a bench at approximately 11:30am on Friday September 10 in Ingrebourne Valley in Hornchurch Country Park.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'It was reported that she was sitting on a bench when he came up from behind and placed a metal chain around her neck.

'The victim was able to free herself and ran out of the park.

'The suspect is described as being a black man, who was dressed in dark clothing and wearing smart pointed shoes.

The woman, in her 20s, was sat on a bench at approximately 11:30am on Friday September 10 in Ingrebourne Valley in Hornchurch Country Park (pictured)

'It is thought he had slicked-back black hair, with a silver streak.'

PC Andy Tyler, from the local policing team in Havering, said: 'This was a terrifying attack on a lone woman and I know it will cause concern among the wider community.

'We have increased patrols in the area since the incident and I can assure you that we are doing all we can to track down the man responsible.'
A drug trafficking gang which flooded the Pennines with cocaine and cannabis has been jailed for more than 86 years.

The multi-million pound operation was exposed when a female courier was pulled over by police who were filming with the hit Channel 5 show Police Interceptors.

Joanne Cooke, 36, was first caught with 70,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis stashed in the boot of her car when her Kia was pulled over on the A19 at Crathorne, near Yarm, north Yorkshire.

Her arrest in April 2016 led to the collapse of a whole drug-supply network, which saw dealers based in Liverpool make at least 75 trips to Teesside to flood the area with up to 1m worth of cocaine.

Some 14 members have now been sentenced by Judge Paul Watson QC, who branded them a 'plague on society' at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday.

Cooke, of Liverpool, was jailed for four years and eight months for her role as a trusted courier for the drugs gang.

Teesside Crown Court heard that there was a flurry of mobile phone contact between people on both sides of the Pennines in the wake of her arrest.

Joanne Cooke (pictured), 36, was first caught with 70,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis stashed in the boot of her car when her Kia was pulled over on the A19 at Crathorne, near Yarm, north Yorkshire

The 70,000 worth of drugs seized from Cooke's vehicle in 2016

Moment Cooke's blue Kia car was pulled over, as captured by Channel 5's Police Interceptors

Police discovered cocaine in the boot of Cooke's car during an episode of Police Interceptors (pictured)

Cooke being caught with drugs in her car during a run for the huge drug trafficking ring

Members of both sides of the operation were handed jail terms a two-day sentencing hearing.

Richard Omar, who headed the organisation on the Teesside end, was in regular contact with Liverpool drug kingpin Dennis Dawrant Jnr in the weeks leading up to and after Cooke's arrest.

The 53-year-old helped orchestrate the shipment of drugs from the North West into the North East on at least 75 occasions.

Sharon Beattie QC, prosecuting, said Omar travelled to Liverpool the day after Cooke had been arrested.

She added: 'There was a flurry of communication between Omar, Dawrant Jnr and Edward Metcalfe, the following day.

'Cooke's phone was seized and when she didn't answer, and obviously didn't turn up, there were attempts made to contact.

'In fact the next contact she had was when she rang from a landline to Dawrant Jnr and the following day Omar went to Liverpool to meet them.'

Dennis Dawrant Jnr (pictured) was jailed at Teesside Crown Court for 12 years

Dennis Dawrant Snr was jailed at Teesside Crown Court for eight years and six months

Christopher Martin (left) was handed seven years and four months while Paul Havert (right) was sentenced to 15 months

Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told the gang they were a 'plague on society' as he sentenced them all.

Omar, of Leathorpe Court, Thornaby, was jailed for 16 years for his role in dealing cocaine and cannabis across the area after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

Another gang member, Christopher Martin, 35, also of Thornaby, was caught trying to flush drugs down the toilet when police raided his home. He was jailed for seven years and four months.

The court heard how members of the Merseyside-based gang, which were placed under surveillance by police during 2016-2017, had different roles in order to keep the drugs operation running smoothly.

Dennis Dawrant Junior was described as 'the lynchpin at the heart of it' and was responsible for arranging more than 70 courier trips to Teesside from Liverpool.

Edward Metcalfe (pictured) was given eight years for his role in the drug trafficking ring

Left to right: Richard Omar, jailed for 16 years, Ryan Stirling, jailed for five years and Phillip Oram, jailed for 12 months

Left to right: Nathan Moncur, jailed for four years and eight months, Alan McCaig, jailed for five years and four months and Steven Folan, jailed for seven years and six months

His father Dawrant Senior, 62, was the 'warehouse man' who also kept notes on financial transactions, the court heard.

Meanwhile Metcalfe, Alan McCaig and Stephen Folan were all couriers who were believed to have been paid around 200 per journey.

McCaig and Folan were handed five years and four months and seven years and six months respectively. Metcalfe was handed eight years.

Kingpin Dennis Dawrant Jnr, of Liverpool, was jailed for 12 years, while his father Dennis Dawrant Snr was handed eight years.

Other gang members also received sentences, including Phillip Oram, 34, of Thornaby, who was jailed for 12 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Ryan Stirling, 27, of Billingham, was jailed for five years for his role, while Nathan Moncur, 28, also of Billingham, was jailed for four years and eight months.

Paul Havert, 44, of Stockton, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and his 38-year-old brother James Havert was jailed for nine months.

Meanwhile Masum Ahmed, 47, of Tower Hamlets, London, was jailed for five years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robinson from Cleveland Police's Organised Crime, Economic and Cyber Crime Unit, said: 'Operation Mint was a challenging and protracted investigation.

'I am extremely proud of the professionalism and dedication of the team who worked relentlessly to bring those responsible for this large-scale drugs supply to justice.'
Britain's most senior politicians united today to lay flowers and express their grief following the death of Sir David Amess in a knife attack.

Home Secretary Priti Patel today issued a defiant message, saying the UK and its democracy 'cannot be cowed' - as Members of Parliament vowed to carry on holding face-to-face public meetings.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, leader of the Labour party Sir Keir Starmer and Speaker of the Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle were among those leaving flowers and written notes of support on a grass bank near Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, today.

On Friday afternoon, horrified constituents waiting to see Sir David stabbed at a surgery inside the church. Police say they are treating it as a terrorist incident.

Two vigils have been held. Constituents last night went to St Peters Church in Leigh-on-Sea to shed a tear at the shocking death of their beloved MP and on Saturday afternoon dozens of well-wishers lit candles and gathered to remember the life of Sir David outside the town's Civic Centre.

The terror suspect - thought to be a 25-year-old Briton of Somali descent who lived in the Southend West area - was arrested on suspicion of murder as soon as police arrived on the scene.

Tobias Ellwood urged MPs to end surgeries but Speaker Lindsay Hoyle held his last night amid widespread debate over MPs' security and how to better protect parliamentarians.

Robert Largan, the Conservative MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, said he would still hold his surgery from 10.30am this morning while a number of other councillors took to social media to express their defiance.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Harriet Harman, who was sworn in to the House of Commons on the same day as Sir David in the 1980s, said she would be writing to the Prime Minister to ask for a Speaker's Conference to find a solution.

Asked whether there could be a balance between the safety of MPs and the democratic process, Ms Patel today said: 'It can be balanced, it can absolutely be balanced.'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer, left, followed by Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Lindsey Hoyle, carry flowers as they arrive at the scene where Sir David Amess was killed

Home Secretary Priti Patel today issued a defiant message, saying the UK and its democracy 'cannot be cowed' - as Members of Parliament vowed to carry on holding face-to-face public meetings

Tobias Ellwood (pictured) urged MPs to end surgeries but Speaker Lindsay Hoyle held his last night amid widespread debate over MPs' security and how to better protect parliamentarians

Asked whether there could be a balance between the safety of MPs and the democratic process, Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) today said: 'It can be balanced, it can absolutely be balanced'

On whether surgeries should be allowed to continue, she added: 'We will carry on, we live in an open society, a democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual or any motivation... to stop us from functioning, to serve our elected a democracy.'

Police are expected to contact 650 MPs today as Ms Patel ordered an immediate review of security arrangements.

Tory MP Mr Ellwood suggested it was time for public and well-advertised constituency surgeries to come to an end.

He told BBC's Radio 4: 'I would recommend that no MP has direct surgery - you can move to Zoom, there are other ways, you can achieve an awful lot over the telephone, you can get things moving far faster than having to wait for a surgery date.'

According to the Times, Whitehall officials have had concerns about a possible lone-wolf attack by people who have become radicalised during lockdown.

Horrified constituents waiting to see Sir David (pictured), who has campaigned to help refugees, watched in horror as he was attacked

Police are expected to contact 650 MPs today as Ms Patel (pictured) ordered an immediate review of security arrangements

But others are not convinced ending surgeries is the solution to protecting MPs.

Labour MP and speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay told BBC Two's Newsnight the terrorists 'will not win'.

The MP for Chorley, stressed the importance of face-to-face surgeries and warned against a knee-jerk reaction following Sir David's death.

He said: 'Those people who do not share our values or share democracy, they will not win and we won't let them win.

'We will continue to look at security, that is ongoing and it will continue.'

A Briton of Somali descent, 25, was yesterday arrested following the brutal stabbing of the veteran MP.

Horrified constituents waiting to see Sir David, who has campaigned to help refugees, watched in horror as he was attacked.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle spoke to Boris Johnson and Ms Patel following the fatal stabbing of the 69-year-old MP in his Southend West constituency.

Sir David is the second MP to be killed in five years, after the murder of Jo Cox by a far-right extremist in 2016.

A Briton of Somali descent, 25, was yesterday arrested following the brutal stabbing of the veteran MP. Pictured, the scene

Speaking to BBC2's Newsnight, Sir Lindsay said: 'It is about doing the right things working with the police constabularies right across the United Kingdom because it is about joining that up.

'I know that they are contacting all the MPs to check about their safety, to reassure them, because in the end we have got to make sure that is a priority.'

He added: 'Those people who do not share our values or share democracy, they will not win and we won't let them win. We will continue to look at security, that is ongoing and it will continue.'

Even before the murder of Jo Cox in 2016 concern was growing over the threat to MPs away from Parliament.

The improvements were championed by Sir Lindsay during his time as Deputy Speaker, and he has continued the drive since taking over from John Bercow.

Every politician is currently thought to have had a security assessment in the constituency, and they get a 'standard' package such as alarm systems, shutters, CCTV and personal alarms for staff.

If the police deem it necessary MPs can also access 'enhanced' measures. The authorities do not specify what that can include, but it is thought to include secure transport and guards.

Robert Largan (pictured), the Conservative MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, said he would still hold his surgery from 10.30am this morning while a number of other councillors took to social media to express their defiance

The costs are met through a central contract with Chubb, organised by the Commons.

However, there are concerns that most of the measures are applied to offices and homes, while surgeries often happen at churches or other buildings that might not be secure.

Sir Lindsay said MPs were in shock at what he described as an attack on democracy, adding that he wanted to see a greater police presence at constituency surgeries.

But he said it was vital that voters were able to engage directly with MPs.

Sir Lindsay said: 'David was a lovely man, devoted to his family, to parliament and his Southend West constituency.

'He was well liked by members and the staff alike, and during his almost four decades here, built a reputation for kindness and generosity.

'We will need to discuss and examine MPs' security and any measures to be taken.'

Meanwhile, Ms Harman said a Speaker's Conference, which would see all parties come together with authorities to find recommendations for increasing safety measures, was discussed following the murder of Ms Cox in 2016.

She said ultimately the Government would not vote in favour of it at that time, but hopes it will be considered now.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme she said: 'I don't think any members of parliament would be arguing for the sort of close security that has to be there for home secretaries, prime ministers and foreign secretaries, to apply to MPs going about their ordinary constituency business.

'I am sure we can find a better way of making sure MPs are able to go about their business but be safe.'

A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman said every UK MP will be contacted by Operation Bridger, a nationwide police protective security operation established in 2016, to discuss their security arrangements following the death of Sir David Amess.

The spokesman said: 'In light of yesterday's tragic attack, every MP will be contacted individually by Op Bridger representatives in their local force to discuss their security arrangements, and to ensure they are aware of all advice pertaining to their personal safety and security.

'They will also speak to MPs about security arrangements for any events they are planning to attend in the coming days, so the appropriate advice can be provided.

'We encourage MPs to immediately report any security concerns to their local police force in order to keep themselves, their staff and members of the public attending surgeries safe. Funding is available through the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority for security needs based on threat assessments made by police.'
Thomas Rainey, 59, has been charged with the murder of Katrina Rainey (pictured)

The husband of a woman who died after being pulled from a burning car has appeared before a court accused of her murder.

Thomas Rainey, 59, has been charged with the murder of Katrina Rainey at the family farm in Co Londonderry on Tuesday.

Mrs Rainey, a midwife who was aged in her 50s, died in hospital after sustaining extensive burns in the overnight car blaze outside the farmhouse on the Quarry Road, Knockloughrim.

Her husband, who also required hospital treatment for burn injuries, was remanded in custody after a brief appearance before district judge Mark McGarrity on Saturday morning.

Rainey appeared before the court via video-link from the PSNI's custody suite at Musgrave police station in Belfast.

He spoke briefly at the start of the hearing when asked to confirm his date of birth.

A PSNI detective constable who interviewed the accused while in custody told the court she could connect him to the charge.

A defence solicitor said he had no questions in relation to the connection and said there would also be no application for bail.

Mrs Rainey, a midwife who was aged in her 50s, died in hospital after sustaining extensive burns in the overnight car blaze outside a f armhouse (pictured)

The lawyer asked the police officer to confirm that one of the grounds on which police were objecting to bail being granted was due to a risk of Rainey harming himself.

The officer confirmed that was a police concern.

The solicitor told the judge there was justification for his client to be held in the hospital wing of Maghaberry prison.

'I will be contacting the custody office in Maghaberry this morning, given the police are also of the view that Mr Rainey is a significant risk to himself, that he be housed within the hospital wing,' he said.

'He also has sustained significant burn injuries himself.'

The accused is due to appear before court again, via video-link, on November 10.
Dozens of migrants have landed in Kent today after crossing the Channel in dinghies and were immediately detained by officers.

Three dinghies made their way to British shores, two of which were escorted by the RNLI and border patrol to Dungeness and the third was returned to Dover.

Upon their arrival, the group of around 60 migrants were immediately detained by police stationed on the beach.

Dozens of migrants have landed in Kent today after crossing the Channel in dinghies and were immediately detained by officers

Three dinghies made their way to British shores, two of which were escorted by the RNLI to Dungeness and the third was returned to Dover

Upon their arrival, the group of around 60 migrants were immediately detained by police stationed on the beach

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Border Force officers detained 1,568 migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats in just four days.

People smugglers are taking advantage of calm seas before the weather closes in to make dozens of crossings.

In September there were a record 4,646 detained.

Priti Patel wants to grant Border Force officers immunity from prosecution if migrants die during her new operation to 'turn back' small boats crossing the Channel.

The Home Secretary has previously approved the plan which would see migrants boats intercepted and turned back to France by officers on jet skis.

Currently, sailors are obliged to rescue 'a person in distress at sea' under international maritime laws and failure to do so could result in up to two years in prison.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Border Force officers detained 1,568 migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats in just four days

People smugglers are taking advantage of calm seas before the weather closes in to make dozens of crossings

But the government is trying to pass the Nationality and and Borders Bill through Parliament, which would give Border Force officials immunity from prosecution during the 'turnback' operations.

The plans have been criticised by opposition MPs, and charities, while France has branded the tactics 'illegal'.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said they were 'unconscionable' and 'unnecessary', The Times reports.

Border Force currently has existing powers to intercept migrant boats attempting to cross the Channel once they reach UK waters.

Priti Patel wants to grant Border Force officers immunity from prosecution if migrants die during her new operation to 'turn back' small boats

Border Force currently has existing powers to intercept migrant boats attempting to cross the Channel once they reach UK waters

A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'As part of our ongoing response to these dangerous crossings, we continue to evaluate and test a range of safe and legal options for stopping small boats.

'All operational procedures used at sea comply and are delivered in accordance with domestic and international law.

'We will fix the broken asylum system through our New Plan for Immigration, break the business model of people smugglers who put lives at risk and welcome people through safe and legal route.'

Miss Patel had been under pressure to clamp-down on illegal Channel crossings from France after the number of migrants detained by Border Force hit record highs this year.

Data compiled by PA Media reveals that more than 17,000 people have crossed the Channel in 2021 so far

Albanian government officials DENY claims that migrants arriving by boat to UK will be detained in new offshore asylum processing centre in Balkans The Albanian government has denied that it is in talks with Britain to detain illegal migrants crossing the Channel in small boats while UK authorities handle their asylum requests. The Albanian Prime Minister's Official Spokesman branded reports in the Sun that London and Tirana are in talks to establish a new processing centre in the Balkan nation 'absolutely untrue'. The newspaper had quoted an unnamed insider in the talks saying that Home Secretary Priti Patel 'has made it clear she wants this to happen' and 'we are down to the fine details'. But spokesman Endri Fuga rubbished suggestions that Albania would host migrants on behalf of any third country and urged 'richer and bigger countries' to take in their share of migrants. Albania's denial is likely to raise questions about who briefed the Sun on the supposed plans. Miss Patel had been under pressure to clamp-down on illegal Channel crossings from France after the number of migrants detained by Border Force hit record highs this year. A Government spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are determined to tackle the unacceptable rise in dangerous Channel crossings. 'The New Plan for Immigration is the only long term solution to fix the broken system, and includes changes to the law to tackle criminal gangs and prevent further loss of life. This is a shared, international challenge and we continue to work with other countries to meet it.' Advertisement

Channel Rescue, a charity which observes migrants arriving in small boats across the Channel, warned Miss Patel the consequences of using the controversial 'pushback' tactics would be 'horrific'.

Kim Bryan, from the charity, told BBC Breakfast on Sunday that in the last two weeks her group had spotted, from the cliffs of Dover, Border Force officials practising a pushback using jet-skis.

Miss Patel has threatened to turn boats around and send them back to Europe as part of her 'pushback' plan.

However, French politicians branded the Home Secretary a 'clown', while Mr Darmanin claimed any action to send migrant boats back would be illegal.

The Home Office's permanent secretary, Matthew Rycroft, last month told the Commons Home Affairs Committee only a 'small proportion' of boats could legally be turned back towards France using the tactics. He was also unable to tell when, or if, the policy would be put into practice.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said Miss Patel 'needs to come clean' over her strategy to tackle small boats crossings.

The Labour MP told Sky News: 'The Home Secretary needs to come clean because every single person risking their lives in that dangerous sea crossing of the English Channel is one too many.'

He said the fact that more than 1,100 people crossed to the UK in just two days across Friday and Saturday last week shows withholding money from France 'clearly isn't working'.

He added: 'I've always thought the Home Secretary needed to take a different approach.

'Whilst of course the patrols at the coast preventing people getting out onto the water and risking their lives is hugely important - of course it is - what I fear the Home Secretary misses is the fact that nobody becomes a refugee in northern France.

'We need to be tackling the people smugglers and these vile criminal gangs further away from the coast as well.'

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted the UK was working 'very effectively' with France to tackle migrant crossings.

On Monday, Ministers insisted France will get 54million of funding for the Channel migrant operation - blaming 'administrative' issues for the delay.

Despite Priti Patel threatening to withhold the money unless Paris stepped up efforts to limit the flow, security minister Damian Hinds said it will be paid 'in the coming weeks.

He denied there was any 'political question' over paying the cash, insisting the 'administrative process' had just taken time to work through.

But France has been making veiled threats about its activities to quell the problem, with interior minister Gerald Darmanin complaining that 'not one euro has been paid' of the pledged funds.

Asked about the delay in a round of interviews, Mr Hinds said: 'Absolutely we are working closely with the French and I expect that question that you have raised to be finalised in the coming weeks.'

Home Office blew 6,757 in a month at Domino's in Dover for migrants who had crossed the Channel The Home Office spent 6,757 in one month on Domino's pizzas to feed migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel from France, figures show. Hundreds of pizzas were bought from the Dover branch of the fast food chain in July, according to analysis of the government department's spending. A disclosure log for Home Office procurement card transactions costing more than 500 for the four-week period contained five separate entries from UK Immigration Enforcement for such food orders, totalling 6,757. The takeaways were provided while migrants were at Tug Haven - a short-term holding facility in Dover where they are first taken from the beach or sea. The most expensive entry - 1,824 - said: 'This was an urgent need to feed a large number of migrants that had been on the Tug Haven compound in Dover for over 12 hours, and were likely to stay over 24 hours due to issues blocking their movement with resources and the Irc (immigration removal centre) estate.' Advertisement

He told BBC News: 'I didn't say it was an error, it is a process to be worked through when you are transferring what are very large sums of taxpayers' money.'

But in a warning shot at the French, Mr Hinds said: 'I would like to see increased activity, increased turnback (of migrants). France is a safe country. If you are seeking asylum, you should claim it in the first safe country you come to.'

Asked about Mr Darmanin's comments, Mr Kwarteng told Sky News: 'Well, all I can say is that we have worked very effectively with the French government so far.

'We've had 300 arrests, we've worked with them to do that, there have been 65 convictions, and we both accept that there are something like 13,500 crossings that have been prevented through our working together, so it is a good collaborative relationship and we obviously want to improve that.'

Alarm has been growing about the situation, with more than 1,000 people making the dangerous trip from France to the UK in just two days last week.

After 10 days in which no crossings were possible due to bad weather, at least 40 boats managed to reach Britain on Friday and Saturday.

It came as Sky News footage last week showed migrants leaving Calais unchallenged by armed police - in what is likely to be a fresh blow to Anglo-French relations.

Dozens of people were seen piling into inflatable rafts, dinghies - and even a canoe - in their desperate bid to make it across the English Channel, with French security 'stood by and watched'.

At the Tory annual conference last week, Miss Patel described France as a 'safe country' and reiterated her desire to 'turn back the boats'.

After evading French security at first light, the migrants piled into dinghies and spent nine hours crossing the English Channel, before they were picked up by immigration officers.

Ruthless people smugglers have taken advantage of the warm start to October, with a recent surge in successful crossings reported across Kent in the past week.

But Sky News has reported French security 'stood by and watched' the scenes of chaos unfold from less than 100 yards away instead of intervening.

A group of approximately 10 officers allegedly stood idle as two separate groups of migrants piled onto inflatable boats that took up to 10 minutes to get their engines started.

In a later clip, a helicopter flown by French border control flies over the Strait of Dover, watching on as another caravan of migrants makes the treacherous journey.

French officials were said to be investigating patrol efforts on the French border in the wake of the footage, Sky News reported.
Homeowners stranded overseas due to the Covid-19 pandemic have been through hell after a squatter took over their house, trashed it and stole their belongings.

The Lius travelled to China in late 2019 to visit family but were have been unable to return to their home in Hawthorn East, Melbourne since.

But while in Shanghai they were horrified to discover a stranger had moved into their empty home and plastered a warning sign on the front door.

But while in Shanghai they were horrified to discover a stranger had moved into their empty home and plastered a warning sign on the front door

'Common law rights ... entitle the occupier to quiet enjoyment of the property to the exclusion of all other persons,' the sign reads.

'Entering the property without the consent ... will constitute trespass'.

An interpreter for the Liu family said the squatter was first discovered by a friend who walked past the property and saw lights on, contacting Mr Liu.

What was described as possible drug paraphernalia was seen around the home and next to the makeshift bedroom (pictured)

Video of the property shows belongings dumped outside, rubbish littering every room, part of the wall in the bathroom pulled out, and what appears to be drug paraphernalia in a bedroom.

The man even allegedly broke a window to allow his cat to walk in and out of the house.

'You'd think it was a tip, that's how bad it was,' said the couple's Melbourne solicitor Tony Carbone told A Current Affair.

Mr Liu described the home as a 'war space' when they saw the damage.

The squatter also went as far as changing the locks and remote for the garage, parking his car inside.

Jewellery, furniture and clothing were all gone with the homeowners estimating half a million dollars worth of their possessions have disappeared, not counting the bill for the damage to their home.

Police told the family they couldn't kick down the door without an eviction order so the Lius were forced to apply to the Supreme Court in order to reclaim their home.

'He was surprised that we need to do so much and get the court involved to actually remove this person from the house,' said Mr Liu's interpreter.

The squatter claimed to be relying on adverse possession, colloquially known as 'squatters rights', where anyone can be given ownership to a property if they have been on the property for 15 years.

A source told A Current Affair the squatter was under the impression the house was abandoned and thought he wasn't doing anything wrong.

They also said a criminal gang is searching for and ransacking homes that are empty, with a black market list for addresses of houses that are empty for squatters.

The squatter was arrested by police but released without charge pending a further investigation while Mr Liu plans to make a claim with his insurer.
Philadelphia became the first major city to ban police traffic stops of low-level motor vehicle offenses, a tactic which critics claim disproportionately affects black people.

The Philadelphia City Council passed two Driving Equity bills on Thursday that Mayor James Kenney is is expected to sign into law this week.

The law creates an open searchable database recording traffic stops and prohibits police officers from stopping drivers for minor offenses by reclassifying several offenses as secondary violations.

Secondary violations citations are issued to drivers by mail, eliminating the need for a low-level traffic stop, which is a tactic commonly used as a pretext to stop and search drivers.

'The way black men are often searched, specifically here in the City of Philadelphia, when pulled over by law enforcement, puts you in a position where you're very, very uncomfortable often,' said Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who drafted the Driving Equality bills.

City councilman Isaiah Thomas authored the two bills which he introduced on June 24

The Philadelphia City Council passed two Driving Equity Bills which now await Mayor James Kenney's signature, which is expected to come within the next few days

Head of the Philadelphia Public Defenders' Police Accountability Unit Michael Mellon worked with Thomas to draft the bill analyzing police and city data

In Philadelphia, people of color are 3.4 times as likely to be pulled over as white people, according to WPVI Philadelphia, which analyzed city police and US Census data.

The bill states the searchable database must be developed within a year of the law being enacted. It will include driver and officer information, demographic and geographic information, and the reason for each stop.

Thomas drafted the bills to address the racial inequities and profiling that he has seen and experienced in his city and noted that 'Philadelphia is leading the nation when it comes to this particular issue.'

Thomas, who is black, says that he has been pulled over more times than he count.

'Being pulled over by law enforcement is a rite of passage for black men. It's something we all know that we're gonna have to go through,' he said to WPVI.

The city councilmember added that: 'The way black men are often searched, specifically here in the City of Philadelphia, when pulled over by law enforcement, puts you in a position where you're very, very uncomfortable often.'

He recounted a time when an officer told him he'd been pulled over for a broken taillight but was told by a mechanic that nothing what wrong with it when he took it to the mechanic the next day.

A broken taillight is the number one reason given for minor traffic stops, according to Michael Mellon, head of the Philadelphia Public Defenders' Police Accountability Unit.

But while Thomas has lost count of how many times he's been pulled over, Mellon, who is white, has never been stopped by police- despite the fact that he frequently drives through heavily policed areas for his job.

'The only real answer we have here is that there's a racial bias in policing itself,' Mellon said.

People of color are 3.4 times as likely to be pulled over as white people in Philadelphia

Native American Philadelphians are the most likely minority group to be stopped

94 per cent of all traffic stops in Philadelphia this year happened to people of color

Latino drivers are 3.1 times more likely than white drivers to be searched during a traffic stop in Philadelphia

Although Philadelphia Police have searched fewer of the vehicles they've stopped this year compared to recent years, data shows the racial disparities of these stops have widened

The Supreme Court has ruled that traffic stops for minor violations are legal

The data analyzed by WPVI shows that black people have made up 76.7 per cent of traffic stops so far this year. That equates to more than double their portion of the city population.

WPVI found that 94 percent of all Philadelphia traffic stops this year were of driver who were people of color.

Black Philadelphians have a 5.2 times higher chance as white Philadelphians to be pulled over while Native American Philadelphians were 5.7 times as likely as white Philadelphians to be stopped. Latino Philadelphians were recorded to be 1.6 times as likely as white Philadelphians to be pulled over.

Mellon cited the fact that these pretextual stops are difficult to challenge in court because they were ruled legal by the Supreme Court. But the stops are clearly impacting people of color at alarming rates.

'The U.S. Supreme Court has given police officers the green light to racially profile people,' he said.

Officers often take advantage of these unnecessary stops to search people for guns and drugs, critics charged. Black Philadelphians were 2.4 times as likely as white Philadelphians to have their vehicles searched by police while Latino Philadelphians were 3.1 times as likely as white Philadelphians to be searched.

While Philadelphia Police have not searched as many vehicles that they've stopped this year compared to recent years, data shows the racial disparities of these stops have widened.

Thomas and Mellon noted that while people of color are more often stopped and searched, searches of white drivers are more likely to return illegal goods - likely due to the more evidence cited when pulling over white drivers.

Daunte Wright, 20, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Minnesota for driving with an expired license and having something hanging from his rearview mirror

Philando Castile, 32, was shot and killed in his car after being pulled over for a broken taillight with his girlfriend and and 4-year-old daughter riding with him in Minnesota

Bland, 28, was found hanging in her cell in a Texas jail in July 2015 three days after her controversial arrest. Her death was ruled a suicide

The city councilmember and the head of the Philadelphia Public Defenders' Police Accountability Unit worked on the Driving Equity bills together to guarantee that they will not create an increase a crime.

Mellon analyzed Philadelphia Motor Vehicle Code stops and gun violence data which showed no evidence minor traffic stops reduce shootings or traffic fatalities.

But Thomas mentioned that: 'We see far too often that people of color are involved in these traffic stops with law enforcement, often unarmed, that lead to some type of situation.'

Philadelphia's Driving Equity bills could lead to as many as 300,000 fewer police encounters each year, the Defender Association told The Inquirer.

The Philadelphia Police Department will be given 120 days for training and education before its implementation.

The new law comes as cases of motorists being shot 'while driving black' have made headlines.

On April 11, a 20-year-old biracial man was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Minnesota. Daunte Wright was pulled over for driving with expired plates and having an item hanging from the rearview window.

Once he was stopped, officers discovered that a 'gross misdemeanor warrant' had been issued for his arrest related to a 2019 aggravated robbery charge. Officer Kimberly Potter claims that she grabbed her gun mistaking it for her taser and accidentally killed Wright during the traffic stop when Wright tried get back into his car.

In 2016, Philando Castile, a 32-year-old black man, was fatally shot in his car next to his girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter after he was pulled over for a broken taillight, also in Minnesota.

Video of his death went viral when his girlfriend livestreamed the deadly interaction on Facebook.

A year before Castile's death, Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman, was found hanged in a Texas jail cell three days after being taken into police custody during a traffic stop for failing to signal a lane change.
Do YOU know the hero? Email katie.weston@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

A hero interrupted a rapist's brutal attack by putting him in a chokehold and punching him in the face.

Steven Lequesne, 23, 'preyed' on a lone vulnerable woman who had been on a night out in Southport, Merseyside.

CCTV footage showed the victim kicking Lequesne and trying to fight him off as he raped her in bushes, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

But when passer-by Christopher Fletcher heard the woman screaming 'no', a judge said he rushed to stop the 'brutal and terrifying attack'.

Recorder Matthew Corbett-Jones said: 'It was only when a brave member of the public came to her rescue that her ordeal came to an end.

'Christopher Fletcher showed all the qualities of a brave, decent, upstanding member of the community in tackling you and summoning the police.

Steven Lequesne (pictured) was interrupted during a brutal attack by a hero who put him in a chokehold and punching him in the face

'Your actions that night show to me you are the opportunistic and highly predatory individual that you clearly are.'

The court heard Lequesne, of no fixed address but formerly of Tuebrook, Liverpool, raped his victim near Napthens Solicitors on Hoghton Street this summer.

Robert Wyn Jones, prosecuting, said the victim had been drinking at the Metropole Hotel in Portland Street earlier that night.

The woman and Lequesne spent some time there together after the pub shut, before walking through Southport railway station after 1am.

Mr Wyn Jones said: 'She is clearly drunk. She doesn't have any shoes on and she is stumbling.'

He played a CCTV clip in court that showed an 'altercation' between them which resulted in the woman trying to get away.

Mr Wyn Jones said: 'She runs off to the left and he pursues her.'

The prosecutor said during a coming together 'she is fighting him off and is pulled backwards to the ground'.

Steven Lequesne, 23, 'preyed' on a lone vulnerable woman who had been on a night out in Southport, Merseyside. Pictured: A general view of Southport

She got up and Napthens Solicitors' CCTV cameras captured Lequesne attacking her in the bushes of a car park.

Mr Wyn Jones did not play this part of the footage but said Lequesne 'examined her' while using the light from his mobile phone.

She pushed him away but fell as 'she lay on the ground, kicking out at him'.

A police car drove past and Lequesne 'ducked down behind the bushes', before the woman repeatedly kicked at him, but he pinned her down and raped her.

Mr Wyn Jones said Mr Fletcher walked past, saw Lequesne raping the woman while she was screaming 'no', so pulled Lequesne away.

Mr Wyn Jones said: 'Mr Fletcher takes hold of the defendant around the neck in a chokehold.'

He said the witness took Lequesne to the ground, before he called police and held him until officers arrived.

Police found the victim 'extremely distressed' nearby.

Lequesne denied rape when interviewed, but was linked to the attack by DNA evidence and pleaded guilty yesterday.

Mr Wyn Jones said the victim is now afraid to go outside and is 'constantly looking over her shoulder'.

The woman went back to work but broke down and has not gone back since, so is now on Universal Credit.

Mr Wyn Jones said: 'She has a much more limited group of friends she says now because she finds socialising and trusting people very difficult.'

Lequesne, also known as Stephen Lequesne, has 15 previous convictions for 21 offences, including harassment in 2018 and two offences of outraging public decency in 2020.

Nicola Daley, mitigating, said her client had mental health issues and urged the court not to pass an extended jail sentence.

CCTV footage showed the victim kicking Lequesne and trying to fight him off as he raped her in bushes, Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) heard

She said the court 'could and would perhaps find' that he met the criteria of a 'dangerous' offender, as defined in law.

However, she asked the judge to consider what risk Lequesne will pose when released, given his young age, the work that could be done with him in prison and the fact he admitted the offence.

Ms Daley said Lequesne was repeatedly detained under the Mental Health Act up until 2020 and 'has made a series of attempts to take his own life'.

Ms Daley said: 'Perhaps he received some summary justice when he was punched to the face and admitted to hospital after the offence.

'By pleading guilty and not prolonging these matters, that shows his remorse.'

Recorder Corbett-Jones said Lequesne followed the victim, before he used his torch to 'leer' at her, then raped her.

The judge told Lequesne: 'It's plain to see you had seized this opportunity when she was alone and vulnerable to prey on her.

'This was a brutal and terrifying attack on a defenceless woman, in order for you to satisfy your desire for sexual gratification, which I have no doubt will cast a shadow across the rest of her life.'

Referring to a pre-sentence report, the judge told Lequesne: 'You have not shown any genuine regret for your actions and the author of the report makes clear the insight that you have into the harm you have caused is non-existent.

'You're regarded as being in effect devoid of emotion.'

He said Lequesne was said to have a 'very high likelihood of reoffending', adding: 'There is no evidence your mental health played any part in this offending and you clearly knew what you were doing.'

Recorder Corbett-Jones found Lequesne was 'dangerous' and jailed him for 10-and-a-half years, with an extended four-and-a-half years on licence.

This type of sentence means Lequesne must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term - seven years - behind bars.

He will only be released before the end of the sentence if the Parole Board no longer considers him to be a risk.

Lequesne must also sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

Recorder Corbett-Jones said he wanted to commend the brave behaviour of Mr Fletcher and 'pay tribute to him'.

The judge said he would now put Mr Fletcher forward for formal recognition.
A QAnon-loving hairdresser who called the January 6 attack on the US Capitol the 'best f---ing day ever' after briefly breaching the Capitol building will be forced to serve 14 days in jail after Indiana prosecutors asked a judge to throw her behind bars because she is an 'avid consumer of conspiracy theories.'

Dona Sue Bissey, 53, was sentenced on Tuesday to 14 days in jail, 60 hours of community service and given a $500 fine for her part in the January 6 riots, of which she and a friend, Anna Morgan-Lloyd, were among the first 50 rioters to breach the Capitol building, according to Bissey's Facebook post.

Bissey commented on the post saying 'best f---ing day ever!! Ill never forget. We got into the Capitol Building.'

She was given jail time while Morgan-Lloyd avoided serving time behind bars after prosecutors requested that the court take Bissey's damning social media posts under consideration in regards to sentencing, while noting her belief in far-right wing conspiracy theories.

Dona Sue Bissey, pictured, was sentenced to 14 days in jail, 60 hours of community service and given a $500 fine for her part in the January 6 riots

'Inside the Capitol Building' Bissey captioned one of her photos from January 6

Bissey's Facebook posts during her participation in the January 6 Capitol breach were used against her by prosecutors, which led to a 14-day jail sentence

'We were inside for reals' Bissey wrote on a damning Facebook post, pictured, which identified her as one of the rioters who breached the US Capitol building on January 6

Several of the Facebook posts she shared on her page have since been flagged by the social media platform as 'false information... the same information was checked in another post by independent fact-checkers.'

However, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan said she gave Bissey the jail sentence due to her bragging about her participation in the riots, according to the Associated Press.

'The fact that she subscribes to bizarre conspiracy theories, that's her right. That's something she is allowed to do as an American,' Chutkan said, according to the outlet.

In July, Bissey pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building, with another three charges being dropped as a part of the plea deal.

She was charged after spending about 10 minutes in the Capitol before leaving.

Authorities discovered Bissey and Morgan-Lloyd's involvement in the breach after witnesses saw videos and photos of the women posted to Bissey's Facebook account, according to court documents.

Amongst the evidence against Bissey and Morgan-Lloyd was a Facebook photo of the two women inside the Capitol, with Bissey captioning the post with 'Inside Capitol Building.'

Bissey commented on the post saying 'best f---ing day ever!! Ill never forget. We got into the Capitol Building.'

Bissey, pictured left, and Morgan-Lloyd, pictured right, leaving court in July and June, respectively

Bissey wrote in a letter to the judge that she was 'truly sorry' for her actions in participating in the January 6 Capitol siege

Meanwhile, in June her friend Morgan-Lloyd received three years of probation along with a $500 restitution fine and 40 hours of community service after pleading guilty to the same charges Bissey had pleaded guilty to, with prosecutors requesting the court to impose the same sentence for Bissey a month later.

However, Bissey's public defender claimed that the sentence was too harsh in a court document last week, while adding that she has been 'chastised on the street and her business shunned' since her February arrest.

Bissey herself wrote a letter to the judge asking her not to incarcerate her due to Bissey not being vaccinated against COVID-19, adding that she was 'truly sorry' for her actions.

Judge Chutkan said she gave Bissey the jail sentence due to her bragging about her participation in the riots, according to the Associated Press
Disgraced former minister Matt Hancock's job offer at the United Nations has been withdrawn following uproar surrounding his appointment as an adviser to African nations.

The shamed ex-Health Secretary, who stepped down after his affair with aide Gina Coladaneglo in June, was told his role as a UN special representative was 'not being taken forward' in an embarrassing climbdown for all involved.

The unpaid job offer was revoked on a technicality just days after it was offered, following stinging criticism by leading figures across Africa and UK opposition parties.

Mr Hancock, 42, had planned to balance his roles as a Tory backbencher while working with the international aid giant, after he was offered the role by General Vera Songwe for his 'success' in handling the UK's pandemic response.

But on Friday, a UN spokesman confirmed that Mr Hancock's appointment was not going to be 'taken forward' after it emerged sitting members of Parliament could not simultaneously serve as UN special representatives.

Mr Hancock, who will remain an MP, was forced to resign as health secretary in disgrace in June after was caught breaching his own department's social distancing guidance while in a steamy embrace with his aide, Gina Coladangelo.

CCTV images showed Mr Hancock kissing Ms Coladangelo, who were both married, in his office in the Department for Health and Social Care.

Mr Hancock had also earlier this year been the centre of debate after former No 10 advisor Dominic Cummings published private WhatsApp messages revealing that Boris Johnson had described him as 'totally f***ing hopeless'.

Mr Cummings had accused Mr Hancock of lying and incompetence, claiming the Cabinet minister should have been fired on several occasions when he was grilled while giving evidence to MPs on the Government's handling of the coronavirus crisis in the summer.

Matt Hancock (pictured) was supposed to help the continent's economies bounce back following the coronavirus pandemic

Hancock was handed the United Nations role just four months after resigning from his government post (pictured: Hancock walks with his former aide and lover Gina Coladangelo). It has now been withdrawn

Hancock tweeted his reaction to being given the new role, which came just months after he resigned as Health Secretary

Speaking on the role, Mr Hancock told MailOnline: 'I was honoured to be approached by the UN and appointed as Special Representative to the Economic Commission for Africa, to help drive forward an agenda of strengthening markets and bringing investment to Africa.

'The UN have written to me to explain that a technical UN rule has subsequently come to light which states that sitting Members of Parliament cannot also be UN Special Representatives.

'Since I am committed to continuing to serve as MP for West Suffolk, this means I cannot take up the position.

'I look forward to supporting the UN ECA in their mission in whatever way I can in my Parliamentary role.'

MailOnline understands Mr Hancock controversially won backing for the job thanks to Nimko Ali, a campaigner against female genital mutilation who is a close friend of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's wife Carrie.

Mr Hancock, who was forced into an embarrassing resignation after leaked CCTV showed him locked in a steamy embrace with aide Gina Coladangelo in June, has stepped back into the limelight in recent weeks following an interview with the Mail.

The jaw-dropping footage was taken on May 6 - less than a fortnight before the Government relaxed safety rules including giving permission to hug.

The father-of-three ended his 15-year marriage to wife Martha and has pursued a relationship Ms Coladangelo, a former university friend who was also married with three children.

The pair, who met while studying at Oxford University, have been pictured together at public gatherings for nearly two years, with one image dating back to the Conservative Party Conference in September 2019.

In his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Hancock said ministers 'owe it to people who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down'.

Mr Hancock previously said he was honoured to become UN Special Representative on Financial Innovation and Climate Change.

The former Bank of England economist was told he had been awarded his new role 'based on his economic policy expertise' as well as his 'in-depth understanding of government'.

He said: 'I'm thrilled to be joining the UN Economic Commission for Africa in its impressive efforts to support Africa strengthen its economic recovery from the pandemic and the sustainability of its development.

'I care deeply about making this happen... we share a view of Africa as a strategic long-term partner.'

Mr Hancock was congratulated on his short-lived appointment by ex-colleagues, including Liz Truss, Michael Gove and Nadine Dorries.

The UN secretary general's official spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, confirmed that Mr Hancock had been advised that his appointment would not be going ahead at present.

Hancock also shared a snap of his acceptance letter for the role of UN Special Representative on Financial Innovation and Climate Change

The father of three ended his 15-year marriage to wife Martha and has pursued a relationship Miss Coladangelo, a former university friend who was also married with three children

His duties would have included encouraging investment in sustainable economic development working alongside organisations including the IMF and G20.

The UN said he would also be involved at the COP26 climate change conference being hosted in Glasgow in three weeks.

Dr Vera Songwe, the UN Under-Secretary General who made the appointment, said: 'His expertise and leadership will offer immediate and long-term impact.'

In a letter to Mr Hancock that he posted on Twitter, she added: 'Your success on the UK's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the acceleration of vaccines that has led the UK [to] move faster toward economic recovery is one testament to the strengths that you will bring to this role, together with your fiscal and monetary experience.'

Mr Hancock was introduced to Dr Songwe by Miss Ali, who is a Government adviser on tackling violence against women and girls.

The withdrawal of Mr Hancock's job offer with the UN was welcomed by campaigning group Global Justice Now.

The group's director, Nick Dearden, told MailOnline: 'It is right for the UN to reconsider this appointment.

'If Matt Hancock wants to help African countries recover from the pandemic, he should lobby the prime minister to back a patent waiver on Covid-19 vaccines.

'If he'd done that when he was in government, tens of millions more people could already have been vaccinated.

'The last thing the African continent needs is a failed British politician. This isn't the 19th century.'
Four Russian tourists from the same family have been mysteriously found dead at a beach resort in western Albania.

Albanian police said the holidaymakers were found asphyxiated in a hotel sauna in the village of Qerret late on Friday.

They have since been revealed as a couple aged 60 and 59, and their daughter Katya, 31, and her partner, 37.

Police said the hotel's entire staff are being questioned.

Investigators are trying to discover how they all perished within minutes of each other, amid fears they were overcome by deadly fumes.

They had recently checked into the luxury Gloria Palace Hotel when they went for a sauna and died.

Albanian police said four Russian holidaymakers were found asphyxiated in a hotel sauna in the village of Qerret late on Friday (Pictured: Police arriving to the scene)

They had recently checked into the luxury Gloria Palace Hotel (pictured) when they went for a sauna and died

Investigators are trying to discover how they all perished within minutes of each other, amid fears they were overcome by deadly fumes (Pictured: Police arriving to the scene)

The family had ordered refreshments to the sauna complex.

'I shouted several times that the drinks and the fruit were ready,' said a hotel worker, as quoted by Albanian media.

'No-one answered, so I walked inside the sauna and saw them all.

'One person was lying on a sun bed, two were on the (sauna) benches.

'The last one was sitting down with his legs in the pool.

'They have all suffocated.'

A police statement said: 'At around 22:20 in Qerret, Kavaja the dead bodies of four people with Russian nationality were found in a sauna.

The Russian embassy in Tirana (pictured) was informed about the tragedy

A source said the family arrived at the hotel just an hour before tragedy struck (Pictured: Police arriving to the scene)

'All of them had been asphyxiated.'

A source said: 'They had only arrived at the hotel an hour before the tragedy.'

A potential technical failure of the sauna system, or inadequate care of the tourists by the hotel staff are among the lines of enquiry.

The amount of alcohol consumed by the victims was also being examined.

The Russian embassy in Tirana was informed about the tragedy.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has lost her latest appeal in Iran, meaning she could be sent back to prison 'at any time', her MP has said.

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq said Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's sentence of one year plus a one-year travel ban has been 'upheld with no court hearing'.

The Hampstead and Kilburn MP has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Government to intervene in the case.

Ms Siddiq said: 'This is yet another piece of devastating news for my constituent, her family and the millions around the world who care about her. For Nazanin to face a return to prison after the ordeal she's been through is nothing short of a catastrophe.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured) has lost her latest appeal in Iran, meaning she could be sent back to prison 'at any time', her MP has said

'It seems that every time we dare to hope that Nazanin might soon be free, there is another dreadful setback that puts freedom out of sight. Whatever the Prime Minister has been doing to free Nazanin is clearly not working.

'It's time for the UK Government to pay the debt we owe to Iran, stand up to their despicable hostage taking and finally get Nazanin home.'

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national, has been in custody in the country since 2016 after being accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

She was taking her daughter Gabriella to see her family when she was arrested and was sentenced to five years in prison shortly afterwards, spending four years in Evin Prison.

She spent the final year of her sentence under house arrest in Tehran, but after her release this year she was then convicted of 'spreading propaganda against the regime'.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family have reportedly been told by Iranian authorities that she is being detained because of the UK's failure to pay an outstanding 400 million debt to Iran.

She is one of several people with British or dual-British nationality detained in Iran.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe, Ms Siddiq and Amnesty International have been campaigning for her release for several years.

Mr Ratcliffe has criticised the Government's handling of his wife's case, stating that it 'does not deal with problems until they become crises'.

Tulip Siddiq MP took to Twitter today to share the news that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe had lost her latest appeal

He said he held a strategy meeting with the Foreign Office on Friday as he was concerned something would happen to his wife's appeal during the autumn.

He added he was keen for the Government to take quicker action over trying to get Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe home as he was concerned about what the outcome would be for her appeal.

He said: 'The longer we wait, the more chance of bad news. I didn't expect the next day to get bad news, but we did.'

Responding to the rejection of the appeal, he said: 'That's the Iranians signalling that they're not prepared to wait forever and they will do what they need to do.

'Is this going to be a wake-up call for the Government? Maybe, maybe not. One of the challenges I find with this Government is that it doesn't deal with problems until they become crises. This is Iran threatening a crisis. One hopes that the Government takes it seriously.'

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has described the loss of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's appeal as an 'appalling continuation of the cruel ordeal she is going through'.

She said in a statement: 'Iran's decision to proceed with these baseless charges against Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is an appalling continuation of the cruel ordeal she is going through.

'Instead of threatening to return Nazanin to prison, Iran must release her permanently so she can return home.

'We are doing all we can to help Nazanin get home to her young daughter and family, and I will continue to press Iran on this point.'

Mr Ratcliffe said Ms Truss had spoken to his wife on the phone today after her appeal was rejected.

Responding to the new statement from the Foreign Secretary, Mr Ratcliffe said: 'Nazanin said that she sounded angry on the phone and I can hear the anger in her words.

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq (pictured) said Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's sentence of one year plus a one-year travel ban has been 'upheld with no court hearing'

'But at this stage I am interested in her latest sentence, 'the actions she is taking beyond more pressing Iran'.'

He also feels the latest action by the Iranian Government has now 'focused minds' on her future, as the British national is now 'in harm's way'.

Mr Ratcliffe said his wife's future was more 'abstract' until today as she had finished her sentence in April and remained at her family's home in Tehran with no idea whether or not she would face prison again.

He said: 'Technically, she's now just waiting for the phone call, saying 'Turn up at this prison on this day.'

'Essentially, there's a sword hanging over us now, it will at some point fall down. It's hard to know when, and it's hard to know what could stop it falling at this point. It's clearly a signal that the ball's in the Government's court to do something.'

He added the family is now thinking 'what they can do to protect Nazanin' once she is in prison, but added he 'does not have any clear answers on that at this point'.

Amnesty International UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said: 'This is terrible news and is just more torment on top of five-and-a-half years of suffering for Nazanin and her family.

'Nazanin was subjected to a deeply unfair original trial, was rushed through a farcical second court process and is now confronted by more time behind bars - it's absolutely excruciating to see this happening.

'We've said repeatedly that Boris Johnson, (Foreign Secretary) Liz Truss and others in Government need to genuinely step up on Nazanin's case and other cases where British nationals are being persecuted in Iran.

'We want to see action urgently, and this must include the Government setting out a clear strategy for securing the release of all British nationals unlawfully held in Iran.'

Last month, Ms Truss met with her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the United Nations General Assembly, where she 'pressed' him on the issue and vowed to 'continue to press' him until Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe returns home.

MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.
The former head of the Royal Marines was 'sacked over email' and 'ignored' by senior Ministry of Defence figures in the months prior to him taking his own life.

Major General Matthew Holmes, 54, was found in a bedroom at the home in Winchester, Hampshire, on October 2.

Maj Gen Holmes, who had also recently split with his wife, Lea, spoke in April of feeling 'constrained' in his role by the head of the Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

Leaked messages showed Maj Gen Holmes telling friends last year: I dont trust Radakin. I feel beaten down, not listened to, merely run over by someone with no military judgment. Its been awful. Awful.

But those close to him and speaking at his funeral at Winchester Cathedral this week claimed he was 'treated like s***' over his three-year stint as the Commandant General Royal Marines and was ultimately sacked via email, reports the Times.

MailOnline understands the decision to see him removed from his post in favour of a more senior figure was not made to him in person. The MoD did not respond to request for comment on this.

Major General Matthew Holmes was found hanged at his home in Winchester, Hampshire, on October 2 after having 'concerns' about his career and his marriage. He is pictured with his wife Lea and daughter Eleanor after receiving the award at Buckingham Palace in 2007

Friends claimed Maj Gen Holmes was 'treated like s***' over his three-year stint as the Commandant General Royal Marines and was ultimately sacked via email Above: Major General Matthew Holmes receives the Distinguished Service Order from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2007

The decorated officer, who served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, was Commandant General from June 2019 until April 2021.

Major General Holmes commanded 42 Commando Royal Marines from 2006 to 2008 and was appointed as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership on operations in Afghanistan in 2007.

The father-of-two was also awarded a CBE in 2019 and has been described as 'one of our most senior and highly decorated Royal Marines'. His inquest was adjourned for a full hearing on February 10, 2022.

It comes after a war of words raged over Navy top brass mudslinging surrounding his death, with relatives said to have been angered by naval officials who raced to 'settle scores and pass the buck' over his mental health.

A friend, speaking anonymously at his funeral on Wednesday, told the Times: 'He was trying to sustain the identity of the Royal Marines and yet he was completely ignored and treated like s***. He was sacked by email.'

Navy sources rebuked that claim and indicated Maj Gen Holmes was 'involved in discussions' in the months leading up to the decision.

Major General Matthew Holmes was a pallbearer at Prince Philip's funeral during the procession to the steps of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in April. He is pictured speaking to Sky News before the service

The funeral for the 54-year-old was held at Winchester Cathedral. It was attended by his widow, Lea, and a gathering of 600 people, including senior naval officers

His wife, Lea delivered a eulogy at his funeral on Wednesday, in which she urged mourners 'not to believe' rumours surrounding his suicide.

Prior to his death, Maj Gen Holmes had told colleagues he was struggling to cope with Britain's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

It also emerged that police attended another incident at the home on September 22, in which a shotgun was seized from his home after a concern for welfare call.

A source close to Sir Tony Radakin, who was named Chief of Defence staff last week, said his family had been friends with the Holmeses for more than 20 years and were devastated by his death, claiming conflict with Sir Tony contributed to the decline in his mental health.

The source explained critics would be left with 'red faces' when the truth emerged, and blamed 'people with agendas' for the mudslinging.

Major General Holmes had split from his wife Lea and lost his job as Commandant General.

He and Sir Tony, 55, had been close friends, but fell out over changes to the Marines. It led to Major General Holmes leaving his post in April, halfway through his three-year role.

A friend of the Holmes family said Sir Tony and his deputy, Vice Admiral Nicholas Hine, had played a role in Major General Holmes's decision to leave his job.

The friend said: 'The poor family haven't even had time to bury him and certain naval factions are already trying to settle scores and pass the buck. It is so undignified, unfair. Ultimately... the truth will out.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to www.samaritans.org
The US Department of Justice slammed President Joe Biden after he urged the Jan. 6 riot select committee to prosecute those who refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena.

As he was leaving Washington D.C. on Friday, Biden told reporters he hopes the committee 'goes after them and holds them accountable.'

When a CNN reporter asked if they should be prosecuted, Biden said, 'I do, yes.'

Now the White House is in damage control move over the president's statement as DOJ spokesperson Anthony Coley gave a blunt response to Biden's plea.

'The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop,' Coley said.

President Joe Biden upended days of silence from the White House regarding the Jan. 6 committee by asking the Department of Justice to hold those with subpoena's accountable. The DOJ snapped back by saying it will 'make its own independent decsion'

Press Secretary Jan Psaki said the president has been troubled by the riot, which she called one of the 'darkest days in our democracy'

Psaki tweeted in defense of Biden and claimed he supported the DOJ's decision

Biden's comments upended days of discipline from the White House, which had been distancing itself from the committee's expected criminal contempt referral against former Donald Trump ally Steven Bannon, who is refusing to comply with a subpoena.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki attempted to clarify Biden's statement on Twitter, writing that the president supports the independent role of the DOJ.

'As @potus has said many times, January 6th was one of the darkest days in our democracy. He supports the work of the committee and the independent role of the Department of Justice to make any decisions about prosecutions,' Psaki tweeted.

Bannon has refused to comply with a Jan. 6 committee subpoena, citing that Trump had allegedly invoked executive privilege to defend Bannon from testifying.

Trump has said he will exert executive privilege to resist any cooperation with the select committee.

Steve Bannon, pictured in August, refused to testify before the Jan. 6 select committee

Bannon, pictured with Donald Trump, claims he is protected from testifying under the former president's executive privilege, which Trump said he'd use to resist against the committee

'Mr. Bannon has declined to cooperate with the Select Committee and is instead hiding behind the former President's insufficient, blanket, and vague statements regarding privileges he has purported to invoke,' Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who chairs the committee, said in a statement following Bannon's no-show.

The subpoena asked Bannon to testify on Thursday about any communications he may have had with the former president in the days around the storming of the Capitol.

Justice officials have not yet revealed what they will do with the referral to hold Bannon in criminal contempt, which has not been used to prosecute anyone in decades, CNN reported.

The Jan. 6 select committee is investigating the Capitol riot that erupted amid Donald Trump's claims of election fraud during the certification of Joe Biden's victory

Rioters clashed with Capitol officers as they broke through barriers to enter the building

'Though the Select Committee welcomes good-faith engagement with witnesses seeking to cooperate with our investigation, we will not allow any witness to defy a lawful subpoena or attempt to run out the clock, and we will swiftly consider advancing a criminal contempt of Congress referral,' the committee said in a statement.

Despite Bannon's refusal to testify on Thursday, other Trump aids have appeared to comply with the committee's requests.

Former Trump DOJ official Jeffery Clark complied with a subpoena for his testimony and documents earlier this week, and former Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen sat down for an interview with the commission on Wednesday, Fox News reports.
Desperate Christmas shoppers have been left in tears after being told must-have gifts for the festive season had already run out amid a global supply chain crisis.

Panicked parents have reportedly been phoning toy shops in tears as they bid to get ahead of the curve and beat any last-minute rush.

Others have been pictured frantically rushing around shops in Surrey, London and Hertfordshire to stock up on presents to ensure their children's stockings aren't empty this year.

But High Street retailers have warned surging customer demand and persistent logistical challenges mean some Christmas gifts are entirely out of stock more than two months before December 25, the i reports.

Gary Grant, chief executive of The Entertainer toy store chain, predicted top sellers - including Barbie, Paw Patrol and L.O.L Surprise! products were likely to be off the shelves 'sooner rather than later'.

But smaller firms have already had to turn frantic parents away, after shipping costs soared a whopping 900 per cent compared to this time a year ago - meaning a 15 toy truck now costs 7 to ship from the Far East, up from 70p a year ago.

Le Toy Van in Surrey, which supplies gifts to Harrods and Selfridges, said they had already experienced people on the phone 'in tears' over shortages more than two months before Christmas.

Panicked parents have reportedly been phoning toy shops in tears as they bid to get ahead of the curve and beat any last-minute rush. Pictured: People shopping at Smyths Superstore in St Albans, Herts

Hamleys unveils most wanted Christmas toys Toys that encourage imagination in children are tipped to be top sellers this Christmas as parents seek to counter a 'year on screens', retailer Hamleys has said. This year sees the most-wanted toys encouraging role play and creativity and allowing families to play together after last year's Covid-restricted celebrations, the store said. The top 10 list includes racing cars, traditional family board games, Playmobil and Lego and the LOL! Movie Magic Dolls, which allow children to play with friends and create their own story lines. Lego's Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course encourages children to team up for real-life social play, while those with dreams of travelling again can turn to the Playshifu AR Globe with interactive and education cultural information. The annual Hamleys toy predictions come as retailers suggested people who know what their children want this year consider buying early, amid concerns that supply chain issues could lead to some shortages ahead of Christmas. Hamleys predicted top 10 toys this year are: Playmobil City Action Police Special Operations Police Robot, 20

Shifu Orboot (Earth): The Educational AR Globe, 50

Magic Mixies Cauldron, 70

Mattel - Barbie Dream House, 310

LOL Surprise Movie Magic Doll, 11

Ralleyz Warrior 3 in 1 RC, 90

Lego Super Mario Adventures Luigi Starter Course, 50

Hasbro Nerf Elite Flip 2.0 8, 25

Huggables Range, 20

Hamleys Dicii Snakes and Ladders, 14 Advertisement

The British Toy and Hobby Association, which represents manufacturers, said: 'We understand people are concerned about shortages and it is a concern we share  we expect continued disruption to delivery schedules in varying degrees over the coming months.'

'Toy manufacturers are working around the clock to face down this unwelcome vortex of logistical challenges to try to ensure their toys arrive and provide the range of choice consumers seek.'

Founder of Le Toy Van, Steve Le Van, said he ordered double the normal stock ahead of Christmas, but has already sold out of popular toys including dolls houses and wooden train sets.

Mr Le Van explained to The i: 'I've had people already on the phone in tears wanting to buy a dolls house.

'There is still stock comingSome would have arrived for Christmas but it will be arriving after [because of delays].'

Paul Schaffer, managing director of Plum Play in Lincolnshire, told the i his company was already dealing with delayed shipments of toys and does not expect to have his full inventory before December 25.

He said: 'There are certain varieties of trampolines that aren't coming in, some swing sets aren't with us yet.'

He added: 'Everybody's probably already written their Christmas lists. It's going to be a very hard job [for parents] managing expectations or perhaps suggesting their children adjust those lists a little.'

Alan Simpson, chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, told MailOnline: 'It is inevitable that prices are going to rise given the extra costs being incurred by retailers due to exorbitant rises in shipping costs.

'The large majority of toys are manufactured in the Far East and we have seen freight rates rise beyond belief - in some cases we are paying 10 times what it costs to ship a container now compared to 12 months ago.

'Suppliers simply cannot absorb this level of increase and price rises are an inevitability. This anomaly is not confined to toys and can be expected to filter through all retail sectors whose product line originates in the Far East.

'This is simply beyond the control of retailers here in the UK and we are at the mercy of several outside factors.'

Small businesses owners said they are already having to increase prices, including Nathan Le-Moine, director of Telford-based educational toys firm Kiddie Kin.

He told MailOnline: 'Reluctantly, we have already been forced into implementing price increases for our customers.

'As with many online retailers, we have been hit with increases from every angle - from higher cost of goods, to additional delivery surcharges. The balance between protecting profits and remaining competitive is becoming a real concern.'

Smaller firms have already had to turn frantic parents away, after shipping costs soared a whopping 900 per cent compared to this time a year ago

People out stocking up ahead of Christmas at a Smyths toy shop in Slough, Berkshire, today

A woman pushes a trolley out of a Smyths toy shop in Slough, Berkshire, this morning

It comes as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps this week warned 'Christmas might not be a cracker', amid log-jammed ports, empty shop shelves, looming threats of lorry strikes and experts predicting the cost of Christmas will soar.

Families have already started panic-buying toys, a major retail boss said, as brands such as Barbie and Lego warned they were selling at 'Christmas quantities'.

Unions are threatening a winter of discontent, with a wave of strikes over pay and conditions. Unite says it could pull its 50,000 lorry drivers off the road despite the supply chain crisis.
Covid hospitalisations also spiked by 12 per cent to 915 on Tuesday, the latest date data is available for

The number of people dying with the virus also increased, with 148 coronavirus victims recorded today

Department of Health bosses posted 43,423 infections today, up 24.2 per cent on last Saturday's 34,950

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Britain's Covid crisis is continuing to grow as officials recorded the highest daily Covid case total on a Saturday for three months.

Department of Health bosses posted 43,423 new coronavirus infections today, up 24.2 per cent on last Saturday's total of 34,950.

The number of people dying with the virus also increased, with 148 victims recorded today. It was up 11.3 per cent on the 133 recorded last weekend.

And hospitalisations also spiked by 12 per cent to 915 on Tuesday, the latest date data is available for. It was the highest daily admissions since September 15, when they reached 946.

The figures come after it emerged the sister company of the under-fire lab that wrongly told 43,000 they were Covid-free is being probed because of travel test complaints.

Testing operations at Immensa Health Clinic Ltd's laboratory in Wolverhampton have been suspended because of the faulty tests.

And it has been revealed its sister company Dante Labs is now also being investigated by the Competion and Markets Authority (CMA) over concerns it may be treating customers unfairly.

This included by not delivering PCR tests and results on time or at all, failing to respond to complaints or provide proper customer service, refusing or delaying refunds when requested and using terms and conditions which may unfairly limit consumers' rights.

Map shows: The week-on-week percentage change in positive tests in regions across England

Boris and Carrie Johnson are accused of breaking Covid lockdown rules by allowing friend to stay at No10 last Christmas A row broke out last night over allegations that Boris Johnson and his now wife Carrie broke Covid lockdown rules last Christmas by allowing her best friend to stay with them at Downing Street. The Prime Minister denied claims in the US Harper's Magazine that political campaigner Nimco Ali 'spent Christmas with the couple at No 10 despite pandemic restrictions on holiday gatherings'. The article also said that Mrs Johnson 'modelled' her wardrobe and public image on the Duchess of Cambridge, but is 'bitter' that the duchess gets better publicity. Spokesmen for the Prime Minister and Mrs Johnson said both claims were untrue. The 4,500-word profile of the couple says Mrs Johnson has 'assembled an impressive court around her' while the PM is a 'lonely figure' and 'quite scared' of her. It claims he spends 'more and more time downstairs' at No 10 reading  including a book by his ex-wife Marina Wheeler, because he 'doesn't want to take it upstairs'. Advertisement

It comes as:

Data revealed Britons were more miserable than ever in the first year of the Covid pandemic;

Anti-fascist demonstrators marched in Rome after last week's protest against the Italian Covid Green Pass was hijacked by members of an extreme right party who tried to force their way into Parliament;

A row broke out last night over allegations that Boris Johnson and his now wife Carrie broke Covid lockdown rules last Christmas by allowing her best friend to stay with them at Downing Street .

The CSA said Dante was 'a popular provider of PCR travel tests in the UK this summer'.

A negative PCR means people will not have needed to isolate and could potentially have spread the infection to many other people.

The errors at Immensa relate to test results given to people between September 8 and October 12, mainly in the South West of England, but with some cases in the South East and Wales.

There are no technical issues with test kits themselves and people should continue to test as normal, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

It said a full investigation is being carried out into why and how incorrect results were given.

Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of UKHSA, told the BBC it was likely only a few thousand of the 43,000 affected were still infectious.

She added that it was 'not clear yet' what went wrong in the private laboratory, adding that it was 'accredited to all of the appropriate standards'.

NHS Test and Trace estimates that around 400,000 samples have been processed through the lab, but new samples are now being redirected to other labs.

Test and Trace is contacting people who could still be infectious to advise them to take another test, while close contacts who are symptomatic will also be advised to take a test, as is already recommended.

PCR tests can detect Covid several weeks after infection.

Immensa is run by Andrea Riposati, who is also chief executive of Dante labs. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced in September it was investigating Dante Labs over concerns it may be treating customers unfairly

The errors at Immensa relate to test results given to people between September 8 and October 12, mainly in the South West of England, but with some cases in the South East and Wales

Q&A: Everything you need to know about Immensa Health Clinic How many tests does it carry out? Officials said Immensa has done more than 400,000 swabs since September 8, which was equivalent to about 11,400 a day. The company says online that it has completed more than three million Covid tests at its Wolverhampton site since it was founded in May last year. Who was affected by the blunder? Some 45,000 Britons may have been given the wrong Covid results, officials said. The site mainly processes PCR swabs from centres in the South West, but also checks tests from other parts of the country. What caused the testing error? Officials are still baffled as to what triggered the error in PCR tests at present. But analysing each swab for the virus involves several steps and complex machinery. What goes on inside the lab? Once a Covid swab arrives at the lab it is processed by technicians to see whether it contains Covid. But leaked footage has shown employees fighting at the lab in January at the height of the second wave. Does it process holiday PCR tests too? The lab is not thought to process holiday tests. But Immensa Health Clinic is owned by Dante Labs, which offers day-two and day-eight tests to people arriving in the UK. It is currently under investigation after regulators were told it was failing to deliver Covid tests to customers and issue refunds. Advertisement

If a person has a positive lateral flow result, they are told to have a follow-up PCR to confirm the finding.

Dr Will Welfare, public health incident director at UKHSA, said: 'We have recently seen a rising number of positive LFD (lateral flow) results subsequently testing negative on PCR.

'As a result of our investigation, we are working with NHS Test and Trace and the company to determine the laboratory technical issues which have led to inaccurate PCR results being issued to people.

'We have immediately suspended testing at this laboratory while we continue the investigation.

'There is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and the public should remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided.

'If you get a positive LFD test, it's important to make sure that you then get a follow-up PCR test to confirm you have Covid-19.

'If you have symptoms of Covid, self-isolate and take a PCR test.'

The Government awarded Immensa a 119 million contract in October 2020 to urgently 'develop volume for PCR testing for Covid in line with test and trace requirements', the contract shows.

The contract did not go to tender under rules allowing urgent responses to the pandemic.

A further 50million was awarded to Immensa by the Government in a contract last September.

Immensa was incorporated as a company in the UK in May 2020.

According to the Immensa website, the firm was new to Covid testing. It said: 'In 2020, we adapted and evolved into Covid testing, taking advantage of our laboratory network, scientific expertise, and digital systems to deliver world-leading Covid-19 testing solutions.'

Andrea Riposati, chief executive of Immensa, said: 'We are fully collaborating with UKHSA on this matter.

'Quality is paramount for us. We have proudly analysed more than 2.5 million samples for NHS Test and Trace, working closely with the great teams at the Department for Health and UKHSA.

'We do not wish this matter or anything else to tarnish the amazing work done by the UK in this pandemic.'

Among the testing sites affected are Newbury Showground in Berkshire.

A man from nearby Swindon said his confidence in the accuracy of his recent Covid test result has been impacted by the issue at the Immensa laboratory.

Tim Barton, 48, said he and his family received positive lateral flow tests after falling ill with coronavirus symptoms earlier this month but their PCR tests came back negative.

NHS Test and Trace has suspended testing operations provided by Immensa Health Clinic Ltd at its laboratory in Wolverhampton, following an investigation into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they have previously tested positive on a lateral flow

Graphic shows: The step-by-step process for a PCR test completed via postal delivery

Immensa Health Clinic, in Wolverhampton, has been suspended following an investigation revealing it may have incorrectly processed PCR tests. The lab (pictured) has been paid 120million by the taxpayer for its services

The client relationship director said: 'My son, daughter and myself all had positive (lateral flow tests)  we then had PCR tests done at the test site in Swindon all of which came back negative.

'This will undoubtedly impact people's confidence in the accuracy of these types of tests they could have cost lives.'

Meanwhile, in Wales, about 4,000 people may have been affected from testing sites in the Gwent and Cwm Taf Morgannwg areas.

Dr Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, said: 'We now know 43,000 people are believed to have been given false negatives, but this doesn't even come near to the cost of the mistake.

'Many of these people will have been forced into school or work, potentially infecting others. This could be part of the reason behind some of the recent rises we've seen.'
A Texas cop was shot dead and two other deputies were wounded during an 'ambush attack' outside of a Houston nightclub early Saturday morning, police officials said.

'We believe they were ambushed, shot from behind,' said James Jones, executive assistant chief of the Houston Police Department.

'This is a terrible time,' Jones added.

None of the three shot cops were identified as of Saturday afternoon.

The Harris County deputies were working 'police-related extra jobs' as security for the 45 Norte Bar and Lounge in northern Houston, officials said.

Around 2:25 am on Saturday, authorities say the officers were ambushed outside of the nightclub along the North Freeway

The deputies, who work out of Harris County, were working 'police-related extra jobs' as security for the 45 Norte Bar and Lounge in northern Houston

Pictured: the inside of 45 Norte Bar and Lounge in northern Houston, where the officers were ambushed while checking a disturbance while working security

The three had gone outside to check on a disturbance around 2:25am when they were shot while trying to detain a suspect along the North Freeway, Jones said.

One deputy was killed at the scene, with a second being shot in the back, requiring emergency surgery early Saturday morning. The third was shot in the foot and was awaiting surgery.

'Turns out it may have been a robbery that they were intervening in,' Jones said, adding it wasn't clear whether or not they were able to return fire.

The suspect is believed to be a young Hispanic male, officials said.

At least one 'person of interest' was detained by police at the scene, however, Jones did not immediately state whether it was a suspect or a witness.

'There are a lot of unknowns at this point,' Jones said.

'It's probably one of the hardest things I've done in my career,' Constable Mark Herman said in a press conference on Saturday

One deputy was killed at the scene, with a second being shot in the back, requiring emergency surgery early Saturday morning - immediately after the fatal ambush

The three had gone outside to check on a disturbance when they were shot while trying to detain a suspect

'I left my third deputy, who is deceased, here in the hospital,' said an emotional Mark Herman, the Harris County Precinct 4 chief.

'It's probably one of the hardest things I've done in my career.'

Herman described the incident as a 'tough time for Precinct 4,' at an early-morning press conference.

'I've got a dad there, Ive got a wife there, and theyve got a deceased son and husband.'

The suspect is believed to be a young Hispanic male. At least one 'person of interest' was detained by police at the scene. Police did not state whether it was a suspect or a witness

Officers investigate the scene where three Texas deputy constables were 'ambushed' in an attack and shot at, injuring two and killing one early Saturday morning

While the two surviving deputies are expected to pull through, Herman said 'this incident's going to affect them for the rest of their lives.'

'We hope to have a suspect in custody soon. I hope for swift and quick justice for that individual because he ambushed my deputies,' Herman said.

'It never gets any easier,' executive assistant chief of the Houston Police Department James Jones said,

Jones added that Houston Police Chief Troy Finner was not on the scene due to him being in Washington DC for National Police Weekend, where the names of seven Houston officers who died in the line of duty will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial, the New York Post reported.

An investigation into the fatal ambush shooting remains ongoing, according to authorities.
A man who burned down an elderly widow's house after mistaking it for David Cameron's home was today detained under the mental health act.

Joseph Stead, 35, had intended to petrol bomb the ex-PM's home in the village of Dean, near Witney, Oxfordshire, but struck the house next door, a judge heard.

It is understood that Stead, a paranoid schizophrenic, had made homophobic allegations against Mr Cameron and printed out pictures of his home.

A judge at Oxford Crown Court ordered Stead to be detained in a secure psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Act, saying that he was a risk to the public.

Joseph Stead, 35, pictured outside Oxford Crown Court on Friday, where he was made subject to a hospital order

It was heard yesterday how obsessed Stead torched the wrong house, setting fire to an 800,000 farmhouse belonging to an 82-year-old woman - who had been staying at her son's house at the time - on March 9 last year.

He was stopped by the woman's son and grandson, while police later found searches for Mr Cameron on his computer.

Sentencing the arsonist to a Section 41 hospital order with restrictions, Judge Nigel Daly said: 'I consider there is a real risk that if he is released from hospital, if he is not under the day-to-day care of persons who can make sure he takes his medicine as appropriate, there would be a risk to the public of serious harm from him.'

Joseph Stead, 35, had intended to petrol bomb the ex-PM's home in the village of Dean, near Witney, Oxfordshire, but struck the house next door (pictured above), a judge heard

Checks on Stead's computer showed he had searched the internet for the village where former Conservative leader David Cameron (pictured in May this year) lived

Prosecutor Jonathan Stone said Stead had travelled from his home in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, through Aylesbury and Oxford to the village of Dean, near Chipping Norton.

Checks on his computer showed he had searched the internet for the village where the former Conservative leader lived.

Mr Stone said that at around 10pm, Stead was seen in Dean swigging from bottles of alcohol. At 10.30pm he called the fire brigade, telling the call handler about a fire in the village. A neighbour also called 999.

A fire report found the blaze that gutted the house was started by a petrol bomb thrown through a downstairs window. The remains of a bottle of spirit and a petrol-soaked rag were discovered at the house.

In a victim impact statement, the owner - a widowed farmer's wife who had lived in the property since the 1960s - said the news had been broken by her daughter shortly after midnight.

Summing up her feelings when she heard of the fire, she said: 'Murderous, furious and shocked that anyone, regardless of their feelings, could do such a thing.'

The house had been valued at 800,000 before the fire, with the plot now only worth around half of that amount.

She had lost personal mementoes of her late husband in the blaze, as well as family photographs, her books and a collection of crocheted squares she hoped to make into blankets for her great-grandchildren.

The house had been valued at 800,000 before the fire, with the plot now only worth around half of that amount

A fire report found the blaze that gutted the house was started by a petrol bomb thrown through a window. The remains of a bottle of spirit and a petrol-soaked rag (above) were found

Judge Daly heard that Stead was arrested at the scene while making bizarre racist and homophobic comments about David Cameron.

The arsonist later told psychiatrists that he had gone to Dean after reading articles online. The fire was meant as a 'threat' to Mr Cameron, but he did not intend to cause him harm.

Stead, formerly of Wellingborough, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He had no previous convictions.

Mitigating, Graham Blower said his client had been receiving treatment for paranoid schizophrenia at a psychiatric unit since his arrest and was responding well to treatment. He had shown an insight into his behaviour.

Judge Daly commended Stead for taking the help he had been offered, but raised concerns about the potential for him to stop taking his medication if he were released into the community.
A middle-aged woman was 'kidnapped' from outside a supermarket in Reading last Sunday and bundled into a car before managing to escape.

The victim, who is in her 40s, was 'dragged from one vehicle to another' outside the Co-op store on Whitley Wood Road at around 4.30pm on October 10, but escaped half a mile down the road when the car slowed down in traffic.

A man, 37, from Plymouth, was later arrested on suspicion of kidnap.

A middle-aged woman, in her 40s, was 'kidnapped' from outside the Co-op store on Whitley Wood Road (pictured) in Reading last Sunday but escaped when the car slowed down in traffic

Police said she was driven off but was able to get out of the car uninjured about half a mile later near a Sainsbury's store in Shinfield Road.

She fled from the scene and called the police who swopped on the area and a man was later arrested.

He was detained on suspicion of kidnap and released pending further investigation.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said today: 'Officers are appealing for witnesses to a kidnapping in Reading.

'The incident happened between 4.15pm and 4.35pm last Sunday when a woman was dragged from one vehicle to another outside the Co-op store on Whitley Wood Road. She was then driven away and managed to get out of the vehicle outside Sainsbury's in Shinfield Road.

'The woman, aged in her 40s, was uninjured. A man, aged 37 years, from Plymouth, has been arrested on suspicion of kidnap and released on bail until November 7.'

Police said the victim was 'dragged from one vehicle to another' before she driven off and a man, 37, from Plymouth, was arrested on suspicion of kidnap

Investigating officer Detective Constable Benjamin Rimmer based at Reading police station, said: 'I realise this will be a distressing incident for people in the local area.

'We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public.

'To help with the investigation we would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around this time.

'We would also like to speak to anyone who either witnessed or has dash-cam footage in which a car was driving dangerously or had the passenger door open.'

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Thames Valley Police on their non-emergency number 101 or make a report online using the reference number 43210456937.

The public can also submit an anonymous tip by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A 35-year-old man was arrested for raping a woman on board a public train in northeast Philadelphia as other riders watched and did nothing to help the victim, police said.

Police identified Fiston Ngoy, of Philadelphia, through surveillance footage that caught him sexually assaulting a woman Wednesday night aboard a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train towards the town of Upper Darby.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said that while there were other people on the train, it was ultimately a SEPTA employee who made the call to 911, which allowed officers to arrest Ngoy on the spot.

'It's disturbing that there were definitely people on the L, and no one intervened or did anything to help this woman out,' Bernhardt told NBC 10.

'I have no words for it. I just can't imagine seeing what you were seeing through your own eyes and seeing what this woman was going through that no one would step in and help her.'

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said it was disturbing that no passengers called 911 as they witnessed the victim being raped

Fiston Ngoy was arrested for raping and assault a woman aboard a Pennsylvania Transportation Authority train on Wednesday night

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where she is being treated for her injuries following the assault.

The Upper Darby Police Department is reviewing the footage of the attack to determine who was there in order to interview them as witnesses.

SEPTA issued a statement following the assault, calling it a 'horrific act.'

The assault took place in Northeast Philadelphia aboard a SEPTA train

'The assault was observed by a SEPTA employee, who called 911, enabling SEPTA officers to respond immediately and apprehend the suspect in the act,' said SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch.

'There were other people on the train who witnessed this horrific act, and it may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911. SEPTA urges anyone who observes a crime being committed or any dangerous situation occurring to report it. Anyone witnessing an emergency should immediately call 911.'

Ngoy was charged with rape and assault.

He remains in jail unable to post bail, NBC 10 reports.
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Anti-vaxxers today marched through London demanding 'don't jab our kids' and 'my body my choice' as they danced and shouted through megaphones.

Hundreds of demonstrators were seen marching by Hyde Park Corner on Saturday as they protested against mandatory vaccination passports and the vaccination of children.

Protesters held signs reading 'healthy children don't need a Covid-19 vaccine', 'children should not be subject to an experiment', and 'no to the vax passport'.

It comes after the school rollout of jabs for children aged 12 to 15 was given the go ahead last month.

Activists have in the past fortnight targeted schools, screeching at pupils in Manchester, London, Leicester, Liverpool, Lichfield and Telford not to take the jabs. Teaching unions have called for teachers to receive police support.

And last night, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has condemned the 'appalling' protesters targeting pupils and teachers, saying their misinformation was 'irresponsible, dangerous and costing lives'.

Anti-vaxxers today marched through London demanding 'don't jab our kids' and 'my body my choice' as they danced and shouted through megaphones

Protesters danced to songs warning against taking the jab during an anti-vaxx rally in west London on Saturday

A demonstrator holds a sign criticising the government's vaccine passport scheme during a rally against Covid-19 jabs for children on Saturday

A protester carried a sign wrongly claiming 1,698 people have died as a result of the vaccine during an anti-vaxx rally in London on Saturday

Protesters branding the Covid-19 vaccine an 'experimental drug' attended a rally in London on Saturday as they called for an end to mandatory vaccines for children

Two women protesters demonstrate against Covid-19 vaccines for children during a rally in west London on Saturday

A protester hands out leaflets to motorists during an anti-vaxx rally calling for an end to vaccinations for children in west London on Saturday

Several protesters carried signs touting unsubstantiated conspiracy theories - including separate claims either 1,698 or 38,438 people have died from the vaccine.

Others handed leaflets to motorists while walking through traffic around west London, many gathering at Hyde Park Corner.

It comes as Britain's Covid crisis continued to grow on Saturday as officials recorded the highest daily Covid case total for three months.

Department of Health bosses posted 43,423 new coronavirus infections today, up 24.2 per cent on last Saturday's total of 34,950.

The number of people dying with the virus also increased, with 148 victims recorded today. It was up 11.3 per cent on the 133 recorded last weekend.

And hospitalisations also spiked by 12 per cent to 915 on Tuesday, the latest date data is available for. It was the highest daily admissions since September 15, when they reached 946 .

An anti-vaxx protester attends rally in west London on Saturday in a shirt reading 'I've had booster no 35, yay!'

Anti-vaxx protesters gather at Hyde Park Corner for a march against mandatory vaccinations for children on Saturday

Protesters used street signs to get a better view of the demonstration as they handed out anti-vaxx fliers in London on Saturday

Protesters carrying placards reading 'my body, my choice' gathered in west London to demonstrate against mandatory vaccines on Saturday

A protester holds up a sign reading 'in a time of deceit and coercion, revolution is a duty' at an anti-vaxx rally in London on Saturday

Protesters from People for the People meet at Hyde Park Corner ahead of a rally against mandatory vaccines for children on Saturday

A protester demonstrating against mandatory vaccines for children hands out leaflets to motorists during a rally on London

Anti-vaxxers are becoming ever more emboldened and extreme  with tragic consequences.

Doctors recently raised the alarm at the mounting numbers of unvaccinated pregnant women in intensive care with Covid-19.

Astonishingly, nearly a fifth of patients requiring the NHS's most intensive life-saving care  'extracorporeal membrane oxygenation', used to oxygenate blood outside the body when ventilators fail  are unvaccinated mothers-to-be.

One ICU doctor, writing anonymously in the Mail in August, revealed that 90 per cent of patients on ventilators in his ward were vaccine refuseniks.

Meanwhile, care homes are suffering a staffing crisis thanks in large part to a Government policy of mandatory vaccination.

About 40,000 out of 570,000 care-home workers in England are at risk of either quitting or being sacked due to their reluctance to take the vaccine.

It would cost the sector  already struggling to fill 100,000-plus vacancies  an estimated 100 million to replace them. Many will have devoured anti-vaxxer propaganda on social media.

According to a report published earlier this year by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a British non-governmental organisation with offices in London and Washington DC, the anti-vax industry's global social media following of 62 million people could be worth up to 800 million to platforms, generated by advertisers paying to reach users interested in vaccine misinformation.

Anti-vaxxers carried placards - many touting unsubstantiated Covid-19 conspiracy theories - at a rally in London on Saturday

Protesters handed motorists signs and spoke to them during a rally against mandatory vaccines for children

Protesters carried slogans of 'don't jab our kids' and 'mandatory vaccines corporate state tyranny' at a demonstration in London on Saturday

Protesters with signs and banners marched through west London on Saturday at a demonstration against vaccinations for children

Musician Remeece raps the words of his song 'Don't Tek Di Vaccine' through a megaphone at an anti-vaxx rally in London on Saturday

The anti-vaxx industry  the network of businesses, political action committees, media marketing empires and their figureheads  has estimated annual revenues of 26 million.

So who are the ringleaders of those 62 million followers? A cabal of just 12 people CCDH has branded 'the disinformation dozen'.

The NGO analysed the movement and found 12 anti-vaxxers are responsible for up to 70 per cent of content shared to Facebook, one of the main platforms on which fake news is spread.

Three of them are particularly influential: U.S. TV producer Del Bigtree, osteopath and entrepreneur Joseph Mercola and Robert F. Kennedy Jr, nephew of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy.

They and the rest of the 'disinformation dozen' are the super-spreaders of Covid misinformation, who make money from public speaking and publishing books, films and anti-vax newsletters.

Many of them star in each other's podcasts and documentaries, direct their followers to each other's accounts and businesses and advertise on each other's websites.
Supermarkets in Frankfurt can now choose to only serve customers who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid.

The health pass entry rules, announced by the central state of Hesse, allow all shops to bring in the so-called 2G rule - where premises can choose to deny entry to those who are not vaccinated ('geimpft' in German) or who have recovered ('genesen') from the virus.

Bringing in the 2G rule - which has been allowed in roughly half of German states for the service sector - lets shops drop mask-wearing rules along with those mandating social distancing, German outlet The Local reports.

Germany appears to be in the midst of a third wave of cases - though deaths have subsided in recent months following a second wave peak in January this year.

The country has recorded 4.3million confirmed cases and 94,526 deaths during the pandemic, World Health Organisation figures show.

State leader Volker Bouffier said: 'We expect that this option will only be used on some days and that businesses which cater to everyday needs will not make use of it.'

Germany appears to be in the midst of a third wave of cases - though deaths have subsided in recent months following a second wave peak in January this year. The country has recorded 4.3million confirmed cases and 94,526 deaths during the pandemic, World Health Organisation figures show.

The health pass entry rules, announced by the central state of Hesse, allow all shops to bring in the so-called 2G rule - where premises can choose to deny entry to those who are not vaccinated ('geimpft' in German) or who have recovered ('genesen') from the virus (file image)

The 2G rule has sparked controversy in Germany, where premises are also given the option of following the 3G rule - which means those who can present a negative coronavirus test can also be served.

Several million German adults are still not yet vaccinated, and authorities have tried to incentivise them to take the jab through punishing measures such as this.

Supermarkets and grocers have been excluded from several restrictions and lockdown rules throughout the pandemic in Germany in order to allow the population access to essential items.

Refusal to take the vaccine has been a fiery issue in several countries during the later stages of the Covid pandemic, with some seeing the option to refuse a matter of personal choice, while others propose measures for the state to punish those who do not take it.

In France, hospitals, care homes and health centres last month suspended around 3,000 workers without pay for failing to comply with mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations.

Bringing in the 2G rule - which has been allowed in roughly half of German states for the service sector - lets shops drop mask-wearing rules along with those mandating social distancing (file)

Jabs became compulsory for health care workers in France in September with temporary suspensions coming into force for those who have not had the vaccine.

The workers were suspended without pay but have not been sacked after a top courted ruled they could not be fired for refusing to get vaccinated.

Italy has also made its anti-Covid 'green pass', requiring proof of vaccination, a negative test, or recent recovery from infection, obligatory for all employees.

The law, which penalises workers who are unvaccinated or do not have proof of a recent negative coronavirus test, came into effect on October 15.

'We're extending the ''green pass'' obligation to the entire world of work, both public and private,' Health Minister Roberto Speranza told a press conference after the government took the decision.

'And we're doing it for two basic reasons: to make these places safer and make our vaccination campaign stronger,' Speranza said.

Greece also introduced requirements for unvaccinated employees in the private and public sectors to be tested at their own expense once or twice a week, depending on their profession, since mid-September.

In the Netherlands a pass showing proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test to go to bars, restaurants, clubs or cultural events, was brought about last month.
As we sat in the cafe of a smart hotel, the beefy man beside me disclosed how he beat, brutalised and tortured scores of men and women who had been seized by Chinese security forces.

There would be three officers in a room kicking and punching people, using whips on their naked backs. They used belts  which is the cruellest method. People cant last long and end up being beaten to death.

The former Chinese police officer demonstrated to me their tactics with kicks and punches to an imaginary victim.

Their heads and eyes would become swollen; they could not see with all the blood on their face. Some would even lose their eyes. Then we would use water to revive them. They might not be allowed to sleep for a couple of days  sometimes the easiest ways are the worst and most effective. Afterwards they would go to hospital to be sewn back up.

Electric batons were used on the victims genitals and there were special methods for women, such as placing steel cuffs tightly on their hands, then slamming them repeatedly on a table.

After two or three minutes, theyd be crying because it hurts so much, the whistleblower said.

A former Chinese police officer, who can be identified only as Jiang, 39, (pictured with his face obscured) has disclosed how they beat, brutalised and tortured scores of men and women who had been seized by Chinese security forces

Victims included children as young as 14. Their crime was to belong to Muslim minorities in western China, especially the Uighurs, who are being subjected by the Communist regime to such terrible and wide-ranging atrocities that human-rights groups and the US government term it genocide.

I have previously interviewed Muslims who were sent into Chinas sinister internment camps, estimated to be holding up to two million people, along with Uighurs who have escaped China for their safety, and to women subjected to horrifying forced abortions and sterilisation.

But this former detective, who can be identified only as Jiang as he fears recriminations from the regime for speaking out, is the first member of Chinas security forces to dare blow the whistle on Beijings barbarity, offering fresh and damning evidence of the ethnic cleansing campaign in Xinjiang province.

His shocking testimony is especially powerful since he comes from a loyal family of police officers and party members. He had believed he was doing his patriotic duty, convinced by the regimes propaganda that it is combating a lethal terrorist insurgency, separatism and Islamist militancy.

Maya Wang, senior researcher on China at Human Rights Watch, said his story adds to the harrowing testimonies of victims and witnesses, official records and satellite imagery, all of which point to crimes against humanity by the Chinese government.

Jiang, 39, showed me confidential official documents, police materials and photographs to back up his story. They include an official directive issued in late 2015 to convey President Xi Jinpings instructions to all police forces to monitor, interrogate and share information on persons of concern  code for Uighurs, according to Jiang.

He claimed they used electric batons on the victims' genitals and hammers to break legs and prisoners who 'did not listen to an order or had wrong thoughts' were trapped in torture chairs (pictured) for up to two weeks to make them learn

This followed the previous years launch of Xis Strike Hard campaign that ramped up repression of Muslim minorities by sending them into harsh re-education camps for simply wearing veils, growing a beard or having family members outside China.

Jiang was used to seeing Uighurs targeted and routine police brutality. Once, three of his colleagues beat a taxi-driver so badly that the man  who had given a lift to passengers with stolen goods  died later of his injuries in hospital.

But after joining thousands of police officers and auxiliaries recruited under Beijings Building Xinjiang policy  joining up partly to escape the institutional corruption he saw in his local police  Jiang was surprised by the introductory talk given by a senior official after his arrival in the region three years ago.

He said the atmosphere was strange and very intense, adding: We were told not to get close to local people and not to pity them. He and his fellow officers were taught about traditional signs of Uighur appearance, like the beards and veils, and about their traditions such as funeral rites.

Then the recruits were shown how the Chinese regime used technology to monitor all phones, spy on social media communications and observe everyones movement via facial-recognition systems. DNA samples had also been taken from every Uighur citizen.

For a Uighur, even making a complaint about poverty or expressing a desire to move could lead to arrest. Anything negative would be seen as criticism of the party and lead to questioning, said Jiang.There were police checkpoints on streets every 300 to 500 yards. Loudspeakers blared messages all day telling people to support the party, follow rules and back national unity. I just wanted this to stop  it was so disturbing to everyone, said Jiang.

He explained that if three Uighurs were seen walking together during holiday periods, police would order them to go home separately.

Having a beard could lead to brutal interrogation.

Coercive rules were so extensive that shops, for instance, had to use Chinese writing on signs that was at least the same size as any Uighur typography and sell cigarettes and alcohol, regardless of the owners wishes or religious beliefs.

Soon, the police recruits were rounding up people in huge numbers. Jiang said that after he arrived, 300,000 Uighurs were arrested as suspected members of riot gangs, with entire villages sometimes carted off to the expanding network of mass detention camps.

Some teenagers were jailed for up to ten years on terror offences for sharing an Islamic video on social media, then discussing resisting the crackdown and buying knives. But Jiang says the youths hadnt bought any knives  they were just kids boasting.

His job was to interrogate detainees to discover if they displayed criminal or subversive intent, first breaking down any resistance to questioning. Initially, people would show disobedience. But that did not last long.

Chillingly, he admitted all kinds of methods were used. There is no book saying what to do  so everyone uses different tactics.

Some prisoners had plastic bags tied over their heads or water forced into their lungs. Others were hit by sticks, chains and electric batons, with Jiang explaining: You fix a wire between two tips and then put that on their genitals to shock them.

The ex-detective hesitated as he discussed this torture technique, saying such memories upset him.

My heart gets quicker just thinking about it, he said, describing how he was armed with an electric baton. I want to forget all these experiences because it was so cruel. I am only human.

But he said some colleagues had psychological abnormalities that seemed to make it fun to torture people. He claimed they used hammers to break legs of prisoners, denied them food or stripped them naked, then poured very cold water on their bodies.

One Uighur scholar held in custody has since revealed that he was subjected to gang-rape by more than a dozen other detainees who had been forced to do so by guards.

Jiang said other officials shared his concern over the scale of a crackdown that saw all Uighurs as enemies of the Chinese state.

Victims included children as young as 14. Their 'crime' was to belong to Muslim minorities in western China, especially the Uighurs. Pictured: Police stand in a hallway inside a detention center in Beijing

Everyone knew the threat was exaggerated but no one talked about it because that would have been going against the party.

The campaign was so broad. The aim was to control people, to get rid of Islam, their beliefs and their traditions. It was to change their identity. Some of these people were just following Uighur traditions such as washing the dead bodies.

Jiang says that even police officers were sent to the camps, including a former teacher at the police academy, a professor in his 50s with many badges for good service, who was sent for re-education.

At first, Jiang had been surprised to find such internment camps in Xinjiang since he associated such places with the past from the Cultural Revolution  a long period of chaotic violence that began in 1966 when Chairman Mao unleashed mobs to reassert his control.

Despite an international outcry over these complexes, China claims they are vocational training centres to help stamp out extremism. Many graduates are afterwards sent on to forced labour programmes in factories and cotton fields, while their children are taken to state orphanages for assimilation into Han Chinese culture.

Jiang said he went inside the centres only while pursuing leads or for interrogations  but he disputed Beijings claims that they were education units.

If it is a school, why can people not go home? he said. It is ridiculous  they are prisons.

There are two groups inside criminals and students. But they sleep together, work together, do everything together.

The only difference is that one group have the word criminal on their clothes and have gone through court procedures.

Jiang recounted how detainees who did not listen to an order or had wrong thoughts had their hands and feet shackled in special restrictive chairs in crammed cells containing about 50 detainees.

I asked how long they might stay in such torturous contraptions  perhaps a couple of hours? That would not be long enough to make them learn, he replied, smiling at my naivety. They would be there one or two weeks. Other prisoners help with their food and toilet.

Each cell had a prisoner designated as mayor who was put in charge, with orders to report any infringements to the guards.

This was a measure to ensure people followed the rules and recited all their texts. Otherwise theyd get punished.

The former officer is first member of China's security forces to speak out and is now hiding in Europe. Pictured: Police officers stand guard as a prison vehicle arrives at the High Court in Hong Kong, China

Recent reports suggest that thousands of Xinjiang mosques and shrines have been destroyed by the Chinese authorities.

The ones I saw were not demolished but had construction work so no one could go in, Jiang says. It was part of the countrys political fight against extreme religion.

Jiang claims he fled China early last year after talking to the US intelligence services about promoting democracy in his home country.

Today, he is in hiding in an EU country and is seeking asylum. He hasnt spoken to his parents or any other relatives for 18 months as a precaution so as to protect them. I am not worried for myself but I am scared the authorities will find my family, he said.

He admits he is lonely and suffers depression but wants the world to know of Beijings brutal oppression, having become a fierce enemy of the corrupt elite he once served.

It was devastating to discover that everything I believed was wrong, he said. Everything in the country is part of the system. So if you want change, you must confront the system  but the party has killed so many people.

My aim is to reveal what is happening in China. So many people face repression. I want the world to know the real face of the Communist Party.

Uighur activists believe such a confession from a former Chinese police officer has huge significance since it validates the claims of survivors who have escaped the country and spoken out about the dark horrors being inflicted on their people.

The disturbing torture and violence he describes confirms that the regime is using the most inhumane methods to traumatise and break the Uighur community, said Rahima Mahmut, UK director of the World Uighur Congress.

Deniers who espouse the regimes propaganda should pay close attention. The evidence is mounting  the Chinese government is committing genocide and it is time for the world to act.
President Joe Biden has only given 10 one-on-one interviews since taking office in January, a stark difference to former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, who had done 113 and 50, respectively.

Biden's last intimate interview was on August 18 with ABC's George Stephanopoulos as he discussed then on-going chaos of evacuating US troops from Afghanistan.

Top Democratic strategist said one-on-one interviews could be dangerous for the president, who is suffering from low approval ratings amid a series of issues crisis facing the nation - from a poor September jobs report to vaccine mandates to the latest slowdown of the US supply chain.

'Joe Biden can sometimes get off message so putting him in unscripted environments might not be the best way of Joe Biden communicating,' Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons told The Hill.

While he often speaks with reporters on the White House lawn, President Joe Biden has conducted less one-on-one interviews than Barack Obama and Donald Trump

Biden last one-on-one interview was with ABC's George Stephanopoulos in August

Former President Barack Obama, pictured in June, conducted 113 intimate interviews during his first year as president in 2009

Donald Trump, pictured with top Republican officials in 2018, completed 50 one-on-one interviews within his first year as president

'If you're an administration trying to communicate a very clear message, using a president in scripted moments may be the best way to amplify those moments.'

Another strategist said fellow Democrats have been frustrated with the president's lack of interviews because it 'it means they're not using all the communications tools they have in their arsenal.'

Biden has been a unique challenge for strategist and communications officials as the president enjoys to talk but is famously known to go off script and be profane.

Some even saw the coronavirus pandemic's limit on Biden's chances to schedule interviews as a boon.

Renowned White House historian Martha Kumar, however, noted that while Biden shied away from one-on-one interviews, he seems to enjoy speaking with reporters.

She said the president frequently answers questions from reporters summoned to the Oval Office or the South Lawn before his trips.

'He has done very few interviews, preferring instead to take a question here and there,' Kumar said. 'Presidents choose settings where they are comfortable and that suit their goals and interests.'

Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons, left, said the White House was using Biden effectively by limiting his one-on-one interviews. White House historian Martha Kumar noted that while the president shied from intimated interviews, he seems to enjoy talking to reporters

Biden often gives answers to questions while in less formal setting. He's pictured speaking with reporters during an outing in Los Angeles in 2019

Earlier this year, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki admitted that part of their communication strategy was to ask Biden not to engage with reports who shout questions during news conferences.

'This is not something we recommend,' Psaki said. 'In fact, a lot of times we say, ''Don't take questions.'''

Republicans have used Biden's lack of interviews against him, saying the president lacks stamina or mental energy to fulfil the duties of the office. Some of dubbed him 'Sleepy Joe.'

'Unfortunately, your mental decline and forgetfulness have become more apparent over the past 18 months,' Rep. Ronny Jackson, of Texas, wrote in a June letter to Biden signed by 13 other Republicans.

Biden is famous for going off script and using profanities when speaking with reporters

Democratic strategist Joel Payne said that while the optics around Biden avoiding one-on-one interviews may appear negative, it's a strategy that largely works to focus the president's messages.

'There's no doubt the White House is managing media access to President Biden but the public still feels they hear regularly from the president and his administration without traditional reporter Q and A's,' Payne told The Hill.

'So as long as the public is satisfied with their access to the president and there's no political penalty being assessed, there's not a lot of motivation for the White House to change course.'
Up to 6,500 Chicago cops could be placed on unpaid leave for thumbing their noses at the city's just-expired deadline to get the COVID vaccine after the police union president warned Mayor Lori Lightfoot of a possible strike, resulting in a judge issuing a temporary restraining order against the cop late Friday night.

The feud between Lightfoot and head of the Chicago Branch of the Fraternal Order of Police John Catanzara escalated when Lightfoot brought the fight to court and filed a Complaint for Injunctive Relief against the police union and Catanzara.

She said in Thursday's filing that the police union president was 'engaging in, supporting, and encouraging a work stoppage or strike'.

The FOP fired back and filed a lawsuit against the city, mayor and police Superintendent David Brown, asking for more intervention on the matter, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The feud between Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (left) and head of the Chicago Branch of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) John Catanzara (right) started when Lightfoot announced a mandate requiring the city's 13,000 cops to disclose their vaccination status by October 15 or face unpaid leave. Catanzara has hinted at a strike in response and said that up to 6,500 Chicago cops could be left without a job

Cook County Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan ruled that Catanzara was potentially causing irreparable harm if he continued making such statements.

She muzzled Catanzara, ordering that he not make another statement, video or tweet discussing Lightfoot's mandate, which required all civic employees, including 13,000 sworn-in Chicago police officers to report their vaccine status by Friday, October 15, or face unemployment.

Lightfoot brought her feud with the FOP to court and Cook County Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan (pictured) has since issued a temporary restraining order against Catanzara, effective until the next hearing on October 25

Horan sided with Lightfoot, saying Catanzara was advocating for 'sedition' and 'anarchy' by directing cops to disobey government officials, according to the Tribune.

The restraining order will be in place until October 25, which is when another hearing is set to take place to discuss the dueling lawsuits.

Lightfoot appeared on CNN last night to discuss what the passing deadline means for the Chicago Police Department - the second-largest in the country.

When asked how many officers disclosed their vaccination status as of the deadline, Lightfoot said: 'Well we don't have final numbers yet but what we've been seeing throughout the week - I think as the reality has sunk in - is that we're seeing big leaps in compliance.

'But we won't have final numbers obviously until after midnight tonight. We'll be verifying those numbers over the course of the weekend and then we'll let folks know.'

This is a manufactured crisis by the Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says about a dispute between the union and the city over a requirement for officers to disclose their vaccine status.



She says she thinks the vast majority of officers will comply. pic.twitter.com/7yoDTrlr5V  The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) October 15, 2021

Lightfoot appeared on CNN last night and when asked how many officers disclosed their vaccination status of today, the deadline, Lightfoot said: 'Well we don't have final numbers yet.' She was sure to be 'very clear that this is a manufactured crisis by the Fraternal Order of Police...so let's consider the source'

'Its safe to say the city of Chicago will have a police force at 50 percent or less,' Catanzara said at one point in the vide message he recorded from his desk at the Fraternal Order of Police Union office on the city's West Side

Just yesterday Catanzara took to YouTube to tell cops to ignore the mandate, calling it 'nonsense' and even hinting at a potential strike as he threatened that the city could be left without half or less of its regular officers 'this week and coming up'.

'You are under no obligation to respond or comply,' he said of the October 15 deadline for officers to disclose their vaccination status on an online forum.

However, no unvaccinated cops were axed from their jobs on Friday because it will take time for the city's government to sort out who got vaccinated.

'Once we understand that people have not complied with the simple request to say "yes" or "no" or that I'm going to take the testing option then yes, we will be moving forward and putting people into no-pay status,' Lightfoot said.

In her statement, the mayor also cited 'the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and Illinois common law which prohibits sworn officers from engaging in a strike'.

'By predicting that 50 percent or more officers will violate their oaths and not report for duty, Catanzara is encouraging an unlawful strike and work stoppage which carries the potential to undermine public safety and expose our residents to irreparable harm, particularly during an ongoing pandemic,' she added.

In response, the FOP tweeted: 'President John Catanzara has never engaged in, supported, or encouraged a work stoppage.

'Lightfoot is the only one who has said she will send our dedicated Officers home without pay if they choose to reject her unlawful orders.'

The FOP tweeted in response to Lightfoot's claim that Catanzara is 'engaging in, supporting, and encouraging a work stoppage or strike' (pictured)

Catanzara said to cops in a YouTube video regarding the October 15 deadline: 'You are under no obligation to respond or comply'

Meanwhile, Lightfoot used the segment on CNN to be 'very clear that this is a manufactured crisis by the Fraternal Order of Police...so let's consider the source'.

'The reality is - the only way that we can create a safe workplace is...by getting people vaccinated,' she added.

On the same day of the deadline for civil workers to report their vaccine status, Lightfoot announced Pay It Forward Chicago - an initiative to get holdout residents vaccinated.

As of Friday, 63.7 percent of Chicagoans have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. The figure means 1.7million people - out of a population of 2.7million - have yet to get the shot at all, according to data from Chicago's Coronavirus Response Center.

The plan is for Pay It Forward to act as a fundraiser to buy Visa gift cards so that select community health clinics can award people $100 gift cards for getting their Covid shots.

Yesterday Lightfoot announced Pay It Forward Chicago - an initiative in effort to get the rest of Chicagoans vaccinated - which a fundraiser to buy Visa gift cards so that select community health clinics can award people $100 gift cards for getting their Covid shots

Citywide, 63.7 percent of Chicagoans have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine (pictured), meaning 1.7million people - out of a population of 2.7million - are completely unvaccinated, according to data from Chicago's Coronavirus Response Center

Although no cops were be put on leave on Saturday, the worry is that once Lightfoot knows who got vaccinated and who didn't, many police officers will be sent home and leave the crime-ridden city without officers.

Violent crimes are up across the board in the Windy City.

Since 2019, murders are up a whopping 56 percent. More than 200 additional murders were committed in 2021 than in 2019.

The pandemic also inspired an influx of crime. Since 2020, murders are up by three percent.

Violent assaults are also up, with nearly 100 more cases of aggravated battery taking place this year than in 2019, before the pandemic - with more than two months left to go.

Meanwhile sexual assaults and rapes are up by more than 25 percent in the past year.

Yet gun violence is arguably the city's most pressing issue - with 1,606 people shot in this past summer alone - the population equivalent to many American small towns.

From June to August this year 261 Chicago citizens were killed, on pace to be the deadliest stretch in nearly a quarter-century for the city.

Violent crimes are up across the board in Chicago, with murders are up a whopping 56 percent since 2019 and three percent since 2020. According to the 2020 Uniform Crime Report released in late September by the FBI, 94 percent of the homicides were committed with a firearm

In Chicago, fatal shootings accounted for 94 percent of all homicides so far this year - compared to the still-dismal 90 that happened in 2020.

Last year eight-year-old Demetrius D Stevenson was shot dead while playing on the porch of his home in a gang-related shooting in a Chicago suburb.

The young boy was shot in the head after a car pulled up to the house, located at 15724 Homan Avenue, and gang members fired shots at Stevenson's 18-year-old brother - the main target, local authorities said.

Demetrius Stevenson was shot in the head in a drive-by shooting in front of his home last month as data showed that gun violence is arguably Chicago's most pressing issue - with 1,606 people shot in this past summer alone

Officials noted that gunfire was returned towards the car. Stevenson was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his gunshot wounds, and his brother escaped injury.

Days earlier high school wrestling champion Melissa 'Azul' de la Garza, 18, was coming back from a day of shopping for Halloween costumes and had just finished a Facetime call with her sister when an unidentified man approached her car and shot her multiple times in the torso before fleeing, according to the Chicago Police Department.

She was sitting in her parked car when the fatal shooting happened and she was pronounced dead after being rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital while in critical condition.

The influx of firearms into the hands of Chicago criminals spurred Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown to label his own city the 'ground zero for violence' in an interview earlier this month with CNN.

'It's violent people in possession of weapons,' he was sure to add.

Melissa 'Azul' de la Garza (center), 18, was also shot dead. She was sitting in her parked car outside her home in Chicago's Southwest Side when an unidentified gunman shot her multiple times in the torso

With that said, the city of Chicago's law enforcement agency - an institution that is nearly 200 years old - has made it clear that they do not stand with the city's new mayor.

Lightfoot has since publicly supported the 'defund the police' movement, backtracking in August after the officer Ella French was shot dead.

French was murdered while policing a traffic stop. Brothers Emonte, 21, and Eric Morgan, 22, were said to have been driving with expired license plates, prompting police to pull them over.

Her death was the first fatal shooting of a Chicago officer in the line of duty since Lightfoot took office and the first female officer fatally shot on the job there in 33 years.

Following French's death Lightfoot unveiled a new plan to 'refund the police' - a $16.7billion spending plan that will boost funding for officers - which lifted the Chicago Police Department's annual budget from $1.7billion to $1.9billion.
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Labour and the Liberal Democrats will not stand candidates in the upcoming Southend West by-election after the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess by a suspected terrorist as the veteran politician met with his Essex constituents, it is understood.

Sir David died after he was allegedly stabbed multiple times in Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea yesterday afternoon by a British national thought to be of Somali heritage. Police are treating the incident as an act of terror and Scotland Yard said in a statement overnight that its initial inquiries 'revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism'.

Labour is set to follow the principle established after Jo Cox's murder in 2016, when the major parties declined to select candidates in the subsequent Batley and Spen by-election. As a result, it is understood Labour will not contest the by-election to find a successor to Sir David. The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed they will not fight for the seat when a date is set.

Party sources told the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges that Labour will not be fielding candidates in the by-election in Sir David's constituency. One senior Labour figure told Sky News' Jon Craig that Opposition parties should give Tories 'a free run' in the ballot.

Lord Pendry, a Labour former minister, called for all major opposition parties to stand aside in the by-election out of respect for Sir David. He said: 'This is an occasion when you see the leader of the Opposition (Sir Keir Starmer) and the Prime Minister together, and it shows that our democracy transcends all that sort of thing.

'I think we should be saying that whoever the Conservatives put up, it is their seat because they were deprived of it, so they should have it back. I think all the major parties should stand aside in the interest of democracy and our own democratic way of life.'

Southend West has been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1950, with Sir David elected on an increased majority of more than 14,400 votes at the 2019 General Election.

It comes as the Home Secretary said security measures will be put in place to ensure MPs can continue to meet constituents safely following the killing of Sir David, a devout Catholic and prominent supporter of Brexit who was first elected to Parliament in 1983.

Boris Johnson accompanied by Sir Keir Starmer as they pay their respects to the Conservative MP Sir David Amess after he was stabbed to death at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea

The Met Police confirmed that the killing of Southend West Sir David Amess (pictured) is being treated as a terror incident 'with links to Islamist extremism' as a British man with Somali heritage remains in police custody on suspicion of murder

People during a candlelight vigil at Belfairs Recreation Ground near to Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea

Labour sources have told the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges that the party will not be fielding candidates in the by-election in Sir David's constituency. One senior Labour figure told Sky News' Jon Craig that Opposition parties should give Tories 'a free run' in the ballot

'We cannot be cowed': Priti Patel issues defiant message as MPs vow to carry on holding surgeries after David Amess murder as Boris and Starmer lay wreaths together Home Secretary Priti Patel today issued a defiant message as Members of Parliament vowed to carry on holding face-to-face public meetings following Sir David Amess' killing. Tobias Ellwood urged MPs to end surgeries but Speaker Lindsay Hoyle held his last night amid widespread debate over MPs' security and how to better protect parliamentarians. Robert Largan, the Conservative MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, said he would still hold his surgery from 10.30am this morning while a number of other councillors took to social media to express their defiance. Meanwhile, Labour MP Harriet Harman, who was sworn in to the House of Commons on the same day as Sir David in the 1980s, said she would be writing to the Prime Minister to ask for a Speaker's Conference to find a solution. Asked whether there could be a balance between the safety of MPs and the democratic process, Ms Patel today said: 'It can be balanced, it can absolutely be balanced.' Advertisement

Tobias Ellwood, a former Tory defence minister, called for face-to-face meetings to be suspended pending a security review after long-serving MP Sir David was fatally stabbed on Friday.

But Priti Patel said it is possible to strike a balance between the safety of MPs and carrying out the democratic process in-person, as she urged elected representatives not to be 'cowed' by those threatening to 'stop us from functioning'.

A number of MPs posted on social media about their constituency events on Saturday as they showed support for the Home Secretary's message that political work must be able to continue in the open.

Ms Patel, who laid flowers at the site of Sir David's killing alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on Saturday morning, told broadcasters: 'We are open to surgeries, doing our job. We will continue to do that.

'That is why there are measures under way right now - I convened meetings yesterday, I've been with the Speaker of the House, and with the police and our security services to make sure that all measures are being put in place for the security of MPs so that they can carry on with their duties as elected democratic members.'

Her comments come after Mr Ellwood said physical meetings with voters should be paused while MPs await the result of the Home Secretary's call for police forces to review security arrangements.

Local police forces are contacting every MP to discuss their personal safety and the security of any events they plan to attend.

The chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, who was hailed as a hero for his attempts to save the life of PC Keith Palmer during the Westminster terror attack, tweeted that there was 'huge anxiety among MPs now'.

'Until the Home Secretary's review of MP security is complete I would recommend a temporary pause in face-to-face meetings,' he said.

But former Cabinet minister David Davis said suspending public meetings with MPs would be 'a terrible reflection of what David stood for'.

He told Sky News: 'Sure, we should be cautious, maybe we should do things to ensure the people who come to see us are bona fide, but I think actually pausing it would be a bad idea.

'It would be a terrible reflection of what David stood for - David himself was the ultimate constituency MP.'

Meanwhile, the longest continuously serving female MP, Harriet Harman, said she would be writing to the Prime Minister urging him to back a Speaker's Conference to look into what needs to change to ensure parliamentarians are safe in their constituencies.

Speaking to the BBC, the veteran Labour politician said: 'We cannot have the death of an MP being a price worth paying for our democracy.'

She added: 'I don't think anybody wants to go to a situation where the police are vetting individual constituents who come and see us, but I'm sure there is a safer way to go about our business.

'Since Jo Cox's tragic killing, we've had changes in our home security, we've had changes in security in Parliament, but we haven't looked at the issue of how we go about that important business in our constituency, but do it in a safe way - and I think we must do that now.'

Home Secretary Priti Patel silently pays her respects to veteran MP Sir David Amess in Essex on Saturday morning

A much-loved MP and a proud father of five, Sir David gave away his daughter Alex, 31, in marriage just weeks ago

Police officers remove floral tributes to British MP David Amess, who was stabbed to death during a meeting with constituents

Make Southend a city: Calls for Essex resort's status to be upgraded in honour of murdered MP David Amess after his decades-long campaign MPs are calling for Southend-on-Sea to be given city status in honour of a 21-year campaign by Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was killed in a suspected terror attack on Friday. Since the year 2000, Sir David had relentlessly pushed for the Essex resort to be upgraded - most recently arguing that it would help attract some much-needed investment post-Brexit and Covid. Now following his tragic death, colleagues from both sides of the aisle are demanding his wish be granted, arguing it would be a 'fitting memorial' for the 69 year old. It comes as The Queen is set to designate new cities in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee next year, and local authorities have been putting forward their towns for city status since June. Conservative MP for Kingswood Chris Skidmore said: 'David would badger me constantly about making Southend a city.' Advertisement

Conservative MP Kevin Foster, who represents Torbay, said it is 'not practical' to have airport-style security at MPs' surgeries.

Defence minister James Heappey, the Conservative MP for Wells, echoed that sentiment, telling PA news agency: 'Tweaks to security might be necessary but nothing can fundamentally change: those surgeries are foundations on which service as MP is delivered.'

Tory Harrow East MP Bob Blackman said he and his colleagues will now be 'wary' of what they do following Sir David's death, but former universities minister Chris Skidmore - who represents Kingswood constituency - said it still felt 'absolutely natural that I would continue to hold in-person events'.

That sentiment was mirrored on the Labour benches, with Hull East MP Karl Turner arguing against vetting who elected representatives see and that politicians had to accept there is a risk involved with their work.

'I think you can do as much as you can possibly do but if a knife-wielding maniac bursts into your room, what can you do about that really?' he told PA.

'I think you've got to take the risk.

'I'm not pretending to be any kind of a hero, far from it, but I think it is a pretty bad deal if you can't see your MP.'

Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said she would support meeting constituents behind a screen to prevent possible stab attacks, but she too rallied against 'airport-style screening'.

'I would prefer going forward to meet constituents behind a screen, as we have now for Covid and so on - that might be quite complicated to arrange but at least you know someone's not going to just lean over the desk and stab you, which could happen now,' she told the BBC.

The Metropolitan Police arrested a 25-year-old who had reportedly lived in Sir David's constituency after his family fled the war-torn East African country in the 1990s, as soon as police arrived on the scene.

Hundreds of well-wishers including the 69-year-old MP's constituents, Muslim leaders from Southend's mosques, Mr Johnson, Sir Keir and MPs across the political spectrum have joined in an outpouring of grief following the death of Sir David.

As Sir David's wife and children grieve privately at home, the MP's extended family including cousins and second cousins left a note celebrating 'a great man and member of our family'.

Outside the scene of the attack, constituents recalled the work the 'absolutely wonderful' MP did in his community during his almost 40-year career. Moira and Pat, cousins of Sir David, wrote: 'Thinking of your lovely family. Can't believe this has actually happened. Will always love you.'

Meanwhile, two vigils have been held. Constituents last night went to St Peters Church in Leigh-on-Sea to shed a tear at the shocking death of their beloved MP and on Saturday afternoon dozens of well-wishers lit candles and gathered to remember the life of Sir David outside the town's Civic Centre.

Southend faith leaders called Sir David's death an 'indefensible atrocity' and described the father-of-five as an 'upstanding friend to our Muslim community' who had attended key events, including weddings, mosque openings and the launch of the town's first Muslim Scout group.

In a statement published on the Essex Jamme Masjid website, on behalf of 'all Southend mosques', they said their thoughts and prayers were with Sir David's family, friends and colleagues.

It comes five years after Labour MP for Batley and Spen Jo Cox was murdered on her way to a surgery in 2016.
Human remains found in Iowa cornfield have been identified as that of missing 11-year-old Xavior Harrelson - who vanished during a bike ride in May barely a week after completing the fourth grade.

Xavior had been reported missing back on May 27, and after exhaustive search efforts by local authorities, a body was discovered on September 30 'in a rural area approximately three miles northwest of Montezuma,' about 60 miles east of Des Moines, Sheriff Thomas Kriegel said Friday, according to CNN.

On Friday, the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office notified the sheriff's department 'that the human remains have been positively identified as those of Xavior Harrelson,' Kriegel added.

A cause of death was not immediately provided by authorities, a Facebook post by the Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office states.

However, Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, said Xavior's death is being investigated as suspicious, the Des Moines Register reported.

Human remains found in Iowa cornfield have been identified as 11-year-old Xavior Harrelson, pictured, who went missing after a bike ride in May, just days after completing the fourth grade

A cause of death was not immediately provided, but Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, said his death is being investigated as suspicious

CNN reports that the FBI had assisted local authorities in an effort to search for Xavior, spokeswoman for the FBI Omaha field office Amy Adams told the network

CNN reports that the FBI had assisted local authorities in an effort to search for Xavior, spokeswoman for the FBI Omaha field office Amy Adams told the network.

The hunt for Xavior drew upwards of 500 people - 375 of which were volunteers and 125 members of law enforcement - at the height of search efforts.

A farmer eventually stumbled upon the remains in a cornfield about four miles outside of the small town of Montezuma, which has a population of 1,300 people, according to the Star Tribune.

Xavior had just started his summer vacation after finishing the school year at Montezuma Elementary school - only days prior to his disappearance.

Montezuma Elementary School Principal Kurt Hanna recalled the boy going classroom to classroom on the last day of school to say goodbye and wish his fellow students a good summer.

Pictured: a map showing the distance Xavior's body was found in relation to where he was last scene during a bike ride near his mother's home

A body was discovered in a cornfield (area pictured above) on September 30 'in a rural area approximately three miles northwest of Montezuma,' about 60 miles east of Des Moines

A farmer eventually stumbled upon the remains a cornfield about four miles outside of the small town of Montezuma, which has a population of 1,300 people

'You never think that would be one of the last times you see somebody. I'm praying it's not,' Hanna said at the time.

Hanna said Xavior is the kind of student that 'always wanting to make sure you're in a good mood and having a smile on your face.'

Meanwhile, Montezuma Mayor Jacki Bolen told the Register how the tight-knit community has been shaken by the news of the confirmation of Xavior's body.

'We will never forget Xavior and his kind heart,' Bolen told the outlet.

'The Montezuma community is greatly saddened by the news of Xavior's passing. We express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.'

An investigation into Xavior's death and disappearance is ongoing, according to authorities.

Missing person signs for Xavior. The search for Xavior drew upwards of 500 people - 375 of which were volunteers and 125 members of law enforcement - and the height of search efforts
Matthew Broberg-Moffitt is 'gender queer' and of 'non-binary identity'. He suffers from autism, learning disorders and narcolepsy  suddenly falling asleep at any time of the day.

Of Romany heritage, he has experienced homelessness and poverty, is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and has a genetic birth condition.

The good news is that he is perfectly placed to work as a 'sensitivity reader', vetting authors' manuscripts before they are published.

And that's exactly what he does, helping eliminate lapses in taste or authenticity when it comes to writing about, say, homelessness or narcolepsy  and protecting future readers from feelings of offence or 'triggering' moments of distress.

However distinctive he might seem, Broberg-Moffitt is no one-off.

Listed on the website of a leading American agency, he's part of a rapidly expanding 'sensitivity' industry which aims to offer guidance in a world where diversity is king and stereotypes must be avoided at all cost.

Matthew Broberg-Moffitt (left) is 'gender queer' and of 'non-binary identity'. He suffers from autism, learning disorders and narcolepsy. Of Romany heritage, he has experienced homelessness and poverty, is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and has a genetic birth condition. The good news is he is perfectly placed to work as a 'sensitivity reader', vetting authors' manuscripts before they are published. Another sensitivity expert also at the Salt & Sage agency is Sachiko Burton (right). Mixed race, she understands trauma, sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress, fat-phobia and abusive relationships

But its critics say the movement has American publishing by the throat. 'Sensitivity readers', they say, are the 'imagination police', terrifying authors into self-censorship lest they inadvertently upset readers from one minority background or another. And their influence is growing ever stronger.

According to a New York publishing source who asked to remain anonymous, no US book is printed without being first run past a person, or sometimes a whole committee, so that it can be examined for questions of sex, gender identity, race and a range of 'trigger' subjects including sexual assault, suicide, disability and domestic violence.

'It's a boom industry,' said the source. 'It's been growing for the past few years but in the last year it has become the norm.'

Already worth an estimated $35 million (24.5 million), it is projected to be a $100 million (73 million) business as soon as 2025.

Among the other 50 or so sensitivity experts at the agency are Ravi Teixeira (left), who is hard of hearing, and offers expertise in 'transmasculine and non-binary people' as well as mental illness and writing about people of colour. Meanwhile, Al McKay (right) is an expert on the 'rural queer experience', gaslighting and veganism

'Publishers and authors are terrified of being cancelled,' the source continued. 'Social media is so swift and brutal. We are living in a hair-trigger society where one false move can destroy your livelihood.

'Manuscripts are being run past people of colour, members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, those with mental health issues  anything you can think of, really.

'When you are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in an author and a publicity campaign, it makes sense to desensitise the book to any criticism.'

These risks were played out last summer, when the novel American Dirt was 'cancelled' despite glowing reviews from critics and the powerful endorsement of Oprah Winfrey's Book Club  because the author Jeanine Cummins was a white woman writing about Mexican immigrants.

Cummins was accused of 'cultural appropriation' and a book tour was called off after 'Latinx' critics accused her of 'taking the Mexican experience and using it to make money off the back of those who have died crossing the Rio Grande'.

'That scared the hell out of us,' said the source. 'That book was a sure-fire success. Until it wasn't.'

It is a testament to the influence of the woke lobby and its social-media cheerleaders that so few publishers dare go on the record, particularly in the US.

But a glance at the list of 50 or so sensitivity experts at the Salt & Sage agency, which includes Mr Broberg-Moffitt, shows the bewildering scope of what's now at stake.

Last summer, the novel American Dirt was 'cancelled' despite glowing reviews from critics and the powerful endorsement of Oprah Winfrey's Book Club  because the author Jeanine Cummins (above, with Winfrey) was a white woman writing about Mexican immigrants

The specialists include Sachiko Burton, who is a 'white-presenting' expert in Japanese-American characters. Mixed race, she understands trauma, sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress, fat-phobia and abusive relationships.

Ravi Teixeira, who is hard of hearing, offers expertise in 'transmasculine and non-binary people' as well as mental illness and writing about people of colour.

Nicole Hawken can call on her experience of sociopaths and traumatic home childbirth, plus sexual assault and a range of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, addiction, bipolar problems, narcissism and mental abuse by parents. Al McKay is an expert on the 'rural queer experience', gaslighting and veganism.

Meanwhile, Mr Broberg-Moffitt's range of specialisms is enhanced by archery, baking and cheesemaking, not to mention his experience as a classically trained chef, former substance abuse counsellor and a one-time Buddhist monk.

Salt & Sage has already published a number of 'How to' books for writers wishing to include characters who are black, asexual and overweight, and is due to publish 17 more, including guides on non-binary people, atheists and characters with anxiety.

Dot and Dash, another US agency, has sensitivity readers who can help on subjects from being Asian-American to having connective tissue disorder, tinnitus and being working class.

The company has produced a 'conscious language guide' suggesting, among other things, that using 'female' as a noun 'is perceived by many as derogatory toward women'.

No doubt such publications will be eagerly read in Britain, too, where sensitivity readers are already hard at work.

Philippa Willitts, for example, specialises in disability and mental health. According to her website, the proofreading fees start at 10 per 1,000 words, although adding a specialist LGBT sensitivity editing package to the course increases the cost to 14 per 1,000 words.

Georgina Kamsika offers her 'expertise as a British South Asian' to 'give feedback on whether you are perpetuating stereotypes and actively harming people like me'. People, that is, who 'don't like opening a book and being met with microaggressions and stereotypes'.

The consequences can be serious, after all.

Kate Clanchy might have won the Orwell Prize, but the vicious reaction to her recent memoir, Some Kids I Taught And What They Taught Me, left her traumatised.

Her crime was to use such well-worn phrases as 'chocolate skin' and 'almond-shaped eyes' when describing characters. She said that a Muslim girl was 'very butch-looking with a distinct moustache.'

Accused of 'racist' and 'ableist' tropes in an overwhelming campaign of hostility on social media, Ms Clanchy issued a grovelling apology along with her publisher, Picador.

She is now undertaking a major rewrite in consultation with 'specialist readers'. The result, she hopes, will be 'more loving'.

Kate Clanchy (left) might have won the Orwell Prize, but the vicious reaction to her recent memoir, Some Kids I Taught And What They Taught Me, left her traumatised. Her crime was to use such well-worn phrases as 'chocolate skin' and 'almond-shaped eyes' when describing characters. She said that a Muslim girl was 'very butch-looking with a distinct moustache'

Friends say the furore had a grave effect on Ms Clanchy's state of mind and that she has now lost her teaching work, her main income.

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling became a hate figure after daring to retweet an article about 'people who menstruate' and commenting: 'People who menstruate. I'm sure there used to be a word for those people? Wumben? Wimpund? Woodmud?'

The result has been a campaign of unprecedented aggression from the trans lobby and its supporters.

Even Oxford University's student union is planning a 'consultancy of sensitivity readers' to scrutinise student newspapers. Lord Wharton, head of the Office for Students watchdog, said this would have a 'chilling' effect on free speech and deny anyone with 'difficult or uncomfortable views' a platform.

In March, Nobel Prize-winning author Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, warned that a climate of fear was causing some authors to shy away from tackling certain topics as they fear an 'anonymous lynch mob will turn up online and make their lives a misery'. He told the BBC: 'I think that is a dangerous state of affairs.'

Publishing houses are already divided over the issue.

One literary agent said: 'There's a battle going on between publishers who feel it's their job to challenge our preconceptions, and those who won't touch anything that doesn't agree with their rigid view of the world. It's the older publishers who often take the former view, and the younger crowd, probably five or six years out of university, toeing the Maoist line.'

In May, authors and academics including J. K. Rowling, Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood, published an open letter in Harper's Magazine attacking the drift towards 'ideological conformity'.

'Editors are fired for running controversial pieces; books are withdrawn for alleged inauthenticity; journalists are barred from writing on certain topics,' they wrote.

Author Lionel Shriver (above) said: 'Is it any longer acceptable for characters to be bigoted? Can a character in your novel vote for Brexit? The day my novels are sent to a sensitivity reader is the day I quit'

'Professors are investigated for quoting works of literature in class; a researcher is fired for circulating a peer-reviewed academic study; and the heads of organisations are ousted for what are sometimes just clumsy mistakes The result has been to steadily narrow the boundaries of what can be said without the threat of reprisal.'

Leading literary agent Clare Alexander recently told a House of Lords inquiry into freedom of expression that British publishing is at a 'watershed moment'.

'One of the very distinguished historians I represent, who is a white English woman, wanted to write a book about a black American slave who ended up as a man of property in Ireland and London,' she explained.

'Both American and British editors said, 'You cannot do that. You are a white woman. We cannot publish that book.'

'We were stood down because everyone was so fearful. We are in a very judgmental time.

'The people who are having to self-censor more are older,' Ms Alexander added.

'People over 40 and certainly over 60 are very worried about how they are going to fit into the current culture. They are very anxious about what subjects they can write about.'

Author Lionel Shriver goes further. 'Is it any longer acceptable for characters to be bigoted?' she asked. 'Can a character in your novel vote for Brexit? The day my novels are sent to a sensitivity reader is the day I quit.'

Who, though, is listening? Even the past is now under threat from woke campaigners on Twitter and Facebook.

Harper Lee's classic To Kill A Mockingbird is a powerful denunciation of racism, yet it has been banned by multiple schools and university libraries because it contains the N-word and has been accused of promoting a 'white saviour' narrative.

'Can we no longer read Othello because Shakespeare wasn't black?' asked novelist Francine Prose in the influential New York Review Of Books. 'Should we dismiss Madame Bovary because Flaubert lacked a lived experience of what it meant to be a restless provincial housewife?'

Even 'lived experience'  a phrase popular with diversity warriors  doesn't always cut it.

American author Koshoko Jackson, who is black and gay, felt obliged to withdraw his novel A Place For Wolves before it was published.

He was accused of using 'stereotypical' depictions of Muslim characters in his story about two African-American boys falling in love against the backdrop of the Kosovo War.

'He cannot possibly understand the pain of the ethnic groups at the heart of the conflict,' wrote one of his many critics who, presumably, had not even seen the manuscript.

The irony is that Jackson had been working as a sensitivity reader himself, positioning himself as an expert on being gay and black.

But that was not enough. As the New York publishing source put it: 'No one is safe. The parameters keep getting changed. Everyone is terrified. You can be black and gay and get cancelled for not being 'Muslim-sensitive'.

'We are going down a rabbit hole in America, and what happens here will happen in the UK too. It's only a matter of time.'
Last year must have been tough for Nicola Young. The 54-year-old town clerk of Whitchurch in Shropshire achieved a unique distinction: she became the first person to be successfully prosecuted under the 20-year-old Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.

Ms Youngs crime was to destroy audio recordings of a councillor speaking in a debate, which had been requested under the FoI Act.

Hers was a court case which, while significant in legal circles, was understandably missed by most people.

But, for me, there was something unsettling about the way the full force of the law came thundering down on Ms Young, forcing her to pay 2,000 in fines and legal costs.

Tricked: A careful study of the Bashir report raises new questions about how key material was lost (pictured, Martin Bashir interviewing Diana, in his bombshell 1995 interview)

Because while a lowly town clerk has been clobbered for covering up information, one of this countrys most powerful institutions  the BBC  still has serious questions to answer over its handling of incriminating evidence related to its biggest-ever scandal.

It is a story I know well, having researched it for many years. Indeed, I am one of a small number of reporters who helped to prise open Dianagate: the exposure of the jaw-dropping deception deployed by BBC reporter Martin Bashir to land his sensational 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

The tawdry details of this saga are by now familiar.

Bashir tricked Princess Diana into appearing on the BBCs flagship Panorama programme. He did so peddling a litany of outrageous lies and smears to the Princess, including encouraging Diana to believe the preposterous claim that Royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke had a secret holiday with Prince Charles and an abortion.

Convinced by Bashirs deception, Diana appeared on TV and carefully denounced Prince Charles as unfit to rule, setting in train one of the worst crises to hit the Royal Family.

In May of this year, more than 25 years after that sensational interview, Lord Dyson, a former Supreme Court judge, finally laid bare the astonishing depth of Bashirs activities in an excoriating report. He condemned the reporters deceitful behaviour and was also highly critical of Lord Hall, the former BBC Director General.

Lord Hall had headed an earlier internal inquiry into the Bashir affair after this newspaper exposed his activities on its front page in 1996, but Dyson concluded that the investigation had been woefully ineffective.

Dysons report also condemned the BBC for covering up what it knew about Bashirs conduct amid a growing media storm sparked by the MoS scoop.

Dysons report runs to 127 pages, with a further 78 pages of the original documents which underpin his findings. All are publicly available. But what has not been made public is the tortuous journey of these documents into the public domain.

A careful study of the report, and journalistic digging on my part, raises new questions about how key material was lost and even whether there were attempts to deliberately hide some of the most incriminating evidence at the heart of this scandal.

I have discovered that some of the most compelling documents, which led directly to Dysons damning findings, were not retained by the BBC and instead went missing for more than two decades. This must raise the possibility of a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth.

In May of this year, more than 25 years after that sensational interview, Lord Dyson, (pictured) a former Supreme Court judge, finally laid bare the astonishing depth of Bashirs activities in an excoriating 127-page report

Indeed it is only by extraordinary good luck  and meticulous record-keeping on behalf of some BBC staff after they left the Corporation  that a series of critical documents ever saw the light of day.

The key exhibit, the crown jewel of the Diana archive, is labelled Document 13 in an annex to Dysons report. In a trial, Document 13 would be the prosecutions devastating trump card  the smoking gun, presented with a theatrical flourish, as the jury gasp.

It comprises a six-page statement, handwritten in an A4 lined notebook. The writing, complete with frequent spelling mistakes and crossings-out, grows more crabbed and untidy as the story unfolds. But it is worth making the effort to follow the narrative.

The statement was compiled by Tim Gardam, then a 40-year-old executive in the BBC News department, on March 28, 1996  just over four months after the broadcast of the interview that shook the world.

Dyson was also highly critical of Lord Hall, the former BBC Director General, (pictured) who headed an earlier internal inquiry into the Bashir affair, but Dyson concluded that the investigation had been woefully ineffective

As head of weekly programmes for BBC News, Gardam was a high-flyer: a Cambridge double-first English scholar who was tipped as a future Director General.

He began looking into Bashirs behaviour before the press became involved because Panorama whistleblowers had raised concerns. In his statement he recorded how he made various attempts to establish why Bashir had commissioned a BBC graphic designer to forge two bank statements and what Bashir had done with the forgeries.

On at least three occasions, Bashir assured Gardam that the forgeries had not been shown to anyone.

By this time, the BBC was facing mounting questions from this newspaper over how Bashir had secured his scoop. Indeed, the MoS had told the BBC it believed the reporter had shown the fake documents to Earl Spencer in a bid to secure an interview with his sister.

On the evening of Saturday, March 23, 1996, hours before the BBC believed the MoS was about to break its story, Bashir cracked. In a phone call with Gardam, the reporter admitted he had shown the fakes to Earl Spencer. Bashir was, in effect, confessing to having repeatedly lied to his bosses.

Dyson ruled that the presentation of the forgeries was crucial in inducing Earl Spencer into arranging a meeting between the reporter and his sister. Hence, no forgeries, no Panorama interview.

Although restrained, Gardams 1996 statement highlights the significance of Bashirs confession.

I told Bashir that this overturned every assurance the BBC had been given and the BBC would have to consider its position, he wrote.

In his Zoom interview with Dyson, recorded on February 16 this year, Gardam was more explicit.

I remember absolutely crystal clear, because, you know, it was one of those moments when you just go cold and I know exactly where I was standing at the time. I was absolutely staggered that a BBC journalist [would] deceive someone, and then at the same time lie to his editors and managers.

Document 1: A six-page statement, handwritten and compiled by Tim Gardam, a former BBC news exec, reveals how Bashir admitted in a phone call he had shown the fakes to Earl Spencer and repeatedly lied to his bosses

Document 2: Rogue reporter's handwritten confession: Martin Bashir crucially admits showing the completed forged documents to Spencer in order to encourage the relationship

Document 3: This 1996 reprimand letter to Bashir, in which he was rebuked for forging the bank statements and then failing to tell Gardam that he had shown them to Earl Spencer, was 'probably' never sent

Document 4: This is the note, handwritten by Princess Diana herself on her monogrammed notepaper, at Kensington Palace, on Friday, December 22, 1995

Document 13 tells the reader all they really need to know about the Diana scandal. It is the sole item in the entire Diana dossier in which Bashir is unequivocally portrayed as a liar.

As Gardam was careful to put on record during his talk with Dyson, regarding the handwritten statement, he gave it to the office of Lord Hall, retaining a copy for himself.

But here is the extraordinary punchline, not revealed publicly before now. Document 13, the most crucial piece of evidence and the key to the entire affair, was not presented to Dyson by the BBC.

Gardam left the BBCs employment 25 years ago. A former close colleague claimed that Gardam was astonished to learn, during his encounter with Dyson, that the copy of the notes which he had preserved was the only one in existence, or at least the only one presented to the inquiry.

Had the BBC failed to present this vital piece of evidence? I put that question to Dyson himself. His solicitor replied: I am able to confirm that Mr Gardam provided his notes dated to the Investigation direct when responding to Dysons request for evidence. The notes were not provided to the Investigation by any other source.

So what happened to the document Gardam gave Lord Halls office and why was such crucial evidence not apparently archived by the BBC?

The fate of three other vital documents also raises important questions.

Document 12 is a second handwritten statement, five pages long and tidier than Gardams hurried scrawl, with paragraphs neatly numbered and both the time and date carefully noted: March 28, 1996, 11.30am.

The handwriting is that of Martin Bashir and is effectively a confession. Crucially, he admits showing the completed forged documents to Spencer in order to encourage the relationship. But in an apparent attempt to muddy the waters, he also falsely says Spencer earlier gave him a photocopy of a bank statement. Document 12 clearly contains material of vital interest to Dyson.

I asked the BBC whether they had presented a copy of it, amid the large bundle of other documents presented to Dysons solicitor. They had not. It is not known how it came into Dysons possession.

Meanwhile a third document Document 11 in Dysons report became, for a time last year, Britains most famous missing piece of paper.

This is the note, handwritten by Princess Diana herself, at Kensington Palace, on Friday, December 22, 1995.

It is written on Dianas personally monogrammed notepaper and states that Bashir did not show me any documents, nor give me any information that I was not previously aware of.

I have a special interest in this document. In 2007, I requested to see it, in an FoI application, but was told by the BBC that it did not hold any correspondence with the Princess about her interview.

Astonishingly, on November 10, 2020, 24 hours after the announcement of Dysons inquiry, the BBC announced that the note had now been located.

Dysons account of the notes 25- year history is intriguing, to say the least. He says, though does not explain the reasoning, that the mysterious story was provided to him on condition of confidentiality.

In essence, back in 1996 a member of BBC management told someone, who has never been identified, to guard the note with his life.

The individual took it home and, despite widespread coverage in the newspapers and TV, was apparently not aware of the hunt for the note until early November 2020.

So why did a BBC manager ensure that Princess Dianas note of exculpation was squirrelled away, off the premises, yet carefully guarded?

I have a suggestion. The danger of it being allowed to remain in the archive was the red flag it would present to future historians, who would understandably be desperate to know what exactly were these mysterious documents the Princess denied seeing.

It is also possible that, with an inquiry in prospect, the person holding the document decided they had held on to this hottest of potatoes for quite long enough.

It is difficult to think of a more important historical artefact than this handwritten note, by a senior member of the Royal Family and concerning the most significant interview the BBC has conducted in its 98-year history.

And there was a fourth key document which suspiciously failed to find its way into the BBCs archive.

On April 4, 1996, Tim Suter, managing editor of BBC weekly programmes, drafted a letter to Bashir in which he rebuked him for forging the bank statements and then failing to tell Gardam that he had shown them to Earl Spencer.

You should be in no doubt of the seriousness with which we view this, nor the reprimand that this letter represents, Suter wrote.

Dyson said it was probable this letter was never sent to Bashir. The letter states that no purpose is served by making this a matter of public record. However, Suter adds that the BBC might change its mind if future events require it.

It appears to be a cynical insurance policy: if the scandal was to deepen, the BBC would have documentary evidence that it had apparently taken steps to reprimand Bashir.

The BBC admitted to me that it did not have a copy of Suters letter until after the Dyson inquiry was announced last November. At that point it came into our possession, a spokesman said. There is no explanation of how or why.

It is impossible to know whether the BBCs failure to retain these four key documents was due to carelessness or part of a wider cover-up of Bashirs activities.

But at the very least, it raises some uncomfortable questions for former Director General Lord Hall, who has already been heavily criticised by Dyson.

It is curious that as a potentially explosive scandal was brewing, Gardams account of Bashirs activity was delivered in handwritten form.

You would perhaps expect such a document to be, at the very least, typewritten and carefully logged for future reference.

The publication of Lord Dysons report was perhaps the BBCs darkest day. It prompted a blistering attack from Prince William, who castigated the Corporation chiefs who looked the other way and failed to investigate Bashir properly. It is now, however, clear that it was only by Dysons own endeavours that he was able to see the full truth.

If he had simply relied on the Corporation for his information, this scandal could, once again, have evaded the full glare of public scrutiny.

A BBC spokeswoman said: The BBC commissioned Lord Dyson to conduct an investigation so that he could gain a full picture of what happened 25 years ago  including acquiring any additional materials people might possess.

In May the BBC published Lord Dysons report and accepted his conclusions in full.

Had Lord Dyson wanted to make any commentary about the BBCs archiving, he could of course have done so. All the documents you reference are now in the public domain, via the Dyson report.

She added: After the passage of a quarter of a century, it is simply not possible for todays BBC to know why certain specific documents were not archived.

What we can say is that we have conducted thorough searches of our archives and released the information we could, when we were able to.

Lord Hall said: Any questions about the storage and archiving of documents are best asked of the BBC. Please direct your questions to them.
A 'badly decomposed' body has been found at a derelict pub beside an east London police station.

Officers attended the former Simpson pub on Romford Road, Forest Gate, at around 3pm on Friday.

Tests will now be carried out on the remains with a post mortem set to take place on October 19.

The body, which was found during construction work at the site, is believed to have decayed significantly.

A Met Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police were called just after 1500hrs on Friday, 15 October, to the former Simpson pub on Romford Road, Forest Gate.

Officers attended the former Simpson pub on Romford Road, Forest Gate, at around 3pm on Friday

The body, which was found during construction work at the site, is believed to be badly decomposed

Pictures at the scene show a forensics tent outside the derelict pub, with officers attending and cordons in place

'The premises had been derelict for many years.

'A body was discovered during building work on the site.

'Tests will now be carried out and a post mortem will be held on Tuesday, 19 October to establish further information.'

Pictures at the scene show a forensics tent outside the derelict pub, with officers attending and cordons in place.

It is understood that the pub had been known as The Freemasons Arms before at reopened as Simpsons between the 1980s and 2000s.
Wearing his signature aviator sunglasses, President Joe Biden on Saturday paid tribute to fallen law enforcement officers and said being a cop is now 'harder than it's ever been'.

Biden spoke on the steps of the US Capitol at the 40th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to remember the 491 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 2020.

Biden underscored the heavy burden placed on law enforcement officers, and rebuked the 'defund the police' political movement popular within his own party, saying that those gathered before him would get 'more resources, not fewer, so you can do your job.'

'We expect everything of you and it's beyond the capacity of anyone to meet the total expectations,' Biden said. 'Being a cop today is one hell of a lot harder than it's ever been.'

Wearing his signature aviator sunglasses, President Joe Biden on Saturday paid tribute to fallen law enforcement officers at a ceremony in DC

Biden and First Lady Jill attended the 40th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to remember the 491 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 2020

Officers play bagpipes before President Joe Biden speaks at the ceremony, honoring fallen law enforcement officers at the 40th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

'I've been coming to this memorial for 40 years, missed a couple, and I've spoken to too many police memorials around the country, and it always amazes me how the public doesn't fully understand what we expect of our law enforcement officers,' Biden said.

Standing where a violent mob tried to block his own ascension to the presidency on January 6, Biden singled out the 150 officers who were injured in the attack and the five who have died since.

He declared 'because of you, democracy survived.'

'Nine months ago, your brothers and sisters thwarted an unconstitutional and fundamentally un-American attack on our nation's values and our votes. Because of you, democracy survived,' Biden said.

'Because of these men and women, we avoided a catastrophe, but their heroism came at a cost to you and your families.'

Hundreds of officers and their families sat on chairs assembled on the Capitols west front.

Standing where a violent mob tried to block his own ascension to the presidency on January 6, Biden singled out the 150 officers who were injured in the attack

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and FBI Director Christopher Wray stand during the U.S. National Anthem at the 40th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service

Biden underscored the heavy burden placed on law enforcement officers, and rebuked the 'defund the police' political movement popular within his own party

Police officers play bagpipes before President Joe Biden speaks at the ceremony

Some in the audience dabbed their eyes as the president drew connections with their loss and his own history of grief, including the deaths of his first wife and two children, comparing it to 'losing part of your soul.'

Biden played up his working-class roots, noting that he had many childhood friends who went on to become police officers, and said he had spoken at the event many times before.

But while Biden has throughout his political career sought to identify with the uniformed services, the organization that ran Saturdays event, the National Fraternal Order of Police, endorsed Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

Many rank-and-file police officers across the country also supported the former president.

Biden's efforts to pass a police overhaul bill after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis collapsed, with congressional negotiators announcing in September that talks had ended without an agreement.

Officers walk with the honor color guard before President Joe Biden speaks at the ceremony

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden during the 40th annual national peace officers memorial service on the west front of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden speak to two police officers as they are to place flowers on a wreath during a ceremony honoring fallen law enforcement officers

That was a setback for the Democratic president, who campaigned on the need for policing changes.

Additionally, his agenda on gun reform has also largely stalled and his initial pick to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms stepped aside in the face of staunch opposition.

More recently, Biden has expressed hope that he can still sign a comprehensive police overhaul bill into law, while exploring more executive actions to help hold police officers accountable for breaking the law.

At the ceremony, Biden expressed concerns for all officers in the line of duty and mentioned the three constable deputies shot in an ambush early Saturday while working at a Houston bar. One deputy was killed.
Princess Dianas brother has told a senior police commander that he is considering mounting private criminal prosecutions over the Martin Bashir scandal  a move that will send shockwaves through the BBC.

Earl Spencer was angered by Scotland Yards decision last month to drop its probe into events surrounding disgraced Corporation reporter Martin Bashirs 1995 Panorama interview with Diana.

Bashir showed Earl Spencer forged bank statements to gain access to the Princess and then tricked her by peddling a string of smears and lies, including that Prince Williams watch had been bugged to record her conversations.

William said the BBCs failures contributed to his mothers fear, paranoia and isolation and hastened his parents divorce.

Following a devastating report into the scandal by former Supreme Court Judge Lord Dyson, the Metropolitan Police considered whether to launch an investigation into a range of potential offences, including forgery, misconduct in public office and blackmail.

Princess Dianas brother Earl Charles Spencer has told a senior police commander that he is considering mounting private criminal prosecutions over the Martin Bashir scandal  a move that will send shockwaves through the BBC

On September 15, the Met said it had not identified evidence of activity that constituted a criminal offence and will therefore be taking no further action.

But in an email to Commander Alex Murray, the Mets lead officer for specialist crime, Earl Spencer criticised the decision as absurd and revealed he had received independent legal opinions from two senior lawyers that potential offences should be investigated.

Im afraid this is absurd, Earl Spencer wrote. Clearly forgery is in play here; as is the public office offence. Ive read the Crown Prosecution Service explanation of both crimes online, and there can be no doubt on either point.

Further, as you know, Ive been fortunate enough to receive the generous advice of two QCs whove each, independently, advised the same  and both of these are confident on the blackmail point, too.

Earl Spencer asked who at the Met he could take up the matter with, adding: Or do I have to go to the trouble and expense of mounting private prosecutions?

His comments will heap pressure on under-fire Met Commissioner Cressida Dick. It also means the BBC could face the hugely damaging prospect of the full details of Bashirs misconduct  and its cover-up of his actions  being interrogated in a public courtroom.

The Mail on Sunday revealed in 1996 that Bashir had faked private bank documents just weeks before his interview with Diana.

Martin Bashir showed Earl Spencer forged bank statements to gain access to Princess Diana for an interview broadcast in November 1995 (pictured)

The Mail on Sunday revealed in 1996 that Bashir had faked private bank documents just weeks before his interview with Diana

It took another 25 years for the BBC to publicly acknowledge its reporters deception. Lord Dysons report in May found that an internal inquiry into Bashir in 1996, led by Lord Hall, who was then head of news and current affairs and later became the Corporations Director General, had been woefully ineffective.

Lord Dyson also ruled that the Corporation had covered up what it knew about Bashirs activities.

The MoS understands Earl Spencer is particularly frustrated that the Met has dismissed his call to launch an investigation of possible misconduct in public office offences, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

To prove such an offence, the prosecution must have evidence to show that the suspect is a so-called public officer. However, UK courts have been reluctant to provide a detailed definition.

In a letter to Earl Spencer last month, Commander Murray said the Met had taken legal advice from senior prosecutors and senior treasury counsel.

For misconduct in a public office, there is extensive case law that has been examined which describes what may and may not be governmental business and again we have sought advice and do not consider that a criminal offence has taken place by employees of the BBC, he said.

Meanwhile, a journalist behind a bombshell Channel 4 documentary into the affair has uncovered new information that raises further serious questions for the BBC.

Andy Webb has discovered that the Corporation mislaid a raft of crucial documents about Bashirs deception.

Lord Dyson also ruled that the Corporation had covered up what it knew about Bashirs activities

Writing in this newspaper, Mr Webb reveals the BBC failed to retain a handwritten statement by senior executive Tim Gardam that was passed to the office of Lord Hall.

Mr Gardams statement revealed that Bashir had lied to his bosses when he claimed he had not shown the forged bank statements to anyone, including Earl Spencer.

This key document, which was central to Lord Dysons damning findings, appears to have been lost by the BBC and came to light only because Mr Gardam kept his own copy and submitted it to the former judges inquiry.

The Corporation also appears to have mislaid a statement from Bashir sent to Lord Halls office in 1996, in which the disgraced journalist admitted showing the forgeries to Earl Spencer.

The BBC was contacted for a comment last night.
The BBC came under fire last night after refusing to reveal details about its search for the bloodied clothes of a murdered schoolgirl that were lost by reporter Martin Bashir.

The Corporation rejected a request by this newspaper under Freedom of Information laws for documents from its internal inquiry into the disappearance of clothes worn by Karen Hadaway.

Karen and her friend Nicola Fellows, both aged nine, were murdered in Brighton in 1986 in what became known as the Babes In The Wood killings.

Karen Hadaway (left) and her friend Nicola Fellows, (right) both aged nine, were murdered in Brighton in 1986 in what became known as the Babes In The Wood killings

In 1991, Bashir persuaded Karens mother Michelle to hand over the clothes after promising to subject them to DNA tests  but they went missing and have never been returned.

The BBC launched an inquiry in 2004 to find the clothes but the MoS revealed last month that the Corporation failed to speak to Bashir directly.

Key journalists who worked alongside him, and the reporters agent, also said they were not contacted.

Director General Tim Davie said it was incorrect that BBC investigators did not contact individuals who might have known where the clothing was.

In 1991, Bashir persuaded Karens mother Michelle to hand over the clothes after promising to subject them to DNA tests  but they went missing and have never been returned

But the BBC has now rejected a request to release its files showing exactly what steps it took to find the clothes.

The information you requested is held for the purposes of art, journalism or literature, the BBC said.

The Act provides that the BBC is not obliged to disclose this type of information.

Karens mother Michelle described the decision as disgusting.

If they are not trying to hide something, this Freedom of Information request should be made available, she said.
The former King of Spain, Juan Carlos, is pleading Crown Immunity to evade explosive claims that he sent Spanish agents to Britain to harass and threaten a former lover.

As first revealed in The Mail on Sunday, Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, a wealthy businesswoman based in London and Shropshire, is taking the so-called 'King Emeritus' to the High Court, alleging he mounted an eight-year campaign of intimidation after their relationship broke down.

Court papers accuse Juan Carlos, 83, of using spies to place her under surveillance, to hack her phones and internet, mount a campaign of smears and issue death threats.

Representatives for Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Juan Carlos made no comment last night.

The former King of Spain, Juan Carlos, is pleading Crown Immunity to evade explosive claims that he sent Spanish agents to Britain to harass and threaten a former lover. Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, a wealthy businesswoman based in London and Shropshire, is taking the so-called 'King Emeritus' to the High Court, alleging he mounted an eight-year campaign of intimidation after their relationship broke down. (Above, Juan Carlos, then King, and Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein in Barcelona in 2006)

But The Mail on Sunday understands the former king, who abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, is trying to dismiss the case by claiming that as a former sovereign, he cannot be sued.

The allegations have caused a sensation in Spain, where Juan Carlos, who was groomed by the late fascist leader General Franco as his successor, faces accusations of financial corruption, which he denies. He lives in exile in Abu Dhabi.

There is concern in Britain that agents of a foreign  and supposedly friendly  power have allegedly been instructed to commit criminal acts in this country.

Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein's lawyer, Robin Rathmell at Kobre & Kim, has previously said: 'The fact that people from a foreign intelligence service flew to London unannounced in order to threaten a private citizen is astonishing and demands a serious investigation.'

According to the court papers, Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein has 'been subject to a continuing threat of physical harm, trespass and surveillance'.

Court papers accuse Juan Carlos, 83, of using spies to place Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein under surveillance, to hack her phones and internet, mount a campaign of smears and issue death threats. (She is pictured in Monaco in 2014, six months after Juan Carlos abdicated)

They add: '[Juan Carlos] has sought to disaffect her own children, has systematically sought the breakdown of many of the Claimant's close friendships and professional associations and has sought to destroy her reputation and livelihood by spreading defamatory remarks and by vilification in the media.'

Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, 57, claims she suffered a bizarre night-time attack at her 6 million Chyknell Hall estate in Shropshire, where extensive security was breached and nothing was taken but a hole was drilled in her bedroom window.

On an earlier occasion, she received an anonymous phone call threatening that she would die in a car crash in a French tunnel  'between Monaco and Nice'  in the same manner as the late Princess Diana.

The papers allege that Juan Carlos and a senior Spanish general organised mercenary soldiers to occupy her apartment in Monaco in 2012, while she was living there.

Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein had conducted a five-year romance with the married Juan Carlos, from 2004 to 2009, but the court papers suggest the relationship ended when it became clear that he was sleeping with other women.

The couple's affair became public knowledge in 2012 when, with the relationship already over, it emerged that the two had been on safari to Botswana with Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein's son.

The hunting trip scandalised Spain, especially as it was reported that the king had shot and killed an elephant.

Two years later, in June 2014, he stepped aside in favour of his son, Felipe VI, and took the unofficial title King Emeritus.

The court papers accuse the former King of attempting to pressure Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein into resuming the romantic relationship, into returning gifts and into remaining silent about his business dealings.

In 2014, say the papers, Juan Carlos 'stated that if the Claimant did not resume their relationship then there would be consequences. He also began to press, for the first time, for the return of financial and other gifts that he had made'.

The consequences, he told her, 'will not be good' if she failed to do what he wanted, the papers claim.

Twice divorced, Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein was formerly married to a German aristocrat.

In an earlier interview, she said: 'After eight years of abuse, which has also targeted my children, and given there is no end in sight, I reluctantly find myself with no other option but to pursue legal action.'
Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa posted a single selfie to ring in her 39th birthday weeks before she announced her divorce and months after quitting her post in the Cuomo administration after defending his scandals.

DeRosa - who was dubbed a 'mean girl' by Cuomo - confirmed her split from her husband earlier this week after a trying year in which she attempted to defend the ousted three-term governor from sexual harassment allegations.

Always by her boss' side, DeRosa's closeness to her 63-year-old boss was apparent in photos obtained by DailyMail.com that showed the couple seated in a booth at Manhattan's Knickerbocker Bar & Grill on September 8, 2016.

DeRosa rang in her birthday with a sexy selfie she posted to Twitter from Cape Cod captioned: 'Ok 39, let's do this' a month after resigning from her position as former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's secretary and a month before announcing her divorce from her husband of five years

Photos taken in September 2016 showed Cuomo, 63, getting cozy with his closest aide DeRosa while at dinner Knickerbocker Bar and Grill in lower Manhattan

Her marriage to Uber executive Matthew Wing has fallen apart just five years later.

But the estranged couple appear to have been living separate lives leading up to the announcement. Last month, DeRosa rang in her birthday with a sexy selfie posted from her sister's house in Cape Cod, sources told the New York Post.

She posted a series of photos with one captioned 'Ok 39, let's do this.'

The other photos from the coastal home show Cuomo's former secretary spending some presumably much-needed time with family, including her sister Jessica Davos and two nieces.

The images of her in the sunshine and of Cape Cod's calm waters and rocky shorelines show a lifestyle that appears to be a ways away from the scandal that surrounded the Cuomo administration.

DeRosa said she and Wing are planning to get a divorce, though they have yet to start the filing in New York state.

The news comes at the same time the couple put their $2.59million Brooklyn Heights home up for sale after living apart for a year following what she called an 'emotionally and mentally trying' two years.

DeRosa served as Secretary to the Governor of the State of New York - the most powerful appointed official in the state. She was by Cuomo's side at virtually all his daily press conferences on the Covid-19 pandemic that captured the nation's attention

Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo's former aide and fiercest defender Melissa DeRosa has confirmed her split from her Uber executive husband Matthew Wing (pictured together left and right) after five years of marriage as the pair's swanky NYC apartment hits the market for $2.59million

DeRosa 'has been staying at her sister's house in Cape Cod' since resigning from her position in August. A series of photos she posted from the coastal home show the former secretary spending some presumably much-needed time with family, including her sister Jessica Davos (left) and two nieces (right)

DeRosa has reportedly been looking to move back to Manhattan after a 'never ending summer' in Cape Cod and has her eye on the Greenwich Village neighborhood

Yet as the summer comes to an end DeRosa has reportedly been looking to move back to Manhattan and has her eye on New York's Greenwich Village after an eventful last few years.

The pair met in 2013 while working in Cuomo's communications office. She rose to become Cuomo's most trusted aide and was a fixture at his Emmy-winning daily Covid-19 press briefings.

But behind the scenes, she worked to to limit the damage of sexual harassment allegations by 11 women against the three-term governor, according to a report published by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

In efforts to diffuse another scandal, she later admitted Cuomo's administration had downplayed the number of nursing home Covid deaths.

Despite the photos of the pair cozied up at dinner and the intense pressures of scandal, DeRosa and her soon-to-be ex-husband are blaming Covid for the breakdown of their marriage, the Post reported.

'They simply grew apart, and they have been living apart for a year,' a friend told the Post.

'Their marriage broke down over time, and it was exacerbated during Covid, when they wound up in separate places.  Melissa spent time in Albany, and Matt works for Uber and spent some time in San Francisco,' the source added.

On August 8 - less than a week after James's damning report - DeRosa resigned from her $200,000-plus-a-year post as Cuomo's most powerful aide, saying 'the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying'.

A day later she made a hush-hush, dressed-down visit to the New York Governor's mansion in the hours between her resignation and his. Cuomo's office director Stephanie Benton picked DeRosa up from her parents' home and drove her to the mansion, where she stayed for four hours.

Sources said DeRosa quit because she realized the governor - who had previously steadfastly refused to resign - had no future in the job following the sex pest scandal. She was reportedly no longer willing to stand up for him in public.

'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of New York for the past 10 years,' DeRosa said in a statement.

'New Yorkers' resilience, strength and optimism through the most difficult times has inspired me every day... I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues,' she added.

Tellingly, DeRosa's statement did not make a single reference to Cuomo in her resignation statement.

Following their split the pair has put their three-bedroom, two-bathroom Brooklyn Heights duplex on the market for $2.59million

The couple purchased the Brooklyn Heights home for $2.2million shortly after marrying in 2016

'The Brooklyn house was often empty. But they remain friends,' a source said of the pair's Brooklyn home, which is now up for grabs

DeRosa and her husband reportedly did not spend any time in their Brooklyn duplex (pictured)

Despite the intense pressures of scandal, DeRosa and her soon-to-be ex-husband are blaming Covid for the breakdown of their marriage but said in a joint statement: 'Despite the fact that this chapter in our lives is ending, we are and always will be very close friends'

Cuomo resigned in New York City two weeks later and DeRosa, in her final act of loyalty, was seen leaving with Cuomo and his two daughters.

Months later DeRosa and Wing confirmed rumors of their divorce in a joint statement that read: 'Despite the fact that this chapter in our lives is ending, we are and always will be very close friends.'

Following their split the pair has put their three-bedroom, two-bathroom Brooklyn Heights duplex on the market for $2.59million, which they purchased for $2.2million shortly after marrying in 2016, the Post reported.

'The Brooklyn house was often empty. But they remain friends,' a source told the Post.

The couple began discussing divorce in the late spring after 'they decided that the marriage had run its course,' and they worked out an agreement over the summer. There are currently no online court records indicating a divorce filing in New York state, the Post reported.

In the meantime the couple is still living apart and DeRosa appears to be spending lots of time with family while cooped up at her sister's Cape Cod home. It's unclear where Wing has been living or if he is still in California.

Yet the couple has been sure to lawyer up. DeRosa is being represented by famed lawyer Robert S Cohen - who has represented Melinda Gates - and Wing is being represented by lawyer Sheila Riesel - who has appeared before the US Supreme Court three times, the Post reported.

DailyMail.com spotted a dressed down Melissa DeRosa visiting the Governor's mansion less than 24 hours after she quit as Cuomo's top aide

A day after DeRosa's resignation Cuomo was joined by two of his daughters Michaela, 23, and Mariah, 26 (center), and DeRosa (far left)

The news of the divorce comes after DeRosa's former boss resigned from office in August following revelations about his alleged sexual harassment and criticism about the way he insisted - in the early months of the pandemic - that Covid-positive nursing home residents must be allowed to return to the homes once they had recovered.

DeRosa admits to covering up Cuomo's darkest Covid secrets In a remarkable confession made during a conference call with New York state Democrats, DeRosa admitted that the Cuomo administration his damning information about deaths among nursing home patients, amid fears that it would be used against them in an investigation. DeRosa revealed that officials 'froze' in August when former President Donald Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ) asked for the data, before rebuffing the request. Cuomo's top aide told lawmakers: 'We were in a position where we weren't sure if what we were going to give to the Department of Justice, or what we give to you guys, what we start saying, was going to be used against us while we weren't sure if there was going to be an investigation.' The data remained secret for months until January, when New York Attorney General Letitia James's office published a bombshell report saying that the state had undercounted the number of nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent. It forced New York States Department of Health to reveal that the true death toll among nursing home residents was 12,743, rather than the previously acknowledged 8,711. New York had only counted residents who died in nursing homes, leaving out 4,000 residents who were taken to hospital and died there. DeRosa's shocking admission came shortly before the Associated Press revealed that more than 9,000 patients were sent back to nursing homes - a figure 40 percent higher than official data. Neither Cuomo nor his office have issued a statement acknowledging DeRosa's bombshell admission, despite calls from local lawmakers for a public apology. Advertisement

DeRosa quit less than a week after New York Attorney General Letitia James  like Cuomo, a Democrat  issued a damning 168-page report detailing the governor's abusive behavior, involving 11 women.

Cuomo has strongly denied that he ever touched anyone inappropriately but he acknowledged hugging and kissing female aides and other women and has painted James's report as politically motivated.

James is likely to run for governor in 2022.

Meanwhile, DeRosa was uniquely unpopular among Cuomo's close aides. 'The only person with more enemies than Andy is Melissa,' one source close to the governor told the New York Post.

Another said: 'She is a ruthless, heartless, evil human being who will rip your heart out in order to get what she wants.'

Earlier this year, when DailyMail.com published exclusive pictures of Cuomo and DeRosa getting cozy as they dined at the Knickerbocker Bar and Grill in Manhattan, Cuomo was still living with his then-girlfriend and celebrity chef Sandra Lee.

They showed him leaning in close to DeRosa after a third member of their party had left.

'When they sat back down again, it was different body language,' said one witness, describing the time after the third diner had left.

'Before, it was a very formal business dinner and then all of a sudden they got much closer, she turned toward him and her legs were very close to his under the table.

'He was quite brazen about it. It was all in public view in a restaurant,' a second witness said.

At the time DeRosa angrily denied she had anything more than a professional relationship with Cuomo.

'There have been misogynistic rumors in Albany and in government for years but I never thought I'd have to respond to them in the press,' she said in a statement.

'The Governor and I have never had an intimate relationship. The Governor and I have been close friends and colleagues for over ten years - we've had countless meals together and suggestions or innuendo around that is inappropriate, offensive and wrong.'

DeRosa was seen with Cuomo last May (pictured). She reportedly felt he had no path to remain in office after New York General Attorney Letitia James's damaging report concluded he sexually harassed 11 women

'She'll rip your heart out': How DeRosa worked to limit allegations by Cuomo's sexual assault accusers New York General Attorney Letitia James published a bombshell report in August detailing how DeRosa worked to discredit several of the women who accused the former governor of sexual assault. DeRosa (pictured), the secretary to the governor, fiercely defended Cuomo as 11 women accused the former governor of sexual harassment The document concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women and DeRosa immediately felt the heat from the report as she became a target of criticism. Former colleagues ripped her as a 'ruthless, heartless, evil human being'. In the spring, before James published the 168-page document, DeRosa played a key role in limiting the damage of the sexual assault allegations. James revealed that she and other top aides dragged their feet when Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old health policy adviser, reported Cuomo's deeply uncomfortable probing of her sexual history and previous abuse. Instead they should immediately, under state law, have passed Bennett's complaints to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations. After Bennett came forward with her allegations, the Executive Chamber instituted 'changes in staffing' so that 'they would avoid situations where the Governor might be seen as being in a compromising situation with any woman'. The former Executive Chamber said of DeRosa: 'She doesn't have time for niceties (and) will rip your heart out in order to get what she wants.' DeRosa was reportedly furious with Cuomo for his behavior towards Bennett. While at a traffic light DeRosa berated her boss, saying: 'I can't believe that this happened. I can't believe you put yourself in a situation where you would be having any version of this conversation,' before getting out of the stopped car. Charlotte Bennett (left), a 25-year-old health policy adviser, reported Cuomo's deeply uncomfortable probing of her sexual history and previous abuse but DeRosa and her team dragged their feet instead of immediately passing Bennett's complaints to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations In 2020 Lindsey Boylan, a former state economic development official, began tweeting allusion to harassment. Yet she would not make a full, public allegation until March of this year, which is when DeRosa released Boylan's personnel record to certain media outlets. DeRosa even admitted that she made the move to discredit Boylan when speaking to James's team, and said that she made the decision because Boylan's tweets about the governor - including that he was 'one of the biggest abusers of all time' - became 'more and more escalating,' the report stated. Former aide Josh Vlasto told the investigators that if DeRosa decided to leak the files it was 'safe to say' the move 'was consistent with what the Governor wanted or had been discussed with him and he approved it'. A current aide - who has since accused Cuomo of groping her - told James's team she saw DeRosa's efforts to discredit Boylan for herself. The report said DeRosa called the former official 'crazy' and accused her of having a political agenda. DeRosa also played a part in circulating a proposed op-ed, originally drafted by Cuomo, that contained 'personal and professional attacks' on Boylan, and later sharing it with current and former Executive Chamber employees. Lindsey Boylan (pictured) said Cuomo made inappropriate comments towards her and physically touched her on various parts of her body and a current aide confirmed to James's team that DeRosa worked to discredit Boylan 'The draft letter or op-ed attacking Ms Boylan - particularly when combined with the release of the confidential internal records to the press - constitutes retaliation,' the investigators wrote. Another former employee was asked by DeRosa to call a current staff member - known as 'Kaitlin', who also accused Cuomo of harassment - and record the call, asking if she was working with Boylan or if she 'had her own allegations against the Governor or was talking to reporters'. And when a state trooper made allegations against Cuomo, DeRosa - who served as Cuomo's Chairwoman of the New York State Council on Women & Girls - tried to bury them and convince a newspaper editor not to publish them. When a reporter from The Albany Times-Union called requesting comment on the state trooper's allegations, DeRosa yelled at the newspaper's editor shouting: 'You guys are trying to reduce her hiring to being about looks. That's what men do.' Advertisement
A nearly billion dollar NASA spacecraft named Lucy officially launched on Saturday morning, in what is the beginning of a 12-year journey to explore eight different asteroids.

The spaceship will be the first to tour the so-called Trojan asteroids that orbit Jupiter and are 'time capsules from the birth of our Solar System,' according to NASA scientists from the Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

NASA says the Lucy space mission will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system, giving insight into planetary evolution.

Lucy launched into orbit on Saturday at 5:34 am on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The $981 million mission spaceship also carries a plaque that includes quotes from the likes of Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein and the Beatles.

Lucy, pictured, launched into orbit on Saturday at 5:34 am on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida

The $981 million mission spaceship also carries a plaque that includes quotes from the likes of Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein and the Beatles

Lucy will be the first to tour the so-called Trojan asteroids that orbit Jupiter and are 'time capsules from birth of our Solar System

As it happens, the mission takes its name from the fossilized human ancestor, named 'Lucy' by her discovers, whose skeleton provided unique insights into our evolution, as well as the song 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' by aforementioned The Beatles.

In a prerecorded video for NASA, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr paid tribute to his late bandmate John Lennon, who wrote the song that helped inspire the ship's name.

'I'm so excited  Lucy is going back in the sky with diamonds. Johnny will love that,' Starr said.

'Anyway, if you meet anyone up there, Lucy, give them peace and love from me.'

On Thursday, Lucy, along with the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, was rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41.

To make it work, NASA had to convert the booster, removing two solid rocket motors and replacing features designed to work with a crew capsule.

'I think overall it ended up in a situation that worked out really well,' ULA Chief Operating Officer John Elbon said of the change.

Thanks to the NASA team, Lucy was able to launch on Saturday morning as scheduled.

Now that it has launched, Lucy will fly around the Earth twice to adjust its trajectory and get it on its way to the outer parts of the solar system.

Its first asteroid visit will be in April 2025, when it will take a look at a main-belt asteroid called DonaldJohanson, named after the paleoanthropologist behind the fossil Lucy discovery, Donald Johanson.

NASA says Lucy mission will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system, giving insight into planetary evolution

On Thursday, Lucy, along with the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, was rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41

The Lucy spacecraft has solar panels on each side to help power its instruments and is 51.8 feet wide and over 46 feet from tip to tip

EIGHT ASTEROIDS TO BE VISITED BY LUCY Lucy will visit eight asteroids during its 12 year mission, starting with one in the main asteroid belt beyond Mars. This is known as Donaldjohanson and will be visited in April 2025. Seven Trojan asteroids are named after characters from Greek mythology. They are Eurybates, Queta, Polymele, Leucus, Orus, Patroclus and Menoetius. Most of the mission's visits will occur in 2027 and 2028; its final planned flyby will take place in March 2033. Advertisement

Johanson said he had goose bumps watching Lucy take flight 'I will never look at Jupiter the same ... absolutely mind-expanding.' He said he was filled with wonder about this 'intersection of our past, our present and our future.'

'That a human ancestor who lived so long ago stimulated a mission which promises to add valuable information about the formation of our solar system is incredibly exciting,' said Johanson, of Arizona State University, who traveled to Cape Canaveral for his first rocket launch according to AOL.

Meanwhile the first Trojan asteroid flyby will not happen for another two years, when Lucy gets closer to Jupiter in August 2027.

The vast majority of the asteroid visits will happen in 2027 and 2028, with a final asteroid flyby scheduled to happen in March 2033.

As well as viewing some of the oldest rocks in the solar system, Lucy's path will cross the Earth three times, as it uses our planet's gravity to aid in its positioning.

This move will make it the first ever spacecraft to return to Earth from the outer solar system, as all others are either still going - in the case of the Viking probes - or burnt up in the atmosphere of a gas giant, as was the case with Cassini and Saturn.

The Lucy mission probe is 51.8ft wide and 46ft from top to bottom, and comes equipped with solar panels on each side that help power its instruments.

These instruments include a color visible imager, a thermal emission spectrometer, and a infrared imaging spectrometer.

There are currently over 4,800 known Trojan asteroids, with 65 percent of them are in the L4 group, while the other 35 percent are in the L5 group

The Trojan asteroids are known as the 'fossils' of the early solar system because they are comprised of ancient material that was around when the planets formed

The Trojan asteroids orbit the sun in two massive swaths - the one in front of Jupiter (L4) and one that is behind it, known as L5

NASA's Lucy mission to the Trojan asteroids that orbit Jupiter will bring a plaque that will act as a 'time-capsule,' including quotes from Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein, The Beatles and more

The thermal emission spectrometer, known as L'TES, measures the surface temperature of the Trojan asteroids by observing the thermal infrared spectrum, helping to understand the physical properties of the surface material.

Lucy Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (L'LORRI), is a high resolution visible camera that will provide the most detailed images of the surface of the asteroids.

Then there is L'Ralph, the final of the three instruments, which will reveal the absorption lines that serve as the fingerprints for different silicates, ices and organics that may be on the surface of the Trojan asteroids.

L'Ralph also has a visible imaging camera that will take color pictures of the asteroids to help scientists determine what they are made of.

'This team has put in so much work to build a spacecraft that is truly a work of art,' said Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, the Lucy project manager, adding 'it's been powered on, the team is monitoring it and we are ready to launch.'
Gas could be diverted from factories to heat homes and hospitals if there is a severe shortage this winter, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Government officials and energy industry bosses are examining the contingency plans as gas prices soar.

Britain relies on constant supplies of gas and has only enough storage capacity to meet demand for four or five winter days.

Factories have been asked for their energy usage and contact details by suppliers and officials in case an emergency gas balancing notification is issued.

Such an alert, formerly called a gas deficit warning, has not been issued since the Beast from the East swept freezing conditions across Britain in 2018.

Government officials and energy industry bosses are examining the contingency plans as gas prices soar

It is understood the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is working with National Grid and gas network operators to scrutinise Britains gas demands.

Gas prices have spiked as imports from Russia to Europe have fallen sharply, sending several energy suppliers out of business and putting Britains lack of gas storage under the spotlight.

If the gas balancing alert is issued by National Grid, it would trigger three key responses.

First, the amount of gas in the system would be boosted.

Second, large commercial consumers of gas such as steelworks could be instructed to stop using the gas system.

Third, the Government and suppliers could appeal to the public to reduce or stop their gas consumption, or even shut down sections of the network. That would effectively cut off small businesses and homes.

Industry sources said Government officials had reassured them they are confident there will be no interruption to supplies this winter.

Britains biggest energy users include steel, chemical and ceramics factories.

Boris Johnson is expected to sign off on hundreds of millions of pounds of State-backed loans for energy intensive businesses, such as steel and glass factories struggling to meet soaring energy costs

Boris Johnson is expected to sign off on hundreds of millions of pounds of State-backed loans for energy intensive businesses, such as steel and glass factories struggling to meet soaring energy costs.

National Grid also issues margin notices to network operators if demand is greater than supply for the following day.

A National Grid spokeswoman said: We have a range of tools available to manage any operational requirements through the winter.

This may include issuing margin notices to encourage market participants to take action should there be a forecast supply/demand imbalance for the coming gas day.
The cost of a family summer holiday could soar by up to 100 next year due to Heathrow airport's 'outrageous' price hikes, former British Airways boss Willie Walsh warned last night.

Heathrow, which is owned by a consortium of billionaire investors, wants to increase the charges airlines pay to use the airport by more than 90 per cent from January  from 19.36 to 37.63.

Airlines add these charges to ticket prices, meaning a family of five could pay almost 100 more for flights from Heathrow if the proposal gets the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority regulator in the coming days.

Mr Walsh accused Heathrow of acting like a 'greedy monopoly' and said its wealthy shareholders must 'step up' to provide investment after years of generous dividend payouts.

The cost of a family summer holiday could soar by up to 100 next year due to Heathrow airport's 'outrageous' price hikes, former British Airways boss Willie Walsh (pictured) warned last night

Heathrow, which is owned by a consortium of billionaire investors, wants to increase the charges airlines pay to use the airport by more than 90 per cent from January  from 19.36 to 37.63

The Irishman, who now runs the International Air Transport Association trade body, has joined BA and Virgin Atlantic in lobbying the regulator to block the price hikes.

Mr Walsh said: 'Heathrow must understand that gouging its customers is not the road to recovery for itself, the airlines, travel and tourism jobs, or travellers.

'I have sympathy for some airports, but looking for a 90 per cent increase, I just find that outrageous. There is simply no justification for that, and the only reason they are doing that is because they believe they can.

'Instead, it's time for Heathrow's shareholders to invest. The recovery of the UK's travel and tourism industry impacts millions of jobs. They cannot be held hostage to the intransigence of what is effectively a greedy monopoly hub airport.'

Heathrow's seven billionaire owners include the sovereign wealth funds of Qatar, Singapore and China.

It has paid out about 4 billion in dividends since 2012 and has said it could restart payouts next year, after pausing them over the pandemic, if its debts come under control.

Airlines add these charges to ticket prices, meaning a family of five could pay almost 100 more for flights from Heathrow if the proposal gets the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority regulator in the coming days. (File image)

Heathrow bases its charges on the numbers using the airport. It expects around 40 million passengers next year, compared to 80 million before the pandemic, and said this means each passenger must pay more to cover the shortfall.

Company documents show Heathrow could raise 1.6 billion from airport charges next year, to offset Covid losses of 2.9 billion.

A Heathrow spokesman said: 'We've proposed a balanced increase of 4 per cent to the average airfare, which will allow us to continue targeted investment in the airport's resilience and to maintain basic service standards.'

But Mr Walsh said: 'I am critical of any airport who believes they have the right to significantly increase charges at this time to recover money they didn't get because of coronavirus.

'You can imagine if an airline tried to say 'you owe us money because you didn't fly with us in 2020'  they'd be laughed out of court.'

BA chief executive Sean Doyle and Virgin Atlantic executives are in talks with the CAA about Heathrow's proposals.

They say passengers travelling from Heathrow pay the highest charges in the world and the planned 90 per cent increase outstrips proposed hikes of between 2 and 9 per cent at airports such as Paris and Frankfurt.

Luis Gallego, chief executive of BA owner IAG, said: 'Doubling charges at Heathrow, which is already the world's most expensive hub airport, will thwart our industry's ability to support the recovery of UK businesses.'

Corneel Koster, chief operating officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: 'Heathrow is prioritising its shareholders at the expense of airlines and consumers. Just as UK airlines have raised significant funds from shareholders to weather the pandemic, it's only right that Heathrow turns to its owners first.'

We're all sick to death of Zoom... we'd much rather zoom off to meet people face-to-face: WILLIE WALSH says Boris Johnson must help the airline industry by ending the testing rip-off

By WILLIE WALSH, Director General of the International Air Transport Association

The travel restrictions caused by the pandemic have had a catastrophic impact on our ability to connect with families, friends, or for business.

Globally, air travel collapsed more than 90 per cent at the height of the crisis, and the UK was one of the worst-hit countries.

As an island, the UK depends on air transport to connect to the world. When the borders were closed, and expensive testing and quarantine requirements were put in place, everyone in the UK suffered  jobs and businesses in the economy, but also the mental health and wellbeing of millions of people who were denied the chance to visit family and friends abroad, or who were just desperate for a holiday in the sun.

In the circumstances, we were all forced to rely on digital substitutes: Zoom, Skype, Teams, FaceTime and so on. We had no choice but to use these options because real face- to-face contact was impossible.

The travel restrictions caused by the pandemic have had a catastrophic impact on our ability to connect with families, friends, or for business. Globally, air travel collapsed more than 90 per cent at the height of the crisis, and the UK was one of the worst-hit countries

So I suppose we should be grateful that the technology exists to at least give us a certain level of interaction during this terrible pandemic.

But I am sure I am not the only person who, nearly two years into this crisis, has had enough of virtual meetings. Spare us from another Zoom family quiz!

And as a business tool, we're all fed up with the same problems that occur time and again. People stuck in the 'waiting room' because someone forgot to let them in. Squinting at a tiny presentation on a screen. Yelling at the guy who always forgets to take himself off mute.

We've all probably got to the point where we cheer when the connection goes down.

The collapse in travel has tested to destruction the prophecies of many so-called 'futurologists' that such technologies would render travel obsolete.

When I was running British Airways, I was always being told that soon a lot of flying would be killed off by video calls. I think our experience of virtual meetings over the last two years has shown us the opposite: that there is no substitute for a real meeting.

I attended a conference in Dublin last Tuesday, the first international conference held in Ireland since the start of the pandemic. Eight hundred people were there.

In the circumstances, we were all forced to rely on digital substitutes: Zoom, Skype, Teams, FaceTime and so on. We had no choice but to use these options because real face-to-face contact was impossible. (File image)

These were people who had been doing business over Zoom and Teams, and they couldn't wait to get back to meeting face to face. We had 600 people at the IATA annual meeting in Boston earlier this month  and there was the same attitude.

The value of face-to-face interaction is far superior to anything technology allows us to do. Gathering together, hugging a loved one, shaking the hand of a colleague or a client  these things cannot, and will never, be matched by ones and zeros floating down a fibre-optic cable.

As we emerge from the worst of Covid-19, our society faces numerous challenges. But there's one thing I am sure of: people will still want to travel. Expats will still want to visit home.

Holidaymakers will still want to explore abroad. Conference delegates will still want to network. Deal-makers will still want to read the body language of their opposite numbers.

We've got proof of this. Every time a country is taken off the UK red list, bookings to that country spike. The latest example is the United States.

At last, the White House has given the go ahead for vaccinated travellers to visit from November 8. It's great news. Bookings from Europe to the US jumped 250 per cent when the opening was just hinted at last month.

Given a chance, travel  and much-needed jobs  will bounce back. But it will need help.

Between February and August, the PCR test positivity rate of arriving passengers to the UK was one per cent, and the positivity rate from testing the general population was seven per cent. So we can confidently say travel is not increasing the UK's Covid-19 risk. The Government shut down air travel  now we're going to need Government support to ensure Britain flies higher in the future

The UK used to be the world's number three aviation market. Only the US and China carried more passengers. And that traffic supported over one million jobs. That is a testament not only to the adventurous British public, but also to the professionalism and excellence of the UK aviation sector.

Successive UK governments have consistently taken this success for granted. They've treated airlines as a cash cow, raising billions in air taxes.

They've allowed the country's principal air gateway, Heathrow, to gouge its customers, providing massive returns to its shareholders while making it the most expensive airport in the world to do business.

But the pandemic has shown that this complacent attitude towards one of Britain's few undoubted business success stories cannot continue.

Key EU competitors have overtaken Britain in many respects, whether in the size of their airlines, the number of routes served, the flexible response to the pandemic, or their competitive cost base. The British people and the British economy are set to pay a price for this Government neglect.

It is not too late. The UK still has a strong base to rebuild. But it will need the Government and Civil Service to take aviation seriously as a strategic asset for Britain.

Consider the environment. Airlines recently committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, giving the opportunity of green flights for all. But to achieve that, we need much more sustainable aviation fuel to be made.

The Biden administration is incentivising the production of at least 11 billion litres of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. This is leadership. It comes in stark contrast to the EU ReFuel initiative, which imposes mandates but provides no incentives to achieve them.

And we need the aircraft manufacturers to develop clean electric and hydrogen planes. The Government can help to encourage that investment. Diverting, say, 1 billion of air passenger duty would be a big help.

Government can also get serious in making Heathrow's shareholders share the pain the rest of us have felt in the pandemic.

They are looking to make back the money they lost in the past couple of years, not by reducing their dividends or making efficiency savings, but by increasing landing fees by 90 per cent. That means a typical family travelling through Heathrow could be paying some 100 more. Only a monopoly could behave like this.

Most urgently of all, the Government has to get a grip on the pandemic restrictions. Getting rid of PCR tests for vaccinated travellers this month will be a welcome step. Simplifying the ridiculous traffic-light system and reducing the number of red list countries is also good news.

But the same mistakes that led to the UK having the most expensive PCR tests in the world are being repeated with the move to antigen tests. You can pick these up in Europe for 5 on the high street.

But in the UK, the state-sponsored rip-off will continue, with tests costing 35, available only from a closed shop of providers. It's not good enough.

Between February and August, the PCR test positivity rate of arriving passengers to the UK was one per cent, and the positivity rate from testing the general population was seven per cent. So we can confidently say travel is not increasing the UK's Covid-19 risk.

We're all sick of Zoom. We'd much rather zoom off to visit people in person. But getting back those jobs, those air routes and those opportunities won't happen by magic.

The Government shut down air travel  now we're going to need Government support to ensure Britain flies higher in the future.
A Roman Catholic priest has accused police of preventing him from giving Conservative MP Sir David Amess his last rites as he lay dying in his Essex constituency.

Father Jeffrey Woolnough arrived at the police cordon stretching across tree-lined Eastwood Road North in Leigh-on-Sea, offering to administer the last rites to the devout Catholic, 69, on Friday afternoon after he was allegedly stabbed multiple times by a suspected terrorist.

But he told the Mail: 'The officers said that because it was a crime scene, and also the nature of the scene, it just wasn't possible.'

A spokesman for Essex Police, which responded to reports of the initial incident before Scotland Yard launched an investigation, told MailOnline that a cordon was put in place 'to secure and prevent contamination of the area'.

'As with any police incident, it is of the utmost importance that we preserve the integrity of a crime scene and allow emergency services to tend to those in need,' the force said in a statement.

'A cordon is put in place to secure and prevent contamination of the area. Access into a scene is at the discretion of the investigating officers. This is a fundamental part of any investigation to ensure the best possible chance of securing justice for any victim and their family.

'A cordon can also be used to restrict an area for emergency services to administer potentially life-saving medical treatment in as much privacy as possible and to allow officers to confirm that an area is safe to enter.'

At a service at Saint Peter's Church in Eastwood Lane on Friday evening, Father Woolnough called Sir David 'Mr Southend' and described the MP as a 'fine gentleman and a knight of the realm' who was much loved by all members of the community.

Father Jeffrey Woolnough (right) has accused police of preventing him from giving Conservative MP Sir David Amess (left) his last rites as he lay dying in his Essex constituency

People attend a Catholic mass conducted by Father Jeff Woolnough at St Peter's church in Eastwood, Essex, following the death of Conservative MP Sir David Amess who was stabbed multiple times at a meeting with constituents in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

People during a candlelight vigil at Belfairs Recreation Ground near to Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Make Southend a city: Calls for Essex resort's status to be upgraded in honour of murdered MP David Amess after his decades-long campaign MPs are calling for Southend-on-Sea to be given city status in honour of a 21-year campaign by Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was killed in a suspected terror attack on Friday. Since the year 2000, Sir David had relentlessly pushed for the Essex resort to be upgraded - most recently arguing that it would help attract some much-needed investment post-Brexit and Covid. Now following his tragic death, colleagues from both sides of the aisle are demanding his wish be granted, arguing it would be a 'fitting memorial' for the 69 year old. It comes as The Queen is set to designate new cities in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee next year, and local authorities have been putting forward their towns for city status since June. Conservative MP for Kingswood Chris Skidmore said: 'David would badger me constantly about making Southend a city. 'Not only did we exchange many letters, had meetings, every time I saw him in the tea room or passed him in the corridor he would shout out 'don't forget to make Southend a City'. No opportunity was ever missed. 'He told me once that it was his one great ambition left in Parliament that he would one day see Southend become a city. 'It became a running joke every time he raised it, but he was passionately serious about making it happen.' Advertisement

The church fell silent as Father Woolnaugh paid tribute to the Conservative MP and invited his constituents to remember him. He placed a photograph of Sir David at the front of the church, and said: 'This liturgy is one I was not expecting to lead today.

'The whole world grieves. In this Mass we pray for the repose of the soul of dear David.

'Have you ever known Sir David Amess without that happy smile on his face? Because the greeting he would always give you was that happy smile.

'He carried that great east London spirit of having no fear and being able to talk to people and the level they're at. Not all politicians, I would say, are good at that.'

Around 80 people attended the service and listened as Father Woolnough recounted his own memories of Sir David.

He said: 'When you can speak to your MP and you can talk and get on like a house on fire, that's when you can talk to them later about things that are important to your area.

'What can we say? He died doing the thing he loved, meeting his constituents, his local people.'

Father Woolnough added that his constituents could 'count on' Sir David, and said: 'He was always available. We don't have the words tonight. Dear Sir David, rest well.'

It comes as Sir David's suspected killer was named for the first time as police were granted more time to question him.

Ali Harbi Ali, named by sources, allegedly stabbed Sir David to death in Belfairs Methodist Church as the backbencher for Southend West met with constituents. The Metropolitan Police have not named the suspect and are not confirming the suspect's name.

Police have previously said they are treating the attack as an act of terror, and Scotland Yard said in an earlier statement that they were investigating the possibility of links to Islamist extremism.

The Metropolitan Police arrested a 25-year-old on suspicion of murder on Friday and counter-terrorism officers have raided three properties in London. It was previously reported that Sir David's alleged killer had lived in the constituency after his family fled war-torn Somalia in the 1990s.

Scotland Yard announced that detectives have been granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court which allows them to hold a man on suspicion of the murder of Sir David until next Friday, October 22.

In a statement, the force said: 'Late on Friday, whilst in police custody, the man was subsequently further detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and he is now being held at a London police station.

'On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until October 22, when the warrant expires.

'As part of the fast-paced investigation, officers have attended three addresses in the London area and conducted searches. One of these searches has concluded and the others are ongoing. A post-mortem examination has taken place today.'

The Met Police confirmed that the killing of Southend West Sir David Amess (pictured) is being treated as a terror incident 'with links to Islamist extremism' as a British man with Somali heritage remains in police custody on suspicion of murder

People during a candlelight vigil at Belfairs Recreation Ground near to Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer, Priti Patel and Sir Lyndsay Hoyle arrive to the scene of Sir David Amess's killing in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex to pay tribute

'Free run' for the Tories: Labour and Lib Dems both WON'T stand a candidate in Southend West by-election after Conservative MP Sir David Amess was murdered, say party sources Labour and the Liberal Democrats will not stand candidates in the upcoming Southend West by-election after the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess by a suspected terrorist as the veteran politician met with his Essex constituents, it has been claimed. Sir David died after he was allegedly stabbed multiple times in Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea yesterday afternoon by a British national thought to be of Somali heritage. Police are treating the incident as an act of terror and Scotland Yard said in a statement overnight that its initial inquiries 'revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism'. Labour is set to follow the principle established after Jo Cox's murder in 2016, when the major parties declined to select candidates in the subsequent Batley and Spen by-election. As a result, it is understood Labour will not contest the by-election to find a successor to Sir David. The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed they will not fight for the seat when a date is set. Party sources told the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges that Labour will not be fielding candidates in the by-election in Sir David's constituency. One senior Labour figure told Sky News' Jon Craig that Opposition parties should give Tories 'a free run' in the ballot. Advertisement

Hundreds of well-wishers including the 69-year-old MP's constituents, Muslim leaders from Southend's mosques, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and MPs across the political spectrum have joined in an outpouring of grief following the death of Sir David, a devout Catholic and prominent supporter of Brexit who was first elected to Parliament in 1983.

It is understood that Labour and the Liberal Democrats will not stand candidates in the upcoming Southend West by-election after the killing of Sir David.

Labour is set to follow the principle established after Jo Cox's murder in 2016, when the major parties declined to select candidates in the subsequent Batley and Spen by-election.

As a result, it is understood Labour will not contest the by-election to find a successor to Sir David. The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed they will not fight for the seat when a date is set.

Party sources told the Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges that Labour will not be fielding candidates in the by-election in Sir David's constituency, while one senior Labour figure told Sky News' Jon Craig that Opposition parties should give Tories 'a free run' in the ballot.

And Lord Pendry, a Labour former minister, called for all major opposition parties to stand aside in the by-election out of respect for Sir David. He said: 'This is an occasion when you see the leader of the Opposition (Sir Keir Starmer) and the Prime Minister together, and it shows that our democracy transcends all that sort of thing.

'I think we should be saying that whoever the Conservatives put up, it is their seat because they were deprived of it, so they should have it back. I think all the major parties should stand aside in the interest of democracy and our own democratic way of life.'

As Sir David's wife and children grieve privately at home, the MP's extended family including cousins and second cousins left a note celebrating 'a great man and member of our family'.

Outside the scene of the attack, constituents recalled the work the 'absolutely wonderful' MP did in his community during his almost 40-year career. Moira and Pat, cousins of Sir David, wrote: 'Thinking of your lovely family. Can't believe this has actually happened. Will always love you.'

Meanwhile, two vigils have been held. Constituents last night went to St Peters Church in Leigh-on-Sea to shed a tear at the shocking death of their beloved MP and on Saturday afternoon dozens of well-wishers lit candles and gathered to remember the life of Sir David outside the town's Civic Centre.

Outside Southend police station, Home Secretary Priti Patel said a 'balance' must be struck between the accessibility and safety of MPs as questions are raised over whether face-to-face meetings should be held in constituencies in the future.

Southend faith leaders called Sir David's death an 'indefensible atrocity' and described the father-of-five as an 'upstanding friend to our Muslim community' who had attended weddings, mosque openings and the launch of the town's first Muslim Scout group.

In a statement published on the Essex Jamme Masjid website, on behalf of 'all Southend mosques', they said their thoughts and prayers were with Sir David's family, friends and colleagues.

It comes five years after Labour MP for Batley and Spen Jo Cox was murdered on her way to a surgery in 2016.
Hate preacher Anjem Choudary was condemned last night for suggesting David Amess may have been killed for being pro-Israel.

The extremist said Sir David could also have been killed for being a member of the Tory Party, which has been in power for over a decade, during which time Britain has conducted military operations in Muslim countries.

Choudary made the callous comments a day after the MP for Southend West was killed, leaving the nation reeling in shock and grief.

Speaking from his council home in Ilford, East London, the 54-year-old said: I am not sure about this particular MPs views. The rumours are that he is pro-Israel, and he is part of the Conservative Party and they have been in power a long time, especially during the campaigns in Muslim countries such as Iraq and Syria and Afghanistan.

When asked how Mr Amesss pro-Israel stance would make him a target, Choudary replied: Many people do [believe] that it is a terrorist state, and who would possibly be a friend of Israel after you see the carnage that they carried out against Muslims in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and continue to do with the appropriation of properties?

But Choudary, a trained lawyer, was quick to point out that he does not condone the killing of anyone, let alone an MP, in Britain.

Extremist: Anjem Choudary insisted that no one in their right mind would support Israel. He made the comments a day after the MP for Southend West was killed

Sir David, 69, was not known for taking a hardline pro-Israeli stance, but he had been an honorary secretary of the Conservative Friends of Israel since 1998 and was often described as supportive of Britains Jewish community

He said: No one in their right and rational mind would support such a state [Israel].

Obviously that does not give someone justification for someone to kill someone. I believe there is a covenant of security in this country, where the lives and wealth of people with whom we Muslims live are protected in return for our lives and wealth.

Sir David, 69, was not known for taking a hardline pro-Israeli stance, but he had been an honorary secretary of the Conservative Friends of Israel since 1998 and was often described as supportive of Britains Jewish community.

Imams and Muslim leaders in Southend said he was extremely friendly to them, and once told officials at the towns Southend Mosque he even wanted to hold surgeries in their premises after Covid-19 restrictions eased.

Sir David was also friendly towards Arab countries and was chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Qatar, and had recently returned from an official visit to the Gulf country.

Last night, Professor Anthony Glees, an expert on extremism, said: Not only is it outrageous and repugnant, but the whole motive of the attack is a matter for the police  not Mr Choudary.

He adds insult to injury by giving this view.

Like all brainwashed radicalisers, he will do everything he can to carry on making his poisonous comments. This is an attempt to radicalise others.

Police pictured on Saturday outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the Conservative MP was killed

Choudary, the former leader of the banned Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun, was jailed for five-and-half years in 2016 for inviting support for the Islamic State.

He served less than half that term, and was out in 2018. He lived under licence restrictions until July this year.

The cleric is now free to preach again, but security sources have said that if he stoked up extremism in this country, he could be put under a form of house arrest known as Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures, and tried again in court on terrorism and hate law charges.

Choudary is accused of radicalising dozens of Britains most notorious terrorists, including Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who killed Fusilier Lee Rigby at Woolwich Barracks in 2013.
Friends and constituents of David Amess fear he was targeted because of his Catholic faith.

The Conservative MP was a practising Roman Catholic who regularly attended his local St Peter's Catholic Church.

Tributes to the politician were led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.

Friends and constituents of David Amess fear he was targeted because of his Catholic faith

Yesterday, Douglas Cracknell, chairman of Leigh-on-Sea council, said Sir David's devout faith was well-known to locals, who told The Mail on Sunday they feared it could have provided the motive for his murder.

Mr Cracknell said: 'Everyone knew about David's Catholic faith  it was a big part of his character. He was a very generous man and was very helpful to us. This attacker may well have targeted him over his religion.'

John Moore, 45, who knew Sir David as his local MP, said: 'People here are saying it could have been linked to David's Catholicism. He was such an advocate for his religion, so a terrorist would want to take him out, wouldn't they? It's just so sad. You couldn't meet a nicer man. We all admired him so much.'

The Conservative MP was a practising Roman Catholic who regularly attended his local St Peter's Catholic Church - where a vigil was held on Friday night

During a homily at St Peter's Catholic Church, Father Jeff Woolnough paid his respects to his late parishioner.

He said: 'Firstly we remember David's great faith and as a Catholic his practising sense of that faith. What that means is sharing that faith with everyone he meets, no matter who they are.

'That's by being him, showing that great accessibility to all faiths when we are under attack by everyone who doesn't understand the position the Catholic Church takes in the world.

'We are particularly grateful for Sir David's stance on pro-life. David chose life, even in death, because we now know he is alive in the Spirit.'
Real estate heir Robert Durst in in hospital with COVID-19 and on a ventilator just two days after he was sentenced in court to life in prison for murdering a friend in 2000, his lawyer has said.

Durst, 78, who appeared sickly during his sentencing on Thursday, 'looked worse than I've ever seen him,' lawyer Dick DeGuerin told the Los Angeles Times.

The real estate heir was admitted Friday night to LAC+USC Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments inmate locator.

Durst's sentencing for the 2000 murder of Susan Berman was a long-delayed punishment for a man who mostly evaded the law for more than 39 years.

A multimillionaire whose grandfather founded one of New York City's premier real estate companies, Durst was long a suspect but never charged in the disappearance of his wife Kathleen McCormack, who went missing in New York in 1982.

Real estate heir (pictured in August at his trial) Durst is the lead suspect in Kathie's 1982 disappearance

Durst's sentencing for the 2000 murder of Susan Berman was long-delayed punishment for a man who mostly evaded the law for more than 39 years

The real estate heir was admitted Friday night to LAC+USC Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments inmate locator.

Durst was long a suspect but never charged in the disappearance of his wife Kathleen McCormack, who went missing in New York in 1982

For the first-degree murder of Berman with intention of killing a witness, 78-year-old Durst was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at the Inglewood Courthouse in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The court heard how Berman's death left a permanent hole in the lives of family members who remembered her Thursday for her adventurousness, creativity and deep love and loyalty.

'It has been a daily, soul-consuming and crushing experience,' Sareb Kaufman, who considered Berman his mother after his father dated her, said in a powerful victim impact statement. 'I've lost everything many times over because of him.'

The killing had been a mystery that haunted family and friends for 15 years before Durst was arrested in 2015 following his unwise decision to participate in a documentary that unearthed new evidence and caught him in a stunning confession.

For the first-degree murder of Berman with intention of killing a witness, Durst was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole

Durst, who has numerous medical issues and sat in a wheelchair wearing brown jail scrubs, said nothing.

His eyes were wide open, and he had a catatonic stare when he entered the courtroom and barely looked over at Kaufman and three of Berman's cousins when they spoke.

'As Susan Berman's family have described for us, Susan Berman was an extraordinary human. I personally wish I could have known her,' Superior Court Judge Mark Windham, who sentenced Durst, told the court.

'This is indeed a horrific crime.' Durst's sentencing came as New York prosecutors prepare to bring charges against him over Kathie's disappearance almost four decades ago.

Prosecutors chose not to seek the death penalty for Durst, who evaded justice for more than two decades for Berman's brutal slaying and is also long suspected of murdering Kathie and his former neighbor Morris Black.

'You didn't just murder Kathy, or Morris, or Susan, you also murdered me,' Kaufman said. 'You murdered the person I was. All his dreams are gone. He no longer exists.'

Since the murder 21 years ago, Kaufman said there's not been a single day when Berman has not consumed nearly every of his thoughts.

He said his life has not been the same.

'All I can say is at 47, I'm still in the same type of job, never advanced,' he told the court.

'No wife, no children, and almost no family because of what Robert has done... Since my mother's murder, it has been a daily soul consuming and crushing experience.'

Kaufman's life was derailed in his mid-20s when Berman was killed and he found himself responsible for taking care of her estate.

He said he spent months packing up her house, returning to the murder scene where her matted hair was still on the floor amid the bloody paw prints of her dogs.

He spoke bitterly of the experience and having to store her belongings in his tiny apartment, but didn't mention it was there that crucial piece of evidence - the letter confirming a match with the 'cadaver note' was found.

Sareb Kaufman, who considered Berman his mother, said Durst destroyed his life

Durst, sitting in a wheelchair, was flanked by lawyers during the sentencing

The victim's relative Grace Berman, speaking through tears, said she wished Durst no ill will.

'As a matter of fact, I would like Bobby to live many, many, years; to be on record for the longest living predator, ever,' she told the judge.

'And with each breath... from right now on, when you breathe in, you will hear Susan. When you exhale, you will hear Berman, and the ringing in your ears may never stop.'

Deni Marcus, who grew up with Berman and considered her to be a sister, told the court of how she robbed of an 'absolutely extraordinary, unforgettable, brilliant person whose life was savagely taken from her.'

'She was always so supportive and wonderful,' she said. 'She would make my grey days a lot less grey.'

She said she does not hate Durst.

'Hate was never on my wheelhouse or hers,' she told the court. 'Hate cannot enter my life, no matter what. She always made sure that I knew that hate serves no purpose.'

Grace Berman said she hopes Durst becomes the longest living predator on record

Deni Marcus, who considered Berman a sister, said she can't bring herself to hate Durst

Durst's defense team filed a motion requesting a new trial last month citing the delay in his trial - caused in part by the pandemic - and insufficient evidence.

The request was denied Thursday, with the judge rejecting arguments there was insufficient evidence or that he ruled incorrectly on 15 issues.

Durst testified he didn't kill either woman, but he said on cross-examination that he would lie if he had. 'You said the court erred so many times it made me feel self-conscious,' Windham joked.

Windham said there was overwhelming evidence and prosecutors proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at least five ways, including devastating revelations during Durst's cross-examination and an admission he made in the climax of the six-part documentary, 'The Jinx: The Life and Crimes of Robert Durst.'

During the trial, prosecutors said Durst had also killed Kathie - despite him never facing charges and the trial being Berman's murder.

They used Kathie's alleged murder as a motive for Durst to kill his longtime friend and confidante.

The jury also upheld the special circumstances allegation that Berman was killed because of her knowledge about Kathie's disappearance.

Durst was accused of shooting Berman point-blank in the back of her head after New York authorities reopened the investigation into Kathie's disappearance in 2000 and wanted to speak to her about the case.

In September, Prosecutor Habib Balian showed jurors a latex mask that Durst was found with when he was arrested at a New Orleans hotel in March 2015

Prosecutors said Berman knew too much about what happened to Kathie and so she was silenced.

Berman is thought to have helped Durst cover his tracks after his wife's disappearance, posing as Kathie to phone her medical school to say she was sick on the morning after she was last seen alive.

This led investigators to believe Durst's version of events that he saw her board a train to New York City on the night of January 31 1982 after they spent the weekend at their home in South Salem, Westchester County.

He claimed he spoke to his wife when she arrived at their Manhattan penthouse and had cocktails with his neighbor later that night.

Investigators later found no evidence of Kathie ever boarding the train or arriving into New York and Durst later confessed to lying about their phone call and his drinks with a neighbor.

Superior Court Judge Mark Windham sentenced Durst, now 78, at the Inglewood Courthouse

Real estate heir Durst is the lead suspect in Kathie's 1982 disappearance

Kathie's body was never found.

During the sentencing, Berman's cousin implored Durst to disclose the location of his wife's body.

'He should let us know where Kathie's body is so her family can get some closure,' he told the court.

Durst testified over 15 days during his trial, nine of them under cross-examination.

He claimed he discovered Berman's body when he went to visit her but did not call police for fear he would be accused of her murder.

He also finally confessed to writing a letter sent to the LAPD alerting them to Berman's dead body in her Benedict Canyon home on Christmas Eve 2000.

Kathie and Robert Durst pictured together. She vanished in 1982 and has not been seen since

The letter told cops there was a 'cadaver' at the address and Beverly Hills was spelled incorrectly.

Durst denied for years that it was him who sent the letter before finally admitting at his trial - but claiming it was because he discovered his friend already murdered and didn't want to leave her body undiscovered.

Durst was also charged - and acquitted in 2005 - of the 2001 murder of Morris Black (above) who he admitted dismembering

Prosecutors also argued Durst was adept in the art of deception, showing jurors a latex mask he was found with when he was arrested at a New Orleans hotel in March 2015.

As the Durst Organization heir, his entanglement in the disappearance of his wife, death and dismemberment of his neighbor, and execution of his best friend has hit headlines for years.

But he evaded prosecution for years.

Prosecutors credited the documentary The Jinx: The Life And Deaths Of Robert Durst for his eventual downfall.

After being caught in a lie about a note he penned directing police to Berman's lifeless body, Durst went into a bathroom and muttered to himself on a live microphone, 'You're caught.' He later said, 'Killed them all, of course.'

Filmmakers confronted him with a note police received that had Berman's address and only the word 'cadaver.' It was addressed in block letters and misspelled Beverly Hills as 'Beverley.'

Durst said only the killer could have written it, and it wasn't him. He was then shown a letter he once wrote Berman in the same handwriting and Beverly misspelled the same way.

This comparison was presented at Durst's trial.

Durst testified that he regretted participating in the documentary.

The trial began in March 2020 and was adjourned for 14 months as the coronavirus pandemic swept the U.S. and courts were closed. It resumed in May with the jury that reached its verdict September 17.

Seven of the jurors returned to witness the sentencing.

Berman, the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster and a writer, was Durst's longtime confidante from college days.

She told friends and Durst she was preparing to speak with police about the reinvestigation of his wife's disappearance shortly before she was killed.

Kathie Durst has never been found. Robert Durst has never been charged with a crime related to her disappearance.

But following his conviction in Berman's death, which relied on evidence that he killed his wife, a New York prosecutor is prepared now to seek charges against him in her death, a person familiar with the matter - but who was not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation and did so on condition of anonymity - told The Associated Press.

Durst's family had hoped to present statements to the court Thursday about their loss, but prosecutors denied the request, according to emails sent to their lawyer.

Attorney Robert Abrams, who showed up at the hearing. said the McCormack family was disappointed, and he was outraged.

'The family is not going to go travel 3,000 miles to be a prop in some Hollywood production and sit there and not be able to make their victim impact statements,' Abrams said. 'This is not some movie where it's gross spectacle. This is their lives, and they've suffered for 40 years.'

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin, Kaufman and others pleaded with Durst now to tell the McCormack family where she was buried.

'I hope in your final days and hours you will ... give the McCormacks what little they are asking for: to find Kathie, to lay her to rest appropriately, finally and at long last,' Kaufman said. 'This is the most important question that still haunts us.'

Durst is the grandson of Joseph Durst, who founded the Durst Organization, one of Manhattan's largest commercial real estate firms, and is said to have a $100 million fortune.

Davy Berman, whose family took in his his cousin after her father died, said he had gone to see her grave before the sentencing.

'I visited her and told her she could rest easy,' he said as his voice cracked. 'That justice has been done.'
The fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess has been condemned as an indefensible atrocity by mosques in Southend.

Faith leaders said that the father of five was an upstanding friend to our Muslim community and attended key events, including weddings, mosque openings and the launch of the towns first Muslim Scout group.

In a statement published on the Essex Jamme Masjid website, on behalf of all Southend mosques, they said their thoughts and prayers were with Sir Davids family, friends and colleagues.

Sir Davids murder was an indefensible atrocity, committed on the grounds of a place of worship and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms, the statement said.

This act was committed in the name of blind hatred and we look forward to the perpetrator being brought to justice, it added.

The fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess has been condemned as an indefensible atrocity by mosques in Southend

Faith leaders said Sir David was an upstanding friend to our Muslim community and attended key events, including weddings, mosque openings and the launch of the towns first Muslim Scout group

Scotland Yard said early investigations had revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.

Shocked members of the towns Muslim community gathered near the scene of Sir Davids death to lay flowers in tribute to the MP for Southend West.

Ruhul Shamsuddin, joint secretary of Essex Jamme Masjid, described the MP as a tremendous force for good and pillar of support for our community.

This was senseless violence against a truly wonderful man, he added.

Iftikhar Ul Haq, Imam at UKIM Southend Mosque, said Sir David was always reachable, adding: He showed great compassion for communities and always was there to offer support.

Last night, Somali leaders in the UK condemned the murder after reports emerged that a member of their community may be the alleged attacker. A 25-year-old man was being questioned by police.

The Council of Somali Organisations said in a statement: We condemn the brutal murder of Sir David Amess MP.

This was a senseless murder which has shocked British communities across the country.

We are shocked and saddened by the senseless violence perpetrated upon an innocent Member of Parliament. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sir David Amesss family, loved ones and anyone who has been affected by this callous act.

Shocked members of the towns Muslim community gathered near the scene of Sir Davids death to lay flowers in tribute to the MP for Southend West

The organisations director, Kahiye Alim, said: I send my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sir David Amess MP.

His life was one of service to others and we will remember his legacy as one of empowerment and community building.

We utterly condemn this brutal murder, which is an affront to all of our values and our democratic society itself.

An Iranian opposition group paid tribute to Sir David, describing him as a human rights champion and an enemy of many dictators.

Hossein Abedini was among several members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran who laid flowers yesterday.
Children could be forced to take rapid antigen Covid tests every morning before they are allowed inside the classroom, health officials say.

NSW education and health authorities revealed they are 'exploring' the option in a bid to reduce the risk of outbreaks in schools, before students return to face-to-face learning from October 18.

It has not been confirmed whether the testing would be done at home or at the school gate but both are being considered as options.

Rapid antigen tests are cheaper than polymerase chain reaction tests, which are used at public testing centres, and the results are available in minutes.

School students may have to take Covid tests at the school gates (pictured: students in Strathfield, Sydney)

Rapid antigen tests (pictured) are cheaper than polymerase chain reaction tests, which are used at public testing centres

In a newsletter to parents last week, the Department of Heath said it was looking at sending home testing kits to families.

'We are exploring with NSW Health the use of Covid home testing kits (known as rapid antigen testing) as a further screening measure to reduce the risk of outbreaks in schools or the length of time students need to isolate after contact with someone with Covid,' the newsletter read.

'Further details will be provided in Term 4.'

The department said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia that rapid antigen testing is not being trialled in NSW public schools.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved rapid antigen tests for use in aged care facilities, schools, workplaces and health centres.

Preschool, kindergarten and Year 1 students will return to the classroom on October 18, and other year groups will go back to face-to-face learning on October 25. Pictured: A nurse performing a rapid antigen test in Sydney last week)

Three home tests were approved by the TGA on Wednesday.

Many schools overseas require students to take similar tests at the school gate to determine whether they have Covid, and there are a series of trial programs underway in private schools across the state.

Preschool, kindergarten and Year 1 students will return to the classroom on October 18, and other year groups will go back to face-to-face learning on October 25.

Rapid antigen tests are already being used by private companies, including Meriton, Dulux, Goodman Fielder, Warner Bros and Warner Bros.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the department of education and NSW Health for further comment.
Walk-in vaccine clinics for schoolchildren will be unveiled within weeks in an effort to speed up the jabs rollout.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Ministers are planning to launch the scheme for 12-to- 15-year-olds shortly.

It comes amid concern that the Government has been far too slow in rolling out the vaccination programme in schools.

Sources also claim the new clinics are an attempt to keep anti-vaxxers away from the school gates.

Last night, there were fresh calls to speed up the vaccination of teenagers after an analysis of official figures by The Mail on Sunday found almost half of new Covid cases in England are now in the under-20s.

When schools went back early last month, 33 per cent of new cases were in that age group.

But by the second week of this month, the proportion had grown to 46 per cent. Teenagers now make up the lion's share of infections in the under-20s.

Walk-in vaccine clinics for schoolchildren will be unveiled within weeks in an effort to speed up the jabs rollout (stock image)

Because cases have been rising, in absolute terms the number of new infections in under-20s is not far off having doubled since early September, rising from about 9,000 to almost 15,500 a day.

Hospital consultant Dr David Strain, who led a recent Exeter University study looking at how jabbing teenagers could help protect others, said the increase was 'really quite scary' and showed the teen vaccination campaign needed to be ramped up rapidly.

If it was not, he warned, older relatives of infected children would die needlessly of Covid. Just 15 per cent of 12-to-15-year-olds in England are now vaccinated, up from 11.5 per cent a week ago.

Dr Strain said teenagers acted as a 'viral reservoir'  that while they rarely became seriously ill with Covid, they inevitably spread it to older family members.

He added: 'In our study, we anticipated six weeks or so of infections rising in children and adolescents after they started mixing. Then there would be an uptick of cases in over-65s.

'If you look at the past couple of weeks' worth of data, that's what's starting to happen. Our next concern is that this [spread to older age groups] is going to cause hospitalisations to rise.'

Although 94 per cent of over-50s are double-jabbed, Dr Strain said this left significant numbers unprotected, while there were 'hints of waning immunity' in the already vaccinated  hence the need for the booster campaign.

He said nobody wanted to see children grow up with the guilt of passing Covid on to a family member who got seriously ill.

'But children at that age are smart enough to know they brought the virus home from school, and then parents or grandparents got sick,' he added.

According to data released yesterday, more than 3.3 million booster jabs have been administered in England. Across the UK, 49.4 million people have had their first Covid jab  the equivalent of 85.9 per cent of the over-12s. More than 45.3 million have had two doses.

Some 43,423 daily cases of Covid were recorded yesterday, up by 12.8 per cent over seven days, and there were 148 deaths within 28 days of a positive test  a 5.4 per cent rise in a week.

Care home providers however have raised concerns that the rollout of booster jabs to staff has been too slow. One provider said employees who happily took the first two jabs are refusing the top-up one.

They said one reason is because staff 'don't want to have to do three to four jabs a year' but added that the nature of the rollout is also not driving demand.

'Care homes are not as involved in encouraging staff because it is not compulsory,' they said. 'They are just sending the link [to staff] to sign up.'

The Department of Health last night declined to release figures on how many care home staff had taken up the booster jab.

Three reasons not to panic over Britain's Covid infection rate: STEPHEN ADAMS explores the jab programme, protective antibodies and changing demographics

Analysis by Stephen Adams, Medical Editor for the Mail on Sunday

New daily Covid cases are running at double the rate they were at this time last year. The number of people hospitalised with the virus each day has, on average, been higher so far this autumn than last.

And rates of new Covid cases  and deaths  are much higher here on a per capita basis than they are in Germany and France.

But while there have been calls from some quarters for tighter curbs to stop Covid's spread, there's no widespread clamour for them.

In fact, Ministers are quietly confident that this winter will be nothing like as bad as last, despite persistently high infection rates.

There are three reasons for this. First is the hugely successful vaccination programme.

This time last year, only a few thousand people in this country had received a Covid jab  those inoculated as part of a clinical trial.

So there was virtually no vaccine-induced immunity. Indeed, last October no one knew whether the vaccines  produced at record-breaking speed in the UK, Germany and the US  would work.

It was nearly Christmas before the NHS Covid vaccination campaign began, with grandmother Margaret Keenan, then 90, getting the first jab on December 8.

Now, among people eligible for vaccination  aged 12 and over  85.9 per cent have received a single dose and 78.8 per cent two doses.

Among the over-50s, who have accounted for 49 in every 50 Covid-related deaths, rates are even higher, at 96 per cent for single dose and 94 per cent for two doses.

This has 'weakened the link', to paraphrase Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, between Covid infections, serious disease and death. In fact, of the 51,281 Covid-related deaths in England in the first six months of this year, 98.8 per cent were people not double-vaccinated, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The second reason why high infection rates are no reason to panic  one closely related to vaccination  is that many more people now have protective antibodies.

Last October, only 4.4 per cent of England's population had Covid antibodies, according to a study led by Imperial College London. By this August, that had soared to 93.6 per cent of adults, the ONS-led Covid-19 Infection Survey showed.

That rise was due mainly to vaccination, but also to rising naturally acquired infection. People with Covid antibodies are far less likely to become infected. And if they do, they are far less likely to suffer serious Covid illness.

Thirdly, the demographics of infection have changed radically.

Last autumn, Covid infections were spread relatively evenly among different age groups. Now, infections are concentrated in children, teens and young adults: so far this October, almost half of new infections have been in under-20s.

The brutal truth is that advancing age is by far the biggest risk of serious Covid illness and death.

This is persistently pointed out by Sir David Spiegelhalter, a statistics guru at Cambridge University. Last year, he calculated the risk of death among unvaccinated people who catch Covid 'doubles for each six years older, all the way from childhood to old age'.

Age 'overwhelms' all other factors  such as sex, ethnicity or even health conditions  he said.

But because most now getting Covid are young  four in five cases this autumn have been in under-50s  we can be confident that the overall burden of serious disease will be far, far lower than last winter.

The pandemic, however, appears to be running hotter in Britain than in France, Germany, and Italy. Partly this is a result of more intensive testing in the UK: Germany, for instance, recently dropped free testing for most people.

But it is also hotter in real terms  with about 100 Covid-related fatalities a day in the UK, our death rate is more than double that in those three countries.

Yet they impose draconian rules governing everyday life, such as the widespread use of Covid passes, to which we are not subject. Would Britons now welcome that?
The BBC's home affairs correspondent was accused yesterday of trying to downplay the suspect's reported Somali origins.

As Dominic Casciani covered the crime, social-media users claimed he was 'desperate to diminish implications of a Muslim Somali immigrant killing an MP'.

Although every national newspaper with the exception of the Financial Times mentioned that the suspect had Somali 'origins', 'heritage' or 'descent' yesterday, Casciani appeared to wrestle with the issue on Radio 4's Today programme.

Presenter Nick Robinson asked him: 'The suspect is a British citizen, but he's also of Somali origin. Is that regarded as significant?'

Casciani replied: 'The Somali element  erm, no. The reason why some reporters have established this fact is that there has been some misreporting.

The BBC's home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani was accused yesterday of trying to downplay the suspect's reported Somali origins

'Yesterday, during the day, there were some news outlets, and also on social media, some suggestions as to the identity of the individual.

'So I think the police are at pains to clarify in a statement last night that the individual is British.

'They haven't said anything about the heritage. But my understanding is that there was initially, potentially, some confusion over the individual's background and identity.'

Twelve hours earlier, he had tweeted: 'We have learnt from official sources that detectives have established the individual is a UK national, seemingly of Somali heritage. We report this in the interests of accuracy.'

Many people on Twitter queried his use of the words 'seemingly' and 'accuracy', and some commented that he was 'whipping up xenophobia'.

The BBC says Casciani 'focuses on stories relating to law, order, society and belonging  including immigration, ethnicity'.
The heartbroken mother of a four-year-old girl who went missing 24 hours ago from her family's tent has shared a desperate plea to help find the toddler.

Cleo Smith was last seen at about 1.30am on Saturday at the Blowholes campsite on the coast at Macleod, north of Carnarvon, in Western Australia.

When her family woke at about 6am, young Cleo was nowhere to be seen.

In a Facebook post on Saturday morning mum Ellie Smith wrote: 'It's been over 24 hours since I last seen the sparkle in my little girl's eyes! Please help me find her'.

'Last seen 1.30am and gone when woken up at 6am from our shared tent. Very very unusual for Cleo. Please if you see anything unusual or suspicious call the police'.

Cleo Smith went missing while camping with her family at the Blowholes campsite near Carnarvon in Western Australia (pictured, four-year-old Cleo left with mum Ellie)

The Carnarvon community has rallied around the family, aiding in the search (pictured, the campsite Cleo went missing from)

The young girl was wearing a pink one-piece sleepsuit with a blue and yellow pattern when she was last seen.

A full scale search took place on Saturday and will continue again from first light on Sunday.

The crews consisted of land, air and sea teams searching the coastline in and around campgrounds nearby where the family was staying.

The Blowholes campsite, also known as Point Quobba, is known for its scenic views of blowholes.

Carnarvon Shire president Eddie Smith told The West Australian the family were well-known locals, and the community were out in force helping with the search.

'Everybody is hoping for the best,' he said.

The search has continued for over 24 hours after the young girl went missing on Saturday morning at about 1.30am (pictured, Cleo Smith)

The Blowholes campsite is also known as Point Quobba (pictured)

'The community is deeply concerned. Everyone is trying to jump onboard and do what they can to help and we are all praying for a positive outcome.

'It is a terrible feeling but I just implore everyone to remain positive and keep positive and keep thinking like that.'

Carnarvon buildings and shopfronts were also assisting with the search, with posters being placed urging anyone with information to contact police.

A frantic search is underway after Cleo disappeared, and land, sea and air crews are searching (pictured, Cleo wearing what she wore went she went missing)

Users flooded to Ms Smith's post: 'I can't stop thinking of her. I hope she is found safe and well,' one commenter wrote.

While another added: 'I pray your daughter is found safe, what a reunion that will be. Stay strong, Your family is not alone'.

Police aren't ruling out the possibility she has been abducted, after urging every newsroom in Western Australia to broadcast details of the missing girl on Saturday.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to donate money to two local helicopter businesses which have been working in the search.

The company's were said to have cancelled tours to help with the search, bringing large helicopters in to have three people in one chopper looking for young Cleo.

The page hopes to 'help support these small local businesss for their efforts into this search and to help support the family to keep the search going to bring Cleo home'.
The Queen is to make a landmark intervention in the climate change debate, urging world leaders to do more to protect the planet.

Her Majesty will open the UN climate change conference in Scotland later this month with a speech that acknowledges the scale of the environmental crisis and makes it clear she shares the profound concerns already voiced by members of her family.

Around 120 past and present world leaders are expected to attend COP26 in Glasgow including President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The Queen's involvement means that the most senior members of the Royal Family are now united in their wish to address climate change, commonly accepted as the most pressing issue facing the planet.

Her laughter says it all. If there's one thing guaranteed to put a smile on the Queen's face, it's racing at Ascot. Wearing a royal blue coat with black fur trim , the monarch presented the trophy to the winner in the Elizabeth II stakes on British Champions' Day

Buckingham Palace turned green in a light show to support the first award ceremony of Prince William's decade-long Earthshot Prize

Winner by a smile Her laughter says it all. If there's one thing guaranteed to put a smile on the Queen's face, it's racing at Ascot. Wearing a royal blue coat with black fur trim yesterday, the monarch presented the trophy to the winner in the Elizabeth II stakes on British Champions' Day. The Queen, pictured above at Ascot, walked without the stick she used at the opening of the Welsh Parliament last week. Sir Francis Brooke, Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot, presented her with a memento marking her induction into the flat racing Hall of Fame. October has been the busiest month for the Queen since the death of Prince Philip in April. On Tuesday, the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William will join Prime Minister Boris Johnson to host a Global Investment Summit at Windsor Castle. Guests will be greeted at the castle before attending a reception with speakers including leaders from politics, industry and academia. The event, which closes with a speech by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, will champion environmental initiatives in big business. International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: 'These titans of enterprise showcase how the UK is using investment to cement itself as a science and tech superpower, and a pioneer of green technology.' Advertisement

A source said that the 95-year-old monarch's views were 'very much aligned' with her son Prince Charles and her grandson Prince William, who have been campaigning on green issues for decades.

The source said: 'You can't fit a piece of paper between the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Prince William when it comes to the big issues like this. They are all in agreement.'

Buckingham Palace turned green in a light show last night to support the first award ceremony of Prince William's decade-long Earthshot Prize, which rewards pioneering environmental entrepreneurs. The Queen has been a staunch supporter of her grandson's campaign.

Last week, a microphone picked up Her Majesty's unguarded comments at the opening of the Welsh parliament, at which the Queen was heard to say: 'I've been hearing all about COP Still don't know who is coming no idea.'

She added: 'We only know about people who are not coming and it's really irritating when they talk, but they don't do.'

Her comments are thought to relate to the suggestion that China's President Xi Jinping might not attend COP26.

Palace aides and Government sources have been discussing the details of the two-week long conference. While the Queen's opinions on a range of issues are a closely guarded secret, she is said to be keen to support the mission of her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who spoke passionately about biodiversity loss long before it was a mainstream concern.

In 2018 the Queen granted a rare television interview to veteran wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough. In the programme, The Queen's Green Planet, the monarch spoke of her dream of creating a global network of forests.

'It might change the climate again,' she said of the initiative.
Trans-Tasman family reunions are back on the cards with Australia reopening quarantine-free travel to many Kiwis.

The national chief health officer Professor Paul Kelly has announced the Australian government has reopened quarantine-free travel from New Zealand's south island, which has not had any Covid-19 cases since last year.

Quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated South-Island-based Kiwis and returning Australia will recommence midnight Tuesday.

Travellers coming from the Covid-ravaged North Island will still spend 14 days in hotel quarantine until November 1 at the earliest.

The federal government is now in talks with Singapore and countries in the Pacific region to create similar travel bubbles.

Professor Kelly said NSW and Victoria have agreed to accept Kiwis so far.

Kiwis travelling to Australia from New Zealand's South Island from Wednesday won't have to quarantine (pictured, traveller at Sydney International Airport)

'There is very good work being done to stop people from the North Island going to the South Island, so that is not a risk,' Professor Kelly told reporters in Canberra on Sunday.

'We hope to allow anyone who has been in the South Island of New Zealand whether Australian, New Zealanders or other nationalities, as long as they have been there for 14 days, to come in quarantine free.'

Kiwis from them South Island flying across the Tasman must return a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the departure flight time, show proof they're fully vaccinated and have not been on New Zealand North Island for any period during the last 14 days.

The so-called green lane travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has been on hold since July, when New Zealand suspended the trans-Tasman bubble due to growing cases in NSW and Victoria.

While there are several Covid-free regions in both countries - including Wellington and the South Island - the government has not had an appetite to reopen the bubble.

'I understand there are some Australians that have been stuck in the South Island of New Zealand for some time,' Professor Kelly said.

Reunions are back on the cards for loved ones separated by border closures (pictured a happy reunion in Sydney after the travel bubble first opened in October 2020)

Federal health minister Greg Hunt hailed the New Zealand move as 'really important' for Australians wanting to return home and Kiwis wanting to travel across the Tasman.

Talks are now underway to create similar travel bubbles with Singapore and Pacific region nations.

'We are in express discussion with Singapore, I met the Singapore Minister on Friday, and we were discussing precisely this, expedited green lane travel proposals for fully vaccinated travellers from Singapore,' Mr Hunt said.

Professor Kelly added: 'Looking at the Pacific labour scheme for example, many countries in the Pacific have not had any cases, or very few cases, over the whole pandemic, so we are certainly looking again, closely, at about, than others will come after that.'

The health minister also announced a three-phase approach to international travel.

'Phase one is the opening up of double vaccinated travel for Australians to leave and for Australian residents and their immediate family to come back,' Mr Hunt told reporters.

Kiwis travelling from NZ South Island won't have to quarantine as long as they return a negative test prior to departure and are fully vaccinated

Phase two , which is currently being worked on between the commonwealth and the states, is to allow students and priority workers to travel to Australia.

'Phase three would be for fully vaccinated international travellers, that would include tourism,' Mr Hunt said.

The government will continue the pause of green zone flights from New Zealand's North Island until November 1 following a further spread of locally acquired cases.

The news comes after New Zealand government hinted last week it may ease international border rules before Christmas.

The federal government is in talks with Singapore in relation to quarantine-free travel (pictured travellers at Singapore's Changi Airport)

A hard border has been maintained as New Zealand pursued an elimination strategy against the virus, but the reluctant acceptance of ongoing community cases has turned the government's mind to a border rethink.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears set to loosen the compulsory 14-day stay in a quarantine hotel - known locally as MIQ - on arrival.

'We are actively considering our MIQ settings in light of the fact that we are unlikely to get back to zero cases,' Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins said.

'You can expect to see us talking more about that fairly soon.'
From little white lies to whoppers, its long been claimed that people on average tell two fibs a day.

But according to a new study, most untruths are told by a few super-liars and the rest of us are in fact fairly honest.

Social scientists trying to uncover the truth about lying analysed 116,336 fibs told by 632 undergraduates at a US university over a period of 91 days.

The academics discovered that most of the fibs were told by a few prolific liars  while also concluding that only one person in a hundred never told a lie.

From little white lies to whoppers, its long been claimed that people on average tell two fibs a day. But according to a new study, most untruths are told by a few super-liars and the rest of us are in fact fairly honest (stock image)

The authors, who were led by communication expert Kim Serota at Oakland University, added: Most participants lied infrequently and most lies were told by a few prolific liars.

They added: Most people report telling few or no lies on a given day.

Over the past decade, the skewed distribution of lie prevalence has emerged as an exceptionally robust phenomenon.

The current understanding is that prolific liars are distinct and potentially identifiable people with particular characteristics that manifest through consistently telling an unusually large number of lies relative to the majority of people.

Their analysis discovered that 75 per cent of those in the study were classed as low-frequency liars. They also found that 90 per cent of all untruths were little white lies.

Dr Serota, whose study was published in the journal Communication Monographs, said: Above all, findings from the current study document that for most people lying is less prevalent than often believed.

He added that his work could have implications for research seeking to link lie behaviour with specific personality traits or demographic characteristics.

Their analysis discovered that 75 per cent of those in the study were classed as low-frequency liars. They also found that 90 per cent of all untruths were little white lies (stock image)

Dr Serota accepted that the study produced inconsistent findings and has had limited success predicting who will lie.

Analysing the difficulty of identifying liars, he said: On any given day, a persons behaviour may reflect either their dispositions or their situational good or bad lie days or both future research needs to further unpack the interplay of individual differences, situational features, and specific deception motives.

Presumably, individual differences such as demographics, occupation, and personality lead people to experience different situations where the truth will be more or less consistent with communication goals.
Britain is poised to sign a trade deal with New Zealand within days which could unlock a new trans-Pacific agreement worth 9 trillion.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the International Trade Secretary, hopes to announce a deal which would see tariffs slashed on goods such as gin, chocolate, clothing, cars and buses, and allow level-playing field access for British investors to the country.

In return, British shoppers will be able to choose between a wider range of 'high-end' lamb from New Zealand, while levies of up to 20p a bottle on the country's successful wine industry would also be slashed.

Britain is poised to sign a trade deal with New Zealand within days which could unlock a new trans-Pacific agreement worth 9 trillion. Anne-Marie Trevelyan (above), the International Trade Secretary, hopes to announce a deal which would see tariffs slashed on goods such as gin, chocolate, clothing, cars and buses, and allow level-playing field access for British investors to the country

Although British trade with New Zealand is only worth about 2.3 billion a year, negotiators hope that it will help the UK to be accepted into the mammoth Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade bloc which includes Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and Vietnam

Tariffs of up to 10 per cent on UK products would be dropped, giving British exporters an advantage over international rivals in the New Zealand import market, which is expected to grow by 30 per cent by 2030.

Cars are the UK's biggest export to New Zealand, with 133 million-worth sold last year.

Although British trade with New Zealand is only worth about 2.3 billion a year, negotiators hope that it will help the UK to be accepted into the mammoth Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade bloc which includes Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and Vietnam.

Ms Trevelyan held the first round of talks on the CPTPP last month, describing it as a 'big milestone' on a path to forging 'stronger links both with old friends and some of the world's fastest- growing economies'.

Sources said that the New Zealand deal would be the 'same shape' as the deal signed in June with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

British farmers have expressed fears that the deals could lead to cheaper, lower quality produce flooding UK markets.
It may have cost her several sponsorships, her pride and some reputation points, but Nadia Bartel still managed to pocket some cash in the wake of her white-powder scandal with one major brand offering her a $50,000 'golden handshake'.

A source within the lucrative 'wellness' industry claims Bartel, 36, was quietly given the five-figure settlement by vitamin company JSHealth in exchange for dropping any affiliation with them after her scandal.

Bartel had served as a spruiker for the brand which - under her original contract - had agreed to pay the former WAG and lifestyle influencer a total of $250,000 for a long-term social media campaign.

Cashing out! Nadia Bartel allegedly walked away with $50,000 from JSHealth Vitamins after being dropped by the brand following her white-powder scandal

However, that sum was significantly reduced after she was busted attending an illegal party during Melbourne's lockdown, with JSHealth - founded by Aussie Jessica Sepel - said to have dropped Bartel, albeit with a parting bonus.

Ironically, the multimillion-dollar wellness company is known for its different kinds of white powders - namely its 'Inner Beauty Powder', designed to promote glowing skin, as well as collagen for hair and nail growth.

Ms Sepel, from Sydney, declined to comment on the parting fee when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

Big bucks: Bartel's deal with the vitamin brand was originally said to be worth $250,000

Bartel also declined to comment when contacted this week.

It comes after damning footage showed the former WAG attending an illegal gathering in Melbourne during the Covid lockdown on September 2.

Bartel and three other women were each fined $5,452 after footage from the party was accidentally posted on Instagram by her friend and business partner Ellie Pearson.

Caught on camera: Damning footage showed the former WAG attending an illegal gathering in Melbourne during the Covid lockdown on September 2

But the most humiliating part of the scandal was seeing Nadia, once known for her impeccably clean-cut image, snorting a line of white powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate.

While she wasn't charged with drug offences because police couldn't prove what she was snorting, the video nonetheless caused irreparable damage to her brand and she was dropped by major sponsors.

Bartel, meanwhile, is busy trying to rebuild her image and is reportedly preparing to continue her fashion label Henne as well as a series of new lifestyle partnerships.
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George and Amal Clooney are rumoured to have secured a palatial mansion on the outskirts of the Gold Coast for when they visit Australia in the coming weeks.

The Hollywood star, 60, is bringing his family Down Under while he films the romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise alongside Julia Roberts.

George and his wife of seven years, 43, are believed to be renting a 49-hectare estate in Tallebudgera Valley called Bellagio La Villa.

Home sweet home: George and Amal Clooney (pictured on October 10, 2021, in London) are rumoured to have secured a palatial mansion on the outskirts of the Gold Coast for when they visit Australia in the coming weeks

The property was put on the market by its Chinese billionaire owner in January.

Global real estate tycoon Riyu Li listed the estate for $50million after his plans to turn it into a resort were rejected by Gold Coast City Council.

Bellagio La Villa is considered the most expensive house in the Gold Coast region.

Life of luxury: George and his wife of seven years, 43, are believed to be renting a 49-hectare estate in Tallebudgera Valley called Bellagio La Villa (pictured)

No expense spared: The property was put on the market by its Chinese billionaire owner in January

Lofty dreams: Global real estate tycoon Riyu Li listed the estate for $50million after his plans to turn it into a resort were rejected by Gold Coast City Council

'I could not believe such a palatial yet sophisticated home existed on the Gold Coast,' real estate agent Amir Mian of Amir Prestige told the Gold Coast Bulletin in January.

'It looked like the sort of beautiful building that you see as the centrepiece of lush green estates in Europe and the UK.'

Property developer Li purchased the stunning 10-bedroom, 12-bathroom property for $7.2million in 2014.

Decked out: The mansion features a dining room to accommodate 16 guests, an indoor heated swimming pool (pictured) and a seven-car garage

Twin baths: George will stay in Australia for two months filming romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise with Julia Roberts. He will be joined by human rights lawyer Amal and the couple's five-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella

Room to move: Property developer Li purchased the stunning 10-bedroom, 12-bathroom property for $7.2million in 2014

The mansion features a dining room to accommodate 16 guests, an indoor heated swimming pool and a seven-car garage.

There is also a separate caretaker's cottage and two sets of stables on the sprawling property.

It was revealed in March that George was heading to Australia to film Ticket to Paradise alongside Julia, 53.

On the grounds: There is also a separate caretaker's cottage and two sets of stables on the sprawling property

Breathtaking: 'I could not believe such a palatial yet sophisticated home existed on the Gold Coast,' real estate agent Amir Mian of Amir Prestige told the Gold Coast Bulletin in January

The project received a $6.4million grant from the federal government's Location Incentive Program.

George and Julia will play a divorced couple who travel to Bali in a desperate bid to stop their daughter, played by Kaitlyn Dever, from getting married.

The movie will be filmed entirely in Queensland, with the picturesque Whitsundays doubling for Bali.

Teaming up: In Ticket to Paradise, George and Julia play a divorced couple who travel to Bali in a desperate bid to stop their daughter, played by Kaitlyn Dever, from getting married. Pictured at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May 2016

Other filming locations include the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and the production is expected to generate $47million for the Australian economy and create more than 270 jobs.

George will relocate to Australia for the two-month project along with human rights lawyer Amal and the couple's five-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, George and Julia will arrive in Australia towards the end of this month.

They will complete two weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine before filming commences in November.
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His character, Logan Roy, is famed for uttering the catchphrase 'f*** off'.

And Brian Cox is taking his famous phrase off-set, as he and wife Nicole Ansari-Cox donned matching 'F*** off' face masks at the Succession season three premiere on Friday at the BFI London Film Festival.

Despite his somewhat crude arrival, the Scottish actor, 75, scrubbed up nicely for the premiere in a black velour suit jacket by Giorgio Armani.

Opulence: Brian Cox put on a dapper display on the red carpet as he joined his wife Nicole Ansari-Cox for the premiere of the third series of TV show Succession during the BFI Film Festival in London on Friday night

Expletive: The actor donned a 'F*** off' face mask at the event, signalling his character Logan Roy's catchphrase

The actor also further showed his appreciation for his character with the other side of his mask reading #TeamLoganRoy.

He teamed his classy blazer with a dark teal shirt and matching pocket handkerchief, as well as choosing to wear a coordinating black velour tie. The actor teamed his opulent jacket with a pair of plain black suit trousers and black dress shoes.

Meanwhile, his wife Nicole looked stunning in her plunging red gown, which featured a cross-front neckline and ruching on the bust.

A beauty: Nicole looked stunning in her plunging red gown, which featured a cross-front neckline and ruching on the bust

Lady in red: The actress-come-producer looked typically elegant in her ensemble, teaming her red carpet gown with silver drop earrings

Lovely couple: The pair beamed as they stood alongside one another on the red carpet

Cheeky: Despite his somewhat crude arrival, the Scottish actor, 75, scrubbed up nicely for the premiere in a black velour suit jacket

The actress-come-producer looked typically elegant in her ensemble, teaming her red carpet gown with silver drop earrings, a bangle and a large ring.

Brian's ever-supportive wife also joined him in wearing the mask, which also said '#Team Logan Roy'.

Uproxx reported that Brian's character says the phrase around 75 times in just the first two seasons alone, with the third series returning on Sunday.

Common occurrence: Uproxx reported that Brian's character says the phrase around 75 times in just the first two seasons alone

Coming soon: The third series is expected to return on Sunday

Also heading up the premiere was Brian's ever-glamorous co-star Sarah Snook, who put on a busty display in a plunging black gown by Giorgio Armani.

The Australian actress, 33, looked stunning in the embellished number, which fit snug around her curvy figure.

The redhead stepped out in a pair of sparkling black and silver heeled sandals, while she accessorised with silver drop earrings.

Co-stars: Also heading up the premiere was Brian's ever-glamorous co-star Sarah Snook, who put on a busty display in a plunging black gown

Gorgeous: The flame-haired beauty styled her choppy locks in a subtle wave for the event

Bright smile: The actress added a slick of cherry red lipstick to her pout

The flame-haired beauty styled her choppy locks in a subtle wave for the event, and added a slick of cherry red lipstick to her pout.

The star worked all her best angles on the red carpet, oozing Hollywood glamour with her skintight dress.

Sarah even found time to speak to her doting fans at the star-studded arrivals, posing for pictures alongside them.

Soaking it up: The star worked all her best angles on the red carpet

Humble: Sarah even found time to speak to her doting fans at the star-studded arrivals, posing for pictures alongside them

The star was joined by fellow star Hannah Waddingham, who made a bold statement with her red sequin gown.

The Ted Lasso star, 47, looked beautiful at the event - putting the 'red' in red carpet with her loud ensemble.

The Sex Education actress stepped out in a pair of matching red court heels, while she styled her blonde locks in an elegant updo.

Go big or go home: The star was joined by fellow star Hannah Waddingham, who made a bold statement with her red sequin gown

Red carpet ready: She styled her blonde locks in an elegant updo for the event

Very cherry: The Ted Lasso star, 47, looked beautiful at the event

Keeley Hawes supported her succession star husband Matthew Macfadyen at the event, heading out in a grey wrap dress.

The dark-blonde beauty, 45, channelled autumn vibes in her ensemble, which boasted knitted fabric and a chunky tie at her midriff.

The Durrells star stepped out in a pair of sparkling gold heels as she headed onto the red carpet.

Meanwhile her superstar husband Matthew, 46, looked undeniably smart in a navy blue suit.

Showing up: Keeley Hawes supported her succession star husband Matthew Macfadyen at the event, heading out in a grey wrap dress

Autumnal: The dark-blonde beauty, 45, channelled autumn vibes in her ensemble, which boasted knitted fabric and a chunky tie at her midriff

Go for gold: The Durrells star stepped out in a pair of sparkling gold heels as she headed onto the red carpet

Alan Ruck also stepped out with his co-stars, scrubbing up in a black and white tuxedo.

The actor, 65, looked a silver fox as he wore his hair in a full swept over hairstyle and gazed through his glasses.

Meanwhile, his wife Mireille Enos, 46, looked a beauty in her monochrome feather-trimmed check dress.

The actors reunited ahead of the hotly-anticipated new season, which will see the fallout after Logan's son Kendall Jeremy Strong), explosively outed his father for the dirty dealings within his company Waystar RoyCo.

The third season has already received early rave reviews from critics, and begins with Logan in a perilous position, scrambling to secure familial, political, and financial alliances, while tensions rise and the bitter corporate battle threatens to turn into a family civil war.

Succession, a Sky exclusive, is available on Sky and NOW on Mondays at 9pm and on demand.

Smartly dressed: Alan Ruck also stepped out with his co-stars, scrubbing up in a black and white tuxedo

Sweet embrace: Meanwhile, his wife Mireille Enos looked a beauty in her monochrome feather-trimmed check dress
Joan Collins looked incredible as she attended the launch party for her book, My Unapologetic Diaries, in London on Friday.

The acclaimed actress, 88, was typically age-defying as she wowed in a black frilled dress, which she paired with chic heels and tights.

The star accessorised with shimmering jewellery and later slipped on a gold brocade-detail blazer.

Yay; Joan Collins looked incredible as she attended the launch party for her book, My Unapologetic Diaries, in London on Friday

Her tresses were styled in soft waves and she sported smoky eye make-up and red lipstick.

Earlier this month, Joan wowed fans as she showed off her pins while relaxing in Majorca with husband Percy Gibson, 56.

Taking to Instagram, the actress looked sensational in a tiny blue-and-white summer dress as she sat with her legs on display whilst in the shade next to her beau.

The Hollywood icon shared a photograph of the pair sitting together on an outdoor sofa while she prepared for an upcoming Q&A hosted by Graham Norton.

Golden: The acclaimed actress, 88, was typically age-defying as she wowed in a black frilled dress, which she paired with chic heels and tights

Fun: Joan was seen posing with her beloved brother Bill at the event

Glam: Emma Weymouth joined the screen icon for a fun snap

Fun night: The star also took a moment to pose with Tracey Emin

Joan shielded her eyes with glamorous oversized shades and finished off her summer look with a white vizor.

The Dynasty star's husband kept things casual in a salmon pink T-shirt and a pair of white chinos.

Joan wrote alongside her snap: 'Hiding away and preparing to perform with @grahnort October 11 at the #drurylanetheatre #linkinbio @drurylaneproductions.'

Wow! Earlier this month, Joan wowed fans as she showed off her pins while relaxing in Majorca with husband Percy Gibson, 56

Fan reaction: Fans were enamoured with the snap, with one follower commenting: 'The legs!!!!!!' while another added: 'Those pins!'

Getting ready: The Hollywood icon is preparing for an upcoming Q&A hosted by Graham Norton

Fans were enamoured with the snap, with one follower commenting: 'The legs!!!!!!' while another added: 'Those pins!'

At the end of September, Joan looked radiant as ever as she enjoyed a sun-kissed holiday to Majorca with her husband Percy Gibson.

The actress, 88, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share some snaps from the trip as she enjoyed a lunch date with her partner and revealed they were also joined by her brother Bill Collins and his wife Hazel.

The former Dynasty star donned a white sleeveless mini dress on the trip which featured a navy patterned print.

Fun in the sun: At the end of September, Joan looked radiant as ever as she enjoyed a sun-kissed holiday to Majorca with her husband Percy Gibson

Holiday: Her husband cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and plaid shorts as the pair made the most of the Mediterranean weather.

Joan also sported a pair of large sunglasses and a cream sun hat as she spent some quality time with Percy.

Her husband cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and plaid shorts as the pair made the most of the Mediterranean weather.

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'The last rays of summer in beautiful Majorca with my family'.

Last month Joan paid tribute to her on-screen Dynasty husband Michael Nader.

The actor died aged 76 on August 23, 10 days after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Joan wrote for the Mail On Sunday: 'The last time I saw Michael, my husband Percy and I were on a New York rooftop celebrating New Year's Eve with friends. He looked frail and had lost his hair, but he still had that spark and charm that I remembered only too well from our first meeting.

'Sizing him up as my future co-star all those years ago, I decided he was tall but not too tall.

'He had black hair, but not too much of it, and he had a 'machismo' that I thought would blend well with Alexis's feisty temperament.

'Summer': Alongside the post, she wrote: 'The last rays of summer in beautiful Majorca with my family' while sitting next to former model Hazel

Family: Joan also shared this idyllic picture of herself, her husband, Hazel and her brother Bill

'Of all my Dynasty husbands, he was far and away the best looking, the best actor and the most charming, and I was extremely happy to have married him. (Sorry, Percy!)'

Michael starred as Dynasty's Dex from 1983 to 1989, and he later appeared in All My Children from 1991 to 2001, and again in 2013.

The actor - the nephew of Hollywood star George Nader - first admitted in 1984 that he had battled drug addiction.

But the star also admitted at the time he had committed to a life of sobriety in 1980

However, he was arrested for drink-driving in 1997,and he was arrested again in 2001 when he attempted to sell cocaine to an undercover police officer in a New York nightclub.

Tribute: Last month Joan paid tribute to her on-screen Dynasty husband Michael Nader (pictured in 1985)

But the incident inspired him to re-commit to his sobriety.

His wife Jodi said in a statement following his passing: 'With a heavy heart, I'm sharing the news of the passing of my beloved, Michael.

'We had 18 wonderful years together with the many dogs we fostered and adopted.

'Recently, Michael was so thrilled to reconnect with his friends from the cast of Dynasty during Emma Samms' virtual event to help raise funds for long-COVID research.

'He was a beautiful and fascinating man with many talents and skills. I will miss him forever.'
She's one of the Real Housewives Of Melbourne who isn't afraid to say what's on her mind.

But on Friday, Janet Roach showed off a more sentimental side as she paid tribute to her two adult sons, Jake and Paul Zogoolas.

Posting to her Instagram, the 62-year-old doting mother shared a photograph alongside her children.

Sentimental side: On Friday, Real Housewives Of Melbourne Star Janet Roach (left) showed off a more sentimental side as she paid tribute to her two adult sons, Jake and Paul Zogoolas

'I'm such a proud Mum. After all our trials and tribulations I can honestly say my boys have grown into very special men,' she began her heartfelt message.

Janet also mentioned the difficult times she went through as she raised the boys alone.

'It's a tough and challenging job parenting, specially when you are a single parent, but it's the most worthwhile experience.

Challenges: 'It's a tough and challenging job parenting, specially when you are a single parent, but it's the most worthwhile experience,' the single mother wrote. Pictured, Janet with her sons Jake (left), and Paul Zogoolas (right)

'I would not have missed it for the world. Xx Love you guys,' she added.

Some of those difficulties include her younger son Jake suffered burns to 70% of his body in 2011.

Jake was accidentally doused in petrol and went up in flames while sitting around a campfire at a friend's 21st birthday party in April 2011.

The incident: Janet's son Jake (left) was accidentally doused in petrol and went up in flames while sitting around a campfire at a friends 21st birthday party in April 2011

In 2015, Janet said around half a million dollars had been spent on treatments for Jake, when speaking to The Daily Telegraph.

Janet opened up to Daily Mail Australia in 2014 about her one and only tattoo - a dragon on her back - which is a tribute to Jake.

'It's a dragon because my son was in a fire and he was very, very scarred all over and we had been dealing with that,' she explained.

The fifth season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne is currently airing on Foxtel
Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green have reached a settlement in their divorce after an over decade-long marriage with no prenup which will mean a 50/50 split in assets.

The former couple now are awaiting a judge's signature to complete the process according to legal documents obtained by TMZ on Friday.

According to the site, the terms in the settlement include that they agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their three sons - Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and five-year-old Journey - which was agreed on since the very beginning.

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Finally! Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green (seen in Hollywood back in December 2019) have reached a settlement in their divorce after an over decade-long marriage with no prenup which will mean a 50/50 split in assets according to TMZ on Friday

Perhaps the most interesting bit is that insiders told the publication that there was no prenuptial agreement and since their marriage lasted over a decade, and according to California law, anything acquired during it would be a 50/50 split between the two parties.

TMZ also reports the the documents do not contain information about child and spousal support but there is a reference to a settlement which was agreed upon that was not filed with the court.

The Transformers actress will also have her name restored from Megan Green back to Megan Fox.

The actress was repped to celeb-favorite Laura Wasser while the Beverly Hills, 90210 star was repped by Scott Klopoert.

Bond: According to the site, the terms in the settlement include that they agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their three sons - Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and five-year-old Journey - which was agreed on since the very beginning, the family are seen together in LA in May 2019

Even: Perhaps the most interesting bit is insiders told the publication there was no prenuptial agreement and since their marriage lasted over a decade anything acquired during it would be a 50/50 split between the two parties, as the former couple are seen in November 2007

Fox and Green started dating in 2004 and married in Maui years later in 2010.

Fox filed for divorce in November 2020, six months after Brian revealed the couple had separated.

On his podcast, Green said that his wife had left him, revealing that she returned home from a film shoot in late 2019 and told him that 'I feel more like myself, and I liked myself better' when she was away from him.

They elected to 'separate for a little bit' and 'see whatever it is we find', Green explained.

It marked the second time the couple had gone their separate ways, with Fox previously filing for divorce from Green in 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, but she was back with him and pregnant with Journey the following year.

Former flames: Fox and Green started dating in 2004 and married in 2010 with the exes sharing three kids together (pictured in 2014)

Three years after they got back together, Fox then took the legal step of filing to dismiss the divorce petition in April 2019.

It has not been the most smooth separation between the two as back in July Megan deleted a seemingly supportive comment under Brian's gushing post about his girlfriend Sharna Burgess.

Alongside an Instagram snap kissing his new love, Brian penned on Tuesday: 'Its been a really long time since Ive been with someone I can truly share life with. [red heart emoji]'

Fox, who filed for divorce from Green in November after 10 years of marriage, commented: 'Grateful for Sharna,' along with a purple heart emoji.

Awkward: It has not been the most smooth separation between the two as back in July Megan deleted a seemingly supportive comment under Brian's gushing post about his girlfriend Sharna Burgess

Grateful: Fox said she was 'grateful for Sharna,' after Brian claimed it had been a 'really long time' since he felt such love... eight months after ending his marriage to Megan

However, fans were quick to speculate whether Fox was being sincere, and later, the Transformers star deleted the comment.

The comments left fans reeling, as they remarked on Green's awkward choice of wording about waiting to so long for love, just eight months after splitting from Fox.

Replying to Fox's comment, they penned: 'he could have went with a better caption'; 'classy...?? More like salty and always tryna steal someone spotlight!!'

'lmfao. The shaddddeeee but he started it.'; 'you just missed the point completely. Brian took a swing. She went high and knocked it out of the park with class.....' [sic]

Awkward: The comments left fans reeling, as they remarked on Green's awkward choice of wording about waiting to so long for love, just eight months after splitting from Fox

No one else: While Burgess didn't comment on Fox's post, she did add a comment of her own, stating, 'There's no one else I could ever imagine sharing it with. I love you'

Undeterred by the feuding in the comment section, Burgess wrote a post of her own, typing: 'There's no one else I could ever imagine sharing it with. I love you' with a red heart emoji.

She is now dating Machine Gun Kelly, with the couple first linked in May last year, the same month Green announced he'd split from her.

Green, meanwhile, enjoyed a romance with Australian model Tina Louise before he started dating Burgess in December.

Cute couple: Megan is now dating Machine Gun Kelly, with the couple first linked in May last year, the same month Green announced he'd split from her (pictured in May)

Back in February it was reported by E! News that Megan 'wants the divorce to be done with so she can move on and move ahead' with the 31-year-old rapper.

The source claimed at the time that though the former couple were 'working through the divorce,' the process is not going as smoothly as the Transformers star would like.

'Brian is definitely not making it easy or doing things quickly,' the insider shared.

Megan would like to wrap it up and get it finished as quickly as possible, but Brian is not exactly working with her on that.'

The source added that Megan 'very serious with MGK and sees him as her soulmate and life partner.'

'They plan to be together forever.'
Gary Fahey is a 'fallen cop' who was the head of security for former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The 44-year-old federal policeman is now set to compete in a new version of SAS Australia that will see everyday Aussies battle it out for selection.

Fahey will be among 14 other contestants when the series kicks off on Monday, according to The Daily Telegraph.

A unique addition to SAS: Kevin Rudd's former bodyguard Gary Fahey to join a new version of SAS Australia that will feature everyday Australians

'I was in the Federal Police for eighteen-and-a-half years,' he said in a promo. 'I was leader of the Prime Ministers protection team. I had a loving family and I lost everything I had.'

The former cop is perhaps the most controversial competitor in the series due to a gambling addiction that at one point saw him lose thousands in taxpayer money.

Fahey had lost up to $1.7 million dollars from gambling, $45,000 of which was taxpayer money directly taken from an AFP-issued credit card.

Chance at redemption: The former policeman is perhaps the most controversial competitor in the series due to a gambling addiction that at one point saw him lose thousands in taxpayer money

He subsequently faced 64 charges of fraud, but only pleaded guilty to once charge.

Fahey's other charges were soon dropped and he was punished with eight months of community service as a result of his actions.

Since his fall from grace, the former policeman now operates a gym and helps others in his community struggling with their mental health.

'I lost my career, my reputation,' he said. 'I lost my son 10 days ago; I told him that I was coming here and I made him a promise that I wouldnt quit. I made him a promise so he can be proud of his dad.'

'I lost my career, my reputation': Since his fall from grace, Fahey now operates a gym and helps others in his community struggling with their mental health

SAS chief drill instructor Ant Middleton explained that Fahey's participation on the gruelling assault course would be a kind of 'therapy' for the former policeman.

'He is physically unprepared. He is out of his depth,' the former soldier commented.

Fahey is one of fourteen contestants that will appear on the exciting first season of SAS Australia involving regular Aussies.

The announcement comes after the second season of the celebrity version of the show recently finished airing just as the cast for the third season of the hit series was revealed.
She recently announced her role at Channel Seven as a marquee racing reporter.

And seasoned race-attendee Samantha Armytage stepped out dressed to the nines at Everest Day at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday.

The 45-year-old brought her husband Richard Lavender along as her date for the star-studded event.

Off to the races! On Saturday, Samantha Armytage and her husband Richard Lavender stepped out dressed to the nines to attend Everest Day at the Royal Randwick Racecourse

Sam wore a dark navy blue shift dress which stopped at her knees.

To accessorise, she donned pearl earrings, a pair of nude strappy feels, and a matching nude clutch.

Sam's toenails were painted red, while her fingers were a nude shade. She eased herself into the racing season by donning a natural makeup look.

Her blonde locks were blow-dried straight and hung loosely over her shoulders while being held back by a subtle gold headband.

And Richard, 60, was every bit the happy man as he walked alongside his wife of 10 months.

Happy man! Richard, 60, was every bit the happy man as he walked alongside his wife of 10 months

He looked dapper in a grey suit, with a blue shirt and tie combo which complimented Sam's outfit.

Sam was beaming as she made her way to the race course to meet fellow racing enthusiast Kate Waterhouse.

Kate, 37, donned an all-white ensemble and added a pop of colour to her outfit with some lavender heels.

The Sydney socialite also had a Channel Seven microphone in hand ahead of hosting duties on the big day.

Working gals? Sam was beaming as she made her way to the race course, to meet fellow racing enthusiast Kate Waterhouse. The Sydney socialite also had a Channel Seven microphone in hand ahead of hosting duties on the big day

Sam's attendance comes after she confirmed she and her husband would be appearing on the upcoming season of Farmer Wants A Wife.

On Wednesday, she also revealed another exciting TV project.

At the time, The TV veteran told fans she will be joining the 'incredible' horse racing team at Channel Seven, where she will report from marquee events during racing season.

'Thrilled to be heading back to TV & back to @channel7 next year, helping out on @farmeraustralia (b/c I found my fabulous farmer!) & joining the incredible team @7horseracing for marquee events... giddy up & cant wait,' wrote the bubbly blonde.

Sam is previously best known for her role of eight years as breakfast TV host of Sunrise.
Bella Hadid put her supermodel skills on display while hanging out at the home of her stylist pal Dean DiCriscio this week.

The 25-year-old supermodel whirled through a string of eye-popping ensembles in an album she posted to her Instagram on Friday.

In one picture she slid her enviably svelte figure into a skintight little black dress and metallic belt so she could goof around with a clutch of stuffed animals.

Another snapshot let her show off her endless legs a she posed on a bed with her feet up on the wall - imitating a Raggedy Ann doll laying nearby.

She turned up the quirk factor in a third picture, pulling a bald cap over her hair and modeling a hot pink unitard plus heavy makeup.

Bella tagged photographer Alana O'Herlihy in her album to tell her 46.6 million Instagram followers who was snapping her.

Lately Bella has been doing advertising for Kin Euphorics - a company where she gained partner status this year.

Working: Lately Bella has been doing advertising for Kin Euphorics - a company where she gained partner status this year

Kin Euphorics pitches its drinks as being able to elevate the drinker's mood without the use of cannabis or alcohol.

The brand was launched in 2018 by its CEO Jen Batchelor, whose father was a bootlegger in Saudi Arabia, and Bella announced her partnership in it last month.

'We're not at war with alcohol. We're just affording people an option,' said Jen in an interview about the product for INC.

In her personal life Bella is currently involved with an art director called Marc Kalman whom she was seen stepping out with earlier this week.

Announcement: She went public with her relationship to art director Marc Kalman when she posted an Instagram snap of them kissing at Cannes

She only went public with the romance this July when she posted a picture of her and Marc locking lips at Cannes.

'Time of my life. Healthy, Working and Loved,' captioned Bella whose romantic history includes The Weeknd.

However a Page Six source claimed that the relationship began last July and that the dynamic duo 'hid it well' in the intervening time.

They are said to have carried on the romance in New York amid the coronavirus pandemic while assiduously making sure they never got caught together.
Being an A-list actress, activist, entrepreneur, and mother of three children as a single woman has forced Jennifer Garner to do a bit of a juggling act.

And the Miracles From Heaven star put her busy schedule on display when she was spotted hurrying around her Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles on Friday.

At one point during her day, which typically includes stopping by for an update on her house that's been under construction for more than a year, Garner was captured picking up her nine-year-old son Samuel from school.

Need for speed: Jennifer Garner, 49, was seen hurrying to pick up her nine-year-old son, Samuel, from school in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Friday

Garner, 49, could be seen doing the fast-walk en route to the school while wearing a pair of black sandals.

In keeping with her casual-cool vibe, the Daredevil star donned a blue button-down shirt, with a retro 1950s-early 60s style, and faded blue jeans.

The Texas native rounded out her ensemble by styling her dark brown tresses long and rocking a pair of sunglasses on top of her head.

Stepping it up: The actress could be seen doing the fast-walk en route to the school while wearing a pair of black, open-to flat heels with faded blue jeans and a retro style shirt

Safety first: The mother-son tandem both wore face masks, amid COVID-19, and were attentive about the traffic at intersections during the trip back home

Hurrying along, but not panicked, the actress made sure to look in each direction at all the intersections of the road during the walk.

Eventually she made it to the school, where she greeted the youngest of her three kids with a hug.

The pair then embarked on the trek back to their home, with Sam dressed casually in red sweatpants, an off-white t-shirt, and grey and black sneakers.

With a backpack on his shoulders and a lunchbox in hand, the youngster and his mom made sure to wear protective masks over their mouths for the trip.

Along with Sam, Garner also has two daughters: Violet, 15, and Seraphina, 12, that she co-parents with ex-husband Ben Affleck.

Hectic schedule: The Miracles From Heaven star has been busy with the construction of her new home on a property she bought a couple of years ago

Casual: Samuel wore sweatpants, a t-shirt and sneakers on Friday

In between tending to her three kids and business errands, Garner was able to fit in a session of 'Crocheting with Sutton.'

'My friend @suttonlenore has written a wonderful book. I opened an early copy on a flight this summer, intending to peek before diving into emails, butit was so good!I couldn't peel my eyes away from the story, and the emails went unanswered for another day,' she shared in the caption of a video.

'I wrote to Sutton right away and said, "After all of these years, I feel like I met you today. I am grateful to have your example of resilience as a guiding light, and shoot. It looks like I have to bust out the yarn after all." Here we go, Sutton, lesson number one: completeI think I aced it! I can't wait to wear this future garment to the opening of @musicmanbway, and I am so excited for everyone to read #HOOKED! #HookedHowCraftingSavedMyLife'

New hobby: In between attending to her three kids, and any lingering business errands, Garner was able to fit in a session of 'Crocheting with Sutton' on Friday

Lesson #1: This was Garner's first lesson in crocheting with Sutton Lenore
Dan Ewing has shown off his shredded physique after starring on the military-style series SAS Australia.

The 36-year-old actor shared a selfie of his ripped body in a post to Instagram where he revealed he had lost 6 kilos.

'Day 1: 90kg (sorry @erinvholland). Day 13: 84 kg,' he captioned the photo before adding the hashtag, '#SASshred'.

Ripped: SAS Australias Dan Ewing has shared his amazing body transformation after being on the show

Ewing tagging Erin after the 90kg stat refers to how heavy he was when the model was forced to carry him on her shoulders and around an assault course on SAS Australia.

Erin was unable to do so and subsequently quit the show.

She jokingly wrote in response to Dan's tag: 'For f**ks sake, you couldve done me a solid and been 84 for when I tried to carry your ***.'

'You couldve done me a solid and been 84 for when I tried to carry your ***': The actor tagged fellow SAS star and model Erin Holland, who retired from the series after she was forced to carry Dan on her shoulders

Other fellow SAS Australia contestants also chimed in on Dan's post.

'Could grate cheese on those things,' commented former Olympian and fellow SAS competitor, Jessica Peris.

'Still a thicc (sic) boy and I reckon still over the weight class for @erinholland, who still weighs one third your weight,' said politician, Emma Husar.

Dan's partner, actress Kat Risteska, commented with a hot face emoji.

'Could grate cheese on those things': Dan's fellow SAS Australia contestants, including Jessica Peris and Emma Husar, also chimed in on the post

The Home and Away star did reasonably well on the latest season of SAS Australia, making it to the final five.

He was controversially eliminated in the final episode of the series when the directing staff tore him to shreds during an intense interrogation.

The actor was booted off the show for lying to the instructors in the interrogation, but Ewing later claimed the final recruits were told to fabricate their stories beforehand.

Infamous: The Home and Away star was abruptly eliminated in the final episode of SAS when the directing staff tore him to shreds during an intense interrogation

Fellow contestant Jana Pittman, who was eliminated in the same episode, backed Dan's claims.

The former olympian revealed that all the recruits were instructed to fabricate stories for the instructors - but only Dan was punished for it.

A production source also corroborated the two contestants' assertions and added that the event was a calculated move by producers to keep Dan from making it to the end - because he was a threat to the preferred winner of the show, Sam Burgess.
Kourtney Kardashian has been accused of acting 'bratty' during a 'bit of a kerfuffle' while on a flight with her beau Travis Barker.

Travis' phone apparently tumbled in between two seats and Kourtney allegedly began 'frantically searching' for it, according to a passenger who spoke to Page Six.

The passenger said that when a flight attendant requested that Kourtney sit down the reality star began 'freaking out and kept saying: "Give me five more minutes."'

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Kourtney for comment.

City slickers: Kourtney Kardashian has been accused of acting 'bratty' on a flight with her beau Travis Barker to New York on Wednesday; they are pictured in the Big Apple on Friday

According to the passenger who spoke to Page Six: 'She got into a bit of a kerfuffle and was quite bratty. She was not nice and was very much acting like a child.'

They claimed Travis' phone 'fell underneath one of those crazy reclining chairs in [business class]' on their Delta flight to New York from Los Angeles on Wednesday. 'She was the one looking for it, and he was not moving.'

The eyewitness added: 'She was in the aisle and was even bending over and using the light from her phone to search for it.'

Furthermore the passenger alleged that it took 'two hours' for the flight attendant to manage 'dismantling the chair' in order to find the phone.

In the rearview: Travis' phone apparently tumbled in between two seats and Kourtney allegedly began 'frantically searching' for it; they are seen in New York on Friday

Kourtney was defended by a source in her camp who said the chair 'only took five minutes to dismantle!' and accused the passenger of embroidering the story.

'She didnt ask for five more minutes, and the flight attendant felt so bad for rushing her, she apologized and made an announcement to help them on the flight. The passenger is exaggerating,' said the insider close to Kourtney.

A couple of months ago Kourtney managed to persuade Travis to board a flight for the first time since his traumatic crash in 2008.

Although Travis survived with burns, two of his friends and both of the pilots of the plane were killed in the accident.

'The passenger is exaggerating': Kourtney was defended by a source in her camp who accused the Page Six insider of embroidering the story; they are pictured last month in Brooklyn

When Kourtney and Travis finally took a flight together as a couple in August it was to holiday in the tourist hot spot of Cabo San Lucas.

He recently told Nylon: 'I made a deal with her that she had just said to me: "I would love to do so much traveling with you. I want to go to Italy with you. I want to go to Cabo with you. I want to go to Paris with you. I want to go to Bora Bora with you."

The Blink-182 drummer recalled: "And I said: "Well, when the day comes you want to fly, I'm telling you I'll do it with you. I would do anything with you. And just give me 24 hours' notice." And that's what she did.'

Their latest couple's trip to New York came less than a week after Kourtney's sister Kim sent up her relationship with Travis on Saturday Night Live.

Jolly holiday: A couple of months ago Kourtney managed to persuade Travis to board a flight for the first time since his traumatic crash in 2008 - this August they went to Cabo

They are known for gushing over each other including early in the romance when he tagged her in an Instagram post where he spilled: 'All day I dream about sex w/ you.'

He has gotten her name tattooed onto his chest and she has appeared on Instagram inking the phrase: 'I love you' onto one of his forearms.

During a vacation to the desert Kourtney posted a flash-flashing snap of herself in a bikini throwing her arms and legs around her shirtless beau as they kissed.

Kim took aim at their public displays of affection during a sketch where she played Kourtney attempting to host a program called The People's Kourt.

Goofing around: Their trip to New York City came just days after her sister Kim sent up Kourtney and Travis' relationship on Saturday Night Live

Kourtney is shown as completely bored of the entire endeavor, airily telling one set of disputants to settle among themselves who is guilty.

Her mood peps up once Travis - played by Mikey Day - shows up and they begin ostentatiously kissing and cuddling up to one another on camera.

During their rendezvous he spills that she is 'so punk' and she asks him to 'drum All The Small Things on my a** when we get home.'

Kourtney took the sketch in good humor, posting a clip on Instagram and writing: 'ahhhhh! this is everything! @kimkardashian you killed SNL'.
Comedian turned actor Kumail Nanjiani is looking more like an action hero since he bulked up to play the first South Asian superhero in the Marvel movie, The Eternals.

While filming wrapped back in February 2020 after a six-month shoot, Nanjiani has since been obsessed with maintaining his newfound muscles and overall ripped physique.

And on Friday he was spotted heading out from his Los Angeles home for another one of his grueling workouts dressed sporty in a blue hoodie, green shorts and black running sneakers.

Pumping up: Kumail Nanjiani, 43, grabbed a face mask and a bottle of water and headed out from his Los Angeles home to a workout session on Friday

While on the move to his exercise session, the Pakistan native brought along a bottle of water to stay hydrated and carried a face mask, amid the still dangerous COVID-19 pandemic.

He wasted little time in putting on the protective covering as soon as he was around others while out in the public.

The Silicon Valley alum has been a changed man, of sorts, after bulking up and getting ripped for the beginning of the Eternals shoot in July 2019.

'I'll tell you, man, it's very easy to get obsessed with that number on the scale,' the actor, 43, admitted to Vulture on Tuesday, adding, 'It's a tough thing. It's deceiving. You become obsessed with it. I certainly have, and for me, it's not great to weigh myself every day. I could tell you what I weigh today.'

Let's get physical: The actor dressed sporty in a blue hoodie, green shorts and black running sneakers for his workout

He continued: 'The way I look has been way too important to me, and so to hear a bunch of people reaffirming my own darkest thoughts about myself was very difficult.'

It's a big change for Nanjiani, who used to believe 'the only reason people would be friends with me was because they felt bad for me.'

His wife, Emily V. Gordon, previously confirmed his obsessive personality to Men's Health last year: 'He's obsessive. When Kumail gets into things, he gets really into things.'

Makeover: The Silicon Valley alum has been a changed man since getting ripped in 2019 for his role in Marvel film Eternals; he is pictured on August 2

On a mission: 'It's very easy to get obsessed with that number on the scale. It's a tough thing. It's deceiving. You become obsessed with it. I certainly have, and for me, it's not great to weigh myself every day. I could tell you what I weigh today, the Pakistan native, 43, confessed to Vulture on Tuesday

The Oscar-nominated screenwriters, whose real-life romance inspired their film The Big Sick, have been married for 14 years.

Following his shoot for the Eternals, Nanjiani had to maintain his new muscular frame for the filming of his mystery role in the star-studded Disney+ spin-off series, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

But first audiences can catch Nanjiani as Kingo, the immortal Bollywood star who can 'project cosmic energy projectiles from his hands', in Chloe Zhao's Eternals that hits theaters in the US and UK on November 5.

'The way I look has been way too important to me, and so to hear a bunch of people reaffirming my own darkest thoughts about myself was very difficult,' Nanjiani continued in the interview; he seen in 2019

MCU makeover: The body makeover is a big change for Nanjiani, who used to believe 'the only reason people would be friends with me was because they felt bad for me'; the actor is pictured in 2019 with his trainer Grant Roberts

The MCU ensemble film also stars Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, and Richard Madden.

The Bless the Harts actor and Gordon are also teaming up to produce and adapt the screenplay of the late Edward Gorey's 1957 illustrated book The Doubtful Guest, according to Variety.

Nanjiani will star in the film, which is about a mysterious penguin-like creature who stirs up chaos in a family's home, that will be directed by Andy Muschietti.

Her take: The Emmy nominee's wife Emily V. Gordon previously told Men's Health: 'He's obsessive. When Kumail gets into things, he gets really into things'; they are pictured Oct 4

Still going strong! The Oscar-nominated screenwriters, whose real-life romance inspired their movie The Big Sick, have been married for 14 years; they are pictured on September 25
Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim and his model partner Sarah Budge have been pictured with their baby boy Elvis for the first time since his birth in late August.

The couple were seen carrying their son on Saturday while hosting a barbecue at John's home in Dover Heights in Sydney's east with their famous pals.

John, 53, doted over Elvis in his baby carrier as he exited his car shortly before radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands and his girlfriend Tegan Kynaston arrived with gifts.

EXCLUSIVE: John Ibrahim (pictured), 53, and partner Sarah Budge were seen for the first time with their newborn son Elvis on Saturday, as the Kings Cross identity hosted a BBQ with guests including Kyle Sandilands at his Dover Heights home in Sydney

The businessman looked smart in a crisp white Ralph Lauren shirt teamed with blue jeans, white sneakers and trendy aviator sunglasses.

Following closely behind was his glamorous girlfriend Sarah, 31, who drew attention to her incredible post-baby body in a white long-sleeved top and black leggings.

The beauty added black sneakers, slung a pink handbag over one shoulder, and picked up a few essentials for the party including groceries and homeware items.

Polished: The businessman looked smart in a crisp white Ralph Lauren shirt teamed with blue jeans, white sneakers and trendy aviator sunglasses

Hands-on dad: John doted over Elvis in his baby carrier as he exited his car

Businessman: John rose to become one of the most powerful figures in the Sydney nightclub scene by the age of 26 - with his life soon to be turned into a TV series

Sarah concealed her gaze behind designer sunglasses, and looked to have worn minimal makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

A friend of the couple confirmed Elvis' birth to Daily Mail Australia in early September, and it's understood the baby arrived on August 31.

John has two other children from past relationships, including a grown-up son, Daniel, 31.

Gorgeous: Following closely behind was his girlfriend Sarah (pictured), 31, who drew attention to her incredible post-baby body in a white long-sleeved top and black leggings. The brunette beauty picked up a few essentials for the party including groceries and homeware items

Natural beauty: Sarah concealed her gaze behind designer sunglasses, and looked to have worn minimal makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through

New chapter: She moved out of her Leichhardt flat, in Sydney's inner west, and into John's Dover Heights clifftop mansion in the city's east ahead of the birth

How they met: Sarah and John have been dating since 2015 after meeting when John bought the Potts Point building where she ran a restaurant

He also has a seven-year-old child who he shares with his long-time friend.

Sarah and John have been dating since 2015 after meeting when John bought the Potts Point building where she ran a restaurant.

She recently moved out of her Leichhardt flat, in Sydney's inner west, and into John's Dover Heights clifftop mansion in the city's east.

Famous face: John is often spotted spending time with radio host Kyle Sandilands (pictured), who regularly speaks highly of their friendship on The Kyle and Jackie O Show

Sarah launched Crane Bar in May 2013, which is known for its Japanese fusion food, cocktails and music.

Earlier this year, she was devastated by the realisation her business would not recover from the pandemic shutdown, which hit Australia's hospitality sector hard.

'Sarah's a bit heartbroken,' a friend told Daily Mail Australia earlier this year.

'She's disheartened at the moment.'

Star couple: Kyle, 50, cut a cool and casual figure for the barbecue in a black T-shirt, paired with a fisherman's vest, black shorts, sneakers and aviator sunglasses. He carried bags of baked goods alongside girlfriend Tegan Kynaston (left), 35

Glamorous: Tegan showed off her leggy figure in a khaki sweater, ripped white Daisy Dukes and black platform boots

Picture-perfect: She accessorised with a Stella McCartney handbag and dark sunglasses, and styled her cropped blonde locks out and in loose waves

John is often spotted spending time with radio host Kyle Sandilands, who regularly speaks highly of their friendship on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Kyle, 50, cut a cool and casual figure for the barbecue in a black T-shirt, paired with a fisherman's vest, black shorts, sneakers and aviator sunglasses.

Girlfriend Tegan, 35, showed off her leggy figure in a khaki sweater, ripped white Daisy Dukes and black platform boots.

She accessorised with a Stella McCartney handbag and dark sunglasses, and styled her cropped blonde locks out and in loose waves.

'It won't be the normal sort of party at John's place': On Thursday, Kyle revealed why he was dreading attending the Kings Cross identity's party over the weekend on his radio show, The Kyle and Jackie O Show

Kyle admitted on Thursday's radio show that he was dreading attending the Kings Cross identity's party because the guest list included 'kids and girlfriends'.

'You know how all my friends have had babies, and our entire lifestyles... have changed?' Kyle asked his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, adding: 'Why my lifestyle's changed, I've got no idea. I've not had a baby.'

'So we're going to Ibrahim's house for a barbecue on Saturday,' Kyle explained.

'That's nice!' Jackie enthused.

Kyle revealed on-air on Thursday's radio show that the invitation to John's party said: 'Be aware, this is a girlfriends and kids' party'. Pictured: Kyle and Tegan posing with John and Sarah

'Oh, with all those kids, I don't know how nice it'll be,' Kyle rued, adding: 'I think it'll be OK, [but] it won't be the normal sort of party at John's place.'

'It even said on the invite, 'Be aware, this is a girlfriends and kids' party'. Just so some blokes don't show up with wh**es and stuff, I suppose.'

'If you don't read things properly, you could show up with [anyone]. You never know,' he mused.

Baby plans: Despite his apparent disdain for parties that involve children, Kyle recently admitted himself that he's trying for a baby with Tegan

Despite his apparent disdain for parties that involve children, Kyle recently admitted himself that he's trying for a baby with Tegan.

The radio heavyweight announced his plans to start a family with the blonde beauty two months ago, prompting speculation a baby announcement was imminent.

Kyle and Tegan have been dating since late 2019, following the end of his eight-year relationship with model and fashion designer Imogen Anthony.
Bailey Smith has been making headlines of late, and it appears he's on the reality show radar, too.

The AFL bad boy has revealed that she was approached by Channel Nine to appear on Love Island Australia.

However the 20-year-old says that he couldn't take the offer - partly because he was worried he'd get a 'villain edit' and made to look bad.

Ready for island life? Bailey Smith has been making headlines of late, and it appears he's on the reality show radar, too. The AFL bad boy has revealed that she was approached by Channel Nine to appear on Love Island Australia. Bailey is pictured

'I got messaged by Love Island to go on Love Island,' he told the It's A Lot podcast this week.

'But I don't think they understand my schedule and how I can't just stop going to footy,' he added.

'And that was my one nightmare, if I ever went on a show it would be them cutting things and portraying me as a bad person or, like, worrying about something that I'm not.

'I got messaged by Love Island to go on Love Island,' he told the It's A Lot podcast this week. 'But I don't think they understand my schedule and how I can't just stop going to footy,' he added

Villain edit: 'And that was my one nightmare, if I ever went on a show it would be them cutting things and portraying me as a bad person or, like, worrying about something that I'm not' he added. Pictured: The cast

It's like, please, I don't like giving someone that much power, it is scary.'

Bailey has gotten a lot of attention lately but not for all the right reasons.

Earlier this month, he was involved in an alleged altercation at a popular Gold Coast pub.

The incident occurred at Burleigh Pavilion on the October long weekend - one week after Smith's team, the Western Bulldogs, lost the 2021 AFL Grand Final.

Location: Earlier this month, he was involved in an alleged altercation at a popular Gold Coast pub. The incident occurred at Burleigh Pavilion (pictured) on the October long weekend - one week after Smith's team, the Western Bulldogs, lost the 2021 AFL Grand Final

Police are investigating after a formal complaint was lodged by a 22-year-old man who alleges Smith pushed him in the early hours of Monday, October 4.

No charges have been laid and it's understood Smith has not been spoken to by police.

It comes after the Western Bulldogs player appeared in a raucous video in which he admits he hasn't slept for 48 hours and is on the hunt for female company.

Posted to social media platform TikTok, the footage shows Smith at a nightclub after the Bulldogs' AFL Grand Final loss against the Melbourne Demons in Perth.

Wild: It comes after the Western Bulldogs player appeared in a raucous video in which he admits he hasn't slept for 48 hours and is on the hunt for female company

'At the end of the day it's about the f***king ticka. We're here right, we're here. We ain't slept in 48 hours. Sleep is for the f**cking weak,' he said.

The party had kicked off on the Saturday night, and on Sunday, the entire team headed out to the Ocean Beach Hotel at Cottesloe Beach to enjoy a few drinks.

On the day, TikTok user @brodeeezy posted a video from the bar in which Bailey Smith could be seen swarmed by female fans.

In the clip, he debunks a 'nude' picture of himself circulating the internet.

Attention: TikTok user @brodeeezy posted a video from a bar in which Bailey could be seen swarmed by female fans. In the video, the AFL star appeared to be debunking a 'nude' of himself circulating the internet

Undoctored: The original image (above) is said to have been doctored to appear as though Bailey is completely nude. Smith made light of the situation on Sunday and posted the original photo on his Instagram Stories along with an eggplant emoji

'That's the actual photo,' Smith said, as he showed two ladies an image of himself shirtless, reclined while wearing shorts.

The original image is said to have been doctored to appear as though Bailey is completely nude.

Smith made light of the situation and posted the original picture on his Instagram Stories along with an eggplant emoji - but afterwards, got an indecent proposal.

Bailey said on the Common Chaos podcast that he was bizarrely offered '$50,000' to sleep with a man he'd never met after the stranger got hold of his phone number.
Samantha Armytage has quietly returned to Channel Seven after her high profile departure from the network earlier this year.

The former Sunrise star, 45, is not only making a guest appearance on the reality show Farmer Wants a Wife, she will appear at appear in coverage of six horseracing events in 2022.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that Sam will shoot, 'packages from the races to be incorporated into Seven's race day coverage' but won't be presenting or calling races.

Back: Samantha Armytage (pictured) has quietly returned to Channel Seven after her high profile departure from the network earlier this year

'She was contracted to the end of the year so we expected this might be a case of her being a few new projects to see her through but a new contract reopens the door. She could turn up anywhere in the future,' an alleged Seven network insider told the paper.

It comes after Sam shared the shock announcement that she was joining frothy reality TV franchise Farmer Wants a Wife.

The announcement was part of Channel Seven's Upfronts on Tuesday.

Gig: The former Sunrise star, 45, is not only making a guest appearance on the reality show Farmer Wants a Wife, she will appear at appear in coverage of six horseracing events in 2022. Pictured at The TAB Everest race day in Sydney on Saturday

Sam, who married wealthy farmer Richard Lavender late last year, will assist with the matchmaking process alongside host Natalie Gruzlewski.

'I'm thrilled to be joining Farmer Wants a Wife in 2022,' she said on Tuesday.

'I've always been a huge fan of the show and of country people, and I know first-hand that falling in love with a farmer is just about the most wonderful thing you can do.'

Her guest role will involve hosting a segment called Sam's Choice, in which she introduces the farmers to a 'new lady based on her own expertise and experience'.

Wow! It comes after Sam shared the shock announcement that she was joining frothy reality TV franchise Farmer Wants a Wife (pictured). The announcement was part of Channel Seven's Upfronts on Tuesday

Help: Sam, who married wealthy farmer Richard Lavender late last year, will assist with the matchmaking process alongside host Natalie Gruzlewski

Seven's Director of Programming, Angus Ross, said the network was 'thrilled to welcome Sam back to our screens'.

'Farmer Wants a Wife has been such a hit with audiences because of its heart and Natalie's earnest mission to help farmers find the love of their lives,' Mr Ross said.

'Given Sam's new life on the farm, she's in the perfect position to share a snapshot of what farm life could look like for the ladies.'

A trailer for next year's season of FWAW introduces Sam as someone 'who knows a thing or two' about finding love with a farmer.

Skills: A trailer for next year's season of FWAW introduces Sam as someone 'who knows a thing or two' about finding love with a farmer

Happy days: Sam married the equestrian businessman, 60, at his country estate in the NSW Southern Highlands on New Year's Eve

'I really want to help find the right woman for each of our farmers,' she says, while standing in a paddock wearing a cowboy hat.

'I won't hold back because this is love. This is for the rest of their lives. I really want to help a farmer find a wife. Have you all met Rich?'

Richard then walks on screen and says, 'Every farmer needs love,' to which Sam replies giddily: 'That's lovely, darling!'

Romantic story: They had announced their engagement in June last year

Sam married the equestrian businessman, 60, at his country estate in the NSW Southern Highlands on New Year's Eve.

They had announced their engagement in June last year.

Sam went on to quit Sunrise in March and has now moved away from Sydney to live with Richard at his 40-hectare rural property.

The new season of Farmer Wants a Wife premieres next year on Seven
Fitness mogul Tammy Hembrow has long denied rumours she underwent a Brazilian butt lift to achieve her shapely and toned derriere.

And on Saturday, the 27-year-old proudly revealed her sensational physique as she posed in a tiny blue bikini poolside for a series of stunning Instagram photos.

The mother of two drew attention to her rock-hard abs and peachy posterior as she reclined on a sun lounger and stood by the pool at a property on the Gold Coast.

Cheeky! Tammy Hembrow, 27, flaunted her famous derriere and toned curves in a skimpy blue bikini as she posed poolside on the Gold Coast in Instagram photos on Saturday (pictured)

Tammy's long blonde locks fell loosely around her shoulders, and she showed off a golden complexion that looked to be free from makeup as she soaked up the sun.

Allowing her sizzling figure and surrounds to take centre stage, Tammy simply captioned the post with a blue butterfly emoji and tagged her fitness app.

Earlier this year, Tammy proved her curves were 'built' and not bought, as she documented her fitness journey 'over the years' in photos shared to Instagram.

Gym-honed: The fitness mogul drew attention to her rock-hard abs, lean legs and cleavage in the scanty swimwear as she reclined on a sun lounger

Golden goddess: Tammy's long blonde locks fell loosely around her shoulders, and she showed off a golden complexion that looked to be free from makeup as she soaked up the sun

Posing in skimpy briefs in a trio of images, the blonde bombshell told her fans that it's definitely possible to build muscle by training hard in the gym and eating well.

'Three different stages in my fitness journey over the years. Is it possible to build a [peach emoji] in the gym?? YESSS IT IS and don't let anyone tell you different!!' Tammy began her post.

'Work hard, fuel your body with lots of good food, and you really can make HUGE changes,' she continued, tagging her health and fitness app.

Tammy accompanied the caption with a photo on the far left of herself with a noticeably flatter posterior, followed by two images of herself with a much more shapely and pert derriere.

Body of work: Earlier this year, Tammy proved her curves were 'built' and not bought, as she documented her fitness journey 'over the years' in photos shared to Instagram

Changing shape: The mother of two documented her fitness journey 'over the years' in three photos where she posed in the skimpiest of briefs

Encouragement: Tammy told her fans that it's definitely possible to build muscle by training hard in the gym and eating well

The entrepreneur has previously revealed she 'hates' it when people falsely accuse her of having undergone a Brazilian butt lift.

She said during an interview with Studio 10 in December 2019: 'I hate when people accuse me of doing that.

'I take such offence to it because I worked so hard and it makes me annoyed.'

Natural: The Gold Coast-based beauty has long denied rumours she underwent a Brazilian butt lift to achieve her shapely and toned derriere

Working out: Tammy insists she has crafted her posterior thanks to weight training, and says she can perform 60kg weighted squats. Pictured left in 2014, and right in 2021

When asked how she maintains such a curvy backside, Tammy said it was all down to weight training.

'I do a lot of heavy weights. You're not going to build any muscle if you are not doing leg weights,' she explained.

'I see a lot of girls doing cardio and this and that, [but] it's not going to build any muscle really.'
They both star in the new Italian romance film Time Is Up.

And Bella Thorne and her fiance Benjamin Mascolo looked more loved-up than ever as they posed at a photocall for their upcoming movie in Rome, Italy, on Saturday.

The actress, 24 looked incredible in a chic white mini dress which showed off her toned legs and stunning figure, as her beau planted a sweet kiss on her cheek.

Kiss: Bella Thorne and her fiance Benjamin Mascolo looked more loved-up than ever as they posed at a photocall for their upcoming movie in Rome, Italy, on Saturday

She teamed the thigh-skimming number which featured silver sparkly detailing with glitzy heels and a matching bag.

Bella wore her bright raven tresses in a perfectly blow-dried style and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look at the Alice nella Citta 2021 film festival.

Meanwhile Benjamin looked dapper in a navy suit trousers and a white shirt as he gazed adoringly at his love.

Leggy: The actress, 24 looked incredible in a chic white mini dress which showed off her toned legs and stunning figure, as her beau posed with her

The couple both take on leading roles in the upcoming movie, which follows Vivien (Bella) and Royan (Benjamin) after an accident forces them to stop and reclaim their lives and start living in the present.

After posting a trailer of the film earlier this month, Bella said, 'Cant believe [Ben] proposed to me after we filmed this.'

She also said to her beau in another post, 'Ive never filmed a movie before with someone Im romantically involved with, and Im so happy I got to fall in love with you on screen and off screen a million times over.'

The look: She teamed the thigh-skimming number which featured silver sparkly detailing with glitzy heels and a matching bag

Glowing: Bella wore her bright raven tresses in a perfectly blow-dried style and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look at the Alice nella Citta 2021 film festival

The couple announced their engagement back in March, following two years together.

Ben went all out to pop the question, setting up a red heart made of roses that featured 'B+B' on the front, as well as a lit-up sign that read: 'Marry Me.'

Last week Bella Thorne dazzled while celebrating her 24th birthday in some glam new Instagram snaps.

She put on a sizzling display in chic gowns, a sexy suit and slinky lingerie while marking another milestone.

Plot: The couple both take on leading roles in the movie, which follows Vivien (Bella) and Royan (Benjamin) after an accident forces them to stop and reclaim their lives and start living in the present

Making herself the center of attention, Bella rocked a plunging silver dress with alluring cut-outs on the side as she played with a sparkler.

She had her crimson locks swept up into a chic twist and played up her eyes with dark, winged liner.

Bella continued to turn up the heat while slinking around in a pink satin corset and matching bottoms.

She perched herself on an antique chair and stretched out her long legs while letting gold confetti rain from the ceiling of the mansion where they were shooting.

Looking radiant: Bella made sure all eyes were on her in the white dress and opted for a green eyeshadow look

Smart: Meanwhile Benjamin looked dapper in a navy suit trousers and a white shirt as he heade to the event with his love

Then, the former Disney star suited up in black and white to take a toast with an array of lingerie-clad ladies.

She also slipped into a pair of sheer gloves, a matching bra and silk slacks while donning a tiara and posing against a mirrored backdrop.

There was also a vampy black look Bella donned as she relaxed in the back of a vintage car.

Talking about her journey in the caption, Bella wrote: '24 years around the sun. 23 was all about workin my a** off, falling more in love annd making new friends Ill have for a lifetime. cannot wait to see what the next 365 have in store.'

Love: The couple announced their engagement back in March, following two years together

Cute: Ben went all out to pop the question, setting up a red heart made of roses that featured 'B+B' on the front, as well as a lit-up sign that read: 'Marry Me'
Jimmy Barnes has revealed his reasons for getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

In an interview with Adelaide Now on Saturday, the rocker, 65, said the decision was a no-brainer.

'Vaccines save lives and they're incredibly safe. That's why my family and I chose to get vaccinated as soon possible,' he said.

Family: Jimmy Barnes and his son David Campbell have revealed their reasons for getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Both pictured

Jimmy's son, David Campbell, 48, was also keen to be vaccinated and get things back to normal.

'I had my first dose in June and just thought 'Oh my God, this is so simple'. For me it's about getting the arts back and concerts back and gigs that can tour again,' he said.

David said it's important for work to resume for, 'the people who you don't hear about in the media who might have been circus performers for 25 years, or they work on boats to support their families.

'Vaccines save lives and they're incredibly safe. That's why my family and I chose to get vaccinated as soon possible,' Jimmy said. Pictured getting his jab

'They rig lights, they're sound engineers, costume makers, the list is endless and they really need to get back to work again.

'It's not just about personal freedoms and the health of the nation, but it's also about getting the economy back as soon as possible,' he added.

Jimmy received his first of two vaccine shots for Covid-19 in April.

David said it's important for work to resume for the arts sector: 'It's not just about personal freedoms and the health of the nation, but it's also about getting the economy back as soon as possible,' he said. Pictured with his children

The Australian music icon shared a photo to Instagram of himself getting the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Cold Chisel frontman was accompanied by his wife of almost four decades, Jane Mahoney, 63.

He wrote in the caption: 'Jane and I got our Astro Z Covid-19 jabs last night, didn't feel a thing and so far so good. Be safe.'
Armie Hammer is marking nearly five months at an in-patient treatment center and is reportedly willing to stay as long as it takes to get better.

The 35-year-old actor is 'thriving' amid his ongoing treatment, sources close to him told TMZ on Saturday.

The Call Me By Your Name star was reported to have checked in on May 31, after he was accused of abuse by multiple former partners and DMs allegedly sent by him were leaked that described dark fantasies involving cannibalism and rape.

In treatment: Armie Hammer, 35, is still at a Florida in-patient treatment facility where he's 'thriving,' sources tell TMZ on Saturday. The actor is reportedly willing to stay there as long as it takes to get better; seen in November 2020 in Santa Monica

According to the sources, Hammer has improved compared to where he was when he entered treatment, and they claim it's even obvious just from hearing his voice.

He's also managed to keep in touch with his six-year-old daughter Harper and his four-year-old son Ford, whom he shares with his ex Elizabeth Chambers, via FaceTime.

Hammer reportedly doesn't know when he'll complete his treatment, but he's 'willing to do whatever it takes' to improve.

Those close to him say he acknowledges that he was in an 'incredibly bad place' prior to treatment, but it's not clear if he admits to any of the behavior he was accused of by multiple former partners.

Family: He keeps in touch with six-year-old daughter Harper and his four-year-old son Ford, whom he shares with his ex Elizabeth Chambers, via FaceTime; pictured with Chambers in 2019 in West Hollywood

The sources add that he doesn't want to go back to his old ways.

The actor checked into the facility outside of Orlando for 'drug, alcohol, and sex issues', Vanity Fair reported in June.

Those close to him also disputed a recent report in Deadline that Hammer had been replaced in the Broadway production of Tracy Letts' dark comedy The Minutes, which had begun previews in February 2020, before the pandemic scuttled the show ahead of its official opening.

Schitt's Creek actor Noah Reid will now be playing the role Hammer was seen in during previews, but sources claim he had only had 'verbal talks' about appearing in the play once it returned, and that nothing had been officially signed.

However, the rest of the cast appears to have been locked down, as every person featured in the previews aside from Reid appears to be returning for the new opening on Broadway at Studio 54.

In April, Hammer announced he wouldn't be returning to The Minutes after he was hit with sexual assault allegations.

'I have loved every single second of working on The Minutes with the family I made from Steppenwolf,' he said in a statement. 'But right now I need to focus on myself and my health for the sake of my family. Consequently, I will not be returning to Broadway with the production.'

Dispute: Sources close to him dispute that he was replaced in the Broadway production of The Minutes, claiming he only had verbal talks about coming back to the role; seen in 2017 in Toronto

Hammer's troubles began in January of this year, when multiple ex-girlfriends accused him of abuse.

Leaked text messages that were allegedly from the Lone Ranger star appeared to show him discussing dark sexual fantasies involving cannibalism and rape.

The messages, which were never confirmed to be from Hammer, were originally published by the Instagram account House of Effie.

Following the publicity from the disturbing message leaks, Hammer's former partners Paige Lorenze and Courtney Vucekovich accused him of being physically and emotionally abusive while they were together.

Lorenze told Page Six that the actor had carved the letter 'A' into her pelvis to brand her.

She also accused him of being emotionally manipulative and said he repeatedly spoke of 'consuming her.'

Dark allegations: DMs allegedly from Hammer that leaked in January appeared to show him discussing cannibalism and rape, and multiple former partners subsequently accused him of abuse; seen in 2019 in Santa Monica

In March, the woman who originally posted the messages to Instagram came forward to accuse Hammer of raping her in a hotel room during their four year relationship.

After the allegations first began to mount in January, Hammer denied them in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'I'm not responding to these b******* claims but in light of the vicious and spurious online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children for 4 months to shoot a film in the Dominican Republic,' he said as he announced that he was dropping out of Jennifer Lopez's film Shotgun Wedding.
Erika Jayne was spotted returning home from the gym in Los Angles on Thursday amid her ongoing legal controversy.

The 50-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star held her head up high as she stepped away from her car.

On Wednesday's RHOBH reunion show, the embattled reality star staunchly defended herself amid calls for her to be fired over her estranged husband Tom Girardi's embezzlement scandal.

Post-workout: Erika Jayne was spotted returning home from the gym in Los Angles on Thursday

The Atlanta native covered up in a black NASA pullover hoodie with matching baggy sweatpants.

The Pretty Mess author sported black and white Adidas sneakers and shielded her eyes from the sun with large black cat-eye sunglasses.

Defiant: The 50-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star held her head up high as she stepped away from her car

Dressed down: The Atlanta native covered up in a black NASA pullover hoodie with matching baggy sweatpants

Jayne pulled her long platinum blonde hair up into a high ponytail and accessorized with diamond stud earrings.

Erika went makeup-free and carried a bright yellow wallet as well as a purple and black water bottle and a small blue box.

The mom of one's house keys dangled from her hand as she walked down her driveway to the sidewalk.

Incognito: The Pretty Mess author sported black and white Adidas sneakers and shielded her eyes from the sun with large black cat-eye sunglasses

Legal woes: Her ex, Girardi, 82, is facing claims of embezzling millions of funds that were meant for the families of plane crash victims, while Jayne has been embroiled in the suit after it was revealed she allegedly pocketed $25million in expenses from her senior husband

Her ex, Girardi, 82, is facing claims of embezzling millions of funds that were meant for the families of plane crash victims, while Jayne has been embroiled in the suit after it was revealed she allegedly pocketed $25million in expenses from her senior husband.

However, Jayne appeared defiant on the reunion show as she clapped back at calls for her to be axed from the show as a result.

'Why should I be fired?' Jayne snapped. 'Why are you presuming that I've done something? Why aren't we letting the legal process play out?'

She added: 'You've heard one side... and a lot of bulls*** on that side. Give me a chance to defend myself. Watch me. I'm ready for the challenge. Watch me do it.'

Take that! Erika snapped back at calls for her to be fired as she battled it out on last Wednesday's RHOBH reunion show

Both Jayne and Girardi were named as defendants in a federal lawsuit filed in December alleging they stole funds meant for the families, including widows and orphans, of the victims of the 2018 Lion Air plane crash.

Tom had his California license to practice law revoked in March 2021 after the Los Angeles Times reported that he had been sued more than 100 times.

He also had been the subject of numerous bar complaints alleging financial malfeasance involving millions of dollars owed to clients, including female cancer victims and a burn victim.

Andy asked Erika if her lawyers ever advised her to quit the show and she said they did.

'And then I said, ''No, because I have nothing to hide.'' And they said, ''Well, you know that this s*** can get flipped around on you.'' Everything can be parsed, twisted, turned and yes, possibly turned against you. Whether it is true or not, it almost doesn't even matter at this point,' Erika said.

Andy asked Erika if she ever thought about quitting the show and she admitted that she considered it.

Scandal: Erika has been embroiled in an embezzlement scandal involving her 82-year-old estranged husband Tom Girardi (pictured on the show) and disgraced lawyer Tom.

'But I'm not a quitter and I wanted to honor my commitment. I wasn't going to run away from what's coming at me,' Erika said.

Andy pointed out that without her estranged husband's income the show was now her main job and asked her how much that factored into her decision. She said that didn't factor into her decision then but that it was more a consideration now.

The one-hour episode was the first of four reunion shows for a turbulent season 11 that was dominated by Erika's divorce and subsequent legal troubles.

Andy at the start of the reunion asked Erika if she was ready to finally address her situation and Erika said she was happy to share what she could.

Legal process: 'Why should I be fired?,' Erika sharply said. 'Why are you presuming that I've done something? Why aren't we letting the legal process play out?'

No quitting: Andy asked Erika if she ever thought about quitting the show and she admitted that she considered it

Together again: The one-hour episode was the first of four reunion shows for a turbulent season 11 that was dominated by Erika's divorce and subsequent legal troubles

'This is the toughest part of my life,' Erika said.

'I could imagine,' Andy replied.

Two weeks before the reunion, Lisa Rinna, 57, visited Erika at her house and asked her if she was going to show up at the reunion. She told her people had said that she wasn't.

So true: 'There are going to be some winners and some losers,' said Erika

'I'm going,' Erika told her. 'I'm not a f***ing quitter.'

Erika told her that she had a dream that they were at the reunion and that there were going to be some shots fired and shots taken.

'There are going to be some winners and some losers,' said Erika.

'Well, that's life baby,' Lisa responded.

On the day of the reunion, the housewives arrived and went to their respective trailers to get ready.

When Kyle Richards, 52, was in hair and make up, Andy stopped by and said that in 11 years of doing these shows that this one felt as if the stakes were higher.
He plays the role of bad boy Jamie Tate in ITV soap Emmerdale.

But Alexander Lincoln really wears his heart on his sleeve when off-set, having been pictured next to a potential new love interest in recent Instagram snaps.

The actor, 27, was spotted cosying up a beautiful brunette, named Shar Holliday, as they enjoyed trips in Croatia and the Lake District in recent moments.

Could it be love? Alexander Lincoln wears his heart on his sleeve when off-set, having been pictured next to a potential new love interest, named Shar Holliday, in recent Instagram snaps

The Sun reported that Shar uploaded a slew of pictures of her and the soap star spending time in the idyllic holiday location abroad last month.

The pair were also said to post the same images from a trip together in the UK in July.

Their fling marks the first relationship for the hunk since he joined the series two years ago.

Bad boy: Their fling marks the first relationship for the hunk since he joined Emmerdale to play bad boy Jamie Tate two years ago. Pictured on set in February

MailOnline has contacted a representative of Alexander for a comment.

The star has taken on the role of vet Jamie on Emmerdale since 2019, but his time on the soap may be coming to an end.

Jamie was recently making a run for it when he crashed his car into the lake after he attempted to answer the phone when Gabby Thomas called.

Could this be the end? The star has taken on the role of vet Jamie on Emmerdale since 2019, but his time on the soap may be coming to an end as his character crashed his car into a lake

When his car was recovered from the water, his body was nowhere to be found.

Fans have been wondering whether or not he is in fact dead.

Alexander also hinted this may not be the end for his character, when he recently tweeted: 'Getting back to early starts on set today' alongside a movie camera emoji.

Even though Emmerdale is his first soap opera gig, Jamie is a seasoned actor.

In 2018 he landed a role in a comedy movie Degenerates where he acted alongside former Eastenders veterans Annette Badland and Jamie Foreman.

He has also been involved in independent films like Wander, Sun in the Night, and Recall.
Camaryn Swanson isn't hiding behind closed doors despite the details of her life unfolding publicly.

The 22-year-old influencer was seen out with friends in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with the black eye Tyga allegedly gave her still on full display.

The young beauty was seen smiling with a male and female companion shortly before her ex, Tyga, denied claims that he physically assaulted her.

Still healing: Camaryn Swanson was seen out with friends in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with the black eye Tyga allegedly gave her still on full display

The clothing designer was seen in Beverly Hills wearing black leggings and a black zip-up hoodie with the shape of a butterfly in rhinestones on the front.

The dressed down look was extended with a black pair of Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, and the public figure sported a black purse crossbody style.

She had diamond stud earrings in her ears as she chatted with a girl friend who wore light wash jeans, white Air Force 1 sneakers, and a black shirt with shoulder cutouts.

One image shows her being held up by a guy friend who wore a backwards blue hat, white t-shirt, and jeans.

The social media personality laughed as she chatted up her buddies, wearing a hood over her blonde locks and holding a white phone.

Living her life: The 22-year-old influencer isn't hiding behind closed doors despite the details of her life unfolding publicly

Finding comfort in her pals: The young beauty was seen smiling with a male and female companion shortly before her ex, Tyga, denied claims that he physically assaulted her

On Monday, October 11 news broke that the 31-year-old rapper, who used to date Kylie Jenner, been accused of giving Swanson a black eye.

Camaryn appeared on Instagram to document her black eye and a blood-stained sweatshirt with her more than 801,000 followers.

It came after the former couple had a dispute at Tyga's Bel-Air home in the wee hours of the morning.

The story: On Monday, October 11 news broke that the 31-year-old rapper, who used to date Kylie Jenner, been accused of giving Swanson a black eye

The music artist denied any wrongdoing, and on Tuesday morning he turned himself in to LAPD to face charges.

A booking sheet obtained by DailyMail.com showed that Tyga - whose real name is Michael Ray Stevenson - had his bail set at $50,000.

Later on Tuesday Stevenson was pictured being released from jail as he left the Hollywood Police Station.

Happier times: The couple went public with their relationship in March; seen in June

On Friday, the musician shared a post on his Instagram, in which he said he wanted 'everyone to know that the allegations against me are false.'

'I was not arrested I took myself into the police station and cooperated,' he told his more than 25.3 million followers.

The father-of-two concluded: 'I have not been charged with any crime.'
They're set to star in the new Italian romance movie Time Is Up.

And Bella Thorne and her fiance Benjamin Mascolo took their love off-set as they cosied up to each other at the premiere of their upcoming movie in Rome on Saturday.

The actress, 24, looked stunning as she modelled a busty black gown with a revealing thigh-split which showed off her toned pins and sizzling figure, as her beau planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

Co-stars and lovers: Bella Thorne and her fiance Benjamin Mascolo cosied up to each other at the premiere of Time Is Up in Rome on Saturday as Bella modelled a busty black gown

Cute: The actress looked stunning as her beau planted a sweet kiss on her lips

She teamed her thigh-grazing number with matching black court heels and plenty of sparkling jewellery.

Bella added a slew of emerald rings and versace earrings, while she tied her bright red tresses into a high ponytail - leaving out her fringe to frame her gorgeous visage.

The OnlyFans star opted for a unique palette of makeup, including lime green eyeshadow, winged eyeliner and a cherry-red stained pout.

Unique beauty: The OnlyFans star opted for a unique palette of makeup, including lime green eyeshadow, winged eyeliner and a cherry-red stained pout

Sizzling: The OnlyFans star showed off her toned pins and sizzling figure in the revealing number

Looking good: Meanwhile Benjamin, 28, looked dapper in a coordinating black suit jacket, which boasted a silk collar

Meanwhile Benjamin, 28, looked dapper in a coordinating black suit jacket, which boasted a silk collar.

The Italian actor stepped out in a pair of matching suit trousers and a black turtle neck as he cuddled up to his love.

The pair looked undeniably made for each other as they posed together on the red carpet.

Suave: The Italian star looked suave as he buttoned up his coordinating suit

Sweet embrace: The Italian actor stepped out in a pair of matching suit trousers and a black turtle neck as he cuddled up to his love

Better together: The pair looked undeniably made for each other as they posed together on the red carpet

The couple both take on leading roles in the upcoming movie, which follows Vivien (Bella) and Royan (Benjamin) after an accident forces them to stop and reclaim their lives and start living in the present.

After posting a trailer of the film earlier this month, Bella said, 'Cant believe [Ben] proposed to me after we filmed this.'

She also said to her beau in another post, 'Ive never filmed a movie before with someone Im romantically involved with, and Im so happy I got to fall in love with you on screen and off screen a million times over.'

Right hand man: The couple both take on leading roles in the upcoming movie

In the present: The movie follows Vivien (Bella) and Royan (Benjamin) after an accident forces them to stop and reclaim their lives and start living in the present

The couple announced their engagement back in March, following two years together.

Ben went all out to pop the question, setting up a red heart made of roses that featured 'B+B' on the front, as well as a lit-up sign that read: 'Marry Me.'

Time Is Up is expected to be released on October 25.

They're engaged! The couple announced their engagement back in March, following two years together

Here she is: Actress Haley Bennett was also on the red carpet for the premiere of Cyrano at the 16th edition of the Rome Film Festival

Lovely: The American star caught the eye in a sparking silver gown as she greeted fans at the event
DC Fandome kicked off Saturday with some key glimpses at the comic book studios upcoming superhero films.

The event promises to give some behind-the-scenes looks and advance trailers for the studio's upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated Batman film starring Robert Pattinson.

But it was an older Batman, played by Michael Keaton, who first caused a storm at the virtual event when he was heard for the first time since his participation was reported in a teaser for the upcoming standalone film The Flash, starring Ezra Miller.

Batman returns: Michael Keaton, playing an older version of Batman, was heard for the first time in a mini-teaser for The Flash shared Saturday at DC Fandome

A sleepy-looking Miller appeared to introduce the clip in a denim vest and black T-shirt, while wearing round-frame glasses and a black choker.

'We wanted to show you a teaser, but we can't, because we don't have enough material to make the teaser yet,' he said, before calling the following clip a 'sneak peek.'

Miller and a friend are then seen out of costume as they explore a fog-covered mansion, which may be the iconic Wayne Manor, where Bruce Wayne lives.

'Tell me something. You can go anywhere you want, right?' says a husky voice that sounds like Keaton's on the soundtrack. 'Any timeline, any universe. Why do you want to stay and fight to save this one?'

First look: A sleepy-looking Miller appeared to introduce the clip in a denim vest and black T-shirt. 'We wanted to show you a teaser, but we can't, because we don't have enough material to make the teaser yet,' he said

Spooky: Miller and a friend are then seen out of costume as they explore a fog-covered mansion, which may be the iconic Wayne Manor, where Bruce Wayne lives

That voice: 'Tell me something. You can go anywhere you want, right?' says a husky voice that sounds like Keaton's on the soundtrack. 'Any timeline, any universe. Why do you want to stay and fight to save this one?'

Empty: As he speaks, Miller's character Barry Allen is seen walking through a seemingly abandoned suburban neighborhood

Surprise: He enters a house and walks up behind an unidentified woman and taps her on the shoulder, but the scene cuts before we see her face

As he speaks, Miller's character Barry Allen is seen walking through a seemingly abandoned suburban neighborhood.

He enters a house and walks up behind an unidentified woman and taps her on the shoulder, but the scene cuts before we see her face.

'You changed the future,' Keaton continues, as we see a broken Batman mask lying on the ground with a trail of blood near it.

Then Miller is seen in costume as the Flash as he explores some kind of warehouse like building.

Dark: 'You changed the future,' Keaton continues, as we see a broken Batman mask lying on the ground with a trail of blood near it

Full look: 'And you changed the past,' Keaton continues, as we see the Flash behind the waterfall entrance to the Bat Cave

Finally! The mini-teaser ends on the back of Batman's instantly recognizable mask, with its pointy ears, though Keaton's face isn't seen

'Are you in?' Miller asks before the clip ends on a humorous scene of him finding what appears to be the Batmobile underneath a tarp

Classic car: 'Holy s***!' he screams with delight as he pulls the tarp off, though it cuts to black before we see what's under it

'And you changed the past,' Keaton continues, as we see the Flash behind the waterfall entrance to the Bat Cave.

The mini-teaser ends on the back of Batman's instantly recognizable mask, with its pointy ears, though Keaton's face isn't seen.

'Are you in?' Miller asks before the clip ends on a humorous scene of him finding what appears to be the Batmobile underneath a tarp.

'Holy s***!' he screams with delight as he pulls the tarp off, though it cuts to black before we see what's under it.

First look: Dwayne Johnson was on hand Saturday at DC Fandom to reveal an early clip from his dark film Black Adam

Excited: 'I am so excited to be here and to talk to you about the man in black himself, Black Adam,' Johnson said before introducing a surprisingly violent introduction to the anti-hero

Dwayne Johnson was on hand at the virtual streaming event to reveal an early clip from his dark film Black Adam.

'I am so excited to be here and to talk to you about the man in black himself, Black Adam,' Johnson said before introducing a surprisingly violent introduction to the anti-hero.

The film's early scene began like a horror film, with two explorer's entering a cave shrouded in darkness.

But it's clear it's not a natural cavern, as it appears to be excavated and there's foreign writing carved into the walls and floor.

Suddenly, they see what looks like a crown floating in midair.

'He's out,' one of the two people says.

Spooky: The film's early scene began like a horror film, with two explorer's entering a cave shrouded in darkness

It begins: Suddenly, they see what looks like a crown floating in midair. 'He's out,' one of the two people says

A cloak-shrouded figure suddenly emerges from the inscribed stone and hunches down in place.

As he rises, armed men following the two explorers begin firing wildly at him, and one steps forward, but Black Adam (Johnson) grabs him by the neck and seems to suck the life out of him.

His skin is briefly shown covered in fast-appearing wrinkles and scars, before he's reduced to a dusty skeleton that breaks off from the skull in Black Adams hand and crashes to the ground in a splash of dust.

Other men with rifles begin firing wildly, but Black Adam just catches their bullets in his hand, while others bounce off his suit.

The clip ends abruptly after the introduction by showing off the title card with its recognizable lightning bolt.

Dark: A cloak-shrouded figure suddenly emerges from the inscribed stone and hunches down in place

Violent: As he rises, armed men following the two explorers begin firing wildly at him, and one steps forward, but Black Adam (Johnson) grabs him by the neck and seems to suck the life out of him

Skin and bones: His skin is briefly shown covered in fast-appearing wrinkles and scars, before he's reduced to a dusty skeleton that breaks off from the skull in Black Adams hand and crashes to the ground in a splash of dust

Brief: The clip ends abruptly after the introduction by showing off the title card with its recognizable lightning bolt

After the Black Adam first look, Grant Gustin, the star of the CW version of The Flash, unveiled his new costume for the upcoming eighth season.

Barry Allen's crimson suite features his character's iconic gold boots.

Gustin admitted he'd been hoping to step into the golden boots for a while, and he revealed that he'd soon be seen around Vancouver as he began filming the series again.

However, the show began filming again earlier this year, and he was seen just last month in his most up-to-date costume.

Jason Momoa was then featured in some behind-the-scenes footage from his upcoming sequel Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, along with other cast and crew members.

'I apologize for the four-year wait,' he joked while filming an interview outdoors.

'I love this character and what he represents,' he adds.

The footage includes some playful, almost cartoonish footage of Momoa shooting a scene in a cave set with another actor in an old-fashioned diving suit.

Other scenes take place in an icy cavern.

The clip made a point to include footage of Amber Heard as Mera, as fans have wondered if she would be featured in the sequel due to the controversy over a defamation suit filed against her by her ex-husband Johnny Depp after she accused him of domestic violence.

Aquaman's nemesis from the first film Black Manta, appears to be returning, as actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is shown training for a fight scene.

Behind the scenes: After the Black Adam first look, Jason Momoa was featured in some behind-the-scenes footage from his upcoming sequel Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, along with other cast and crew members

On set: The footage includes some playful, almost cartoonish footage of Momoa shooting a scene in a cave set with another actor in an old-fashioned diving suit

The clip included footage of Amber Heard as Mera, as fans have wondered if she would be featured in the sequel due to the controversy over a defamation suit filed against her by her ex-husband Johnny Depp after she accused him of domestic violence

Next up was John Cena, who introduced some on-set footage from his upcoming HBO Max series Peacemaker, a spin-off for his Suicide Squad character.

Director James Gunn, who directed the film and created the spin-off series, is seen on set as he instructs Cena to thrust his hips forward whenever he fires his gun on set, which gets a laugh out of the actor and the crew.

He was also seen cracking up his costars during a humorous monologue.

'23andMe says I might be 26 percent a**hat,' he said in a perfect deadpan. 'I know my last name is Smith. That's a generic f***ing name. The reason it's Smith is because we came over as A**hats and I had to change it on Ellis Island.'

After the footage, Gunn advertised a 'never-before-seen first look at a Peacemaker teaser.'

First teaser: After the footage, Gunn advertised a 'never-before-seen first look at a Peacemaker teaser.' Cena is shown at the opening in a hospital gown as he speaks to a hospital custodian who had never heard of Peacemaker

Working on their aim: He's then seen in a forest as he and his sidekick Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) do target practice with guns and arrows

He'll take it: Peacemaker is hired to 'kill bad people' in exchange for staying out of prison, an opportunity he jumps at

Cena is shown at the opening in a hospital gown as he speaks to a hospital custodian who had never heard of Peacemaker.

'Get out of here, there's no superhero named Peacemaker,' he says with a laugh.

'Dude, I'm famous!' Peacemaker protests.

He's then seen in a forest as he and his sidekick Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) do target practice with guns and arrows.

Peacemaker is hired to 'kill bad people' in exchange for staying out of prison, an opportunity he jumps at.

New faces: Orange Is The New Black star Danielle Brooks makes an appearance as Leota Adebayo, the show's co-lead

Comic relief: Steve Agee is also seen returning as John Economos, who was featured in the previous film

Orange Is The New Black star Danielle Brooks makes an appearance as Leota Adebayo, the show's co-lead.

Although she works behind the scenes with Peacemaker, she joins him in battle and shoots someone after he has already felled them with bullets.

'You don't have to shoot people after I've already killed them,' he says.

Steve Agee is also seen returning as John Economos, who was featured in the previous film.

During a ride in a delivery truck, Peacemaker is shown a senator's family that makes up his first target, though he thinks that one of the couple's children looks like a 'butt baby.'

'My older brother told there's two types of babies: one that comes out normal and then butt babies. Worse in every way. They come out of a woman's butt,' he says.

The clip ends with a bald eagle that has been following Peacemaker around and suddenly wraps its arms around him in a hug.

'Oh my God, he's hugging me. Dad, grab my phone! I don't want to move!' he shouts to his father (Robert Patrick) who is long gone.

Having a laugh: During a ride in a delivery truck, Peacemaker is shown a senator's family that makes up his first target, though he thinks that one of the couple's children looks like a 'butt baby.'

Ridiculous: 'My older brother told there's two types of babies: one that comes out normal and then butt babies. Worse in every way. They come out of a woman's butt,' he says

Cute: The clip ends with a bald eagle that has been following Peacemaker around and suddenly wraps its arms around him in a hug

Doesn't care: 'Oh my God, he's hugging me. Dad, grab my phone! I don't want to move!' he shouts to his father (Robert Patrick) who is long gone

DC fans got a special introduction to the new Batgirl when In The Heights star Leslie Grace dropped by for a segment.

'Ever step of this process I can't believe this is happening,' she gushed.

The directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah called making the film an 'honor and a privilege.'

They said the film had a 'broad casting' that involved seeing actresses in a broad range of ages and races, before they ultimately settled on Grace as the right woman for the part.

Grace said it was 'exciting to read for a female superhero' after so many stories focused on male superheroes.

She also joked that she was excited to get to have red hair, as the character is often depicted with flaming locks.

New star: DC fans got a special introduction to the new Batgirl when In The Heights star Leslie Grace dropped by for a segment. 'Ever step of this process I can't believe this is happening,' she gushed

Extended process: The directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah called making the film an 'honor and a privilege.' They said the film had a 'broad casting' that involved seeing actresses in a broad range of ages and races, before they ultimately settled on Grace

Change of pace: Grace said it was 'exciting to read for a female superhero' after so many stories focused on male superheroes

Acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay made an appearance at DC Fandome alongside writer Roberto Patino to plug their upcoming limited series DMZ, which stars Rosario Dawson.

The story takes place in the future, during a 'civil war between the Free States of America and the United States of America,' according to Patino.

Eight years into the war, regional warlords are dictating the laws amid a desolate North America.

DuVernay said the story would focus on Dawson's character Alma Ortega, who is initially a medic.

A tattooed, well-muscled Benjamin Bratt was also pictured with Rosario as one of the local warlords.

Coming soon: Acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay made an appearance at DC Fandome alongside writer Roberto Patino to plug their upcoming limited series DMZ, which stars Rosario Dawson

Star power: Dawson stars as Alma Ortega, who is initially a medic and tries to navigate the desolate remains of the US

All-star cast: A tattooed, well-muscled Benjamin Bratt was also pictured with Rosario as one of the local warlords

The proceedings got back to DC's feature films with some behind-the-scenes footage from the lighthearted Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Asher Angel, who stars as the teenage version of Billy Batson, kicked off the segment, but as soon as he uttered the word 'Shazam' a lightning bolt struck him and star Zachary Levi emerged from the dust.

He stars as Billy's adult superhero alter ego, and he's joined in the sequel by new villains, the daughters of Atlas, played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Rachel Zegler, who stars in the upcoming West Side Story.

The clip also featured some computer-generated models of mythological beasts featured in the film, though they hadn't yet been animated.

Quick glimpse: Asher Angel and Zachary Levi (pictured), who both star as Billy Batson of Shazam, introduced some behind-the-scenes footage with the film's new villains

New baddies: Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren are joined by West Side Story star Rachel Zegler (not pictured) as the daughters of Atlas

Fierce: The clip also featured some computer-generated models of mythological beasts featured in the film, though they hadn't yet been animated

Leading ladies: Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins also made a virtual appearance with Lynda Carter, who starred as Wonder Woman in the television series from the mid-to-late 1970s

Jenkins revealed that she was already working on a third Wonder Woman movie, with Gal Gadot returning as the iconic hero. 'Gal is so so bummed not to be herebut we are all three very excited about some exciting things coming up'

Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins also made a virtual appearance with Lynda Carter, who starred as Wonder Woman in the television series from the mid-to-late 1970s.

During their short chat, Jenkins revealed that she was already hard at work on a third Wonder Woman movie, with Gal Gadot returning as the iconic hero.

'Were super excited about Wonder Woman 3,' the director gushed. 'And Gal is so so bummed not to be herebut we are all three very excited about some exciting things coming up.'

Jenkins, who's also writing the next entry, has previously said the third film in the series will likely be her final with the franchise.

Fans of the highly anticipated DC Comics film The Batman got their most detailed look to date at the Caped Crusader's relationship with Catwoman in a new trailer released Saturday at DC Fandome

Grabbing a cup of coffee: Dano is the first figure shown, as he sits hunched over a cup of coffee at a late-night diner. As the camera slowly pushes in toward the diner, a SWAT team creeps up in the pouring rain to arrest him

Fans of the highly anticipated DC Comics film The Batman got their most detailed look to date at the Caped Crusader's relationship with Catwoman in a new trailer released later in the program.

The clip features more dialogue scenes with Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman than previous clips and gives a hint at the flirtatious interactions between him and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz).

Colin Farrell's scarred, gruff update on the Penguin was also featured in a fiery car chase with Batman, while Paul Dano seemed to have fashioned his villain The Riddler after a serial killer in his disturbing scenes.

Dano is the first figure shown, as he sits hunched over a cup of coffee at a late-night diner.

As the camera slowly pushes in toward the diner, a SWAT team creeps up in the pouring rain to arrest him.

His character, named Edward Nashton in this version of the story, raises his hands slowly before the police grab him and take him away.

The wandering camera continues moving and pans down to the coffee, which has a head of foam and a creamy question mark drawn on top.

Taking his time: His character, named Edward Nashton in this version of the story, raises his hands slowly before the police grab him and take him away

The Riddler: The wandering camera continues moving and pans down to the coffee, which has a head of foam and a creamy question mark drawn on top

Gotham seems to be under attack from a roving gang of men in skull-like corpse paint.

They seen taking over a train car, but then Batman rises up in front of a group of them to do battle.

Pattinson's voice, less gruff than past Batman actors, is heard on the soundtrack.

'Fear is a tool,' he says ominously in voiceover as he begins to fight the gang.

'When that light hits the sky, it's not just a call. It's a warning,' he says of the Bat Signal.

During the brutal fight, one gangster shoots at Batman, and even though the bullet appears to bounce off his suit, it infuriates him and he smashes the man against a pole and begins to electrocute him.

Ready for action: Gotham seems to be under attack from a roving gang of men in skull-like corpse paint. They seen taking over a train car

Big mistake: Then Batman rises up in front of a group of them to do battle

Pattinson's voice, less gruff than past Batman actors, is heard on the soundtrack. 'Fear is a tool,' he says ominously in voiceover as he begins to fight the gang

Beware: 'When that light hits the sky, it's not just a call. It's a warning,' he says of the Bat Signal

Loosing his cool: During the brutal fight, one gangster shoots at Batman, and even though the bullet appears to bounce off his suit, it infuriates him and he smashes the man against a pole and begins to electrocute him

The action shifts to a prison visitation room, where The Riddler is in a prison jumpsuit, though it cuts away before his face is shown.

'I've been trying to reach you,' he says in a sinister rasp.

'What have you done?!' Batman screams from the other side of the reinforced glass as he slams his gloved fist against it.

Pattinson's then seen out of his suit for the first time in the trailer as he appears to stand in front of a crowd of photographers outside a courthouse.

He turns his attention to a high-heeled patent leather boot stepping out of a car, which belongs to Selina Kyle (Kravitz).

'I can take care of myself,' she says in a smoky voice as she leans in to caress Pattinson's character in a follow-up scene from a high-rise building.

Face to face: The action shifts to a prison visitation room, where The Riddler is in a prison jumpsuit. 'I've been trying to reach you,' he says in a sinister rasp

Furious: 'What have you done?!' Batman screams from the other side of the reinforced glass as he slams his gloved fist against it

Street clothes: Pattinson's then seen out of his suit for the first time in the trailer as he appears to stand in front of a crowd of photographers outside a courthouse

Way to make an entrance: He turns his attention to a high-heeled patent leather boot stepping out of a car, which belongs to Selina Kyle (Kravitz)

Self-sufficient: 'I can take care of myself,' she says in a smoky voice as she leans in to caress Pattinson's character in a follow-up scene from a high-rise building

We also get a quick glance of Andy Serkis as Bruce Wayne's butler and right-hand man Alfred Pennyworth.

'If this continues, it won't be long before you've nothing left,' he warns.

But Bruce seems to have a self-destructive streak.

'I don't care what happens to me,' he replies, showing his eyes blackened after wearing his suit.

He's then seen with Selina again as they share another intimate scene.

'It's only going to get worse for you,' she tells him.

Ominous: We also get a quick glance of Andy Serkis as Bruce Wayne's butler and right-hand man Alfred Pennyworth. 'If this continues, it won't be long before you've nothing left,' he warns

Cavalier: But Bruce seems to have a self-destructive streak. 'I don't care what happens to me,' he replies, showing his eyes blackened after wearing his suit

All downhill from here: He's then seen with Selina again as they share another intimate scene. 'It's only going to get worse for you,' she tells him

Colin Farrell, wearing extensive padding and prosthetics to give him a scarred visage, has been scene in brief glimpses throughout the trailer, but now he has his first interaction with Batman as Oswald Cobblepot, or Penguin.

'Whoa, take it easy sweetheart!' he says, using an ItalianAmerican accent.

He appears to be dressed in a stylish suit, but Farrell is completely unrecognizable under the makeup and with his hair thinning.

Amid their meeting, Batman shows off his hand-to-hand combat skills as he demolishes a squad of Cobblepot's men.

Sinister: Colin Farrell, wearing extensive padding and prosthetics to give him a scarred visage, has been scene in brief glimpses throughout the trailer, but now he has his first interaction with Batman

New look: 'Whoa, take it easy sweetheart!' he says, using an ItalianAmerican accent. He appears to be dressed in a stylish suit, but Farrell is completely unrecognizable under the makeup and with his hair thinning

Fistfight: Amid their meeting, Batman shows off his hand-to-hand combat skills as he demolishes a squad of Cobblepot's men

Meanwhile, Catwoman appears to be on a mission of her own.

Kravitz is first seen wearing a shoulder-lenth straight wig, and then she changes into a scarlet bob as she walks through what looks like a nightclub.

'Maybe we're not so different,' she says to Batman via voiceover.

The strength of the Caped Crusader's armor is then shown as he walks through a spray of bullets, none of which seem to make it through his armor.

'I'm vengeance,' he says over the bodies of the fallen gunmen after taking them down.

New looks: Meanwhile, Catwoman appears to be on a mission of her own. Kravitz is first seen wearing a shoulder-lenth straight wig, and then she changes into a scarlet bob as she walks through what looks like a nightclub

Something in common: 'Maybe we're not so different,' she says to Batman via voiceover

Bullet spattered: The strength of the Caped Crusader's armor is then shown as he walks through a spray of bullets, none of which seem to make it through his armor

The Riddler reappears on a TV screen, where we see him for the first time in his mask, which incorporates his glasses.

But it's Farrell as Penguin who gets the final showdown with Batman in the trailer.

He's seen behind the wheel as he races away from Pattinson, who's driving a Batmobile that looks more like a classic muscle car that past models.

'I got you!' he cheers as he drives away from a fireball, which appears to be from Batman crashing.

But then his car flies through the flames and rams Penguins vehicle, flipping him over and leaving him trapped upside down.

The final image is of Pattinson's character strolling up to him, backlit by fire.

New look: The Riddler reappears on a TV screen, where we see him for the first time in his mask, which incorporates his glasses

High-speed chase: Farrell is seen behind the wheel as he races away from Pattinson, who's driving a Batmobile that looks more like a classic muscle car that past models. 'I got you!' he cheers as he drives away from a fireball, which appears to be from Batman crashing

Taken down: But then his car flies through the flames and rams Penguins vehicle, flipping him over and leaving him trapped upside down

Dramatic finale: The final image is of Pattinson's character strolling up to him, backlit by fire

The first trailer for The Batman was unveiled more than a year ago at DC Fandome in August 2020.

The story appears to be set within Bruce Wayne's second year of crime fighting as Batman, when he's not as experienced as later versions of the character but his arsenal is fully developed.

Filling out the main cast will be Jeffrey Wright who plays James Gordon, though he'll later be promoted to commissioner of the police force.

Matt Reeves, who directed the most recent Planet Of The Apes films, will be helming the project from a script he wrote with Peter Craig (Ben Affleck's The Town) and Mattson Tomlin (Project Power) with Reeves and Dylan Clark producing.

The film is currently expected to be released on March 4, 2022.
The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Sutton Stracke is beginning to study for a career in law after a season spent discussing Erika Jayne's legal scandal.

In an interview with Page Six, the 50-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star explained that she was galvanized by the heavy focus on Jayne's controversy during the show's 11th season.

'I am starting to study with the Princeton Review for my LSATs that I'm going to take. I got a little inspired,' Stracke said.

Legal ambitions: Sutton Stracke has revealed that she is planning to embark on a new career in law after becoming embroiled in costar Erika Jayne's embezzlement scandal

In December, Erika was named as a defendant along with her 82-year-old estranged husband Tom Girardi in a federal lawsuit alleging the couple embezzled funds intended for the families of the Lion Air 610 plane crash victims.

The Georgia native admitted that discussing the ongoing controversy on screen took its toll on her and her fellow cast members.

'It was a lot,' Stracke said. 'I think when we kind of finished, I was really exhausted and really tired of talking about legal stuff.'

Inspired: In an interview with the New York Post, the 50-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star explained that she was galvanized by the heavy focus on Jayne's legal woes during the show's 11th season

However, Sutton told Page Six that she had originally aspired to become a lawyer while attending Converse College in South Carolina.

'When I went to college, I wanted to go to law school. I studied political science,' said Stracke. 'That was my plan.'

Sutton eventually moved to New York to purse a career in dance and served as the associate director of development in charge of fundraising for the Cunningham Dance Foundation.

Career goals: Sutton told Page Six that she had originally aspired to become a lawyer while attending Converse College in South Carolina. Seen in 2019

Yet, the socialite, who stated that she was an 'A' student, did not entirely abandon her dreams of becoming a lawyer.

'I was going to be this dancing attorney,' Stracke explained.

She continued, 'We'll see. I might miserably fail my LSATs and not go to law school. But it's something I'm thinking about doing.'

The Sutton boutique owner also explained why she pressed Erika on her legal troubles during a dinner party hosted by Kathy Hilton that was dubbed the 'Dinner Party From Hell' when the event was featured on the show.

During the explosive episode, Jayne burst into tears after engaging a war of words with Stracke and threatened to sue her costar.

Explosive: The Sutton boutique owner also explained why she pressed Erika on her legal troubles during a dinner party hosted by Kathy Hilton that was dubbed the 'Dinner Party From Hell' when the event was featured on the show

'It was really important to me to ask those questions  I don't like the feeling of friends not giving me their whole truth. That's all I wanted to know,' Stracke said.

She continued, 'Erika is very private and very closed. I think, at the time, [she was] going through a lot and probably couldn't give a lot of answers. But I was still going to ask.'

While Stracke told Page Six that the heated argument between herself and Jayne may have been 'fun to watch' for Bravo viewers, she emphasized that the situation was 'not a game' for Giradi's alleged victims which also include a survivor of the 2010 Pacific Gas And Electric explosion.

Difficult: Sutton said that she and her fellow cast members were 'exhausted' after discussing Jayne's legal drama frequently on the show

'It's important to remember that there are serious victims out there that need help, that need surgeries and it's just important to remember that,' Sutton explained.

'This is not a joke  They aren't on a reality show,' she said. 'They're at home in serious conditions. That's all I want to say about it. They need to be remembered.'

Sutton had previously told the The Los Angeles Times that she had asked Bravo producers if she and her cast members needed an attorney to 'guide us through filming' due to concerns that they could be implicated.

She also said that the ladies learned the importance of using the word 'alleged' when discussing the charges.
To kick off your heels after an all-nighter on the dancefloor is understandable, but Olivia Colman went barefoot on the grubby streets of London even BEFORE she hit the red carpet last week.

The Oscar winner emerged from her swanky hotel clutching a pair of 895 crystal-embellished suede Jimmy Choos as she made her way to a star-studded screening of The Lost Daughter at the Royal Festival Hall.

She then quietly slipped them on to attend the event, before promptly removing them again to speak at a live Q&A on stage.

Olivia Colman, 47, appeared on the red carpet at the UK Premiere of The Lost Daughter at teh BFI London Film Festival at Royal Festival Hall wearing an 895 pair of Jimmy Choos

Colman wore the expensive shoes on the red carpet ahead of the screening where she plays a middle-aged professor on holiday in Greece

However, before arriving at the red carpet, Colman darted across the pavement from her hotel while barefoot

In the film, Olivia, 47, plays a woman called Leda, a middle-aged professor on holiday in Greece who is haunted by her memories of motherhood.

Co-stars Jack Farthing, Jessie Buckley, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dakota Johnson didnt seem to bat an eyelid or complain about Olivias decision to ditch her heels. More proof that The Crown star is just so down to earth as she never tires of reminding us!

Addressing the audience with Dakota Johnson, left, Colman again was spotted in bare feet

As if he wasnt colourful enough already, Grayson Perry is having his life turned into a musical by the man behind Jerry Springer: The Opera.

My West End spy tells me the show will be a comedy  but it wont be for the faint-hearted.

There will be graphic sexual content, says my source, adding that the show will also detail how Grayson was whacked as a boy by his stepfather and experimented with hard drugs before finding fame as a cross-dressing ceramicist.

The National Theatre confirms a project is in the early stages.

Polo-playing pub landlady Jodie Kidd has brains as well as beauty, so when she signed up for a reality show about celebrities wearing the contents of their rubbish bins, how did she not understand it would be a bit whiffy?

I was surprised to hear whispers that Jodie disappeared off set for nearly an hour while filming the final episode of the Channel 4 series Celebrity Trash Monsters, declaring: I cant bear the stink!

Well, she was filming the show  which sounds like real trash TV  in summer near her Sussex home, so what did she expect?
Time was when you spotted someone famous stumbling through the streets of Camden Town with a bottle in hand, they would probably be knocking back Jack Daniels.

But these days going out on the lash is so much more wholesome, as 26-year-old Lady Amelia Windsor, who is 43rd in line to the throne, demonstrated.

When she was seen out with pals, she was necking nothing stronger than kombucha  a sparkling fermented tea, which is popular among health-conscious millennials for its supposed gut-friendly benefits.

However, to her credit, Amelia, who was sporting eye-catching striped jeans, later visited The Grafton pub, where she stayed until closing.

Shes so rock n royal!

Lady Amelia Windsor, pictured, was spotted walking along the street in Camden, north London carrying a bottle of kombucha - a sparkling fermented tea popular with millennials

The 43rd in line to the throne was on her way to the Grafton Pub in Camden Town, pictured

Goodness knows what society designer Nicky Haslam, that arbiter of good taste, will make of Petras glittery home.

Every year in time for Christmas, Nicky unveils what he calls his new drying up cloth  marked with a long list of things he finds common.

This year he has given me an exclusive sneak-peek but Im afraid it makes for grim (albeit highly amusing) reading.

On the list for 2022 are celebrity magnet Soho House, loud laughter, two-bite canapes, award ceremonies, drag, and swimming with dolphins.

But those are all of my favourite things, Nicky!
Chrissy Teigen shared a heartbreaking photo capturing her in the days after losing son Jack as she posted in honor of Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month.

On Saturday, the 35-year-old model shared a photo on Instagram in which she was seen curled up on the couch as she attempted to test taste food with her cookbook co-author and close friend Adeena Sussman.

'Pregnancy loss awareness week you say?? I know. I feel like I never let you forget it, either,' Chrissy wrote in her emotional caption.

Painful: Chrissy Teigen shared a heartbreaking photo capturing her in the days after losing son Jack as she posted in the midst of Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month

'But I was going through BTS of cookbook making with @adeenasussman and came across this photo, taken soon after losing our little jack,' she continued.

In the photo, Teigen was seen leaning against a pillow wrapped in a blanket with two bowls of partially-eaten food on the couch beside her. Adeena was clad in an apron as she sat next to Chrissy and held a large serving bowl and tongs.

The television personality and the Israeli-American chef released their third cookbook Cravings: All Together: Recipes to Love on October 12.

Out now: The television personality and the Israeli-American chef released their third cookbook Cravings: All Together: Recipes to Love on October 12

Teigen has previously stated that working on the cookbook 'quite literally saved' her after losing her baby.

In her Saturday photo, Chrissy continued, 'as I've said before, I absolutely threw myself into writing, quickly, to distract from the trauma, the pain, the grief.

'But not all days were productive. Many werethis. Days I felt suctioned to the couch with barely an appetite to even taste our recipes.

Collaboration: In 2016, Teigen invited Sussman to live with her and her husband John Legend for several months while the two worked on their first cookbook Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat

'It was during this time that i truly believed Adeena was sent by god herself. When I tell your this book saved me, i only kind of mean that. It was Adeena. Love u guys. X'

October marks Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month. The 15th of the month also marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

In 2016, Teigen invited Sussman to live with her and her husband John Legend for several months while the two worked on their first cookbook Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat.

Though Adeena lives full-time in Israel, she moved in with Chrissy twice more to complete their 2018 cookbook Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat as well as their latest release.

Dedication: Though Adeena lives full-time in Israel, she moved in with Chrissy twice more to complete their 2018 cookbook Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat as well as their latest release

Sussman told The Boca Raton Observer, 'Chrissy and I cook all of the food together, spending our days and nights brainstorming, riffing and hitting the kitchen to come up with a perfect recipe, no matter how many times it takes.'

Adeena, who the supermodel has referred to as 'her other everything,' was by Chrissy's side last October when she suffered her tragic loss.

Last month, Chrissy shared images of herself cooking with Adeena as well as her daughter Luna, five. In the caption, she wrote: 'I don't know what I would have done without this woman in my home one year ago. I really f*cking love what we have created together, my work wife.'

Support system: Adeena, who the supermodel has referred to as 'her other everything,' was by Chrissy's side last October when she suffered her tragic loss. Seen her with Chrissy's daughter Luna, five

On September 28, Chrissy mourned the loss of Jack one year after his passing.

She shared an emotional snap from the hospital room with John.

She accompanied the post with a tribute which read: 'and to the son we almost had. a year ago you gave me the greatest pain I could ever imagine to show me I could survive anything, even if I didn't want to.

'And to the son we almost had': Chrissy Teigen has mourned her son Jack one year after suffering a pregnancy loss by sharing this emotional photo from the hospital room with John Legend last year

'i didn't get to take care of you but you came and went to get me to love myself and take care of myself because our bodies are precious and life is a miracle. they told me it would get easier but yeah, that hasn't started yet. mom and dad love you forever.'

Chrissy was shown laying in the hospital bed with tears running down her face as the 42-year-old musician consoled her.

On September 30, 2020 Teigen took to Instagram to announce that she and John had lost their baby, days after she was admitted to the hospital with severe bleeding.

Tragic: On September 30, 2020 Teigen took to Instagram to announce that she and John had lost their baby, days after she was admitted to the hospital with severe bleeding

The model shared the heartbreaking news with a lengthy post and series of images on social media, saying their little boy, Jack, had died following 'so many complications'.

Chrissy wrote in her post: 'We are shocked and in the kind of deep pain you only hear about, the kind of pain we've never felt before. We were never able to stop the bleeding and give our baby the fluids he needed, despite bags and bags of blood transfusions. It just wasn't enough'.

The devastating post included five black and white photos taken at the hospital, showing Chrissy crying on her bed as well as a shot showing her and John cradling their son.

'We are shocked': At the time, the model also penned a lengthy caption explaining the tragedy and expressed her family's grief over the sudden loss

Days prior to her tragic announcement, Chrissy, who conceived Luna and son Miles, three, through IVF with John revealed she was on 'serious bed rest' due to bleeding and said she was 'about halfway through her pregnancy', which is around 20 - 24 weeks. A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead at 24 weeks or later.

In a heartbreaking addition to the post, Chrissy revealed that 'for some reason' she and John had begun calling their unborn baby boy, Jack despite only naming their other kids after they were born.

She continued: 'We never decide on our babies' names until the last possible moment after they're born, just before we leave the hospital. But we, for some reason, had started to call this little guy in my belly Jack. So he will always be Jack to us. Jack worked so hard to be a part of our little family, and he will be, forever...

'We love you, Jack': John also took to Twitter to share Chrissy's post, while writing: 'We love you, Jack' alongside five black hearts

Forever Jack: 'We never decide on our babies' names until the last possible moment after they're born, just before we leave the hospital. But we, for some reason, had started to call this little guy in my belly Jack,' explained Teigen

'To our Jack - I'm so sorry that the first few moments of your life were met with so many complications, that we couldn't give you the home you needed to survive. We will always love you...

'Thank you to everyone who has been sending us positive energy, thoughts and prayers. We feel all of your love and truly appreciate you. We are so grateful for the life we have, for our wonderful babies Luna and Miles, for all the amazing things we've been able to experience.'

Losing a baby past 24 weeks is a stillbirth rather than a miscarriage. If a baby dies before 24 completed weeks, it's known as a miscarriage or late fetal loss.

Grieving: 'But everyday can't be full of sunshine. On this darkest of days, we will grieve, we will cry our eyes out. But we will hug and love each other harder and get through it,' concluded Chrissy
Kara Tointon nailed sartorial chic in a white blouse and black ruffled slacks at Ascot racecourse on Saturday.

The actress, renowned for playing Dawn Swann in EastEnders, looked effortlessly stylish at the QIPCO British Champions Day at the famous horse racing venue.

The blonde beauty, 38, styled her shoulder-length locks in a sleek style, while she stepped out in a pair of black heeled sandals.

Wow! Kara Tointon nailed sartorial chic in a white blouse and black ruffled slacks at Ascot racecourse on Saturday

Kara accessorised with delicate pearl earrings and carried a few of her essentials in a tiny crocodile handbag.

The mother-of-two was pictured next to a friend, who looked handsome in a navy blue suit.

The identity of the dashing fellow was not clear, although the pair appeared to have an established friendship as they were pictured more than once at the event.

Stylish pair: The mother-of-two was pictured next to a friend, who looked handsome in a navy blue suit

Kara shares son, Frey, who is three next month, and Helly, eight months old, with fiance Marius Jensen.

Speaking to Hello! magazine in January, Kara said that her new baby 'is an incredibly cool little man. He is very zen, he has a calming effect.'

The actress, who had planned to tie the knot with Norwegian Marius last year, added that the tot is 'so chilled and wonderful.'

Good pals: The identity of the dashing fellow was not clear, although the pair appeared to have an established friendship

Meanwhile, Marius, who Kara went public with in 2017, explained that the name Helly is inspired by his native country Norway, adding that his son also has the middle names Juel and Parsell.

Speaking further about the inspiration for the name, he explained: 'The first Helly we found was an old Norwegian sea captain, from a place in Norway called Moss, a tiny little town where my grandmother is from.'

He went on to say that after they looked Helly up, they discovered that it was a 'big bearded guy' like himself, adding it was then the name 'fell into place'.

Sweet: Kara shares son, Frey, who is three next month, and Helly, eight months old, with fiance Marius Jensen (left)

Kara gave birth to Helly via elective Caesarean following a four-day ordeal when welcoming eldest son Frey, which lead to an emergency C-section.

Discussing her experience at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, the Mr. Selfridge star described it as 'strange' as the hospital seemed 'almost deserted.'

She added: 'But we were both so aware that on the other side of the hospital it must have been pandemonium. It is amazing what they are all doing right now.'
Jessie Ware joined Lily Cole at the She Will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Saturday.

Jessie, 36, looked effortlessly chic in a black blazer co-ord as she headed up the red carpet on the night, three months after giving birth to her third child.

The Spotlight songstress stepped out in a pair of black court heels, pairing her sleek jacket with floaty matching slacks.

Stylish ladies: Jessie Ware (left) channelled sartorial chic while Lily Cole (right) made another bold fashion choice at the She Will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Saturday

The raven beauty styled her locks in subtle waves, tucking her fringe behind her ears as she modelled a pared-down makeup palette for the evening.

Jessie chose a few subtle accessories, like sparkly drop earrings and a rose gold chain, as well an electric blue purse.

The star welcomed a new baby boy in July, who she shares with her husband Sam Burrows.

A beauty: The raven beauty styled her locks in subtle waves, tucking her fringe behind her ears as she modelled a pared-down makeup palette for the evening

Their first child a girl, was born in 2016, followed by their first son born in 2019 - they have never revealed their names.

Meanwhile, Lily Cole showcased her unique style in a pastel bomber jacket and bowling style trainers at the coveted screening.

The supermodel, 33, wore a clashing combination of the colourful jacket alongside a monochrome shirt and slacks.

Curly girl: The redhead beauty wore her hair in natural curls, pushing back her locks off her face with a large pearl headband

Natural beauty: The actress showcased her naturally good looks, opting for minimal makeup

Colourful: The supermodel, 33, wore a clashing combination of the colourful jacket alongside a monochrome shirt and slacks

The Star Wars actress rocked the unique outfit, nonetheless, working all her angles on the red carpet.

The redhead beauty wore her hair in natural curls, pushing back her locks off her face with a large pearl headband.

Also hitting up the premiere was actor Malcolm McDowell, who looked dapper in a check shirt and navy blue jumper.

Joining in: Also hitting up the premiere was actor Malcolm McDowell, who looked dapper in a check shirt and navy blue jumper

The rarely seen star beamed as he hit up the event, keeping warm in a smart black coat.

Malcolm donned a pair of modern chunky black glasses and posed with his hands in his pockets.

The Halloween actor was joined by a slew of stylish friends, including Kota Eberhard and Philip Colbert.

Modern man: The rarely seen star beamed as he hit up the event, keeping warm in a smart black coat

The movie, She Will, depicts Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige) who after a double mastectomy, heads to a healing retreat in Scotland with her nurse Desi (Kota Eberhardt).

She discovers that the process of surgery opens up thoughts about her existence, leading her to question and deal with past traumas head-on.

The pair have an unlikely bond a mysterious force allows Veronica to enact revenge in her dreams.
Kourtney Kardashian, 42, and Travis Barker, 45, continued to turn the streets of New York City into their own personal catwalk as they served up coordinated looks on Saturday.

The high-profile pair was seen walking hand-in-hand in matching black leather jackets ahead of the musician's performance on Saturday Night Live.

The petite reality TV star showed off ample cleavage in a low-cut black bodysuit and combat boots as she held onto her beau.

Coordinated: On Saturday Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker were seen walking hand-in-hand in matching black leather jackets ahead of the musician's performance on Saturday Night Live

Kardashian carried a small black handbag with tassels. The mother-of-three displayed a black manicure and sported a pair of minimalist black sunglasses.

For his part Barker donned a vintage style motorcycle jacket with patches placed throughout.

The Blink-182 rocker had on a white shirt underneath his outerwear and covered his bald head with a black beanie.

Around his neck he wore a silver-toned chain necklace with a lock pendant.

The former MTV personality is scheduled to appear on NBC's Saturday Night Live October 16 and the two partners have been on the east coast in preparation for his performance with rapper Young Thug.

Fashion stars: The pair continues to turn the streets of New York City into their own personal catwalk as they serve up coordinated looks

Later in the day the couple reemerged from their hotel wearing completely different looks.

For their wardrobe change, the eldest of the Kardashian siblings slipped into a teal leopard print corset featuring thin off-the-shoulder straps.

It was paired with straight leg, glossy, black pants and closed-toe black heels. Kourtney's bob haircut was blown bone straight and she rocked a middle part.

The Barker Wellness founder sported a white sleeveless graphic tee and black pants with studded belts wrapped around the legs.

He added black Doc Marten shoes and kept on his black beanie from earlier in the day.



Switch-up: Later in the day the couple reemerged from their hotel wearing completely different looks

Hot mama: For their wardrobe change, the eldest of the Kardashian siblings slipped into a teal leopard print corset featuring thin off-the-shoulder straps

Taking it up a notch: The Barker Wellness founder sported a white sleeveless graphic tee and black pants with studded belts wrapped around the legs

Stylish: The petite reality TV star showed off ample cleavage in a low-cut black bodysuit and combat boots as she held onto her beau

On Friday Kourtney was accused of acting 'bratty' during a 'bit of a kerfuffle' while on a flight with her boyfriend.

Travis' phone apparently tumbled in between two seats and Kourtney allegedly began 'frantically searching' for it, according to a passenger who spoke to Page Six.

The passenger said that when a flight attendant requested that Kourtney sit down the reality star began 'freaking out and kept saying: "Give me five more minutes."'

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Kourtney for comment.

According to the passenger who spoke to Page Six: 'She got into a bit of a kerfuffle and was quite bratty. She was not nice and was very much acting like a child.'

They claimed Travis' phone 'fell underneath one of those crazy reclining chairs in [business class]' on their Delta flight to New York from Los Angeles on Wednesday. 'She was the one looking for it, and he was not moving.'

Upcoming: The former MTV personality is scheduled to appear on NBC's Saturday Night Live October 16

The eyewitness added: 'She was in the aisle and was even bending over and using the light from her phone to search for it.'

Furthermore the passenger alleged that it took 'two hours' for the flight attendant to manage 'dismantling the chair' in order to find the phone.

Kourtney was defended by a source in her camp who said the chair 'only took five minutes to dismantle!' and accused the passenger of embroidering the story.

'She didnt ask for five more minutes, and the flight attendant felt so bad for rushing her, she apologized and made an announcement to help them on the flight. The passenger is exaggerating,' said the insider close to Kourtney.

A couple of months ago Kourtney managed to persuade Travis to board a flight for the first time since his traumatic crash in 2008.

Although Travis survived with burns, two of his friends and both of the pilots of the plane were killed in the accident.

Barker took to Twitter last week to share a thought with his 1.5 million followers: 'My life's changed I can fly now I'm free.'
Fans of the highly anticipated DC Comics film The Batman got their most detailed look to date at the Caped Crusader's relationship with Catwoman in a new trailer released Saturday at DC Fandome.

The clip features more dialogue scenes with Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman than previous clips and gives a hint at the flirtatious interactions between him and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz).

Colin Farrell's scarred, gruff update on the Penguin was also featured in a fiery car chase with Batman, while Paul Dano seemed to have fashioned his villain The Riddler after a serial killer in his disturbing scenes.

Fans of the highly anticipated DC Comics film The Batman got their most detailed look to date at the Caped Crusader's relationship with Catwoman in a new trailer released Saturday at DC Fandome

Dano is the first figure shown, as he sits hunched over a cup of coffee at a late-night diner.

As the camera slowly pushes in toward the diner, a SWAT team creeps up in the pouring rain to arrest him.

His character, named Edward Nashton in this version of the story, raises his hands slowly before the police grab him and take him away.

The wandering camera continues moving and pans down to the coffee, which has a head of foam and a creamy question mark drawn on top.

Grabbing a cup of coffee: Dano is the first figure shown, as he sits hunched over a cup of coffee at a late-night diner. As the camera slowly pushes in toward the diner, a SWAT team creeps up in the pouring rain to arrest him

Taking his time: His character, named Edward Nashton in this version of the story, raises his hands slowly before the police grab him and take him away

The Riddler: The wandering camera continues moving and pans down to the coffee, which has a head of foam and a creamy question mark drawn on top

Gotham seems to be under attack from a roving gang of men in skull-like corpse paint.

They seen taking over a train car, but then Batman rises up in front of a group of them to do battle.

Pattinson's voice, less gruff than past Batman actors, is heard on the soundtrack.

'Fear is a tool,' he says ominously in voiceover as he begins to fight the gang.

'When that light hits the sky, it's not just a call. It's a warning,' he says of the Bat Signal.

During the brutal fight, one gangster shoots at Batman, and even though the bullet appears to bounce off his suit, it infuriates him and he smashes the man against a pole and begins to electrocute him.

Ready for action: Gotham seems to be under attack from a roving gang of men in skull-like corpse paint. They seen taking over a train car

Big mistake: Then Batman rises up in front of a group of them to do battle

Pattinson's voice, less gruff than past Batman actors, is heard on the soundtrack. 'Fear is a tool,' he says ominously in voiceover as he begins to fight the gang

Beware: 'When that light hits the sky, it's not just a call. It's a warning,' he says of the Bat Signal

Loosing his cool: During the brutal fight, one gangster shoots at Batman, and even though the bullet appears to bounce off his suit, it infuriates him and he smashes the man against a pole and begins to electrocute him

The action shifts to a prison visitation room, where The Riddler is in a prison jumpsuit, though it cuts away before his face is shown.

'I've been trying to reach you,' he says in a sinister rasp.

'What have you done?!' Batman screams from the other side of the reinforced glass as he slams his gloved fist against it.

Pattinson's then seen out of his suit for the first time in the trailer as he appears to stand in front of a crowd of photographers outside a courthouse.

He turns his attention to a high-heeled patent leather boot stepping out of a car, which belongs to Selina Kyle (Kravitz).

'I can take care of myself,' she says in a smoky voice as she leans in to caress Pattinson's character in a follow-up scene from a high-rise building.

Face to face: The action shifts to a prison visitation room, where The Riddler is in a prison jumpsuit. 'I've been trying to reach you,' he says in a sinister rasp

Furious: 'What have you done?!' Batman screams from the other side of the reinforced glass as he slams his gloved fist against it

Street clothes: Pattinson's then seen out of his suit for the first time in the trailer as he appears to stand in front of a crowd of photographers outside a courthouse

Way to make an entrance: He turns his attention to a high-heeled patent leather boot stepping out of a car, which belongs to Selina Kyle (Kravitz)

Self-sufficient: 'I can take care of myself,' she says in a smoky voice as she leans in to caress Pattinson's character in a follow-up scene from a high-rise building

We also get a quick glance of Andy Serkis as Bruce Wayne's butler and right-hand man Alfred Pennyworth.

'If this continues, it won't be long before you've nothing left,' he warns.

But Bruce seems to have a self-destructive streak.

'I don't care what happens to me,' he replies, showing his eyes blackened after wearing his suit.

He's then seen with Selina again as they share another intimate scene.

'It's only going to get worse for you,' she tells him.

Ominous: We also get a quick glance of Andy Serkis as Bruce Wayne's butler and right-hand man Alfred Pennyworth. 'If this continues, it won't be long before you've nothing left,' he warns

Cavalier: But Bruce seems to have a self-destructive streak. 'I don't care what happens to me,' he replies, showing his eyes blackened after wearing his suit

All downhill from here: He's then seen with Selina again as they share another intimate scene. 'It's only going to get worse for you,' she tells him

Colin Farrell, wearing extensive padding and prosthetics to give him a scarred visage, has been scene in brief glimpses throughout the trailer, but now he has his first interaction with Batman as Oswald Cobblepot, or Penguin.

'Whoa, take it easy sweetheart!' he says, using an ItalianAmerican accent.

He appears to be dressed in a stylish suit, but Farrell is completely unrecognizable under the makeup and with his hair thinning.

Amid their meeting, Batman shows off his hand-to-hand combat skills as he demolishes a squad of Cobblepot's men.

Sinister: Colin Farrell, wearing extensive padding and prosthetics to give him a scarred visage, has been scene in brief glimpses throughout the trailer, but now he has his first interaction with Batman

New look: 'Whoa, take it easy sweetheart!' he says, using an ItalianAmerican accent. He appears to be dressed in a stylish suit, but Farrell is completely unrecognizable under the makeup and with his hair thinning

Fistfight: Amid their meeting, Batman shows off his hand-to-hand combat skills as he demolishes a squad of Cobblepot's men

Meanwhile, Catwoman appears to be on a mission of her own.

Kravitz is first seen wearing a shoulder-lenth straight wig, and then she changes into a scarlet bob as she walks through what looks like a nightclub.

'Maybe we're not so different,' she says to Batman via voiceover.

The strength of the Caped Crusader's armor is then shown as he walks through a spray of bullets, none of which seem to make it through his armor.

'I'm vengeance,' he says over the bodies of the fallen gunmen after taking them down.

New looks: Meanwhile, Catwoman appears to be on a mission of her own. Kravitz is first seen wearing a shoulder-lenth straight wig, and then she changes into a scarlet bob as she walks through what looks like a nightclub

Something in common: 'Maybe we're not so different,' she says to Batman via voiceover

Bullet spattered: The strength of the Caped Crusader's armor is then shown as he walks through a spray of bullets, none of which seem to make it through his armor

The Riddler reappears on a TV screen, where we see him for the first time in his mask, which incorporates his glasses.

But it's Farrell as Penguin who gets the final showdown with Batman in the trailer.

He's seen behind the wheel as he races away from Pattinson, who's driving a Batmobile that looks more like a classic muscle car that past models.

'I got you!' he cheers as he drives away from a fireball, which appears to be from Batman crashing.

But then his car flies through the flames and rams Penguins vehicle, flipping him over and leaving him trapped upside down.

The final image is of Pattinson's character strolling up to him, backlit by fire.

New look: The Riddler reappears on a TV screen, where we see him for the first time in his mask, which incorporates his glasses

High-speed chase: Farrell is seen behind the wheel as he races away from Pattinson, who's driving a Batmobile that looks more like a classic muscle car that past models. 'I got you!' he cheers as he drives away from a fireball, which appears to be from Batman crashing

Taken down: But then his car flies through the flames and rams Penguins vehicle, flipping him over and leaving him trapped upside down

Dramatic finale: The final image is of Pattinson's character strolling up to him, backlit by fire

The first trailer for The Batman was unveiled more than a year ago at DC Fandome in August 2020.

The story appears to be set within Bruce Wayne's second year of crime fighting as Batman, when he's not as experienced as later versions of the character but his arsenal is fully developed.

Filling out the main cast will be Jeffrey Wright who plays James Gordon, though he'll later be promoted to commissioner of the police force.

Matt Reeves, who directed the most recent Planet Of The Apes films, will be helming the project from a script he wrote with Peter Craig (Ben Affleck's The Town) and Mattson Tomlin (Project Power) with Reeves and Dylan Clark producing.

The film is currently expected to be released on March 4, 2022.
Legendary theme tune composer Alan Hawkshaw has died aged 84.

Alan wrote introductory music for many much-loved shows during his long career including Countdown, Grange Hill, and the Channel 4 News.

The acclaimed musician suffered his fourth stroke in July and was recovering at home in Radlett with his wife when he was hospitalised with pneumonia this week.

Sad: Legendary theme tune composer Alan Hawkshaw has died aged 84 after he was hospitalised with pneumonia this week after suffering from his fourth stroke in July

Alan's talent agency DNA Music Limited shared the news of his death and said in a statement: 'The proud Leeds born composer, musician and performer Alan Hawkshaw has tragically left us.

'He was behind such incredible theme tunes such as Grange Hill, Channel 4 News, Countdown, Dave Allen at Large, Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World to name a few.

'One of the most sampled musicians in the world, Hip Hop producers in particular have plundered Alan's catalogue of works including the biggest of them all, Jay-Z with Pray which featured on the American Gangster album.

"Alan would often joke, "I'm one of the oldest rap artists in the world!"

'He also famously said of Streisand, "Barbara held this song of mine eight years until I sent her a note via one of her lawyers saying please record it before one of us dies." (Barbara went on to record Alan's song Why Let It Go.)'

Talent: Alan wrote introductory music for many much-loved shows during his long career including Countdown, Grange Hill, and the Channel 4 News

Alan suffered his fourth stroke in July and since August has been recovering at home in Radlett until being admitted to hospital this week with pneumonia.

Alans wife Christiane let his label know the musician had sadly passed away and said in her own statement she was 'heartbroken' to say goodbye to the 'love of her life'.

She wrote: 'It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Alan, my husband of 53 years and the love of my life.

'We spent the last few hours gazing at each other with love, holding hands no need for words.

'I told him he and I were forever, and even though he had been unable to speak for the past two months, he managed a few 'forevers' and I knew he was at peace. When you love someone that much, you have to let them go.'

'I'm one of the oldest rap artists in the world!': Alan was sampled by numerous high profile musicians including Jay Z and had also worked with David Bowie, Cliff Richard and Tom Jones

Many fans rushed to pay tribute to the talented composer online as emotional messages flooded Twitter timelines.

One user wrote: 'Goodbye Alan Hawkshaw. He wrote The Champ. He played on Melody Nelson. He was in the Shadows. He wrote the themes for Grange Hill, and Countdown, and Channel 4 News. Cant be many days in my life where I havent heard at least one of them. Oh, and this [with a link to the Dave Allen At Large into]'

Another said: 'R.I.P. Alan Hawkshaw .. a titan of TV music composition and a brilliant keyboard player for so many greats . too many to mention . I dont know a composer not in awe of his ability . Thanks for raising the bar x'

In response, another fan pointed out: 'Alan Hawkshaw donated the royalties for this to pay fees for underprivileged music students. Every time it plays, someone gets a bit of time in college.'

'We spent the last few hours gazing at each other with love': Alan's wife Christiane said in her statement she was 'heartbroken' to say goodbye to the 'love of her life'

Soul mates: Alan's wife wrote in her emotional statement: 'We spent the last few hours gazing at each other with love, holding hands no need for words (pictured together)

'Thanks for raising the bar': Many fans rushed to pay tribute to the talented composer online as emotional messages flooded Twitter timelines

Amongst the numerous fans paying tribute to the talented composer was Countdown's own Susie Dent, who passionately thanked Alan for his work.

The Dictionary Corner star wrote: 'RIP Alan Hawkshaw, creator of the Countdown music and much, much more.

'All of us can instantly sing the end notes of the clock sequence: the soundtrack to my career. Thank you, Alan.'

'The soundtrack to my career': Among them was Countdown's own Susie Dent who passionately thanked Alan for his work

Hard at work: Alan worked with somone of the biggest names in music, including David Bowie, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, Jane Birkin, and Serge Gainsbourg

Alan worked with somone of the biggest names in music, including David Bowie, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, Jane Birkin, and Serge Gainsbourg.

Earlier this month, the musician was recognised by the Queen in her 2021 Honours list and recieved the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the music industry.

The acclaimed composer has won innumerable accolades and honours during his long and successful career, including a Fellowship by Leeds Conservatoire and a Doctorate for services to music by Hull University.

Most notably, Alan was awarded two BMI Multi-Million Performance Awards, a BAFTA nomination for Best TV score for the TV series Love Hurts and an Academy Award for Best Arrangement for 'I Honestly Love You' with Olivia Newton John.

Esteemed: The acclaimed composer has won innumerable accolades and honours during his long and successful career including a BAFTA nomination and an Academy Award
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly couldn't contain their excitement as they were given a sneak peek of I'm A Celebrity campmates for this year's series on Friday.

The double-act beamed from ear-to-ear and clenched their fists with joy as producers presented them with this year's line-up in an Instagram video.

Stars rumoured to be setting foot in the Grade I listed 19th-century country house include Richard Madeley, former EastEnders actorJake Wood, choreographer Arlene Phillips and ex-BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin.

Delighted: Ant McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly (right) couldn't contain their excitement as they were given a sneak peek of the upcoming I'm A Celebrity campmates for the new series

Unfortunately for avid fans of the long-running show, the images had been blurred out in a bid to maintain their secrecy.

'Here we go, number one,' announced a member of the crew before the pair began clapping with Ant, 46, shouting, 'Yes!'

'Very, very good,' Dec, 45, commented of another contestant before the pair raised their eyebrows and said, 'Ooh.'

Dec's face was certainly a picture towards the end of the clip as he opened his mouth up wide and bulged his eyes in shock at one of the new cast members.

'That's amazing. We're happy,' they concluded - leaving fans beside themselves with anticipation in time for the reality show's November return.

Wow! Ant shot a surprised look at producers after one sensational reveal

Coming soon: Preparations for the upcoming series are underway at the camp in Gwrych Castle, North Wales, which will play host for the second consecutive year (pictured in 2020)

Oh no! Unfortunately for avid fans of the long-running show, the images had been blurred out in a bid to maintain their secrecy

Nail-biting: Fans of the show, including last year's Queen of the Castle Giovanna Fletcher, rushed to the comments to share their elation

Fans rushed to the comments to share their elation, writing: 'I have a feeling this Im a celeb is gonna be brilliant,' and, 'i wanna knoww whooo [sic].'

Last year's Queen of the Castle Giovanna Fletcher chimed in with, 'I cannot wait to watch! Xxx.'

Preparations for the upcoming series are underway at the camp in Gwrych Castle, North Wales, which will play host for the second consecutive year due to travel restrictions surrounding its usual home on Australia's east coast.

Famous face: Rumoured to be in the line up for this year's programme is broadcaster Richard Madeley and choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips (both pictured in 2021)

Other famous names reported to be in the running are Gogglebox's Tom Malone Jr, Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure, Chaser Jenny Ryan, ex-Corrie star Lucy Fallon and Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler.

ITV bosses are facing a scramble against time to renovate the dilapidated building - which is now closed to the public - and its surrounding areas ahead of the new series expected to begin in November.

The reality show, which usually films in the Australian wilderness, was forced to relocate to the dilapidated castle following fears Australia could shut its borders because of the ongoing pandemic.

Producers have since filed an extensive planning application to the authorities in order to make the country house inhabitable in time for the new series.

Steve McDonald Vs Ian Beale! Coronation Street's Simon Gregson [L] is reportedly set to compete against EastEnders soap rival Adam Woodyatt [R] on Im A Celebrity 2021
New Delhi: Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday said the alleged killing of a man near the Singhu border was "unfortunate", but it will not affect the farmers' protest against the Centre's three farm laws.

"Whatever happened is wrong and unfortunate. Someone killed him and later the police arrested the killer. The matter is subject to investigation. It will not affect our protest," said Tikait.

On Friday, a corpse of a man, with hands and legs chopped off, was found hanging on a police barricade at the farmers' protest site near the Singhu border, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hansraj.

"An FIR has been registered in the case," said the DSP.

The man has been identified as Lakhbir Singh resident of village Cheema Khurd in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. The deceased, about 35-36 years old, who used to work as a labourer, has no criminal record or affiliation with any political party, informed the police.
WARANGAL: The land meant for the construction of medical and nursing colleges in Mahbubabad has landed in a dispute with some locals claiming that they are cultivating a part of the land. They have approached the High Court, which gave a stay order on the work on the college and has sought a report from the government clarifying the ownership of the land.

Local councillor Banoth Ravi said that portions of the land were assigned decades ago to several tribals of Babunaik thanda and Sankriya thanda, and alleged that the state government was forcefully claiming the land of the poor tribals. He said that there is open plot of government land adjacent to the spot chosen for the college, and asked the officials to consider buildng it there.

A false report has been sent to the government that the land in Survey No. 551 is completely owned by the government and no one is cultivating it. The revenue and police officials are not letting farmers enter their own land and have dug a trench to stop them, he alleged

Local TRS leaders claim these claims were backed by opposition parties and were meant to obstruct development works. The medical college was proposed to come up on 30 acres of land.

Minister for tribal welfare Satyavathi Rathod said, It is unfortunate that some people are resorting to such acts to hinder development in Mahbubabad which is relatively backward. Necessary action is being taken in regard to the dispute and it will be clarified at the earliest.

Previously, during the foundation stone laying of the district collectorate, some of the farmers made had similar claims and they were given compensation before the construction began. The farmers in Babunaik thanda and Sankriya thanda too hope for a similar compensation.
Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi with party leader Rahul Gandhi during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to discuss the current political situation, upcoming Assembly polls, and organisational elections, at AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (PTI)

New Delhi: Attempting to silence critics ahead of the crucial 2022 Assembly polls, interim president of Congress Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said she is the "full-time and hands-on" party chief during her address at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi.

In her opening remark at the CWC meeting chaired by her, the interim Congress president said she had been wanting for the meeting ever since Parliament adjourned.

"Now that all of us are doubly vaccinated, I decided we could meet physically with our masks on," she said.

Addressing the issue of organisational elections, Gandhi said, "The entire organisation wants a revival of the Congress. But this requires unity and keeping the Party's interests paramount. Above all, it requires self-control and discipline. I am acutely conscious of the fact that I have been interim Congress President ever since the CWC asked me to return in this capacity in 2019."

Recalling that CWC has finalised a roadmap for electing a regular President by June 30, Gandhi said, "But the second wave of Covid-19 overtook the country and this deadline was extended indefinitely by the CWC in its meeting held on May 10, 2021."

Gandhi said the schedule for full-fledged organisational elections has been finalised and will bring clarity on the matter "once and for all."

"I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands-on Congress President. In the last two years, a large number of our colleagues, particularly the younger ones have taken on leadership roles in taking party policies and programmes to the people--whether it be the agitation of farmers, provision of relief during the pandemic, highlighting issues of concern to youth and women, atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis and minorities, price rise, and the destruction of the public sector," she said.

Gandhi claimed that Congress has "never let issues of public importance and concern go unaddressed".

"You are aware that I have been taking them up with the Prime Minister as have Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul. I have been interacting with like-minded political parties regularly. We have issued joint statements on national issues and coordinated our strategy in Parliament as well," she said.

In a veiled dig at the party's internal critics, especially G-23, Gandhi said she had always appreciated frankness, and added, "There is no need to speak to me through the media. So let us all have a free and honest discussion. But what should get communicated outside the four walls of this room is the collective decision of the CWC."

On the issue of forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, the Congress President said Congress' preparations had already begun a while back.

"Undoubtedly, we face many challenges but if we are united, if we are disciplined and if we focus on the Party's interests alone, I am confident that we will do well. The respective General Secretaries and In-Charges will be briefing us on the states individually and so I will not like to say anything more now on this subject," she noted.

She also wished for a full and speedy recovery of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who is admitted at AIIMS Delhi.
Well before Shahrukh Khans son Aryan Khan was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau, its former director general and current Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana had made a case for targeting Bollywood celebrities, especially the superstar himself. The focus on Bollywood filmstars began last year when the NCB initiated investigations into drug trafficking following actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death. The Gujarat cadre cop, who is a favourite officer of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, was tasked with the job of nabbing some Bollywood bigwigs and the Central agency had even summoned Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan and Shraddha Kapoor for questioning in this connection. Though Shahrukh Khan eluded its dragnet, he remained on its radar long after the controversy over Rajputs death died down. However, the superstars son Aryan proved to be a handy target for the NCB as the Narendra Modi government wanted to distract attention from the recent haul of 3,000 kg of heroin, worth Rs.21,000 crore, from Mundra port in Kutch. This comes at a time when the BJPs campaign to demonise the minorities has picked up speed ahead of next years Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. It is also to pile pressure on Bollywood biggies to push the BJPs ideology in their films.

Except for his brief reaction supporting the Centre governments decision to expand the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force in Punjab, former chief minister Amarinder Singh has lately been keeping a low profile. Soon after he was forced to step down, Mr Singh or Captain, as he is popularly called, had grabbed headlines when he hit out at the Congress leadership for humiliating him and declared that he would be leaving the party. It was assumed he would be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, especially after his meeting with home minister Amit Shah but the Captains core group maintained that he plans to float his own party and have an informal understanding with the BJP. However, nothing has been heard about these plans since then. It is speculated that the Captain is in the process of drafting his new partys constitution and will subsequently approach the Election Commission for a party symbol. He is likely to take the final plunge closer to next years Assembly polls so he can enrol disgruntled Congress leaders who are denied tickets by the party.

The Bharatiya Janata Partys decision to replace all sitting ministers in Gujarat has unnerved its senior leaders in poll-bound Uttarakhand. Former Congress leaders who defected to the BJP and the partys older leaders are worried that with 45-year-old Pushkar Singh Dhami as chief minister, the party leadership will give preference to younger leaders in the distribution of tickets. They are, therefore, exploring other options. State minister Yashpal Arya and his MLA son Sanjeev returned to the Congress fold last week. Devendra Yadav, Congress in-charge of Uttarakhand, who was responsible for Mr Aryas ghar wapsi is persuading others like Harak Singh Rawat, Satpal Maharaj and his wife Amrita, to cross over on the plea that they dont have a future in the BJP. This move is predictably being resisted by former chief minister Harish Rawat as those who left the Congress were bitterly opposed to him. Mr Rawat fears their entry will undermine his position as the partys chief ministerial face.

With former Jawaharlal Nehru University president Kanhaiya Kumar joining the Congress, party leader Rahul Gandhi wants to focus on reviving the party in Bihar. As in the case of Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is reduced to a bit player in Bihar. Besides taking advantage of Kanhaiya Kumars oratorical skills, Rahul Gandhi is also known to have sent out feelers to Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan, who is currently out on a limb after his uncle walked out, leading to a split in the party. Rahul Gandhi made it a point to attend the prayer meeting held recently to mark the death anniversary of former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. The Congress is said to be impressing upon Paswan junior that it would give him a free hand in Bihar but he will have to play second fiddle to Tejaswi Yadav if he ties up with the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, who has emerged as the face of the ongoing farmers agitation, has become a suspect figure among the protesters. The farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, are unhappy with Mr Tikait for helping the Yogi Adityanath government broker a deal with the angry protesters in Lakhimpur Tehri. Mr Tikaits subsequent remark that the killing of BJP workers was a reaction to the initial action (alleged mowing down of agitating farmers by a Central ministers son) has also not been well received by the farmers as it shows them in poor light. As it is, Mr Tikait is not reputed to be trustworthy. There is now a lurking fear that he may betray the cause at a critical juncture to bail out the BJP in next years UP polls.
Google's cybercrime fighting team Threat Analysis Group (TAG) has recorded a massive spike in government-backed phishing and malware attacks on private individuals.

TAG saw a jump of 33 per cent increase in cyber threats compared to the previous year (2020) and the team sent more than 50,000 warning to private individuals.

The attacks are said to be carried out majorly by Russian government-backed APT28 ( aka Fancy Bear) and Iran-based APT35. In total, TAG has identified and is tracking more than 270 targeted or government-backed attacker groups from more than 50 countries.

The newly released report says hackers are primarily targeting those in the field of human rights activism, journalism, national security, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), and academia.

The most recent attack by APT35 was against a prominent UK university. It illegally altered the college website to host a phishing kit. It planned to harvest credentials of the people's email platforms such as Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo. Potential victims were instructed to activate an invitation to a (fake) webinar by logging in. The phishing kit also asked for second-factor authentication codes sent to devices, TAG noted.

Apparently, the same APT35 had even attempted to infiltrate into Android phones in July 2021. The team had submitted a Virtual Personal Network (VPN) mobile app (shown below) for approval to enter Google Play Stor. The latter's robust screening process successfully detected the hidden spyware and blocked it from entering the Android ecosystem.



Spyware-laced VPN app created by Iran-based APT35 hacker group. Credit: Google



"We warn users when we suspect a government-backed threat like APT35 is targeting them. Thousands of these warnings are sent every month, even in cases where the corresponding attack is blocked. If you receive a warning it does not mean your account has been compromised, it means you have been identified as a target. Workspace administrators are also notified regarding targeted accounts in their domain," Google Threat Analysis Group said.

Both private individuals and corporate companies are advised to join Advanced Protection Program or enabling two-factor authentication to protect their online accounts from cybercriminals.

Besides tracking threat actors, the search engine is also improving online security with the Google Safe Browsing initiative. With this, Google will warn users when the latter ventures to compromised websites and pages. Its security systems detect over 40 billion pages of spam, which Google blocks from appearing in the Search results.

Read more | Google Search app gets new privacy features

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
Activists in Bengaluru are gearing up to protest pothole-ridden roads across the city by performing 'pothole pooja' (worshipping potholes) as the government is turning a blind eye to the plight of vehicle riders.

B. Clip Alumni Association and Karnataka State Motorists Association have given October 30 deadline to the ruling BJP government to get rid of potholes in Bengaluru.

"If the administration does not respond, 'pothole pooja' programme will be taken up all across the city in every ward with an intention to embarrass authorities and get them working," explained Kavita Reddy, the Vice President of B. Clip Alumni Association.

Also Read | BBMP misses second deadline to fill potholes, blames rains

Both organisations have held one such programme near Chalukya circle on October 14 on the occasion of the Dussera festival. They gathered near Karnataka Legislative Assembly from where Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta travel almost every day.

The members gathered around a 3x3 pothole, spread vermillion, embellished it with flowers, performed aarti and broke a pumpkin and prayed to the pothole not to harm anyone as the government is doing nothing about it. The vehicle riders gave thumbs up and said a big yes to the protest.

Some of them even joined the unique protest. The government and police officers who passed by pretended that they did not see the function which was intended to mock them.

Anand Begur, the President of B. Clip Alumni Association told IANS that, it is a satirical attempt to get the problem of potholes fixed in the city.

"We are planning to conduct a survey of potholes and will stage the unique protest all over," he said.Raghavendra, the President of Karnataka Motorist Association explained to IANS that, the government has submitted false statistics to the High Court regarding potholes.

Though the High Court has given a deadline twice, the potholes have not been fixed.

He further said that 13,847 km of arterial and sub arterial roads are there in BBMP limits. The government has stated that only 246 km of roads are pothole-ridden which is incorrect. There is no respect from the government towards the High Court directions, he said.

Kavitha Reddy who is also a lake activist explained that, since there is no council, it has become very difficult to deal with the administration.

"If the government fails to fill all portholes before October 30, we will get the survey conducted as we did it in 2016 and organize such protests to humiliate the government."

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As many as 404 buildings in Bengaluru are structurally weak and can collapse at any time, a new survey by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has revealed.

The latest assessment represents a big jump from the previous one in 2019, when only 185 such buildings were found, and comes against the backdrop of back-to-back building collapses that had forced the civic body to order a survey on dilapidated structures.

Also Read | Weak buildings, strong nexus

According to the BBMP, none of the buildings that collapsed recently figured in the earlier survey. The new survey has a 15 days' deadline. As per the preliminary report, we have identified 400-plus such dilapidated buildings, BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta told DH.

A BBMP engineer, who is part of the survey, said the findings are preliminary and the civic body is yet to conduct a structural assessment. The buildings have been identified based on appearance and longevity. All the identified buildings will be assessed by structural engineers following which we will serve a notice for initiation of further action, the engineer said.

Also Read | Poor soil testing, illegal floors and more: Why yet another building in Bengaluru collapsed

The latest survey has found that the south zone has the highest number of such buildings (103) followed by the west zone (95). Interestingly, the Bommanahalli zone, where no weak structures were found during the 2019 survey, now has nine buildings.

Similarly, RR Nagar Zone, which had only one structurally weak building in 2019, now has 11 such buildings. Of the 11 buildings, nine are police quarters in Kengeri. We have apprised the police department also, a BBMP official from RR Nagar zone said.

Engineers are also identifying buildings that require immediate demolition. There are a few such buildings and we are planning to raze them within 24 hours, an official from the south zone said.

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Actor Kriti Sanon on Saturday completed shooting for her upcoming film Adipurush.

Directed by Om Raut, the multilingual period saga is an adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana featuring Prabhas as Lord Ram and Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh.

Raut took to social media to inform that the 31-year-old actor has finished filming and the experience of working with her has been lovely.

Dear Kriti, it was magical watching you play Janaki. Cant believe your part is wrapped up. What a lovely journey!!! #Adipurush @Kritisanon, he wrote, alongside the photos with her.

Described as a film celebrating "the victory of good over evil", the project is produced by Bhushan Kumars T-Series.

Adipurush is slated to be released in theatres on August 11, 2022.

Sanon is currently awaiting the release of comedy drama Hum Do Hamare Do, which will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on October 29.
Veteran actor Barbara Hershey, who has acted in cult films such as The Entity and Insidious, says that she takes up horror roles as they appeal to her at a 'primal level'. The star adds that she enjoys the mystery aspect of supernatural sagas as there are things in real life too that cannot be explained using conventional knowledge.

The actor, who has been a part of Hollywood for over four decades, adds that her love for horror and the great script encouraged her to take up the movie The Manor, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video earlier this month. It has been directed by Axelle Carolyn and is a part of the Blumhouse franchise.

Edited excerpts from the interview with DH:

What made you take up The Manor?

I liked the character as she is a feisty person and extremely full of energy. She really likes to have fun. Then, of course, I liked the script as it twists and turns.

Are there any similarities between you and your character?

I am very different from the character I play in the film. That said, I always walk away with some qualities/aspects of a character whenever I play it. In a way, I become a bit like that.

How did you prepare for your role in the film?

I approached her physicality as she has had a stroke. But then I had to ensure that I did not go over the top or hit the audience too hard with that aspect as the film is not about that.

You are a veteran of the horror genre.

I like psychological horror as it appeals to at a primal level and is satisfying. There's just something about getting riled up (while watching horror films) as it is a safe place to be scared. That said I am not just a horror actor.

What was the most memorable experience from the shoot?

The whole shoot was basically very memorable as the director is a horror fan. On Halloween, all of us dressed up and it was great fun as we were shooting with goblins all around us.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

I think there are things we don't understand and I really like mysteries.

What keeps you going during difficult times?

Acting is a field where we have to get hired to work so we are always at the mercy of that (system). My love for acting is the only thing that kept me going through the journey.
The arrival of three astronauts at China's new space station on Saturday marks a landmark step in its space ambitions, its longest crewed mission to date.

The world's second-largest economy has put billions into its military-run space programme, with hopes of having a permanently crewed space station by 2022 and eventually sending humans to the Moon.

Also read: China launches second crewed mission to build space station

The country has come a long way in catching up with the United States and Russia, whose astronauts and cosmonauts have decades of experience in space exploration.

Here is a look at China's space programme, and where it is headed:

Soon after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, Chairman Mao Zedong pronounced: "We too will make satellites."

It took more than a decade, but in 1970, China launched its first satellite on a Long March rocket.

Human spaceflight took decades longer, with Yang Liwei becoming the first Chinese "taikonaut" in 2003.

As the launch approached, concerns over the viability of the mission caused Beijing to cancel a live television broadcast at the last minute.

But it went smoothly, with Yang orbiting the Earth 14 times during a 21-hour flight aboard the Shenzhou 5.

China has launched seven crewed missions since.

Following in the footsteps of the United States and Russia, China has planned to build its own space station circling the planet.

The Tiangong-1 lab was launched in 2011.

In 2013, the second Chinese woman in space, Wang Yaping, gave a video class from inside the space module to children across the world's most populous country.

The craft was also used for medical experiments and, most importantly, tests intended to prepare for the construction of a space station.

That was followed by the "Jade Rabbit" lunar rover in 2013, which initially appeared a dud when it turned dormant and stopped sending signals back to Earth.

It made a dramatic recovery, however, ultimately surveying the Moon's surface for 31 months -- well beyond its expected lifespan.

In 2016, China launched its second orbital lab, the Tiangong-2. Astronauts who visited the station have run experiments on growing rice and other plants.

Under President Xi Jinping, plans for China's "space dream" have been put into overdrive.

China is looking to finally catch up with the United States and Russia after years of belatedly matching their milestones.

Besides a space station, China is also planning to build a base on the Moon, and the country's National Space Administration said it aims to launch a crewed lunar mission by 2029.

But lunar work was dealt a setback in 2017 when the Long March-5 Y2, a powerful heavy-lift rocket, failed to launch on a mission to send communication satellites into orbit.

That forced the postponement of the Chang'e-5 launch, originally scheduled to collect Moon samples in the second half of 2017.

Another robot, the Chang'e-4, landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019 -- a historic first.

This was followed by one that landed on the near side of the Moon last year, raising a Chinese flag on the lunar surface.

The unmanned spacecraft returned to Earth in December with rocks and soil -- the first lunar samples collected in four decades.

And in February 2021, the first images of Mars were sent back by the five-tonne Tianwen-1, which then landed a rover on the Martian surface in May that has since started to explore the surface of the Red Planet.

A trio of astronauts docked successfully on Saturday with the core Tianhe module of the Chinese space station, which was placed in orbit on April 29.

Also read: China set to send 3 astronauts on longest crewed mission yet

The astronauts are set to stay at the station for six months, China's longest crewed mission to date and double the duration of the first crewed mission to Tiangong completed earlier this year.

The Chinese space station Tiangong -- meaning "heavenly palace" -- will need a total of around 11 missions to bring more parts and assemble them in orbit.

Once completed, it is expected to remain in low Earth orbit at between 400 and 450 kilometres (250 and 280 miles) above our planet for at least 10 years -- realising an ambition to maintain a long-term human presence in space.

While China does not plan to use its space station for global cooperation on the scale of the International Space Station, Beijing said it is open to foreign collaboration.

It is not yet clear how extensive that cooperation will be.

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Its a question on many peoples minds these days: Do I need a booster dose of a Covid vaccine?

The answer, like many aspects of this pandemic, is complicated. And in some ways, it depends on what we mean by need. The three vaccines approved or authorized in the US generally provide very good protection against severe disease and death from Covid. Yet some people, especially those who are immunocompromised, may not mount a strong response to the initial doses. And although there is not much evidence of waning immunity among young, healthy individuals, some reports from Israel, the UK and the US suggest protection may erode somewhat over time, especially among the elderly. Breakthrough infections do happen even in healthy vaccinated people, though they are very unlikely to cause severe disease.

Also Read | FDA panel votes to authorise J&J Covid vaccine booster

Officials in the US and several other countries have now authorised booster shots for various subsets of their populations. The US Food and Drug Administration has authorised a third dose of the Pfizer shot for certain people who previously got that vaccine: those aged 65 or older, those aged 18 to 64 who have underlying health conditions that put them at risk of severe Covid and people in the latter age group who are at high risk of occupational exposure, such as health care workers and teachers. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions director recommended the shots for all three groupsoverruling the agencys own advisory panel, which had not recommended people receive an extra dose based on their occupation. On Thursday an FDA advisory panel voted to recommend authorising boosters for similar groups of people who got the Moderna vaccine. And on Friday it voted to recommend a booster of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for anyone aged 18 or older at least two months after the first dose.

Yet many questions remain: Do people in high-exposure jobs really need a booster? Should we mix and match vaccines? And most importantly, what are we trying to achieve with a booster dose?

Scientific American posed these questions to Celine Gounderan infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at New York University and Bellevue Hospital in New York City, who was a member of the Biden-Harris transitions former Covid-19 Advisory Boardand to Alessandro Sette, a professor at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology.

[An edited transcript of the interview follows.]

Also Read | Govt removes export curbs on all diagnostic kits, reagents

Who needs a booster shot?

Gounder: It goes back to What is it youre trying to accomplish? What is the outcome of interest? I don't think weve actually agreed on that, which is why theres so much disagreement. Are you trying to prevent transmission? Are you trying to prevent breakthrough infection? Are you trying to prevent symptomatic disease? Are you trying to prevent severe disease, hospitalisation, death? Because those will all have different policies.

If were trying to prevent symptomatic disease, and were trying to prevent transmission, that raises the question: Do our current vaccines do that? By giving a third dose, will you provide that level of protection indefinitely? Or will you see a waning of that protection over time? Unless youre planning to keep boosting over and over and over again, I think its going to be very difficult to prevent all infections.

Also Read | Pfizer asks US to allow Covid shots for kids ages 5 to 11

That said, do you need a perfect vaccinea vaccine that perfectly prevents breakthrough infection and transmissionto prevent or to shrink the epidemic? No. I mean, your goal here is really to get the reproductive rate, R0, below one: in other words, one infected person transmits Covid on average to fewer than one other person. So if you can get to that point with even imperfect vaccines and other mitigation measures, eventually, you will suppress transmission to very low levels.

Sette: Whether we need a booster shot has a very nuanced answer. Its not black-and-white. I tend to try to rephrase the question. Need is probably not the best way to phrase it. The question is, first of all: What data do we have that is safe or is it associated with greater side effects or greater risks? Second, does it do anythingboth in terms of protection and in terms of immune response? Third, in what conditions is it recommended to deploy a booster? And last but not least, what are some of the other considerations? There is obviously a lot of debate regarding global vaccine supply worldwide and even within the US Are there other groups that should receive a vaccine?

Are there any groups of people you think should get a third shot?

Gounder: I think there are data to support third doses or additional doses for people older than, depending on the study, 60 or 65. There are data for the highly immunocompromisedfor example, organ transplant recipients, people who are on highly immunosuppressive medications, AIDS patients, and the like. And then there are good data for nursing home residents or other long-term care facility residents. For the first two of those groups, the elderly and the highly immunocompromised, this seems to be related to a poor immune response to the Covid vaccine up front. And this has been shown: there was a JAMA paper by Dorry Segev of Johns Hopkins University looking at organ transplant recipients that found that if you give two doses, many of them have zero response. A subsequent study found that with a third dose, youre finally able to elicit a response.

Also Read | Pfizer/BioNTech submit data to EMA for Covid-19 vaccine in young children

In the elderly, you have this phenomenon of immunosenescence, where, you know, just like your bones and joints at the age of 80 are not what they were at 20, similarly, your immune system at the age of 80 is not what it was at the age of 20. You just dont have as good of an immune response. And then if you have any waning of immunity over time, if you start off at a lower level, you know that that could put you at risk, right? So what weve seen (and its not just out of Israelweve seen this with the Public Health England data, with the Kaiser Permanente data and with others) is that there is the waning of immunity, particularly protection against disease, and more severe outcomes among people older than 60 or 65. You dont see that reduction in the younger age groups, in terms of protection against severe disease.

Sette: If someone is immunocompromised or very old, a booster is certainly highly advisable. But then it becomes a gradient. And when it gets to other categories, do these categories need it? Probably not. Would it be beneficial to have everybody have a third administration of a vaccine? It probably would be beneficial: it would cut down on the amount of virus that was circulating, it would cut down on the small amount of severe infection even in vaccinated people, and so forth. So, at some point, it becomes a risk-benefit calculation.

Do you agree with the CDCs decision to recommend boosters for people at high risk of exposure through their job, such as health care workers?

Gounder: I would argue: if youre going to say its to keep health care workers on the job, then your recommendation should really be You should get vaccinated, not may get vaccinated. If you think theyre truly higher-risk in terms of individual healththen maybe it makes more sense, because then that health care worker can weigh the risks and benefits and say, Well, you know, I am somebody whos obese, so I should probably get that extra dose or Yeah, Im young and healthy, and I dont need it. Thats where I disagree with the CDC recommendation because they seem to be saying its really for the protection of the health care worker. And I dont think you can make that case based on the data.

Also Read | 1000s may have got false negative Covid test results in UK

What is your reaction to the FDA advisory panels recommendations on Moderna boosters?

Gounder: It especially aligns with the CDC recommendations for boosters for the Pfizer vaccine. So from an operational, logistic, communications perspective, it certainly makes sense. Where I disagree is: Im not entirely convinced that the categories eligible for boosters should have been quite so broad. The Moderna vaccine does seem to be holding up better than the Pfizer vaccine. And Im not convinced that the Moderna vaccine needs to be authorised for as wide a range of people as was done for the Pfizer vaccine.

Honestly, I wasnt convinced about recommending boosters for people in high-risk occupations for the Pfizer vaccine either. I mean, I fall into that high-risk group as a health care worker, and Im not currently planning on getting an additional dose. Were not seeing evidence that theres a higher risk of severe disease, hospitalisation and death among health care workers or other high-risk groups if they have been fully vaccinated. So, you know, it feels like its more about assuaging anxieties among some of those groups. And to me, thats not really data-driven.

Is the Moderna vaccine more effective than the other vaccines?

Gounder: I think the data we have would say that the Moderna vaccine appears to be more durable [meaning it produces longer-lasting immunity]. And so, you know, it may be that even older persons may not need a third dose if they got Moderna as their initial regimen.

Sette: The data with Moderna that we have seen suggested a durable immune response for at least seven months time. And certainly, there are multiple reports that suggest that maybe the Moderna vaccine immunity may be dropping less in terms of antibodies over time. Again, it goes back to the thing that it is difficult to say need as opposed to Does it help? Another consideration that I heard being raised is that there is also a need for simplicity, to have a simple single message delivered to people that could potentially get a third shot. Otherwise, it could get very complicated.

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Should people mix and match vaccines?

Gounder: The National Institutes of Health has been doing studies of mix and match where theyve literally done all nine potential combinations. So you start with Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J as your first vaccination, and then you follow up with an additional dose of one of the others. [Editors Note: Results from the NIH studywhich has not yet been peer-reviewedsuggested that a Moderna or Pfizer booster produced a stronger immune response (a higher increase in the number of antibodies) than an additional Johnson & Johnson shot in people who had previously received the J&J vaccine. The Moderna shot produced the largest increases in antibodies of all the vaccines tested, including when it was given as a booster for the Pfizer or J&J vaccine. The sample sizes were too small to make definitive comparisons, however. In addition, the Moderna booster used in the study was a full dose, whereas the company is applying for FDA authorisation for a half-dose booster.]

I would say, based on those data, the recommendation I would make is that if you got Pfizer or Moderna, you should get a boost with either Pfizer or Moderna. And it doesnt need to be the exact same one: either mRNA can be used to boost you. And if you got Johnson & Johnson, similarly, you should get a boost with one of the two mRNA vaccines. [Editors Note: This interview was conducted prior to the FDA advisory panels vote to authorise a second dose of the J&J vaccine as a booster. The option of mixing vaccines was not voted on at this time.]

Sette: There are data to suggest that, in some cases, mixing and matching may actually yield an even better response. On the other hand, the data that we have regarding safety and duration of immune responses are from one vaccine, and so then it becomes difficult to know If I take vaccine A and boost with vaccine B, am I doing a good thing? So to keep it uniform and simple has its own appeal.

What are you telling your own family and friends about whether they need a booster?

Gounder: My mom is the only one left in our family whos oldershe is older than 65. She got Moderna. [Before the FDA advisory panel recommendation] what I told her was, Lets wait and seetheres no rush right now. Its not going to really change her behaviour. In terms of those of us in my family who are younger, were waiting. None of us are getting extra doses right now.

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Two Hindu men have been killed in fresh religious violence in Bangladesh, police officials said Saturday, taking the death toll to six from recent unrest in the Muslim-majority country.

Protests began on Wednesday after footage emerged of a Koran being placed on the knee of a Hindu god during celebrations for the Hindu festival Durga Puja. The minority community make up about 10 per cent of the population.

Police said the latest violence occurred in the southern town of Begumganj when hundreds of Muslims formed a street procession after Friday prayers on the final day of Durga Puja.

More than 200 protesters attacked a temple where members of the Hindu community were preparing to perform the last rituals of the 10-day festival, local police station chief Shah Imran told reporters.

Also Read | Religious freedom of Hindus in Bangladesh being trampled: BJP leaders

The attackers beat and stabbed to death an executive member of the temple committee, he said.

On Saturday morning, another Hindu man's body was found near a pond next to the temple, district police chief Shahidul Islam told AFP.

"Two men have died since yesterday's attack. We are working to find the culprits," he added.

Anti-Hindu violence spread to more than a dozen districts across Bangladesh this week after footage emerged on social media of the Koran incident.

At least four people were killed late Wednesday when police opened fire on a crowd of around 500 people attacking a Hindu temple in Hajiganj, one of several towns hit by the disturbances.

At least 150 Hindus were injured across the country, community leader Gobinda Chandra Pramanik told AFP, and at least 80 makeshift temples had been attacked. Authorities did not confirm the figures.

Hindus have often fallen victim to communal violence in the country of 169 million.

Local authorities said they have deployed extra security including paramilitary border guards to control any further unrest.

On Friday violence broke out in the capital Dhaka and Chittagong, prompting police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of brick-throwing Muslim protesters.

High-speed mobile phone internet services were shut down in an apparent bid to prevent the violence from spreading.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met leaders of the Hindu community on Thursday and promised stern action.

"So far around 90 people have been arrested. We will also hunt down all the masterminds," Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.

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For more than seven decades, China and Taiwan have avoided coming to military face-offs.

The two entities have been separated since 1949 following the civil wars in the 1940s. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state. China, however, views Taiwan as a breakaway province, and has always maintained that the island should at some point be reclaimed. It has not ruled out the possible use of force to achieve unification.

Also read: China says military drills near Taiwan a 'just' move

Tensions with China are at their worst in 40 years, Taiwan's Defence Minister said, warning of the risk of an accidental strike between the two. China scrambled Taiwan's defence zone with a record number of fighter jets for four consecutive days earlier this month, triggering massive jitters of warmongering messaging.

The Taiwanese Defence Minister also warned that China would be capable of mounting a full-scale invasion of the island by 2025 while speaking at the parliamentary committee in Taipei, considering a multi-billion-dollar defence spending bill to build missiles and warships.

Lately, Beijing is becoming increasingly concerned that Taiwan's government is moving the island towards a formal declaration of independence and wants to deter its President Tsai Ing-wen from taking any steps in that direction. However, US President Joe Biden has said that his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had agreed to abide by the "Taiwan agreement".

On October 12, the People's Liberation Army Daily published an article titled 'The historical task of the complete reunification of the Motherland must be realised', based on Xi's speech to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Revolution of 1911.

The article stated that President Xi's speech revealed the historical trend of the reunification of the motherland and national rejuvenation.

"The historical task of the complete reunification of the Motherland must be realised and will certainly be realised."

It is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era and the sacred mission of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The Chinese PLA has firm will, full confidence, and sufficient ability to thwart all external forces interference and separatist acts of "Taiwan independence", and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the article said.

Recently, the Communist party media released a military drill video revealing preparations towards going into war with Taiwan. Is CCP intensively preparing for the plan to attack Taiwan ahead of the schedule?

Revealing the true intention of the Chinese design, on 12 October, Epoch Times published an exclusive internal document of the Chinese Communist Party, which is closely related to the recent tension on the Taiwan issue.

According to the report, the document was issued by the National Defense Mobilization Committee of Hui'an County, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, on January 2, 2020, informing the party offices and government departments to survey the local national defence mobilisation potential. The document shows that the survey statistics are in accordance with the needs of military struggle preparations related to achieve efficient participation in war and support operations. The Committee also requested that statistics "must not be subject to errors and omissions".

Also read: As Taiwan tensions grow, US and China seek right decibel

Analysts believe that it proves that the authorities are speeding up the pace and bringing China into a state of war to deal with the upcoming war in Taiwan. It also revealed that the CCP originally decided to launch the war in the Taiwan Strait after the 20th National Congress, i.e., from 2023 to 2024, the last leg of Biden's first term.

But the withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan has upset the Chinese military calculations. Xi Jinping's aides believe that the US military is inherently vulnerable, and the Biden administration does not dare to fight the CCP. However, the fast-moving scenario panning out in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China has its bearing on CCP's strategy.

The announcement of the establishment of AUKUS tripartite security agreement between the United States, Great Britain and Australia and the military exercise held by the 'Quartet Security Dialogue' (QUAD) countries comprising the US, Japan, India and Australia in the region symbolise that the alliance to curb the CCP's aggression is developing steadily.

Therefore, Xi was compelled to pay more attention to the developing situation. In other words, the CCP may have advanced the time of the war in the Taiwan Strait.

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The Supreme Court has said a motor accident claim tribunal is not bound to rely upon the FIR to decide compensation if the evidence before it runs contrary to the contents of the police report.

A bench of Justices R Subhash Reddy and Hrishikesh Roy dismissed an appeal filed by National Insurance Company Ltd appeal against the Madras High Court's order to pay Rs 1.84 cr compensation to Chamundeswari, wife and a minor son of a deceased, Subhash Babu, who worked as manager HR in a private company and died in 2013 at NH-47 after being hit by a negligently driven Eicher van.

The company said the FIR revealed contributory negligence on the part of the deceased for the accident but the High Court ignored important documentary evidence and enhanced the compensation, though the tribunal had correctly noted it.

The counsel for the family of the deceased employee, however, said Subhash Babu was driving Maruti car and the Eicher van was proceeding ahead of them and the driver suddenly turned towards right side without any signal or indicator and the said lapse resulted in the accident.

Going through the statements of the wife of the deceased who was travelling in the car and an eye-witness, the court said their evidence is categorical and in absence of any rebuttal, the High Court has rightly held that the accident occurred only due to the negligence of the driver of Eicher van.

"In view of such evidence on record, there is no reason to give weightage to the contents of the FIR. If any evidence before the tribunal runs contrary to the contents in the FIR, the evidence which is recorded before the tribunal has to be given weightage over the contents of the FIR," the bench said in its judgement.

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Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the Union government should handle the ongoing agitation against new farm laws with sensitivity, keeping in mind that majority of protesters are from Punjab, a border state.

The country has paid the price of upsetting Punjab in the past, he said, referring to former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassination during Khalistan militancy.

Speaking to reporters at Pimpri, Pawar, who has handled defense and agriculture portfolios at the Centre, was replying to a question about the farmers' agitation on Delhi borders which has been going on for several months.

"I have been there (to the protest site) two-three times. The Union government's stand does not seem rational," he said.

Participants in the agitation are from many states including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but most of them are from Punjab, Pawar noted.

"My advise to the Union government is, do not let farmers of Punjab get upset, it is a border state. If we upset the farmers and people from border regions, then there will be other ramifications," he said. "Our country has paid the price of upsetting Punjab, even (then prime minister) Indira Gandhi lost her life.

On the other hand, farmers of Punjab, irrespective of whether they are Sikh or Hindu, have contributed to food supply," the NCP chief said. People living in border areas face several security-related issues which those living in states such as Maharashtra do not experience, he said.

"Therefore, when a person who is making sacrifices is siting in protest with some demands for a long time, paying attention to him is what the nation requires," Pawar added.

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Umar Mustaq Khandey, a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander, who was involved in the killing of two policemen in February, was gunned down alongwith his associate in an encounter with security forces in Pampore area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Saturday.

Khanday was in the list of top 10 targets issued by J&K police in August. Kashmir zone police in a tweet said that Khandey was involved in the killing of two policemen - Mohammad Yousf and Suhail Ahmad in Baghat area of Srinagar while they were having tea in February this year.

We are committed to hunt down these terrorists who try to create fear among masses and spread mischief and tumult in the valley. Such elements and their name should be excised from society, the police tweeted.

The identity of the second slain militant was not immediately known. The gunfight broke out in the wee hours of Saturday after security forces cordoned Drangbal area of Pampore following a tip off about the presence of militants there.

Violence has witnessed a spurt in Jammu and Kashmir in October. Police said 13 militants have been gunned down in nine encounters after the killing of seven civilians, including four from minority communities, since the first week of October.

We have neutralised three out of five terrorists in Srinagar city within less than 24 hours, a police spokesperson said.

Seven army soldiers, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs), have also been killed during counter-terrorist operations in border Poonch district of Jammu region since last week.

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More to follow...
While preparing for next year's assembly polls, the BJP is keeping its options open about any possible tie up or association with former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. The saffron party, however, is closely monitoring political moves of the former Chief Minister.

BJP national general secretary and Punjab in-charge, Dushyant Gautam told IANS that the BJP has its plan and strategy for Punjab assembly polls and is working accordingly with the developing situation. "No doubt, Singh is a big name and has had an impact on state politics but first of all the former chief minister must clarify his position about the next political move. We have our plans and the BJP is moving ahead with it. We cannot say about Singh's plan and currently we can't say what will happen in future," Gautam said.

Also Read | O, Captain! My Captain!

Gautam pointed out that the doors of BJP is open for all nationalists. "We are a nationalist party and for us nation comes first. Anyone who believes in this is welcome," he said.

Gautam mentioned that the party is currently working on strengthening the organisational presence across the state. "We are focused on getting 51 per cent of vote share and meanwhile several programs and campaigns are already going on to expand the party base in the state," Gautam said.

Former Chief Minister Singh has made it clear that he was not joining the BJP but has no intention to continue in the Congress either. Many party leaders admitted that Singh will give the BJP's campaign a major boost and any tie up will happen only once he clarifies his stand. "Singh's image suits our nationalist politics and he can be used to pacify farmers protesting against the three farm laws for the last one year," a party leader said.

Also Read | Amarinder Singh may float own party, tie up with BJP: Report

Another leader pointed out that Singh will help BJP gain the ground lost after alliance with SAD was snapped. "Singh's stature and understanding of politics will help if we join hands with him," the BJP leader said.

As part of its ongoing strategy, the BJP is already concentrating on about three dozen urban seats of Punjab spread across the state. A party insider explained that voters in urban constituencies have different aspirations. "Urban voters of Punjab want peace along with prosperity and they will support the party which promises both. Earlier they also supported BJP, now we are working on winning back their support in next state polls," party insider said.

The BJP is facing toughest challenges in Punjab in comparison to other four states - Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand -- where polls will be held together in February-March next year. The BJP is contesting assembly polls on its own in Punjab for the first time after its one of the oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) walked away from alliance last year over new farm laws. In the last Punjab assembly polls in 2017, the BJP had won only three out of 23 seats it contested.

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The meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday will finalise a time table for the organisational elections but immediate changes in leadership as demanded by a section is unlikely as the party is planning a mega membership drive that could take months.

Sources said the CWC will give final touches to the membership drive from booth level ahead of organisational elections and this exercise is likely to take 7-8 months, virtually ruling out an immediate replacement for Sonia Gandhi, who took over as interim party president after Rahul Gandhi had quit following the Lok Sabha debacle.

The leadership is also said to have factored in the upcoming Assembly elections early next year before deciding on the schedule, as conducting polls would divide the party's attention at a time it is planning an improved show in five states - Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh. It is to be seen how the change seekers or G-23 leaders respond if a full-time president is not appointed and organisational elections are further delayed.

DH had on October 9 reported that a section in the party felt that only one year is left for the new party president and the party could wait. However, the other side led by change seekers or G-23 is of the view that there should be clarity and direction in the party's action and a definite decision on leadership should be taken.

Rahul Gandhi was elected president in 2017 and had resigned after the Lok Sabha poll debacle following which Sonia was chosen as interim president. The tenure of Congress party president is five years and if a leader is chosen now, the argument is that he or she will have only a year and in such a scenario, one could wait till then.

While Sonia is likely to continue, it was earlier speculated that Kamal Nath or Sachin Pilot may be appointed as party president as an interim measure.

Saturday's meeting, which is called to "discuss current political situation, forthcoming assembly elections and organisational elections", will be the first physical meeting after Covid-19 struck the country.

The meeting is expected to discuss organisational issues, including the trouble in party-ruled states like Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh. On the positive, the central leadership appeared to have brought some peace in the Punjab unit where its president Navjot Singh Sidhu had put the party in trouble by playing the rebel.

On Thursday evening, Sidhu held a meeting with Congress General Secretaries Harish Rawat (Punjab in-charge) and K C Venugopal (Organisation) during which he said he would abide by any decision of the Gandhis. Though there is no official word, sources said, it has been decided that Sidhu will continue as Punjab president.

The CWC meeting also comes after senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote to Sonia seeking an immediate meeting of the CWC to discuss the crisis in the party. A number of G-23 leaders are unhappy with the leadership in the manner in which Amarinder Singh was ousted as Punjab Chief Minister following a campaign by Sidhu, which has the support of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.

Another concern will be Chhattisgarh where a section led by T S Singh Deo has been raising the demand for removing Bhupesh Baghel as per a perceived formula of sharing Chief Ministership. Baghel has also been appointed as senior party observer for UP Assembly polls. The leadership tussle in Rajasthan would also come up for discussion during the meeting.

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The Congress on Saturday claimed that India is no longer regarded as a democracy and has earned the label of an "electoral autocracy", as it called upon all democratic parties to join hands in resolutely opposing the Modi government.

In a resolution on the political situation in the country, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) said the "assault on democratic institutions completes the sad and shameless narrative of the Modi government".

"India is no longer regarded as a democracy, it has earned the label of an electoral autocracy. Parliament has been contemptuously disregarded. The judiciary has been debilitated by not filling vacancies in courts and tribunals," the CWC said.

Also Read | India downgraded to 'electoral autocracy', says Swedish institute

The Congress alleged that independent watchdog bodies like the Information Commission, the Election Commission and the Human Rights Commission have been "debased and rendered virtual ciphers".

The media has been threatened into meek submission through raids and false cases, it claimed.

"Non-government organisations (NGOs) have been intimidated and their welfare activities have been halted. The government's agencies have been widely misused to suppress the voice of the people," the resolution alleged.

In a reference to the Pegasus spyware controversy, the CWC said the government has "surreptitiously used malicious spyware" to intrude into the lives of the people.

"Every aspect of democracy has been diminished. The Congress party will resist every sinister attempt to convert the country into a surveillance and police state. Under the Modi government, the constitutional promise of liberty and justice for all has receded into a vain hope," the resolution said.

The CWC believes that it is its duty to sound the alarm bells, it said.

"We do so and call upon all democratic parties and forces to join hands to resolutely oppose the Modi government in order to protect the values on which our country was founded and to advance the causes of the people," the resolution said.

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Amid a sudden spate of terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that they need to be countered.

Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir have restarted the spate of targeted killings of national-minded citizens, especially the Hindus, to destroy their morale and reestablish the reign of terror in the valley. Efforts for curbing and finishing off the terrorist activities need speeding up, Bhagwat said addressing the annual Vijay Dashami rally at Nagpur on the occasion of Dussehra.

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Two non-local workers were shot dead by unidentified militants in Safa Kadal area of Srinagar and south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Saturday evening.

Reports said 36-year-old Arvind Kumar, a resident of Bihar, who worked here as a street vendor, was shot at by pistol-borne militants in Safakadal area of old city at around 6:45 pm. Kumar was rushed to nearby SMHS hospital in Karanagar, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Minutes after the first incident another migrant worker identified as Sagir Ahmad of Utter Pradesh was shot dead in south Kashmirs Pulwama district.

Terrorists fired upon 2 non local labourers in Srinagar & Pulwama. Shri Arvind Kumar Shah of Banka Bihar succumbed to injuries in Srinagar and Shri Sagir Ahmad of UP critically injured in Pulwama. Areas have been cordoned & searches started (sic), Kashmir zone police tweeted.

Read: LeT commander among two militants killed in encounter in J&K's Pulwama

In another tweet, it said, Non local labourer Shri Sagir Ahmad of Saharanpur, UP who was critically injured in a terror attack in Pulwama, also succumbed to his injuries. Search operations are in progress. Further details shall follow.

Virendra Paswan, another street-vendor and a resident of Bhagalpur in Bihar, was shot dead by militants near Madina Chowk Lalbazar in Srinagar on October 5. An hour before killing Paswan, the militants had shot dead Makhan Lal Bindroo, a famous Kashmir Pandit businessman at his pharmacy near Iqbal Park in Srinagar. A cab driver, Mohammad Shafi Lone, was also shot dead in north Kashmir's Bandipora that evening.

On October 7, Supinder Kour, principal of Government Boys Higher Secondary school in Eidgah, Srinagar and a teacher at the same school, Deepak Chand, were shot dead by militants.

The attacks created a sense of general fear and widespread panic in the Valley, particularly among the minority communities. Since last one week, security forces have gone on offensive against the militants, killing 13 ultras in nine encounters across the Valley.

Police claimed that some of the slain militants were involved in the recent killings. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit, claimed responsibility for the earlier killings issuing a warning that everyone other than "indigenous Kashmiris" would be treated as occupiers if they purchase property in J&K.

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The Delhi High Court has asked police to give a personal hearing to an inter-religion couple to assess the threat perception as their families are against their decision to get married and they fear for their life.

The court also directed that the mobile numbers of the beat constable or the division officer of the area be provided to the couple so that in case of any emergency they can contact police.

"The station house officer concerned also to give a personal hearing to the petitioners so as to assess their threat perception and to act accordingly," Justice Yogesh Khanna said.

The couple approached the court seeking protection and safety from the woman's family saying they are majors and are in a relationship for the last four years, and the woman left her house on her own will.

In September, they applied for solemnisation of marriage under the Special Marriage Act and the woman also informed police officials about leaving her house and her marriage with the man.

The couple said they reside in Delhi but at a different address due to fear as on October 5, the woman's family members came to the man's house and started pressurising and threatening them that they will be implicated in false cases if they do not send her back to her parents.

The woman, who was present in the court hearing, told the judge that she does not intend to go to her parental house as her parents were objecting to her marriage with the man.
A massive search operation in the forest areas of Jammu and Kashmir's twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri to track down terrorists involved in the killing of seven Army soldiers entered its sixth day on Saturday, officials said.

They said gunshots were heard as the joint search parties of the Army and the police resumed the operation in Poonch's Mendhar area. However, it was not immediately clear whether it was speculative firing by the search parties or fresh contact was established with the terrorists, they said.

Also read: Two soldiers killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch

The area is mountainous and the forest is dense, which makes the operation difficult and dangerous, according to the officials.

A vast forest area of Mendhar has been under tight security cordon since Thursday, when riflemen Vikram Singh Negi and Yogambar Singh, both from Uttarakhand, were killed in an encounter with terrorists in the Nar Khas forest.

Earlier on October 11, five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed when terrorists attacked a search party in Poonch's Surankote forest.

There was an exchange of fire between the Army search parties and the fleeing terrorists in the adjoining Thanamandi forest in Rajouri the same day.

The officials said that the entire forest area from Mendhar to Thanamandi remains under a strict cordon and a massive search operation is on to neutralise the terrorists who are moving from one place to another in an attempt to escape the dragnet.

The traffic between Mendhar and Thanamandi along the Jammu-Rajouri highway remained suspended for the second day in view of the ongoing operation, they said.

On Tuesday, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rajouri-Poonch range, Vivek Gupta had said that the terrorists involved in the attack on security forces in Poonch had been present in the area for the last two to three months.

Also read: Centre has developed strategy to tackle Jammu and Kashmir situation: L-G Manoj Sinha

Rajouri and Poonch in the Jammu region have witnessed a rise in infiltration attempts since June this year, resulting in the killing of nine terrorists in separate encounters.

Meanwhile, a defence spokesperson said that the mortal remains of riflemen Negi and Singh were flown to Uttarakhand in a service aircraft this morning after a wreath-laying ceremony.

The aircraft will reach the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun by 11.30 am, he said.

From the airport, the mortal remains of the soldiers will be taken to their home towns by road and their last rites will be conducted with full military honours, he said.

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Regional National Conference, on Saturday, suffered another setback as Hilal Rather, son of veteran party leader and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather joined Peoples Conference (PC) led by the separatist-turned-mainstream politician, Sajjad Lone.

This comes days after Devendra Singh Rana, the partys face in Jammu, a close confidant and friend of the party vice president Omar Abdullah, along with another senior leader Surjit Singh Salathia, resigned from the NC and joined the BJP.

Octogenarian Rahim Rather has represented central Kashmirs Chrar-e-Sharief constituency for a record of 36 years as MLA. His sons joining the PC is a jolt to the NC after the exit of Rana and Salathia last week.

After joining the PC, Hilal Rather said his decision to join the PC was his own and his father never interferes in his decision making.

Junior Rather was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in January 2020 for his alleged involvement in a Rs 177 crore bank fraud case sanctioned by J&K Bank for his ambitious township project known as Paradise Avenue at Narwal Bala, Jammu in 2012. He was released on bail in December 2020.

The case which was probed by the ACB of J&K Police was later handed over to the CBI because of international ramifications of the conspiracy of loan funds diversion.

In recent years the NC had succeeded in keeping its flock together unlike its arch-rival PDP, where most of the senior leaders quit after the fall of their alliance government with the BJP in June 2018.

The firebrand PDP president and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti has been blamed by the government of India for dismantling her party and luring and threatening its members.

However, senior leaders deserting the NC too has started now. According to unconfirmed reports several other senior NC leaders are going to quit the party in coming days and are likely to join the PC or Apni Party led by Altaf Bukhari.

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Former MLC Ratan Lal Gupta was elected the National Conference provincial president for Jammu on Saturday, nearly a week after being nominated to the post following the resignation of his predecessor Devender Singh Rana.

Gupta, a lawyer, was elected to the post in a vote held under the supervision of senior NC leaders, including Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, at the party headquarters here, a spokesperson of the outfit said.

"National Conference is the only party which can pull J&K out of the present turmoil as it has a strong base at the grassroots level," Gupta said after his election.

On Rana and former minister S S Slathia quitting the party and joining the BJP in Delhi on October 11, Gupta said the NC is a movement and it has successfully fended off many challenges in the past.

"J&K is going through a rough phase. Every section of the society, including youth, businessmen and industrialists, are suffering immensely, and nobody is happy with the present administration," the senior NC leader said.

He said NC workers have pledged to strengthen the party further at the grassroots level to overcome this situation.

"We will follow the guidelines of the party leadership and reach out to the masses at their doorsteps to provide assistance. The National Conference is like a fortress, and our activists will fight tooth and nail in the upcoming elections," Gupta said.

He exuded confidence that the National Conference would fight the upcoming assembly elections on every seat across the Jammu region and emerge victorious.

"We have a strong base in Nagrota, the constituency won by Rana in the 2014 Assembly elections. All the leaders from the constituency, including corporators, DDC and BDC members and party functionaries, attended the meeting," Gupta said.

The NC is the only party with a strong presence in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, and it has never indulged in the politics of discrimination, he said, adding, "Our governments in the past have always ensured balanced development of all the three regions."

"The bifurcation of the erstwhile J&K state was not a good step. Our party has taken a stand (on the issue of revocation of Article 370), and we will continue the struggle under the leadership of party president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah as we believe Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is a single entity and are strong together," Gupta said.

Every NC activist is a dedicated soldier of the party and would stand up to the prevailing challenges for the betterment of the society, he added.

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A man was lynched, his hand chopped off and the body bearing over 10 wounds caused by sharp-edged weapons tied to a barricade at a farmers' protest site at Kundli near the Delhi-Haryana border, a gruesome incident being blamed on a group of Nihangs.

Hours after the macabre crime, a man wearing the blue robes of the Sikhs Nihang order, appeared before the media, claiming that he had punished the victim for desecrating a holy book.

Also read: Body of man found at farmers' protest site in Haryana's Kundli

Other Nihangs claimed he had surrendered to police, who were yet to confirm this till late in the evening. They were, however, questioning some suspects.

Earlier, in a video clip that surfaced on social media, some Nihangs are seen standing around the injured man with his severed left hand close to his head. The group is heard accusing him of desecrating a Sikh holy book.

The video shows the Nihang group asking the badly injured man, who is pleading with them in Punjabi, where he had come from and who sent him.

One of the Nihangs says the man is a "Punjabi" and not an outsider, and it should not be made into a Hindu-Sikh issue. Another raises a religious chant.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions, said a group of Nihangs has claimed responsibility for the killing after the man allegedly tried to desecrate the Sarbloh Granth.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar held a meeting with Home Minister Anil Vij and senior police officers, directing strict action against those found guilty.

The victim, Lakhbir Singh, was a labourer from Cheema Khurd village in Punjab's Tarn Taran and aged around 35 years, police said.

His body was found tied to an overturned police barricade near a dais put up by the farmers protesting there for several months now over the Centre agri-marketing laws.

The Kundli police station received information at 5 am that a body was found near the farmers' protest site," a Sonipat police official said.

A Haryana Police spokesperson said in Chandigarh that when Sonipat police reached the spot the man had died.

"Some people were standing there. When police tried to take the body away, they protested. After some efforts, the body was brought to the civil hospital," the spokesperson said.

Singh was found wearing only a pair of shorts. His hand was cut off at the wrist and a foot bore deep injuries. Altogether, there were over 10 injury marks inflicted by sharp-edged weapons.

He was allegedly dragged by his assailants for a few metres before he was strung with ropes to the barricade. He is said to have bled to death.

"We have registered a case and further investigations are on," Additional Director General of Police, Rohtak Range, Sandeep Khirwar told PTI over the phone. Khirwar, who later visited Kundli, told reporters that police hoped to make arrests very soon.

We have the names of some suspects and the investigations are on. I am hopeful that we should be able to make headway very soon, as we have some leads in the case, he said.

Back in his Tarn Taran village, Singh's family was in shock and said he could never desecrate a holy book.

Some villagers told reporters that his parents died a few years ago and his wife and three children stayed with some relatives. He was said to be staying with his sister.

The Sonipat police said some people initially resisted their entry into the area where the body was tied to the barricade, and were not cooperating with them.

The Nihangs are a Sikh order, distinguished by their blue robes and often seen carrying spears and swords.

Last year, a Punjab policeman's hand was chopped off with a sword and his six colleagues injured in an attack allegedly by a group of Nihangs at a village market in Patiala when the accused were asked to produce curfew passes.

The policeman's hand was later reattached after a surgery at the PGIMER in Chandigarh.

A case of murder was registered at the Kundli police station in Sonipat against unidentified people, police said. A board of doctors conducted the post-mortem at the Sonipat civil hospital.

At least five video clips connected with the murder have surfaced on social media.

In a statement, the SKM said it wanted to make it clear that "both the parties to the incident, the Nihang group and the deceased person, have no relation with the Morcha.

The peaceful and democratic movement of the farmers is opposed to violence in any form, it added.

The SKM said it is against the desecration of any religious text or symbol, but that does not give anyone the right to take the law into their own hands.

It demanded that the culprits be punished in accordance with the law after investigating the allegation of murder and the "conspiracy" behind the "sacrilege".

"As always, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will cooperate with the police and the administration in any lawful action," it added.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar told PTI that the Nihangs were not part of the SKM's protests and claimed that the victim had been staying with the same group for some time.

In a video message, Yogendra Yadav, condemned the incident and said several SKM leaders had asked the Nihangs to leave the site, but they stayed put.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at three border points of Delhi for months, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws enacted by the Centre in September last year.
Some Delhi University colleges released their third cut-off list on Saturday with the required marks to get admissions in undergraduate courses seeing a decline in the range of 0.25 per cent to 1.5 per cent.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College released its third cut-off list with the marks required for B.Sc (Honours) Computer Science going down by 1.5 per cent.

The cut-off for the course in the first list was pegged at 100 per cent but no application was received for the course in the first list.

The cut-off for the course was reduced to 98.5 per cent in the second list and it has come down to 97 per cent in the third list.

The course had closed for admissions in SC, ST, PwD and EWS categories after the first list.

The cut-offs for B.Sc (Honours) Botany and B. Sc (Honours) Chemistry are at 93.33 per cent and 96.33 per cent.

Female students will get a one per cent relaxation in the asking marks for all courses.

The Delhi University will be releasing the third cut-off list later in the day.

Aryabhatta College also released its third cut-off list with the decline ranging between 0.25 to 1.5 per cent.

The college had kept the highest cut-off for BA (Honours) Psychology among all the courses at 98.5 per cent in the first list which came down to 98.25 per cent in the second list.

The cut-offs for BA (Honours) Hindi saw a one per cent decline to 84 per cent.

The cut-off for BA (Honours) English came down to 94.75 per cent from 95.5 per cent while the cut-off for B.Com (Honours) have come down to 97 per cent in the third list from 97.5 per cent.

The courses that were closed after the first list were BA (Honours) Political Science, B. Com Programme and BA Programme combination of History and Political Science.

However, B.Com programme has reopened in the third list at a cut-off of 96.75 per cent, a decline of 0.25 per cent from the first list.

The courses that have filled up for the unreserved category after the second list are BA (Honours) Economics, BA (Honours) History, B.Sc( Honours) Mathematics and B.Sc(Honours) Computer Science.

The cut-off for Hindi (Honours) has been pegged at 64 per cent in third list at Jesus and Mary College (JMC), a decline of four per cent from the second list.

The other courses that are open at JMC are BVoc Retail Management and IT and BVoc Healthcare Management. The college has filled up the seats in other courses.

At the College of Vocational Studies, the admissions had closed for Economics (honours), History (Honours), B. Com (Honours), Hindi (Honours) and B.Sc (Honours) Computer Science in the first list.

Only BA (Honours) English is open with the college seeking 96-96.25 per cent for admission. The cut-off in the second list for English (Honours) was 96.25 per cent with the college asking for marks less than 96.25 per cent in the third list.

Over 48,000 students have secured admission to the university, which has 70,000 undergraduate seats.
Ruling out immediate elections in the party, Congress Working Committee on Saturday announced the schedule for organisational polls with a new president to be in place only by September 20 next year even as a chorus once again reverberated in favour of Rahul Gandhi at the helm with even the G-23 leaders raising hands in support.

Rahul told the meeting that he would certainly consider returning as Congress president and thanked them for their faith in him, sources said. This is the first time in recent times the former party president has indicated his willingness to assume the hot seat once again even as Sonia Gandhi will continue in the post till the election of a new president.

The unanimous decisions on the organisational poll schedule, agitation programme against price rise between November 14 and 29 and a training programme for party leaders and workers and endorsement of Rahul appeared to have stamped the authority of the central leadership.

Read: Congressmen worse than animals, says Pragya Thakur

Sonia set the tone for the meeting with a terse, "I am, if you allow me to say so, a full time and hands-on Congress president and there is no need to speak to me through the media", sending clear signals to the G-23 leaders who were rebelling against Rahul and seeking immediate appointment of a full-time president in place of an interim chief.

At the meeting, sources said senior leader A K Antony was the first to demand that Rahul should take the mantle, as it was not just his or Congress' demand but the "need of the country".

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot fully endorsed him, while Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi turned emotional saying it was because of Rahul's insistence a Dalit like him could be chosen as Chief Minister.

G-23 leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik also spoke at the meeting but did not oppose the plans for organisational elections next year. Sources said Azad spoke about the necessity of winning polls, while Sharma emphasised that they were not against the Gandhis.

At least three CWC members said Rahul spoke on ideology at length and pointed out that only Congress could fight "communal politics". He told the meeting that only Congress could make a Dalit the Chief Minister.

In the first physical meeting held in 18 months after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Congress decided to initiate the organisation election process with a massive membership drive between November 1 this year and ending March 31 next year.

The primary list of eligible members will be published on April 15 and the elections to the booth and block committees will be held between April 16 and May 31. The district committees will be held between June 1 and July 22, while the pradesh (state) committee elections will be held between July 21 and August 20.

"The elections for the Congress president will be held between August 21 and September 20, while the dates for the elections to Congress Working Committee will be decided at the Plenary. "Tentatively, the elections to the CWC will be held in October," Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal told a press conference. All the decisions were taken "unanimously" and there was no difference of opinion, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

It also decided to hold an elaborate training programme for party leaders and workers to equip them on party ideology and policy, expectation from party workers, election management and countering propaganda among others. A Jan Jagran Abhiyan against price rise will be held between November 14 and November 29.

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discussed the post-pandemic economic recovery, India's major role in the global fight against Covid-19 and preparations for the upcoming Climate Change Conference among other issues during her meeting with World Bank President David Malpass.

Sitharaman met Malpass at the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC on Friday.

"Both sides discussed various issues including #Covid #vaccination, #economicrecovery, preparations for #CoP26, initiative of #WBG for increasing lending space for India, IDA 20 replenishment, knowledge partnership with @WorldBank," Finance Ministry said in a series of tweets.

FM Smt. @nsitharaman highlighted three broad suggestions, including strengthening #LighthouseIndia, #technology and special focus on #FinancialSectorReforms and #infrastructure sector to strengthen the knowledge partnership with #WBG. (6/6)  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) October 15, 2021

During the meeting, Sitharaman shared the measures being taken by India to contain the spread of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, including the major role played by India on the global Covid-19 effort, the ministry said.

She appreciated the World Bank Group for their initiative for increasing lending space for India to enhance availability of finance for development.

The minister also mentioned that the focus should be on technologies that need to be moved from lab to field and those that require targeted global research in the pursuit of low carbon growth.

She highlighted three broad suggestions, including strengthening #LighthouseIndia, #technology and special focus on #FinancialSectorReforms and #infrastructure sector to strengthen the knowledge partnership with #WBG, it said.

Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman met World Bank Group President Mr @DavidMalpassWBG at @WorldBank HQ in Washington D.C., today (1/6) pic.twitter.com/GyjIbBzMZr  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) October 15, 2021

Earlier, in her address to the Development Committee of the World Bank, she said India has not only faced the Covid-19 crisis with great resilience and fortitude but has also played a major role and "walked the talk" on the global fight against the pandemic.

She highlighted that the measures taken by the government have set a strong foundation of the country's sustained economic growth.

She said the Indian government, besides taking economic relief measures, has also undertaken significant structural reforms to turn the crisis into an opportunity and emerge stronger.

The minister also discussed the preparations for the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home. She started her week-long trip from Boston.

In addition to her meetings at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements.

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On October 17, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) that ruled Tamil Nadu for three decades will enter its golden jubilee year. The party floated by the legendary M G Ramachandran in 1972 to take on the then all-powerful DMK, especially his friend-turned-foe M Karunanidhi, is truly at crossroads.

Out of power after being at the helm for two successive terms and suffering a humiliating defeat in the just-concluded elections to rural local bodies in nine districts, the AIADMK may be facing its worst-ever crisis in 49 years of its existence.

The power struggle

The intense power struggle between Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam on who gets to control the party has dipped the morale of the cadre, to say the least.

Not to be left behind is their former boss V K Sasikala, who will visit the J Jayalalithaa memorial on Saturday after being confined to her residence in upscale T Nagar ever since her release from Parappana Agrahara prison early this year.

Her throwing the hat in the ring could make things worse for the AIADMK in the coming months at a time other parties are gearing up for the urban local body polls likely to be held by the end of 2021.

The defeat in local body polls

The latest election results  AIADMK won only two of the 140 district panchayat wards that went to polls -- should serve as a wake-up call for the party, which now faces a resurgent DMK under Chief Minister M K Stalin, political observers say.

AIADMKs decimation at the hands of DMK in the local body elections comes just five months after it pulled off its best performance in a losing election by winning 66 of the total 234 seats in the April 6 Assembly polls despite facing a 10-year anti-incumbency.

Though the party has been waking up to one crisis after another since Jayalalithaa died in 2016, the glue called power kept the AIADMK together for about four-and-a-half years. However, the glue is now beginning to peel off with differences between EPS and OPS coming out in the open  they issue separate statements on public matters and rarely concur with each other, eventually hurting the party.

Also, the AIADMK now faces criticism of ceding the Opposition space to other ambitious political parties including its ally BJP, and watering down its core principle -- the anti-DMK stance that helped MGR, and Jayalalithaa scale several political heights.

Having been used to a singular, strong and charismatic leadership (read MGR and Jayalalithaa), AIADMK cadre and leaders are finding it difficult to work under a dual leadership, the political observers said, noting that influence of neither EPS nor OPS extends beyond their respective regions.

'AIADMK should find a leader who can bring order to the party'

Prof Ramu Manivannan, Head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras, said the immediate challenge before the AIADMK is to find a leader who can bring in a certain order to the party by uniting all factions.

The AIADMK now speaks in divisive voices. Separate statements by the leadership are breaking the combined voice and strength of the party. The AIADMK has always been run by a leader with complete control over the party. Having used to that kind of a set-up, the first challenge is to find a leader who can control everyone, Prof. Manivannan told DH.

Senior journalist R Bhagwan Singh concurs. The biggest challenge for the AIADMK is burying all the differences and working towards consolidation of unity. For every leader and cadre, revisiting the tough battle fought by their mentors, especially Jayalalithaa, is the call of the hour, he told DH.

'Anti-DMK is central to AIADMK's existence'

Not just internal dissensions, the AIADMK faces external challenges too with several parties now vying for the anti-DMK space. Instances of Panneerselvam and former ministers K A Sengottaiyan and Sellur K Raju openly praising the present government and its policies have also not gone down well with the AIADMK cadre, who has all along opposed the DMK.

Anti-DMK is central to AIADMKs existence and is part of the cadres political DNA. Statements by senior leaders praising the DMK leadership amount to watering down the very core principle on which the party was found. Practising political decency is fine, but only a strident anti-DMK stance will help the AIADMK as a political party, a party veteran told DH.

The observers said the AIADMK must put its house in order if it is serious about keeping bipolar the electoral contest in Tamil Nadu  between the party and the DMK. To this, Singh said the current AIADMK leadership should first understand the psyche of its cadre and work on the ground to keep their morale up.

Jayalalithaa would fight like a tigress even on a non-issue just to engage her cadres in constant political activism and win the admiration of the voter. Even when consigned to the Opposition benches in an electoral setback, she would use her charisma and stinging rhetoric to turn the tide in her favour through just a couple of months of pre-poll touring.

Now that she is no longer there, the AIADMK leaders should walk the extra mile to keep themselves relevant and their party alive in the public reckoning, Singh added.
Several parts of Kerala have been witnessing heavy rains since the early hours of Saturday. So far, no casualties were reported.

The India Meteorological Department sounded a red alert in five districts -- Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur.

Orange alert was sounded in seven other districts.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened an emergency meeting to review the situation. The water level of many dams and reservoirs were being constantly monitored.

Several parts of the Ranni and Konni areas of Pathanamthitta were flooded and several houses were damaged. Minor landslips were reported from the eastern sides of the Kottayam and Idukki districts. Heavy winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour were predicted.

People in flooded areas and those living near rivers were shifted to safe locations. Vehicles to hilly areas were banned. Fishing activities from the coastal areas were also banned.

Low pressure formation over the Arabian sea was leading to the heavy rains in the state. The State Disaster Management Authority was already on an alert and NDRF teams were deployed across the state.

Kerala had suffered major natural calamities including major floods and landslides over the last few years claiming scores of lives.

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Five persons died and around 15 reported missing in a series of landslides and floods in parts of central Kerala on Saturday following incessant rains from the early hours of the day.

Several vehicles, including transport buses, were stranded in the hilly terrains of Kottayam and Idukki districts as roads were blocked by land slips and landslides. Several houses and shops in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts were flooded and people have taken shelters in first floors of many houses.

At Koottickal in Kottayam district three persons, including women and children, reportedly died in landslides at Plappally and Kavali areas. Eight more were still missing. There were reports that three bodies were spotted by the local people.

In the adjacent Idukki district, eight persons, including five children, were reported missing at Kokkayar near Peerumedu following land slide. Rescue operation were only progressing.

With landslides blocking most of the roads in the hilly terrain, rescue teams were also finding it difficult to reach the spot. Local people managed to rescue many, while severalhad miraculous escape by holding on to tree branches.

At Thodupuzha in the district, two persons died after their car was washed away over a canal at Kanjar. Both the bodies were recovered.

Many house and shops in major towns in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts like Kanjirapally, Poonjar, Ranni and Konni were flooded. Vehicles were washed away at some places. Passengers in a transport bus had a narrow escape after the bus was caught up in flood at Poonjar. Local people rescued the passengers.

Army and Air Force were also joining the rescue operations apart from NDRF, Fire and Rescue Services and police. Bad weather affected attempts by rescue teams to reach the landslide-hit spots by air.

Low pressure formation over the Arabian sea has led to the heavy rains. While many parts of south and central Kerala were witnessing continuous rainfall with winds and thunders right from the early hours of Saturday, many parts of north Kerala were receiving heavy rains by evening. Water level in some parts of Alappuzha in the south was also reported to be rising by night.

Indian Meteorological Department sounded red alert in six districts in central and south Kerala, while orange alert was issued in four districts, including three in north Kerala. Water level in dams and reservoirs were being continuously monitored over the last few days in view of heavy rains.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a high level meeting to review the situations. Directions were given to shift people from all calamity prone areas. As per later forecast the intensity of the rains may decline by Sunday.

Kerala had witnessed major natural calamities during the last three years beginning with a major flood in 2018 that claimed around 400 lives. In 2019 around 100 lives were lost in the natural calamities at various parts of the state. In 2020 a major landslide occurred at Pettimudi in Idukki district that claimed around 70 lives.

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The UKs Carrier Strike Group (CSG) -- scheduled to take part in the most demanding exercise ever between the UK and India, incorporating elements from all three military services --sailed into the Bay of Bengal on Friday.

In its most substantial port visit to date, the strike group, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, will provide a platform for a wide range of cultural demonstrations and trade and investment initiatives. It is also a demonstration of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed upon by both Prime Ministers in May 2021.

British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis said that the Carrier Strike Groups visit demonstrates the deepening of the UK and Indias defence and security partnership.

He added: Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson agreed to work in lockstep for our shared security and prosperity. This visit will boost the cooperation of our armed forces and show the living bridge connecting our people.

First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin said: The CSGs engagement with India showcases the deepening comprehensive strategic partnership. Both the Indian and the Royal navy are blue-water, multi-carrier navies, which places us in a very exclusive club.

"Our growing interactions are a testimony to the shared commitment to rules-based international system, a belief in the values of open trade, and in the importance of the freedom of the high seas -- a right conveyed on all nations.

Among the vessels in the carrier group is the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Nepal and Bhutan, Marten van den Berg described the participation of the Evertsen in the UK Carrier Strike Group as providing the Royal Netherlands Navy with a unique opportunity for the operations and training with allies and partners and to enhance diplomatic, security and economic ties while visiting different countries along the CSG route.

The Netherlands and India are like-minded partners and are committed to an effective multilateralism. The visit definitely reaffirms support to the rules-based international order and shares the common principles of security, stability and freedom of navigation by both nations, he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and its brand of Hindutva, called for a national debate on federalism, sympathised with the farmers, and lavished praise on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee.

Addressing the annual Shiv Sena Dussehra Rally, held virtually without break since 1966, Thackeray called for an honest discussion on Centre-State relations as the country marks the 75th anniversary of India's Independence.

He said that the Indian Constitution framed by Dr B R Ambedkar has laid down clear guidelines on the rights of the Centre and states, with autonomy to the latter, along with sovereign rights like the Centre.

Also Read | Hunger for power like drug addiction: Maharashtra CM Uddhav targets BJP

"In the current scenario, the question arises whether the Centre will allow the states to survive... In their thirst for power, they keep harassing the non-BJP-ruled states, try to topple their governments. The Constitution says if the Centre interferes in the state's affairs, it would be unconstitutional," Thackeray declared.

Dwelling on BJP's pet theme, Thackeray said that Hindutva is at risk from those who used it as ladder to climb to power - a pointed reference to an exclusive report on this issue by IANS on September 20.

"There was a recent RTI reply in which the Centre said there is no threat to Hindutva. But Hindutva faces a threat from the 'neo-Hindus' propped up by the BJP. They will drive a wedge in society and adopt the British strategy of 'divide and rule' to grab power. We must be on our guard always," he stressed.

Touching on the recent fracas of Veer Savarkar raised by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, he said people who have no connections or participated in the freedom struggle are talking about Mahatma Gandhi and Savarkar.

"The people who are spreading lies about these personalities, are not even worthy of uttering the names of Gandhiji and Savarkar," he said.

Referring to 'Lal, Bal, and Pal' (Lala Lajpat Rai of Punjab, Bal Gangadhar Tilak of Maharashtra and Bipin Chandra Pal of Bengal), he said even now these three states are at the forefront of the fight against the BJP.

Also Read | BJP hasn't understood either Savarkar or Gandhi: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

"I compliment Mamata Didi for not bowing before the Delhi rulers and West Bengal fulfilled its duty... Maharashtra is the same, we will not bend before Delhi. They shout 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram' at the slightest opportunity. Now, we will show them what 'Har Har Mahadev' really means," Thackeray roared.

Hammering the BJP for constantly targeting the Maharashtra government after the Sena joined hands with Nationalist Congress Party-Congress in November 2019, he said the Shiv Sainiks and the people of the state will not tolerate it.

"They are hounding us and even our families through the probe agencies like IT, ED, CBI. We are not scared They are trying to break and topple our government - I challenge them to bring us down they will not succeed," the CM asserted.

He said that he had become the Chief Minister to fulfil a promise made to his father, and the Shiv Sena founder, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, and he was not some 'fakir' to run away with his 'jhola' from responsibilities to the people.

Taking strong umbrage at the BJP for comparing the Maharashtra Police with the mafia, he demanded then what is the Uttar Pradesh Police, or the police force of other BJP-ruled states.

Patting the Maharashtra Police, Thackeray said the state cops are like the soldiers on the borders - "they fight fiercely without bothering for their lives they proved it during the 1992-1993 riots and bomb blasts, the 26/11 terror strikes and at all other times".

At several points in his 40-minute speech, there was applause, cheers and whistles of approval from the audience inside the Shanmukhananda Hall in Matunga.

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The Gujarat government has announced financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to each tribal person from the state who undertakes pilgrimage to Ram Janmbhumi in Ayodhya. The government in a release quoting the minister of state for tourism and pilgrimage development Purnesh Modi on Saturday claimed that "Gujarat's tribals are descendants of Shabari Mata" who is believed to have met Ram during his 14-year exile in the jungle of Dangs, a district in south Gujarat.

Modi announced the decision of extending financial aid to tribals during state-level Dussehra Mahotsav event at Shabari Dham in Dangs district on Friday. Shabari Dham, located at Subir about 30 km from district headquarters Ahwa, is associated with Shabari Mata who is believed to have fed berries to Lord Ram here. Controversial religious leader Swami Aseemanand is also associated with Shabari Dham who resides here as one of its trustees.

During the event on Friday, Modi declared that Rs 5,000 will be given to tribals of the state for undertaking the pilgrimage to Ayodhya at Ram Janmabhoomi, believed to be the birthplace of Ram. He said that the decision has been taken in line with Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Sindhu Darshan and Shravan Tirth Yatra for which pilgrims are given financial help.

Modi also announced that from next year, state-level Dussehra Mahotsav will be organised at different places which are associated with Lord Ram. He added that the state government is working on developing a tourism circuit between Saputara, Gujarat's only hill station in Dangs, and the "Statue of Unity" at Kevadia in Narmada district, which will connect tribal areas of the eastern part of the state. The minister said that this project will highlight "cultural and historical heritage."

The tribal-dominated Dangs district has a history of clashes between Christian missionaries and saffron organizations over allegations of religious conversion. In 2006, the RSS had held the Shabari Kumbah Mela primarily to draw the tribals back into "Hindu fold." This is also the place that witnessed the state's first anti-Christian riots in 1998.

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A day after Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray asked Shiv Sainiks to emulate the example of Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengals resistance to BJP, leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis declared that the BJP will never allow it to happen.

I want to congratulate the people of West Bengal... I want to congratulate Mamata Banerjee... are you ready for such a thing in Maharashtra?, Thackeray asked Shiv Sainiks amid thunderous applause and cheers during the annual Dussehra rally on Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis on Friday lashed out at his successor and former ally.

Also read: MVA most corrupt govt in Maharashtra's history, extortion its only agenda: Fadnavis

"Why do you want to turn Maharashtra into that state where no industry could flourish because of union activities and extortion? Where people are beaten up and hanged for speaking against you. Do you want to build such a Maharashtra? But the BJP will never let Maharashtra turn into Bengal, it will remain as Maharashtra, said Fadnavis.

Referring to 'Lal, Bal, and Pal' (Lala Lajpat Rai of Punjab, Bal Gangadhar Tilak of Maharashtra and Bipin Chandra Pal of Bengal) in his address, Thackeray had said even now these three states are at the forefront of the fight against the BJP.

"I compliment Mamata Didi for not bowing before the Delhi rulers and West Bengal fulfilled its duty... Maharashtra is the same, we will not bend before Delhi. They shout 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram' at the slightest opportunity. Now, we will show them what 'Har Har Mahadev' really means," Thackeray had said.

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Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan assured NCB officials during counseling that he would work for the welfare of the poor and never do anything that would besmirch his name in the future, an official said on Saturday.

Aryan (23) is currently lodged in Arthur Road prison here after he was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau following alleged drug seizure from a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast on October 2.

During counselling by officials including NCB's zonal director Sameer Wankhede and social workers, Aryan said after his release, he will work for "social and financial uplift of the poor and downtrodden" and never do anything which could bring him publicity for the wrong reasons, said an agency official.

"He said `I will do something that will make you proud of me,'" the official added. After the arrest, Aryan along with seven other accused including two women arrested by the NCB underwent a counseling session. A special court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases would pass order on Aryan's bail plea on October 20.

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In the journey of human civilisation, cosmologies came to represent the distilled wisdom of humankind, accumulated over millennia in its quest for survival in the face of the adversities of nature and the basic human need to relate to fellow beings. Indeed, for thousands of years, cosmologies guided human thought and action concerning nature and the human and the non-human world. Western modernity sought to relegate faith to the footnote of history and bring the scientific to the centre of human affairs. In the ensuing turmoil, a great deal of wisdom lying in the grey areas of the cosmologies of non-Western societies was lost as the quest for, and the claims of, universal truths came to be associated with the binary of religion and science. Decolonisation saw cultural assertions in defence of indigeneity by the peoples of the colonies.

Tradition and revivalism constituted important elements of the Indian renaissance and nationalism, too. However, though present in the public sphere during our national movement, religion was not allowed to get in the way of the imagination of India as a humane, pluralist and inclusive society. The founding fathers of our Constitution gave us a secular, democratic republic in which people of all faiths would enjoy equal citizenship rights. It was an audacious experiment in arguably the most diverse society in the world. Nehruvian India celebrated the diversities of Indian society, and while reposing faith in science and technology as a vehicle of economic prosperity and well-being, the Indian State was guided by the principle of neutrality in respect of religion. Gradually, as political parties of all hues gave in to the lure of vote-bank politics, the State faltered in its commitment to secularism.

Religion and religiosity are on the rise in India, to the eclipse of constitutionally ordained secularism. The past few years have seen unprecedented brutalisation of our society in the name of religion and erosion of constitutional morality. Growing vigilantism has instilled a sense of insecurity and fear into the minds of the minorities. Ethnic majoritarian nationalism flattens diversities and others the minorities. In his recent book, Partitions of the Heart: Unmaking the Idea of India, human rights and peace worker Harsh Mander has meticulously documented communal polarisation taking place first in the society of Gujarat in the wake of the Godhra incident in 2002 and then its replication in the rest of India since 2014. He feels fraternity, our most cherished constitutional value, is being irremediably corroded in India of today.

Based on massive global survey data, Ronald F Inglehart, in his book, Religions Sudden Decline, has argued that since 2007, the world is generally becoming less religious. India is an exception in this survey, where religiosity increased markedly. The Pew Research Centres latest survey, Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation, confirms this trend. Several commentators have interpreted the findings of the survey. They seem to agree that the findings hint at a marked rise in majoritarian tendencies in India and, thus, lend credence to the tide of Hindutva. Our leaders growing display of religiosity in the public sphere of todays India seems to be in sync with the finding that 64% of the Hindus in the Pew survey thought that politicians should have a large or some influence in religious matters.

Hindu nationalism attempts to blend religion and science to secure Indias rightful place in the comity of nations; domestically, its goal is to establish the supremacy of Hindu religion and culture, and ultimately a Hindu Rashtra in India.

This blending of religion and science finds expression in wild and bizarre claims made about scientific and technological progress made in ancient India and in imputing scientific significance to narratives found in our folklore and mythologies. Our political leaders have speculated on the prevalence of genetic science and stem cell research and the significant advancement of science and technology in ancient India.

In a remarkable interdisciplinary study, Holy Science: The Biopolitics of Hindu Nationalism, Banu Subramaniam has argued that contemporary India envisions alternative modernity by bringing together a melding of science and religion, the ancient and the modern, the past and the present into a powerful brand of nationalism. This, she terms, archaic modernity. While Subramaniam celebrates the progressive possibilities that the convergence of science and religion may offer, she is emphatic in her rejection of the ends that the project of Hindu nationalism seeks to attain by blending science with religion  that is, the supremacy of Hindu religion and culture.

Recently, prominent industrialist and philanthropist Azim Premji appealed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic with good science and truth. He said: At the core of the idea of good science is the matter of being willing to accept and confront the truthScience and truth are the foundation on which we can tackle this crisis and ensure that it is not repeated, he said, Together we are stronger, divided we continue to strugglewe need to restructure our society and economy such that our country does not have this kind of inequity and injustice.

We are not sure whether Premji was endorsing the universal truth claims of modernity. However, besides science, Premji also highlights the importance of togetherness and the need to restructure our society and economy to fight inequity and injustice, which primarily pertains to politics.

The question that stares us in the face is: Does the nature of prevailing politics allow, if not actively promote, the practice of good science and good religion in our society?

Science and religion must come together in the project of the creation of a compassionate man and a compassionate society. No religion is good unless it dispels unreason, brings people together, and ushers in an era of peace and goodwill. And no science is good unless anchored in a higher moral purpose and is helpful in leading a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature.

(The writer is Adjunct Faculty, Department of Social Sciences, FLAME University, Pune)

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Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi seems to have taken up the uphill but much-desired task of bringing a dormant Congress party back to life in the country's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, where it has been out of power for 32 years.

It may be too much to assume that the party will get anywhere close to returning to power. But Priyanka Gandhi's sustained efforts could put the party back on its feet in a state where it was reduced to a paltry seven seats (out of 403) in the last Assembly elections in 2017 and just one seat (out of UP's 80) in the Lok Sabha polls of 2019.

The Lakhimpur Kheri violence earlier this month on October 4, which took eight lives, including that of four farmers run brutally over by an SUV, allegedly at the behest of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters, has come in handy for Priyanka Gandhi to show her real mettle now.

Until now, Priyanka Gandhi, the party's general secretary in charge for UP, had failed to deliver because of her restrained visits to the state. Even after being entrusted with the responsibility, she could not keep her word that she would permanently camp on the soil of UP. Neither she nor Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was given charge of another half of UP, were not visible on the ground. Sure enough, that got reflected in the abysmal result in the Lok Sabha polls.

Also read: Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah

Taking a cue from that, Priyanka Gandhi has decided to take the bull by its horns this time. What she has already done quite instinctively has earned her the sobriquet of a "street-fighter." It is something no prominent Congressman has shown over the past many years.

She was the first politician to make a serious attempt to reach Lakhimpur Kheri, no sooner than news broke out about the killings of farmers. She was followed by the police right from the time she landed at the Lucknow airport. On reaching her relative's house, where she camps in Lucknow, the cops piled up outside the gate and made it clear that she could not visit Lakhimpur Kheri.

About an hour later, as it grew dark, she sneaked out of the bungalow from the back gate, walked more than 500 metres to board a waiting car that drove her to the national highway leading to Lakhimpur Kheri. Once the police realised she had hoodwinked them, a cat and mouse chase began. Cops stopped all traffic at a toll barrier on NH-24, where they started checking vehicles to find Priyanka Gandhi. Here she switched from her SUV into a small car, a strategy that worked. While the police checked only SUVs and other big vehicles, the small car drove away unchecked.

What she did thereafter was to take a detour through rural roads instead of the main highway. However, after covering a good 60 km, the police finally intercepted and took her into custody. She withstood a night-long ordeal, following which she was deposited at a government guest house in Sitapur that was formally declared as a "temporary jail" around 4.30 am on October 5.

Also read: BJP leader accuses Ajay Mishra of being behind Lakhimpur violence

For more than two days, she fought relentlessly against the denial of permission to move on to Lakhimpur Kheri, after which the government gave in. Thousands of suddenly reactivated Congress workers had gathered outside the guest house protesting her arrest. Once the state government yielded, even other opposition leaders who had also demanded to visit Lakhimpur Kheri were allowed to proceed. She scored over all others. Samajwadi Party chief, the former UP chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, followed suit only the next day.

As if she works on instinct, Priyanka Gandhi's reaction to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's condescending remark about her sweeping the floor of the guest house room where the police detained her silenced the chief minister. "She is incapable of doing anything other than sweeping floors," was Adityanath's curt remark to Priyanka Gandhi's video that went viral. She retorted, "Yogi Adityanath's remark against my sweeping reflects his anti-Dalit mentality; he considers sweeping a demeaning act, which shows his mindset."

Priyanka Gandhi did not stop there. Three days later, on her return to Lucknow, she went to a local Dalit locality and personally swept the floor of a Valmiki temple there. She also announced that all district Congress chiefs would sweep in Dalit localities in their respective towns. Many see this streak in her as somewhat reminiscent of her grandmother Indira Gandhi.

These episodes have recharged the Congress rank and file, no matter how few they might be. She is, however, hobbled by the lack of an active and widespread party organisation, which she is now trying to rebuild. Though it may be rather late in the day to start that exercise, since state elections are barely four months away, still the effort is not likely to go to waste.

Priyanka Gandhi has found yet another way to inject some life into the party and its workers. She got four small booklets prepared with crisp content to counter the malicious campaign undertaken by the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the years to run down the Congress leadership.

Also read: Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders send air tickets to Rahul, Priyanka to visit Rajasthan

One of the booklets, Hum Congress ke log  dushprachar aur sach, talks about several Congress leaders involved in the freedom movement. Another booklet, Bharat aur Bhartiyata ke khilaf RSS aur BJP, attempts to expose the role of several saffron leaders whose "acts were against the fundamental ethos of Indianess and nationalism." A third booklet has facts on the first and second waves of Covid-19 and its alleged mismanagement by the Narendra Modi government.

The fourth booklet, Kisne bigara Uttar Pradesh, points to the alleged scams during the different BJP regimes, besides such schemes of these governments that were potentially against farmers, youth as also the economically weak and downtrodden in the society.

While no Congress leaders made such efforts in many years, what remains to be seen is the impact of bringing the party out of the woods in the crucial March 2022 state elections.

(The writer is a journalist based in Lucknow)
The King Cobra, viewed for nearly two hundred years as a single species found in forests from India to the Philippines, actually belongs to four distinct species, an international team including researchers from IISc Bengaluru has found using sophisticated genetic tools.

The scientists say their discovery would not only help improve the conservation efforts to protect the iconic snake but may also lead to the development of better quality anti-venom formulations in future.

The four King Cobra lineages are found (1) in the Western Ghats (2) in forests extending from the Himalayan foothills and Eastern Ghats to China and southeast Asia, with isolated populations in the Andaman island (3) in peninsular Malaysia across the Greater Sunda Islands (Sumatra, Java, Borneo), southeast to Bali and northeast to Mindoro island in the Philippines and (4) in Luzon island in the Philippines.

"The divided distribution of the four species would mean the need to have different conservation strategies. For instance the species found in Philippines island has higher vulnerability and requires better conservation efforts, P Gowri Shankar, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Indian Institute of Science told DH.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) was first reported in 1836 by Danish naturalist Theodore Edward Cantor who described four such specimens, three captured in the Sundarbans and one in the vicinity of Kolkata.

Since the last 185 years, scientists considered it as a single species until genetic studies by Shankar and his coworkers showed that the snakes were clustered into four different species. The team also includes researchers from the UK, Sweden, Malaysia and several Indian institutions including Chennai Snake Park.

The reptiles evolutionary history showed how the dry arid regions of peninsular India kept two lineages found in the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats separated. As a result, the Western Ghat species remains restricted to a limited geographical area whereas the one in the east has been found in the Himalayan foothills, China and other parts of Asia.

"Morphology doesnt always tell the complete story. The King Cobra species with larger ranges may have lower risks than the snakes found in the Western Ghats and Luzon islands and these two should have greater conservation priority said Kartik Shanker, a team member and IISc professor.

Our study has helped uncover species diversity in one of the most iconic animals of the world  the King Cobra. It is currently listed as Vulnerable in the Red List (IUCN, 2012), which is largely influenced by its large geographical range. The study suggests the need for a revision of their threat status, the team reported in a recent issue of the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

In the last two decades, genetic studies helped recognise similar species diversity in the case of West African Forest Elephant; a new lineage of Kiwi in New Zealand; Sunda clouded leopard in Indonesia; Tapanuli Orangutan in northern Sumatra and the recent case of Indus river dolphins.

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It was the biggest haul for Indian jewels once owned by maharajahs. A 2019 auction by Christies in New York of jewels removed, bought or transferred from India over the past 500 years netted a record-setting $109 million (Rs 815 crore).

Such historic jewels are not just pretty baubles. Rather, they contain histories that are lost when jewels are removed from their original contexts. Auctioned jewels mostly tell stories of their displacement, writes Aditi Natasha Kini in The New York Times.

The 2019 Christies auction was from the collection of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, a Qatari prince and treasure hunter who has amassed a vast private collection from the Mughal court and Indian maharajas. He offered nearly 400 lots for sale.

The objects included Golconda diamonds, Mughal emeralds, and a magnificent enamelled and gem hookah set (circa 1680-1720) that was almost certainly made in the imperial Mughal workshop, according to Christies. The intricate artwork is reminiscent of the Peacock Throne, commissioned by Shah Jahan in the 17th century and other artifacts of those times.

These jewels are expressions of what people thought, what they needed to do with them, says Fredierike Voigt, principal curator of South Asia at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

People kept jewellery as capital until they encountered a situation where they would have to part with them, she says. The stories of how they were used and how they changed hands are part of history.

At auctions, much of an objects history gets lost, Voigt says. Usually, auctioneers only mention the historical provenance to sell the jewels at the greatest possible price.

Some Mughal-era jewels sold at auctions are from the loot of Nader, the Persian Shah, who ransacked the Mughal treasury in 1739. After two months, Nader headed back to Persia with $122 billion (Rs 9,15,495 crore) of wealth in todays terms, according to historian Michael Axworthy. Many of these jewels got lost along the way, and some have found their way into crown jewels and private collections around the world.

To hear the story of Nader Shah and why he looted the jewels of the Mughals, listen using the web player above, to Episode 2 -- Jewels of the Maharajahs. The episode is from Scrolls & Leaves, a world history podcast that tells stories from the margins of history, science and cultures. The podcast is crafted in 3D-sound and is best experienced using headphones.
After school hours for children in Sathanur near Bengaluru are a treat. They rush home, hurry out of their uniforms, and zoom down to the Bija learning centre. Here they paint or draw, create art out of textiles, indulge in pottery and through all of this, they learn.

The purpose of the three learning centres, located around Sathnur in Ramanagara district, is to introduce holistic learning practices to the area.

Indira Vijaysimha, a retired professor from Azim Premji University, explains that the idea of Bija germinated in 2018. She also runs an alternative school, Poorna, for more than 25 years and the project was a way to extend the teaching methods beyond the school.

It was a way to expand the kind of holistic and inclusive education to the community that surrounded the school geographically and engage with children from underrepresented and marginalised families, she explains.

The alternative learning model has captured the enthusiasm of close to 80 children in the area. After schools reopened, this number is only growing.

Prema, a mother of two children, attests to childrens excitement regarding the alternative learning models. They have been going since the day it opened two years ago, she says. Her 12-year-old daughter is particularly interested in the dance classes that are conducted there.

The centres are spaces where the children in Sathanur, including children of migrant labourers, get to do a bit of everything. They play, craft and also study and are aided by the two teachers and volunteers.

Savitha Jaibhim, one of the facilitators, teaches Mathematics and Environmental Science.

The difference between a typical classroom and the centre is how these subjects are taught. We emphasise activity-based learning, she explains.

For instance, after children are taught to identify numbers, they play a game of forming groups based on numbers. This activity drives home the idea that children know how to count, add and subtract intrinsically. Charts and other teaching tools come to her aid in more complex topics for higher classes.

Community learning

Convincing parents that holistic education is important was an uphill battle when the Bija community centres were first started. After several meetings with Panchayat members, parents and the involvement of the local government school, parents came around to the idea.

While classroom learning is important, Prema, one such parent, now feels that alternative modes of learning provide children with the skills to learn from their surroundings.

She remembers one such learning session that involved the childrens immediate surroundings and agriculture. The children were asked to identify different crops and the methods of growing them. They see these things every day. After they were involved in such an activity, they learnt how to learn from their surroundings, to pay attention to what is happening around them, she says.

The children have not only learnt to learn from their surroundings but people in their surroundings have also come forward together to teach what they know. Tilak, a 24-year-old law student, often visits the centre to speak about and introduce the children to authors who he admires. William Shakespeare is a favourite. I simplify plays or poetry so children can understand, he says.

This kind of learning environment is also one that stimulates curiosity and fuels the instinct to question. Abhijit Devnath, an artist who frequently conducts workshops in the centre, explains that the hierarchy that is present between a teacher and students is generally absent. While engaging the children in creating textile art, he noticed that many had prior experience in sewing and also had unique ideas. I learn from them and they learn from me. This creates an environment of mutual respect and confidence, he says.

The learning centres also work to acquire and distribute notebooks and textbooks. Keerthana, now a II PUC student from Sathnur, not only benefited from the sessions conducted but also received assistance to pursue higher education. "The teachers helped me apply for hostel and college and because there was financial difficulty at home, they helped even with that," she says.

The principal of the Sathnur government school, Chandrappa explains that the proximity of the learning centres to childrens homes helped children not lose contact with education during the school closures because of the pandemic. Children had started to forget what was taught in schools. The learning centres helped revise the subjects that children would have lost touch with, he says.

Alternative learning methods that involve activity-based learning are important according to Devnath. "They enable children to create and contemplate their individuality and sense of self. This is invaluable," he adds. Apart from cultivating a sense of self, Indira feels that holistic learning engages the head, heart and hands, like Mahatma Gandhi advocated.
Leader of Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, to protect his CM chair is singing praises of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Speaking to media persons at Hubballi Airport, en-route to Hangal for campaigning for by-polls, Siddaramaiah said neither S R Bommai nor Basavaraj Bommai has their roots in RSS. However, to continue in the CM post, Bommai, under the pressure of RSS bosses, is parsing the organisation.

Also read: Bommai asserts his nationalist roots in Twitter spat with Siddaramaiah

The former chief minister also clarified that there is no question of joining hands with BJP stalwart B S Yediyurappa to start a new political front.

That is a blatant lie being spread by former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. I will never join hands with Yediyurappa who comes from an RSS background, he said and reiterated that if anyone can prove the secrete meeting with Yediyurappa, he would retire from active politics.

As a Congressman, who upholds secularism and democratic values, I can never be on the RSS and BJP side, which are exactly opposite to my principles, he said.

Modis gift

Commenting on Indias slip in the Global Hunger Index from 94 in 2020 to 101 this year, Siddaramaiah said this is a gift Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given to the people of India. Ever since Modi administration took over, Indias performance in major developmental indexes have fallen, he said.

Responding to H D Kumaraswamys charges that the Anna Bhagya scheme has made people lazy, the Congress leader hit back by saying that he would not take comments from those whose tummy is full. Has any of the poor said they do not want Anna Bhagya scheme? The scheme was meant for them and it has benefited several families, he said.

Should read Tippu well

Responding to Congress MLC C M Ibrahims charges that Congress uses Muslim leaders and do not allow them to grow, Siddaramaiah asked which party has made Ibrahim MLC? "The party high command and elected MLAs will decide on who will become the next chief minister from Congress."

He also refuted the charges that Congress used Tippu Sultans birth anniversary for political gains. Ibrahim should read more about Tippu before making a comment. I will ask him to get more information about Tippu, he said.

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A man who had allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old victim of endosulfan poisoning, by luring him with the promise of sugarcane, was arrested by Puttur town police on Friday night.

According to Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Sonawane, the accused who sexually assaulted the endo victim was identified as Mohammed Haneef. The accused Haneef had lured the endo victim to a secluded area by promising to offer sugarcane. After sexually assaulting the endo victim he had issued life threats to the survivor.

Following a complaint from the father, the police registered a case under sections 504 (provocation leading to disruption in public peace), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 377 (unnatural offence) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC.

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Political campaign management firm DesignBoxed, which works with the D K Shivakumar-led Congress in Bengaluru, said Saturday that I-T sleuths found absolutely nothing in their raids on its offices.

The firm was raided by the I-T department earlier this week.

In a statement, DesignBoxed founder Naresh Arora said no unaccounted valuables of any kind were found during the I-T raids, which he charged was political.

Also read: I-T Department detects Rs 750 crore undisclosed income after raids on Bengaluru contractors

The raids were obviously so political. They targeted me and my colleagues only because we have been working for the opposition and mainly Congress party, Arora said.

DesignBoxed has worked with Congress since 2016 in six states -- Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Assam.

Earlier this year, Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar green-lit the onboarding of DesignBoxed to help the party boost its image for the 2023 Assembly polls.

Apart from trying to find anything remotely incriminatory against top Congress leaders, the raids were intended to intimidate a self-made professional and political campaign management firm so that we dont work for Indias main opposition party, Arora said, adding that he and his colleagues are law-abiding and proud tax payers.

Blaming the ruling BJP, Arora said: It is unfortunate that even after being so powerful the ruling dispensation needs to intimidate those working with the opposition.

The raids were an outright abuse of tax agencies for political aims and the harassment we have suffered is not ours alone, Arora said. It is part of the process of stifling the opposition through state power.

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Adding to the list of back-to-back building collapse incidents, yet another multistoried building in Central Bengaluru tilted on Saturday after its foundation developed crack due to seepage following incessant rains spanning more than a week.

Also read: Did you know? There are 404 weak buildings in Bengaluru

According to the police and officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the latest building is the police quarters near Binny Mills that was inaugurated three years ago and two years ago, the flats were occupied by the police personnel families.

"The seven storeyed apartment block has tilted by at least 1 to 1.5 feet due to the wide crack at the basement after heavy rains. A total of 32 families are living in the building and efforts are on to evacuate the residents from the building," explained a BBMP engineer.

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Dr Stephen Kelly, subject lead for English at Queens University Belfast, will headline St. Columbs Colleges inaugural event in a year of celebration to commemorate the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St. Columba.

Columba is a figure as multi-faceted as his names are numerous, be it Columba, Colmcille or Columb.

This year marks the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of one of the patron saints of the island. Columba, who was a prolific founder of monasteries, is credited with founding the city of Derry upon the rocks that mark where Long Tower Church stands today.

However, Columba was not merely a meek monastery founder but someone who exhibited the courage of his convictions in stories as wide ranging as confronting Pictish tribes in modern-day Scotland to immersing himself in transcription and the reproduction of manuscripts.

With Columba as its patron, St. Columbs College will stage a year of celebration in honour of the momentous anniversary of Columbas birth.

A Mass, celebrated by Bishop McKeown, on June 9 this year marked the start of this year of celebration that will culminate on June 9 next year..

The celebrations will entail the celebrating of Columba in his totality; from Columba the scholar to Columba the seafarer to Columba the warrior, to name but a few.

St. Columbs College is inviting members of the public to its inaugural event on Friday, October 22 next at 8:15pm in St. Eugenes Cathedral Church Hall, Infirmary Road.

Dr Stephen Kelly.

Nathan Thiruvengadam, from the College's Columba Committee, said: We are delighted to announce that Dr Stephen Kelly, past pupil and recipient of the Queens University Student Union Award for 'most iInspir- ing/motivating' teacher in both 2016 and in 2019, will be delivering a talk titled: Calves and Kindles: St Columba and the History of the Book.

Dr. Kelly, who is the author of the upcoming Imagining History in Medieval Britain, as well as co-editor of Betwixt and Between: Place and Cultural Translation (2007) and Imagining the Book (2005), will walk us through the questions: Can it be true that St. Columba left Ireland over a book? Why was the act of copying St Finnians Psalter such an affront? What was a

Psalter anyway, and how did it come to represent such a powerful instrument of cultural prestige and political authority?

The talk will situate the Cathach of St Columba within the context of late classical and medieval book culture.

It will argue that the book is the most significant technological innovation in Western culture, while also suggesting that the book and its metaphors continue, even in a digital age, to shape profoundly our under- standing of memory, history  and ourselves.

The event is open to all; be you young or old; an expert or a novice on the background of our citys founder- all are welcome.

The event is free but email columba1500@ stcolumbscollege.org to con- firm your attendance.

Tea and refreshments will be provided after the talk.
A controversial planning advice note (PAN) issued to councils has been withdrawn by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

Advice on farm dwellings and infill developments had been issued by DfI earlier this year and was heavily criticised by planners, developments and councillors.

Cllr Sean McPeake of Mid Ulster District Council had said the new advice would make it more difficult for rural dwellers to obtain planning permission.

The Council officially wrote to Minister Nichola Mallon calling for the withdrawal of the advice.

DfI issued a statement saying planning policy hadnt changed and have continued to insist the purpose of the PAN was to provide clarity, but announced this evening they have withdrawn the advice.

In a statement posted on the Department website, DfI said it had not anticipated the backlash it had received.

The PAN did not add to or change existing planning policy, said a spokesperson.

The Department had not expected such a significant response to what is essentially an advice note to support the efficient and effective workings of the two-tier planning system.

Regrettably, rather than bringing certainty and clarity, as was its intention, the PAN seems to have created confusion and uncertainty.

The Department has listened carefully to and reflected on all the concerns and has decided to withdraw the PAN today to swiftly restore clarity to this situation.

The Department will now take stock of the concerns raised and undertake further engagement and analysis on this important policy area, to include consideration of current and emerging issues, such as the climate emergency and a green recovery from this pandemic.

Cllr Sean McPeake said while its withdrawal was welcome, it should never have been issued in the first place.

This harmful diktat should never have been thrust upon Councils without consultation and agreement in the first instance, said the Sinn Fein councillor.

Councils were left with no option but to take into account the new restrictions within the PAN when determining on planning applications.

In recent weeks we have seen many councils follow Mid-Ulster Councils lead and write to Minister Mallon seeking the withdrawal of the PAN.

The UFU, Rural Community Network in addition to many professional planning agents and architects had also weighed in rejecting the PAN.

On Thursday the DFI Committee in Stormont had also sought its withdrawal. Sinn Fein had tabled a debate and motion on this issue in Stormont and which was due to be debated on Tuesday.

Thankfully this will not now be needed.

If there are lessons to be learnt with this debacle, it is that Ministers in government need to listen to the needs of ordinary people and tailor their policies to suit.

Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone welcomed the withdrawal of the advice.

While I accept the intention of the advice note was to help to bring certainty and clarity for councils unfortunately the PAN seems to have created confusion and uncertainty, said the SDLP representative.

I welcome that the Minister has listened carefully to the concerns raised especially in the rural communities and by our rural representatives and has instructed the Department to withdraw the PAN today.

It is right that the Minister and the Department have committed to further engagement including consideration of issues related to the climate crisis and a green recovery from this pandemic as we seek to support our rural communities across the North.
Adipurush: Kriti Sanon wraps up shoot, says 'My heart sinks as I let go of this super special character'

Kriti Sanon is turning out to be quite the social media sensation. It's only recently that she wrapped up shooting for her upcoming 'Adipurush' and broke the internet sparking adorable social media posts.

Earlier today, the actress took to her Instagram to share some cute moments of her with director Om Raut. As Kriti continues to express her emotions for the role and movie, immediately generated a fury of comments. The Adipurush actress posted three images celebrating her successful shooting through cake-cutting, cute picture with the director and the last one is a beautiful note from OmRaut where he writes, "Dear Kriti, Today was the last day of our collaboration. God willing many more to come. Until next time!!!". Making no qualms about it, the actress engaged her fans, giving them a much awaited dose of excitement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Kriti captions the post, " Can't believe this journey has come to end so soon! My heart sinks as I let go of this super special character that I'm extremely proud to have played :JANAKI!...Thank you @omraut for giving me Janaki and believing I could carry the weight and responsibility that the character came with... Your vision is extraordinary and I can't wait for the world to see it! A film I'll always be extremely proud of #Adipurush". The superstar with her infectiously emotional attitude towards the role displays a sense of gratitude to her director for finding her a perfect fit to essay the character. Additionally, she also reposted OmRaut's lines, "Dear Kriti, it was magical watching you play Janaki. Can't believe your part is wrapped up. What a lovely journey!!!".

Adipurush is an Indian Historical film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, stars Prabhas alongside Kriti Sanon and Said Ali Khan. The film will roll on the floors on August 11, 2022.
Atlee continues to shoot his next without Shah Rukh Khan? Here's what we know...

Shah Rukh Khan has been going through a personal crisis. King Khan's elder son, Aryan was taken to custody by the NCB and even after weeks, he hasn't been out. In fact, he has been shifted to the Arthur Road Jail and it is being said that like any other father, he is worried sick. Needless to say, he has decided to put a halt on his professional commitments for now. The actor was to take off for the Spain schedule of Pathan, which has now been delayed, and his shoot dates for Atlee's next have also been shuffled. Now, it has been learnt that Atlee has been shooting his next with SRK.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk)

According to a report in Mid Day, Atlee hasn't called off the shoot and is continuing with Nayanthara and Sunil Grover. A source from the unit was quoted saying, Initially, we had assumed that the shoot would be cancelled, but that didnt happen. The team moved the proceedings to another South Mumbai location, where we have been filming key scenes that dont feature Shah Rukh. The superstar understands that halting work will result in losses for the makers as well as income loss for daily wagers. The unit will shoot till early next week.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Atlee (@atlee47)

We hope that Aryan Khan receives justice soon and that SRk and Gauri can finally heave a sigh of relief.
Prithviraj Sukumaran to collaborate with Aditya Chopra, web series to be a thriller?

Prithviraj Sukumaran is one of the most popular Malayalam actors of the time. The actor has been a part of the OTT space in the sense that his films have released on the web, but the audience is yet to see him in a series. Now, that wish might also be fulfilled, and it's going to be as big as Prithviraj's stature!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prithviraj Sukumaran (@therealprithvi)

If a report in Peepingmoon is to be believed, then he has been approached by none other than Aditya Chopra. A source was quoted saying, "Prithviraj has been offered lots of Hindi projects in the last one year. However, most of them were not exciting enough that would be worthy of his time away from the Malayalam films. But now he has finally got something that has intrigued and thrilled him. Prithviraj has loved what Aditya Chopra pitched to him recently and they are now working on the dates. If things materialize, this YRF web series will mark Prithviraj's debut in the OTT space."

If things materialise, this would be Prithviraj's second collaboration with Yash Raj Films after Aurangzeb. Also, Prithviraj will join the long list of A-listers who are finally making their debut on OTT? We have our fingers crossed.
Statement by Ambassador Byrne Nason at Arria Meeting on Haiti

Statement

Thank you very much indeed Madam Chair,

And I also want to thank the A3+1 sincerely for organising todays Arria meeting in support of the Haitian people. And thanks also very much to the distinguished Foreign Minister of Haiti and to your own Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Madam Chair. I was impressed to the diverse and informative presentations by our esteemed briefers.

In the interests of time, Im going to be very quick and just make three key points 

First - Ireland firmly believes in the power of dialogue and lesson sharing in overcoming what are interwoven and really deep-rooted challenges. Weve seen that successful societal transformation and reconciliation is always based upon genuine dialogue, with the widest possible base of engagement. We want to, today and through all our engagements with Haiti, to encourage all parties to work together to provide the Haitian people themselves with the stable and functioning democratic institutions they not just deserve, but so badly need.

My second point is that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in inclusive dialogue and political processes we need to see in Haiti will help consolidate the status of Haitian women as, what they should be, equal partners in creating the change needed and equal recipients, of course, of the dividends their efforts generate. The youth of Haiti also, I believe, rightly deserve seat at the decision making table and whats decided today will affect their lives and livelihoods for decades to come. So we absolutely have to take steps to ensure the safety and security of all women and youth involved in the system and all the political system to foster trust and the engagement thats needed to get that national dialogue process going.

And then my final point really is to say that recent events have also brought us to a really stark reminder of the risk posed to Haitians themselves - and indeed many of us around the world - from climate disasters. The Haitian people have faced so many challenges, on top of which earthquakes and storms have wreaked havoc, compounding dangerous challenges and dangerous security environment faced in Haiti, on top of a dire humanitarian situation. So, we believe that concerted efforts on adaptation and resilience really should help Haiti to combat the further instability that the climate crisis has brought.

So, I think we all know many, many challenges but much good will to help the people of Haiti through these challenging times.

Thank you Madam Chair.

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John Stark senior Ryan Flaherty is directing the one-act play I Dont Want to Talk About It, by Bradley Hayward, which addresses some of the mental health challenges that teenagers can face, including bullying, eating disorders, loss of a loved one and suicide.
Claremont, NH (03743)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 42F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 24F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
For more than 90 years, The Eagle-Tribune Santa Fund has assisted those in need in the Merrimack Valley through generous contributions from businesses, organizations and individuals. This year the need is as great as ever.

Contribute
An investigation is underway after a man was seriously injured in an incident in Cork city overnight.

Gardai say they are investigating a discharge of a firearm that occurred in the Blackpool area at around midnight.

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital where he received treatment for his injuries which have been described as serious.

In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are investigating a discharge of a firearm which occurred in the Blackpool area of Co.Cork today, 16th October 2021.

"Gardai were alerted to the incident shortly after midnight.

"A man, aged in his 20s, later went to a Cork hospital where he received treatment for injuries which are serious but not believed to be life-threatening."

No arrests have been made and gardai say their investigations are ongoing.

Gardai said anyone who may have information can contact Gardai in Mayfield at 021 455 85101
A popular Cork chip shop has taken to social media to fangirl over a famous customer.

Jackie Lennox Chip Shop posted on Facebook saying "we are freaking out right now referencing the Insta snap from Sofia Vergara, famous actress from Modern Family and judge on America's Got Talent, who took a bag of Lennox chips to Fitzgerald Park to enjoy with her spouse Joe Manganiello, who is an actor most well known for his roles in True Blood, Justice League Movie and Magic Mike.

Making light of Sofias role as a judge on Americas Got Talent, the chipper said: Lets hope she gives Jackies the golden buzzer.

The Modern Family and Superman stars have been touring Ireland all week, previously sharing pictures from Dublin and Galway on their travels.

The selfie Vergara shared from Cork, captioned with a shamrock emoji, has been liked over 100k times in the first two hours of posting.

It's not clear how long they'll be staying in Cork, but locals were delighted to see them happily roaming the city.
2,500 individually signed postcards were hand-delivered to the constituency office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney on Friday by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Taking part in the delivery of thousands of postcards asking to enact the Occupied Territories Bill to Simon Coveney's constituency office in Carrigaline.Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The postcards are calling for the implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill and say that the Bill has been "languishing for too long".

In May the Irish Government declared Israels settlements in Palestinian territories as de facto annexation."

The Occupied Territories Bill, despite receiving strong cross-party support, has not been enacted.

Mick Barry, TD one of the speakers, along with Martin Shiel and Sheba Gray at the delivery of thousands of postcards to Simon Coveney's constituency office in Carrigaline.Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A crowd of people met at Grand Parade on Friday at noon and travelled to Carrigaline by bus to personally deliver the signed postcards to Mr Coveney's office.

After proceeding to the office, there was a recital of a poem written especially for the occasion by Cork's Poet Laureate William Wall as well as other speeches including one from Solidarity TD Mick Barry.

Martin Shiel one of the speakers at the event yesterday.Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Speaking about the situation, the Campaign group said: Ireland has paved the way, being the first European state to condemn Israeli treatment of Palestinians and its encroachment on Palestinian land, however, Ireland has as yet failed to take any action, its time to put the money where the mouth is and enact this bill.

They said that the enactment of the bill would make it illegal to trade with illegally occupied territories and would force corporations to stop trading to and from the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
FORMER Colaiste Chriost Ri students who completed their Leaving Certificate in 1971 returned to their alma mater recently to impart their wisdom to the current sixth-year students.

The class of 1971, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary since they completed their Leaving Certificate in the Cork city secondary school, organised a series of events over the course of last weekend to celebrate their significant milestone.

Bro. Bede Minehane, teacher in 1971 and current principal Padraig Padraig Mac an Ri with the Leaving cert class of 1971: back from left, Liam O'Dwyer, Michael Cawley, David Philpott, Michael O'Riordan and Ted O'Sullivan, (centre) l/r Jack Lynan, Ger Kelleher, Leonard Buckley, Des Crowley, Michael Boland, John Waters and Pat Morris, front Jim O'Donovan, Der O'Mahony, Brendan Mullins, Neil Tobin . Picture: Eddie O'Hare

One of the events organised to celebrate their landmark anniversary was a tour and a careers seminar in their beloved Colaiste Chriost Ri when a number of former students embarked on a tour of their old school before delivering a seminar for the current Leaving Cert students.

The class of 1971 regaled the 108 students with witty anecdotes about their secondary school days and revealed the various routes they individually embarked on following the completion of their secondary school days.

Colaiste Chriost Ri principal Padraig Mac An Ri said their visit and seminar was a great success.

It was very enjoyable. Over 20 former pupils told their stories about their various career paths as they imparted their knowledge and wisdom to the students. Our current Leaving Certificate pupils found it very interesting that former students from the locality could achieve success in so many varied routes. A feature of the morning was that fellas were so adaptable. The number of different careers the former students have engaged in is incredible. The seminar will hopefully inspire our students to choose and follow their own career paths. Inspiring young minds is what Colaiste Chriost Ri is all about, he said.

Bro. Bede Minehane, teacher in 1971 and current principal Padraig Padraig Mac an Riwith the Leaving cert class of 1971. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The school principal said the aim of the seminar was to ensure the current generation of students learned from people who come from similar backgrounds.

All the former pupils spoke. They were very honest about their secondary school days and their subsequent experience in their various workplaces. The former students varied from Presentation Brothers to bankers, to doctors, postmen, welders, merchant seaman, and much more.

Brendan Mullins from the Leaving cert class of 1971 speaking to the 6th year pupils at Colaiste Chriost Ri. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

They were delighted to come back, tour their old alma mater and impart their knowledge to todays generation. They wanted to meet the current students and share their experiences with the 108 sixth-year pupils. The students learned so much from the event. They were very appreciative of the help given to them by the class of 1971. It is perfect timing as they are coming up to making decisions for the CAO, he added.

Mr Mac an Ri said the visit from the class of 1971 reinforces the spirit which is passed down from generation to generation within the secondary school.

Past pupils of Colaiste Chriost Ri maintain very strong links with the school and many attend the alumni events on a regular basis. Our past pupils are always interested in supporting our current students and giving something back.
CLOSE your eyes and imagine Kevin Costner playing Michael Collins.

I know, it makes me shudder too.

But that shocking scenario almost came to pass during Costners Dances With Wolves heyday in the early 1990s, when he was perhaps Hollywoods No.1 leading man.

The American showed interest in making a film about the life of The Big Fella, and apparently even visited Beal na mBlath, the scene of Collinss death 99 years ago in his native West Cork.

We can only hope that Costner didnt have the main role in mind, and be grateful that the task of making a biopic on the great man eventually fell to our own Neil Jordan.

His masterpiece, Michael Collins, had its premiere 25 years ago next month and became that rarity: an instant classic. A generation later, and few would quibble if I boldly stated it is the greatest Irish film ever made.

Given Ireland and its oft-divided history, to say that about a film depicting a man who had a murderous streak when it came to republicanism, and who was arguably primarily responsible for the partition of his beloved island, that speaks volumes about Jordans work, and that of his cast and crew back in 1996.

Of course, the movie took liberties with some of the facts, but its storytelling arc, the performances from all the main actors (bar Julia Roberts), its capturing of the mood of the time, the dialogue, and the mood of dread that builds as the film wears on, all make it stand out a quarter of a century later.

Actor Liam Neeson as Michael Collins.

There was some talk of Gabriel Byre playing Collins in the movie, but the decision to choose Liam Neeson was a masterstroke.

We didnt need a smouldering star, but a man of stature and action, who ruled by sheer force of personality and charisma - and that was what Neeson brought.

Fresh from his breakthrough role as Oskar Schindler in Schindlers List, the man from Ballymena was in his early 40s at the time, and still fresh-faced enough to play a man who was 31 years old when he was killed by an assassin, played by Cork actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the film.

The inspired casting included Aidan Quinn, brilliant as Collins friend Harry Boland, Stephen Rea, Ian Hart, and, of course, Alan Rickman as Eamon de Valera.

The scene when Collins helps break out Dev from prison, while the latter is in drag and chuckling away at the madness of it all, was a stand-out moment for me.

Interestingly, although the film was met by almost universal acclaim upon its release in November, 1991, the character of Dev was the most problematic for many viewers.

If Collins was to successfully be viewed as a hero, the film needed a counterpoint, and the British, despite a villainous role for Charles Dance as the leader of the Cairo Gang, couldnt quite cut it; Dev was cast as the bad guy who turned on his old comrade.

Rickman, no stranger to playing panto villains in Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, reined in his thespian relish somewhat for his role as Dev, but still portrayed him as a pale shadow of the Big Fella; an accountant-type and political fixer who shrinks beside the might of the action man soldier.

The film even falsely portrays Dev as having a hand in Collins death, while its famous closing remark by Dev that history would vindicate Collins at his expense, was shown in the film as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The late American Roger Ebert, who became the first film critic to receive a Pulitzer Prize, alluded to this demonisation of Dev, when he lavished praise on the movie on its release.

Referring to that famous quote, Ebert wrote: Even Dev could hardly have imagined this film biography of Collins, which portrays de Valera as a weak, mannered, snivelling prima donna whose grandstanding led to decades of unnecessary bloodshed in, and over, Ireland.

Few would argue with that assessment of the film, and even Rickman, in 2009, indicated he was a little uneasy about how his portrayal of Dev appeared on screen. He claimed: Scenes that we shot did not end up in the movie. I think ultimately those would have altered the tone of the film.

Rickman, who passed away in 2016, said director Neil Jordan was trying to tell a huge story that probably would have been better served in a 16-week TV series.

To do what he did in two hours was pretty amazing, he added.

Understandably, the image of Dev in the film has not gone down well with his descendants.

A few years after its release, then Minister Eamon O Cuiv lambasted members of his own Fianna Fail party for failing to do more to correct the portrayal of his grandfather. More recently, he felt the film failed to show the vibrancy of his grandfather, adding: In terms of personal characterisation, there was no life in that de Valera, no energy.

Its interesting to note that de Valera was known as The Long Fellow because he stood at 6ft 3in - the same height as Liam Neeson, coincidentally - while Collins wasnt quite 6ft; yet the film visibly shrinks Dev and puts Collins on a pedestal.

It was a theme O Cuiv returned to in 2016, when he described the portrayal of Dev in RTEs Rebellion as an embarrassment.

It has been a difficult time of late for defenders of de Valera, whose persona bestrode 20th century Ireland.

When the Michael Collins film came out in 1996, his legacy as a founder and pivotal person in the foundation of the state appeared secure, but in the past 25 years, and especially in the last decade, as a more liberal Ireland has emerged, he has become seen as a figure firmly from the past.

Dev is squarely blamed for turning the new republic into a Church state, and many of the religious scandals of the past 50 years have been laid at his door.

Furthermore, his decision to turn inwards economically was disastrous for generations, and completely at odds with the outward-looking, EU-loving modern Ireland.

As the world faces a climate breakdown, Devs decision to scrap the extensive railway network appears a particularly mindless folly.

While the image of Collins as a young man with fire in his belly is fixed in our minds, images of Dev conjured up invariably show him in his dotage as he neared the end of his long life of 92 years.

Some would call this a fair reassessment using a modern lens; others dismiss it as revisionism.

Whatever your take, it means Dev is unlikely to be viewed sympathetically for some time to come. Indeed, it could well be that future generations take the view that the Michael Collins film goes easy on him.
Two men have been arrested after absconding from an open prison in Co Cavan.

Gardai confirmed they were alerted by the Irish Prison Service after the two, both aged in their 20s, absconded from the facility in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Officers investigated the matter and the two were arrested and detained at Gurranbraher Garda station "in relation to an unauthorised taking of a vehicle", a statement from Gardai said.

The two men are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and investigations are ongoing.
The Legends of Conservation display features painted, life-size, standing cutouts that depict the greatest pioneers in conservation from the past two centuries. Each one played a major role in shaping modern fish and wildlife science and management.
Sandra Ellen Dunn Locke of Elkmont, Alabama, passed away at Cape Canaveral Hospital on October 31, 2021. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Sandra is survived by her husband, Anthony Locke and their daughter, Ashley Norman; her son, Andrew Tybergh
It's not just small companies facing Sony's wrath over aftermarket PlayStation 5 faceplates. Dbrand told The Verge it stopped selling its PS5 "Darkplates" after Sony issued a cease-and-desist letter earlier in the year threatening legal action over alleged design and trademark violations. Visit Dbrand's product page now and you'll only see links to news stories and testimonials.

Dbrand isn't going down quietly. In a Reddit thread, the company claimed it was submitting to the "terrorists' demands... for now." It believed customers had the right to modify hardware with third-party components, and speculated that Sony might be clamping down so that it can either sell its own covers or charge licensing fees. The company didn't definitively say it planned to resume sales, but did say it would "talk soon."

Whatever Dbrand's intentions, this takes away a major option (though not your only option) for customizing the PS5. The question is whether or not Sony can completely halt third-party faceplate sales. After all, the faceplates are designed to be easily removable and aren't much more than plastic sheets. Dbrand likened this to replacing a broken F-150 truck bumper with an aftermarket part  you have the right to choose the parts you use for fixes or cosmetic upgrades, and Ford can't sue simply because you're using an unofficial bumper. It won't be surprising if there's an eventual court battle over Sony's policy.
More than 240 metro stations across Moscow now allow passengers to pay for a ride by looking at a camera. The Moscow metro has launched what authorities say is the first mass-scale deployment of a facial recognition payment system. According to The Guardian, passengers can access the payment option called FacePay by linking their photo, bank card and metro card to the system via the Mosmetro app. "Now all passengers will be able to pay for travel without taking out their phone, Troika or bank card," Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin tweeted.

   #    ,   , ""   .  Face Pay      240 . pic.twitter.com/8x4xeFkbqW    (@MosSobyanin) October 14, 2021

In the official Moscow website's announcement, the country's Department of Transport said all Face Pay information will be encrypted. The cameras at the designated turnstyles will read a passenger's biometric key only, and authorities said information collected for the system will be stored in data centers that can only be accessed by interior ministry staff. Moscow's Department of Information Technology has also assured users that photographs submitted to the system won't be handed over to the cops.

Still, privacy advocates are concerned over the growing use of facial recognition in the city. Back in 2017, officials added facial recognition tech to the city's 170,000 security cameras as part of its efforts to ID criminals on the street. Activists filed a case against Moscow's Department of Technology a few years later in hopes of convincing the courts to ban the use of the technology. However, a court in Moscow sided with the city, deciding that its use of facial recognition does not violate the privacy of citizens. Reuters reported earlier this year, though, that those cameras were also used to identify protesters who attended rallies.

Stanislav Shakirov, the founder of Roskomsvoboda, a group that aims to protect Russians' digital rights, said in a statement:

"We are moving closer to authoritarian countries like China that have mastered facial technology. The Moscow metro is a government institution and all the data can end up in the hands of the security services."

Meanwhile, the European Parliament called on lawmakers in the EU earlier this month to ban automated facial recognition in public spaces. It cited evidence that facial recognition AI can still misidentify PoCs, members of the LGBTI+ community, seniors and women at higher rates. In the US, local governments are banning the use of the technology in public spaces, including statewide bans by Massachusetts and Maine. Four Democratic lawmakers also proposed a bill to ban the federal government from using facial recognition.
Enid, OK (73701)

Today

Windy with a mix of clouds and sun. High around 60F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 39F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
I grew up hearing that my grandfather, Frank Orr, had the idea for the call sign of KTSA radio that originated with the slogan, Come to San Antonio. Can you verify this family lore?

 Tom Lee, Hondo

Early commercial radio was terrible for all concerned. For listeners because the signals drifted in and out of static, and it was rare to be able to hear an entire program. For performers because they usually didnt get paid except in nonexistent exposure bucks. For station owners because they werent really commercial  few businesses wanted to pay for advertising time on such a dysfunctional medium.

Yet people bought radio sets in the early 1920s  from a $1.50 crystal set (headphones extra) to hundreds of dollars for a receiver, tuner, battery, amplifiers, loudspeaker and aerials (from set-top loops to buried cables) to hear not-very-exciting content that must have seemed like magic because of the novelty of voices over the air.

The first two commercial broadcasters in San Antonio are still with us: KTSA and WOAI, which made their on-air debuts months apart. Both hung on as hopeful businesses thanks to vertical integration and partnerships, until reception and content got better.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio bandleader worked hard on and off the dance floor

KTSA began in April 1922 as KCAR on West Evergreen Street, the project of four tinkerer/engineer types who had been obsessed with radio for years. Headed by John C. Rodriguez, a native San Antonian who had been a radio specialist during World War I, they started out with a hybrid model  broadcasting, selling radios and developing new technology. Within a few months, Alamo Radio moved the studio to a Main Avenue address while keeping the laboratory on Evergreen. KCARs license from the federal government allowed them to broadcast three times a week, two hours at a time.

In September 1922, a successful local business, G.A.C. Halffs Southern Equipment company, entered the radio business and started WOAI. The wholesale company had been founded a few years earlier to sell automobile parts and accessories, branching out to electrical supplies in 1921 and radios the next year. Southern Equipment teamed up with the San Antonio Express-News, which provided news headlines in exchange for promotion of developing stories and features. (The newspaper publisher soon established its own station, WJAE.)

Before the emergence of national networks to provide programming, local stations had to come up with their own ways to fill those hours.

Musicians of varying quality, from high school ensembles to regional stars, came on to promote their next appearance. Agricultural extension agents gave farming tips, and home economists shared recipes. Preachers led devotions to increase awareness of their churches. KCAR originated what may have been the first humor program anywhere  Elephant Antics, to support a 1925 fundraising campaign to keep two pachyderms at the San Antonio Zoo.

Meanwhile, the national trend of boosterism  promoting a citys image to attract new business or tourism  had come to San Antonio. The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations, including the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, worked hard to attract conventions and visitors with slogans like San Antonio: Where the Sunshine Spends the Winter, seen on billboards, on railroad sidings and in publications distributed nationwide.

The local radio stations, which each had a surprising reach at that time, took their part in the boost-San Antonio campaign.

KCAR, in its first year, had a broadcast radius of 1,500 to 2,000 miles and was one of the most powerful stations in this part of the country. It received letters from listeners who had heard at least snippets of their programs from as far away as California, Kansas and Maryland (even if they had to use two stage amplifiers to do so). As the official radio station of the San Antonio Light newspaper, KCAR/KTSA regularly solicited and printed those letters in the newspaper.

On ExpressNews.com: Roaring 20's club kept big-band sound popular

WOAI quickly overtook the slightly elder station with a taller tower and greater power  known by the 1930s from Oklahoma to Mexico as the Blowtorch.

So, it wasnt a waste of time to beat the drum for their hometown with every station identification. Each station could woo sponsors by indicating that they were speaking to listeners well beyond San Antonio.

Announcers on WOAI used Halffs pitch to winter Texans: From San Antonio, Texas, Americas winter playground. KCAR, renamed KTSA in 1926, invited hearers to Come to San Antonio.

Before the call sign changed, the Light had suggested it in a front-page story, Jan. 3, 1925, proposing a municipal radio station to be known as KTSA, which could then be announced as Come to San Antonio where the sunshine spends the winter or other appropriate slogan that would attract attention.

The article was part of a short series asking readers for similar big ideas that would improve the city as a whole. The Light was looking for a dozen or 15 more ideas from ordinary citizens and promised that the name of the author of the radio idea would accompany it when it is published with the others. Unfortunately, either San Antonians didnt come up with enough good ideas or bigger news pushed them off the Lights pages and the radio author remained anonymous.

Frank J. Orr  a marketing guy who served as a district officer of the American Advertising Federation, was active in the Chamber and served on the Fiesta Commission  seems like someone who might well have come up with the call sign that represented the invitation. Except that Orr (1897-1934) was sales manager for Southern Equipment, owner of WOAI, not KCAR/KTSA. (By the way, WOAI was grandfathered into keeping its eastern W since it was founded and named the year before the federal rule dividing the Ws and the Ks down the middle of the country.)

Adding a further layer of complication, Rodriguez and his partners in Alamo Radio, took in more investors, enlarged their company into the Rio Grande Valley and re-emerged as the Southern Radio Corp.  no relation to Southern Equipment.

On ExpressNews.com: Shadowland was Prohibition-era San Antonio casino and speakeasy

So maybe Orr  who died of accidental drowning years after moving to Austin for another sales job  came up with the winter playground slogan for WOAI, rather than the KTSA call sign for the competitor, and his contribution has been blurred with the static of time and memory. Or maybe he was just a bubbly creative who gave away a good idea to someone he met at some boosterish activity  and named an institution that has lasted nearly a century.

historycolumn@yahoo.com | Twitter: @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
Redistricting tends to be a complex process, but its core mission is a simple one: restoring the population balance between districts after a decade of uneven growth.

Its a redistribution of constituents that is necessary to maintain the principle of one-person, one-vote. If done properly, these shifts can be executed without damaging the identities of individual districts or breaking up communities of interests.

In San Antonio, municipal redistricting inevitably means pulling precincts out of North Side districts and dropping them into districts inside Loop 410.

Its striking how much San Antonios growth patterns repeat themselves from one decade to another.

Ten years ago, when U.S. census numbers came in, District 8, on the Northwest Side, had the largest population in the city: 159,578. District 5, on the near West Side, had the smallest population: 106,608.

District 8s population was about 27,000 above the City Council district average, while District 5 was about 26,000 below the average.

On Oct. 6, council members got a briefing on the latest census results, and once again District 8 and District 5 are the ones most out of balance.

In order to balance things out, District 8 would need to shed about 26,000 people, while District 5 would need to gain about 24,000.

For all the talk about the 2010s being the Decade of Downtown, for all the public incentives heaped on private developers to build housing in the center city area, the two San Antonio districts whose populations have lagged the most (Districts 1 and 5) are firmly based in the urban core.

San Antonio was built originally with a city center and then a 410 surrounding that, so youve got this donut, District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez said.

But if you look at the development itself and the trends, everybody moved to the North Side. So youve got this super-high concentration up there, and its due to three things: new infrastructure, the best school district in the city, and a high concentration of jobs and a university up there.

So the city is now this oblong egg shape. Thats not really sustainable, nor does it really respect the one-person, one-vote idea that there needs to be equal representation among all San Antonians.

When you consider that 40 years ago, the average San Antonio council district had 78,000 people and Pelaezs district currently holds nearly 170,000, its easy to come to two conclusions:

This city needs to seriously consider putting a charter amendment on the 2023 municipal ballot that would add new council districts; and District 8, in its present configuration, creates some overwhelming constituent-service challenges for its council representative.

Theres also the geographic sprawl of the district, which stretches from slightly north of Loop 410 all the way up to Fair Oaks Ranch.

The character of the neighborhoods, and the needs of the neighborhoods are very different on the west side of my district versus the east side of my district. And theyre very different on the north side versus the south side, Pelaez said.

It really puts a stress on us because we are fielding phone calls and requests that vary so much in type and nature.

The 13-member advisory committee tasked with helping to shape the new maps will surely look at the possibility of giving some of District 8s southern precincts to District 1, which stretches from downtown up to an area just north of Loop 410.

There will also likely be some discussion about moving at least part of the Medical Center from District 8 to District 7, which is represented by Ana Sandoval. District 7s northern edge inched closer to the Medical Center during the citys last redistricting process.

While Pelaezs map will soon be shrinking, freshman District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo can expect her district to expand.

Most likely, some of those new constituents will come from far West neighborhoods in the overpopulated District 6.

In a statement to the Express-News, Castillo approached redistricting as a facet of her effort to address social and economic inequality in the city.

Castillo pointed out that census data often undercounts working poor areas.

She added: Whether District 5 absorbs the entire 78207 census tract or all of Edgewood ISD, I look forward to continuing to advocate for just and fair funding to meet the entire districts community need.

Whether its because of the nonpartisan nature of city politics or the relative simplicity of dealing with only 10 districts, San Antonios redistricting process rarely gets contentious and never seems to encounter legal challenges. The task is clear, just like it was a decade ago: The citys districts, like its residents, will be shifting north.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
Last November, Dorian Abbot, a geophysicist at the University of Chicago, posted a series of slide presentations on YouTube making a case against the use of group identity as a primary criterion in selection processes. He was immediately targeted for cancellation.

So Robert Zimmer, Chicagos magnificent president (now chancellor), stepped in with a clear statement of support for academic freedom. The controversy evaporated.

Then, in August, Abbot and a co-writer published an op-ed in Newsweek making the case that diversity, equity and inclusion policies violate the ethical and legal principle of equal treatment. It led to another cancellation campaign, this time in protest of his invitation to deliver the prestigious Carlson Lecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was going to speak about Climate and the Potential for Life on Other Planets.

This time, the campaign worked. As Abbot has detailed, a department chair called to tell him the school would be canceling the lecture in order to avoid controversy.

The two episodes are a stark illustration of the difference between the culture of intellectual courage nurtured by Zimmer and the Coward Culture at work at MIT and other institutions ostensibly invested in the cause of free expression.

Its also a reminder that our universities are failing at the task of educating students in the habits of a free mind. Instead, they are becoming islands of illiberal ideology and factories of moral certitude, more often at war with the values of liberal democracy than in their service.

Ive been thinking about all this while reading What Universities Owe Democracy by Johns Hopkins Universitys president, Ronald Daniels. Full disclosure: Im on the board of overseers of Hopkins SNF Agora Institute, and he is a personal friend. Dont hold it too much against him: This is an exceptionally important, insistently reasonable, delightfully readable book, even if his views sometimes differ from mine.

Daniels core point is that, at their best, universities serve as escalators for social mobility, educators for democratic citizenship, stewards of fact and expertise, and forums for purposeful pluralism  the expression and contest of ideas. Thats the role higher ed has played for generations, helping to fulfill George Washingtons dream of schooling that would assemble the youth of every part under such circumstances, as will, by the freedom of intercourse and collision of sentiment, give to their minds the direction of truth, philanthropy and mutual conciliation.

Yet on each point, Daniels correctly argues, higher education now falls short. Legacy preferences in admissions perpetuate a system of class privilege at the expense of less-pedigreed applicants. Academic specialization has left universities increasingly indifferent to questions of civics. A reproducibility crisis  i.e., an explosion of junk science  has helped produce a crisis of faith in the trustworthiness of scientific experts and their conclusions.

And, perhaps most serious of all, an unmistakable pulse of dogmatism has surfaced on campus. Though Daniels doesnt think theres a full-blown speech crisis on campus, he recognizes that something is badly amiss when, according to a 2020 Knight Foundation survey, 63 percent of college students feel the climate on their campus prevents some people from saying things they believe because others might find them offensive.

Its hard to argue with Daniels solutions. End, once and for all, legacy admissions. Institute a democracy requirement in school curricula. Enhance openness in science and reform the peer-review process. Curb self-segregation in university housing. Create spaces for engagement and foster the practices of reasoned disagreement and energetic debate.

All essential proposals  and all the more necessary in an era of right-wing populism and left-wing illiberalism. Still, Id add two items to Daniels list of what universities owe democracy.

The first is an undiluted and unapologetic commitment to intellectual excellence. What spurred Dorian Abbot to action was a comment from a colleague that if you are just hiring the best people, you are part of the problem. But if universities arent putting excellence above every other consideration, they arent helping democracy. They are weakening it by contributing to the democratic tendency toward groupthink and the mediocrity that can come from trying to please the majority.

The second is courage. Most university administrators, I suspect, would happily subscribe on paper to principles such as free expression. Their problem, as in Abraham Lincolns parable of a runaway soldier, isnt with their intentions. I have as brave a heart as Julius Caesar ever had, says the soldier of Lincolns telling, but, somehow or other, whenever danger approaches, my cowardly legs will run away with it. Right now, we have an epidemic of cowardly legs.

Courage isnt a virtue thats easily taught, especially in universities, but sometimes it can be modeled. After Abbots talk was canceled at MIT, conservative Princeton University professor Robert George offered to host the lecture instead; it is scheduled for Oct. 21 on Zoom.

Courage begins with de-cancellation. Wisdom, thanks to books such as Daniels, can then take wing.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Generally cloudy. High 47F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 26F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
WASHINGTON  Duane Garvais-Lawrence pulled into Washington, D.C., Friday, ending his second annual coast-to-coast trip to bring attention to the problem of missing and murdered Indigenous women  a trip he hopes he does not have to make again.

The blood on this RV  is on Americas conscience, Garvais-Lawrence said of the red names of victims written on the side of the vehicle. Enough is enough.

Garvais-Lawrence left Washington state on July 18 and has spent the months since driving from reservation to reservation as part of his MMIW Bike Run USA. At each stop along the way, he and others who joined him on the trek would bike, run and pray to raise awareness of the issue  and at each stop, they would add names of victims to the side of the motor home in red ink.

Included in those names were Dande S. Parks and Tashing Shepherd of Arizona.

There are probably few American Indians that havent been touched by MMIW, said Patricia Hibbeler, chief executive officer for the Phoenix Indian Center and a member of the states Study Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

If its not somebody in our family, we know of someone  or relative of someone  that sadly has been murdered or missing, she said.

The committee Hibbeler served on was created by lawmakers in 2019 to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how this state can reduce and end violence against indigenous women and girls. It painted a grim picture of the situation.

More than 80% of Native American women, or more than 1.5 million people, have experienced violence in their lifetimes and 56% suffered sexual violence, the report said. One in three had experienced violence in the past three years.

Indigenous women were 1.2 times more likely than non-Hispanic white women to experience violence in their lifetimes and 1.7 times more likely to have experienced it in the previous year.

But the first problem for advocates is that no one is exactly sure how large the problem is.

There are a lot of problems with the data, said Hibbeler, adding that missing indigenous people are underrepresented and underreported by law enforcement and government agencies across the country.

Rep. Jennifer Jermaine, D-Chandler, said part of the problem is that police do not always identify victims as Native American  or are reluctant to ask.

We dont have an exact number because theres racial misclassification in the databases, that law enforcement agencies keep, said Jermaine, who chaired the study committee.

The report also found that more than half of family members and survivors did not think law enforcement agencies across the board  federal, state, local or tribal  were helpful in their cases. Hibbeler said racism plays a large role in how aggressively police respond to MMIW cases.

Police response is a concern for Raymond Cavanaugh, a member of the Spirit Lake Nation in South Dakota, who joined Garvais-Lawrence a couple of weeks ago, biking and running in several Indian reservations before arriving in D.C.

Officers are shorthanded on the reservation, Cavanaugh said Friday. Theres usually only one officer responsible for the safety of thousands of people.

Cavanaugh, Garvais-Lawrence and others met Friday with Bryan Newland, the assistant secretary for Indian affairs at Interior, to discuss ideas to support the MMIW movement. Those ideas ranged from law enforcement accreditation and increased resources for tribal police, to policy changes that would not count losses in MMIW cases against an attorneys prosecutorial record.

Jeff Stiffarm, a tribal council member from the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana, said another possible solution would be to lift the 48-hour waiting period before a person can be reported missing.

Law enforcement waits 48 hours before they consider someone missing, Stiffarm said. But a lot can happen in those 48 hours and thats why theyre never caught.

Jermaine said that change came to Arizona this week, with a new law that does away with the 48-hour waiting period when it comes to missing children  of any race, gender or ethnicity.

Under the legislation, police who receive a missing child report are required to file it to state and national databases within two hours, and follow it within 30 days with more detailed information, including recent photos and dental records, when possible. Authorities are not allowed to remove the information from any database until the child is found or the case is closed.

This is a significant shift in how these cases have been approached in the past, Jermaine said. The waiting period can play into cases going cold.

She said there have been other recent breakthroughs. On Thursday, Jermaine said, police in Fort Worth, Texas, arrested a suspect in the disappearance of Tanya Begay, who was last seen on the Navajo Nation in 2017. For years, law enforcement had no leads in her disappearance.

Hibbeler said there are other hopeful signs, if for no other reason than people are now paying attention to the issue. In addition to the study group, she said, the Phoenix Indian Center offers awareness sessions throughout the year and classes on making red-ribbon dresses in remembrance of missing women.

Garvais-Lawrence created a GoFundMe account to raise funds to help families and groups that he met along the way. He said he supports other awareness efforts, because the issue is so important.

Too important, Cavanaugh said, to stop pushing on the issue.

You wouldnt want your body wrapped and dumped somewhere, he said. These families want justice and we must get it.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
The situation on pig farms across the country remains 'critical' despite the government's support package for the industry announced earlier this week.

The National Pig Association (NPA) estimates that between 120,000 and 150,000 pigs are currently backed up on farms, leading to welfare culls.

It comes as the government said it would allow 800 overseas pork butchers into the UK on temporary visas to help stem the industry's chronic labour shortage.

Butchers working in abattoirs and processing plants will be allowed to arrive into the country to work for six months, Defra said on Thursday evening.

Environment Secretary George Eustice explained that 800 butchers were needed to meet staffing shortages and get the pig industry's crisis under control.

While the NPA has welcomed the governments support package, it warned that the situation on many farms 'remains critical'.

The trade body said the measures needed to be "implemented promptly and effectively to bring about real improvement."

The latest Defra figures show that pig slaughterings in September were down 13% down on a year ago at 792,000 head, 137,000 fewer than September 2020, as staff shortages, particularly of skilled butchers, badly hampered throughput in processing plants.

The September figures are also 15 percent down on August and 16 percent on July, according to the department.

The labour issues in processing plants has seen some processors cut back on pig numbers by about 25% per week since August.

The NPA warned this meant more pigs were "backing up on farm, getting bigger, taking up extra space and costing a lot more to feed at a time when costs are at record levels."

Some farms have used up all of their contingency plans and run out of space, leaving them with no option but to cull healthy animals to ease space pressures.

The NPA said around 6,600 healthy pigs that had been culled and disposed of so far.

The situation on farms is highlighted by the rapid rise in average carcase weights. AHDB figures show that, in early October, GB average carcase weights stood at just short of 91kg, 4kg above 2020 levels and more than 4.5kg above the average in early August.

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said the industry had a 'long way to go' before the crisis was over. "The situation on many farms is still critical so we must not stop now.

From what we have seen so far, we believe that the package of measures - if implemented swiftly - can help to ease the backlog and the sooner the better.

"We are pleased that the government now fully understands our concerns and is committed to working with us and the supply chain to ease the situation.

We will keep a close eye on how the measures are implemented and will also look to ensure the financial burden of clearing the backlog is shared evenly across the supply chain.
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critic's rating: 4.0/5

History tells us that on March 13, 1940, Michael ODwyer (Shaun Scott) , former Lt governor of the Punjab province, was shot dead by Sardar Udham Singh (Vicky Kaushal). ODwyer gave the orders to General Dyer on April 13, 1919 to teach the revolutionaries a lesson they wont forget. Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of around 10.000 people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, which resulted in thousands getting wounded and killed. Udham Singh witnesses the atrocity first hand and vows to avenge the tragedy. But as the film points out, it wasnt just a simple murder. Udham could have safely killed ODwyer before as he got plenty of opportunities. He chose to do it at a public place, at Caxton Hall, when ODwyer was making a speech on how the British presence has been beneficial for the Indian savages. The assasination was a mark of protest against British imperialism.

Udham, though elder to Bhagat Singh (Amol Parashar) by some years, nevertheless looks up to the firebrand revolutionary. He joins Bhagat Singhs Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and in the film is known to procure guns and ammunition for them. After Bhagat Singhs death in 1931, he shifts abroad, and acts as a solo agent of sorts for Indian freedom fighters, arranging for funds and guns from such far off places such as America, Russia, Spain and Germany. He maintains several passports and aliases, takes up a number of professions like film extra, lingerie salesman, welder, stationary merchant and basically eludes the British secret police for a number of years before exacting his revenge. Hes shown to be close to an English woman, Eileen (Kirsty Averton), who had ties with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Udham meets the IRA functionaries in London and convinces them their struggle and his struggle are the same. All these aspects are faithfully reconstructed by director Shoojit Sircar. Not much is known about this historic figure. Sircar helps us gain an insight into the mind of this shadow revolutionary. In one scene, he asks the Scotland Yard officer (Stephen Hogan), when questioned about Bhagat Singh, What were you doing when you were 23?. In another instance, he states that our scriptures say that a mans youth lays the foundation for his life. Meri jawani ka koi matlab bana, he asks. He gives a drunken speech in what supposedly is Hyde Park about freedom and free speech, which illuminates his worldview about what a revolutionary truly is -- a man fighting for the rights of everyone on this earth, demanding equality for every citizen, irrespective of religious and national boundaries.

Sircar spends close to 45 minutes in the latter half of the film recreating the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in all its gory detail. This segment makes for a difficult watch, but watch it we must to understand why Udham Singh kept the fire of vengeance burning in his heart for 20 years. Udham is shown caring for the victims who are still alive, getting them water, carting them around to the hospital in a thela, doing it again and again till he drops down from sheer exhaustion. Koi zinda hai, he asks, and you get goosebumps. This is Sircars most poignant cinematic achievement. He doesnt give the viewer any mercy, making them feel as helpless, as numb as Udham. No words are necessary after this. The images haunt you and will continue to haunt your dreams in days to come.

The art direction, cinematography, sound design are all world class. Its as if Sircar has somehow transported us back in time. The non-linear narration too works in the films favour. The film is close to three hours long but never once you feel bored. All the technical finesse in the world holds no meaning if the actors dont do their job. The film rests on Vicky Kaushals able shoulders and hes given his soul to playing Udham Singh. Its his best performance till date. He showcases all the shades of the character he portrays, baring it all and makes us experience every aspect of Udham Singh -- be it his revolutionary zeal, the love and respect he has for Bhagat Singh, the agony created by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the loneliness of his secret quest. And all this is done through subtle changes of expression, of body language. He isnt loud even once in the film, letting his eyes and silences convey the hidden depths of the character he portrays.

We seldom make biopics as good as these. After giving us Udham Singh, maybe Shoojit Sircar should give us Bhagat Singh next. This film deserved a theatrical release and we hope the makers give a thought towards that in near future.

Trailer : Sardar Udham
RICHMOND HILL, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 15, 2021 / Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX:HBP) ("Helix" or the "Company"), an immuno-oncology company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, announced today that it anticipates the filing of its annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, annual information form and related officer certifications for the financial year ended July 31, 2021 (collectively, the "Annual Filings") will be delayed beyond the required filing deadline under Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("NI 51-102") and pursuant to National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings, being October 29, 2021 (the "Filing Deadline").

In light of the Company's recent change of auditor, previously announced on June 24, 2021 and the departure of the Company's long tenured CEO & CSO effective September 1, 2021, in order to ensure that all internal and audit controls are properly executed, the Company has determined that it will not be able to complete the audit and file the Annual Filings by the Filing Deadline. The Company intends to work closely with its auditor and expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible, and in any event no later than November 19, 2021. The Company currently does not anticipate any delay in filing its interim financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and the related officer certifications for the interim financial period ended October 31, 2021, before the required filing deadline under NI 51-102, being December 15, 2021.

The Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The Company has made an application to the Ontario Securities Commission, as principal regulator of the Company, for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under NP 12-203 in respect of the anticipated default regarding the Annual Filings. The granting of the MCTO is at the discretion of the Ontario Securities Commission. The issuance of the MCTO generally will not affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade in their securities. In the event that the MCTO is granted, it will be in effect until the default is remedied.

The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines set out in NP 12-203, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases, for as long as the Company remains in default. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release that there is no insolvency proceeding against it and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

About Helix BioPharma Corp.

Helix BioPharma Corp. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing unique therapies in the field of immune-oncology for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on our proprietary technological platform DOS47. Helix is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "HBP".

For more information, please contact:

Helix BioPharma Corp.

9120 Leslie Street, Suite 205

Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3J9

Tel: 905-841-2300 x 233

Frank Michalargias, Chief Financial Officer

ir@helixbiopharma.com

Investor Relations

Alpha Bronze, LLC

Mr. Pascal Nigen

Phone: + 1 (917) 385-2160

helix@alphabronze.net

Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements and information that are not historical facts but instead include financial projections and estimates, statements regarding plans, goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to the Company's future business, operations, research and development, including the Company's activities relating to DOS47, and statements regarding management's expectation that it will miss the Filing Deadline for the Annual Filings and that it will be able to file the Annual Filings within the time period described herein. Forward-looking statements can further be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "ongoing", "estimates", "expects", or the negative thereof or any other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results, or that events or conditions "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved, or comparable terminology referring to future events or results.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are also uncertain. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements, including financial outlooks, are intended to provide information about management's current plans and expectations regarding future operations, including without limitation, future financing requirements, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Certain material factors, estimates or assumptions have been applied in making forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to the Company's ability to file the Annual Filings within the time period described herein.

The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the risk that the Company may be unable to file the Annual Filings in the proposed timeframe; the risk that the Company's assumptions may prove to be incorrect; the risk that additional financing may not be obtainable in a timely manner, or at all, and that clinical trials may not commence or complete within anticipated timelines or the anticipated budget or may fail; third party suppliers of necessary services or of drug product and other materials may fail to perform or be unwilling or unable to supply the Company, which could cause delay or cancellation of the Company's research and development activities; necessary regulatory approvals may not be granted or may be withdrawn; the Company may not be able to secure necessary strategic partner support; general economic conditions, intellectual property and insurance risks; changes in business strategy or plans; and other risks and uncertainties referred to elsewhere in this news release, any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or the Company's anticipated future results. Certain of these risks and uncertainties, and others affecting the Company, are more fully described in the Company's annual management's discussion and analysis for the year ended July 31, 2020 under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" and Helix's Annual Information Form, in particular under the headings "Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", and other reports filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements and information are based on the beliefs, assumptions, opinions and expectations of Helix's management on the date of this new release, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Helix BioPharma Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668443/Helix-BioPharma-CorpAnnounces-Delay-of-Annual-Filings
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Union (EU) is convening a high-level global event aimed at shining the spotlight on the formidable contributions of women in society, exchanging best policy practices to accelerate women's empowerment and showcasing political, business and society leaders who are championing gender equality in the workplace.

The hybrid event, entitled 'Women and career progression: How to fully harness human potential' is taking place on 22 October 2021 at the Women's Pavilion by Expo 2020 Dubai and in partnership with the Embassies of Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Commissariat General of Italy for Expo 2020 Dubai and UN Women.

The event is bringing together government leaders, business executives, civil society actors, philanthropists, media representatives and storytellers from across the globe, including Mr. Stefan Schleuning, Head of Unit at the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI); H.E. Mona Ghanim Al-Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council; HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, philanthropist and advocate for gender equality at Alwaleed Philanthropies; Krister Nilsson, State Secretary to Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs of Sweden, Mateja Ribic, State Secretary to Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia and Hayla Ghazal, YouTube vlogger, entrepreneur and UN Change Ambassador, among others.

Speaking in the lead up to the event, H.E. Andrea Matteo Fontana, EU Ambassador to the UAE and EU Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai said: 'Gender equality is a core value of the EU and a fundamental right. We are proud that the EU is a global leader in gender parity. However, women continue to be under-represented in the labour market and decision-making positions both in politics and business and they still carry a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work - which has been accentuated by the pandemic.'

He further added: 'We are looking forward to a great exchange with inspirational leaders and changemakers from around the world to discuss how to accelerate women's career progression to unlock human potential and build prosperous societies for all. We are also excited to partner with the Women's Pavilion by Expo 2020 Dubai, which is the first pavilion in Expo's history solely dedicated to women.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director, UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC said: "UN Women is proud of its partnership with the EU to advance women's economic empowerment and career progression. At Expo2020, gender equality and women's rights are at the forefront and our message about women's economic empowerment is clear: the world needs strong participation and leadership from women in all fields to build more robust economies, and more inclusive and equitable societies, especially in a post COVID-19 world."

Gender inequality, if left unchanged, undermines global economic stability. Investment in women empowerment reaps rewards across generations, communities and countries, reshaping societies and unlocking women's full potential. As a society, the onus lies with each one of us. We must all continue to work collaboratively to achieve gender parity. In doing so, we continue to challenge social and cultural norms, all whilst contributing to the development of a sustainable economy where no woman is left behind.', said Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed Saud AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies.

To join the conversation virtually, you can register on:

Online Registration Form (123formbuilder.com)

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 130th Canton Fair.

In his letter, Xi noted that the Fair made significant contributions to facilitating international trade, internal-external exchanges, and economic development since its founding in 1957.

Facing global changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the world economy and trade are undergoing profound transformations. The Canton Fair, therefore, should help foster China's new development paradigm, innovate its mechanism, create more business models, and expand its role to become a vital platform for the country's opening-up on all fronts, Xi said.

This platform should also help advance the high-quality development of global trade and facilitate the "dual circulation" of domestic and overseas markets. China is willing to join hands with all other nations and practice real multilateralism to build a world economy featuring high-level openness, Xi said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 130th Canton Fair and the Pearl River International Trade Forum in China's southern city of Guangzhou. He said China's development is propelled by opening-up and reform, and the country will share its development opportunities with the world to achieve better development.

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister Patrick Achi and Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan attended the ceremony via video link.

Premier Li said the history of the Canton Fair is a history of China's opening-up and integration into the world economy, and also a history of enterprises from all over the world sharing China's development opportunities and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

Foreign leaders spoke highly of the Canton Fair's role in promoting international trade and facilitating the global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era. They expressed their confidence in China's economic development prospects and said that they will encourage companies from their countries to expand cooperation in China to better share China's development opportunities.

After the opening ceremony, Premier Li inspected some domestic and foreign exhibition halls and listened to their briefings on businesses. In the end of the inspection, Premier Li said he hopes the Fair can scale new heights in advancing win-win cooperation and sustainable development.

Please visit: https://fbuyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/account/new-buyer/register for more opportunities

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How A Small Pharmacy Became a Big Perfume House: Discover More About O Boticario.

Columns

When the 1970s arrived, many new developments gained speed all over the world, and women's empowerment took women out of the home, placing them in the labor market in positions that were previously destined exclusively for men.

New musical styles and new philosophies of life emerged, in which reconnection with oneself was the basic rule. The modus operandi of humanity begins to tolerate experimentation and free love, and everything that was offered to experience in life was valid. Social and artistic movements helped shape this new way of thinking, like pop art, for example.

Mass consumption becomes even more significant at this time, due to the new rich popping into the world like never before, driven by the economic bubbles of stock exchanges around the world.

It is in this setting where, in 1977, a new compounding pharmacy appears in Curitiba, the capital of the state of Parana, Brazil, discreet and humble. With a small initial investment of approximately 3,000 US dollars, pharmacist Miguel Krisgner opened this small pharmacy that, due to the quality of moisturizing creams with additions such as collagen and elastin, would become the great perfumery house known to Brazil and the world as O Boticario.

O Boticario ('the apothecary') is the perfect name to translate Miguel's alchemist spirit, but he also shows his capability of putting love into little pots. The fact is that Miguel realized his true love was cosmetics, and so the first creams he created were a collagen-based cream, an elastin cream for stretch marks, a shampoo, and a seaweed bath. The word of mouth marketing proved robust, and soon the pharmacy began to attract more and more lovers of those unique formulations.

It didn't take long for everything to move towards the launch of the brand's first fragrance, which came in the iconic amphora-shaped bottle that is now one of O Boticario registered trademarks.

So from a dream of a pharmacist in love with what he did, the great Brazilian perfumery brand O Boticario was born. In 1979, the small pharmacy became a store with a broader range of products and received the name O Boticario. The enthusiastic endorsements by the customers themselves make the business increasingly profitable.

In 1982, in addition to the adult audience, O Boticario decided to reach out to the children's audience with a cute line named Dr. Botica.

Three popular O Boticario perfumes:

Acqua Fresca

During the 1980s, fresh and floral fragrances were the brands' greatest successes; perfumes such as Annete, Acqua Fresca, and Lavanda Pop became icons in Brazilian tastes. And some more complex fragrances like Connexion, Zingara, Cecita, and Exuberance marked the nights with their dense and charged pyramids.

In 1985, the brand already had more than 900 points of sale throughout Brazil, and that same year, the 1000th store was inaugurated, confirming what everyone already knew: O Boticario was a success.

In 1987, O Boticario took its first step beyond Brazilian borders and opened its first store in Portugal, in the city of Lisbon, and soon became a great success in other European countries as well.

In the 1990s, the O Boticario Foundation was created to take care of the world and preserve nature with concrete actions within the national territory.

Floratta In Blue

During this period, other fragrances that became timeless classics were created, such as Floratta in Blue, Tuareg, Kalanit, Quasar, and Dreams, with a touch of lightness and sophistication typical of the 1990s.

Malbec

And in 2002, O Boticario started its online activities, becoming the most significant national network of distribution and sale of cosmetics in Brazil with more than 2 thousand stores. It was precisely in this period that one of the most successful lines of the brand appeared, mixing enology and perfumery techniques to create Malbec.

Thus, O Boticario continues to this day, offering Brazil and the world countless launches of sophisticated and innovative fragrances that suit all tastes and audiences and showing itself as one of the greatest promoters of perfumery in Latin America.





Photos courtesy of O Boticario


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Carla Peoples covers the social and nonprofit scene in Galveston. Her column appears in the weekend edition. Contact her at cstayhouston@sbcglobal.net with Seaside Scenes in the subject line.
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The Jewish High Holiday season is now behind us, but we are well-served to remember the lessons it teaches us throughout the rest of the year.

Each new year of the Hebrew calendar begins with Rosh Hashanah, followed by a period of 10 days called aseret y'mei teshuvah, the Ten Days of Repentance. This is an ideal time to repent from undesirable behavior and commit to doing differently in the coming year. In the traditional imagination, the book of our lives is open during this time and changes can still be made.

The culmination of these 10 days is Yom Kippur, most commonly translated as the Day of Atonement. On this day, it is possible that God will grant us atonement for our wrongdoings. We demonstrate our sincerity and our commitment to change for the better through solemn prayer and by afflicting our souls  fasting all day and forgoing the comfortable niceties of daily living.

But importantly, I've deliberately avoided using the word forgiveness in this context. There is an all-too-common understanding that the purpose of repentance is to effect forgiveness from those whom we've wronged, and that once forgiven, it is as if harm was never done at all.

However, the Jewish perspective is that when it comes to apologizing and repenting, coming to be forgiven is either so challenging that it ranks as a secondary goal, a luxury we might not be afforded, or so certain as to be almost trivial. Regardless, the focus is on our actions in the real world, not on the illusive status of being forgiven or unforgiven for what we've done.

An important passage in the Mishnah, the first major work of rabbinic literature from the early 3rd century CE, reads, For transgressions between a person and God, Yom Kippur atones; however, for transgressions between a person and another, Yom Kippur does not atone until one appeases the other person. Crucially, this text portrays God's role in the process as quite straightforward.

In the Talmud, the generations of rabbinic commentary that followed the Mishnah, the understanding is that all it takes to be forgiven by God is words, an expression of contrition made in good faith, and a commitment to change the offending behavior. But when it comes to interactions with other people, things get much more complicated.

The Mishnah holds that appeasing the other person is essential. But the Talmud follows and points out that humans are fickle by nature; it may not even be possible to properly appease them. This is particularly true when the transgression is personal in nature, like an insult or slight, not something that can be physically repaired or compensated for with money.

This is why achieving forgiveness is not the essence of atonement. Jewish tradition understands atonement, kapparah in Hebrew, not as washing away the wrongdoing or wiping the slate clean, but as making a suitable repair to the damage that's been done. If the relationship between two people is like a wall, and one has made a breach in that wall by hurting the other person, then atonement is like filling and patching that hole. The Hebrew root from which kapparah is derived actually means, to cover over.

What we seek on Yom Kippur, and what we should strive for year round, is to repair and cover over our transgressions against others, such that our relationships can remain standing. While it will never be possible to undo the damage, apologizing, appeasing our fellows, and striving to do better next time are what can allow us to move forward in wholeness.

Rabbi Phil Bressler was ordained in June 2018 by the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Boston, where he also earned his master's in Jewish Studies. He serves as the rabbi of Beit Am-Mid-Willamette Valley Jewish Community in Corvallis.

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Two of Oregons more popular specialty license plates have gotten a redesign this year: the Chinook Salmon plate and the Oregon Cultural Trust plate.

Both are the first revamps since the plates debuted in 1998 and 2003, respectively.

Specialty plates are a way for motorists to rep their favorite aspects of The Beaver State, from Crater Lake National Park to state forests. Proceeds from the sales must also go to a nonprofit organization, according to state law.

The salmon plate is the oldest specialty plate in circulation in Oregon, first issued in February 1998.

Based on Oregon DMV data that runs through September, there have been about 110,000 salmon plates sold throughout Oregon since then. Proceeds from those sales benefit the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, a state agency that works to protect and restore habitats where the species lives and in which it spawns.

The new plate debuted on Sept. 1 and comes courtesy of Newport artist Gretchen Kirchner, depicting a colorful pair of fish swimming along a riverbed. It costs $30 for a set if they are for used vehicles and $60 for new ones. More than 800 Oregonians have purchased the new Chinook Salmon plates in September, according to the DMV.

The new Cultural Trust plate, designed by Eugene muralist Liza Burns, utilizes 127 images embedded in a colorful, rolling vista of hills, mountains, rivers and the ocean in the distance. The images peppered throughout the design range from cultural images and native animals, to shapes of instruments and other artistic tools of trade.

The new design, built on a panorama of Oregon geography, reflects and respects the diversity of our culture at a time we need it most, Cultural Trust Board Chair Niki Price said in a news release about the redesigned plate. Cultural expression is how our communities define themselves  how they live their everyday lives, their traditions, their heritage, their creativity, their celebrations, their values and how they connect with one another. Our culture is the glue that can bind us together as Oregonians.

There have been more than 74,000 Cultural Trust plates sold in Oregon since 2003. Updated numbers of how many have been sold since the redesign debuted on Oct. 1 are not yet available.

Proceeds from the Cultural Trust plates go toward promotion of the Oregon Cultural Tax Credit, which automatically doubles any investment that Oregonians make to a long list of cultural charities and nonprofits throughout the state.

Specialty plates are also available for motorhomes and travel trailers, though prices may vary. Even ham radio operators can get specialty plates.

The most popular specialty plate, by far, is the Crater Lake National Park plate, which has sold nearly 400,000 pairs of plates since 2002. Proceeds from those plates benefit the National Parks maintenance and renovation projects.

Other popular specialty plates include the Pacific Wonderland plate, which features an old-school gold on blue design thats similar to the standard issue plates from 1959 until sometime in the 1970s. It's been issued since 2009, and proceeds from Pacific Wonderland plates benefits the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and the Oregon Historical Society.

Theres also the Gray Whale or Coastal Playground plate, which benefits Oregon State Universitys Marine Mammal Institute in Newport; the Wine Country plates, which benefit the Oregon State Highway Fund; and the Smokey Bear plates, which goes to the Keep Oregon Green Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes wildfire prevention.

Other kinds of plates that differ from the standard Doug fir tree design include so-called group plates, which benefit specific organizations, some of which meet specific criteria before getting the green light for distribution. Plates for veterans fall into this category, as well as plates for state universities and teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers.

All specialty plates can be purchased online at www.dmv2u.oregon.gov/eServices or in-person at your local DMV.

Troy Shinn covers healthcare, natural resources and Linn County government. He can be reached at 541-812-6114 or troy.shinn@lee.net. He can be found on Twitter at @troydshinn.

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Corvallis School District board members decided Thursday night not to mandate a coronavirus vaccine for medically eligible 12- to 18-year-olds but rather encourage voluntary vaccinations  for now.

Currently were not where we want to be, board member Vince Adams said. Were first going to try to reach parity in our vaccination rate through outreach and engagement, and then were going to consider additional measures.

Many community members, parents and students attended the four-hour Zoom meeting to voice their opinions. Some speakers were in favor of a vaccine mandate and many others were opposed, saying it was not the job of the school board to make that type of decision.

One commenter, Ian Downey, referred to the unvaccinated as a minority and intimated they deserve protections.

I dont think the people intended for minorities to be treated this way, Downey said Surely they should be included in the school. It seems that you might be creating an environment that isnt really as inclusive as you intend.

We have cases, but do we have deaths? attendee Lori Marshall asked. What about natural immunity? Can we acknowledge that natural immunity is still a thing?

Other community members spoke up in support of the vaccine mandate.

I felt it was important to speak to you today as I knew you were likely to get a large turnout of dissenting voices that might not be too proportional to actual public sentiment, said Rev. Matt Gough of First Presbyterian Church of Corvallis.

I ask that you not be swayed by a vocal minority and to know that we support you in taking the measures necessary in making the community as safe as possible.

After board members decided to support Superintendent Ryan Noss in his request to investigate a potential vaccine mandate at the Sept. 23 board meeting, Noss spent the next few weeks speaking with local health authorities and community members about the risks and benefits of a vaccine requirement.

Noss had four recommendations to staff:

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The CSD board should direct staff to conduct community engagement by gathering feedback on vaccine hesitancy among equity populations with low vaccination rates Staff should work alongside the Benton County Health Department to engage with communities of color to create greater confidence in the vaccine Staff should continue to provide updated data and information on COVID-19 vaccination rates among students Staff should report to the board on planning and actions related to the vaccination rate changes in communities of color

The board unanimously agreed with and adopted these recommendations.

A vaccine requirement is not off the table but on the table, just not yet, board Chair Sami Al-Abdrabbuh said.

Joanna Mann covers education for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6076 or Joanna.Mann@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @joanna_mann_.

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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Ethan Beachy, Bermudian Springs Football: Ethan rushed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for 2 more TDs in a 33-21 win over Littlestown.

Honey Strosnider, Fairfield Cross Country: Honey posted the fastest time among Times Area girls' runners in the YAIAA Championships after placing 16th in 21:07.3

Landon McGee, Gettysburg Football: Landon rushed for an area-high 235 yards and a touchdown in a 27-10 win over New Oxford

Denae Bello, Delone Catholic Girls' Volleyball: Denae combined for 20 kills, 23 digs and 45 serve-receive point in 3 matches for the Squirettes

Drew Cole, Gettysburg Cross Country: Drew was the fastest among Times Area runners at the YAIAA Championships, placing 19th in 17:25.0

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Seattle, Oct. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next week, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman will visit Seattle as a part of a tour highlighting progress in the nation's small business recovery and COVID-19 vaccinations as a critical strategy for Americans to continue to get back to work safely.

While traveling in Seattle, Administrator Guzman will join Mayor Durkan to tour local small businesses in Seattle and will hold a press conference following the tour. Administrator Guzman will also meet with local entrepreneurs, economic development officials, and small business advocates, and discuss the Biden-Harris Administration's path forward to continue serving America's small business communities.

Since June, Administrator Guzman has visited 15 states and territories, including Puerto Rico, promoting the benefits of the Presidents Build Back Better agenda for millions of Americans.

WHEN

October 18, to Wednesday, October 20, 2021

WHERE

Seattle, Washington (Media: RSVP for locations)

WHO



Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, U.S. Small Business Administration

Mayor Jenny Durkan, Mayor of Seattle

Seattle small businesses and economic advocates



WHY



The SBA has administered more than $1 trillion in economic aid to small businesses via several COVID relief programs , including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Paycheck Protection Program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, which were all funded in President Bidens $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan . The agency continues to provide small business relief via COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advances in its efforts to help those affected by the pandemic get back on track. SBA Administrator Guzmans national listening tour is focused on hearing directly from small business owners most affected by the pandemic who needed and/or still need economic aid to recover.

MEDIA RSVP: Media are invited to join the small business walking tour and press conference with Mayor Jenny Durkan and must RSVP to Garth MacDonald at garth.macdonald@sba.gov by Noon Monday, October 18, 2021, for locations.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
RADNOR, Pa., Oct. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) (Boston Beer) on behalf of those who purchased or acquired Boston Beer securities between April 22, 2021 and September 8, 2021, inclusive (the Class Period).



Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or acquired Boston Beer securities during the Class Period may, no later than November 15, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453; toll free at (844) 887-9500; via Email at info@ktmc.com; or click here.

Boston Beer is a high-end alcoholic beverage company that produces hard seltzer, malt beverages, and hard cider at its cidery and under contractual arrangements at other brewery locations.

The Class Period commences on April 22, 2021, when Boston Beer announced its first quarter 2021 financial results. The press release also provided full-year 2021 earnings per share guidance, estimated to be between $22.00 and $26.00, an increase from the previously communicated range of between $20.00 and $24.00. The complaint alleges that Boston Beer failed to disclose that hard seltzer sales were decelerating.

The truth began to emerge on July 22, 2021. After the market closed, Boston Beer reduced its full year 2021 guidance, expecting earnings per share between $18 and $22, down from a prior range of $22 and $26. Boston Beer cited softer-than-expected sales in the hard seltzer category and overall beer industry and also stated that it had overestimated the growth of the hard seltzer category in the second quarter. Following this news, Boston Beers share price fell $246.54, or 26%, to close at $701.00 per share on July 23, 2021.

Then, on September 8, 2021, after the market closed, Boston Beer withdrew its 2021 financial guidance, citing decelerating sales of hard seltzer products. Boston Beer also stated that it expects to incur hard seltzer-related inventory write-offs, shortfall fees payable to third party brewers, and other costs for the remainder of fiscal 2021. Following this news, Boston Beers share price fell $21.09, or 3.7%, to close at $538.31 per share on September 9, 2021.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, the defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Boston Beers hard seltzer sales were decelerating; (2) as a result, Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur inventory write-offs; (3) Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur shortfall fees payable to third party brewers; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Boston Beers financial results would be adversely impacted; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, the defendants positive statements about the companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Boston Beer investors may, no later than November 15, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed as a lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class members claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(844) 887-9500 (toll free)

info@ktmc.com
PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM), the next generation insured asset-backed cryptocurrency, continues its aggressive expansion strategy and will be listed on BitMart, a premier global digital asset trading platform, at the end of December 2021. LTNM will be available for trading with BTC and USDT pairs, and demonstrates the growing appetite for additional digital currencies such as Bitcoin Latinum to begin trading worldwide.



"The strong demand for new digital currencies such as Bitcoin Latinum is clear. BitMart is the perfect digital exchange partner as it is our fourth exchange to date. This is a milestone event in the history of Bitcoin Latinum and the beginning of an exciting journey and we continue to reach wider audiences and showcase our coins' unique digital assets around the world," said Donald Basile, Founder of Bitcoin Latinum and CEO of Monsoon Blockchain Corporation.

Bitcoin Latinum is a fully insured asset-backed cryptocurrency based on the Bitcoin ecosystem. Developed by Monsoon Blockchain Corporation on behalf of Bitcoin Latinum Foundation, LTNM is a greener, faster, and more secure version of Bitcoin, capable of managing massive crypto transactions while being highly efficient in terms of cost and scalability. As a revolutionary new Bitcoin blockchain-based token, LTNM focuses on disrupting high-growth industries like Media, Gaming, Telecommunications, and Cloud Computing.

Improving on Bitcoin's energy-usage concerns, LTNM utilizes a proof-of-stake (PoS) algorithm to achieve consensus, which not only increases the TPS rate of the network but also significantly minimizes the fee. Besides, unlike other crypto assets, LTNM is insured, and backed by real-world and digital assets. Its asset backing is held in a fund model so that base asset value increases over time. It accelerates this asset-backed funds growth by depositing 80% of the transaction fee back into the asset fund that backs the currency. Thus, the more Bitcoin Latinum is adopted, the faster its asset funds grow, creating a self-inflating currency. Furthermore, users and businesses can unlock new revenue streams while lowering their transactional costs. The listing on BitMart highlights the Bitcoin Latinum Foundation's commitment to supporting the growth of a sustainable crypto ecosystem.

BitMart is pleased to add LTNM to our portfolio. As the ecosystem moves towards energy efficiency, next-generation assets like Bitcoin Latinum with its increased speed and low transaction fees are bound to grow exponentially within the industry as a method of digital transaction. BitMart believes in Bitcoin Latinum's ability to deliver a simple, secure, and sustainable experience to the BitMart community.

About Bitcoin Latinum

Bitcoin Latinum is the next generation, fully insured asset-backed cryptocurrency. Based on the Bitcoin ecosystem, Bitcoin Latinum is greener, faster, and more secure, poised to revolutionize digital transactions. Using an energy-efficient Proof of Stake consensus algorithm, Bitcoin Latinum plans to bring better transaction speed, lower fees, and more security to high growth markets such as Media, Gaming, Telecommunication, and Cloud Computing.

For more information, please visit https://bitcoinlatinum.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitcoinlatinum

About BitMart Exchange

BitMart Exchange is a premier global digital assets trading platform with over 5.5 million registered users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko. BitMart currently offers 650+ trading pairs with one of the lowest trading fees in the market. To learn more about BitMart, visit their website , follow their Twitter , or join their Telegram for more updated news and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY; NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. Any information offered is for educational and informational purposes only and should NOT be construed as a securities-related offer or solicitation or be relied upon as personalized investment advice. Bitcoin Latinum strongly recommends you consult a licensed or registered professional before making any investment decision.

Media contact

Company: Bitcoin Latinum

E-mail: kai.okada@bitcoinlatinum.com

Website: https://bitcoinlatinum.com/

Address: 2100 Geng Road, Palo Alto, California 94303, USA

Telephone: +1 800-528-0985

SOURCE: Bitcoin Latinum
Palm City - Margaret Jan Crandall passed away at home on November 14. Her daughter Martha and her husband Robert were at her side. Jan Crandall, nee Schmults, was born on June 2, 1935, in Barrington, Rhode Island. During WWII, the family lived in Newport where her father, Ernest, worked at t
Governor Northam Toasts Rising Sales in Virginias Wine Industry

Sales grew 7.4% last year as top ten U.S. wine region celebrates 33rd annual Virginia Wine Month

RICHMONDGovernor Ralph Northam today invited Virginia wine lovers from across the Commonwealth to celebrate Virginia Wine Month this October and toast the industrys growth. Virginia wine sales grew by 7.4 percent for fiscal year 2021.



Virginia consistently ranks within the top ten wine regions in the United States, generating over $1.37 billion in economic impact and more than 8,200 jobs for the Commonwealth. More than 330 wineries call Virginia home.



Our unique wines reflect the beauty, grace, and hard work of Virginia, said Governor Northam. I encourage everyone to celebrate Virginia Wine Month and support the many winemakers who make our Commonwealth an epicenter for world-class wines.



With over 300 wineries in the Commonwealth, Virginia's wine industry continues to be a growing economic sector of agriculture and tourism, said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. Whether it is during Virginia wine month, celebrating with a Harvest Party, or supporting a local winery, I hope that Virginia wine fans will join me and raise a glass to our expressive and one-of-a-kind wines.



Virginians are encouraged to host a Harvest Party this weekend to celebrate Virginia-grown food and wine. Virginias chefs and winemakers will be highlighted during events hosted in vineyards during the weekend of October 16.



Virginians can also plan their own Harvest Party at home with local-inspired recipes, wine and food pairings, and moreall which can be found here.



Virginia Wine Month celebrates the partnerships and local support that makes Virginia wine flourish through events featuring Virginia wines and local artisanal foods, as well as accommodation packages at luxury inns across the state. Complete Harvest Party event listings and offering details can be found here.



To learn more about the featured restaurants and retail partners, click here



To download the Virginia Wine app, click here.

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Italy-based integrated energy company Eni is launching the production of alternative sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Eni has been producing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biofuel in its Venice and Gela bio-refineries since 2014 via its proprietary Ecofoning technology; it can also produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) from waste and plant-based raw materials using the same technology.





Eni is planning on significant increases in its HVO production, and very strong growth in biojet. (HVO: Demand Outlook)

Eni SAFs are produced exclusively from waste and residues, in line with the companys strategic decision not to use palm oil from 2023.

Eni plans to double its current bio-refining capacity of 1.1 million tonnes/year within the four-year period and increase it to 5-6 million tonnes/year by 2050. Biojet will play a significant role in the product mix, in line with industry scenarios and market trends, and the aim is to reach a production capacity of at least 500,000 tonnes/year of biojet by 2030.

This is a very important milestone in our journey to decarbonize and fully reflects our pragmatic approach to the energy transition. This approach involves using technology to cut emissions in sectors such as aviation, which are high emitters but at the same time need to be nurtured because they are crucial to growth and development. We are committed to being a technological leader in the energy transition, leveraging existing skills and assets, and this is a further step in that direction, as well as an important contribution at system level. Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni

Initially, SAF is being produced at the Eni refinery in Taranto, with a 0.5% share of UCO (used cooking oils), contributing to the 2% share of bio component proposed as part of the EU Fit For 55 package. This is a first step and part of Enis commitment to the decarbonization of all its products and processes by 2050 for all sectors, including some of the most challenging such as the aviation, heavy vehicles and marine sectors.

SAF from the Taranto refinery is currently produced through a 0.5% UCO co-feeding process for conventional plants. According to the Renewable Energy Directive II, the bio share in the product typically allows for a more than 90% reduction in GHG emissions compared to standard fossil mix feedstock. This product, already available in Taranto refinery tanks, will be sold to major airlines, firstly ITA, thanks to the support of leading operators in the sector such as Aeroporti di Roma.

Enis SAF production will continue to grow with the start of production of over 10 thousand tonnes/year of SAF at Enis Livorno refinery in early 2022, through the distillation of bio-components produced in Enis bio-refineries in Gela and Porto Marghera (Venice) using Enis proprietary Ecofining technology. The raw materials used will be exclusively waste products such as UCO or fats. This product, called Eni Biojet, contains 100% biogenic component and can be combined with conventional jet fuel in an up to 50% mix.

Growth will continue with the launch, in 2024, of Eni Biojet production at the Gela biorefinery, where a project is already underway for the introduction of a further 150 thousand tonnes/year of SAF from 100% renewable raw materials, capable of meeting the Italian markets potential obligation by 2025.
Greene County historian Tim Massey is an award-winning writer for Civil War News with more than 40 photos featured on various magazine covers. He has served on various boards and held positions in several historic organizations. He can be reached at horses319@comcast.net.
Green River residents will receive mailers aimed to educate them on the need for a 1% sales tax increase this week, beginning efforts to inform voters before the Nov. 2 special election.

Steve Core, communications administrator for the city, said the mailers were part of a multi-pronged strategy including digital outreach and a column to be submitted to the countys publications.

According to Core, the city has been an active participant throughout the process and said the plan amongst the group was to have multiple groups providing input on how that educational outreach is handled.

The efforts begin less than three weeks until the election itself, with more than 800 absentee ballots having already been processed by the Sweetwater County Clerks Office. The educational efforts were originally intended to start in mid September, but questions on how the governmental coalition supporting the tax could word language in its mailer resulted in a conversation between attorneys representing the county and cities and the Wyoming Attorney Generals office. That led to a determination that taxpayer funds could be used to educate, but not promote passage of the sales tax and necessitated changes to the publication.

Last week, the Sweetwater County commissioners originally planned to discuss possible amendments, alternatives or a rescission of the tax proposal, which changed to the commissioners voting to educate residents about the tax following an executive session prior to that scheduled discussion.

Core said another delay came when the Rock Springs City Council voted against sharing the costs associated the educational push.

Having Rock Springs vote not to share in the costs of education, created a delay because direction then needed to be reviewed by the county and other entities, Core wrote in an email to the Star. This initiative was approved to move forward to a vote by a majority of the entities in the county, and a focus on education will be done within the timeframe left to the election.

The tax is seen by local governments as a means to overcome budgetary challenges by funding fire and police services, ambulance services, and the joint dispatch center in Green River, all of which total more than $36 million for the two cities and the county. This would open up the governments general funds for other uses, such as capital projects. Up to a quarter of the 1% tax would also be earmarked for economic development uses. Estimates on the 10-year average suggest the tax would bring in approximately $17 million annually, though current sales tax collections would be lower than that amount.

With the county asking the cities to help with the ambulance subsidies early in the calendar year, that were not in their budgets, it quickly pushed forward other meetings we were having around the subjects of funding needs, shared expenses and consolidations, if possible, and more specifically around public safety and economic development, Core wrote.
The story of Gabby Petito  a young woman who went missing in Wyoming and was found murdered  has gained national attention over the past few months. But for some, it has also drawn attention to the fact that not every woman who goes missing in Wyoming gets the same attention  particularly not indigenous women. For Lynette Grey Bull, this problem has been apparent, and one she has been fighting for years.

Grey Bull is Northern Arapaho and Hunkpapa Lakota, and the founder of Not Our Native Daughters, an organization seeking to end trafficking, exploitation, and murder of indigenous people. She also serves on the Wyoming Governors Task Force for Missing, Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP), which was developed on her request to Governor Mark Gordon, as well as the Wyoming Human Trafficking Task Force.

Grey Bull visited Sweetwater County over the weekend when she spoke at the YWCA Silent Witness Initiative Saturday.

Sharing her own story as a survivor of domestic violence, Grey Bull also touched on the realities indigenous women face, including the fact that Native American women suffer domestic violence 50 times higher than the national average. Out of the 574 tribes that exist throughout the United States, only 58 have domestic violence shelters, according to Grey Bull. And thats just the beginning of the problem.

I stand before you, a full-blooded Native American woman, but the statistics that hang over my head, and my daughters heads, and all indigenous women and girls heads, is that I am the most stalked, raped, sexually assaulted and murdered  more than any other ethnicity in this country, Grey Bull said during the event.

Grey Bull said shes shared those statistics many times, but it hurts her every time she has to say it because it shouldnt be a reality. Believing this, she has devoted her life to changing that reality. She also noted she never points statistics out to elicit guilt or try to place blame, but because she wants everyone to work together to change them.

One thing I came to realize while working with these nationwide organizations was that nobody was specifically focusing on Native American women and children, Grey Bull explained.

Around the same time, the US Census Bureau released statistics showing Native American women had the worst statistics when it came to violence and deaths  the same statistics that havent changed since.

Honestly, those statistics changed my life, Grey Bull said.

The MMIP task force worked on researching cases of missing and murdered indigenous people in Wyoming and found 710 cases, most of which went unnoticed according to Greybull. She pointed out none of these cases received national attention, and most had little to no statewide or local publicity. This shows a stark contrast with how other cases are handled.

As weve seen with the Gabby Petito case  not to take away from her family and their hardships and their mourning process  but her case is exactly how its supposed to be, Grey Bull said. Everybody should come to the forefront to find anybody  male, female, child or any ethnicity.

While Grey Bull believes the biggest problem is lack of information, she also believes discrimination and racism play a part in how cases are handled. She has personally sat with families whose loved ones were missing and heard law enforcement downplay the character of the missing person, saying things like the person was just out partying and would be back later. For one particular case in her community, a week after the police investigator was dismissive of the report, the missing young girls body was found, Grey Bull said.

Ive worked with law enforcement and I have high respect for law enforcement, Grey Bull added. But, she pointed out, anybody who works on the investigation side of things will tell you the first 24-48 hours is crucial in finding somebody and getting boots on the ground. I just want to see more people get that sense of urgency and effort.

The MMIP task force report also examined cases of missing and murdered white people and missing and murdered indigenous people and how those cases were reported in the media. The report found that many times stories about a missing white person focused on the persons good background and what their family was known for, while stories about missing indigenous people often brought in irrelevant facts that put a darker outlook on the missing person. Grey Bull pointed out how the inequality in reporting doesnt represent the equal justice that all people should have, regardless of their ethnicity.

Part of how Grey Bull hopes to address the problems faced by MMIP is by establishing better connections between everyone in Wyoming.

I think it takes all of us to build more bridges, Grey Bull said.

She encouraged those outside of the Wind River community to reach out to the tribes to learn more and build relationships. She also noted the tribes love to share their culture. One way they do so is through the Wind River Dancers, which Grey Bull and her family are a part of. Their group travels across Wyoming to share their traditions and their stories. Grey Bull also hopes events like the YWCA Silent Witness Initiative will continue to be held and to provide an opportunity to have conversations and make connections.

I just think thats how were going to build these bridges and break this racism and break this divide, Grey Bull said. The divide doesnt help any of us.

She pointed out one of her favorite quotes, which is from Martin Luther King Jr.  Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

And if we can all just pick up that type of mentality, Grey Bull said, I think well be better human beings living in the same state or counties.
Federal contract wranglers plan to round up 4,300 wild horses in southwest Wyoming  permanently removing about 70% of them  starting Thursday in an undertaking that culminates years of conflicts among land and wildlife managers, ranchers and horse advocates.

The roundup across 3.4 million acres of checkerboard land ownership could last more than a month, said Brad Purdy, a Bureau of Land Management spokesman. The agency will permanently remove  for adoption, training and domestic use  about 3,500 horses. About 800 would be set free again after treating mares in that group with temporary fertility control.

The goal is to maintain rangeland health, reduce trespass onto 899,308 acres of private land  much owned by the Rock Springs Grazing Association  and maintain an appropriate management level of between 1,550 and 2,415 wild horses, the BLM says. Today an estimated 5,105 wild horses, some known as mustangs but all technically feral horses because of their domestic ancestry, populate the BLMs five horse management areas around Rock Springs.

Rock Springs Grazing Association Land Operations Manager Don Schramm called the operation long overdue. Blaming ranchers for wild horse roundups is totally inaccurate, he said, citing BLM plans that set population levels.

The current roundup is to reduce the numbers down to that, he said.

This months roundup will address immediate wild horse management aims as the BLM studies whether to remove all wild horses from some of the troublesome checkerboard lands along the Union Pacific Railroad where every other square mile is private.

Wyoming lawmakers are considering a measure that would bill the federal government for horse trespass and heard testimony last month that wild horses damage greater sage grouse habitat. One member of the Joint Agriculture State and Public Lands & Water Resources Interim Committee discussed opening a dog-food plant on the Wind River Indian Reservation, where horses are said to damage wildlife habitat.

In Rock Springs, some say the roundup threatens recent economic diversification efforts. Meantime wild horse advocates contest many of the BLMs justifications for the upcoming roundup and question the balance the agency proposes between horses and ranchers grazing stock.

The BLM has set the population levels in the five horse-management areas far below a benchmark known as the thriving natural ecological balance threshold, Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project, wrote in an email. The proposed population level is based on allocating 91% of available forage to domestic stock, he wrote.

This appears to be a serious violation of the federal statute on wild horses, invalidating the legality of this enormous roundup, Molvar said. Nevertheless, the BLM will forge ahead with its gather this week, agency spokesman Richard Packer said Friday.

Grazing association representative Schramm said worries by wildlife advocates illustrate that the BLM roundup is not simply a conflict with stock grazers. Delays in holding roundups have kept the BLM from meeting its population goals and compounded the problem.

Unfortunately, due to one reason or another, theyve been unable to maintain horses at that level, he said. Yet horse numbers can increase by 20% a year, he said.

The longer they wait, the harder the job, Schramm said.

As arrangements for the roundup proceed, the BLM is finalizing its long-range plan and the Legislatures interim agriculture committee is set to consider two wild horse and burro bills Oct. 21. The panel in September worked on a precursor draft measure that would essentially bill the federal government for the grazing costs of trespassing horses.

Lawmakers dont believe the government would pay up, but the draft legislation would require the Office of State Lands and Investments to calculate the grazing cost of trespassing horses and submit that to appropriate U.S. agencies.

The bill also would allow the Wyoming Attorney General to file a writ of mandamus seeking to compel the federal government to take action to remove excess wild horses as required under federal law from affected nonfederal lands. Finally, the bill would authorize the governor to negotiate with federal and tribal officials to manage wild horses.

Horses are starting to outnumber our wildlife, Arthur Lawson, director of the Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game, told the committee, and are causing serious environmental damage. Some of that is occurring on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department 35,000-acre Spence-Moriarity habitat unit near Dubois thats set aside for elk winter range, said

Pat Hnilicka, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who is an advisor to the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes. Horses can be viewed as invasives, as weeds in a sense, because they  spread, he said.

Committee member Rep. Bill Fortner (R-Gillette) saw an opportunity for another way to deal with wild horses outside adoption.

Would you be open for slaughter for a dog-food factory or something like that on the reservation  a dog-food factory and slaughter of the horses thats not on federal land? he asked tribal representatives. You guys can get away with things  being an independent nation  that we cant get away with.

Approval for such an endeavor would have to come from both Shoshone and Arapaho tribal councils, Lawson said.

Meanwhile, wild horses are a threat to greater sage grouse, a species struggling to persist in the sagebrush sea, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department says. Theres also a growing body of evidence to even suggest that too many wild horses on the landscape may affect our sage grouse populations, Angi Bruce, Wyoming Game and Fish Deputy Director for external operations told the committee.

If we continue at a rate of increase [among wild horses of] about 20% a year, we can see as much as 70% decline in the sage grouse population, she said, referring to a U.S. Geological Survey study in Nevada.

She cautioned that the Nevada study might not be directly applicable to Wyoming. But if its anywhere reflective of what may [happen] in Wyoming, its very alarming, she said.

Ranchers, too, back the BLM, RSGAs Schramm said of the coming roundup. We appreciate BLM trying to do it.

The BLM gather will be the largest roundup in history, Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Campaign, said in a statement.

She, also, questioned whether there was balance in the roundup plan, saying the BLM land belongs to all Americans, not just the livestock operators who receive steep tax subsidies to graze their cattle and sheep here.

The BLMs Purdy questioned the assertion that the roundup would be record-setting. I dont think that is 100% accurate, he wrote in an email. The Red Desert gather between 2018 and 2020 collected about the same number of horses as this years target, albeit over three years, he said.

In Rock Springs, the BLMs imminent roundup and pending long-term plan will diminish one of the towns premiere visitor attractions just as the area is seeking to diversify its economy as the fossil fuel economy falters, a city council member told WyoFile. When he worked the information booth at a high school rodeo, Councilman Tim Savage said, the main thing these rodeo people wanted to do was see wild horses out on the plains.

Thats going to change, he said. Why are we spending all this money attempting to diversify our economy when we are going to do this? he asked of the roundups and reductions.

Rock Springs is a way-stop for tourists enroute to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, Savage said. We try to get them to stay an extra day, he said, and the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop north of town is an important attraction toward that end.

Theres a lot of people out there who are concerned, he said, citing emails, phone calls and letters hes seen. I definitely think theres going to be an impact.

Wild horse photographer Carol Walker called the BLM roundup a race to remove as many of these animals from our public lands as possible with no consideration for the very uncertain fate that faces them. She was referencing reports that some horse adopters, who can receive money from the government to feed adopted horses for a period, ultimately resell them.

Those resale auctions are frequented by slaughterhouse brokers known as kill buyers, the New York Times wrote in May.

Our wild horses belong on our public lands, Walker said in a statement, wild and free with their families, not in long-term feedlots or dumped at kill auctions by greedy and heedless adopters.

A group representing public employees also challenged the BLMs grazing allocation, saying wild horses are being blamed for overgrazing by domestic stock. The roundup threatens faith in the agencys science, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility wrote Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

The BLMs own data show that more than 15 million acres of priority sage grouse habitat fail to meet BLMs own minimum standards for quality of water, vegetation, and soils, as well as the ability to support wildlife, due to overgrazing, Tim Whitehouse, the groups executive director, wrote Haaland on Sept. 20. He called BLMs approach the antithesis of sound science.

While wild horses certainly impact sage grouse habitat, his letter reads, to focus conservation efforts for this habitat on addressing impacts made by thousands of wild horses, while ignoring troves of data on the impacts from millions of cattle, undermines your efforts to create a culture of scientific integrity at [the Department of the Interior].

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
Dear friends and neighbors,

Daily, our staff, your friends and family members, are treating patients with COVID-19. It is a battle. We need your help. The Delta variant is two times more contagious than previous variants and results in more severe illness and hospitalizations. The patients admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 are the youngest and the sickest we have seen during the pandemic. It is heartbreaking, frustrating, and exhausting. It is also preventable. Talk to your doctor and learn about the vaccine and help us, but more importantly, help yourself and get vaccinated.

Wyoming has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, with 38.2% fully vaccinated as of Oct. 4, 2021. Sweetwater Countys vaccination rate is 35.4% as of Oct. 4, 2021. The low vaccination rate has placed an extremely heavy burden on our staff and hospital. The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospital has increased from an average of three per day in August to 12 per day in September. Most of these individuals are incredibly sick, and the overwhelming majority are unvaccinated. The average daily census has increased from 11. 9 patients in August to 20.7 in September. We are doing everything we can to manage the rapid increase in patients while caring for our communitys ongoing, non-COVID-19 healthcare needs. Yet, despite these efforts, our hospital is strained, and our staff is tired.

Did you know that getting vaccinated dramatically reduces the likelihood of contracting the virus, being hospitalized, or dying?

If you have questions about the vaccine or are on the fence, call 307-352-8561 or contact your physician to talk about the vaccine. According to an American Medical Association survey, more than 96% of physicians nationwide are vaccinated because they know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Each vaccine administered is a hospital bed saved for someone having a heart attack, a stroke, sepsis, injury from a car accident, or other life-threatening illness.

Unfortunately, the reality is that hospitals in our region are overloaded, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to transfer patients who require a higher level of care.

We need to work together to ensure we have beds available in our hospital for patients who need one.

We need your help. Help keep yourself and your loved ones safe by slowing the spread of the virus by wearing a mask (especially if unvaccinated), physically distancing, and practicing proper hand hygiene. If we practice all of these measures consistently, we can lower the transmission rate and reduce the COVID-19 cases in our county.

As a hospital, we have worked to make vaccinations accessible and convenient. You can utilize our drive-through in the front of the hospital to get a COVID-19 vaccination from 3-6 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Amid this COVID-19 surge, we strongly encourage our community not to delay essential and emergency care. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or come to the Emergency Department. If your condition is less severe and not life-threatening, consider seeking care and treatment at our walk-in clinic, an urgent care, or your primary care provider. We are concerned about how the upcoming weeks will unfold in Sweetwater County. Our healthcare professionals have worked tirelessly to serve our community through the many months of the pandemic. We commend them for their dedication during this unprecedented challenge.

We long for the day when this pandemic is behind us. But, unfortunately, the only way we will get there is to all do our part to protect ourselves. Vaccination is the primary way that we can avoid overwhelming our healthcare system here at home and in our region.

We encourage you to act now on behalf of our healthcare heroes at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. Please get vaccinated today. Dont let yourself or someone you love be the next victim of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Irene Richardson, CEO

Ann Clevenger, CNO

Dr. Melinda Poyer, CMO

Kari Quickenden, CCO

Tami Love, CFO
Despite a day being named for him, there is little about Christopher Columbus that should be celebrated. The Columbus of reality is a far cry from the noble explorer of myth. While we cant argue his exploits are not historically significant, they also do not warrant a day of remembrance in his name. The Wyoming Legislature should vote to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day over Columbus Day.

The man commonly believed to have discovered the New World (he didnt), Columbus was the first to introduce the brutality of European conquest to the Americas. The indigenous peoples of the West Indies represented a people to be exploited as slaves, not as people that could be befriended.

With 50 men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want, he wrote in his journal.

Columbuss second expedition to the Caribbean was much better equipped than the first, returning with 17 ships and 1,200 men. He conducted slave raids throughout the islands, rounding up native men, women and children to be sold into slavery in Spain. His acts opened the door for European colonization, leading to the devastation of native cultures throughout the continents. According to the Smithsonians Museum of the American Indian, Native America lost 95% of its population in the 130 years following first contact with Europe. The loss of life, loss of culture and the loss of lands generations had called home were the Native Americans future. Centuries later in the United States, the idea of Manifest Destiny saw the young nation expand to its western coastline, all the while Native Americans were killed and pushed off their lands and onto reservations.

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but his legacy floats upon a sea of blood. Wyoming should be a state celebrating the people who were in the Americas long before any European explorer set foot on American soil. Wyoming should celebrate the Arapahoe, the Shoshone, and other Native American tribes. Wyoming should celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.
GREENWICH  Talking with Lauren Rabin, who is finishing her first two-year term on the Board of Selectmen, and the word liaison comes up lot.

Rabin, a Republican seeking a second term on the board, has been working with a wide group of stakeholders and civic groups in Greenwich to meet the needs of seniors, the downtown business community and the school community. She has also been involved in the affordable housing task force.

The past two years on the board, she says, broadened my perspective to all the needs of our residents in town.

One accomplishment she remains proud of was coordinating the Hello Neighbor campaign. When the coronavirus pandemic struck in the early days of 2020, Rabin said she was concerned about the communitys older population. She coordinated a campaign that contacted 3,000 local residents over the age of 70 to assure their well-being and understand if there were any needs  help with groceries or transportation.

Rabin, working with a hundred volunteers and students at Greenwich High School, worked through the script that volunteers would use and developed the process for calling the seniors.

It was very rewarding, for the people getting the calls and the people making the calls, she said.

A married mother of two who previously served on the Board of Education, Rabin has worked extensively in technology and marketing. A graduate of Keene State College in New Hampshire, she now works part-time handling marketing for a cyber security company.

Rabin has been the chairwoman of Re-Imagine Greenwich, a committee dedicated to improving the communitys business districts. Greenwich Avenue has been the focus of a number of new attractions, and Rabin said she would take some of the good things that were doing on Greenwich Avenue and bring it to the other districts.

Rabin said Greenwich Avenue came back fast after the pandemic shutdowns were lifted, in part because of a strong social-media campaign, getting the message out the Greenwich Avenue was open for business, and a sense of urgency from her committee. She said the campaign helped introduce Greenwich to the region again, attracting new visitors and giving local businesses a boost after a long period of inactivity. Rabin was also proud of the success of Free Music Fridays at Greenwich Commons off the Avenue, part of a larger effort to bring in shoppers, diners and visitors.

The candidate says she wants to do more to connect Greenwich Avenue to the waterfront, create more outdoor dining and ease the parking crunch downtown.

The pandemic challenge also created problems in keeping the towns advisory committees and boards fully staffed when face-to-face meetings were curtailed. Rabin said she worked out the logistics of the interview process which was used to schedule teleconferenced meetings with applicants to boards and committees: I created a way through Zoom to interview candidates, she said;120 interviews were successfully held.

Rabin said she was in favor of the town creating a Police Advisory Committee for added accountability for law enforcement, recently discussed by the Board of Selectmen. I think its a great first step, I like the idea, she said.

Rabin has been a proponent of better coordination among different committees and groups in town. When town leaders were holding emergency COVID-19 briefings and meetings in 2020, Rabin said she was puzzled why there was no representation from the public school system, and after some discussions she says she initiated, the school authorities were included in the strategy sessions.

Bringing people together and brain-storming solutions more collaboratively, rather than in silos, thats what I want to orchestrate in my next term, she said.

Her style as a legislator and town leader, Rabin continued, was not about holding the spotlight.

To me, its the ability to listen, the ability to connect people and ideas. Im not the biggest talker in the room, Im the one listening, and thinking this person needs to talk to that person. Making connections, just making it more efficient and effective. Thats my skill set. And I dont have an agenda, an ego, she said.

She likes reading mysteries and taking long walks and hikes in the community she has known since she was a child.

I love the town I grew up in and that I raised my children in, Rabin said. And I want people to experience all the amazing things our town has to offer.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
3 1 of 3 Lisa Nichols / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





STORRS  It turns out, President Joe Biden sampled some of UConn Dairy Bars ice cream after all  and even brought home leftovers, a White House spokesperson confirmed Saturday.

During his visit to the University of Connecticut on Friday, Biden and former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd had some of the special batch of chocolate chip ice cream  the presidents favorite flavor  before the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights, the White House spokesperson said.
Huawei's nova 9 and nova 8i have both been slated to arrive in Europe, and the latter has in fact already been spotted in Germany. What of the nova 9, though?

Well, an Amazon listing (which we assume went up by mistake) is helpfully clearing things up for us. As it turns out, the nova 9 will become available in Europe on October 21. The version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will retail for 499, at least on Amazon itself.

A previous rumor talked about this model going for 550, but that may be down to local price differences as we've seen sometimes between the Eurozone countries. In China, the nova 9 also has a variant with 256GB of storage, but it's unclear if that one will make the jump to Europe or not.

The nova 9 comes with a 6.57-inch 120 Hz OLED display, the Snapdragon 778G chipset, Huawei's own HarmonyOS 2.0 software, a quad rear camera setup (50 MP main, 8 MP ultrawide, 2 MP depth, 2 MP macro), a 32 MP selfie camera, and a 4,300 mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging (advertised as going from 0 to 100% in just 38 minutes).

Via
The Oppo Reno7 family is still probably some time away, given that the Reno6 5G and Reno6 Pro 5G only recently arrived in Europe. Even so, we've already heard chatter of a Sony IMX776 main camera sensor coming to the Reno7 Pro. Today brings a pretty extensive specs leak, covering nearly the entirety of the Oppo Reno7. Though, as noted by the source, the info is early and comes with no indication on whether it pertains to a vanilla Reno7 or perhaps a Reno7 Pro. Take it with a grain of salt.

Camera setup of the Oppo Reno6 Pro (Snapdragon 870 version)

Like we said, that 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor is reaffirmed for the main cam. Though, allegedly, it won't have any OIS. Joining it - an 8MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide, complete with macro capabilities, hinting at autofocus. And then a 2MP black and white camera, meant for portrait shots. On the selfie side - a 32MP Sony IMX615.

The source claims the Reno7 will have a 6.5-inch, FHD+ AMOLED panel, courtesy of BOE, with 90Hz refresh rate and 10-bit color support. Pushing pixels to it - a MediaTek Dimensity 920, with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. All of this cooled with vapor chamber liquid cooling.

Powering the show - a 4,500 mAh battery, with 65W fast charging. Also on the alleged specs sheet - NFC, stereo speakers and a Z-axis linear motor, for haptics. In terms of exterior, the source mentions a 6000 series aluminum flat middle frame, sandwiched between a 2D crystal diamond glass back and Gorilla Glass on the front.

We even get some alleged pricing for the Reno7 - CNY 2,999 ($466) for an 8GB/256GB version and CNY 3,299($513) for a 12GB/256GB model.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
McDonalds on Guam and Saipan will be showing their appreciation to educators  from teachers to librarians  by giving out special compliment
There were 51 new cases of COVID-19 from 657 tests analyzed Oct. 15, the Department of Public Health and Social Services reported.

Additional results are pending analysis and submission from other clinics and will be reported Oct. 18.

Guam has had 16,846 officially reported cases, including 222 deaths. There are 3,098 cases in active isolation.

The CAR Score is 19.9.

Hospitalizations

Guam Memorial Hospital: 29 hospitalized, including three pediatric admissions, eight in ICU and six on ventilators.

Guam Regional Medical City: 25 hospitalized, four in ICU, four on ventilators.

Naval Hospital Guam: No information available.

Of those hospitalized, 29 werent vaccinated.

Testing, boosters

Free community testing will be available from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 18-23 at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan.

Rapid antigen testing will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Four people are allowed in each vehicle, and no symptoms are needed for testing. Please bring identification.

Village-based COVID-19 booster shot clinics are being offered by the Department of Public Health and Social Services in partnership with the Mayors Council of Guam for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial two-dose series at least six months ago and are 65 years and older.

For appointments, register at tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme or call your village mayor.
The Federated States of Micronesia will receive a grant of $16.6 million from the Green Climate Fund to implement climate change adaptation solutions.




Haiti - UN : The mandate of BINUH renewed but reduced by China





Friday, October 15, 2021 at midnight the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) expired and was to be renewed by the UN Security Council.



The United States, which generally manages the Haitian file at the United Nations, has proposed a one-year renewal, but the adoption of a resolution to this effect did not go as planned, due to complications Thursday in the negotiations with China.



From a diplomatic source, during these closed-door negotiations, the Chinese were very critical affirming that the UN had done nothing in Haiti, deplores "investments at a loss" during all these years with the money of the great powers, especially from China. Beijing called for a renewal of the UN mandate for only 6 months, leaving the possibility of China using its veto on the one-year renewal proposed by the US. Other aspect that may justify the position of China but not mentioned publicly, is the recognition of Taiwan by Haiti



Finally on Friday around 6:00 p.m., a compomis was found, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2600 (2021), presented by Mexico and the United States extending the mandate of BINUH until July 15 2022 (9 months) and asked the Secretary General to assess his tenure after 6 months



In this text, the Council encouraged close collaboration and coordination between the Office, the United Nations country team in Haiti, regional organizations and international financial institutions with a view to assisting the Government in assuming the responsibility of achieving long-term stability of the country, sustainable development and economic self-sufficiency.



United States Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield to the United Nations "Now is not the time for the Security Council to walk away from Haiti, but rather to ensure that Haiti gets the assistance and support it needs alongside Haitian-led efforts to address its long-standing challenges."



Mexican Ambassador to the UN Juan Ramon de la Fuente Ramirez said that "The mandate renewal will give certainty to the Office and enable Member States to assess the Secretary-Generals conclusions with a view to making, in due course, the necessary changes to make the Offices mandate more effective."



For his part, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun to the UN declared "it behoves the international community to give Haiti more tailored support. Haitis leaders must halt their power struggles, shoulder their responsibilities, take the country out of chaos and put it on the path of orderly development. The renewal of the Offices mandate is an opportunity to discuss how to help Haiti more effectively [...]" adding "thanks to the joint efforts of China, the Russian Federation and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, substantial improvements to the draft were achieved. Working from the Secretary-Generals review, the Council will be able to update the Offices mandate in light of changing circumstances to better help the Haitian people" recalling "Haiti cannot achieve stability without self-reliance."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Discovery of 5 people killed by bullets

Friday 5 corpses including 4 men and a woman shot dead were found in the commune of Gressier. According to Justice of the Peace Woosbens M. Desmornes the victims show bullet holes. In Lambi 3, 2 corpses were found, a girl and a boy, in Macone the lifeless body of 2 young boys were discovered and finally between Gressier and Carrefour, the body of a young boy shot dead was found. None of the victims have yet been identified.



6 members of the "400 Mawozo" Gang arrested

Friday, October 15, during a routine check, the Haitian National Police of Croix-des-bouquets, arrested 6 individuals all members of the "400 Mawozo" Gang accused of criminal conspiracy:



Ceus Severe, from Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite.

Alexandre Jean Odson, from Latremblay

Jeanty Jean podelson, from Croix-des-Bouquets

Ricardo Demosthene, from Croix-des-Bouquets

Ronald Badette, from Latremblay

Nelson Petit Frere, from Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite.



NOTICE : St Luc's Hospital is lacking oxygen

Due to certain international and local factors directly affecting the regular supply of oxygen at the national level, St Luc's Hospital regrets to inform that it is no longer able to accommodate new admissions from patients in respiratory distress. St Luc's Hospital is committed to making efforts for as long as possible to help the 65 patients already cared for in the Covid area of the hospital. This unfortunate decision will remain in effect until there is a guarantee of a stable supply of oxygen in the country.



Jacmel : Arrest of 3 bandits

On the night of October 14 to 15, 2021, the Departmental Service of Judicial Police, (SDPJ) of the South-East carried out an operation in Beaudouin, suburb of Jacmel. 3 individuals were arrested: Aladin Asnel, Florian James and Anacrayon Jackenson. A homemade weapon was seized.



Funeral of Dr. Rony Gilot

The official funeral of Dr Rony Gilot, Professor, writer and Secretary General of the Senate of the Republic, who died on October 6, 2021 will take place in the Saint-Pierre Church in Petion-Ville, this Saturday, October 16, 2021. The exhibition of the mortal remains will begin at 11:30 am



Women : Great agro-craft fair

Sofia Loreus, the Minister for Women's Affairs visited the exhibitors of the great agro-craft fair on the occasion of the international day of rural women organized by the Ministry from 13 to 15 Oct. 2021 at the national school of Chardonnieres. It was an opportunity for Minister Loreus to share her message of comfort, pride and solidarity with Haitian women, especially those living in remote areas.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Korean Movie | 2017

 Drama  Fantasy

Directed by Kim Yong-hwa ()

Written by Kim Yong-hwa ()

139min | Release date in South Korea: 2017/12/20

Re-release date: 2021/01/07

"Along with the Gods" will be released in 2 parts

Began fliming : 2016/05/26

Wrapped up filming : 2017/03/22

Synopsis

An adaptation of the manhwa by Joo Ho-min. It tells the story of the protagonist who dies and is escorted to the underworld by an angel of death. He is put on trial for 49 days. While the source material is split into three parts, the movie by director Kim Yong-hwa will be a prequel.

Source
Mary Lou Montgomery, retired as editor of the Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post in 2014. She researches and writes narrative-style stories about the people who served as building blocks for this regions foundation. Books available on Amazon.com by this author include but are not limited to: "The Notorious Madam Shaw," "Pioneers in Medicine from Northeast Missouri," and "The Historic Murphy House, Hannibal, Mo., Circa 1870." She can be reached at Montgomery.editor@yahoo.com Her collective works can be found at www.maryloumontgomery.com
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CRETE TOWNSHIP  A Crown Point man died Monday from injuries he suffered in a crash Sunday in Illinois, officials said.

Christopher Gerstner, 47, was airlifted to a Chicago hospital after he rear-ended a pickup truck about 11:30 a.m. Sunday at a curve where East Exchange Street meets East Burville Road in Crete Township, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

A preliminary investigation showed Gerstner was speeding when he came upon traffic stopped for a vehicle waiting to turn and was unable to stop before hitting the back of a Toyota Tundra, police said.

The impact pushed the Tundra into a guardrail. A Kia that was turning east on Exchange Street struck the side of the Tundra, police said.

Sheriff's deputies arrived and found first responders had removed Gerstner from his Jeep Compass, which was in a ditch at the curve.

Watch Now: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops: School resource officer Cpl. Jerry Patrick

The drivers of the Tundra and Kia refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

Gerstner was initially taken to a Franciscan Health hospital, but he was later flown to University of Chicago Medical Center because of the severity of his injuries, police said.

Gerstner died about 4:30 p.m. Monday at that hospital, the Cook County medical examiner's office said. The death was ruled an accident.

An obituary said Gerstner will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail


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Kerrville elementary students attended a Children's Concert last week presented by the Symphony of the Hills in the Cailloux Theater; and got a close-up look and listen for early music knowledge and enjoyment, including this adult-sized cello. Preceding that concert, Symphony members visited schools, including this group at Notre Dame School, to talk to students and demonstrate their instruments.
A MAN from Stoke Row ran 139 miles to raise money for the village primary school.

David Pryce, a former governor of the school, took on the Chiltern Way in a non-stop challenge.

He set off from the school at 8am and followed a circular route that took him as far as Luton before he returned and finished back at the school just under 33 hours later.

Mr Pryce, a keen ultra-runner, said: It was tough going at times but I kept plugging away.

My usually cast-iron stomach abandoned me, meaning that I was unable to fuel properly from the start and preventing me from keeping down any food between miles 50 and 90.

This made maintaining energy levels more tricky than usual. As a result, slow and steady was the order of the day.

Luckily, the weather was kind. Heavy rain had been forecast but in the end it only rained for about the last seven hours or so. Until then the conditions were pretty perfect, with soft but dry trails and cool temperatures with frequent blue skies.

The total distance covered was just over 139 miles, partly as a result of wrong turns and partly a long detour around a building site thanks to HS2.

Overall it was a brilliant experience and all the more satisfying for having to find a way to get to the end when things werent going to plan.

He was joined by a number of parents at different stages, including Robyn Polisano, Rachael and Ryan OSullivan, Nick Blaker and Adam Shaw.

He also carried the schools mascot, Ellie the elephant, around the course and on the very last section was joined by pupils who had been practising in their running club.

He said: The highlight was being joined for the last 100m by the children. Mrs Polisano, whose daughter Lilly is in year 3, said: Im not an experienced runner so I chose to join David at the end of his run when the pace would be slower.

I ran from Turville to Nuffield and did around 7.5 miles. Its such a beautiful route and breath-taking even in the pouring rain.

I honestly would not have been able to tell that David had run 132 miles non-stop when I met him at Turville.

It wasnt until we had to climb a fence to detour around some cows that he showed any sign of discomfort. Seeing the children from the running club at the finish line was just brilliant. They were so excited to take on the baton and to get running.

Laura Shaw, whose daughter Ophelia is a pupil, also took part in some of the run.

She said: It was an awesome event that brought our community together after what seems like a lifetime apart.

I am most proud of our runners for truly embodying the school values of perseverance, courage and excellence. The running was tough for everyone, no matter how much training they had done. Despite this, everyone finished their part with a smile.

Mr Pryce raised more than 5,000 for the Friends of Stoke Row School.

Emma Taylor, who chairs the Friends and whose son, Gabriel, seven, is in year 3, said: The school has been hit hard by ever-tightening budgets and the impact of covid-19.

We are so grateful to David for this heroic effort and to all the parents and children who challenged themselves.
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A cloudy start gives way to afternoon sunshine. High near 40F. Winds W at 5 to 15 mph..

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Animal lovers, who want to be able to touch and interact with aquatic as well as land-dwelling creatures, can get their opportunity to do just that at the Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve. Following months of pandemic-related delays, the Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve opened last May on a 5-acre site on the southside of Beltway 8 just west of US 59.

The property, owned by Crystal Covino, who also owns and operates the aquariums in Austin and San Antonio, features dozens of animal attractions, including fish and other sea creatures, as well as mammals including a camel and a pair of otters named Bonnie and Clyde, and birds of many different species, from parakeets to an ostrich.

What distinguishes the facility from most other zoos or animal attractions is its focus on interactivity, said Elsa Nedoroscik, the aquariums office manager.

We are an interactive aquarium. We let people interact with our animals and thats what people love to do, she said. We let them go in with our animals, touch them, pet them and enjoy their time with the animals. Children especially love to get the chance to be able to touch a starfish or pet a lemur.

Of course, the aquarium has strict rules regarding how children, as well as adults, are permitted to touch the animals so as to not harm them. We make sure they use two fingers only. And we also do it gently, not so hard, just to be really respectful for each animal, Nedoroscik said.

Although most of the animals have been trained to interact with people, sometimes they can become upset or skittish. Therefore, the aquarium makes sure to have one of its employees enter into the animal enclosure with the visitors, to ensure that the customers know when its alright to interact with the animals.

After a rocky start, the aquarium is beginning to see a steady growth in its business, as more customers learn about the attraction through word of mouth and social media postings, Nedoroscik said.

We did have a difficult time opening, she said. The opening had been delayed several times, both as a result of construction difficulties related to the pandemic, as well as delays in receiving approvals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and inspections from the city of Houston.

Now, with the facility having been open for several months, customers are putting the days of pandemic-induced lockdowns behind them and looking for ways to get out and learn about nature while having fun, Nedoroscik said. Even though theres been a great disaster, we encourage them to come out with their family and enjoy the comforts of our animals, she said.

Word about the aquarium is starting to spread far and wide as happy customers share their positive comments about the facility with family and friends. Nedoroscik said the aquarium has attracted visitors not only from throughout the greater Houston area, but also from neighboring states, such as Louisiana and from states further away, such as New York and California. The aquarium even has created fans from countries outside the U.S., including Mexico and Guatemala.

The facility comprises four main buildings plus an outside enclosure that houses birds and other sun-loving creatures. In the aquarium building, the facility is home to different types of fish and other aquatic animals, including rainbow fish, longhorn cowfish, pacu, bamboo sharks, California stingrays and other types of stingrays, and a variety of species of turtle. The building is also home to the aforementioned Bonnie and Clyde, which the facility obtained from the Austin Aquarium.

The aquariums reptile building houses a variety of lizards and geckos, as well as some larger reptiles, including Komodo dragons and Asian water monitors. The structure is also home to some non-reptilian species, such as anteaters, sloths, ground squirrels, rabbits, ostriches, and three different species of lemurs.

In the outdoor aviary area, birds of all kinds can be found, including numerous parakeets, cockatiels and parrots.

In our back area, we have our Cave Room, concession stand and bounce house. When parents want to tire their kids out, they go back there, Nedoroscik said. Outside, we have our petting zoo, which has our tortoises, and one of our newcomers, a Brazilian porcupine. We have our camel named Petrie, deer, ostrich, emus, goats, alpacas and our warthogs and pigs.

Customers exit through the gift shop, where they can find all sorts of animal-related trinkets, books and other treasures.

The aquarium will hold a special Halloween-themed event on Oct. 30 and 31, Were having a Halloween costume contest, and itll be spooky. Its a $5 entrance if youre wearing a costume, Nedoroscik said. Most of our animals will be in costumes and our employees as well.

Children will be able go trick-or-treating through the facility and receive candy handouts from employees.
Cup by cup of tanginess over five years of business, 12-year-old Sugar Land resident Myles Brown has been named the 2021 Lemonade Day Houston Youth Entrepreneur of the Year.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Fort Bend County COVID risk level lowered from red to orange

Myles mother, Megan Brown, estimated he has sold nearly $3,000 in lemonade, snow cones, chips and cookies. But he usually offers his organic, freshly squeezed lemonade in front of area Kroger stores and other locations like Sugar Land Town Square.

On Oct. 7, he was treated to a special celebration sponsored by Cadence Bank, where he received a brand-new bicycle and gift packages.

Lemonade Day is a nonprofit geared toward teaching youth important business, financial, character-building and life skills that are key steppingstones in entrepreneurship. The organization began in Houston in 2006 and is now in 84 licensed markets across the United States, Canada, Bermuda and six U.S. military bases. Today, more than 1 million children participate nationwide.

Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business - a lemonade stand, said Lemonade Day Houston Executive Director Bailey Kinney.

The youth that participate are usually in kindergarten to eighth grades, but the program can be adapted for any age.

Megan said watching her son grow and learn as his business succeeded has been an awesome journey. Not many Lemonade Day entrepreneurs run their businesses for five years straight.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Families invited to Halloween Grosstopia at Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center

Kinney explained that Myles perseverance was one of the top reasons he was selected for the high honor. We were impressed with the fact that he would set a goal, he'd work a business plan, and then he would achieve his goal and his dream each time. And that just shows grit and endurance.

In addition to his regular recipe, Myles offers strawberry, watermelon and blueberry lemonades and snow cones in cherry, strawberry, raspberry lemonade and other flavors, which is another reason Kinney said his business stood out.

Myles said his experience has taught him how to be a good entrepreneur. He plans to expand his business and work to get his recipes into grocery stores. He has a love for cameras and is considering acting and modeling in the future as well.

Lemonade Day entrepreneurs are taught to use their earnings wisely. While Myles bought an electric scooter, he invests some back into his business and he gives 10 percent to Neuhaus Education Center. The rest he puts in to his bank account.

Megan is proud of her son and said, His teachers will say the same thing. Ever since kindergarten though, they say he works so hard. He doesn't give up.

Lemonade Day has adapted during the pandemic. Since lemonade stands caused some health concerns amid the spread of the coronavirus, the Lemonade Day My Way program launched. Participants used virtual selling techniques and pitches to compete in virtual pitch contests. Some began delivering lemonade or selling other items like accessories and jewelry to keep their businesses going.

On HoustonChronicle.com: CrossWalk Center's "Ride to Re-Entry" to raise awareness, funds to break cycle of recidivism

It was super hard, like it was for everybody in the world. But these kids are resilient, and they were flexible, Kinney explained. And it made them even more creative from looking at the results in the reports that we were seeing from it.

Kinney said the plan is to launch a normal Lemonade Day program in January 2022. Currently, she is fundraising and collaborating with businesses, banks and youth organizations to grow the organization.

It's been a wonderful program, especially during the pandemic. Lemonade Day Houston was able to keep us fully engaged, Megan said.

tracy.maness@hcnonline.com
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick may not be the worst of our statewide leaders. Theres some stiff competition for that spot.

Nor, perhaps, is the Baltimore native and former conservative talk radio host the most vulnerable incumbent seeking re-election next year. Attorney General Ken Paxton  who remains under indictment for securities fraud, is reportedly under investigation by the FBI and barely won re-election in 2018  may be ranked on top, when it comes to that.

But it looks like Patrick is going to have a real fight on his hands in next years general election, which is surely good news for the states beleaguered Democrats.

Thats partly due to the fact that Matthew Dowd, a political consultant based in Wimberley and former ABC News commentator, announced last month that he is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Patrick.

His decision to enter the race has caused some heartburn among Texas Democrats. For starters, hes a former Republican who joined George W. Bushs presidential campaign in 2000 and served as the chief strategist for Bushs re-election campaign in 2004 .

Democrats already have a proven vote-getter vying to unseat Patrick  former accounting executive Mike Collier, who came within 5 percentage points of unseating Patrick in 2018. As the national media has focused on the candidacy of the better-known and very quotable Dowd, Colliers campaign has practically been ignored.

For Colliers supporters, Dowds decision to jump in the race looks opportunistic.

Dowd, 60, disputes that. He explains that he entered the arena as a Democrat, working for former Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, before deciding to join Bushs 2000 presidential campaign.

In 2007, he said in an interview that he had lost faith in Bush, then still the president  an admission that was covered on the front page of the New York Times. Dowd went on to spend some time in the political wilderness as an independent.

As late as 2017, Dowd was a critic of both parties, telling the Austin American-Statesman that they were analogous to Yellow Cab and American Cab  and the party solution is well repaint the cab or well put a stereo system in the cab, but people want Uber or Lyft.

On Friday, he explained in a phone interview that his perspective has changed due to subsequent events, including the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by crowds that were egged on earlier by then-President Donald Trump  and the tepid response from Republican leaders. Some want Americans to forget that it took place, others think it was an appropriate form of political protest.

Absent losing badly, theyre not going to change, Dowd said of the GOP. Until they feel accountability for the place theyve gone, theyre not going to change. Changing them from within is not going to happen.

In the wake of the insurrection, which left a Capitol Police officer and four others dead, Dowd says he felt that he had to do more than speak out against the GOP, so he became a volunteer deputy registrar in Hays County. Then he concluded he could do more than that and set his eyes on Patrick  the worst of the current bunch of far-right Texas leaders, he argues, in part because of his seeming influence over Gov. Greg Abbott.

I would describe Abbott as more weak and Dan Patrick as more cruel and devious, Dowd said.

Over the course of the last four or five years, Dowd continued, I have come to the conclusion that the only vehicle right now to save our country is through the Democratic Party.

He ran through his reasoning: In Texas, Republicans can rely on roughly 42 percent of the electorate  maybe 41 percent, these days. Perhaps 35 or 37 percent of voters will regularly turn out for the Democrats. That leaves an independent scrabbling over roughly 20 percent of the vote, in his estimation, and potentially serving as a spoiler, allowing the Republican to win re-election.

Others would dispute that. Bill King, the Houston businessman and onetime mayoral candidate whos now serving as the founding chairman of a new party, the Save America Movement, points to the 2006 gubernatorial race. Republican Rick Perry won re-election that year with 39 percent of the vote, after two independent candidates, Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn, combined to pull 30.5 percent of the vote  a hair more than the 29.8 percent of Texans who voted for Chris Bell, the Democrat.

Its possible, of course, that an independent candidate  former House Speaker Joe Straus, for example, or outgoing state Rep. Lyle Larson  could still decide to jump in this race.

As it stands, though, Colliers previous experience in recent statewide campaigns will likely serve him well in the primary.

Like Dowd, Collier, 60, of Kingwood, is a former Republican. He supported GOP candidates in the days when they focused on issues like job creation and economic development rather than the latest mean-spirited, culture-war cause. But Collier has been working to support Texas Democrats for nearly a decade now  first as the partys candidate for comptroller, in 2014, then as its finance co-chair, then as its nominee for lieutenant governor. He also was a senior adviser to Democrat Joe Bidens presidential campaign in the state in 2020, when Biden came within 6 points of Trump. In other words, Collier has had time to build a base of support among Texas Democrats  and, he says, to learn how to talk to Texas voters and earn their confidence.

Its all about earning trust, and it takes a long, long time  and you dont earn trust with TV commercials, Collier told me Monday. In order for them to trust you, they have to hear you, and they have to know you. You have to speak meaningfully to them, and show them, Heres whats in it for you  like property taxes, like public education, like the grid, like water infrastructure.

While Democratic voters prioritize their values, Collier added, hes found that disaffected Republicans are only willing to cross over in pursuit of shared policy goals. In 2018, for example, there were plenty of pro-life educators who knew he had been endorsed by Planned Parenthood twice but were swayed by his fierce support for public education.

Both Collier and Dowd say they plan to support the eventual Democratic nominee against Patrick, whomever that may be.

In the meantime, both candidates intend to focus their attacks on Patrick, who has helped steer the state GOP to the fringe-right. Remember when he said in 2020 that grandparents would be willing to sacrifice their lives rather than see the economy suffer as a result of the pandemic?

And to the extent that Dowds candidacy has elevated the profile of this particular race, thats good news for Democrats. Patrick will bring a considerable war chest to the race, but like Ted Cruz in 2018, he will have to answer tough questions about his often extreme positions.

erica.grieder@chron.com
A man died Wednesday, two days after becoming unresponsive in police custody after a stolen vehicle pursuit in west Houston Monday, according to a Friday press release from the Houston Police Department.

Zachary Brooks, 42, died at Ben Taub General Hospital and a cause of death is pending an autopsy from the Harris County Medical Examiner.
Author Jerry Crafts award-winning graphic novels are back on Katy ISD library shelves this week after a review committee ruled the books do not contain subversive or offensive material.

A previously canceled online speaking event with the New York Times best-selling author also has been rescheduled, the district announced Thursday.

Crafts books were pulled from district libraries and an event was canceled last week after a parent complained the works promote critical race theory and anti-white rhetoric. The districts initial move caused concern among many other parents, community members and advocates who said it appeared the district wanted to censor the Black experience from its libraries.

Earlier this week, the review committee met and determined the appropriateness of the book, New Kid, a statement from the district read. The reading material is already back on district library shelves, and the virtual author visit is scheduled to take place on October 25 as part of the instructional day.

Parents who do not wish for their children to listen to the event may opt them out of participating, the district said.

The acclaimed, award-winning books, New Kid and Class Act follow a Black preteen as he navigates the challenges of attending a predominantly white private school. Craft said the books are based on the experiences of his two sons.

Attempts to reach Craft for comment Friday were unsuccessful. In a statement published online by the The Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association on Oct. 6, Craft said his goal in writing the books was to help kids see themselves in literature and to depict children of color as just regular kids.

As an African American boy who grew up in Washington Heights in New York City, I almost never saw kids like me in any of the books assigned to me in school, Craft said. Books aimed at kids like me seemed to deal only with history or misery.

The author said he also felt it was important to depict the kinds of struggles he faced as a student.

I wanted to illustrate the things that kids like me had to face on a daily basis  like teachers confusing you with another kid of color, or classmates being afraid to come to your house because they assume you live in a bad neighborhood, he said.

Related: 'We believe in the freedom of speech': Katy bookstore promotes books banned by Katy ISD

Jay Lewis, father of a sixth-grader in Katy ISD, said that having grown up as a Black child in a military family who moved around a lot, he appreciates Crafts stories.

I was often the new kid, just like the character in the book, he said. That anyone would see that perspective as problematic is just odd to me.

Lewis said parents should give their kids a chance to read the book for themselves, whether they agree with the message or not.

Even if you think something is controversial, as a parent, the harm isnt in the controversy, he said. The harm is when you dont give your kids a chance to sort of explore and have that conversation with you as a parent, so that you can guide them through it.

The push to cancel Crafts initial event was led by Bonnie Anderson, a former Katy ISD board of trustees candidate, who once sued the district for $100,000 for requiring masks in the 2020-21 school year. Anderson dropped the lawsuit when the district announced it would not require masks during the current school year.

In addition to claiming the books teach critical race theory, Anderson also alleged they promote Marxism.

A now-deleted change.org petition initiated by Anderson garnered fewer than 500 signatures in a district of nearly 90,000 students, but due to district protocol, the books temporarily were pulled from shelves and placed under review.

Im not surprised the district caved to the pressure with every media outlet headline reading Katy ISD cancels black author as if that had anything to do with the issue, Anderson said in an email on Friday. The fact is the district is permitting Critical Race Theory content into their elementary school classrooms and theres no going back on the harm that inflicts on children of all ethnicities.

In a Friday public Facebook post, Anderson said that Katy ISD, caved out of fear of being called racist.

Anderson also said in the post that Katy ISDs decision is not a defeat and that she is just getting warmed up.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Ted Cruz pitches Rockets job to Kyrie Irving over vaccines; Twitter responds with ridicule

Any parent may dispute a library book, said Laura Davis, media relations representative for the district.

According to district protocol, the school system cant remove materials from a library for the purpose of denying students access to ideas with which the district disagrees. However, it may remove library books because they are pervasively vulgar or based solely upon the educational suitability of the books in question, the policy states.

Katy ISD faced swift backlash after temporarily pulling the books from library shelves, with angry parents accusing the district of censorship and racism. A counter petition on change.org to have Crafts books put back on school shelves and to reschedule his previously planned speaking event garnered more than 2,100 signatures in two days.

"It utterly disgusted me that this was brought on by one parent who is not a leader or representative of our school district," said Stephanie Sandoval, parent of two children in Katy ISD. "What does this teach our kids? Katy and Houston strive for diversity. The fact that this was even a possible issue blows my mind."

News of Katy ISDs review of the books also prompted a wave of national support for Craft on social media, including one campaign to donate the graphic novels to Texas students.

In his statement, Craft thanked his supporters for championing his books.

You have changed my life, in the same way that I hope to have changed yours, he said. And to my readers and fans around the world who tell me how much they relate to my characters, I cant put into words how much your support means to me.

claire.goodman@chron.com

hannah.dellinger@chron.com
A top leader of the Southern Baptist Convention announced his resignation late Thursday after weeks of chaos over a sexual abuse investigation.

Due to my personal integrity and the leadership responsibility entrusted to me, I will not and cannot any longer fulfill the duties placed upon me as the leader of the executive, fiscal, and fiduciary entity of the SBC, Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBCs executive committee, wrote in his resignation letter.

Floyd said he will step down Oct. 31 as head of the powerful committee that handles the affairs of Southern Baptists when they arent gathered for their annual meeting. Southern Baptists dont answer to a pope or bishops  the votes cast by thousands of church messengers who gather annually are supposed to have the ultimate say in the affairs of the SBC.

That key doctrine, known as local church autonomy, was tested after the SBCs last annual meeting in June, when more than 10,000 Southern Baptists overwhelmingly approved a third-party investigation into whether executive committee members had mishandled abuse reports, stifled reforms and intimidated other Southern Baptist leaders whove been outspoken in their support of abuse survivors.

The SBC has been struggling with a sexual abuse scandal after an investigation by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News published in February 2019 found hundreds of cases of abuse in Southern Baptist churches. The newspapers detailed years of failed attempts by survivors to convince SBC leaders  namely executive committee members  that their churches were being targeted by predators.

Floyd took the helm of the executive committee in April 2019. A few months later, at a three-day conference on abuse held by the SBC in response to the Chronicles investigation, Floyd and other executive committee members were criticized by well-known survivors advocate and lawyer Rachael Denhollander.

The first person to publicly accuse former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar of abuse, Denhollander took issue with a March 2019 article in Baptist Press that described the sexual abuse of a Southern Baptist employee, Jen Lyell, as a consensual affair despite her insistence otherwise.

Denhollanders criticism ultimately led Baptist Press, which is overseen by the executive committee, to issue a correction. Lyell says Floyd was among those who refused to grant her request for a clarification in the article as she was bullied on social media.

Lyell eventually resigned from her job at the SBCs publishing arm after 11 years there. Through mediation, she and the SBCs insurance company later settled for an undisclosed amount.

Then, earlier this year, Floyd was again criticized after another, former high-ranking SBC official  Texas pastor Phillip Bethancourt  released audio in which Floyd downplayed the need for abuse reforms and spoke of his desire to preserve the base.

Floyd has previously said those comments were taken out of context.

At the SBCs annual meeting in June, church messengers responded to such controversies by requesting an independent investigation into the executive committees handling of abuses dating to 2000.

The church delegates also explicitly requested a waiver of attorney-client privilege by the executive committee to ensure transparency. Such a waiver would allow investigators to review legally protected records, such as communications with SBC lawyers.

But many members of the executive committee, including Floyd, resisted giving up their legal protections, saying it put the SBC at financial risk. It led to weeks of divisive debate and accusations that the executive committee wasnt following the will of Southern Baptists.

After two failed votes by the executive committee to waive attorney-client privilege, the committee approved it on a third attempt. A law firm that represented the SBCs executive committee for decades decided to drop the committee as a client in response to the waiver vote.

In his resignation letter, Floyd said the executive committee has been committed to a full investigation, but insisted it could have been done without creating these potential risks relating to the conventions liability.

Survivors and advocates welcomed Floyds resignation, but said more must be done to ensure SBC leaders are held accountable.

Lyell echoed those concerns.

I hope with my whole heart that God will continue to reveal truth where its been obscured and to block all personally-motivated endeavors in the SBC, she said. There is no revival without repentance, and there is no repentance without admission of sin.

john.tedesco@chron.com

robert.downen@chron.com
The first leg of Lucys wild, looping voyage is underway.

The NASA spacecraft launched Saturday at 4:34 a.m. from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Its 12-year mission will visit asteroids that share Jupiters orbit around the sun and could unlock secrets to the formation of planets in our solar system.

Lucy will fly by one asteroid in the main asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter, five Trojan asteroids that orbit ahead of Jupiter and two Trojan asteroids that orbit behind Jupiter. These Trojan asteroids are remnants of the material that formed the outer planets.

MORE ON THE SCIENCE: NASA's Lucy mission will spend 12 years examining Jupiter asteroids with clues to solar system

Southwest Research Institute

To reach all eight asteroids  the most by a single spacecraft  Lucy will have a trajectory that was part science, part art and part luck, Hal Levison, Lucys principal investigator with the Southwest Research Institute, said during a news conference.

Lucy will initially orbit the sun for one year. Around this time next year, it will line up with Earth and get a gravity assist that pushes Lucy on a two-year elliptical trajectory beyond the orbit of Mars. In 2024, the spacecraft will approach the Earth again and get a boost toward Donaldjohanson in the main asteroid belt and the Trojan asteroids orbiting ahead of Jupiter.

Lucy will visit its first Trojan asteroids, Eurybates and its satellite Queta, in August 2027. It will fly past Polymele in September 2027, Leucus in April 2028 and Orus in November 2028. The spacecraft then returns to Earth, gets yet another gravity assist in 2031 and is flung toward the asteroids orbiting behind Jupiter. It will reach Patroclus and Menoetius, a binary pair of asteroids that are roughly the same size and orbit each other, in March 2033.

When I first saw that (trajectory), said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate, I looked at this like, Youve got to be kidding me. This is possible?

The Trojan asteroids share an orbit with Jupiter, but theyre not actually close to the planet. The Trojans are as far away from Jupiter as they are from the sun.

That means Lucy will travel nearly 4 billion miles in 12 years.

Whats amazing about this trajectory is we can continue to do loops, said Coralie Adam, Lucys deputy navigation team chief at KinetX Aerospace. So after the final encounter with the binary asteroids, as long as the spacecraft is healthy, we plan to propose to NASA to do an extended mission and explore more Trojans.

Lucy was built by Lockheed Martin Space and launched Saturday atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. When the spacecraft flies through the Trojan asteroids, it will have traveled farther from the sun than any other solar-powered spacecraft (the record is currently held by the Juno spacecraft thats orbiting Jupiter). Its far-flung predecessors relied on nuclear power.

Solar power is preferred for its lower cost  the Lucy mission cost $981 million  and for safety reasons.

The solar arrays that we use on this mission are really going to prove and pave the way for solar technology, Cory Prykull, Lucys assembly, test and launch mechanical operations lead at Lockheed Martin Space, told the Houston Chronicle. (Its) going to unlock other smaller missions to be able to go to the outer planets. If we prove out this technology, its going to make it cheaper, its going to make it more accessible, for other missions that can go out there.

The spacecraft has two solar arrays that each measure 24 feet in diameter. They are so big that Lockheed Martin wasnt able to open them simultaneously when testing here on Earth. Prykull described a song and dance where Lucys team opened one solar array, closed it, moved the spacecraft and then opened the other solar array.

These solar arrays will generate 18,000 watts of power near Earth. Katie Oakman, Lucys structures and mechanisms lead at Lockheed Martin Space, said thats enough to power her house and a couple of her neighbors.

Near the Trojan asteroids, Lucys solar arrays will generate just 500 watts of power. This would turn on a few lights in the living room but not power the microwave. Yet its sufficient for Lucys science instruments that will need 82 watts of power when flying by the asteroids. The spacecraft will not orbit these asteroids and, on average, will fly past them at 15,000 mph.

Its super important to us to collect as much data as we can and not miss it on that one opportunity, Joan Salute, associate director for flight programs in NASAs planetary science division, said during a news conference.

The Trojan asteroids are like fossils of planetary formation. As such, the mission was named for the fossilized skeleton of an early human species. Lucy is a collection of bones (about 40 percent of a full skeleton) that were found in Ethiopia in 1974. Theyre believed to be roughly 3.2 million years old.

Paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson, who was among the team that found the fossilized remains, was at the launch Saturday. The first asteroid that Lucy will visit, the one in the main asteroid belt, was named after Johanson.

FAMOUS ASTEROID: Researchers identify source of dinosaur-killing asteroid

But Lucy isnt just looking to the past. It will carry a message for our descendants.

The spacecraft could travel between Earth and the Trojan asteroids for hundreds of thousands of years, perhaps millions of years. Future generations might one day retrieve it as relic from humanitys early exploration of the solar system.

They would then find a plaque depicting the positions of the planets when Lucy launched. They would also read messages from prominent thinkers of our time.

Im writing to you from a world youll have a hard time imagining, to a world I cant picture no matter how hard I try, reads a message from Serbian American poet Charles Simic, a Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry and Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Do you still have birds that wake you up in the morning with their singing and lovers who gaze at the stars trying to read in them the fate of their love? If you do, well recognize one another.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/a_leinfelder
The Texas Legislature signed off on its first redistricting maps on Friday, sending redrawn districts for the state Senate and House to the governors desk.

Like other maps considered this session, the proposals shore up GOP support across the state and protect Republican incumbents who would otherwise face tough re-election campaigns. The maps have garnered backlash for expanding the GOPs reach and declining to add new majority-Hispanic or majority-Black districts in a state thats grown increasingly blue and diverse over the past 10 years.

As per tradition, both chambers passed the others map without amendments. The proposals, which still require Gov. Greg Abbotts signature to become law, will likely secure GOP control of the state Legislature for years to come  though Democrats and civil rights advocates have sworn to challenge them in court.

The 31-seat Senate map, for its part, may expand GOP control of the chamber. Republicans currently hold 18 of those seats, but the proposal could increase that number to 20. The Texas House map, meanwhile, will primarily protect that chambers 150 incumbents but will also improve Republicans odds in a handful of Democratic-controlled districts.

Republicans could gain ground in Senate

The map will likely cost Democrats a North Texas seat currently held by Sen. Beverly Powell, D-Burleson, and make a blue-leaning district in the Rio Grande Valley more favorable to Republicans.

The current map includes 16 districts that former President Donald Trump, a Republican, won last year. The new map would expand that number to 19, flipping Powells district and two others held by GOP Sens. Joan Huffman of Houston and Angela Paxton of McKinney.

In South Texas, District 27  currently held by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., a Brownsville Democrat who is not seeking re-election  voted for President Joe Biden by 15.7 points in 2020. The proposal shrinks that gap to 4.6 points.

While the political fallout is clear, Democrats and civil rights advocates have also voiced concerns that the map does not create any new majority-Hispanic or majority-Black districts, even though people of color drove 95 percent of the states population growth over the past decade.

Latinos, who comprised roughly half of the 4 million-person increase, now nearly match the proportion of non-Hispanic white people in the Lone Star State. But the new Senate map maintains the seven districts where Hispanic Texans are the majority of the citizen voting age population and one district where Black voters are the majority.

The proposal includes 20 majority-white districts and three where there is no racial or ethnic majority.

Huffman, the chair of the Senates redistricting committee and author of the maps, has said she drew the districts race blind.

IN-DEPTH: GOP lawmakers swear new Texas redistricting maps are 'race blind,' as they did a decade ago

Powells district, which is currently contained within the boundaries of Tarrant County, would extend into redder, more rural areas with concentrations of white voters under the proposed changes. Its a district where Hispanic, Black and Asian voters have banded together in the past to elect Democrats.

When the draft map was first released last month, Powell called the changes to her district a direct assault on the voting rights of minority citizens in Senate District 10.

Under the Senate plan, growing Tarrant County minority communities have been surgically cracked apart into Anglo-controlled districts to prevent them from coming together to elect their candidate of choice, she reiterated in a statement Friday.

House Democrats tried again this week to keep her district lines within the county, but several amendments to redraw District 10 were shut down. State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie and the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, tweeted afterward: GOP, well see you in court.

Republicans protect incumbents in Texas House map

Democrats have made similar complaints about the Texas House map. The number of districts with a majority-Black citizen voting-age population will drop from seven to six, while majority-Hispanic districts would fall from 33 to 30. The number of white-majority districts, meanwhile, would jump from 83 to 89.

Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chair Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chair Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, each offered amendments during House debate that they said would have made the map more accurately reflect the states population, but Republicans rejected their proposals.

The adopted state House plan splits communities of interest in key areas across the state and drastically undermines Texas massive minority population growth, Turner said in a statement. Texas House Democrats will continue to fight back against maps that disenfranchise voters, undermine communities of interest and deny Texans fair representation.

The new Texas House map will protect Republican control by shedding Democratic-leaning areas where the party has lost support and moving those to blue districts while shoring up red ones.

That give-and-take is evident in west Harris County where two red districts, represented by Republican state Reps. Mike Schofield of Katy and Lacey Hull of Houston, are redrawn to include red-leaning precincts from Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal's nearby district; Rosenthals district will get blue-leaning areas now represented by the two Republicans.

As the state's demographics change, however, there are only so many reliably red areas from which to pull. That meant for some districts, the best Republicans could do was make changes to benefit incumbents.

For example, the Energy Corridor district represented by state Rep. Jim Murphy, a Republican who is not seeking re-election, would give up some GOP precincts to Hull. Former President Donald Trump won Murphys district by 4 percentage points in 2020, but under the new map, that margin would drop to 2 points.

The Legislature is also nearing the finish line on other redistricting maps, including one for the state Board of Education. House members approved the education map on Friday, but with one small amendment, sending it back to the Senate for a final OK.

The 15-member Board of Education, currently controlled by Republicans, decides on the curriculum and textbooks for Texas public schools.

The last proposal, which redraws the states congressional map and accounts for two new seats, is scheduled for a floor vote in the House on Saturday. Its already passed the Senate.

cayla.harris@express-news.net

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
MIAMI  Miami commissioners on Thursday officially fired police Chief Art Acevedo, a brash and outspoken personality who clashed with his fellow cops, elected officials and other city administrators during the shortest tenure for a Miami police chief in recent memory.

Acevedo, 57, sat quietly in a second-row seat at City Hall for a quasi-trial that, at one point, grew contentious when commissioners who were clearly angry at Acevedo interrupted the flow of the proceeding. For most of the hearing, attorneys examined and questioned City Manager Art Noriegas reasons for suspending the chief. City rules required a public hearing where Noriega and Acevedo acted as opposing parties in a trial, and the citys five commissioners served as judges.

In the end, the commission unanimously voted to fire Acevedo.

Hours of testimony examined a series of Acevedos gaffes, controversial public statements and feelings from his top deputies that the chief had lost the confidence of the Police Department. Some of the most devastating comments made against Acevedo came from those who served as his top lieutenants in the department.

The entire department, from the rank-and-file to the executive staff has lost confidence in the chief, said Assistant Chief Manny Morales, who is acting as the citys interim top cop.

Morales recalled Acevedo telling the police leadership that the department was full of backstabbers and snakes.

Acevedo remained silent and offered no defense during the hearing. His attorney, John Byrne, objected to the hearing on the basis that he believes Acevedo should have had more time to prepare his defense. Byrne called no witnesses, and he only cross-examined Noriegas witnesses.

Right after Acevedos firing, commissioners and other city staffers gathered in a City Hall conference room away from the dais, where Morales was sworn in as the citys interim police chief. Morales had sought to become police chief before Acevedos hire, and he became the acting top cop after Acevedos suspension.

We are are going to get back to to serving the public, Morales said.

After the hearing, Acevedo finally broke weeks of silence by reading from a prepared statement outside City Hall after the vote. He said he came to Miami with the best of intentions and this wasnt the outcome he and his family had hoped for.

He thanked the citys Black police union and residents and officers who supported him. And in a sometimes quivering voice he said there is still work to be done.

From day one I made it clear the Miami Police Department had to be committed to constitutional policing, Acevedo said. The department was and continues to be in need of reform. I lament the fact that I do not have the opportunity to continue serving.

Acevedo also said he followed through on his threat to forward his findings to the proper government authorities, referring to a blistering eight-page memo he sent Noriega and Mayor Francis Suarez where he accused some commissioners of interfering in an internal police investigation.


In Marysville, exposing a child to domestic violence is now a crime; vast majority of locally polled readers side with city


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Indiana, PA (15701)

Today

Scattered snow showers during the morning. Then partly to mostly cloudy this afternoon. High 38F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

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A promising ride awaits eager campers in the beautiful state of Kerala. The state's tourism department seems to have left no stone unturned with this caravan that comes packed with a lounge, a shower, double bunk beds and more.

team-bhp.com

According to team-bhp.com, the BharatBenz Caravan was unveiled by Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), and is the Kerala Tourism Department's attempt to draw in folks to come and camp out in the state as part of its initiative 'Keravan Kerala. Made together with Autobahn Trucking Dealership and the JCBL Group, the van comes packed with features.

This initiative comes in the wake of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and with the hope that the caravan can prove to be just the shot to the arm tourism in the state perhaps needs. Those looking to travel within the state couldn't have timed it better.

team-bhp.com

Hold on to your drool - there's more. According to the report, this caravan is built on the BharatBenz 1017 chassis and is available in two configurations. Additionally, this luxe baby can accommodate anywhere between two and four travellers.

A lounge with recliners and television, a bathroom with a showerhead, and a kitchenette with a cooktop, microwave and refrigerator await any eager camper looking to hop on board this ship.

team-bhp.com





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In a bizarre lawsuit a UK nurse brought against the NHS, she claimed she had been hypnotised by the hospital and was, as a result, farting 'against her will.'

Of all the "gastrointestinal disturbances," Xandra Samson, a nurse at Ealing Hospital, London, seemed to have been most bothered by uncontrollable flatulence.



Ingimage/representational image

According to Times Now, she claimed she was a victim of "gaslighting by way of low-frequency soundwaves." She also alleged her private parts were under 'attack" and that she was being "possessed."

She alleged poor heating and ventilation had everything to do with her getting possessed.



Wikipedia

Citing the "ideomotor phenomenon,' she spoke about her condition in an email sent in April 2019.

According to Daily Mail, in the email she wrote, "I am a healthy individual and does not have any past medical history but recently I have had various symptoms including headaches, breathing difficulty (a feeling of getting choked), and gastrointestinal disturbance (borborygmus, spasms, flatulence)."



Representational image/Reuters

The London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust as a result asked to consult a psychiatrist thinking her mental health was suffering. But she turned the opportunity down claiming there was nothing wrong with her mental condition. She was 'let go' by December 2019.

She then tried to sue the trust but eventually lost the case after the judge ruled in her employer's favour.

Facebook: representational image/Ingimage



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Students will be back at Bennett Elementary on Monday after a weeklong suspension of in-person learning due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Officials from the county school division and the Prince William Health District said Monday that Bennetts outbreak -- the Manassas-area school had 36 confirmed COVID-19 cases when the division announced its closure -- was a mix of transmission within the building and outside the building. The county remains at a high community transmission level as determined by the Virginia Department of Health.

In a note to the school community on Friday, Principal Shelley Pohzehl said the time off led to a decline in case activity over the week, and in-person learning can resume as planned on Monday.

If your child was a close contact and was asked to quarantine, they should not return until the end of the specified period, she warned.

"It is important to note that the Health District has informed us to expect that additional cases may arise," Pohzehl wrote.

She urged parents to keep children home if they are sick; seek testing if they have potential COVID symptoms and remain home if they have a pending test.

County health officials said as with any school where children are too young to be vaccinated, the school community was reliant on adults within the community to get vaccinated to limit the amount of community transmission that could infect students and school employees. Even against the highly-contagious Delta variant, vaccines are shown to be effective at reducing transmission of COVID-19 and severely lowering the chances of serious illness or death from COVID. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the Pfizer vaccine for use in 5 to 11-year-olds before the end of the month, which would make young elementary-age children eligible for COVID vaccination for the first time.

There definitely appears to be a combination of transmission occurring in the school and then transmission among the community members of the school, potentially outside of the school, said Sean Morris, an epidemiologist with the health district. Really what it comes down to as to why cases did rise as fast as they did, we dont have a clear answer at this time. And thats part of the reason we recommended the pause, is anytime we need to recommend an intervention, were going to recommend it as specific and tailored as possible to stop the spread. Part of the reason we had to go as widespread as we did is we couldnt really clearly identify any points that would stop transmission.

Superintendent LaTanya McDade has said that no other school in the division was nearing the threshold that would cause a suspension of in-person learning. According to the divisions health dashboard, 1,066 students are currently quarantining and 193 students are isolating. In total, there are roughly 90,000 students in the division.

Itll be more challenging  the teachers are there to support, to explain, to really elaborate on this new learning, Pohzehl said Monday. So we really encourage you to make every possible effort possible to allow your students to be online and be in those sessions.
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Local Twin Cities artists Enzyrose, Eyenga Bokamba, Noah Lawrence-Holder, LeShon Lee, and Meadow Gillispie, talk about their reaction to the murder of George Floyd, the trial of Derek Chauvin, and life as a black artist during this time.
The President has extended condolences to the family of David Amess.

Michael D Higgins said the Conservative MP was killed while carrying out a fundamental role of a politician  helping their constituents.

Mr Amess was fatally stabbed while conducting a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Friday.

Sir David Amess was killed while meeting his constituents on Friday (UK Parliament/PA)

Mr Higgins said: May I express my deepest sympathies to the family, friends, colleagues in Parliament and constituents of Sir David Amess, who was murdered while carrying out that most fundamental act of a politician, meeting with his constituents, assisting them with their issues.

All of those who value representative politics will think also today of the family of the late Jo Cox, who was taken from her family in June 2016.

I know that all those who serve the people of the United Kingdom will have been deeply affected by these two murders and on behalf of the Irish people, I send them our deepest sympathies.

Meanwhile, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) has cancelled a scheduled plenary meeting at Westminster on Monday as a mark of respect for Mr Amess.

The assembly meets twice a year to provide a forum for parliamentarians across the UK, Ireland and the Crown dependencies to discuss issues of mutual interest.

In a joint statement, the co-chairs of the assembly, MP Andrew Rosindell and Irish TD Brendan Smith, said: Sir David Amess was an esteemed colleague, associate member and friend of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and his loss has deeply shocked all of us.

Our thoughts are with him and with his family, for whom the tragedy is orders of magnitude more intense.

We must not let such awful events stop business in our democracies, but out of respect for David and his family we have made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel Mondays BIPA plenary.
The delicate balance between Covid-19 and vaccinations is tipping the wrong way this week, but it is not inevitable this will lead to a huge surge of infections.

That is according to Professor Philip Nolan, head of the Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group under the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

Posting on social media on Saturday, he said there are many complex reasons why cases are rising, but called on the public to re-commit to public health measures to combat the rise.

Why are SARS-Cov-2 infections increasing in Ireland? Its complex, but most likely a mix of increased mobility and social contact since late September, slippage on transmission prevention measures, and more social mixing indoors. 1/16 pic.twitter.com/F3T6pi3xRX  Professor Philip Nolan (@PhilipNolan_MU) October 16, 2021

We cant know what will happen over the coming weeks, he said.

This could prove to be a transient, or renewed and sustained growth in infections. We do know from past experience that when cases rise, people become more cautious and limit the spread.

He said there are actions people can take including being more aware of ventilation in buildings.

We can support and encourage those not yet fully vaccinated to reconsider that choice, he said.

And we can support and encourage each other on the basics: self-isolate if symptomatic, masks, hand and respiratory hygiene , distance and avoid crowding, ventilation.

However, Prof Nolan said there is no evidence the rise is linked to schools.

A few comments on the origin of this recent increase. We do not believe it is connected to the reopening of schools. The incidence in schoolchildren was decreasing, and less than that in August prior to the reopening of schools despite higher levels of testing. 8/16 pic.twitter.com/CVlCKv5fox  Professor Philip Nolan (@PhilipNolan_MU) October 16, 2021

We do not believe it is connected to the reopening of schools, he said.

The incidence in schoolchildren was decreasing, and less than that in August prior to the reopening of schools despite higher levels of testing.

Many people have asked why Irelands infection rate is so high compared to much of Europe even though the vaccination rate here is higher.

We started at a disadvantage compared to most of Western Europe, Prof Nolan said.

We were hit by a very large wave of delta infections in July, with most of the population under 50 not yet vaccinated, driving daily cases from 300 to 1800 per day between June and August.

That wave began decreasing when vaccines reached the 18 to 30-year-olds. Prof Nolan said this unfortunately stabilised at a still-high rate.

However, this left us in a vulnerable position, he said.

With high levels of infection, and that delicate balance between very high levels of vaccine protection on the one hand, and increasing levels of social contact and risk of transmission on the other.

We started at a disadvantage compared to most of Western Europe. We were hit by a very large wave of delta infections in July, with most of the population under 50 not yet vaccinated, driving daily cases from 300 to 1800 per day between June and August. 3/16 pic.twitter.com/rQx8voaCmO  Professor Philip Nolan (@PhilipNolan_MU) October 16, 2021

Prof Nolan said these high figures indicate this has tipped the wrong way.

He said: Even a subtle change in the scale or nature of social contact can significantly shift the dynamics of viral transmission in the population due to the high levels of virus.

He pointed to evidence from the ESRI Social Activity Measure and mobility data showing social contacts are increasing.

Prof Nolan's comments came as another 2,180 cases of the virus were confirmed in Ireland.

The number of people in intensive care units is 71, down two on yesterday. There are 406 people being treated for the virus, down seven.

Earlier, the HSE's Dr Colm Henry said he would be comfortable for nightclubs to reopen provided that entry was reserved for those with proof of vaccination or have recently recovered from the Covid-19.

The Chief Clinical Officer said that thanks to a vaccine floodwall the country is in a better position than during previous surges.

Cabinet is due to sign off on the reopening plan on Tuesday ahead of the planned lifting of restrictions on Friday, October 22, with some questions emerging about vaccine certificates, mask-wearing and capacity at indoor events.
It took a jury of eight men and four women three and a half hours to deliver a majority verdict of guilty in the case of a woman accused of the manslaughter of her baby.

Before Waterford Circuit Criminal Court on Friday evening, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found unanimously guilty of manslaughter and child neglect in 2018 at Caredoc on the Cork Road.

Prosecution closing speech

Delivering her closing speech to the jury on Friday morning, senior counsel for the prosecution Fiona Murphy said in simple terms the case brought against the accused was one of gross negligence manslaughter.

In law, it is accepted there is a duty of care owed by a mother to her child. The prosecution put forward the accused breeched this duty and the accuseds negligence was a substantial cause of the babys death.

In simple terms, Ms Murphy said the prosecutions case that the placing of the baby in the bin, walking away and not mentioning it was the substantial cause of death of the baby.

Whether she decided to conceal or deny the pregnancy, Ms Murphy argued it wasnt a defence to placing the baby in the bin.

Before the birth of the baby at Caredoc, there was clear evidence the accuseds mother was making serious efforts to encourage her daughter to engage with medical professionals, but she failed or refused to do so. There was also evidence of a supportive relationship between the two, despite certain texts brought before the jury.

Regarding the Caredoc visit with her mother and grandmother, Ms Murphy said CCTV evidence showed the accused was only in the toilet for 13 minutes and within that time she gave birth and the baby was placed in a metal bin with bloody tissues over her.

She went back to the consultation room but nothing was mentioned to her mother or Dr Adel Abdulrazak, who referred her to University Hospital Waterford (UHW).

The baby was in the bin for 30 minutes by the time the accused and her mother arrived at UHW. She denied the birth and engaged in a fiction that she was 25 weeks' pregnant.

Dr Annie OLeary informed Dr Catherine McNestry and somewhere between 6am and 7am they discovered the account given wasnt true.

At 7.30am, gardai were notified and they sealed off the bloodstained bathroom and searched the drains based on the account given by the accused that she bled into the toilet.

When Sergeant Maureen Neary of the vulnerable victims unit and Detective Garda Deirdre OMahony arrived to the hospital shortly after 9am, the accused gave a detailed statement, while knowing the baby had been at the bottom of a bin for a number of hours. At 1.25pm, gardai discovered the body of the full-term baby when the contents of the bin were emptied.

After being informed of the discovery, the accused gave a second short statement to Det Gda OMahony. Ms Murphy asked the jury to look at that statement as being the only statement that has a ring of truth about it, adding the interviews after her arrest the following August were self-serving.

Ms Murphy said there had been no adequate explanation as to why no help was sought by the woman, when assistance would have been only 10 seconds away in the Caredoc building.

Regarding the suggestion it was a concealed pregnancy, Ms Murphy said the defences witness Dr Catherine Conlon, assistant professor of social policy at Trinity College, was not a doctor. Furthermore, no psychiatric, medical or psychological evidence was furnished to say the accused was suffering or had that condition.

In relation to the Ann Lovett case of 1984 raised by the defence, Ms Murphy said the difference was Ms Lovett was a child of 15, whereas the accused was over 18 and an adult.

Defence closing speech

Meanwhile, Ciaran OLoughlin SC, defending, described the case as a unhappy and tragic one. Mr OLoughlin argued that virtually everyone, bar the accused, knew she was pregnant. On every occasion, she denied the pregnancy, but nothing was done by anyone around her.

Mr OLoughlin reminded the jury of the accuseds right to the presumption of innocence. He maintained fingers should be pointed at the real culprits, before going into considerable detail on his thoughts about the family, GP, the nurse, the Caredoc doctor and the gardai.

Specifically, he had criticisms of the two gardai who took the two statements in the hospital, describing Sgt Nearys position in the vulnerable persons unit as a fig leaf, which means nothing. Similarly, he described Det Garda Deidre OMahonys role as family liaison officer as another figment of imagination. He said his client was still in denial and must have been in a state of distress, yet statements were taken over the course of almost six hours.

According to Mr OLoughlin, the prosecution was brought to cover the gross negligence of the medical staff in the early hours of the morning. He pointed the finger at the hierarchy of people who he believed were at fault.

This case, he said, was a stain on Irish society and a stain on Waterford, and shouldnt have been allowed to happen. He said there should have been others who were criminally negligent and added there was gross negligence after the death of the baby.

Mr OLoughlin finished his charge by saying it was entirely wrong to lump the blame solely on the accused.

You are being asked to lump the blame of this tragedy in its entirety onto [the accuseds] shoulders, he said to the jury, adding it wouldnt be an appropriate thing to do.

Charging the jury before they began their deliberations, Judge Eugene OKelly summarised the evidence and instructed them to concentrate on what occurred at the Caredoc office, explaining the allegations centred on the actions of the accused.

According to the judge, there was a great deal of peripheral evidence heard during the two-week trial, which went to the credibility of the witnesses, but had nothing to do with what the State had to prove. He told the jury to leave emotions to one side and deal with the evidence in a cold and clinical way.
Concerns around the cost of renovating an under-threat mental health centre in East Cork have been referred to the Public Accounts Committee, a large protest heard on Saturday.

The Owenacurra mental health centre is being shut down because the HSE found the 1970s buildings to be not fit for purpose and the potential cost of renovations too high, managers recently told the Oireachtas sub-committee on mental health.

Queries into the details of these costs have not been addressed by the HSE, the protest heard, despite families strong wish the building should be renovated not shut down.

HSE Cork/Kerry community healthcare is closing the residential service and respite services but have said they will re-home the day service currently on-site.

Mary Hurley, whose 60-year-old sister has lived in Owenacura for 25 years, called for the closure plans to be halted.

Weve been left with more questions than answers since the Oireachtas meeting, she said. Families should be able now to appoint an independent structural engineer.

It had been proposed to shut the service by the end of this month, but that has been pushed out due to difficulties in finding appropriate housing, the HSE has previously said.

Fine Gael TD for Cork East David Stanton told a large crowd on Saturday the situation has been handled very, very badly.

This was announced last June just as the Dail was going to recess, and that I think was a tactic, he said.

We are all here today folks to ensure we have a proper mental health service in East Cork. Never before was it as needed as now.

He said the closure affects not only the 19 residents, but also between 40 and 60 weekly users of the day services, their families and friends.

This is vitally important, hugely important, he said. It is keeping families together, supporting people through challenge and helping people.

The HSE previously said that the building could not be made fit for purpose even with extensive renovations.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork East Pat Buckley said: It is not fit for purpose because the HSE have never spent money in the building.

He said reports going back to 2006 show repairs were not carried out in a timely fashion.

Mr Buckley also raised the negative impact the pandemic has had on general mental health, saying more people will rely on services going forward.

We have one of the best hospitals, in a community-led setting with integration (to the community), he said.

This is part of the Slaintecare report, part of the mental health care reports. This is a model of excellence which should be improved and replicated around the country.

Local Green councillor Liam Quaide was critical of the communication with families and residents.

Even though the closure date has been pushed out, the closure process is very much under way, he said.

He said the campaign group Friends of Owenacurra asked in vain for details of costs of renovation, as had the Oireachtas sub-committee on mental health last month.

I think it is the least the families can expect now that they be allowed appoint an independent structural engineer to asses the building, and assess how the building compares to alternative facilities, he said.
Weekends are meant to relax and enjoy the beauty the island offers perhaps enjoy a delicious meal at one of participating #tasteofkeybiscayne restaurants.

Artisan Kitchen & Bar

Join us. Open for Indoor dining & expanded Outdoor dining, Takeout or FREE Delivery.

It is Saturday! Keep it going with our delicious Chicken Curry salad!

We deliver our famous craft beers. Call for your favorite, or take advantage of our Wine sale! All our white & red wine bottles are $12 - and we will deliver

Hours of operations: Mon - Sat 8 AM to CLOSE

Sunday Brunch 9 AM to 4 PM

Call us directly at (305) 365-6003 to place an order.

Place your Order Online here

Sake Room

Join us today for a weekend treat our delicious Rock Shrimp!

Plus Your weekend present! FREE* Crunchy Crab Salad with any $50 order!!!

Open for Indoor & Outdoor seating Dine-In, Takeout or Delivery from Noon to 10 p.m. Masks required

Call (305) 456-0488 to place a takeout or delivery order directly

Following all CDC safety protocols

328 Crandon Blvd Ste 108, Galleria Shopping Center

Grub hub  UberEats also available. Please if you can call us first

*Offer good on any $50+ order

D'Lite Bistro & Bakery

Who says eating healthy means sacrificing taste and flavor? Not at DLite!

We are a unique and healthy restaurant that serves salads, wraps, sandwiches, bowls, protein smoothies and cold press juices made fresh every morning  including gluten-free, vegetarian and keto options.

Celebrate this Saturday, go Hawaiian - like our Cauliflower Crust Pizza Turkey, pineapple - enjoy with sangria

We open at 7 a.m. daily and close at 8 p.m. everyday except Sat and Sun when we close at 6 p.m.

DLite is located in the Arcade Mall, 180 Crandon Blvd. To place an order, call (305) 882-9284 or visit us online by clicking here.

Brasas KB

Have you tried our Peruvian Chicken Rotisserie for lunch or dinner that includes 2 sides and sauce of your choice: huancaina, aji amarillo, huacatay and olivas negras peruanas.

This Saturday, feed the family with our Family combo! 2 chickens with 4 sides, like plantains, rice and fries

Saturday Special. Half pound hamburger, with one side and a soda, only $10.99 - loaded it up with a fried egg, bacon, cheese and pickles to make it a "completa" for only $4 more! Can't beat the quality! Unmatched value!

Open for Indoor & Outdoor seating, Dine-In, Takeout or Delivery. Please wear a mask.

Call (786) 615-2399 to place a takeout order. Open Noon to 8 p.m.

328 Crandon Blvd, Galleria Shopping Center

32 Degrees by MG

32 Degrees by MG is excited to announce NEW menu items for you to enjoy.

Let us help you simplify mealtime.

Our meals fresh-frozen go from your freezer to your microwave to your plate in 5 minutes or less. No additives and preservatives. Just delicious gourmet food that is ready to heat and eat when YOU are.

To see our new menu, click here.

Use code 32ISLANDER at checkout and receive 15% off* your first order.

*Offer good on orders of $40 or more.

Corner Coffee and Pantry

Now open and offering delivery!!!

Join us for breakfast and enjoy some waffles and fruits, plus the best Italian coffee on the island!

Did you know you do not have to be a member of the Community Center to enjoy the best Italian Coffee on the island?

Delivery via UberEats and Postmates

Located in the lobby of the Key Biscayne Community Center at 10 Village Green Way. You can reach CCP at (786) 420-2666 or to order online, click here

Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri - closes at 2 p.m. on Saturdays

Kazumi

Open for Indoor & Outdoor seating, Dining, Takeout or Delivery. Please wear a mask.

What about some fresh and delicious Trio Roll to start the weekend?

A modern Japanese fusion restaurant, offering creative treatments & creativity in our dishes for takeout and delivery by our employees. Available for lunch and dinner.

NEW HOURS! Monday through Saturday Noon to 10:00 p.m.

To place an order call (305) 361-2675 or order online here.

Boaters Grill & Lighthouse Cafe / Bill Baggs

Start the weekend by enjoying some of the freshest snappers on the island. Try our signature whole fried snapper or many of our delicious dishes this Saturday!

Enjoy the restaurants inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park  the popular Boaters Grill, located at No Name Harbor and accessible by boat, and the beachside Lighthouse Cafe offer a delicious, true-island-feel to your weekend beachside meal!

Boaters Grill is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lighthouse Cafe is open 7-days a week, from 9 a.m. to Sunset

The restaurants are located inside Bill Baggs State Park, at 1200 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne.

You can reach them at (305) 361-0080

La Scala

Saturday nights were meant for La Scala!.

A La Scala meal at the restaurant or at home makes Saturday night that much more special. Join us for dine-in, open for indoor dining, limited outdoor seating, reservations recommended.

This Saturday our Special Featured dish is our unique take on Grilled Veal Chop with vegetables and mushrooms sauce! Try it!

Come in even if just to say hello to Chandra, Chef Jose and the entire team, delighting diners. Stop by and say hello!

The popular Italian Bistro now offers their delicious meals to enjoy at home and thank you for the great response during these challenging times.

To place a takeout - offering curbside service - order call (786) 773-3633 or visit us online by clicking here.

Open 5 to 10 p.m.

180 Crandon Blvd  Arcade Shopping Center.

Costa Med Bistro

A great day to enjoy a Costa Med meal, in our indoor dining room, observing social distance.

This Saturday, go sophisticated. Enjoy our New Zealand marinated lamb chop dressed in a garlic sauce and purple potatoes.

Also new, you can order online for take out!

Costa Med, a TripAdvisor Traverlers Choice nominated restaurant, is located in the Square Shopping Center. 260 Crandon Blvd. Since they are operating at reduced capacity, reservations suggested. Call Antonio or Harold at (305) 361-7575

Hours.

Lunch Mon to Sat: Noon a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dinner Mon to Sat: 6 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. / Sun 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Open for Expanded Outdoor seating Dine-In, Takeout or Delivery.

The Golden Hog

Eat Local. Help local. Shop Safely.

Your local independent grocer can deliver freshly prepared meals or all the groceries you need. Email us your order here.

Visit our grill and enjoy our salmon tartare with avocado

Todays special menu.

Soups and Creams: Chicken Corn / Red Bean / Vegan Broccoli

Main Course: Meatballs / Chicken Lemon / Shrimp / Pasta Vodka

Side dishes: Ginger Rice / Zucchini Yellow Squash / Roasted Potatoes

The Golden-Hog has a complete line of specialty groceries for delivery.

Golden Hog puts safety first, and has taken steps to ensure the safety of employees and customers, investing in shields, masks and gloves for safety, and the store is set up for social distancing. Shop with confidence.

Call (305) 361-1300 to place a delivery or take out order; you can order online here

Pops Burger

At Pops, we love burgers!

Our burgers are made with 100% certified Angus beef and we offer everything from the most basic burger or cheeseburger, to our new Signature Burgers!!

Celebrate the weekend with POPS CRISPY burger. Juicy, crunchy and super tasty!!

We also serve Hot Dogs, nachos with chili and many other favorites, in addition to shakes and desserts in a safe and family style setting and we are pet friendly!

Pops Burger is located in the Square Mall, at 260 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne

We are open at Noon to 9 p.m. seven-days a week. We close at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

To place an order, please call 786-401-7474 or order online by clicking here.

We offer dine-in, takeout and delivery via UberEats and Postmates

Inka Bowl

Newest concept on the island healthy Peruvian Fusion Bowls to enjoy at home.

Give our Tuna bowl a try this Saturday

Several delicious combinations Order on UberEats or call (786) 401-7474

Pick up your order in the Square Mall, at 260 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne

Randazzos Italian Seafood and Classics

Open for Indoor & outdoor dining, Takeout or delivery. Reservations recommended, call (305) 456-0480

Make it special this Saturday night with our delicious Veal Milanese with prosciutto and burrata.

Call us directly to order at (305) 456-0480, offering Randazzos own delivery service. Local and safe

Open 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. today

328 Crandon Blvd Ste 112, Galleria Shopping Center

Outside the island delivery via @Postmates or @UberEats

AMICI At Key Biscayne

Go on a Saturday night to Italy In Italian, AMICI means friends and that is what you will find at AMICIs serving authentic Italian cuisine in a friendly

Todays dinner Spaghetti alle Vongole - probably the best spaghetti with clams youve ever had!

AMICI at Key Biscayne is located inside The Towers of Key Biscayne at 1111 Crandon Blvd. To make a reservation call (786) 453-0974 or click here.

Check back tomorrow for more specials as we add more restaurants to #tasteofkeybiscayne-To-Go

And please remember to order from the restaurant directly before using one of the apps  this way we support the local restaurants by saving them the commission they are charged, which at times is as much as 30%


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GUEST OPINION: Want to know the main goals of MVP and what are the goals of MVP? Read this article before launching MVP

Startup failures are nothing new for a modern market. During the last few years, it became a rule of sorts that 90% of just launched startups fail. Only 40% of surviving new startups got profitable within the last year. According to CB Insights research, 38% of startups failed because they lacked cash or new capital. Another 35% of startups found out that their products or services have no market need. 20% admitted to being outcompeted by other companies. 19% said they had a flawed business model that didnt give them a chance to grow successfully. Among other, less popular reasons are legal challenges, poor product quality, conflicts between team members, and pricing and cost issues.

Now, what can a company do to avoid the most common factors that contribute to startup failures? First of all, it should analyze the market and find out if the startup meets existing market needs and has potential clients. Then, its time to test core functions by creating an MVP, or Minimum Viable Product. A startup can develop an MVP in-house or find experts who know what to do  https://www.purrweb.com/, for instance, needs only three months to create MVP from scratch.

In this article, you will learn why a company should develop and launch MVP, and what benefits it brings to a company.

MVP Goals

There are several reasons why startups should develop an MVP:

Determine if the product meets the needs of potential customers;

Get feedback from customers and adjust their value offering expressed in the main features, monetization model, customer service approach, etc.

Determine how to develop the product into a fully functioning one  what features to prioritize, what to add, what to leave for later.

By collecting and analyzing this kind of information, a company can determine if its product has a chance to survive on the market.

MVP Benefits

Now, lets go through the main benefits that a company gets by launching a well-developed MVP.

Core Functionality Focus

MVP is a helpful tool for a company to test a product's main features and shape its core functions. Here are the examples of some companies and a summary of the way their MVP and users reception of it helped them improve their product.

A product A core feature Spotify MVP tested how many artists were ready to sign contracts with a streaming platform, and what users would pay for streaming music rather than buying or pirating it. Uber (originally Ubercab) MVP had a narrow functionality such: it allowed booking cabs and paying for them via the app. MVP was meant for passengers only, but the feedback has changed that and the app has included drivers, too. Snapchat (originally Picaboo) MVP helped gather info on how useful a function to send photos with time limits was  the app has found its audience after introducing self-destructing videos. Facebook (originally Thefacebook.com) MVP was a social platform where people from Harward university could talk to each other, share their news, and react to the others news. It validated peoples interest in such a website. Airbnb (originally AirBed & Breakfast) MVPs goal was to figure out how many people are ready to live in strangers houses or let strangers live in their homes.

Refine the Vision

A company needs to formulate its vision of a product before MVP development. Understanding vision will help a product team develop products with business objectives in mind and make decisions relevant to the company plans and principles.

MVP launch is a great opportunity for a company to comprehend if its vision is relevant and a product is wanted. It also tests a company's strategy and provides information about its effectiveness or lack of it. By analyzing the results of MVPs test run, a company can find out if its vision, plans for future development and growth work on the chosen market or require changes.

Engage New Users on MVP Stage

A test launch of MVP is a great way to determine if the target audience is interested in the startup. If an MVP gets good reviews from the beginning, it means a company understands its customers and what they want. The worst-case scenario is when a target audience isnt satisfied; or if people who the founders thought of as a target audience arent interested in the product at all.

Here are also some tips on how to engage first clients to an MVP and understand more about them:

Follow recent news and trends within your industry or niche and be an active participant of communities your target audience frequents; Talk about customers challenges and pains youre solving  both with them and with other people (perhaps, even people on the other side of the pains: for instance, if customers are travellers and have issues with travel disruptions, the other side would be airlines, airports, travel agents, etc.); Meet potential customers offline; Run a Wizard of Oz test. Present the visual part of your MVP to users while handling all mechanical components of the software manually) to find out if your audience wants to use your product and does it smoothly. Conduct the fake door test. Create a landing page with MVP's benefits description and a purchase option and redirect users who have chosen to pay to a collecting email form  with apologies and a promise they'll be notified about MVP release. Customers' willingness to spend money is your best indicator of a product answering their demand.

Faster Release

MVP development is faster than development from scratch  you only build the core functions that let you get knowledge about your customers you'll use later. This knowledge allows companies to enter the market faster as they know what to focus on.

Besides, with the MVP helping you to confirm your idea is needed, attract first adopters, and lay down foundations for further business and marketing strategies, youre avoiding common risks: failing a Great Launch, building something no one needs for years and other things that keep startups from success.

Conclusion

Here are some key points about MVP to keep in mind:

Usage of MVP can help a company avoid the most common mistakes new startups make;

MVP development is useful for focusing on a products core functions  features that make a product special  and for refining them;

A company can use MVP to get feedback from the target audience. With users responses, a company can decide how to further develop the product;

Building MVP is an affordable and fast way to get your idea to people and investors that's less risky than full-blown software development.

Despite everything mentioned above, MVP isnt a necessary step of startup development  but it is a great tool to test the waters and evaluate a company's abilities  specifically for early-stage startups.
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Austin St. in front of the Tomato Bowl is closed this afternoon in order for the Jacksonville High School cheerleaders to have a special Pink Out fundraising event from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Motorists that normally travel this route on their way home from work should find an alternate route.
Virginia Beth Bounds Gray passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021 in Flint. She was born April 14, 1938 in Sacul, Texas to James and Callie Bounds. Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday, November 12, 2021 to begin at 1:00pm at Boren-Conner Funeral Home in Jacksonville. A visitation will b
Joplin, MO (64801)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 56F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 42F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Laurent Gbagbo, with a decade-long exile behind him, this weekend embarks on a path he hopes will return him to Ivory Coasts presidency at the helm of a new party.

This is the grand return of Laurent Gbagbo to the political scene, his spokesman Justin Kone Katinan told AFP ahead of the launch.

Gbagbo will oversee the new partys congress on Saturday and Sunday as he seeks to reunite the left and use the occasion as a springboard to the 2025 presidential election.

The 76-year-old, whose 2000-2011 rule was marked by turbulence and division in the worlds biggest cocoa producer, has been very visible since returning to his homeland on June 17.

He was removed from office in April 2011 after a short civil war that claimed 3,000 lives, sparked by his refusal to accept electoral defeat by current President Alassane Ouattara.

Gbagbo was then flown to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity resulting from the conflict but eventually acquitted.

He has occupied himself by visiting former president and also rival Henri Konan Bedie, held reconciliation talks with Ouattara but has fallen out for good with his former prime minister Pascal Affi NGuessan, who heads a faction of his former Ivorian Popular Front (FPI).

Leaving the FPI behind, Gbagbo now expects around 1,600 delegates will show support at the congress hosted at Abidjans prestigious Hotel Ivoire where his new African Peoples Party  Cote dIvoire (PPA-CI) will look to draw up a manifesto.

The mooted party logo comprises two intertwined hands clasping a map of Africa with the accent on a Pan-African dimension.

Indeed one of the major congress themes will be African sovereignty in the face of the abiding influence of Western powers.

The new party hopes to reshape domestic debate in a country where the opposition has become increasingly hollowed out over the past decade.

We want to constitute a normal opposition party which brings a critique to the table to enable debate to leave violence behind and become essentially political, says Kone Katinan.

We are waiting to see if this will be a real opposition or a party seeking power. We shall see how they go about things, what will be their alternative programme, notes political analyst Sylvain NGuessan.

Crimping Gbagbos ambitions could be a bill designed to limit the age of presidential candidates to 75. He will turn 80 in 2025.

 Simone Gbagbo too? 

It remains unclear just who else will serve at the apex of the new party, though numerous former FPI big names are expected to pin their colours to Gbagbos mast.

Gbagbos wife Simone Gbagbo, who he is reportedly set to divorce, has indicated she may form a party of her own.

Fellow Hague tribunal-accused and former confidant Charles Ble Goude remains in the Netherlands following his acquittal, with no passport. Whether there is a future political role for him remains to be seen.

Guillaume Soro, former rebel chief who helped Ouattara take power, has since fallen from grace. Condemned to life in jail for undermining state security he is now in exile.

Those who wish to join us know what is expected of them, says Kone Katinan.

We are a party of the left and those who see themselves as having a place there may come.
President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday will become the first French head of state to take part in commemorations of the massacre by Paris police of protesters at a rally 60 years ago against Frances rule in its then-colony Algeria.

The events of October 17, 1961 were covered up for decades and the final death toll remains unclear. But many historians believe it could amount to several hundred.

The rally was called in the final year of Frances increasingly violent attempt to retain Algeria as a north African colony, and in the middle of a bombing campaign targeting mainland France by pro-independence militants.

On Saturday, one day ahead of the formal anniversary, Macron will take part in a memorial ceremony for the victims at a park on the Paris outskirts from 1330 GMT.

A major question is whether he issues a formal apology for the actions of the Paris police that day or expresses regret, as the president seeks to carve out a modern relationship with Frances past.

The Paris police chief at the time, Maurice Papon, was later found to have collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.

The Elysee said the ceremony would take place in the presence of relatives of the victims, civil society activists who have campaigned for recognition of the massacre and veterans for Algerias struggle for independence.

 State lie 

Activists are hoping Macron, the first president born in the post-colonial era, will go further than his predecessor Francois Hollande, who acknowledged in 2012 that protesting Algerians had been killed during a bloody repression.

Campaigners want an apology, reparations for the victims or recognition that the repression constituted a state crime.

The 1961 protests were called in response to a strict curfew imposed on Algerians to prevent the underground FLN resistance movement from collecting funds following a spate of deadly attacks on French police officers.

Some of the worst violence occurred on the Saint Michel bridge near the Notre-Dame cathedral where witnesses reported seeing police throwing Algerians into the river Seine where an unknown number drowned.

There was a state cover-up, a state lie. There were government statements from the morning of October 18 that sought to incriminate the FLN and the Algerians, historian Emmanuel Blanchard told AFP.

Macron, who is expected to seek re-election next year, may be wary about provoking a backlash from political opponents or the French police in his comments.

His far-right electoral opponents, nationalists Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour, are outspoken critics of efforts to acknowledge or show repentance for past crimes.

Another complication is an ongoing diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers fuelled by comments attributed to Macron describing the country as ruled by a political-military system that had totally re-written its history.

A report commissioned by the president from historian Benjamin Stora earlier this year urged a truth commission over the Algerian war but Macron ruled out issuing any official apology.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday condemned as inexcusable a deadly crackdown by Paris police on a 1961 protest by Algerians whose scale was a taboo covered up for decades by French authorities.

Macron told relatives and activists on the 60th anniversary of the bloodshed that crimes were committed on the night of October 17, 1961 under the command of the notorious Paris police chief Maurice Papon.

He acknowledged that several dozen protesters had been killed, their bodies thrown into the River Seine and paid tribute to the memory of the victims.

The precise number of victims has never been made clear and some activists fear several hundred could have been killed.

Macron recognised the facts: that the crimes committed that night under Maurice Papon are inexcusable for the Republic, the Elysee said.

This tragedy was long hushed-up, denied or concealed, it added.

Macron, the first French president to attend a memorial ceremony for those killed, observed a minute of silence in their memory at the Bezons bridge over the Seine on the outskirts of Paris where the protest started.

His comments that crimes were committed went further than predecessor Francois Hollande, who acknowledged in 2012 that the protesting Algerians had been killed during a bloody repression.

However, as expected, he did not issue a formal apology. He also did not give a public speech, with the Elysee issuing only the written statement.

Papon was in the 1980s revealed to have been a collaborator with the occupying Nazis in World War II and complicit in the deportation of Jews. He was convicted of crimes against humanity but later released.
President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday condemned as inexcusable a deadly crackdown by Paris police on a 1961 protest by Algerians whose scale was covered up for decades by French authorities.

Macron told relatives and activists on the 60th anniversary of the bloodshed that crimes were committed on the night of October 17, 1961 under the command of the notorious Paris police chief Maurice Papon.

He acknowledged that several dozen protesters had been killed, their bodies thrown into the River Seine and paid tribute to the memory of the victims.

The precise number of victims has never been made clear and some activists fear several hundred could have been killed.

Macron recognised the facts: that the crimes committed that night under Maurice Papon are inexcusable for the Republic, the Elysee said.

This tragedy was long hushed-up, denied or concealed, it added in a statement.

The rally was called in the final year of Frances increasingly violent attempt to retain Algeria as a north African colony, and in the middle of a bombing campaign targeting mainland France by pro-independence militants.

Papon was in the 1980s revealed to have been a collaborator with the occupying Nazis in World War II and complicit in the deportation of Jews. He was convicted of crimes against humanity but later released.

 Much further 

Macron, the first French president to attend a memorial ceremony for those killed, observed a minute of silence in their memory at the Bezons bridge over the Seine on the outskirts of Paris where the protest started.

His comments that crimes were committed went further than predecessor Francois Hollande, who acknowledged in 2012 that the protesting Algerians had been killed during a bloody repression.

However, as expected, he did not issue a formal apology. He also did not give a public speech, with the Elysee issuing only the written statement.

The president, Frances first leader born after the colonial era, has made a priority of historical reconciliation and forging a modern relationship with former colonies.

But Macron, who is expected to seek re-election next year, is wary about provoking a backlash from political opponents.

His far-right electoral opponents, nationalists Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour, are outspoken critics of efforts to acknowledge or show repentance for past crimes.

Historian Emmanuel Blanchard told AFP that Macrons comments represented progress and had gone much further than those made by Hollande in 2012.

But he took issue with the decision to pin responsibility on Papon alone, saying that then prime minister Michel Debre and president Charles de Gaulle had not been held to account over the ensuing cover-up or the fact Papon would remain Paris police chief until 1967.

 Looking with lucidity 

The 1961 protests were called in response to a strict curfew imposed on Algerians to prevent the underground FLN resistance movement from collecting funds following a spate of deadly attacks on French police officers.

Some of the worst violence occurred on the Saint Michel bridge near the Notre-Dame cathedral where witnesses reported seeing police throwing Algerians into the river Seine where an unknown number drowned.

Macrons comments come in the midst of an an ongoing diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers fuelled by comments attributed to the president describing the country as ruled by a political-military system that had totally re-written its history.

A report commissioned by the president from historian Benjamin Stora earlier this year urged a truth commission over the Algerian war but Macron ruled out issuing any official apology.

Another historical commission set up by Macron also found that France had overwhelming responsibilities over the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, in a finding that has led to a certain thawing in ties between Paris and Kigali.

France is looking at all its history with lucidity and recognises responsibilities that have been clearly established, the Elysee said.
Around 400 Gambians demonstrated in Banjul on Saturday, calling for justice for crimes committed under former dictator Yahya Jammeh, an AFP journalist saw.

As the protest got underway, The Gambias justice ministry issued a statement saying the government was fully committed in the best interest of the Gambian people to implementing any recommendations by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission which has been investigating the crimes.

That had been one of the main demands of the protesters, who sported T-shirts and banners with slogans such as No to impunity and Never Again.

The TRRCs findings have been delayed twice and President Adama Barrow has formed an electoral pact with Jammehs party.

Jammeh seized power in the former British colony in 1994 as part of a bloodless military coup. He was then repeatedly re-elected in disputed circumstances until he was defeated in December 2016 by Barrow, then a relative unknown.

After a six-week crisis that led to military intervention by other West African states, Jammeh was forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea.

The 56-year-old retains considerable political support in the nation of two million people.

Rights activists have accused Jammeh of committing a litany of crimes during his 22-year rule: from using death squads, to raping a beauty queen and sponsoring witch hunts, among others.

Barrow established the TRRC to probe these accusations in 2017, which heard chilling testimony about torture and murder from nearly 400 people until it ended in May.

The organisers of the demonstration, a federation of NGOs called TANGO, urged Barrow and the government to make sure that the TRRCs work hasnt been in vain.

Were calling for the rapid, transparent and fair implementation of the TRRCs recommendations, it said.

While the truth commission has no power to convict, its report is highly anticipated by rights groups to see whether it will recommend pursuing criminal charges against Jammeh.

It would be unfortunate if you, the political class, sacrifice the well-being of victims on the altar of political opportunity, said TANGOs chairman, John C. Njie.

In its statement, the justice ministry reiterated its continuous support for all victims of human rights violations and its commitment to the course of the TRRC and justice.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday condemned as inexcusable a deadly crackdown by Paris police on a 1961 protest by Algerians whose scale was covered up for decades, disappointing activists who hoped for an even stronger recognition of responsibility.

Macron told relatives of victims on the 60th anniversary of the bloodshed that crimes were committed on the night of October 17, 1961 under the command of the notorious Paris police chief Maurice Papon.

He acknowledged that several dozen protesters had been killed, their bodies thrown into the River Seine and paid tribute to their memory.

The precise number of victims has never been made clear and some activists fear several hundred could have been killed.

Macron recognised the facts: that the crimes committed that night under Maurice Papon are inexcusable for the Republic, the Elysee said.

This tragedy was long hushed-up, denied or concealed, it added in a statement.

The rally was called in the final year of Frances increasingly violent attempt to retain Algeria as a north African colony, and in the middle of a bombing campaign targeting mainland France by pro-independence militants.

Papon was in the 1980s revealed to have been a collaborator with the occupying Nazis in World War II and complicit in the deportation of Jews. He was convicted of crimes against humanity but later released.

 Much further 

Macron, the first French president to attend a memorial ceremony for those killed, observed a minute of silence in their memory at the Bezons bridge over the Seine on the outskirts of Paris where the protest started.

His comments that crimes were committed went further than predecessor Francois Hollande, who acknowledged in 2012 that the protesting Algerians had been killed during a bloody repression.

However he did not issue a formal apology. He also did not give a public speech, with the Elysee issuing only the written statement.

The president, Frances first leader born after the colonial era, has made a priority of historical reconciliation and forging a modern relationship with former colonies.

But Macron, who is expected to seek re-election next year, is wary about provoking a backlash from political opponents.

His far-right electoral opponents, nationalists Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour, are outspoken critics of efforts to acknowledge or show repentance for past crimes.

Historian Emmanuel Blanchard told AFP that Macrons comments represented progress and had gone much further than those made by Hollande in 2012.

But he took issue with the decision to pin responsibility on Papon alone, saying that then prime minister Michel Debre and president Charles de Gaulle had not been held to account over the ensuing cover-up or the fact Papon would remain Paris police chief until 1967.

 State crime? 

The statement by Macron is progress but not complete. We hoped for more, Mimouna Hadjam of the Africa93 anti-racism association told AFP.

Papon did not act alone. People were tortured, massacred in the heart of Paris and those high up knew, Hadjam added, calling for recognition of a state crime.

Domonique Sopo, the head of SOS Racism, said while the comments were welcome, Macron was showing a tendency of taking small steps on such issues by reducing responsibility to Papon alone.

The 1961 protests were called in response to a strict curfew imposed on Algerians to prevent the underground FLN resistance movement from collecting funds following a spate of deadly attacks on French police officers.

Macrons comments come in the midst of an an ongoing diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers fuelled by comments attributed to the president describing the country as ruled by a political-military system that had totally re-written its history.

A report commissioned by the president from historian Benjamin Stora earlier this year urged a truth commission over the Algerian war but Macron ruled out issuing any official apology.

Another historical commission set up by Macron also found that France had overwhelming responsibilities over the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, in a finding that has led to a certain thawing in ties between Paris and Kigali.
Algerias president called Saturday for an approach free of colonialist thought on historical issues between his country and France, in a message marking the 60th anniversary of a deadly Paris police crackdown.

On the night of October 17, 1961, during Algerias 1954-1962 war of independence from France, Algerians living in Paris were urged to gather in the centre of the capital for what was billed as a peaceful march against repression.

But as night fell, witnesses recall seeing people shot with live ammunition and others killed when police charged into the crowd armed with thick wooden sticks and batons.

The precise number of victims has never been made clear and some activists fear several hundred could have been killed.

I reaffirm our strong concern for treating issues of history and memory without complacency or compromising principles, and with a sharp sense of responsibility, free from the dominance of arrogant colonialist thought, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said.

The deadly 1961 crackdown reveals the horror of massacres and crimes against humanity that will remain engraved in the collective memory, he said in a statement released by his office.

The message came shortly after Tebboune declared that Algeria would observe a minutes silence each October 17 in memory of the victims.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday condemned the crackdown as inexcusable.

Relations between Paris and Algiers have been strained amid a diplomatic spat fuelled by a visa row and comments attributed to the Macron describing Algeria as ruled by a political-military system that had totally re-written its history.

Algeria has recalled its ambassador from Paris and banned French military planes from its airspace.

Tebboune has demanded Frances total respect.

We forget that it (Algeria) was once a French colony History should not be falsified, he said last week.
Star News confirmed that Jung Yu Mi and Lee Sun Kyun will team up for a horror-thriller movie, "Sleep." In the forthcoming film, Lee Sun Kyun and "The School Nurse Files" actress are expected to portray a couple.

Thriller film "Sleep" will revolve its story around what happens when Su Jin finds out that her husband Hyun Soo shows abnormal behavior.

This marks director Yoo Jae Sun's directorial debut in commercial movies as his previous works are independent films.

Lee Sun Kyun and Jung Yu Mi to Play as Husband and Wife in Horror Movie 'Sleep'

"Train to Busan" actress Jung Yu Mi plays the role of Su Jin, a desperate wife who wants to solve the secret involving her husband's sudden abnormal behavior.

Meanwhile, Lee Sun Kyun will play the character of Hyun Soo, a good actor and Su Jin's husband. He is trying to endure a long life of insignificance but still does his best to be known by the public.

In addition, "Sleep" is said to be in pre-production work and currently in the process of completing the cast lineup. Once everything is set, the team will officially begin filming in early 2022.

Louis Pictures is in charge of producing "Sleep," which is also the company behind Bong Joon Ho's "Okja."

Jung Yu Mi and Lee Sun Kyun as Award-Winning Actors

Viewers recognize Lee Sun Kyun through the classic Kdrama "Coffee Prince" in 2007. Since then, he landed roles movies. One of his notable works was "A Hard Day" in 2014, where he played the role of a detective.

Due to his brilliant acting, Lee Sun Kyun was able to win the Best Actor Award at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards in 2015. Plus, his movie "Parasite" brought pride to his homeland South Korea for bagging big awards at some of the prestigious international film festival events.

Apart from her visuals, Jung Yu Mi is also lauded for her incredible acting skills. Fans knew her through the thriller and zombie genre movie "Train to Busan," where she shared the frame with Gong Yoo.

Throughout her skills, Jung Yu Mi has been lauded for her professionalism at work and has won various awards. She won Best Actress at the 33rd Golden Cinematography Awards in 2011 and in the 56th Daejong Film Awards. The 38-year-old female star also won the Popularity Award at the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards last February 2021.

Expectations starts to arise since the two are excellent actors.

Who do you expect from Jung Yu Mi and Lee Sun Kyun's upcoming film "Sleep"? Share it with us in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
MEDFORD, Ore. -- In a year full of uncertainty with the coronavirus pandemic, Sacred Heart Catholic School decided that they wanted bring a sense of normalcy back to their students' lives.

On Friday, the school created it own pumpkin patch  this way their kids would still get an opportunity to gather a fresh pumpkin with their parents and friends. It's all thanks to the hard work from parent volunteers and staff, along with 65 pumpkins donated by Kaufman Farms.

"We didn't want our kids to miss another pumpkin patch," said Yasmin Reed, the marketing coordinator for Sacred Heart.

For the last two years, Sacred Heart has had to cancel field trips for its students, including the yearly trip to the local pumpkin patch. And with only one bus driver, according to Reed, it hasn't made their situation any easier..

But this year, the school told NewsWatch 12 that they wanted things to be different.

"We wanted the students to have a fun-filled day without having to actually take them off campus," said Reed.

During the event, kids from preschool all the way up to the second grade were able to grab a brand new pumpkin. On top of that, the event was also filled with tons of games and face painting, all of which were offering candy as prizes  something that the kids definitely enjoyed.

"I am so pleased that the kids are having so much fun and are running around," said local parent Martha Burke. "The joy has really just come back to them. We haven't been able to do things like this in a couple of years so this is just really wonderful."

Every parent that NewsWatch 12 spoke at the event said that they were just so grateful to be able to see their kids be kids again.

"It just means so much to me to be able to see her just run around and be a kid," said Burke. "It's really touching."

All thanks to something as simple as a pumpkin.
By Nic Robertson, Rob Picheta and Jo Shelley, CNN

(CNN) -- Counter-terrorism police in the United Kingdom have formally declared the fatal stabbing of British lawmaker Sir David Amess an act of terrorism.

"The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism," according to a statement from Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard on Friday.

Authorities said they believed the suspect acted alone and they are "not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. However, enquiries into the circumstances continue," the statement added.

Amess, a member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, died after being stabbed several times at a constituency meeting east of London.

The 69-year-old member of Parliament, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked at about midday Friday by a man who walked into a meeting with voters from his electoral district being held in a Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

"He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene," Essex police said.

"A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered."

The man arrested on suspicion of murdering Amess is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage, official sources have told the UK national news agency, PA Media, formerly known as Press Association.

The UK's Counter Terrorism Command will lead the investigation into the murder, police said Friday. "It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident. But as always, they will keep an open mind," Ben-Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, told reporters.

The killing was another grim moment in Britain's political history. It marks the second murder of a sitting British lawmaker in five years, after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed in her constituency in 2016, and has reignited discussions about the safety of the UK's elected officials.

The country's political, religious and societal leaders, and its royal family, all condemned the attack and paid tribute to Amess.

Those who knew him described Amess as a dedicated local representative, deeply embedded within his community and disinterested in the careerism of national politics.

Prime Minister Johnson was joined by all of his living predecessors in expressing shock, and lawmakers from every corner of the political spectrum spoke of their sadness, concern, and anger after another of their colleagues was killed while meeting with his constituents.

"We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community," William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues."

'A terrible day for democracy'

Aerial footage showed multiple police officers outside the church and an air ambulance at the scene. A large cordon extended down Eastwood Road, where the church is located, with members of the public gathering behind it and multiple side streets closed off.

Once it became clear Amess was the stabbing victim -- and shortly after, that he had died -- Britain's political establishment united in grief. In a statement from Downing Street, Johnson said the MP "was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics."

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future," Johnson said. "We lost today a fine public servant."

The leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, wrote on Twitter: "Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff."

Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Amess was "a kind and thoroughly decent man" and "the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet."

"Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David's family," Cameron said. Cameron's successor Theresa May added the news was "heartbreaking" and "a tragic day for our democracy."

She described Amess as "a decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties."

And former Labour leader Tony Blair said in a statement to PA Media: "David and I came into Parliament together in 1983. Though on opposite political sides I always found him a courteous, decent and thoroughly likeable colleague who was respected across the House."

"This is a terrible and sad day for our democracy," Blair said.

Flags outside Parliament were lowered to half staff after his death.

Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Amess "a great public servant" who "loved being an MP." Sajid Javid, the UK's Health Secretary, called him "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role."

Amess entered Parliament in 1983, initially representing the Basildon constituency. He served continuously in the House of Commons since then, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the chamber.

Amess was knighted in 2015 for his political service. He supported Britain's departure from the European Union, and his main areas of expertise were animal welfare and pro-life issues, according to a biography on his website.

In March, Amess asked a question in Parliament about how to stop "senseless murders" with knives, after a teenager in his constituency was killed in a knife attack.

He was married and had five children.

Britain's second murdered lawmaker in five years

Within Britain's political bubble and beyond, the murder dredged up painful memories of the shocking killing of Jo Cox five years ago.

That incident rattled the nation and led to calls for lawmakers to receive personal protection when in public -- a sentiment that re-emerged Friday following Amess' death.

"All elected representatives must be able to go about their work without the fear of physical or verbal attacks," Amess' colleague, Conservative MP Eleanor Laing, said in a tweet on Friday following the stabbing. "What has happened to Sir David Amess in Essex today is unforgivable."

Amess was not considered a controversial politician, and despite the length of his tenure, he was not a widely known political figure in the UK.

In a book he wrote last year about being an MP, Amess said Cox's murder was "totally unexpected" and the event had changed the way MPs interact with members of the public, particularly in relation to constituency surgeries.

"These increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians," he wrote.

"I myself have over the years experienced nuisance from the odd member of the general public at my own property. We regularly check our locks," Amess added.

MPs in Britain typically meet with residents in their constituencies face to face during "surgeries," and it is uncommon for them to have a security detail.

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted Friday questions were "being rightly asked" about the safety of lawmakers, adding she "will provide updates in due course."

"This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country," the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle said in a statement sent to CNN. "In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs' security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family, friends and colleagues."

In 2010, Stephen Timms was stabbed during a constituency meeting by a 21-year-old student, who was angry over Timms' previous support of the Iraq War. Timms survived the attack and is still a lawmaker. And in 2000, a Liberal Democrat councilor was murdered at the office of MP Nigel Jones.

Cox's widower, Brendan Cox, wrote the news "brings everything back."

"My thoughts and love are with David's family. They are all that matter now. This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo I hope we can do the same for David now," he said on Twitter.

Cox was killed by a man with extreme right-wing views, just days before the UK's heated referendum on leaving the European Union. That campaign and its fallout raised the temperature of political discourse in the country, and several politicians have since spoken about receiving abuse in person and online.

"This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life," Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of Amess' Conservative Party, said after his stabbing.
PORTLAND, Ore.  More than 100 Airmen from the Oregon Air National Guards 142nd Wing have departed from the Portland Air National Guard Base en route to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to conduct joint training with the U.S. Air Forces new F-15EX Eagle II.

The Oregon Airmen traveling to Nellis A.F.B. are also bringing along up to seven Oregon F-15C model Eagles, and will spend the next two weeks supporting test and evaluation missions for the F-15EX while gaining operator and maintainer exposure to the new aircraft.

This two week event provides a window into the future of 142nd Wing flying operations by introducing our Airmen to the F-15EX Eagle II, said Colonel Aaron Mathena, 142nd Operations Group commander.

Their direct support of this flying test and evaluation brings that reality closer than ever, while taking advantage of unique training opportunities needed for today.

The 142nd Wing, based in Portland, Oregon, is set to become the first operational flying unit in the Air Force to operate the F-15EX, which are slated to arrive in 2024.
MEDFORD, Ore.  A group tasked with aiding Jackson County's long-term recovery after the devastating September 2020 wildfires is trying to connect with wildfire survivors in order to conduct a survey of their unmet needs more than a year after the disaster.

The Jackson County Community Long Term Recovery Group (JCC LTRG) has partnered with local community-based organizations and World Renew Disaster Response Services to contact Almeda and South Obenchain wildfire survivors to understand their unmet needs through a Needs Assessment Survey.

Anyone whose primary residence was lost or damaged in the wildfires  including those who were renting  is encouraged to participate in the survey, regardless of their needs or if they have received prior assistance.

Brandon Thoms, programs and operations director at Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity, also serves as the volunteer vice president of the recovery group. He says that this is an urgent call for fire survivors to complete an assessment before the end of November.

JCC LTRG, a public benefit corporation sponsored by Catholic Charities of Oregon, said that information from the survey will be passed on to disaster case managers who can work with survivors to develop a comprehensive recovery plan for their unique situation. The case managers come from Catholic Charities of Oregon, and the organization says that they have extensive experience in assisting disaster-stricken communities.

"The survey will also generate a critical report to document the total scope of the community unmet need," the organization said. "The JCC LTRG will use this report as a basis to apply for grants and to seek additional recovery funds from local community based organizations, city/county partners and government organizations. The JCC LTRG hopes that this report will provide sufficient validation for organizations to fund our recovery efforts."

All individual survivor information gathered in the survey will only be shared with local non-governmental organizations to address the survivor's needs, JCC LTRG said.

Anyone eligible and willing to participate in the survey can register at the JCC LTRG website.
By Ashley Killough, CNN

(CNN) -- A school district superintendent in North Texas apologized Thursday night after one of the district's administrators told teachers that if they have books about the Holocaust in their classroom libraries, then they should also include books that have "opposing" views of the Holocaust.

At a training session last week, a school administrator with Carroll ISD in Southlake, Texas, tried to advise elementary school teachers on how to follow new district guidelines for the vetting of books. The guidelines were issued in an attempt to align with a controversial law in Texas that seeks to restrict discussion of race and history in schools.

The training session was first reported by NBC News. After teachers expressed frustration and confusion over the new guidelines, Gina Peddy -- executive director of curriculum and instruction for the district -- invoked the Holocaust as an example of a historic event that would require a teacher to keep on hand other books with "opposing" views.

Audio of the exchange, first reported by NBC News, was secretly recorded by a staff member and obtained by CNN. CNN has reached out to Peddy for comment but has not gotten a response back.

"Just try to remember the concepts of (Texas House Bill) 3979," Peddy says, referring to the new law, known as HB 3979. "And make sure that if you have a book on the Holocaust, that you have one that has opposing, that has other perspectives."

"How do you oppose the Holocaust?" one teacher could be heard asking.

"Believe me," Peddy said in a longer recording obtained by NBC. "That's come up."

The exchange, according to a source who was there, happened in a hallway amid a smaller group of staff after the training session had ended.

A report by NBC News on the comment sparked an uproar on social media, and the district's superintendent, Lane Ledbetter, issued an apology to the community:

"I express my sincere apology regarding the online article and news story released today. During the conversations with teachers during last week's meeting, the comments made were in no way to convey that the Holocaust was anything less than a terrible event in history. Additionally, we recognize there are not two sides of the Holocaust," the statement read.

"As we continue to work through implementation of HB 3979, we also understand this bill does not require an opposing viewpoint on historical facts. As a district we will work to add clarity to our expectations for teachers and once again apologize for any hurt or confusion this has caused," it said.

State law was catalyst for discussion

At the heart of the incident is confusion over the law which limits conversations about race and history in schools.

Laws introduced in state legislatures such have these have been driven largely over the potential teachings of critical race theory, a hot-button issue for some parents.

Critical race theory recognizes that systemic racism is part of American society and challenges the beliefs that allow it to flourish. While the theory was started decades ago as a way to examine how laws and systems promote inequality, it has taken on new urgency since a series of killings last year of Black Americans by police officers, which led to a national reckoning on race.

Critics have slammed the theory, with conservatives accusing it of poisoning discussions on racism.

HB 3979 in Texas, which was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and took effect on September 1, states that a teacher may not be compelled to discuss "a particular current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs."

If a teacher does engage in that kind of discussion, the teacher is required to "explore such issues from diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective."

Carroll ISD had previously issued the rubric for teachers on how to vet the books in their classroom libraries, but many teachers found it confusing, the source told CNN. Several teachers were also upset about a fourth-grade teacher being reprimanded by the district's school board just days earlier for having "This Book Is Anti-Racist" by Tiffany Jewell in the classroom, the source said.

The reprimand, which came after a parent complaint, made national news and contributed to a sense of deep frustration among some teachers, especially since the new Texas law addresses curriculum, not classroom libraries.

At the meeting last week, teachers were vocal about their concerns, according to the source in the room.

"The teachers were so angry," the source said. "They stood up and yelled and fought back in a way that was frightening but also empowering."

The source said teachers raised multiple questions at the meeting about the new vetting guidelines and after receiving mixed messages from the district over whether to keep their classroom libraries open during the vetting process. Peddy, according to the source, went to seek clarification from other administrators. Peddy returned and, after the training session was over, made the Holocaust example in the hallway as teachers were leaving.

According to audio played for CNN, Peddy pledged to stand by the teachers as they began the vetting process.

"I know you feel like you're being put at risk, I do know that. Just leave them open," she said, referring to the classroom libraries. "Look through the whole book, but leave your libraries open while you do it. I know that you have the best interests of your kids in mind and we're going to stand behind you."

Clay Robison, spokespeson for the Texas State Teachers Association said he was angered by the comments made in the audio recording about including opposing views of the Holocaust.

"I was angry," he said in a phone interview with CNN. "But, also, I wasn't terribly surprised."

Robison noted that while the law does not specifically deal with books in teachers' classrooms or specifically require a teacher to give equal weight to perspectives that deny the Holocaust, he said the law has enough ambiguity to "encourage that kind of reaction."

Robison said the Texas State Teachers Association has long opposed the bill because it is open to misinterpretation and can cause confusion for educators. Robison said teachers across the state are "angry" and fear consequences over the books they include in their classrooms.

"It doesn't require these teachers to pull these books off their shelves, but it certainly encourages parents who don't like those books -- who feel uncomfortable with those books -- to put pressure on their school boards and their school administrations to...pull the books off."

Since the law took effect six weeks ago, Robison said the incident in Southlake is just one example of the confusion and frustration that he expects to see as the school year continues, not to mention the expected political battles.

"School board presidents run for election. And this is an issue that could figure very prominently in school board elections, particularly conservative communities," he said.
The Canadian Forces flag flies outside office buildings in Ottawa, Tuesday March 9, 2021. Military police say they are investigating historic allegations of sexual misconduct involving yet another senior commander, this time the officer responsible for human resources in the Canadian Armed Forces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Queen's University signage is seen in Kingston, Ont., Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Kingston Police say an officer has been taken to hospital after projectiles were thrown at police during Queen's University's homecoming weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
UNION GROVE  A Cornhole Tournament is scheduled to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at TinCan Roadhouse, 20715 Durand Ave.

The tournament will be split into two divisions. The A-division is for experienced/competitive players. The B-division is for those who want to play for fun or just improve their cornhole skills and make some money.

Entry fee is $25 each or $50 per team. Call 262-930-9846 to sign up. Wisconsin Baggers will be running a Money Bags raffle and local organizers will offer a 50/50 raffle and bake sale.

Proceeds of the tournament will fund wreaths in December for more than 20,000 graves at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America Campaign.

Each December there are wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Union Grove is one of those locations and provides a final resting place for eligible veterans, spouses and dependents. A volunteer will place the wreath and then say their name to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice of that veteran is never forgotten.

The cost is $15 for one wreath, $30 for two wreaths, $75 for five wreaths or $150 for 10 wreaths. Make checks payable to Wreaths Across America and write Group Number: WI 0044 in the memo line. Mail check to Wreaths for Union Grove Fundraising Coordinator Mary-Ellen Crandall at her home address: N16 W26547 Wild Oats Drive, Unit B, Pewaukee, WI 53072. E-mail address is dabs1951@yahoo.com. Sponsorship checks can be submitted until Nov. 1.

The wreaths will be placed at the cemetery on Dec. 18.

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At his retirement party Thursday, Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Geoffrey Dowse joked that a recent encounter in the courtroom nearly changed his mind about stepping down from the job.

He said a man before him in court was originally from Ghana, where the courts are based on the British judicial system and use British terminology. He was very polite and spoke with a British accent and called me your honor but every once in a while he would slip up and say my lord, Dowse said. I almost changed my mind and decided to stay.

Dowse, 70, has been a court commissioner for 8 years, overseeing cases ranging from traffic court to small claims to juvenile and family cases.

For someone who handles the volume that Commissioner Dowse handles, the majority of the residents of Kenosha County see him more often than they see the eight of us (judges), Kenosha Countys Chief Judge Jason Rossell said, calling Dowse a problem solver. He did such a great job of being the face of the judiciary and handling all those cases.

Dowse said he grew up in Kenosha and spent his legal career here, working in private practice for more than 30 years handling criminal defense as well as legal issues like wills and lawsuits. Just a small-town lawyer doing everything that needed to get done, he said.

He said as a lawyer he especially loved handling jury trials. His mixed practice helped him when he moved to the bench as a court commissioner, handling such a wide range of legal issues. Instead of arguing, I could be the decider, he said.

Delivering the gold standard

While circuit court judges are elected, Kenosha Countys three court commissioners are chosen by the judges. The judges named Heather Iverson, who previously worked as an attorney representing Kenosha Countys Child Support Agency, to replace Dowse.

At his retirement party, the two other commissioners, Larry Keating and Elizabeth Pfeuffer, celebrated Dowse by presenting him with a framed caricature signed by courthouse workers.

Although Keating and Pfeuffer joked about their friendship, Keating got serious when he spoke about his admiration for Dowse. Hes the gold standard of professionalism and integrity, he said.

Dowse said he enjoyed his work on the bench, but felt it was time to move on. He said he is looking forward to enjoying spending more time with his wife and family.

When you hit 70 its time to go, he said. It was a good way to cap off my career.

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Ketchikan, AK (99901)

Today

Rain and snow in the morning turning to rain in the afternoon. High 42F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

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With over two-thirds of the public believing that health care should be a top policy priority, there is no debating the importance of fixing our health care delivery system. On one extreme of the aisle, there is a growing chorus in support for Medicare-for-all, a single-payer, government-funded approach estimated by two independent studies from both liberal and conservative-leaning institutes to cost about $32 trillion over the next 10 years. On the other side of the political spectrum sits an approach focused on individuality (e.g., the inclusion of health savings accounts [HSAs]), competition, and limited government intervention and financial support for all citizens regardless of socioeconomic standing; the most recent proposed plan, the American Healthcare Act of 2017, was estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to reduce federal deficits by $119 billion over 10 years but lead to an estimated increase of 23 uninsured million Americans by 2026. In between these two approaches rest the remaining health care policy proposals, none of which have garnered widespread support within their own political party, let alone across party lines. America needs a health care policy solution. The true  and lasting  solution? A value-based health care system.

Fundamentally, there has yet to be a single proposal that profoundly changes how stakeholders provide, pay, or evaluate health care delivered. Value-based health care reimagines health care to align these misaligned incentives by refocusing health care on the patient and the patients needs. Such an approach rewards value  defined as health outcomes achieved per dollar spent  across the entire care cycle for a given condition. In doing so, the health care delivery system helps to curtail the rising cost of health care and address concerns of a growing uninsured population  the ultimate goal of any health care system from any political viewpoint.

To demonstrate how a value-based health care system solves our underlying health care delivery crisis, it is crucial to not only begin by acknowledging the ever-rising cost of health care relative to gross domestic product (GDP) but the amount of waste in the current system. According to a landmark report from the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine), there were $750 billion of unnecessary health care expenses, representing 30 percent of medical expenses. In the current fee-for-service system, each time a service is provided or pharmaceutical used, health care providers, hospitals, and health systems are financially rewarded, regardless of the impact on a patients well-being. This perverse incentive paired with system inefficiencies is making our health care system sick. So, what if that money was saved and integrated into a value-based health care system? All Americans could be provided high-value health care  no exceptions.

To substantiate this claim, all one has to do is look at the data. According to the U.S. Census, 28 million people were uninsured in 2017. Further, in 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported health care spending per the average American of $10,739 per person. When the number of uninsured individuals is multiplied by the average spending per person, a total just south of $301 billion is calculated  less than half of the amount of money wasted in health care today! Further, this value is calculated assuming the bloated spending per person in a fee-for-service system remains constant when transitioned to a value-based health care system, a faulty assumption. Thus, even more savings are likely, paving the way for much-needed investment in infrastructure and education.

From an overarching viewpoint, this may come across as too good to be true  but it is not. Returning to the landmark Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) report, the authors break down the notable waste into six categories: unnecessary services ($210 billion), excess administrative costs ($190 billion), inefficiently delivered services ($130 billion), prices that are too high ($105 billion), missed prevention opportunities ($55 billion) and fraud ($75 billion). The principles of value-based health care can address each one of these areas of waste, saving America billions of dollars and helping to expand coverage to those currently uninsured.

Perhaps the most straightforward example of how value-based health care can address our current health care waste is by eliminating unnecessary services. Currently, in a fee-for-service reimbursement system, there is a financial incentive to perform more tests and provide a greater number of services. Additionally, many physician compensation plans are predicated on reaching a target volume, thereby fostering incentives towards more  not necessarily better  care. Inherently, physicians want to provide only the best and necessary care but barriers exist in todays system. A value-based health care system that rewards physicians for outcomes instead of volume eliminates the waste from unnecessary services being provided.

A large portion of excess administrative costs come from insurer administrative inefficiencies and billing practices and paperwork burden from care documentation requirements. Additionally, high prices and fraud are also a function of the current health system structure that a value-based health care system would remedy. Under fee-for-service, accurate and complete documentation of every detail is a must to ensure appropriate billing and payment. This requires multiple layers of bureaucracy with physicians spending more time checking boxes on forms and entering non-clinical data into computers than taking care of patients. Value-based health care addresses these excessive administrative costs by removing the onerous, wasteful fee-for-service requirements in lieu of a system that provides a single dollar amount that covers the entire care cycle. Within the care cycle, physicians  working in conjunction with their patients  can decide on the best approach to care that ensures the best possible outcomes per dollar spent. This is the concept of a bundled payment  a sum of money designed to cover the entire care cycle and is not linked to the use or lack of use of a specific treatment decision.

Inefficiently delivered services and missed prevention opportunities are also side effects of the current health care system that is curable by a value-based health care approach. Today, patients are like ping-pong balls, bouncing from one doctor to the next across different institutions and physical sites with limited information technology (IT) infrastructure to assist in care coordination and in monitoring outcomes most important to patients. The system is designed around the doctors and the health system, not the customer (i.e., the patient). A value-based health care system implemented with integrated practice units (IPUs)  an innovative care delivery organized around patients and a condition or group of conditions full care cycle  will remove the inefficiencies of delivered services today. Further, in the setting of primary care, IPUs will promote more routine preventative services, as physicians will be rewarded for ensuring outcomes per dollar spent. These preventative services will boost the numerator of that equation with a minimal increase in the denominator.

By utilizing the landmark Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) landmark report in 2012, one can demonstrate that value-based health care is not just theory or a fantasy but the true solution to Americas health care system woes. For all the claims of innovative and game-changing solutions to health care being proposed today, none can ensure complete coverage, remove red tape, and align stakeholder incentives while producing savings that can be invested in education and infrastructure like value-based health care. It is time to expedite the transformation to a value-based health care system.

David Bernstein is an orthopedic surgery resident.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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On the first day of medical school, our anatomy lab instructor handed us scalpels and told us to skin our cadavers. Early on, I learned: A good physician does not betray her feelings. A good physician suffers long. A good physician embodies resilience. A good physician is imperturbable. This lesson continued throughout training.

I contemplated leaving medicine during my second year of residency. I was no longer an intern, which meant I could no longer depend on my inexperience as an excuse. Expectations, responsibilities, and hours grew while my skills, knowledge base, and ability to cope with sleep deprivation stayed relatively the same. All I could do was pretend that I was more competent and more imperturbable than I was.

I kept up this pretense even with my residency classmates. When we occasionally met for drinks after work, we bragged about procedures, resuscitations, and romantic conquests. We dared each other to stay out though we knew doing so would eat into our sleep. Rest was for the weak, anyway.

It wasnt until we were about to graduate that the bravest of us came forward. I wanted to quit last year, she said. Soon, everyone followed in their confessions. We could only be honest with each other after we had suffered in isolation and silence. It did not matter that we were a close-knit group of friends. Being vulnerable was never something we were taught within the context of medicine.

In his famous essay Aequanimitas, Sir William Osler describes the ideal temperament of a physician to contain coolness and presence of mind under all circumstances, calmness amid storm, clearness of judgment in moments of grave peril, immobility, impassiveness, or, to use an old and expressive word, phlegm. For physicians who have been ingrained to uphold such stoicism, the current pandemic occasionally demands more resilience than humanly possible.

Late one night in January, I was working in the Hot Zone when I, too, reached my breaking point. Multiple critically ill patients presented all within an hour. I was running from room to room, trying to stabilize the new arrivals, when an older woman came out to the hallway and began making a ruckus.

I already have COVID! I shouldnt have to suffer like this! You have to fix this! I want a second opinion! I want another doctor! She demanded, chasing me around.

I had already suggested various treatment options for her chronic rash, all of which she rejected. I had also explained multiple times that, due to other patients requiring my immediate attention, she had to wait, yet my pleading fell on deaf ears.

A part of me felt sorry for her. She had been cooped up and was clearly at her wits end. Having been in quarantine multiple times myself, I sympathized. But, as I was putting in orders at my desk and trying to concentrate, I could hardly think with her interrupting in the background. If a straw could break a camels back, she was my straw. I called my colleagues on the outside, butthrough various misunderstandingshelp never came.

A few hours later, after all the patients finally cleared out of the Hot Zone, I looked up at the clock. Midnight had long passed, and it was officially my birthday. At that realization, something hot and wet dripped from my eyes and soaked my mask.

That morning, I sat in my car exhausted. I could feel the weight of sleep about to descend. I had to start the ignition and drive home, yet I felt paralyzed. What if it could all stopthe ever-accelerating ticking of hours, cases, and my own heartbeat?

I jolted awake at the thought and turned the key on the ignition. On my drive home, I tried to pinpoint what had gone so wrong to make me feel the way I did. Was it the caseload? Was it the crying family member on the phone? Was it the pathos of passing another milestone at work? No, these were an old shoe by now. What I could not get used to was the aching sense of alienation that came with being singularly in charge of the Hot Zone.

This loneliness did not stop when I walked into my empty apartment. Nor did it stop when I saw strangers, gathering in front of bars, and rioters on TV, storming the capital. Only the occasional moments of spontaneous human connection reminded me that I was not alone and that it was OK for me to human.

I came upon such an instance recently at the tail end of another busy overnight shift. I found myself in a quandary, but this time, my travails were not concealed behind airtight walls. Instead, I was in the hallway of the main ER, where everyone passing by could see me struggle. A young woman had come in at four in the morning because she could not get a size-too-small ring off her swollen finger.

After my attempts with ice and floss failed, I asked for the ring cutter, which took three people to work properlyone to hold the patients hand, one to keep the ring in place with a needle-driver, and one to rotate the crank. In the process, a small crowd gathered to relieve one another. Soon, we were exchanging ideas and trying different methods. Amongst us were an orthopedist, a maintenance person with various tools, and a security guard with plenty of arm strength. Weve inadvertently assembled the perfect team, yet the ring did not budge over the knuckle no matter how clever we were.

Feeling exhausted and hopeless after an hour, I was ready to give up when Z, one of our nursing assistants, asked if he could try.

Go ahead, I waved, not expecting much.

From my desk, I observed Z. He wrapped the patients finger tightly with a thin plastic dressing and applied lubricant. Then, he handled the ring with more gentleness and steadiness than any of us could muster.

Five minutes later, the ring slipped off as though it was nothing at all. Seeing Z succeed where we had all failed, I realized the pandemic would end the same waynot with the prodigious resilience of a few heroes but with each seemingly ordinary person patiently doing his part.

Yoojin Na is an emergency physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The vehicle belonging to a woman who went missing with her two children nearly 20 years ago was recovered from the Ohio River, according to the Delhi Township Police Department.

Stephanie Van Nguyen, 26, and her two young children, Kristina, 4, and John, 3, went missing in 2002 from Delhi, Ohio, police said Friday in a statement on Facebook. Delhi is a suburb of Cincinnati.

Nguyen was traveling in a green 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with an Ohio license plate, according to a missing person's report with the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

"Nguyen left a note that she was going to drive into the Ohio River," police said. The case was investigated, but ultimately went cold.

In 2021, Delhi Police took a fresh look at the case, making use of advancements in sonar technology. They were assisted by the Hamilton County Police Association Dive Team and Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

For six months they scanned the Ohio river for clues, and found "three unique objects" last week, police said.

Authorities investigated further, confirming on Wednesday the discovery of Van Nguyen's vehicle submerged in the Ohio River in Aurora, Indiana. Aurora is roughly 24 miles west of Delhi.

Authorities will now work to determine if the family was in the vehicle, police said.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- There have been two drug overdose deaths and eight arrests at a single Springfield apartment over the span of three months, police confirm.

The incidents reportedly took place between July 30 and October 8 on the 5000 block of Main Street in the Thurston area. During this time, Springfield police said officers responded to the residence nine times. The apartment renter is known to be 19-year-old Nicole Smith.

Jaiden Morrow has friends who she says overdosed at the apartment.

"I know her apartment is where people have zoned in on, 'OK this is where I can get my drugs and this is where I can do my drugs,'" said Morrow. "A lot of kids who go into that apartment want to fit in. They want to be cool for their friends."

Morrow is a past addict who is nearing one year of being clean off drugs. She hopes to get into addiction counseling in the near future and said she is speaking out because of the growing concern of overdoses in the area.

"I think drugs need to stop being romanticized and glorified," said Morrow. "Also if drugs weren't so accessible it wouldn't be such an issue."

Springfield Police Detective Justin Myers is the lead detective on this case. He said the incidents at the apartment are still under investigation but there are some legal barriers preventing criminal prosecution.

"There's legal requirements that allow us to search a property if we can get a judge to agree there's evidence of crime there," Myers said. "But now that there's legalization or violation of drug possession, it takes that tool off the table for us."

RELATED: ONE WOMAN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER STABBING AT SPRINGFIELD HOME

The eight different people arrested for various charges include:

Nicole Smith, 19 (arrested July 30)

Nikolas Ray, 20 (arrested Aug. 4)

Christian Wobbe, 23 (arrested Sept. 7)

Alex Chase, 18 (arrested Sept. 24)

Jonathan Clifton, 19 (arrested Sept. 24)

Juvenile (arrested Sept. 24)

Juvenile (arrested Oct. 8)

Juvenile (arrested Oct. 8)

The two deaths from drug overdoses were both juveniles and happened on Aug. 4 and Oct. 10. Toxicology reports are still pending, but fentanyl is suspected to be the cause.

"What used to not rise the level of an overdose, now people are overdosing," said Myers. "So you see more and more and more because a drug is that much more potent."

The number of fentanyl-related deaths have been on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports deaths from synthetic opioids in 2019 are 12 times higher than in 2013.

In the state, Oregon Health Authority reported 62 deaths due to fentanyl in 2019.

Back in May, 17-year-old Michael Henderson also died from a suspected fentanyl overdose in Eugene.

"There is an element that the apartment renter is a center piece in all of this. It's her apartment," said Myers. "I don't know if it would be fair to say this activity is solely her fault. There's a bunch of other factors contributing to this."

Myers doesn't believe closing down the apartment will fix the long-term problem and said the end goal is to prevent activity like this in the future.

"Shutting down the apartment will stop the problem there, clearly," said Myers. "But unfortunately, the problem will shift to some other area or location until the individuals involved decide to make a change for themselves. Our goal is not necessarily criminal prosecution. It's to stop this behavior and keep people safe. We want to prevent this type of activity from happening to anybody but especially juveniles."

In a statement, Springfield police said:

"Springfield Police recognize this is a problematic apartment and have focused our attention and energies to improving this. SPD is committed to addressing this issue and others like it.

"With the detective division assigned, we are better able to coordinate with community partners (District Attorneys Office, property owner/management) to try to prevent additional cases and hold those responsible for criminal conduct accountable. But at the same time, it is an open investigation and to protect the integrity of the investigation we cannot say a lot.

"In addition to investigations resources, SPD Patrol Officers are well-aware of the location and focus their attention on the apartment as time allows."

Anyone with information can call the investigations unit directly at 541-726-3714.

A friend of Smith's who answered the door of the apartment Friday said she is moving out on Sunday.

Emerald Property Management is the company that manages the apartment. A spokesman said as soon as the company was notified by Springfield police of the incidents at the apartment, it issued appropriate notice.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Governor Kate Brown visited Eugene on Friday to check in on how testing operations are going at the University of Oregon.

It's called the COVID-19 Monitoring and Assessment Program, or MAP for short. Since its creation back in 2020, there have been 115,000 free COVID-19 tests administered to UO students, employees, and Oregonians.

The university has now partnered with both public and private K-12 schools across the state for the 2021-22 school year. As of right now, about 100 schools and 5,700 students are enrolled in MAP.

At the Romania building just outside of the UO campus, COVID-19 saliva tests are brought to be labeled and processed. Brown visited the facility on Friday and told KEZI 9 News it is a game-changer for the state.

"It's through this collaborative approach that Oregonians will benefit not only for the short term, but for the long term. And that's critically important for Oregonians to understand," said Brown.

RELATED: State responds to lawmakers' claims of National Guard mistreatment

Brian Fox, the UO lead on COVID-19 testing, explained what the process looks like.

"We provide opt-in testing on a weekly basis for K-12 students throughout the Willamette Valley south, or Eugene south, to the California border and soon will be rolling that out to Eastern Oregon," said Fox.

He said the process is quick and accurate.

"A student will provide a sample the evening before; they bring that into the school the next day. That's picked up by our courier in the afternoon," he said. "And they'll see it either that night, so within 24 to 48 hours, or they'll see it the next morning."

First, tests are taken to the Romania building, then they are taken to the lab at the Knight Campus, where they have the capacity to process 10,000 tests per day. Fox told KEZI 9 News even with this high processing capacity, there is still some room to improve.

"Right now we're doing about 5,000 tests per week, so we have capacity to grow, and we look forward to offering that," said Fox.

He said he hopes the program will move to more K-12 schools in southern and western Oregon.

Schools interested in the program must register, and students attending schools that are participating must opt to receive testing, which is completely voluntary.

Fox also walked KEZI 9 News through the efficacy of saliva tests.

"The saliva test is highly accurate and highly stable, so that means we can identify infections even with really low levels of virus in it," said Fox.

KEZI 9 News also asked Brown if masking mandates would change in the near future with cases in Oregon going down.

MORE: Gov. Brown announces outdoor mask mandate

"It's absolutely key if we're going to protect our children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccines, as well as vulnerable Oregonians that we continue to comply with safety protocol," said Brown.
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...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Wet snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 1 inch on the West Plains, and Coeur d'Alene area. * WHERE...Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Airway Heights, Davenport, and Hayden. * WHEN...Until 10 AM PST this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. &&
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Jessica Desfosses shared the final heartrending text messages she exchanged with her police officer husband in the days before he died from Covid-19.

"Commercial just came on tv a casket saying take Covid seriously... 0 consideration for those of us fighting for every breath," Stephen Desfosses wrote in a series of exchanges that began last Christmas Eve as his condition steadily deteriorated in a Massachusetts hospital.

"Your husband is going to [be] changed forever no matter what happens...my life has flashed before my eyes and man it's scary," he wrote in another message, which his wife posted to Facebook last summer.

Det. Sgt. Stephen Desfosses, 52, a veteran of more than 30 years with the Norton Police Department, died on January 13. He was one of at least 231 officers who died of Covid-19 this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP).

There were 245 law enforcement deaths from Covid-19 in 2020, according to ODMP.

The coronavirus has become the leading cause of death for officers despite law enforcement being among the first groups eligible to receive the vaccine at the end of 2020. The total stands at 476 Covid-19 related deaths since the start of the pandemic, compared to 94 from gunfire in the same period.

"If you are serious about your commitment to protect the public ... and if you are serious about your personal commitments to your family, then that should be enough," Jessica Desfosses said in a plea for police officers to get vaccinated.

Her appeal comes as law enforcement officers and their unions across the country have resisted vaccine mandates despite the Delta variant-fueled resurgence of Covid-19 and effectiveness of the shots in preventing severe cases and death.

Reasons cited for the vaccine resistance among law enforcement officers range from disinformation to distrust in the science of the vaccines.

The debate mirrors growing tension nationally between unions and employers as cities and businesses seek to enforce vaccine mandates.

"You're not drafted into this job. This is something you volunteer for," said Charles Ramsey, a former Washington, DC police chief and CNN law enforcement analyst. "You understand when you take the job it's going to require some sacrifice on your part in a lot of different ways."

Police unions challenge Covid mandates

In Chicago, up to half the rank-and-file officers in the nation's second largest police department face being placed on unpaid leave as their union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot clash over a city requirement that officers disclose their vaccine status.

Lightfoot on Friday accused police union president John Catanzara of trying to "induce an insurrection" by telling officers to ignore a deadline to report vaccine status.

The city filed a complaint alleging the union was "encouraging a work stoppage or strike." A Cook County Circuit judge ruled Friday night that Catanzara should not make public statements encouraging members to not comply with the vaccination policy.

Catanzara "has never engaged in, supported, or encouraged a work stoppage," according to a union statement on Friday.

Chicago officers had a deadline of midnight Thursday to disclose their vaccine status or be placed on unpaid leave, Catanzara said earlier this week.

Lightfoot said the city would take the weekend to check with officers who haven't complied. She said officers should report for duty until they're told by supervisors that they've been placed on leave.

Earlier this month, the former president of the union from 2014 to 2017 died of Covid-19.

In Miami, officers are resisting a vaccine mandate. In Pittsburgh, the police chief sent out emails encouraging officers to protect themselves as the Delta variant sent Covid-19 cases soaring.

In Seattle, the police department had "all non-patrol sworn personnel, detectives, training, support staff" ready to respond to emergency calls ahead of Monday's vaccination mandate deadline, said Sgt. Randy Huserik, a spokesman.

The Seattle mayor's office said nearly 140 officers were unvaccinated or hadn't sought an exemption. Huserik said about 320 officers had already left the force since the beginning of 2020.

Seattle could begin the process of separating officers from the department after the deadline, according to Mike Solan, police union president.

"If we lose what appears to be over 300 people because of this mandate, this public safety crisis we're experiencing will look like child's play," Solan said.

Loss of 'outstanding officer' hits home

Across the US, law enforcement leaders have pleaded with officers who remain hesitant to get the shot. Still, many unions and their member officers continue to push back.

"It's a right to obviously get vaccinated. It's an individual right and I firmly still believe in that," said Dan Yancey, chief of the Owasso Police Department in Oklahoma. "But I would certainly encourage people to do that."

In Baker, Louisiana, outside of Baton Rouge, the Covid-19 death last August of Lt. DeMarcus Dunn prompted many colleagues to get vaccinated, according to Police Chief Carl Dunn.

"He lost his father at a very young age and it was a village that raised him," Chief Dunn said of the officer.

"And when you talk about an outstanding officer, an outstanding citizen, an outstanding person that always gave back, it struck us. It was a big void in this department to lose an outstanding officer like that."

Before the lieutenant's death on August 13, about 70% of the police force was unvaccinated. Now, 95% of the city's 40 officers have received the shot, according to the chief.

"The point I try to get across is, this pandemic, it supersedes any kind of political, any kind of beliefs, anything that you have that makes you reluctant to get vaccinated," Chief Dunn said.

The national police union is encouraging vaccinations but opposes mandates.

Catanzara has framed the issue as a labor dispute.

"We are going to keep fighting this mandate and this dictatorship," said Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, echoing the sentiments of union leaders around the country.

"You would think that there is no crime in this city to worry about. You would think that there is no murder, no robberies, no guns being fired."

Late last month, hundreds of Washington State Patrol employees requested religious and medical vaccination exemptions one day after the agency announced the Covid-19 death of a trooper.

Washington state employees must be fully vaccinated by Monday. The mandate affects 60,000 state employees and 40,000 health care workers.

"We invest quite a bit with the vetting and training these individuals. We don't want to lose them as friends or lose them because of Covid," said Chris Loftis, Washington State Patrol spokesman.

Widow gets copies of vaccination cards

Michael Weiskopf, 52, a police officer in St. Petersburg, Florida, died on August 27 after battling Covid-19 for about a month. He was an 18-year law enforcement veteran.

"This was horrible and it did not have to happen," said his widow, Karen Weiskopf. "He was so strong. He was so healthy... He was my best friend. Perfect husband."

Karen Weiskopf said she's vaccinated but her husband was reluctant. She tried several times to convince him.

"He wasn't sure what was in the vaccine... I felt like Mike did not get vaccinated because he didn't have all the facts," she said. "There's a lot of information just kind of moving around... Science leaves the picture. It just becomes chatter."

Karen Weiskopf believes her husband's death served as a warning to other vaccine-reluctant officers.

"To this day I still get letters. I get calls," she said. "I'll get copies of people's vaccination cards in the mailbox that I don't know."

Jessica Desfosses wants to turn her unspeakable loss into an opportunity to save lives.

"It's absolutely as bad as you would imagine to be raising two small girls without their dad," she said of her late husband, Stephen, who "wanted to be first in line for that vaccine" but never got the chance.

"And if he had had the choice to give himself that extra protection so he could continue to serve the public and still come home to his family, he absolutely would have done it."

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled the last name of Seattle police union president Mike Solan.

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MONTEZUMA, Iowa  The Poweshiek County Sheriffs Office says human remains found in a cornfield in September have been positively identified as those of a boy who went missing in May.

Xavior Harrelson was reported missing on May 27, just days before his 11th birthday, from the trailer park in Montezuma where he lived. Human remains were found on September 30 in a rural area about three miles northeast of Montezuma. The Poweshiek County Sheriffs Office says it was notified Friday by the Iowa State Medical Examiners Office that the remains were those of Xavior.

Authorities say the boy lived with his mother in the Spruce Village trailer park. He was gone by the morning of May 27 and a friends mother reported him missing later that day after speaking with Xaviors worried mother.

The cause of Xavior Harrelsons death is not being released at this time.

On what would have been his 11th birthday on May 30, hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officials searched the nearby Diamond Lake County Park and other areas for him.

Xavior had completed his fourth-grade year at Montezuma Elementary School on May 21 and was off for summer break. He was known for riding his bike around the trailer park.

Xavior is a happy kid who gets along well with his peers and wants to please his teachers, one of his teachers, Marie Boulton, said in June. Hes always willing to help you out, engage in a conversation, and offers a smile to everyone he sees."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Rochester Community Warming Center rang in the start of its third season with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.

The warming center has made an incredible difference for the Med City's most vulnerable residents since opening. KIMT caught up with staff during the ceremony about the work done every day at the center.

Coordinator Rudy Naul says alleviating some of the worries for people experiencing homelessness about where they're going to stay at night or if they're going to eat makes a huge difference.

"To be able to take a hot shower, wash your clothes, all the things that you know, a lot of us take for granted, and when you eliminate some of those worries, I think it helps you kind of clear your mind as to maybe you can have a chance to look at some of the barriers that you're going through, and 'what do I need to do to get help?'"

Appreciating each guest's inherent human value is at the center of the warming center's work. The support staff provide becomes even more sought after during the winter, with the warming center increasingly nearing its 42 person capacity as the weather gets colder.

"Just because you don't have a home to go to at night doesn't mean that you are any less of a person., and I think that's what this population misses a lot, is just being treated like a person," Naul told KIMT.

Naul says the warming center is looking for volunteers to lead a hand, with volunteers having been a critical part of its success in the past. He adds guests really enjoy have a variety of people to talk to.

You can learn more about how to volunteer or donate items in need by visiting the warming center's website.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Windy and becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 52F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 35F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
Joshua and Alexandra Price say they and their two children were mistakenly given the Covid-19 vaccine instead of a flu shot a week ago at their local pharmacy -- and they are now dealing with some adverse symptoms.
More Covid-19 boosters are on the horizon. But not everyone will need one, experts say
US Capitol Police officer Michael A. Riley was indicted on obstruction charges in connection to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, the DC US attorney announced on Friday.
Activity-driven fundraisers are another popular way for nonprofit organizations to raise funds, and these endeavors can be highly effective.
The earlier one detects cancer, the greater his or her chances of surviving the disease.
John Stossel is author of No They Cant! Why Government Fails  But Individuals Succeed.
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - The manager of a business that has been a staple in Portland for 100 years is at a loss for words after two people broke in, were arrested, but then let go.
Pocatello, ID (83201)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 43F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening transitioning to snow showers overnight. Low 32F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
The Carnival Glory cruise ship docks after Hurricane Ida in New Orleans, La., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
CHICO, Mont. - Park County officials are reminding people to use bear spray on bears, and to not use it as a repellant.

Grizzly bears reportedly raided dumpsters and the green box site at Chico.

The county has been working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to secure the site and eliminate conflict between humans and bears.

During this time Park County employees have been injured because of improper use of bear spray by residents, the county wrote in a release. Please be sure that you are using bear spray properly. Bear spray is only effective as an aerosol during a bear attack and will attract bears if it is used as a "repellant".

If you encounter a nearby bear, remove the safety clip from the bear spray, hold the can in two hands, and extend your arms in readiness.

If a bear is approaching or charging you, use the spray to deter the bear.

Park County gave the following instructions on using bear spray:
HELENA, Mont. - Just a few weeks ago St. Peters Health hospital in Helena received support from the National Guard as their hospital, among others across the state, are seeing record numbers due to COVID-19.

As they remain in a critical standard of care, every bit of help continues to be a beacon of hope for those involved in the fight of their lives.

They had to find hands, and fast, as they watched COVID numbers here in Montana continue to rise. While the National Guard is providing immense support, they even had to pull their own staff from multiple other sources, including clinics.

The St. Peter's Health public relations manager told me what all the new team members have been tasked with.

"They are doing direct patient care; they are helping us turn and prone severely ill COVID-19 patients. They are behind the scenes, helping with our cleaning, with our nutrition services, making sure rooms are clean and making sure patients are fed, Katie Gallagher said.

She also updated me on their supply of resources, specifically critical care.

"The critical care area is our number one challenge right now. Critical care trained nurses, critical care beds, are all very very hard to come by," added Gallagher.

Gallagher reiterated several times, despite their capacity struggles, if you need help, they are still there. St. Peter's Health has not turned into a COVID-19 only hospital, so please seek the help you need when you need it.

And lastly, she asked that people please remain home if sick and be proactive about wearing masks in public.

She also reminded me, generally public relations managers do not handle interviews like this, but the doctors are so busy caring for their patients, they couldn't possibly be asked to handle these as well.
BILLINGS, Mont. - There's no shortage of horses and cows this year at the NILE, and there will definitely be no shortages of people, which is why I spoke to the president of the NILE to see how they are keeping people safe during the pandemic.

Chad Reisieg said the Northern International Livestock Expo, better known as NILE, is expecting big crowds this weekend.

Those crowds can put people at risk of COVID. Reisieg said there are hand sanitizing stations around Metra park but all other precautions are put on visitors.

"It's really up to the individual were not in we are following state law, Reiseg said. Really it is up to each individual and that's where we are leaving it. You know that's what we want people to come here and enjoy themselves, enjoy all the shows, the rodeos and build memories."

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend over the next week.
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Williams Bay has been playing 8-man football because in the past they didn't have enough players for 11-man football. They hope to rejoin 11-man football in 2023 so they can play more local teams.
Nick Caselli would have been thrilled to see the turnout at Edgewater Park on Saturday, Oct. 9.

Fleets of classic cars sat lakeside for the inaugural Nick Caselli Rocking Car Show. The Williams Bay Lions Club hosted the memorial car show in honor of late Lions member and car enthusiast Nick Caselli.

Caselli passed away last year in July at age 73. He is survived by his wife JoAnn Caselli, his great love of over 50 years.

JoAnn Caselli took in the celebration at Edgewater Park, leaning against the black 1970 El Camino she owned with her late husband.

Its an overwhelming day for me, she said.

Nearby, Lions friends and family took turns stopping by the long, black-and-white checkered table where Nick Casellis racing trophies and other awards sat on display.

Caselli found his passion for racing in the mid 1960s at Santa Fe Speedway, a dirt track on the southwest side of Chicago. Caselli was part of a pit crew and participated in specialty races until the mid 1970s.

His partner in crime JoAnn Caselli cheered him on through every race, even spending some time behind the wheel herself.

Weve always loved cars, she said.

Three cars from the Casellis collection joined the Rocking Car Show, including a 1970 Chevrolet El Camino. JoAnn Caselli was 20 years old when they bought the car.

The couple took good care of the El Camino through the decades, Caselli said. They restored the car with an L82 Corvette engine.

And we loved it so much we bought a Corvette, JoAnn Caselli said, gesturing to the sleek convertible on her left.

Next to the Casellis El Camino and Corvette, a weathered black racecar sat on display  car number 31, piloted by Nick Caselli during his time as a Lion.

Lions member Doug Swany Swangren drove alongside Caselli for many years in car 38.

I wish he were here to see this, Swangren said.

Lion Paul Rogers agreed. He recalled his first meeting with Nick Caselli six years ago, at Rogers Lions Club induction ceremony.

Rogers remembers introducing himself to the group and telling them about his move from Oak Park, Illinois.

This guy turned around in his chair, Rogers said. And it was Nick Caselli.

Rogers and Caselli got a chance to speak after the induction. Caselli explained his reaction  he owned a jewelry store in Oak Park many years ago before his move to Williams Bay, he said.

The store, Harrison Jewelers, was known and loved by Rogers and his family after Caselli had left the business. Rogers and Caselli hit it off, connected by this coincidence.

It was a wonderful thing, Rogers said. It just clicked right there that night.

That Saturday, Edgewater Park was full of Lions members and more with Nick Caselli stories of their own.

JoAnn Caselli greeted a steady stream of visitors. Loved ones from across the country came with well wishes for the smiling, teary-eyed woman leaning against her 1970 El Camino.

Thank you Lions Club, thank you family, thank you friends, Caselli said. What a great day its been.

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The top two jobs in the University of Wisconsin System are turning over within months of each other next year, a major leadership shake-up that comes on the heels of new chancellors installed during the pandemic at nearly half of the regional campuses and amid a variety of other challenges.

The departures of interim System President Tommy Thompson and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank in 2022, along with new leaders at five of the 12 other campuses, create opportunities but also some sense of uncertainty, experts say. The timing related to the two leaders exits will require close coordination.

I think it complicates the choreography a little bit, said Katharine Lyall, who served as System president from 1992 to 2004. Any good candidate for the Madison chancellorship is going to want to know who theyre working for. It just adds another dimension to the search for the System president to find someone who can attract good candidates for the Madison position.

Longtime political analyst and retired UW-La Crosse professor Joe Heim worries about how potential candidates may view the positions, given the Systems recent history that has included budget battles, political challenges and changes to tenure that attracted national attention. He described the last eight to 10 years as the most challenging stretch in System history.

Sometimes change can be good to have new people come in with fresh ideas, he said. But I wonder what kind of message it sends to applicants that both positions are vacant. It might spark a little hesitancy on the part of top candidates.

Others dont see the timing as a disadvantage for Wisconsin.

Anne Coyle, a consultant with the search firm Russell Reynolds Associates, said candidates may view the jobs together as a real opportunity to bring new ideas to the table. As for the Systems history, she said searches for public university leaders arent necessarily more difficult than for positions at private institutions, but demand a certain type of applicant.

You have to have the stomach for greater transparency, for working with state government and for a smaller and smaller percentage of your budget covered by the state but be OK with a long list of rules and regulations, Coyle said. Some people are not up for that.

Moving pieces

This isnt the first time that both the System president and UW-Madison chancellor positions will turn over within months of each other. Blank started at the state flagship in July 2013, the same month Kevin Reilly announced he was stepping down as System president. Ray Cross took over as president about eight months later.

Blank this past week announced that shes leaving UW-Madison at the end of the school year to become president of Northwestern University. Her departure will likely come just a few months after the UW Board of Regents selects a new System president to take the reins from Thompson, who has been serving as interim president since July 2020.

Having two high-profile searches run simultaneously would put more pressure on the Regents, Heim said. The board is already feeling the squeeze because of last years failed search when the sole finalist withdrew because of process issues that many have attributed to the way the board ran the search.

Regents president Ed Manydeeds said on Friday that there hasnt been a decision on whether to appoint an interim chancellor to take over after Blanks exit or start a search and try to have a successor in place around the time that she leaves.

Manydeeds said he personally was leaning toward starting a search soon but noted that board policy requires the decision to be made in consultation with the System president and Regents vice president.

Theres a lot of moving pieces to try to put together, he said. I want the campus to be stable. Thats important to me.

The deadline to apply for the System president job ended Friday. A search committee will start interviewing semifinalists next month with the Regents expected to announce their pick by February.

Other new faces in UW leadership include:

UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank: started March 1, 2020

UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander: started May 1, 2020

UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Thomas Gibson: started Jan. 11, 2021

Interim UW-Whitewater Chancellor Jim Henderson: started July 1, 2021

UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo: started July 15, 2021

UW-Madison search

For Blank, the move to Evanston, Illinois, will be a sort of homecoming. She spent a decade at Northwestern as a faculty member, got married in Chicago and her daughter attended the university.

Its not push factors from UW as much as it is pull factors from Northwestern, she said in a call with reporters last week.

For some other higher education leaders, however, the pandemic has played a role in their exits.

Coyles firm, which conducts searches for nationally ranked liberal arts colleges and research universities, is seeing a lot of turnover, she said. Some higher education leaders who planned to step down in 2020 or 2021 delayed those plans, not wanting to appear as if they were jumping ship in the middle of a crisis. Others who expected to retire a few years from now have moved up their timelines because of burnout over the past 18 months.

Blanks departure doesnt appear to fit into the broader trend, Coyle said, but the national landscape may mean more competition among schools seeking their next leader.

There are several advantages UW-Madison has heading into the presidential search, experts say.

By the time Blank leaves, she will have led the university for nine years, one of the longest-serving chancellors in recent history. Lyall said the long tenure sends a signal of stability to candidates about the state of the university.

Having the presidential search already underway may also be a boost, Coyle said. Candidates find jobs appealing when the person to whom they report is relatively new and likely to be around for the next several years. Firms tend to have a harder time attracting candidates where their direct supervisor has been working for a while and may be looking for other opportunities.

UW-Madison also has a history of hiring female leaders, which may help widen the applicant pool, she said.

A change in state law allowing for just one finalist to be named can also lure in sitting presidents or chancellors who may otherwise hesitate to enter a search out of fear theyll be outed as a finalist, Coyle said.

Campus constituencies dont always understand this but no one wants to be known as a loser in the search, she said.

Wisconsin previously required public disclosure of multiple finalists. UW leaders in 2015, however, successfully pushed lawmakers for changes that allow the System to keep all but a single finalists identity hidden, a move open government advocates see as secretive and detrimental in the long run.

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Actor Kriti Sanon, on Saturday, announced the wrap up of her shooting for the upcoming mythological film Adipurush. Taking to her Instagram handle, the actor posted pictures in which she can be seen cutting a cake of her wrap-up party. The cake read, "JANAKI," which is the name of her character in the film. RIP Dorothy Steel: Black Panther Actress, Dies at 95.

Cutting the cake along with Kriti is the film's director Om Raut. The 'Mimi' star further penned a beautiful caption, dedicated to her character Janaki. "Can't believe this journey has come to an end so soon! My heart sinks as I let go of this super special character that I'm extremely proud to have played: JANAKI! Her loving heart, her pious soul and her unshakable strength will somewhere stay within me forever," she wrote. Hema Malini Birthday Special: Taking a Look Back at Dream Girls Iconic Dialogues as Veteran Actress Turn 73.

She also thanked her director Om Raut for his 'extraordinary' vision. "Thank you @omraut for giving me Janaki and believing that I could carry the weight and responsibility that the character came with. Thank you for holding my hand through this journey and finding her with me! Your vision is extraordinary and I can't wait for the world to see it! A film I'll always be extremely proud of! #Adipurush," she added.

Lastly, she mentioned her 'wonderful' co-stars Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Sunny Singh. "Have had the most wonderful time shooting with @actorprabhas #Saif and @mesunnysingh To hopefully many many more together! Gonna miss you all," she signed off. Fans flooded the post with likes and comments. "Had great fun shooting with you," her co-star Sunny Singh commented.

For the unversed, 'Adipurush' is an upcoming mythological movie that will mark Om's new directorial venture after last year's blockbuster 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'. Prabhas will reportedly play Ram, and Sunny will be reportedly seen as Lakshman, while Saif will portray the role of Raavan.

The film which is slated to get a theatrical release on August 11, 2022, had started production back in February.

Check Out Kriti Sanon's Instagram Post Below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Om, Prasad Sutar, and Rajesh Nair, the film will be released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

On a related note, the 'Adipurush' release date will clash with Akshay Kumar's 'Raksha Bandhan' that has also been announced to release the same day, next year.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Oct 16 (PTI) Two police officers - a deputy superintendent of police and the in-charge of the police station here were injured in a clash with locals over burning of Ravana's effigy at Ramgarh district of Jharkhand on Saturday evening, an official said.

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Burning of Ravana's effigy is not allowed in Jharkhand as per the guidelines issued by the state government. So when the locals of Barkipona village under Rajrappa police sought permission to do it on Dussera on Friday, the district administration turned down their request.

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The people defied the adminsitration's diktat on Saturday evening and gathered to burn an effigy of the mythical king of Sri Lanka. When the police tried to stop them the mob turned violent and injured the deputy superintendent of police (headquarters) Sanjiv Kumar Mishra and Rajrappa police station in-charge Vipin Kumar.

The two injured were rushed to the Ramgarh sadar hospital for treatment, Ramgarh deputy commissioner Madhavi Mishra told PTI.

The district superintendent of police Prabhat Kumar is camping in Barkipona to control the situation and additional security forces have been deployed at Barkipona, where the situation at present is tense but under control, Mishra.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) [India], October 16 (ANI): In a veiled dig at Congress for diminishing the "image of many freedom fighters" like Subhash Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the Centre is making efforts to give such leaders their proper place in history.

The Union Home Minister was speaking at an event in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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Speaking at the event, the Minister urged young Indians to visit Andaman and Nicobar once as it is the "pilgrimage place of Independence".

"I was excited to come to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island. It is very natural to be excited and proud of coming here because complete independence might have been achieved in 1947, but in 1943, this part of the country was freed from the clutches of the Britishers for two years...Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a pilgrimage place of Independence... I urge all the youths to visit Andaman and Nicobar once," said Shah.

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He noted that the Central government is celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in the entire country with an aim to, "ignite patriotism in children and youth of the country."

"We want them to work for nation-building with the spirit of patriotism, and work for the development of the country as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

He claimed for years, "efforts were made to diminish the image of many leaders" like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

"But now it's the time to give them a proper place in history. People who have sacrificed their lives should get a place in history. That's why we renamed this island after Netaji," he said.

"This year we're celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. When we see the life of Netaji, we feel that injustice happened to him. The place he deserves was not given to him in history," the Minister added.

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Admiral D K Joshi (Retd.)was also present on the occasion. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Oct 16: Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Umar Mushtaq Khandey is trapped in an encounter with security forces in the Pampore area of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police official said on Saturday.

Khandey is among the top militants whom the security forces are targeting since a hitlist was released by police in August this year.

Also Read | Singhu Border Murder: One Nihang Surrenders After Brutal Killing of Lakhbir Singh.

He was allegedly involved in the killing of two policemen at Baghat in Srinagar district earlier this year, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said in a tweet.

"LeT commander amongst #top 10 #terrorists namely Umar Mustaq Khandey who was involved in #killing of two police personnel at Baghat #Srinagar & other terror crimes trapped in Pampore #Encounter," he tweeted.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, October 16: A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her cousin at her house in south Delhi's Kotla Mubarakpur, police said on Saturday

The accused has been arrested, they said. According to the victim's mother, the crime took place on Thursday.

She said her daughter was raped by her 22-year-old cousin, a resident of Bapu Park, when the girl was alone at home. The accused had also threatened the minor girl not to disclose about the incident to anyone, police said. Uttar Pradesh Horror: Girl Alleges Rape by Father, SP and BSP Leaders in Lalitpur; 28 Accused Booked.

A case under IPC sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), and under the POCSO Act was registered at the Kotla Mubarakpur Police Station, they added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, October 16: Mumbai Police's Crime Branch on Friday informed that it is now looking for underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's aide Riyaz Bhati who has been named in the FIR against former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in an extortion case.

"Riyaz Bhati's name is also mentioned in the same FIR which has been registered against Param Bir Singh in an extortion case. But Bhati has disappeared since the crime branch called him for interrogation," the police said.

Also Read | Singhu Border Murder: One Nihang Surrenders After Brutal Killing of Lakhbir Singh.

The police further informed that Bhati filed an anticipatory bail application in September this year which was rejected by the sessions court. "While dismissing the plea, the court said that custodial interrogation is necessary in this case," the police added.

Police alleged that Bhati used to collect money from bar and restaurant owners and send it to suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze.

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Earlier on October 9, the Crime Branch of Mumbai police sent an inquiry notice to former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, in connection with an extortion case.

"An inquiry notice has been sent to Parambir Singh asking him to appear before the police on October 12, " Mumbai police said.

The Crime Branch of Mumbai police passed a notice at Parambir Singh's Mumbai residence and a team has also gone to Haryana to give him notice at Haryana residence.

A case of extortion was registered on July 23 against Parambir Singh, Sachin Waje and others at Goregaon Police Station, whose investigation was handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch.

It was the second case of extortion in which Param Bir Singh has been named. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier summoned the former Mumbai Police Commissioner to record a statement in connection with the Rs 100 crore money laundering case against ex-Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], October 16 (ANI): The second accused in the Singhu Border incident where a mutilated body was found hanging at the site of farmers' protest, was arrested by Amritsar Rural Police on Saturday outside a Gurudwara in Rakh Devidass Pura, Amarkot village, Punjab.

The accused has been identified as Narayan Singh.

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The Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, Rakesh Kaushal told ANI that the accused has confessed that he killed Lakhbir after he was told that he had insulted Guru Granth Sahib. He got angry and cut off his limbs and bled him to death, added Kaushal.

"Two Nihangs were involved, one was arrested by Haryana Police. Narayan Singh had escaped. We arrested him outside a Gurudwara in his village. When he realised he can't escape, he came out. Haryana Police informed. The team has left from Sonipat. We'll hand him over to them as per law. If they don't come, we'll investigate him here," said the SSP.

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Earlier today, another accused in the Singhu border incident was sent to seven days of police custody by the court.

The accused has been identified by the police as Sarvajeet Singh who was earlier detained from Kundli in Sonipat on Friday evening. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], October 16 (ANI): The accused in the Singhu border incident where a mutilated body was found hanging on Friday at the site of farmers' protest, has been sent to seven days police custody by the court on Saturday.

The accused has been identified by the police as Sarvajeet Singh who was earlier detained from Kundli in Sonipat on Friday evening.

Also Read | Delhi: Man Arrested for Raping Minor Girl in Kotla Mubarakpur.

Earlier on Friday, a body of a man, with hands and legs chopped off, was found hanging on a police barricade at the farmers' protest site near the Singhu border, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hansraj. An FIR has been registered in the case, said the DSP.

The man has been identified as Lakhbir Singh resident of village Cheema Khurd in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. The deceased, about 35-36 years old, who used to work as a labourer, has no criminal record or affiliation with any political party, informed the police. (ANI)

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Leigh-On-Sea, Oct 16 (AP) A long-serving member of Parliament was stabbed to death Friday during a meeting with constituents at a church in England, in what police said was a terrorist incident.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack, which united Britain's fractious politicians in shock and sorrow.

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Counterterrorism officers were leading the investigation into the slaying of Conservative lawmaker David Amess.

In a statement early Saturday, the Metropolitan Police described the attack as terrorism and said the early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.

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Amess, 69, was attacked around midday Friday at a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea, a town about 40 miles (62 kilometers) east of London.

Paramedics tried without success to save him. Police arrested the suspect and recovered a knife.

They did not identify the suspect, who was held on suspicion of murder. Police said they believed the suspect acted alone, and were not seeking anyone else in connection with the killing, though investigations continue.

The slaying came five years after another MP, Jo Cox, was murdered by a far-right extremist in her small-town constituency, and it renewed concern about the risks politicians run as they go about their work representing voters.

British politicians generally are not given police protection when they meet with their constituents.

Tributes poured in for Amess from across the political spectrum, as well as from the community he had served for decades. Residents paid tribute to him at a vigil at a church in Leigh-on-Sea.

He carried that great East London spirit of having no fear and being able to talk to people and the level they're at, the Rev. Jeffrey Woolnaugh said at the vigil, attended by about 80 people. Not all politicians, I would say, are good at that.

Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he and his Cabinet were deeply shocked and heart-stricken."

David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future, and we've lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague," Johnson said.

The prime minister would not say whether the attack meant politicians needed tighter security, saying, We must really leave the police to get on with their investigation.

Amess had been a member of Parliament for Southend West, which includes Leigh-on-Sea, since 1997, and had been a lawmaker since 1983, making him one of the longest-serving politicians in the House of Commons.

A social conservative on the right of his party, he was a well-liked figure with a reputation for working hard for his constituents and campaigning ceaselessly to have Southend declared a city.

Amess, who leaves a wife and five children, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 for his service, becoming Sir David.

Flags at Parliament were lowered to half-staff amid a profusion of questions about lawmakers' security.

This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country, House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said. In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs' security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family, friends and colleagues.

Violence against British politicians is rare, but concerns have grown about the increasingly bitter polarization of the country's politics.

In 2016, a week before the country's divisive Brexit referendum, Cox, a Labour Party lawmaker, was fatally stabbed and shot in northern England. Also, several people have been jailed in recent years for threatening lawmakers.

British lawmakers are protected by armed police when they are inside Parliament, and security there was tightened after an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group fatally stabbed a police officer at the gates in 2017.

But politicians have no such protection in their constituencies. Amess published the times and locations of his open meetings with constituents on his website.

Two other British lawmakers have been attacked over the past two decades during their surgeries, regular meetings where constituents can present concerns and complaints.

Labour legislator Stephen Timms was stabbed in the stomach in 2010 by a student radicalized by online sermons from an al-Qaida-linked preacher.

In 2000, Liberal Democrat Nigel Jones and his aide Andrew Pennington were attacked by a man wielding a sword during such a meeting. Pennington was killed and Jones wounded in the attack in Cheltenham, England.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May, a Conservative, tweeted that Amess' killing was a "tragic day for our democracy, and former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was shocked and horrified.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party said on Twitter: In a democracy, politicians must be accessible and open to scrutiny, but no one deserves to have their life taken while working for and representing their constituents.

Kim Leadbeater, Jo Cox's sister and now a member of Parliament herself, said it was horrific that Amess' family was experiencing what hers had gone through.

They will think about this every single day for the rest of their lives, she said.

I find myself now working as a politician and trying to do good things for people, and it's really important you get good people in public life, but this is the risk we are all taking, and so many MPs will be scared by this. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Oct 16 (PTI) India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer.

It is unclear how the USD100 billion per year commitment given in the wake of COP21 has been extended, Sitharaman said after the conclusion of her meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here.

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"From my side of course one of the issues that I did raise and it is also something which many people do take cognisance of is we actually don't know if there were any measures given to measure if money spent on a particular project by somebody will be part of that USD100 billion," Sitharaman said.

"So, what constitutes USD100 billion? How do we measure if actually USD100 billion has been given or only some of them has been given? So, not just that USD100 billion per year is coming or not but how do we measure that it is indeed coming or not, is also one of the issues," she said.

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Sitharaman said several participants both in the IMF and World Bank meetings highlighted that issue.

"So funding is continuing to be a question of worry for many countries, as much as even the transfer of technology," she said.

"The issue is, again, as much as it is in the fund, do we know which technology that we are asking for transfer? Do we know which are those things which have to be considered for the debate and transfer of technology," she said.

Responding to a question, the finance minister asserted that her view on this was not a reflection of her dissatisfaction.

"I'm not stating it's a statement of this dissatisfaction because India's commitments are fulfilled. There are only six countries which kept the nationally determined commitments.

India's more than done it, and also submitted a report to show that this is what we have done. What had to be achieved by 2030, we have achieved alreadyalmost achieved, and now we've scaled up our expectations on renewable, we are touching 450 GW, she said.

"So, I don't think I can be even for a moment, disappointed or dissatisfied, clearly from our side. We are moving with our own resources in fulfilling our commitments," the minister said.

There are things to be done, she acknowledged.

"It is reminding, because the level at which many countries are, the levels of development at which each one has to be able to comply with an even a nationally determined commitment itself means a lot," she said.

Sitharaman also expressed concern over growing oil prices.

"So even as I'm putting more money into renewables and trying to be cleaner in the energy that we produce, this price rise is something which is going to be of worry to me," she said.

Responding to a question, the finance minister said that sustainable debt funding was discussed during the meetings.

In addition to her meetings at the IMF and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements.

Sitharaman has concluded the Washington DC-leg of her US trip.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home. PTI LKJ

She started her week-long trip from Boston.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Faisalabad [Pakistan], October 16 (ANI): Pakistan opposition leader Maryam Nawaz and other opposition figures are expected to address a rally of the anti-government alliance, famously known as Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in Faisalabad's Dhobi Ghat on Saturday.

According to Dawn, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif is also likely to address the gathering from London via video link. While leaders of other opposition parties are also expected to speak.

Also Read | Tropical Storm Kompasu Kills 22 in Philippines So Far, 16 Missing.

The PML-N's official spokesperson did not confirm the participation of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif while former PML-N MPA Rao Kashif Raheem claimed that Shehbaz will not address the rally.

On her way to the gathering, Maryam shared videos on Twitter showing a large number of supporters welcoming her.

Also Read | US: Four People Injured in Shooting Outside Stadium in Alabama.

Maryam had criticised the government over the hike in petrol prices while talking to the media in Lahore today before setting out for Faisalabad's rally. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Khartoum [Sudan], October 16 (ANI/Xinhua): Sudan has been witnessed an increasing number of COVID-19 infections and deaths since early October, igniting concerns over a new wave of the pandemic in the country.

Sudan on Friday reported 78 new COVID-19 infections, with active cases amounting to 490,

Also Read | Tropical Storm Kompasu Kills 22 in Philippines So Far, 16 Missing.

Sudan's Health Ministry said on Saturday, warning that "all these cases indicate emergence of a new wave of COVID-19 in the country."

It urged the citizens to follow the health protocol such as wearing facemasks, abiding by social distancing and hand sanitizing.

Also Read | US: Four People Injured in Shooting Outside Stadium in Alabama.

The ministry stressed that vaccination is the most effective way for people to get out of the current crisis.

Last week, Sudan received about half a million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to join three other COVID-19 vaccines, including Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, and Johnson.

The Sudanese health authorities are planning to vaccinate around 20 percent of its population, or 8 million people, by the end of 2021 and vaccinate 40 percent of the population by the end of 2022.

Sudan has recorded 39,550 COVID-19 cases, including 3,038 deaths. (ANI/Xinhua)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, Oct 16 (AP) US health officials are setting the stage for a national COVID-19 vaccination campaign for younger children, inviting state officials to order doses before the shots are authorised.

Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine is currently being given to people as young as 12 in the US. In the next three weeks, federal officials plan to discuss making smaller-dose versions available to the nation's 28 million children between the ages of 5 and 11.

Also Read | China Agrees To Cooperate in WHO's Fresh Probe To Trace COVID-19 Origin.

To help states and cities prepare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week sent out a seven-page document with guidance on how to set up expanded vaccination programs.

For example, it notes pharmacies in every state can give COVID-19 shots to children, but it clarifies that only doses prepared and packaged specifically for children are to be used for those under 12.

Also Read | US Allows Fully Vaccinated Foreign Travellers To Enter the Country From November 8.

It doesn't speak to some thornier questions, however, such as how much school-based clinics should be relied on or whether kids should be required to get then shots as a condition of school attendance.

Those questions will have to be worked out in each state and city.

The guidance comes as communities are gearing up for a new phase in the 10-month-old effort to vaccinate as many people as possible against a virus that has killed more than 720,000 in the U.S.

The disease has been most dangerous to older adults, who have higher rates of death and hospitalisation than children. But some kids are at risk for severe illness, and more than 540 US children have died from COVID-19, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Just as important, health officials believe that vaccinating children will reduce virus spread to vulnerable adults.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are furthest along in researching use of their vaccine in younger children. They say a two-dose vaccine series  one-third as potent as the version giving to people over 12 years old  is safe and effective in 5- to 11-year-olds.

An independent expert panel that advises the Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to publicly debate the evidence at a meeting in late October. If the FDA authorises the kid-size doses, a different expert panel advising the CDC would take up the matter in early November, and then offer a recommendation to the CDC.

It's not yet clear how many people will get shots for their younger kids right away, said Dr Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

We're going to have potentially a very busy, and perhaps modestly chaotic time initially, he said.

But there probably will not be the kind of heavy demand seen when shots first became available for adults, he added.

The new CDC guidance calls for shots to be given at the offices of pediatricians and family-practice doctors, and at pharmacies, rural health clinics and federally-qualified health centres.

The CDC discussed the option of vaccination clinics at schools, but stopped short of endorsing that as a primary way to get kids vaccinated. School clinics are logistically appealing, but many parents may not be comfortable with the idea, Plescia said.

The guidance also warns health care providers to only use doses that have been prepared especially for kids, and not try to fraction adult doses, Plescia noted.

CDC guidance said immunisation program managers can start ordering doses Wednesday, though vials wouldn't be delivered until the FDA and CDC sign off.

When the coronavirus vaccines were first authorized in December, the U.S. government prioritized having hospitals and pharmacies administer them. Some office-based physicians felt left out.

Dr Jesse Hackell registered early with New York state to be able to administer the shots to teens. He said his office, located 25 miles north of New York City, didn't receive doses for that until May.

But Hackell said the CDC has reassured pediatricians that once authorization happens for 5- to-11-year-olds, the process will go more smoothly and pediatricians' offices will be able to get shipments quickly.

Dr Richard Besser called on the government to do more to address racial and economic disparities that might emerge in the push to vaccinate younger kids.

For example, kids may not get shots if parents can't get time off from work to bring them in.

"It's really important that we recognise the barriers to vaccinations," said Besser, chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bollywoods favourite couple, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary today (October 16). On this special occasion, Kareena has shared a throwback picture on Instagram to wish her hubby dearest. Saif had proposed his ladylove for marriage in Greece. While sharing the picture on Instagram, the actress mentioned, Once upon a time in Greece... there was a bowl of soup and US and it changed my life...

Kareena Kapoor Khan And Hubby Saif Ali Khan In Greece

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kedarnath on November 5 to offer prayers and inaugurate Kedarpuri reconstruction projects worth Rs 250 crore. This will be his second visit to the state within a month Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 16, 2021

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
The leader of the largest union in California was arrested on Friday, a day after authorities filed charges of tax fraud and embezzlement against the prominent activist.

Alma Hernandez, Husband, Charged with Tax Fraud, Embezzlement

According to the U.S. News, the executive director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California Alma Hernandez and her husband Jose Moscoso were charged on Thursday after allegedly underreporting some $1.4 million of income, which started from the 2014 and 2018 tax years.

Based on another complaint, Hernandez allegedly approved an $11,700 payment to her husband for services he did not provide while working on a political action committee for a Democratic state senate candidate in 2014.

Hernandez's husband, Moscoso, also allegedly did not disclose that his air duct cleaning business had multiple employees. The non-disclosure of the exact numbers resulted in over $300,000 in unreported wages. Moscoso owned LA Duct Cleaning LLC.

READ MORE: California Becomes First State to Require Gender-Neutral Toy Aisles at Huge Department Stores; Mandate Covers Toys to Childcare Items

California Union Leader's Camp Denies Allegations

The couple's attorney, Jeffrey Tsai, did not respond to questions asked by reporters outside of the Sacramento County courthouse, The Sacramento Bee reported. However, in a statement Thursday, Tsai said his clients were looking forward to defending themselves and their names. Tsai added that their camp disagreed with the charges in this case. The attorney also said that true facts were misrepresented, which were supposed to reflect their hard work to make an honest life for themselves and their family.

Moreover, Attorney General Rob Bonta charged Hernandez and her husband on October 4 with five felony counts of filing false tax returns, allegedly underreporting their income by about $1.4 million over five years.

Based on the report of Times of San Diego, the website of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office showed that the prominent activist leader was being held at The Sacramento County Main Jail. The document online also stated that Hernandez was ineligible for bail.

Meanwhile, SEIU California said that Hernandez, the 42-year old prominent activist, who had led the union for 11 years, had resigned.

Bob Schoonover, the president of SEIU California State Council, shared in a statement that they were deeply concerned regarding the allegations against Alma Hernandez. Schoonover stated that they had accepted Hernandez's resignation, and they have cooperated fully with authorities regarding the investigated matter and would continue to comply.

Furthermore, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office's website did not immediately list Hernandez's husband Moscoso as an inmate.

On the other hand, the SEIU is the largest healthcare union in North America, with more than 1.1 million members. Over 700,000 of its members were situated in California, who work in a broad range of fields and include social workers, janitors, and doctors.

READ NEXT: California Becomes First State to Make 'Stealthing' or Secretly Removing Condom During Sex Illegal

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Head Of California's Largest Labor Union Facing Embezzlement Charges -CBS Los Angeles
The Department of Homeland Security announced that it is ready to reinstate the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy by mid-November after a Supreme Court upheld the immigration policy in response to a lawsuit from Texas and Missouri.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been working to abolish the program by a different method.

The lawsuit from the two states claimed that the administration's attempt to remove the policy was illegal and harmful, according to a Fox News report.

Meanwhile, the DHS has appealed the ruling in the lower courts. In a statement, the department said they are taking the necessary steps to follow the order, which requires them to reimpose the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) in good faith. They added that they are working to do so despite their appeal, according to toa USA Today report.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden's Administration Begins Deporting Haitian Migrants Staying Under Del Rio Bridge in Texas

'Remain in Mexico' Policy

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration established the MPP and was expanded in 2019.

The policy orders migrants to be sent back to Mexico, instead of being released into the U.S. as they await their immigration proceedings to be heard.

Aljazeera reported that around 70,000 asylum seekers had been subjected to the policy during Trump's administration. The Biden administration had terminated it earlier this year. However, it formally ended in June before the court ruling ordered a reversal.

Critics and immigration advocates had expressed their opposition to the reimposition of the policy, saying that the program has exposed migrants to violence and kidnappings in dangerous Mexican border cities, where drug cartels operate.

A Washington, D.C.-based rights group, Human Rights First, noted that at least 1,544 cases of murder, rape, torture, and other assaults had been reported against asylum seekers in Mexico as of February this year.

Eleanor Acer, the organization's senior director of refugee protection, said that restarting any version of "the Trump administration's notorious 'Remain in Mexico' policy" will cause huge suffering to migrants.

Acer added that the policy is a recipe for continued cruelty, disorder, and violations.

Reimposition of MPP

Temporary immigration hearing facilities are being rebuilt, while COVID restrictions and protocols are underway, according to DHS.

USA Today reported Mexico has concerns regarding the reimplementation of the policy, such as migrants' due process and their legal assistance. There were also concerns regarding their security.

Mexico also wants cases to conclude within six months as their condition to reinstate the program, adding that migrants be provided hearing dates and times accurately.

Mexico is also calling for exemptions for particularly vulnerable populations and coordination on locations and times of day that migrants are returned to Mexico.

U.S. officials said the renewed MPP policy will be applied to people who are not qualified for Title 42 expulsions.

Title 42 allows the government to prevent the introduction of individuals during certain public health emergencies, according to Olga Bryne, the immigration director at the International Rescue Committee.

The Trump administration had used an interpretation of Title 42 to issue public health order during the pandemic to expel migrants at the border, according to an ABC News Go report.

READ MORE: 10 of 13 Killed in California Crash Were Mexicans Who Entered U.S. Through Hole in Border Fence

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Supreme Court Orders Biden Admin. To Resume 'Remain in Mexico' Policy - from NBC News






A non-profit ethics watchdog has filed a complaint against White House press secretary Jen Psaki for possibly violating a law prohibiting executive branch employees from partisan politicking.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) said Friday it had filed an ethics complaint against Psaki for a comment that seemed to endorse former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat running for election to his old post.

In the complaint filed to Henry Kerner of the Office of Special Counsel, the group alleged that Psaki violated the Hatch Act during a press briefing on Thursday when she affirmed President Joe Biden's support for McAuliffe, Reuters reported.

In response to a question about Virginia's election on November 2 in the press briefing, Psaki said that Biden "of course" wants McAuliffe "to be the future governor."

She added that they are "going to do everything" they can to help the former governor as they "believe in the agenda he's representing," CNBC reported.

CREW noted that it appeared Psaki's remarks, made in her official capacity, were aimed to affect the outcome of "a partisan political election."

The group called for a probe and asked Kerner to take any appropriate disciplinary action against the White House press secretary.

The Hatch Act of 1939 limits the political campaigning activities of federal employees but excludes the country's president and vice president.

The group previously filed similar Hatch Act complaints against several officials under the administration of former President Donald Trump.

The complaints were lodged against two former press secretaries, namely Kayleigh McEnany and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and former communication aides Raj Shah and Hogan Gidley.

READ NEXT: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Defends President Joe Biden's Refusal to Take Questions From Press, Says Some Questions Are "Not on Point"

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's Hatch Act Violation

In a statement, CREW head Noah Bookbinder said there is extra pressure on the Biden administration to be above aboard after the "ethics disaster of the Trump administration," the Daily Beast reported.

Bookbinder noted that they deem it important to have a concerted effort to comply with important laws rather than to give repeated passes to restore the American people's faith in government.

He said they hope the Biden administration will have renewed attention to staying on the right side of this law. Other Trump officials that CREW filed complaints at were former Trump advisors Kellyanne Conway and Peter Navarro, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, as well as Trump's third press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, who wrote a book describing her work in the administration.

In a statement, Psaki said they'd leave it to the press and the campaign to provide commentary on the race.

The press secretary added that she would be choosing her words more carefully, adding that she takes "ethics very seriously."

Virginia Gubernatorial Race

Virginia voters have been giving better personal ratings to McAuliffe as compared to Republican Glenn Youngkin, Fox News reported.

McAuliffe's support stands at 51 percent, with Youngkin at 46 percent, which puts the race within the poll's margin of sampling error.

McAuliffe is the preferred candidate among Black voters by 63 points; moderates by more than 36 points; urban voters by more than 30 points; suburban women by over 17 points; and parents by more than 10 points.

On the other hand, Youngkin has been the choice among White Evangelicals by 44 points; rural voters by more than 25 points; white voters without college degrees by 25 points; white men by 12 points; and seniors by eight points.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden Reacts Negatively to Donald Trump' Toys,' Giant TV Screens Left in the White House: 'What a F------ A--Hole'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Holds Briefing - From the Independent






A former FBI behavioral researcher said Brian Laundrie was in control of Gabby Petito based on the body and verbal language between the two.

Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess, a former FBI Behavioral Science Unit researcher, told Fox News that Laundrie had control over every aspect of his girlfriend's life.

Burgess noted that the 23-year-old Florida fugitive appeared to be "very much in control" of Gabby Petito "the whole time" during their cross-country road trip.

Referring particularly to August 12 bodycam footage from Moab, Utah police, Burgess said Laundrie appeared to have control over Petito's van as he was driving it. She also cited that Laundrie has control over Petito's finances as he reportedly used her credit card.

Burgess said Laundrie has also kept Petito isolated by traveling to remote areas and camping. Burgess also mentioned that Petito's remains were found in an isolated area, something that she said was another way for the Florida fugitive to purportedly "isolate her," even in death, Crime Online reported.

When Moab police officers stopped the couple on August 12 after someone reported a "domestic problem" between the two, a witness said the couple had been arguing over a cellphone, with Laundrie, at one point, taking Petito's phone.

The witness added that Laundrie appeared that he did not want Petito in the van. Another witness said he saw Laundrie slapping Petito.

According to Burgess, Laundrie also continued to call Petito his fiancee several times to the police despite Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, telling the media outlets earlier that the couple decided to call the wedding off and go back to dating before they embarked on a road trip.

"To Laundrie this is very, very important, and I think what sets into motion the final days for her," Burgess said of their engagement.

Burgess said to Laundrie to be known as Petito's fiance was very important, adding that she thinks it's what sets into motion the final days for Petito.

READ NEXT: Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie Supposed Beach Wedding in Florida Cancelled Due to COVID Pandemic

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Brian Laundrie

On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hopes Brian Laundrie will be apprehended and brought to justice if a court finds him guilty of a crime.

According to another Fox News report, DeSantis said it's "a little disappointing" that authorities still do not have Laundrie's whereabouts.

The Florida governor noted that Laundrie is "obviously somebody that would be a suspect" in this kind of scenario.

"Clearly there were things going on here with the family. So I hope that he's apprehended and brought to justice if, in fact, he was the one that is guilty of this," DeSantis said.

"Because it's a really sad thing... this is a very beautiful young girl with a lot of potential and a lot of people really loved her a lot. To see this happen really is heartbreaking," he added.

Manhunt for Gabby Petito's Fiance

Law enforcement continued to search for Brian Laundrie at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port on Friday.

According to the North Port Police Department, they were also conducting "special response team training" while looking for Gabby Petito's fiance.

WFLA reported that officers were seen carrying large rifles into the wooded area about a mile from the reserve's entrance. Yellow police tape also went up at the entrance to the reserve.

The activity comes after some crews from Pasco County, including a K9-unit dog to help search for human remains, inspected the Carlton Reserve on Thursday.

This week officially marked one month since Brian Laundrie's parents said they last saw him. His parents said they last saw him on September 13, leaving home to go to the Carlton Reserve area for a hike.

Laundrie's parents announced that he was missing on September 17. Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie.

The couple was traveling to Oregon when the YouTuber stopped communicating with her family in Wyoming in late August.

Laundrie was named a person of interest by North Port police after returning home on September 1 or 10 days before Petito was reported missing by her family.

Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19.

On Tuesday, Teton County, Wyoming coroner Brent Blue said Gabby Petito was strangled to death by "human force," and the manner of death was homicide.

Petito's parents headed to Wyoming Wednesday to recover her remains. The Teton County coroner has already released Petito's remains to a local mortuary for cremation.

Petito's family is also expected to meet with law enforcement in Wyoming to brief them on the latest update in the case before they return to New York this weekend with Petito's ashes.

The FBI has already issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie but over debit card fraud.

READ MORE: Brian Laundrie Manhunt: Parents of Gabby Petito's Fiance Change the Date of Florida Fugitive's Disappearance

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Brian Laundrie Search: Police Tape Put up at Nature Reserve Entrance, Law Enforcement Seen in Park - From WFLA News Channel 8






Dog The Bounty Hunter on Friday aggressively called for Gabby Petito's fiance, Brian Laundrie, to end the chase.

In an interview with The Sun, the 68-year-old reality star, whose real name is Duane Chapman, growled loudly at the camera, "Let me have you, Brian."

Looking wild-eyed, Dog The Bounty Hunter, who continues to search for Laundrie, added: "What did you do? You're living it every night, aren't you, boy?"

Chapman then called Laundrie to turn himself in to authorities.

"Turn yourself in, Brian. For once in your life, be a man," he said.

Following the terrifying message for Gabby Petito's fiance, Dog The Bounty Hunter also discussed how he would talk to the elder Laundries, particularly to Laundrie's father, Christopher Laundrie, to get the truth.

"I was going to work on the father's, so to speak heartstrings, the way I get fired the truth right," Chapman told The Sun.

"And sometimes that's what I was going to tell him," the reality star continued. "I will not kill your son, I will let him, you know, make a phone call. I won't talk to him."

Dog The Bounty Hunter also said that Brian Laundrie was "built to be a killer" based on the books he read and the artwork he shared on social media.

Duane Chapman earlier said that Petito's cause of death "doesn't look good" not only for Laundrie but also for his family.

"The coroner's report is not good for the entire Laundrie family... Strangulation is not an accident," he noted.

Dog the Bounty Hunter also said that Laundrie's parents had stonewalled Petito's family because they knew what their son had done and helped him run.

"And now it seems like, based on the [autopsy] report and coupled with their behavior, they have most likely aided and abetted a murderer," he noted.

READ NEXT: Dog the Bounty Hunter Says Brian Laundrie's Parents Likely 'Abetted a Murderer' as 'Strangulation Is Not an Accident'

Dog The Bounty Hunter Drops by At Brian Laundrie's Sister's Home

On Wednesday, Dog The Bounty Hunter dropped by at the residence of Brian Laundrie's sister in Lakewood Ranch, which is about 40 miles from the North Port family home in Florida.

Joined by his wife Francie Frane, Chapman knocked on the front door of Cassie Laundrie Luycx's home, but no one answered. They went back to their car after several attempts to reach someone inside.

Dog The Bounty Hunter said they were trying to talk to someone who may know where Laundrie's at. Chapman believed that Cassie Laundrie "absolutely" has more information on her brother's whereabouts, more than what she admitted.

It was not the first time that Duane Chapman knocked on the home of Brian Laundrie's relatives. Late last month, he also knocked on the home of Laundrie's parents, but the elder Laundries called 911 rather than answer his knock.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Brian Laundrie

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday said he hopes Brian Laundrie will be apprehended and brought to justice if a court finds him guilty of a crime.

According to Fox News, DeSantis said it's "a little disappointing" that authorities still do not have Laundrie's whereabouts. The Florida governor noted that Laundrie is "obviously somebody that would be a suspect" in this kind of scenario.

"Clearly there were things going on here with the family. So I hope that he's apprehended and brought to justice if, in fact, he was the one that is guilty of this," DeSantis said.

"Because it's a really sad thing... this is a very beautiful young girl with a lot of potential and a lot of people loved her a lot. To see this happen really is heartbreaking," he added.

Law enforcement continued to search for Brian Laundrie at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port on Friday. According to the North Port Police Department, they were also conducting "special response team training," while looking for Gabby Petito's fiance.

WFLA reported that officers were seen carrying large rifles into the wooded area about a mile from the reserve's entrance. Yellow police tape also went up at the entrance to the reserve.

This week officially marked one month since Brian Laundrie's parents said they last saw him. The elder Laundries said they last saw him on September 13, leaving home to go to the Carlton Reserve area for a hike.

Laundrie's parents announced that he was missing on September 17. Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie. The couple was traveling to Oregon when the YouTuber stopped communicating with her family in Wyoming in late August.

Laundrie was named a person of interest by North Port police after returning home on September 1 or 10 days before Petito was reported missing by her family.

Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19.

On Tuesday, Teton County, Wyoming coroner Brent Blue said Petito was strangled to death by "human force," and the manner of death was homicide.

The FBI has already issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie but over debit card fraud.

READ MORE: Dog the Bounty Hunter Says Brian Laundrie Should Turn Himself in After Gabby Petito Autopsy Shows She Was Strangled by 'Human Force'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Explaining Gabby Petito's Autopsy Results With a Forensic Expert - From NBC New York
One of Ireland's best known experts on the Covid-19 pandemic Prof Luke O'Neill is set join a member of NPHET and a psychologist an event in the Midlands which all things related to viruses, vaccines and immunity including vaccine hesitancy.

Midlands Science says it is pleased to announce that the third event in its virtual Science Communities series. It says this interactive forum is free of charge and open to everyone.

The forum will feature a talk from Professor ONeill of Trinity College Dublin. Midlands Science says he is now widely recognised as being one of the worlds most influential scientists. They say he is passionate about engaging people on scientific topics.

This forum will feature talks from NPHET member Professor Karina Butler (UCD) and Prof Jamie Murphy (Ulster University).

Prof O'Neill spoke ahead of the event.

"This has been a most alarming period for all of us, but the legacy of this pandemic will be that science delivered on its promise. There comes a great level of responsibility when informing the public of health information relating to Covid19 and it is so critically important to get the facts out and to get the right information across to people because everybody wants to know about it.

"Understandably, people have so many questions, even now after all this time. The bottom line though, is that science delivered highly effective, safe vaccines and vaccination truly is the only way out of this pandemic," he said.

Professor Luke ONeill holds the Chair of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin, is an author and expert on Immunology and has been a positive voice on how science will beat Covid 19 since March 2020.

Professor Karina Butler, was a Consultant Paediatrician at Childrens Health Ireland specialising in Infectious Diseases for many years. She is a Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at UCD and was appointed to NPHET in late 2020, is a member of the COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group of HIQA and a member of the High-Level Task Force for COVID.

Professor Jamie Murphy is a Professor in Psychology and a member of the Psychology Research Institute at Ulster University.

Prof Butler will be discuss vaccines, immunisation and the national immunisation programme while Prof Murphy will be looking at vaccine hesitancy and the psychology behind this, with a specific focus on the Covid-19 vaccine.

The CEO of Midlands Science is Jackie Gorman.

"Through these community forums, which explore science, evidence, health and medicine, we want to create an open conversation about how scientific evidence informs public health advice.

"We are delighted to host this particular topic given its relevance to the international pandemic and we will be encouraging conversation between members of the audience and our panel of experts who will look at viruses and vaccines, explaining what they are and how they work in our body. We will also be discussing vaccines, immunisation and the national immunisation programme along with vaccine hesitancy and the psychology behind this," she said.

The event takes place on Wednesday, October 20 from 10 am on Zoom. It is free and open to all. You do not need to have a scientific background or any interaction with science in your day to day life to take part.

This event will run for approximately 2.5/3 hours. Each speaker will have 10/15 minutes to speak, then there will be a short break. Participants will then be put into breakout rooms to discuss the topics and to give their opinions. The event will then end with a short Q&A session.

You do not need to have your video on for any part of the event, if you do not want to. We are looking for participants to contribute their opinions in the breakout rooms but if you are not comfortable doing so, that is no problem. Some of the event may be recorded (the three speakers and the Q&A session). This recording will be uploaded to our YouTube channel and shared across our social media platforms.

If you are interested in taking part in this project, please email outreach@midlandsscience.ie for more information. For registration details, please check our website on www.midlandsscience.ie/

https://us02web.zoom.us/ meeting/register/ tZ0ocemsqz8sH9Xl7tWRdZdErI7PJk -eVadm

The Science Communities project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the Discover Award programme and is designed to build impactful dialogue and discussion between community groups in the Midlands and those involved in science and public policy.
A robber who raided his local shop while armed with what staff believed to be an ice pick just hours after he had been released on bail for an earlier robbery has been jailed for five years.

Ross Cahill (27), who has 94 previous convictions, first robbed a phone from a young man at a train station before robbing a local shop the same day he was released on bail.

Later that year, Cahill and an accomplice falsely imprisoned a young man in an attempt to get him to withdraw money at an ATM. The following month his mother rang gardai to tell them Cahill appeared to have been involved in the robbery of a shop near her home.

Cahill, of Holywell View, Feltrim Road, Swords, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four robberies on dates between August and December 2018. He also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and attempted robbery on one of those occasions.

The court heard that during the robberies, a knife was either present or the threat of a knife was used.

Judge Melanie Greally noted the robberies had not been well planned or executed and Cahill had not taken any steps to conceal his identity or frustrate his detection. She said there had not been actual violence used in the offences, but there was some degree of physical coercion.

She took into account matters outlined to the court in a psychological report and noted Cahills difficult early life. She took into account his addiction to drugs at a young age, periods of homelessness, his chaotic existence and mental health issues.

The judge said he was now stable in prison and desires to have some structure in his life.

She said his mother had to be commended for the approach she had taken in relation to the robbery and noted that his mother was still supportive of her son and would support him on his release.

Judge Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven years imprisonment and suspended the final two years on strict conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service.

Garda Doireann Byrne told Diane Stuart BL, prosecuting, that the first robbery took place at Malahide train station in August 2018. Cahill grabbed the young mans phone, saying he wanted to play music. He produced a knife and told the young man he would not be getting his phone back.

He told the young man he would stab him if he called the gardai, then told him he was going to the chipper and not to follow him. Gardai found Cahill, who was described as drunk, in the chipper 15 minutes later and recovered the phone.

The garda said Cahill was charged and admitted to bail the following day. On that evening, he robbed his local Spar in Swords while armed with what was described by staff as an ice pick.

Members of the public who had gathered outside the shop were able to identify to gardai where Cahill, who had socks on his hands during the robbery, had gone.

The court heard a third robbery took place in Dublin city centre in which a phone was taken from a young man who was then brought to an ATM by Cahill and a female accomplice. The man believed the woman had a knife, although none was produced.

The young man was able to escape from the pair and cancel the transaction at the ATM before alerting gardai on the street. Cahill was arrested nearby.

The garda agreed with Emmett Nolan BL, defending, that the young man had been quite intoxicated.

Gda Byrne gave evidence of a final robbery at Spar, Holywell in Swords in December 2018. Gardai attended a panic alarm at the shop. They also received a call from Cahills mother that he had returned out of breath with money and appeared to have committed a robbery.

Cahill was unable to explain how he had come across the 200, which was recovered by gardai.

Mr Nolan said his client acknowledged this was an appalling series of offending and that Cahill feels a deep sense of shame and remorse.

He said his client was doing well in custody and was now drug free. He submitted these had been offences committed by a man in the grip of addiction feeding his habit. Cahill has expressed a wish to attend for residential drug treatment.

Counsel outlined Cahill had a difficult childhood and began abusing drugs and associating with a poor peer group.

Mr Nolan said Cahill was invariably intoxicated when he offended and has struggled with his mental health.
A father-of-two who stole over 26,000 from his employer Lidl to feed a gambling addiction has received a fully suspended sentence.

Marcin Konar (43) walked into a garda station and said he wished to confess to the crime after he used the stolen money for gambling.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that he was not under the suspicion of his employer when he confessed to the crime.

Konar, with an address at Mill Park, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to the theft of 26,600 at Lidl, Thomas Street, Dublin City centre, on dates between February 1, 2018 and May 11, 2018.

Passing sentence today/yesterday (FRI), Judge Pauline Codd said Konar was the store manager of Lidl on Thomas Street when he began taking money from the store's safe.

Judge Codd said an unusual feature of the offending is that the accused man walked into a garda station and said he wished to confess to this crime.

The judge said Konar had an addiction to online gambling on his phone in particular and also in betting shops. She said he felt he was borrowing the money in order to gamble it and seems to have thought at some point he would pay it back, but this never materialised.

She said that as the CCTV obtained by gardai did not really show the offending, it is accepted the admission was significant. She noted that Konar was not on the radar of his employer or under suspicion when he confessed.

Judge Codd said the accused was the store manager and that was a position of trust which he breached. She said by handing himself in and by expressing remorse, he acknowledged that.

She said the accused has lived in this country for 16 years and has a good work record. She noted he has lost his family as a result of these and other matters, but he continues to pay maintenance for his two children.

The judge said the accused has undergone treatment in respect of his gambling addiction and has offered to pay the money back. She said he has been assessed as being at a low risk of reoffending.

Judge Codd sentenced Konar to two years imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in its entirety for four years on strict conditions, including that he hand over a lump sum of 3,700 which he had in court and to repay a minimum of 500 a month to Lidl.
A judge has warned a man accused of murder in a midlands wood that he will be taken to the cells and banned from participating in his own trial, where he is representing himself, if he continues to "abuse" and "ballyrag" witnesses.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens said he would not allow his courtroom to become "a circus" after the defendant Stephen Penrose accused a garda Inspector, who he was cross-examining, of lying under oath.

"He is telling bullshit about me," Mr Penrose shouted in the courtroom, before demanding that the witness be "dismissed" from his trial as his "word" could not be accepted.

Inspector Aidan Hannon was giving evidence to the Central Criminal Court on Friday in the trial of 38-year-old Mr Penrose, who is charged with murdering a man whose decapitated body was buried in a shallow grave in a Kildare woods.

Mr Penrose, of Newtown Court, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Philip Finnegan (24) at Rahin Woods, Rahin, Edenderry, Co Kildare on August 10, 2016.

The accused man has dismissed his legal team and is now representing himself in his murder trial at the Central Criminal Court.

This morning, Insp Hannon told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that he had met the accused as a result of an accidental fire at a house in Clonuff in west Kildare in 2016. "Yes, I met him that day and met him several times after," he said.

The witness agreed that he had also met the accused in Beaumont Hospital on the night of August 12, when the accused wanted to speak to him.

Insp Hannon identified Mr Penrose in CCTV footage, in which Mr Finnegan was also identified, at Sweeney's service station in Edenderry, Co Offaly just before 4pm on August 10.

At the beginning of his cross-examination, Mr Penrose said he wanted to clarify something from the witness's testimony yesterday (THURSDAY) when Insp Hannon said he had seized two phones from him in hospital.

In reply, Insp Hannon said he spoke to Mr Penrose on August 12 and seized two phones from him the next day.

Mr Penrose put it to the witness that he had made it clear in his evidence that it was not a cautioned statement but a brief conversation. "Can you just clarify what is the truth and what is lies?" asked Mr Penrose.

Insp Hannon said he didn't believe he had described any conversation as "brief" in his testimony but said he had briefly referred to seizing phones. "I haven't given any evidence in relation to a cautioned interview," said the witness.

Raising his voice in front of the jury, Mr Penrose shouted: "This means your statement is lies. You're a sworn member of the gardai, you are after making a false statement. So what is the truth Mr Hannon, both cannot be the truth?"

The accused insisted it was not a cautioned statement saying: "He said it was taken down in writing, that's two different things."

When Mr Justice Owens interjected, Mr Penrose told the judge: "You can't just brush me aside. This man is a liar and he is lying under oath."

The judge warned Mr Penrose that barristers are not permitted to call witnesses liars under oath.

Waving a piece of paper in the air, the accused stood up and shouted to the jury that they could have the witness' statement if they wanted. He proceeded to repeatedly accuse Insp Hannon of lying under oath and making false statements.

"He is telling bullshit about me," shouted Mr Penrose.

Mr Justice Owens warned the accused that he would be taken to the cells unless he obeyed the ruling of the court and would not allow the courtroom to become "a circus".

The judge said the accused had his opportunity to make his point "if there was a point" and the witness did not agree he was lying under oath.

Mr Penrose said the witness was "telling one thing under oath and another in a statement". He shouted: "This is a murder trial and he is lying under oath and should be dismissed from this whole trial."

Raising his voice, Mr Justice Owens called Mr Penrose's behaviour a contempt of court saying: "It will be necessary to have you taken to the cells and you won't be allowed to participate in your own trial as a result of your own foolishness".

Mr Grehan told the judge that he had asked Insp Hannon yesterday if he had seized phones and the witness confirmed he had. The witness still had a lot of evidence to give and he would be recalled later, he said.

Mr Penrose shouted aloud that the Inspector's "word cannot be accepted" and again demanded that he be dismissed from the trial.

Addressing the accused, Mr Justice Owens called for order saying: "Would you listen to me please, sit down or you will be taken away. One more interruption and will be taken to the cells."

"The purpose is to test the credibility of witnesses on issues where you disagree and it's not to ballyrag a witness or shout at witnesses that they are perjuring themselves.

"So the jury are not treated to these harangues which you have given to this unfortunate witness. This witness is probably well able for you. I can't have it that the witness is abused and ballyragged," said Mr Justice Owens.



The trial continues on Tuesday morning before Mr Justice Owens and the 12 jurors. It is expected to last between five and six weeks.

Opening the trial of Mr Penrose, Mr Grehan said that Mr Finnegan's decapitated body was found buried in a shallow grave in a Kildare woods. Counsel said Mr Finnegan had "certain troubles in the past" and had taken to wearing a protective vest.

The lawyer also told the jury in his opening address that attempts had been made to cut up and burn the body of Mr Finnegan, who had been missing for almost a month and who had met a "gruesome death".

Significantly, the barrister said, the jury will hear evidence that a bloodied glove was found in the woods which was a DNA match to the accused man Mr Penrose.
Water levels have dropped significantly in the Grand Canal throughout this year to a point which has led to a call for action to be taken.

The issued was raised by local Sinn Fein representatives in relation to the Barrow line which is the stretch from Monasterevin to Athy and going through Vicarstown was particularly badly affected.

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley and the party's Municipal District representative for the area Cllr Aidan Mullins are calling on Waterways Ireland (WI) to carry out works to address this problem.

The problem has continued for most of this year," claimed Dep Stanley.

"Water levels dropped over 2ft. and this has caused problems for boats and barges using the canal, with propellors and other parts getting damaged. At times water levels were just too low to keep vessels afloat.

"This has had a very damaging effect on tourism and has also affected local barge owners due to boats constantly getting caught on the floor of the canal," he said.

He said the waterway's importance is not been recognised.

The Grand Canal is essential to Laois as an amenity and a tourist attraction. This Canal is over 200 years old and is very important from a heritage point of view. At present, significant funding is being spent putting on Blueway paths adjacent to the canal.

"However, the maintenance of the canal itself is not been given the required attention. We have raised this in a Dail Question with Minister Darragh OBrien and we have also contacted the CEO of Waterways Ireland John Mc Donagh. While we are informed that they have now fixed a significant leak in the Canal and done some weed cutting, other works are badly needed. WI has been pumping water into the canal as a temporary measure, but more long term sustainable works are required.

Local users of the canal in Vicarstown showed us at first hand where remedial works are needed. In particular, The Annanough Weir must be repaired as a lot of the masonry and stonework has disintegrated, along with remedial works along the supply channels to ensure that there will be sufficient water supplies. Also, WI needs to remove the weeds along the Barrow line to allow boats to navigate safely.

"We will continue to pursue this with WI and Cllr Mullins is raising this matter with Laois County Council to get support for the necessary works to be concluded as soon as possible," concluded the TD.

Dep Stanley visited The Annanough Weir, which is a supply channel to the Canal, with his party colleague and Philip Crean, Sean Murray.
Laois County Council intend to appoint an architect-led construction design team to develop an enhancement scheme for the historic centre of Mountmellick.

The council has invited companies to bid for the contract worth up to 150,000 to draw up plans for the public realm. A similar plans has been prepared for Portlaoise. A draft plan is near completion for Portarlington with work commencing in both towns. Work is underway on preparing a plan for Mountrath.

Central to the council's contract is the prioritisation of people over cars. In a tender briefing document the council say the the centre of Mountmellick is dominated by the car and the focus is not on the pedestrian.

"The objective of the proposed scheme is to reverse this trend and give the space back to the pedestrian so that as the town expands, it can do so in a safe way that ensures they remain pleasant places that support communities into the future.

"The main objective of the project is to create a more viable and visually attractive town centre in Mountmellick for residents, visitors and workers through the appropriate improvements to the public realm and amenities. Underpinning this objective is the desire to ultimately regenerate the town centre by tackling critical issues such as poor pedestrian environment and dysfunctional public spaces," says the council.

The council says the overall vision includes increasing the attractiveness of the area to encourage investment.

It says this could potentially include the following:

Re-design OConnell Square to include installation of paving, seating, information signage, pathways, undergrounding of overhead cables and planting.

Planting of hedges and climbing plants in the area of OConnell Square.

Significant boundary treatment which may include planting of beech hedges, installation of high kerbs to prevent parking and the provision of grass margins

Provision of ducting, pavement slabs and finish to a high quality.

County hall says the aim of the project is to appoint an architecturally led design team to progress through all the required stages design, tender, supervise, certify, handover of the conservation and enhancement of the Public Realm around the OConnell Square, Market Street, Church Street, Pearse Square and Patrick Street including surrounding areas and others as required to enhance its use by the community and its setting at the core of the historic town of Mountmellick.

The council says the brief maybe extended beyond these areas or differ as the client sees appropriate.

The council says the design must create a safe and pleasant pedestrian-friendly square, provide more space for pedestrians and "reduce the dominance of the motor vehicle" and generally enhance the public realm in the historic core of the town.

The council also say the design must provide for the requirements of the businesses on the square in a way that does not take

from the visual presentation of the historic Georgian square.

The council also want the plan to include a waiting area for public transport within or adjacent to the square.

The reorganisation of OConnell Square including traffic management measures and the creation of a shared surface with pedestrian priority is required with the ultimate aim of such work would "to eliminate unnecessary traffic and car parking in the Square" and ensure car users understand that this is a predominantly pedestrian space.

County hall is requesting bidders to come up with proposals for the reconfiguration of the junctions between the N80 and OConnell Square to include the widening of the existing footpath and the upgrading of designated car parking spaces to

allow for the presentation of the Square as a Square when cars are not present, while still allowing for the safe and effective control of parking.

A public lighting scheme is required and the council and all lighting shall be LED type and the council says a series of seating facilities and complementary street furniture, as appropriate, should be incorporated into the design.

The local authority also wants the setting of the Christmas Tree structure reconfigured so that the area can be used for public events with a system for safe exclusion of cars.

Designers will also be asked to come up with recommendations for landscaping to improve the appearance of the area with benefits for pollinators and other biodiversity.

Laois County Council will reserve the option with this appointment to extend the brief to undertake other works as required for the delivery of associated or complimentary projects.



The local authority plans to award the contract in the middle of November 2021.

The council says the consultants that win the contract must include the expertise of urban designers, architects, engineers, archaeologist, ecologists, and quantity surveyors.
TECHNOLOGY company DELL has announced a new partnership with the University of Limerick which will see it support its Immersive Software Engineering (ISE) programme which seeks to meet increased global demand for developer talent.

The ISE programme will bring the concept of residencies, which are more common to medical degrees, and use them as a key feature for the first time in computer science education. Just as trainee doctors apply skills they have studied in a classroom to the real world, ISE students will have a similar opportunity in tech companies.

As part of the announcement, the UL Foundation thanked Dell Technologies for its commitment to providing UL students with a first-class learning experience, and for its investment in innovations in the education sector. Through the support of Dell Technologies, UL can help to roll-out world-class teaching for this new course.

As part of this new collaboration, Anthony Quigney, Senior Director, Customer Solution Centers, Dell Technologies will join the programmes Advisory Board while the expertise of the Dell Technologies team in Limerick will be harnessed to help foster a pool of skilled graduates.

Commenting on the initiative, Sean OReilly, Limerick Site Leader at Dell Technologies said: Ireland has emerged as a global hub for software engineering in recent years. At the heart of this success has been a skilled workforce. However, with new technologies reshaping how we work and do business, its essential that universities and the technology sector work together to develop a strong pipeline of highly skilled talent into the future."

Delighted that @DellTechIreland is joining forces w/ @UL to support their Immersive Software Engineering programme. With technology reshaping how we work & do business, this programme will develop a strong pipeline of highly skilled talent #Iwork4Dell https://t.co/bkAmAOP9ex  Sean O'Reilly (@SeanOReilly_LIM) October 7, 2021

He added that Dell Technologies has a long history of operating in Limerick and has had many successful partnerships with the University of Limerick.

"I have no doubt that this will be another one and with that in mind were delighted to join forces with the team at UL and support their Immersive Software Engineering programme. This new initiative will help pave the way for the next generation of software developers and technology leaders who can help reinforce Irelands position as an innovation leader. I look forward to seeing the first cohort of students taking part in the programme next year.
MARKETING Mentors has teamed up with the Childrens Grief Centre, who have helped to mentor countless young people in their time of need.

The event, entitled Growth by Giving Marketing Support Campaign, is taking place between October 25  29. It will support business and the charitys dream build project for a new bigger centre.

Roisin Bennett, director Marketing Mentors, said the concept is that in return for a donation, businesses will receive a one-to-one consultation with an expert growth mentor to help with any aspect of their business.

All participating mentors are giving their time and expertise for free in support of the Childrens Grief Centre, said Ms Bennett.

Some of Marketing Mentors most popular sessions are launching a new product or service; growing market share and marketing strategy.

For full details on the sessions available please see growthbygiving.ie.

Carol Fitz-Gough, of the Childrens Grief Centre, said they are very grateful to Ms Bennett and the Marketing Mentors team for this fantastic event that will help them fund the dream build.

The project is the brainchild of the founder and director of the Childrens Grief Centre, Sr Helen Culhane. It is based on a bereavement support service in Oregon called the Dougy Centre which Sr Culhane visited in 2019.

With building works to commence in the coming months we have had an overwhelming response but are still a long way off reaching our target of 3.25 million. It is fantastic that Marketing Mentors chose us as recipients of this worthwhile event to help us achieve our goal to refurbish and transform The Childrens Grief Centre.

These vital funds will help benefit the needs of the children, young people, and the families we support. You can also help us achieve our goal by donating. This can be done by visiting www.childrensgriefcentre.ie or for any further information please contact Carol/Orla at fundraising@childrensgriefcentre.ie or telephone 087-4578030, said Ms Fitz-Gough.

The centre received national exposure earlier this week when it featured on Nationwide on RTE One television.
MAY this fine soldier rest in peace is one of many touching tributes to the late Francis (Frank) OBrien.

He devoted his life to serving his country  both in the Defence Forces and volunteering for many organisations including Special Olympics Ireland.

Frank served in the Congo, Cyprus and settled in Cobh but nobody who had the pleasure of meeting him would be left in any doubt where he was from  Kilmallock.

Born in 1944 to Patrick and Maureen O' Brien, from Millmount, Kilmallock, he was one of 10 children.

Frank joined the army in 1961 and went to the Congo that December with the 36th Battalion. He was only 17. Imagine today sending a 17-year-old off to Central Africa. What must it have been like for a teenage boy going from the Baalbec of the 1960s to being under fire in the jungle.

But it didnt deter him from his army career. Frank transferred from Limerick to Haulbowline, County Cork in 1964. The following year he was part of a six month tour in Cyprus.

While back in Ireland he met the love of his life Angela. They married in 1967 and settled in Cobh where they raised three children - Carolyn, David and Aidan.

There was a further 15 month tour to Cyprus. After a long and distinguished military career totaling 37 years, Sergeant F OBrien retired in 1998.

Sean Dunne Lt Col, HQ 1 Bde, Collins Barracks wrote after Franks passing: My condolences to the O'Brien family. Frank made an outstanding contribution while serving in the Defence Forces and in retirement, was a tireless and committed champion of Defence Forces Veterans. May this fine soldier rest in peace.

Out of uniform, Frank became a huge part of the Cobh community through underage GAA, regatta and folk dance. Kilmallocks loss was truly Cobhs gain.

Following his retirement a big part of Franks life became the Special Olympics. His days of travelling abroad doing what he loved  helping others in their lives  continued. He volunteered with the Special Olympics Ireland team in China in 2007, USA in 2009, Greece in 2011, as well as in Dublin in 2003.

Matt English CEO Special Olympics Ireland said on behalf of everyone from Special Olympics Ireland and most especially Special Olympics Munster, I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the O'Brien family on the passing of Frank.

Over many years he faithfully supported Special Olympics and particularly celebrated our athletes immense achievements. You will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by so many, said Mr English.

Frank had a way about him that touched everybody. He would chat away as easily to a High Court judge as a poor person homeless on the street. In his death notice it said he had a large circle of friends and he certainly did.

Frank passed away a week after Limericks All-Ireland win. Like many of his vintage, he took particular pride in this teams success after so many barren years.

Frank would have enjoyed the chats with his Cork friends these past few weeks about the match but alas it was not to be.

May he rest in peace.
It's the weekend and Ronan O'Meara has been scouring the TV schedules to find movies to watch over the next seven days...starting tonight.

Here are 16 to choose from....enjoy!

Mona Lisa: Saturday, Talking Pictures TV @ 9pm

An ex criminal gets work driving a call girl from job to job and finds himself swiftly disgusted by the sordid things he sees playing out in London's black underbelly. Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson are fantastic in a dark blend of love story and crime drama and surprisingly enough there's even a few laughs in here too to leaven the harshness. It's well directed by Neil Jordan as always and a chance to see the vile side of Michael Caine.

Bobby: Saturday, TG4 @ 9.40pm

June the 5th, 1968. Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy is about to give a speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after being selected to run for president. His night doesn't end well. This ensemble piece from director Emilio Estevez is all about the people working in the hotel that night and it's a well put together history lesson packed with famous faces like Helen Hunt, Laurence Fishburne, Anthony Hopkins, Freddy Rodriguez, Sharon Stone and many more.

Crawl: Saturday, Film4 @ 11.20pm

Florida's about to get hit with a massive hurricane and Haley's father still hasn't left his house. She goes to find him but find him but instead finds their town flooded and the floodwaters full of alligators. Hungry alligators. Alexandre Aja's 2019 creature feature is massively over the top but it's also hugely entertaining as woman takes on nature in a battle to the death. Kaya Scodelario does well as our heroine.

Stanley & Iris: Sunday, RTE One @ 1.45am

Tragedy has made Iris decide to never love again. Stanley is a bloke who's never taken a chance with love. Can you see where it's all is headed? A cliched plotline aside it's a nice, warm, gentle, intimate watch that doesn't condescend to it's audience or rely on mawkish drama. Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro are perfect as a mismatched pair tiptoeing around each other. Record and keep for the long, dark nights ahead.

Bronson: Sunday, Great! Movies Action @ 22.55pm

Charles Bronson. No not that Charles Bronson. This Charles Bronson was once Britain's most dangerous prisoner and he liked nothing better than taking prison guards hostage in his cell. Here is his story. Before Tom Hardy became Hollywood's king of mumbles he used to make interesting films and this gripping crime drama from 2008 was one of them. It's a unique look at a very unique individual.

Young Ahmed: Sunday, BBC4 @ 11.30pm

A young Belgian teen finds himself under the influence of a man preaching religious extremism. Soon he's keeping family and friends at arms length and eventually comes up with a plan that may ruin his life. In 85 minutes the Dardenne brothers weave a captivating and quite terrifying story about the horrors of modern day life. Idir Ben Addi is a magnificent lead.

Enemy Mine: Monday, Talking Pictures TV @ 2.40am

After a battle in the dodgy end of the galaxy two soldiers find themselves stranded on a hostile planet. One of them is a man. The other is an alien. Both are mortal enemies. A diverting slice of 80's sci-fi here and one that eschews cheesiness and bombast (mostly). It tells a touching story and carries a hopeful message about trust and friendship. Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr are both excellent in their parts.

Inside Man: Monday, TG4 @ 9.30pm

When a so called perfect bank robbery goes sideways, a cop, the robber and a power broker have to negotiate a way out of the problem to save lives. Spike Lee's twisty, turny thriller is an immensely enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. Nothing is what it seems and if you haven't seen it before you won't have a clue how it will all end. Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster and Clive Owen all hit the spot.

The Guilty: Tuesday, Channel 4 @ 1.55am

Asger's job is to dispatch help to those who need it, be it an ambulance or a cop car or a fire brigade but the latest call he's answered will see him fighting against time to help the voice on the other end of the line all by himself. Remade recently and effectively for Netflix, this claustophobic thriller might have way more talk than action but you'll still be absolutely glued to it. Jakob Cedergren is a hell of an effective lead.

The Last King Of Scotland: Tuesday, Film4 @ 11.20pm

A young Scottish doctor played by James McEvoy finds himself wildly out of his depth when he begins working in Uganda and enters into a friendship with the infamous Idi Amin and suddenly his loyalties and principles are pushed to their breaking points. Forest Whitaker is masterful as Amin with his deservedly Oscar winning performance driving a film that's exciting, disgusting, funny and tense as hell.

Ghost Stories: Wednesday, BBC Two @ 11.15pm

Professor Philip Goodman is skeptical about the supernatural and now he has three cases involving ghouls and ghosts to solve. Record this and keep it for Halloween night. A very potent trilogy of terror, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80's. A film that makes the mundane seem terrifying and the terrifying seem truly outlandish and one that's all cleverly tied together. Andy Nyman and Paul Whitehouse do strong work.

Men Of War: Thursday, Great! Movies Action @ 12.40am (midnight)

A group of mercenaries are hired to clear an island full of precious resources of its natives so it can be strip mined. That's the plan anyway. From 1994 comes an action thriller written by the great John Sayles that was all but ignored on release but it's a film that deserves re-evaluation being full of nicely crafted bloody action and intriguing asides on human nature. Dolph Lundgren, Charlotte Lewis, BD Wong and Tiny Lister lead a decent cast.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Thursday, Film4 @ 2.55pm

Lorelei and Dorothy are a pair of showgirls looking for love but only on their terms. They're on their way to Paris to be lusted over but someone's on Lorelei's tail, someone suspicious of her motives. A fun bit of screwball escapism that would have been considered surprisingly racy on release back in 1953. Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell and director Howard Hawks weave some memorable magic together.

Halloween: Thursday, BBC4 @ 11pm

Michael Myers has escaped the psychiatric hospital he's spent his life in and he's heading home to finish what he started as a child. Laurie Strode is a babysitter who's night is about to get scary. John Carpenter's best known film is still a brilliantly effective watch 43 years after it's release. There's some serious suspense and some very effective scares here without the need to rub your face in blood and guts. Jamie Lee Curtis nails the part of Laurie, modern horror cinema's first scream queen.

Ulzana's Raid: Friday, TG4 @ 9.30pm

Ulzana, sick of mistreatment by the US government, has escaped from his reservation and him & his gang are murdering their way across the state of Arizona. Army Scout McIntosh is tasked with stopping him. Part of the raft of brutally dark Westerns made in the early 70's and influenced heavily by the Vietnam war this isn't easy going stuff but fine performances from Joaquin Martinez & Burt Lancaster will keep you watching until the credits roll.

Mom and Dad: Friday, The Horror Channel @ 10.50pm

Life in America is hard for kids and gets even harder when parents across the country start turning on them in a murderous rage and the Ryan family are about to have one of those days they might never forget. Nicholas Cage's manic performance rules the roost in a deliciously dark comedy horror that definitely will not be to the taste of most people but catch it in the right mood and you'll have a fun time. Selma Blair as Mrs Ryan adds to the chaos wonderfully.

As always visit hamsandwichcinema.blogspot.com/ for more film and tv chat.
Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party chief, on Saturday said that he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to know his thoughts about the extension of Border Security Force's (BSF) operational jurisdiction.

Pawar said, I will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah to know his thoughts about it. He was referring to Centre's order of extending the operational area under the jurisdiction of the BSF in West Bengal, Punjab and Assam. The Union Home Ministry has given the paramilitary personnel powers of arrest, search and seizure, on par with state police.

The move was aimed at maintaining "zero tolerance" against terrorism and cross border crimes, and empowered the BSF to conduct searches, arrest suspects and make seizures up to an area of 50 km inside Indian territory from the International Border (IB) along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, the Centre said.

As per the fresh order, the BSF, which was only empowered to take action up to fifteen kilometres in the states of Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, has now been authorised to spread its jurisdiction up to 50 km without any hurdle or further permission either from central or state governments.

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Upon the insistence of senior leaders at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi said that he will consider" becoming the party president again, reported news agency ANI , quoting sources.

Further, he said that he needs clarity regarding ideology from the party leaders. Some Congress members are of the opinion that he should be made the working until the polls.

Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni had also told reporters on Saturday that "everyone" in the party wants Rahul Gandhi to become the party president.

Everybody agreed unanimously, whether he (Rahul Gandhi) will become (the party president) or not is up to him. Everybody is of the opinion that Rahul Gandhi should become the party president," said Soni.

During a nearly five-hour-long meeting, various leaders, including chief ministers Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh and Charanjit Singh Channi of Punjab urged Rahul Gandhi to take over as the president, reported news agency PTI.

G-23 leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma were among those present at the meeting.

Sonia Gandhi was made interim president by CWC after Rahul Gandhi stepped down as the president of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) accepting the responsibility of poll debacle in the 2019 general elections.

Congress's supreme body, the CWC, met on Saturday at the AICC headquarters in Delhi to discuss the organisational elections, forthcoming Assembly polls and current political situation.

CWC president polls

The CWC on Saturday approved the schedule of organisational elections, said Congress leader KC Venugopal.

The elections will be held between 21 August 2022 and 20 September 2022.

In addition to this, three resolutions, including one on the political situation of the country, have also been passed by the CWC.

In her opening remarks at the CWC meeting, interim chief Sonia Gandhi said she is a full-time and hands-on party president and there is no need for leaders to speak to her through the media.

Her remarks came days after Kapil Sibal, one of the leaders of the group of 23 who had written to Sonia Gandhi for organisational overhaul last year, demanded that an immediate meeting of the CWC be convened and wondered who in the party was taking decisions in the absence of a full-time president.

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Italys RAI Com, which is the sales arm of Italian state broadcaster RAI, is scoring sales to key territories on Gabriele Mainettis Freaks Out, following the genre-bending films launch in competition at Venice.

Mainettis lavish historical fantasy set in 1943 Rome, where four freaks who work in a circus are left to their own devices when the Eternal City is bombed by Allied Forces, has been sold to Metropolitan Film for France and to The Klockwork Co. for Japan.

In an interview with Variety, RAI Com CEO Angelo Teodoli called these first sales on Freaks, which is screening at Romes MIA Market, very important for us because due to COVID we were getting less titles, while now things are perking up again.

The RAI Com lineup at MIA also includes another Venice title, Roberto Andos The Hidden Child, starring Silvio Orlando, who plays Cardinal Voiello in The Young Pope, and animation feature Yaya and Lenny  The Walking Liberty by Alessandro Rak, which launched from Locarno and will soon play in Italian theaters.

Teodoli pointed out that RAI Com, which sells films, TV dramas and also global rights to Italian performing arts events such as La Scala performances, is increasingly reaping revenues from streamers.

One of the main sources of revenue for RAI Com at the moment are transactional video on demand and other types of sales on eight streaming platforms where they have roughly 10,000 film titles and 970 TV dramas on sale, he noted.

Thats the bulk of RAI Coms business, said Teodoli. Its a world that is in constant evolution that we are following very closely, he added, underlining that there are potential rights issues with RAIs RAI Play streaming platform.

We have to figure out where we stand with AVOD [advertising-based video on demand] platforms like [ViacomCBSs] Pluto TV because that could turn into a direct conflict with RAI Play and and the advertisers on RAI, Teodoli said.

Teodoli said RAI Com will have 2021 revenues of around 110 million ($127.5 million)  while a figure for net profit is still being calculated.

On the TV side the companys top sellers are Non Uccidere (Thou Shalt Not Kill), starring Miriam Leone as a feisty female detective, which plays on Walter Presents in the U.K. and Stateside, and on ARTE in France and Germany; Inspector Coliandro; Imma Tataranni, a new cop show with a female lead, which has been sold to Canal Plus in France, Disney Fox in Eastern Europe and AMC in Latin America; and Naples-set The Bastards of Pizzofalcone.

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Swiss national film archive Cinematheque Suisse is finishing up a new restoration of Hans Trommer and Valerien Schmidelys 1941 romantic drama Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe (Romeo and Julia in the Village), considered one of Switzerlands best films of all time.

It is one of a number of recent restorations carried out or made possible by the film archive, which recently opened its impressive new Research and Archive Center in Penthaz, equipped with a film digitization lab and a vast storage facility.

Romeo and Julia in the Village is particularly significant for the Cinematheque Suisse. It was totally unsuccessful when first released, but it is considered one of the best, if not the best Swiss film, says Cinematheque Suisse director Frederic Maire. We wanted to restore it for a long time but it was very difficult to find all the necessary elements because the original negative was recut in a re-release a few years after the first release, so we had to make a huge puzzle reconstruction to get it exactly as it was when it was first released in 41.

The Cinematheque is aiming to finish the restoration by the end of the year and present it at a major festival.

Other upcoming releases include The Written Face, Daniel Schmids 1995 documentary about Japanese Kabuki star Tamasaburo Bando, restored in 4k by LImage Retrouvee in Paris. Maire likewise hopes to present that film soon at a festival showcasing heritage cinema.

Switzerland is this years guest country at the Lumiere Festivals International Classic Film Market in Lyon, where the Cinematheque Suisse presented restored versions of Jean-Louis Roys 1967 Cold War spy satire The Unknown Man of Shandigor and Fredi M. Murers 1985 drama Alpine Fire, about a brother and sister on an isolated mountain farm. Cinematheque Suisse restored The Unknown Man of Shandigor, while Alpine Fire was restored by Murer himself.

The films, says Maire, are prime examples of Swiss cinema. Alpine Fire, one of the great Swiss films, was at the time quite well received. It won the Golden Leopard in Locarno in 1985. Its a real masterpiece.

The Lumiere Festival, which runs through Oct. 17, is also showing two other Swiss films (and social critiques) by Alain Tanner, The Salamander (1971) and Jonah Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2000 (1976), restored jointly by the Cinematheque Suisse and the Association Alain Tanner in Geneva.

The screening of The Salamander was also part of a tribute to French actress Bulle Ogier (pictured), one of this years guests of honor.

Switzerlands close cultural ties with Germany, Austria and France have resulted in a common cinematic history with its neighbors, often making the Cinematheque Suisse a natural partner on restorations and it regularly works closely with other film organizations, archives and institutions.

It recently collaborated with the Deutsche Kinemathek and the British Film Institute on a restoration of Slatan Dudows 1932 socialist drama Kuhle Wampe (known under several different titles in English, including Whither Germany? and Kuhle Wampe or Who Owns the World?).

Based on a screenplay written by Bertolt Brecht and Ernst Ottwald, and with a score by Hanns Eisler, Kuhle Wampe tells the timely story of a family forced to live in a tent city on the outskirts of Berlin after they are evicted from their apartment. Considered a milestone in political cinema, the film was initially censored by the German government then banned outright when the Nazis came to power.

Since the film was produced by Switzerlands Prasens-Film along with Berlin-based Prometheus Film, Cinematheque Suisse was able to provide necessary material for the digital restoration, which was based on a 35mm nitrate print from the BFI National Archive. Kuhle Wampe screened at this years Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna, Italy.

The film archive also collaborated with the Jerome Seydoux-Pathe Foundation in Paris and the Cinematheque Francaise to restore Abel Gances eight-hour silent film La Roue (The Wheel) from 1923. We had some very important elements for the restoration, notes Maire. The new version, restored at LImmagine Ritrovata in Bologna, premiered at the Lumiere Festival in 2019.

Cinematheque Suisses collection is one of the 10 most important collections in the world, so we often have elements that could interest other archives and we therefore cooperate a lot with foreign institutions, he adds.

Cinematheque Suisse is ranked sixth in the world in terms of the size, diversity, and quality of its collections, according to the International Federation of Film Archives.

Established in Lausanne in 1948, Cinematheque Suisse also has offices in Zurich in addition to the Penthaz facility.

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When a friend told director, writer and actor Missy Malek about a real-life group of disabled drug dealers operating in London, Malek instantly knew she had the makings of a film.

The second I heard it, I was like, Yes, yes, amazing. Done, she says. I know this word is so overused, but it is empowering, the concept of disabled gangsters. Every portrayal of disabled people is always so patronising in the media. And this was the first time a story about disabled people had been put to me that wasnt patronising.

More from Variety BFI London Film Festival Adjusts Lineup With Film Shortage

The result is Were Too Good For This, a 12-minute short reminiscent of Joe Cornishs Attack the Block, which premieres at the BFI London Film Festival on Saturday. It tells the story of four young people  Scott (Keron Day), Fatima (Asnath Iosala), Anthony (Asa Hems) and Julian (Jayden Reid)  who take revenge on a vindictive small-time drug dealer by stealing his stash and quickly find themselves face to face with a murderous kingpin (played by Adam Deacon). Each of the quartet also happens to be deaf or disabled.

I think its so important that we still reference disability but its not the whole plotline, says Day, who has cerebral palsy. Theres a whole other story going on, so thats what drew me [when] reading the script and why I wanted to get involved.

Iosala, a dancer turned actor, says she felt the same way. I was interested in this story because of the drugs storyline but also [being] a Muslim. And also you dont see stories like this, she says via a British Sign Language interpreter. [In the film] Im involved with a gang, theres the police, Im deaf. Theres so many different layers. I just couldnt even describe anything that Id seen like this before.

The film, which was shot over four days across North London, was inspired by Stand By Me and Stranger Things, says Malek. I wanted to encapsulate that youthful element of three young teenagers setting out on this big scary exciting adventure. One place she did not look for inspiration was other films about deafness or disability. Instead, the cast had plenty of input into their characters. At the end of the day, were the experts in our own disability, says Day.

But the process from pre-production to publicity was an education in how the world shuts out deaf and disabled people from the industry. It was challenging to find a wheelchair accessible location to film, says Malek. And a lot of times, you know, when we even do interviews, the funding sometimes isnt there for the interpreters.

Were Too Good For This comes at a time of renewed focus on representation of the deaf and disabled community in films and television, partly due to screenwriter Jack Thornes passionate speech at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August, in which he said: TV has failed disabled people. Utterly and totally.

Day, who says he has watched Thornes speech at least four times, agrees. Representation of deaf and disabled people on screen is poor, he says, pointing to a recent interview with Successions Brian Cox, in which the actor said authentic casting is wrong, because its acting, its a piece of craft.

I appreciate that point of view but were also missing out on authentic disabled people winning Oscars for playing themselves when a non-disabled person plays a caricature of a disabled or deaf experience and is rewarded for it, says Day, who recounts being told by a school drama teacher that I cant act and that I shouldnt bother because Im never going to work in the industry anyway.

Day is now represented Mark Jermin Management.

Iosala also hopes casting directors will reconsider hiring non-deaf actors for deaf roles. For deaf actors like me, its hard to find opportunities, she says. Were really having to dig for these opportunities, and then when you see a non deaf person getting the opportunity instead, its really heartbreaking.

Malek, who has previously had roles in Now You See Me 2 and Anatomy of a Scandal, is already in talks to turn Were Too Good For This into a television series. Thats how I always saw it, says the Oxford University graduate. Half an hour episodes, maybe six or eight.

The short has certainly garnered plenty of fans already. Its been a 100% hit rate in terms of positivity, says Day of the messages he has received online about the film. Diversity without disability isnt diversity. For the disabled community, its so nice to not just see one tokenistic disabled character but to have four deaf and disabled characters in it. It just normalizes it further.

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ODESSA -- Medical Center Hospital reported Thursday that hospital staff have received death threats and bomb threats after a photo was posted on social media showing a COVID-19 patient wearing a plastic drape.

The photo was shared on Facebook by a group called the Odessa Accountability Project, which wrote that the patient is a 17-year-old girl who was being treated for COVID-19. The post said the girl was humiliated and dehumanized by staff.

Since the photo was posted on Tuesday, hospital staff have received threatening phone calls, including death threats and threats on their families lives, as well as threats of bombing the hospital, according to a statement from MCH.

Rest assured, we take all of these threats seriously and are taking appropriate action, CEO Russell Tippin said in the statement. Under no circumstances will MCH tolerate such threats to staff members, their families or anyone associated with the health system.

Our staff have been true heroes for the past 19 months in battling this pandemic and do not deserve the vicious threats spewed by these hateful individuals, he said.

The plastic drape was used as part of guidelines from the CDC, according to MCH.

In certain circumstances, the use of a clear, plastic drape or covering for COVID patients during transport is used to prevent the virus from airborne spread to staff and other patients, especially in tight areas such as hallways and elevators, the statement said.

Drapes are used when a patient refuses to wear a mask, is unable to wear a mask or is using oxygen or another breathing machine, according to MCH. The statement said patients are never left unattended and the patient or their guardian has the right to refuse using a drape.

The post from the Odessa Accountability Project claims the drape was a plastic bag meant for covering equipment, and that it had a warning on it about the possibility of suffocation.

After the photo of the patient was shared on Facebook, Odessa physician Dr. Richard Bartlett was interviewed about the post on The Alex Jones Show. Bartlett called the hospitals actions abuse of power.

We need to hold local hospital administrators accountable and local doctors accountable, he said. Enough is enough.

Bartlett has been critical of Odessa and Midland hospital leaders throughout the pandemic for not treating COVID-19 patients with inhaled Budesonide, which he has touted as a silver bullet treatment despite a lack of data showing its effectiveness.

An MCH spokesman said hospital staff have spoken with the teenagers mother about the situation.

Our top priority will always be the safety and care of our patients, Tippin said in the statement. We are always willing to listen to our patients experiences to better communicate with them to make sure they are comfortable.

The Ector County Hospital District Police Department is investigating the threats against the hospital and the FBI is also aware of the threats.
Earlier this week, news broke that the borders between the U.S. and Mexico  as well as the border up north with Canada  will be reopening once again after being closed for nearly 20 months. And now, locals on both sides of the border have an idea of exactly when that will be.

The White House announced via assistant press secretary Kevin Munoz on Friday that the border will be opened to fully vaccinated foreign travelers on Monday, Nov. 8  a little more than three weeks away.

"This policy is guided by public health, stringent and consistent," stated Munoz on Twitter.

The border has been closed since March 21, 2020 due to the pandemic.

The new travel policy applies to both air and land travel.

The rules will let fully vaccinated foreign nationals enter the country starting in November as part of Phase I of the rollout. Phase II will include essential travelers seeking to enter the U.S.  such as truck drivers  to be fully vaccinated as well.

Laredos Rep. Henry Cuellar also confirmed the news on Friday and again expressed his excitement with the reopening of the border.

Nov. 8 will be the day when fully vaccinated non-essential travelers will be allowed to enter the U.S. through our land and ferry ports, Cuellar said. I want to thank the White House for their thoughtfulness in this decision. I have been fighting for this for months, and now we finally have an exact date on which our border businesses will once again receive Mexican consumers and families will be reunited after 19 months. I am currently working with local authorities on both sides of the border to ensure that when that day comes, we have the resources necessary to ensure the safety of all American citizens.

Non-essential travelers will be required proof of fully vaccination by a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization. These include Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Serum Institute of India, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

On Nov. 8, our local economies will be reinvigorated and our path back to normality will be set, Cuellar said. With the date fast approaching, I will work tirelessly with the relevant federal, state and local entities so that we are prepared to receive foreign nationals through our land POEs from a personnel, equipment and technology standpoint. I will continue to promote and facilitate vaccination campaigns on both the U.S. and Mexican sides.

cecilia.trevino@lmtonline.com
HOUSTON (AP)  Three constable deputies were shot in an ambush early Saturday morning while working an extra shift at a Houston bar, leaving one deputy dead and two others wounded, authorities in Texas said.

Authorities took one person into custody but were still searching for a man believed to be the shooter, Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief James Jones told reporters

The Harris County constable deputies were working at the 45 North Bar and Lounge when they responded to a disturbance outside the business around 2:15 a.m., Jones said.

They were trying to arrest someone when another person with a rifle ambushed them and opened fire on the deputies from behind, Jones said, according to preliminary information from the scene.

One deputy was shot in the back and another was shot in the foot, said Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4. The third deputy was pronounced dead at the hospital.

It was unclear whether the deputies returned fire, Jones said. He said Houston police were still investigating, but authorities believe the disturbance may have been a robbery that the constables stopped.

A person of interest was taken into custody at the scene, but authorities were not certain whether the person was a suspect or a witness.

Constables are licensed peace officers who perform various law enforcement functions, according to the Texas Association of Counties.
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(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has laid flowers at the scene of the fatal stabbing of MP David Amess, which police believe could be linked to Islamist extremism.

Johnson, accompanied by Labour leader Keir Starmer, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and Home Secretary Priti Patel, laid a wreath at the front of Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, where Amess was killed on Friday.

It came after Scotland Yard said the country's most senior counter-terror officer, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, has formally declared the incident as terrorism and said early investigations have revealed "a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism".

Amess, 69, who had been a member of Parliament since 1983, was fatally injured while meeting constituents.

A 25-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder is in custody at an Essex police station.

Official sources told the PA news agency the man is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage.

As part of the investigation, officers are also carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area, the Met said.

Amess's death has prompted police forces to contact all MPs to discuss their security and personal safety.

Patel said a balance could be found between the democratic process and the security of MPs, adding that "we cannot be cowed by any individual or any motivationato stop us from functioning".

Speaking at Southend police station, she said: "He was killed doing a job that he loves, serving his own constituents as an elected democratic member and, of course, acts of thisaare absolutely wrong and we cannot let that get in the way of our functioning democracy."

She added she is making sure "all measures are being put in place" so MPs can continue to do their jobs safely.

Veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman said she will be writing to the prime minister asking him to back a Speaker's Conference to review the safety of parliamentarians.

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, who was hailed as a hero for his attempts to save the life of Pc Keith Palmer during the Westminster terror attack, said face-to-face meetings with MPs should be paused until a security review has been completed.

Investigators believe Amess's killer acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection with his death.

According to reports, the knifeman was waiting among a group of people to see Amess at the church and launched the attack shortly after the MP arrived.

Local councillor John Lamb, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, told the Daily Mail that Amess was with two female members of staff a one from his constituency office and one from his parliamentary office a when a man "literally got a knife out and just began stabbing him".

Chief Constable of Essex Police Ben-Julian Harrington said Southend West MP Amess was "simply dispensing his duties when his life was horrifically cut short".

Tory veteran Amess, who was described by Johnson as "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics" was married with five children.

The attack came five-and-a-half years after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by a far-right extremist in her Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire.

By PA Reporters

source: PA

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Eldridge "Al" Peterson, 88, of Madelia, MN, died on November 13, 2021. Services Trinity Lutheran Church-Madelia, on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:30 am. Visitation will take place at the church 10:00 am to 11:30 am. The clergy will be Calvin Hanson. Interment will be at the Trinity Luthe
Despite currently being absent through injury, Pedri has spoken of his contract extension with Barcelona, confirming that he cares more about the club's project than the one billion euro release clause embedded within his deal.

Pedri's extension sees him contracted to Los Cules until June 2026, and he has become a pivotal part of the team's midfield since his emergence in 2020/21.

"The clause is an indication of what the club is betting on you," Pedri detailed at his renewal press conference.

"I care more about the club's project than the clause.

"Being at this club I aspire to win everything every season."

When asked about his extension, Pedri spoke about his hopes to be at the Camp Nou for many years.

"It's a very happy day for me, my hope is to be here for many years, it's true that it's a difficult moment right now, but this is the best club in the world," he continued.

"It will bounce back and achieve many things, although now I want to remember my friends from Las Palmas, because they're going through a difficult time.

"I'm very happy to sign until 2026 and I hope there will be more years."

Joan Laporta has been key in pushing through the extension of Pedri's contract and the relationship between the pair is positive.

Laporta inadvertently calls Pedri "Messi"

Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, Talking about the first time he met with Pedri and his family in Tenerife.

"We went to the (basilica of the Virgin of) Candelaria. She is like (the Virgin of) Montserrat. They worship her over there in Tenerife. And it was spectacular. Even the priest was a Barca supporter. It doesn't surprise me that Messi... I called you Messi! I was saying, it doesn't surprise me that Pedri was a Barca fan. Because everybody was."
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Richard "Rick" Charles Bean, 70, passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2021. He was born March 5, 1951 in Meadville, PA to the late Charles and Bernice (Haven) Bean. Rick worked hard his entire life. He enjoyed watching his children grow up and is very proud of them both for what they hav
Some movies really inspire you to simply pack your bags, get behind the wheels and take off to explore the beautiful landscapes and picturesque hill stations and mesmerising beaches.

However, not all movies can capture the ebbs and flows of travelling.

 RSVP Movie

While Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara or Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani still remain among the most popular travel movies in Bollywood, there are some really underrated films that have managed to create the wanderlust magic but didnt get the due credit.



 Yash Raj Films

Here are five highly underrated road trip movies that should be talked about more often because they are just too good:



1. Karwaan

Light, funny and heartwarming, Karwaan is a story of strangers coming together, becoming friends on a road trip from Bangalore to Kochi and all of which happens because of a misunderstanding.

It will leave you laughing hysterically (thank Irrfan Khans impeccable comic timing for it) while touching your heart towards the end.

2. Piku

Piku is a movie that offers a lot. A father-daughter relationship, a cute unsaid love story and amidst all of this, it inspires you to pack your bags and go on a road trip from Delhi to Kolkata.

It also taps on petty arguments, annoying petrol pump stops and eating breaks that happen every time we take a road trip with our family.

3. Bombay To Goa

GenZ doesnt really know what real road comedy looks like because most of them havent watched this brilliantly funny road trip movie of yesteryear.

It stars the biggest actors of that time embarking on a journey on a bus.

Rest, ask your mom or dad and they will tell you why this is on our list. Chances are they would make you sit with them and watch together.

4. Finding Fanny

This movie explores Goa like no one could have (mainly because our Goa plans never work out).

It takes us to the hidden gems, secluded beaches and scenic places that apparently got popular after the film was released. The offbeat storyline is surely a plus.

5. Road, Movie

Probably the makers of this movie didnt put too much thought into naming the film but its because they put all their efforts into making this a travel masterpiece.

Winner of several international film awards, this movie starring Abhay Doel is equally thought-provoking and feel-good.

Did I mention it stars Abhay Deo? That should be enough!
One after the other as Bollywood gets inspired by real-time action and war heroes and mints out movies in their honour, be it Siddharth Malhotras Shershaah based on Captain Vikram Batra or Vicky Kaushals Udham Singh based on the revolutionary himself, Akshay Kumar also gets in line with his upcoming release.



The first-look poster of his upcoming movie Gorkha is out, where he is said to be essaying the role of war hero Major General Ian Cardozo.

Officer Cardozo was born in Mumbai and became the first war-disabled officer of the Indian Army to command a battalion and a brigade.

He is said to have joined the 4/5 Gorkha Rifles battalion during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Sometimes you come across stories so inspiring that you just want to make them. #Gorkha - on the life of legendary war hero, Major General Ian Cardozo is one such film. Honoured to essay the role of an icon and present this special film.



Directed By - @sanjaypchauhan pic.twitter.com/4emlmiVPPJ  Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 15, 2021

Major General Ian Cardozo is hailed for his valour during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971 when he accidentally stepped on a mine and hurt his leg, in the absence of medics he amputated his own leg with his khukri.



Actor Akshay Kumar, who has done a lot of movies with a similar sentiment, will be seen headlining this film that is being directed by national award winner Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan.

And while most of his fans are excited to see how the movie unfolds and if it will be able to do justice to the Gorkha Regiment, there are also people on the other side of the spectrum who arent too happy with the development.

 Color yellow production

Quite a few people have raised concerns over the actor Akshay Kumar playing the role of someone from the Gorkha community, for reasons that range from his nationality to his age.



From showing dissent over having a Canadian actor play the role of someone from the Gorkha Rifles, to doubting Akshay Kumars competence for playing a 34-year-old in the film when he is as old as 51 in the present day, people are not entirely happy with his casting.

Had someone from the Gorkha Community played this role, I would have loved it. Starring Canadian citizen @akshaykumar in this movie seems more like an insult to the valor of the Gorkha Community.#gorkha #bollywood #akshaykumar pic.twitter.com/Asso8NJYIz  Shashank (@subtlyshashank) October 16, 2021

Canadian baney Gorkha.    ! (@xpost_in) October 15, 2021

Canadian baney Gorkha.    ! (@xpost_in) October 15, 2021

He isn't from Gorkha community and he isn't gorkha .Why are you using Gorkha's name ?  Arati kangester (@AratiKangester) October 15, 2021

In fact, several others have also voiced their opinions saying how a true and a real Gorkha should have been cast to take on this role and not an actor 'whose nationality is not even Indian'.

A user wrote, Why not hire a gorkha native for the role?! I love you Akki but would love to see other cultures get opportunities to be seen and heard.

At the same time, people are arguing over the name of the film Gorkha which they say should be changed because Cardozo wasnt a Gorkha.

A rather contradicting statement, especially since Major General Ian Cardozo joined the Gorkha regiment on true merit and valour and was as much a Gorkha as anyone with the same ethnicity.

Paji is movie me toh real gorkha lena chahiye tha

Tusi kehre Paso gorkha ho akal lalo thodi

Har kisi da rol kha jana tusi kisi hor nu vi agey aan do  Abhishek (@Abhishe17594426) October 15, 2021

Sir you don't look like Gorkha, or like a East Indian. How can I believe you as one then.  Yuvraj Haldankar (@HaldankarYuvraj) October 15, 2021

Movie name-Nepalese

Story -Indian

Actor-Canadian.

Lets see if this movie has given tribute to real Nepalese Gorkha soldiers or not.

Whatever the story is ,but its a fact that real Gorkhas are the nepalese guy who are fighting for India under Gorkha regiment.  Ashok Sarot (@ashok_sarot) October 15, 2021

Why not hire a gorkha native for the role?! I love you Akki but would love to see other cultures get opportunities to be seen and heard  Myself (@Asli_Mirchi) October 15, 2021

Why not hire a gorkha native for the role?! I love you Akki but would love to see other cultures get opportunities to be seen and heard  Myself (@Asli_Mirchi) October 15, 2021

@RajuBistaBJP Sir pls look into this movie ? Why he is using Gorkha's name for his upcoming movie ? I am not his hater but when it belong to my community i can't tolerate such nonsense https://t.co/kWlDvec84j  Arati kangester (@AratiKangester) October 15, 2021

Another user wrote, Bhai aap kis angle se ghorkha lagte hai ho ? Casting naam ki bhi chiz hoti hai.

An ex-Gorkha officer also pointed out the details that the poster got wrong, Dear @akshaykumar ji, as an ex Gorkha officer, my thanks to you for making this movie. However, details matter. Kindly get the Khukri right. The sharp edge is on the other side. It is not a sword. Khukri strikes from inner side of blade. Ref pic of Khukri att. Thanks.

Dear @akshaykumar ji, as an ex Gorkha officer, my thanks to you for making this movie. However, details matter. Kindly get the Khukri right. The sharp edge is on the other side. It is not a sword. Khukri strikes from inner side of blade. Ref pic of Khukri att. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/LhtBlQ9UGn  Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) October 16, 2021

However, a lot of others are excited to see the Khiladi essay the role of such a veteran who is hailed for his bravery and think no one better than actor Akshay Kumar to play his part on screen.



No one can be better than you to play this role pic.twitter.com/q1g7R0DRXi  Delightful Anubhav (@Delightfulstar1) October 15, 2021

The most Desirable man's biopic is in right hands Most deserving man  Nikhil Akkistani (@NikhilAkkistani) October 15, 2021

Gorkha is synonym to Nepali warriors who is serving India and britain as soldiers. I hope you will definitely nail the character and show the life of those all the soldiers infront of us!! I am your heartiest fan from Nepal  Ujjwal (@ujjwalbhandar16) October 15, 2021

I am Gorkha and I am from Assam , hope this movie does justify our culture , values.  Khiladi Suraj (@KhiladiSuraj21) October 16, 2021

Meanwhile, people from the Gorkha community are hopeful and wish the movie does justice to their name.
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who is known for a lot of things - his acting, his iconic roles, his dialogues, his oration and his success, is widely known for one more thing which is being a total tech-savvy veteran, who is more active on social media than we could ever be.

The man is not just active about keeping up with the latest news and giving his two cents on whats happening around but also drops in from time to time to bestow wishes to his huge fan base, like he did recently on the occasion of Dussehra.

 Twitter

The actor shared a heartwarming post to wish people a very happy Dussehra on the day of Vijayadashami, however, while doing so, he spelt Dussehra incorrectly.



And, obviously, people took notice.

While it may have irked the grammar nazi in quite a few people, one felt compelled to point out the mistake to Big B, as he wrote,  Sir!! In a scene in Khuda Gawah, you are seen saying Peshawar Mujrim instead of professional criminal. You are the son of a great poet. Dussehra is made of Dashanans necklace and not Dussehra. Forget commercial ads, at least be meticulous about spelling.

 Facebook

The fan not only pointed out the spelling error but also pointed a mistake Amitabh Bachchan had made in the old 1992 film Khuda Gawah where Big B played the role of a Badshah Khan who travels from Afghanistan to India to find the killer of Benazir's father so that he can impress her.



While the audience was left impressed, one person who definitely wasnt was user Rajesh Kumar, who couldnt help but ask Amitabh Bachchan to be careful of his spellings, considering he is the son of a great poet.

Now, one would think that being the star that he is, he would do either of the two things - ignore the fans comments among thousand of others or take offence for the personal attack.

However, Amitabh Bachchan did neither. In fact, his reply to the fan was something we couldnt expect.

 Facebook

He wrote, Rajesh Kumar I am sorry for the wrong done and I will rectify it. Thank you for paying attention to me. And that right there, made him even a bigger person than he already was.

His reply alone managed to garner over two thousand likes in less than an hour and we can imagine why. It was heartening to see that an actor as accomplished as him would still accept his mistakes with such grace and aspire to be better.

Big B truly does know how to win hearts, even in his most embarrassing moments. Which is why, Dear trolls, you gotta do better than that!
Starkid Aryan Khan was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau on October 2 after an unprecedented raid at a rave party on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast.

Aryan, along with a few others including Arbaaz Khan Merchant, was taken into custody on drug-related charges.

From then till now, Aryan Khans bail had been denied by the court and he was sent for a 7-day custody at the Arthur road jail.

Owing to its high-profile status, the case has ended up attracting a lot of unnecessary media attention as well as unsolicited comments, conspiracies and rumours.

While some call this drug bust and Aryan Khans arrest a 'witch hunt', others are condemning him for his star kid status.

 Twitter

And while arrows are being shot from both ends, a new charge has been thrown against the anti-drugs agency NCB by Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik where he claims that NCB officers are picking their 'acquaintances' as witnesses in the case.



Taking a dig at both NCB as well as the key investigator in the case - Sameer Wankhede, Nawab Malik recently disclosed photos to the media and on his social media saying, The person seen in this picture is Fletcher Patel and his picture is with Jasmin Wankhede, sister of NCB officer Sameer Wankhede."

This is Fletcher Patel pic.twitter.com/6LgYV4NIWd  Nawab Malik     (@nawabmalikncp) October 16, 2021

In another picture he shared, Fletcher Patel was standing with Sameer Wankhede and the question that itched away at Maliks head was, The question is that how can NCB officers make their acquaintances a witness in the case?"

Here are the front pages of 3 Panchnamas where Fletcher Patel is a Panch. pic.twitter.com/NOMv5mv1CB  Nawab Malik     (@nawabmalikncp) October 16, 2021

Fletcher Patel seen in this picture with someone who he calls 'My Lady Don'.

Who is this 'Lady Don' ? pic.twitter.com/epTRSopDcH  Nawab Malik     (@nawabmalikncp) October 16, 2021

Not just this, the Maharashtra Minister started a thread on Twitter on which he ended up sharing quite a few proofs to the claims he was making about NCB officers presenting their friends as witnesses in their cases.

The accusation has not been made directly keeping in mind Aryan Khan, but it comes as part of the many allegations that the Minister has made against the Narcotics Control Bureau for corruption and collusion after the infamous cruise-raid.
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Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill to Provide Flexibility for Car Dealerships

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill to Provide Flexibility for Car Dealerships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2021

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill to Provide Flexibility for Car Dealerships

LANSING, Mich. -- Yesterday, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 128, which will amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow car dealerships greater flexibility in their operating hours.

"I am happy to sign legislation that supports our small businesses and puts Michigan first," said Governor Whitmer. "Senate Bill 128 lifts restrictions for Michigan car dealerships without compromising opportunities for consumers. This bill is a great example of the positive difference we can make for Michiganders."

Currently, Michigan car dealerships must be open for a least 30 hours a week for 52 weeks each year. The current requirement poses a challenge for car dealerships to accommodate emergencies, vacations, and other necessary closures. This bill would allow greater flexibility for a car dealership to be open for less than the 30 hour-minimum for up to four weeks each year.

"We applaud Governor Whitmer for signing this common sense legislation that will provide many small independent automobile dealerships with much needed regulatory relief and flexibility when emergencies occur and provide them with the ability to plan for other temporary closures," said Otto Hahne, owner of City of Cars in Troy, and President of Michigan Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

Senate Bill 128 was sponsored by Sen. Kimberly LaSata (R-Coloma), and a copy can be found here.

###
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2021

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the State of Michigan beginning at midnight tonight and through Saturday, October 16 in honor of the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service being held in Washington, D.C.

"As we lower our flags, we honor the memories of dedicated public safety officers who lost their lives in the line of duty to keep our families and communities safe," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Our state and nation owe these fallen men and women a tremendous debt that we can never repay. We are eternally grateful for their service."

The State of Michigan recognizes the service, honor and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and their families by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Sunday, October 17.

###
MILFORD  A group of about 30 adults and children rallied along Boston Post Road Tuesday evening, Aug. 3, demanding they be allowed to send children to school without masks.

The event, billed as the Unmask Our Kids Shoreline Rally, was organized by a group called Unmask Our Kids Connecticut, an organization made up of parents and residents demanding children to be out of masks. A statement on the official website reads, We do not consent to our children being in masks or coerced into vaccination. We demand our kids be unmasked and given mask choice right now.

One of the organizers, Terri Smith, said the goal of the group was to give parents the right to choose.

Its ultimately a medical decision, she said. So really, parents (should have) the freedom to choose for something health-related for our children. Not my child being discriminated against for not being vaccinated, for example.

Smith said the risks of COVID-19 to children were small and outweighed by the potential risks of mask-wearing. According to the state, there have been four confirmed COVID-19 deaths among state residents under age 20.

They just want to talk about COVID and masks, and the risk to children is almost nonexistent. I think weve had less than four deaths in Connecticut and they are all relating to underlying conditions not directly COVID like a healthy kid going to into a school getting COVID and dying, that doesnt happen, said Smith.

Jennifer Murphy, a parent at the rally, agreed.

Many of us feel like a lot of the restrictions going on for our children, the mental risk to our children far outweighs the physical risk (of COVID-19), she said. Its a choice. Some parents want to mask their kids and some parents do not. So when you look at the mental health risk and have a healthy child, and theres things in place that are making them fearful of school, it is no longer a safe space for them.

At Milford Public Schools, a decision has not been made yet regarding masks when students go back to school on Sept. 1.

Administrators continue to receive information from the State Department of Education, the governors office and the Milford Health Department, said school spokesperson Kathy Bonetti.

Smith said it would be up to each individual parent what to do if Milford schools mandate students wear masks in school this upcoming school year. The district does not plan to offer full remote learning as an option.

Its not like you need to do this or you need to do that, we are getting ideas from each other and respecting each others opinions, she said. Like someone might pull their child out, where I wouldnt. Or someone might send their child in without a mask and have them sent home every day, while I might not do that.

Smith said she knows many parents who plan to transfer their children to private schools.

One of our private schools is closing enrollment because they are being overloaded from kids being pulled from the public school system, she said. Thats a huge problem we are seeing all over the state.

Connecticut reported that nearly 80 percent of all new COVID-19 cases stem from the Delta variant on July 22. Gov. Ned Lamonts position has been not to issue a new mask mandate in the state, but he has asked people to use common sense in wearing masks in public places.

Lamont said infection numbers have been creeping up in the last six weeks, but the state still has one of the lowest infection rates in the country.

I think were going to give a lot of discretion to our mayors and first select people as well. Every town has sort of their own threshold for risk, said Lamont.

Gina Salerno, a retired teacher, was one of the participants of the rally and said she had decided to retire because she didnt agree with the school districts response to COVID-19.

I retired at the very beginning of this past school year in September because I absolutely refused to partake in this fiasco, she said. Im an elementary school teacher, and there just no way that I would allow myself to even either be seen or to see my little children, preschool and kindergarten age, with masks on. I couldnt do it. It made no sense to me, and I was done.

Salerno added that she felt she needed to do what was right for her and her emotions.

I think that the masks are fostering an environment of fear which is, I think, one of the biggest reasons we are all against it, said Smith.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States and its closest partners are stepping up pressure on Iran to return to stalled nuclear negotiations, warning that it will face greater international isolation, new economic penalties and possibly military action if it forges ahead with its atomic program.

In a series of high-level diplomatic meetings this week in Washington, U.S.. European, Israeli and Arab officials agreed on the need to make clear to Iran that its continued resistance to rejoining the talks in Vienna will not be ignored or left unpunished.

The consensus comes amid growing concerns that Tehran is not serious about returning to the negotiations aimed at bringing both Iran and the United States back into compliance with the languishing landmark 2015 nuclear deal that former President Donald Trump withdrew from three years later.

It also comes as the Biden administration, which had made rejoining the accord a priority in its first months in office, and others become increasingly pessimistic about the prospects for such negotiations even if they do resume.

Iran was at the top of the agenda in all the meetings that brought together top diplomats from the European Union, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to officials who participated, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed.

The U.S. special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, is continuing the Iran conversation with Gulf Arab states this weekend, while the head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog, Rafael Grossi, will be in Washington next week for further discussions.

Iran has hinted its ready to return to indirect negotiations with the U.S. but has not yet committed to a date. The EU, which has been charged with organizing the talks, has reported that Iran may not be willing to do so anytime soon and wants to meet with Borrell and others in Brussels before returning to Vienna.

As the new Iranian government led by hardline President Ebrahim Raisi delays, it has continued to blow through limits on it nuclear activities that had been constrained by the deal, including enriching uranium to higher levels. This has alarmed U.S. officials who fear that if such activity continues, a return to the 2015 deal may be pointless.

Borrell, whose top aide just returned from a visit to Tehran to gauge the position of the government, said he is willing to meet with Iranians ahead of a resumption in the Vienna talks. But he said enough time had already passed for Raisi and his team, which took office in August, to prepare.

Im ready to do that if they want to come to Brussels. But time is pressing, Borrell told reporters Friday. I understand that the new government requires time to study the file, to instruct the negotiation team, but this time has already passed. Its time to go back to the negotiations.

Asked about the possibility of a failure in negotiations and what might follow  something often referred to as Plan B  Borrell replied: I dont want to think about Plan Bs. No Plan B that I could imagine would be a good one.

Were in a very dangerous place, Prince Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, told reporters at a separate news conference Friday, noting Iran's accelerating nuclear work. I think we need to focus on a quick resumption of talks (and) suspension of these activities by Iran."

After meeting Lapid on Wednesday, Blinken offered a bleak assessment of the situation. In a rare acknowledgment by the U.S. that it is looking at what to do in the event diplomacy with Iran fails, he said the window for Iran to return to the talks is closing but declined to give a date at which it would be too late.

Time is running short, he said. We are prepared to turn to other options if Iran doesnt change course, and these consultations with our allies and partners are part of it. We will look at every option to deal with the challenge posed by Iran.

Lapid was more blunt, raising anew Israels warnings that it will act, with military force if necessary, to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

There are moments when nations must use force to protect the world from evil, Lapid said. If a terror regime is going to acquire a nuclear weapon we must act. We must make clear that the civilized world wont allow it. If the Iranians dont believe the world is serious about stopping them, they will race to the bomb.

A senior Israeli official who participated in the talks told reporters that Lapids visit to Washington, which also included meetings with Vice President Kamala Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, was a very intimate discussion about what should be done if Iran refuses to engage or engage seriously.

The official said Israel was pleased that the Biden administration was hardening its position and said Israel believes it is important to give (Iran) the feeling of encirclement.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Malley, the U.S. envoy, said the Biden administration's preferred approach remains a diplomatic one. He stressed that consultations are picking up on other options.

We will be prepared to adjust to a different reality in which we have to deal with all options to address Irans nuclear program if its not prepared to come back, he said. There is every possibility that Iran will choose a different path, and we need to coordinate with Israel and other partners in the region.
The U.S. offered payments this week to the family of the 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children, who were killed in error by a U.S. drone strike on August 29.

The Pentagon announced the payments in a statement on Friday night but did not say how much was offered, The New York Times reported. The statement also said the U.S. would help the surviving family members relocate to the United States if they are interested.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told The Associated Press the offers were made Thursday during a meeting with the aid organization that employed Zemari Ahmadi, the driver who the Pentagon mistakenly believed was an ISIS-K member and whose car was struck by the drone.

"Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments," Kirby told AP.

The U.S. military believed Ahmadi was an ISIS-K militant filling his car with boxes of explosives, but he was actually loading water containers, footage obtained by The Times showed. U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, initially called the attack a "righteous strike."

Weeks later, the U.S. acknowledged that the strike had killed civilians, including Ahmadi and his family. But Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of of U.S. Central Command, said that the military learned the casualties were civilians within hours of the strike.

Read the original article on Business Insider.
After hours of meetings over the last weeks diving into the fine details of policy, the Grand County Commission has passed a new noise ordinan
The government has decided to convert the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) from a department, into seven fully government-owned corporate entities to improve self-reliance on the country's defence preparedness. The seven new defence companies that have been incorporated are Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI), Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWE India), Troop Comforts Limited (TCL), Yantra India Limited (YIL), India Optel Limited (IOL), and Gliders India Limited (GIL), the PMOs statement read.

This corporatisation of companies will enhance autonomy and efficiency and will unleash new growth potential and innovation, thee government said in a release.

According the government, there have been crucial developments in the local artillery sector over the last decade. There are now four gun production hubs in five states in the country. Firms like L&T, Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge have set up gun production lines within the country to compete with the erstwhile monopoly, state-owned ordnance factories.

The armys DG (artillery), Lt General TK Chawla, had earlier said that the Army was supporting the domestic industry to ensure indigenous projects like the Advanced Towed Array Gun System and the OFB-produced Dhanush howitzer meet their requirements. This year, as part of its defence indigenisation drive, the Ministry of Defence banned the imports of 155 mm howitzers after December 2021. The army will have no choice but to turn to the indigenous gun industry.

The seven new companies are expected to provide a boost to the defence sector in the country.

Addressing the launch event of these companies on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, PM Modi said, India is taking new resolutions to build a new future. The decision to revamp 41 ordnance factories and the launch of these seven companies is a part of this resolution journey. This decision has been pending for the last 15-20 years."

Pointing out that India's ordnance factories were the most powerful globally at one period of time, Prime Minister Modi said that these factories had the experience of more than 100 to 150 years.
Message from President Cruzado discussing proposals from the Listening and Learning Sessions

Dear MSU Community:



The final weeks of the semester are here and, with them, the need to bring important initiatives and projects to closure. It would seem that everybody is walking a little bit faster, trying to complete the many tasks assigned for the day. Along with considerations about final exams, graduation, and plans for the summer months, as an institution we need to plan for the next academic year by finalizing our budget.



During the Listening and Learning Sessions, people brought to my attention good questions and ideas about how to reduce spending and how to invest in the future of Montana State University. Yesterday, I asked the University Planning and Budget Committee (UPBAC) to consider two proposals that were, in large measure, the product of specific recommendations received during several of the Listening and Learning Sessions. These two proposals were approved unanimously and I would like to explain both of them:

Management of FY 10 One-Time-Only (OTO) Funds This proposal addresses the expenditure reductions that are being implemented by the State of Montana. The campuses of the Montana University System are slated to receive a reduction of a 2.6% of our General Fund allocation, or about $1 million for both Fiscal Year 2010 and Fiscal Year 2011. Additional reductions and adjustments are still under consideration at different levels of the Montana University System, including possible higher reduction percentages for our Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension Service, and Fire Services Training School.



Yesterday, UPBAC unanimously approved using the OTO funds produced by the student enrollment growth experienced this academic year to respond to the expenditure reductions. In doing so, we avoid impacting academic units with further cuts and, therefore, we protect the academic core of our mission. Importantly, it focuses on the use of these funds to address student needs.



This proposal modifies the allocation that had been planned by UPBAC last fall in three important ways: a) it preserves initiatives that will directly benefit students by distributing funds for additional class sections, to be coordinated by the Provosts Office, and by continuing admission-related efforts conducted by the Office of Student Affairs; b) it postpones distribution of funds for valuable projects until the financial situation improves; and c) it reverts to the institutional reserve the funds previously designated for use by the President and Vice Presidents. Restoring of Benefits Management to Central Offices This proposal addresses the concerns and recommendations received regarding the allocation and payment of employee benefits. Yesterday, UPBAC unanimously approved a motion to revert the responsibility for the management of benefit funds to the central offices. The change will be effective July 1, 2010. To provide for a smooth transition, the Budget Office will coordinate with the Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans, Department Heads and Directors. Later today, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, Craig Roloff, will distribute a memo with details on the implementation of this change.

I want to thank the members of UPBAC for being responsive and sensitive to the recommendations that we have received from the MSU community. I also want to thank our faculty, students, staff, alumni and constituents for their valuable suggestions. Together, we are building an event better and stronger MSU.



Go Cats!



Sincerely,







Waded Cruzado,

President
Weather Alert

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 AM MST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches. * WHERE...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys. * WHEN...From 4 AM to 10 AM MST Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. &&
MRT file photo

The average home sold during the month of August inside Midland County fetched $371,584, according to statistics from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center.

That is a new record for monthly average and more than $10,000 higher than one month earlier ($359,916) and August 2020 ($360,500). The Real Estate Center also showed that August was the 36th straight month that the average topped $300,000 in Midland County.
More rigs continue to dot the horizon around the nation as oil and gas operators increase activity.

Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes and data analytics firm Enverus said Friday the US rig count jumped 10 rigs to 543, 261 more than the 282 at work across the US last October. It is the sixth consecutive weekly increase in rig activity, which remains at 18-month highs.

The number of rigs drilling for crude leaped by 12 to 445, 240 more than the 205 seeking crude a year ago. The number of rigs drilling for natural gas slipped by one to 98. Still, there are 24 more rigs drilling for gas than the 74 at work the previous year.

Texas added three rigs for 250 at work statewide, 127 more than the 123 that were in operation a year ago. New Mexico dropped one rig for 85 rigs. Alaska (1), California (2), Oklahoma (2) and West Virginia (1) joined Texas as producing states with higher rig counts while Ohio (1) joined New Mexico as the other producing state to see a decline.

The Permian Basin, which accounts for just under half the nations rigs, added one rig to make 267 at work across the region. Thats 137 more than the 130 at work in the Permian last year.

Lea County, New Mexico, remains the most active county in the Permian with 55 rigs, down one for the week. Eddy County, New Mexico remained in second with 27 rigs, down one.

Midland County reported 25 rigs at work within the county, down one. Reeves County had 23, unchanged for the week. Martin County lost four rigs  the steepest decline in the Permian  for 20 rigs. Howard County had 18, up one and Loving County had 16, also up one rig. Upton County had 14 rigs, up one and Ward County had 12 rigs, unchanged for the week.

Hudspeth County saw renewed activity with one rig going to work within county lines.

Enverus Rig Analytics, which has a different deadline and criteria than Baker Hughes, said the US rig count rose by 10 to 632 as of October 13 after reaching a year-to-date high of 639 earlier in the week. The count is up almost 5 percent in the last month and up 95 percent in the last year.

The Permian Basin led the way, adding seven rigs in the last week to reach 241, Enverus said, while Appalachia gained four rigs for a total of 48 and the Gulf Coast added three rigs for 75. The Williston Basin had the largest drop, losing three rigs week over week to 26.

The most active operators in the U.S. are currently Pioneer Natural Resources with 24 rigs, EOG Resources with 19, Mewbourne Oil Co. and Devon Energy with 18 each, and ConocoPhillips and Continental Resources with 17 each. Pioneer's one-rig gain came from an added rig in the Midland Basin. EOG also added two rigs in the Permian for a total of 13  its highest level in the region since June  but dropped one rig each from the Gulf Coast (five) and Powder River Basin (one). Mewbourne also added one rig in the Delaware (14), while the rest of the top operators were unchanged week to week.

Only two operators added or dropped more than one rig over the last week, both of them privately held. Carmen Schmitt Inc. brought two rigs on in the Anadarko and the Salina. Val Energy Inc. dropped both of its rigs in the Anadarko and the Cherokee Platform.
Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly released a proposed set of new congressional district maps on Friday, just days before lawmakers return to the Statehouse for the start of their fall veto session, which begins Oct. 19.

All states redraw their congressional districts after each decennial census. The proposed new maps reflect the fact that Illinois will have only 17 congressional districts after the 2022 elections, down from its current 18 districts, because of the states loss of population since the 2010 census.

The draft proposal includes a number of oddly shaped districts, many of which would create entirely new constituencies for incumbent members of Congress, particularly Republicans.

As expected, southern Illinois, which saw the most dramatic population declines, essentially would be compressed from two districts to just one. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would see his 12th District nearly double in size geographically to take in almost the entire southern end of the state, from an area just east of the Metro East region all the way to the Ohio River.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, who represents what is now called the 15th District in southern and east-central Illinois, would be placed in an entirely new 16th District that takes in Oakland, curls around the city of Champaign and stretches west across much of central Illinois to an area just south of the Quad Cities.

The Quad Cities is now in the 17th District that also includes Rockford. It is represented by Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, who has announced she will not seek reelection in 2022. That area would become part of a new 17th District that takes in Rockford, stretches west to the Mississippi River, then snakes south to Galesburg and back east to take in Bloomington and Peoria, the hometown of Republican Rep. Darin LaHood, who represents what now is the 18th District.

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, who represents what now is the 13th District in central Illinois that includes Champaign, Decatur and a portion of Springfield, would be placed in a new 15th District that begins in Litchfield and stretches east to the Indiana border, snakes northward to take in Danville, then back west and north to include Pontiac, Sterling, Dixon and Freeport in northern Illinois.

Davis previously has indicated he might consider running for governor in 2022, depending on how his district is redrawn.

In a statement Friday, Davis did not indicate that hed made a decision, but he harshly criticized the proposed new map.

As expected, our lying governor teamed up with state Democrats to draw a shameful, partisan gerrymander in a desperate attempt to keep (U.S. House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi in power, he said. This proposed map, along with this entire redistricting process, is a complete joke.

Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Channahon, southwest of Joliet, also would be moved into a much different district. He represents what now is the 16th District west of the Chicago metropolitan area. He would be placed in a new 3rd District that stretches from Oak Lawn south and west to LaSalle.

Illinois could play a pivotal role in the 2022 congressional elections as Democrats try to hold onto their slim majority. The U.S. House is split 220-212 in favor of Democrats with three seats currently vacant  two last held by Democrats and one last held by a Republican.

Historically, however, the party that occupies the White House loses congressional seats in a new presidents first midterm election, a pattern that does not bode well for Democrats.

In Illinois, however, Democrats now hold a 13-5 majority in the states congressional delegation, and Democrats are firmly in control of the redistricting process in the state General Assembly, so it is likely they will do all they can to keep as many Democratic seats as possible.

Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy said in a statement. Its appalling that fair representation, keeping communities of interest together, and transparency in the mapmaking process in Illinois all had to take a back seat to the demands of national politics.

The proposed new maps were released after the Illinois House and Senate held a series of public hearings around the state that drew surprisingly little public participation. In fact, several hearings drew no public input at all while others saw only one or two witnesses speak.

Many of the nonpartisan advocacy groups that were active during the legislative redistricting process earlier this year took no part in the congressional redistricting process, and some of them cited their frustration with the earlier process as a reason for staying away.

Im not surprised to see so few people at the recent redistricting hearings, given the exclusionary Illinois state redistricting process that occurred this year, which resulted in a map that harms communities of color, Ami Gandhi, senior counsel for the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, said in an email. Even the community members who have made the effort to analyze and speak out on the maps  especially people of color  have said they dont feel heard and that their input hasnt mattered. Thats a shame because these maps will absolutely affect our communities options, resources, and rights for the next ten years.

Jay Young, executive director of Common Cause Illinois, said in an interview that there was a general feeling of frustration among many advocacy groups that took part in the legislative redistricting process that has carried over into congressional redistricting.

I dont know if jaded is the right word, he said. I mean, theres some folks who are just flat-out angry. You know, I have friends that I used to work with in their previous life, who are now part of the General Assembly. I believe that theyre still my friends. I know that they care. But even the people that I had better hopes for I dont think did what I had hoped for.

Democrats said at the time that the new legislative maps were designed to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state. But those maps now are the subject of two ongoing federal lawsuits, including one by a leading Latino advocacy group, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF.

In addition, a group of Black leaders from Chicago called Illinois African Americans for Equitable Redistricting recently asked the Justice Department to conduct a civil rights investigation into the policies and practices that led to the maps, which they argue dilutes Black voting power.

The proposed new maps that were released Friday might be only the first draft of a redistricting plan. The House Redistricting Committee held one hearing Friday after the proposal was released, and it drew more public participation than most of the previous hearings. It will hold another at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Springfield.

The Senate Redistricting Committee canceled its Friday meeting and scheduled another for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Statehouse.
Whats new at Jacksonville Public Library:

ADULT FICTION

Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara: Set during World War II, this fascinating novel from Edgar winner Hirahara focuses on a Japanese American family, the Itos, who in 1942 are sent with what possessions they can carry from Los Angeles to the Manzanar internment camp in the California desert. In 1943, elder daughter Rose, a bright and confident young woman, is chosen to be among the first internees to be relocated to Chicago, a move that will pave the way for her family to join her. In 1944, Roses parents and younger sister, Aki, arrive in the city, only to be informed that Rose has been run over by a subway train at the Clark and Division station, an apparent suicide. Aki refuses to believe this theory and sets out to find her sisters killer and bring that person to justice.

ADULT NONFICTION

Everything I Have Is Yours by Eleanor Henderson: Henderson brings a novelists sensibility to this memoir of her 20-year marriage and the chronic illness of her husband, Aaron; she weaves their history with measured prose and emotion in alternating strands. Henderson traces her relationship with Aaron from their first meeting through its early years, the trials of her fledgling career and his revelations of addiction and childhood abuse. The memoirs second thread chronicles Aarons sudden recurring ailments: his stomach swells, his skin blooms with lesions that produce strange fibers, he swears he feels parasites infesting his body. Visits to doctors, specialists and medical conferences provide few answers. As years pass without a solution, Aarons mental health declines and the mystery of his sickness leads to Hendersons deeper exploration of the nature of marriage itself and how physical and mental illnesses test and expand the boundaries of love and trust.

DVD

Another Round: Theres a theory that we should be born with a small amount of alcohol in our blood, and that modest inebriation opens our minds to the world around us, diminishing our problems and increasing our creativity. Heartened by that theory, Martin and three of his friends, all weary high school teachers, embark on an experiment to maintain a constant level of intoxication throughout the workday. Initial results are positive, and the teachers little project turns into a genuine academic study. but, as the drinks are knocked back, some of the participants see further improvement and others go off the rails. It becomes increasingly clear that, while alcohol may have fueled great results in world history, some bold acts carry consequences.

CHILDRENS PICTURE BOOK

Hello, Mandarin Duck! by Bao Phi: On their way to a May Day parade, twins Hue and Hoa spy a confused-looking duck and try to help it reach the pond as neighbors from many countries offer help and greetings in different languages.

JUVENILE FICTION

One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu: Joining her family in her communitys annual New Years Day magic-capturing ceremony, a 12-year-old girl who has always been lucky captures just one tiny jar of magic, revealing the true nature and beliefs of her loved ones.

Did you know?

The library hosts a Lego Club at 2:30 p.m. the second Friday of each month. Come take a Lego challenge or just have fun building whatever you want.
Ricardo Lara CA Insurance Commissioner View Photo

Sonora, CA  Administrators of the fire insurance pool, the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, is taking on the states insurance commission over having to offer other types of policies, specifically liability, with its fire insurance.

Also known as the FAIR Plan, it only sells fire insurance, which often forces homeowners to buy a separate policy for things like liability. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has ordered the pool to sell more than just fire insurance to save homeowners from having to buy multiple plans.

Lara contends, The FAIR Plans purpose is to take all comers. I believe it is falling short of its purpose and mission to be there for consumers when they need it most.

The companies that fund the FAIR Plan dispute that claim and say that Laras order will actually increase costs for consumers. They also argue that it is illegal because it would put them in direct competition with the private insurance market. For those reasons on Thursday, they filed an appeal that asks a judge to block Laras order while they appeal an earlier lower courts decision from this year that directed them to comply.

The FAIR Plan was never meant to compete with traditional insurance carriers that already provide these coverage options, FAIR Plan president Anneliese Jivan said, adding she hopes to protect consumers from unnecessary rate increases. Additionally, they question whether Lara has the authority to issue the order.

Lara has been trying to get Californias FAIR Plan to sell more comprehensive coverage since 2019. In July, a judge sided with Lara, ruling he had the authority to order the FAIR Plan to sell insurance policies that also covered liability, but only if the liability is related to the property itself. Lara argues, Forcing its policyholders to purchase separate insurance policies for liability and contents, often from the very same insurance companies who dropped their coverage in the first place, only drives up the price for consumers.

The FAIR Plan counters that even if it starts selling these modified insurance plans, it still wont be enough to cover everything that is included in a traditional homeowners policy, meaning homeowners would still have to buy a second insurance plan for full coverage. The add it would deter competition within the voluntary market, hurting consumers and the insurance industry.

Lara accuses the insurance industry of once again putting its profits ahead of the needs of California consumers.
Associated Press Writer

One summer evening, six bankers celebrated a business deal with dinner at a London restaurant. Several hours and three bottles of Chateau Petrus later, they had run up a bill of more than $60,000 _ according to Guinness World Records, the most expensive meal per capita ever.

It's unlikely they're still celebrating. Today, five of the diners have reportedly lost their jobs, and the sixth is keeping a low profile.

The Petrus restaurant _ a self-styled destination for "movers and shakers" in London's St. James's district _ released details of the bill to the media after the meal last July. But on Tuesday night, staff at the lush, low-key dining room said politely but firmly that they were not allowed to speak to the media about this issue.

The party spent 44,007 pounds _ $62,679 _ most of it on wine, including a bottle of 1945 Chateau Petrus Bordeaux priced at $16,500; a $13,400 bottle of the 1946 vintage; and a bottle of the 1947 Petrus at $17,500. The dessert wine cost $13,100.

The restaurant did not even charge the party for the several hundred dollars worth of food it consumed. The bill was just for drinks, cigarettes, and tax.

The restaurant's public relations firm, Sauce Communications, confirmed the cost of the meal but said Petrus had not released the diners' names to the media.

The restaurant is known for its fine _ and expensive _ wines. Among the vintages being offered Tuesday on the 21-page wine list were a 1961 Petrus at $17,800 and a 1928 vintage at $16,500.

Tom Forrest, a wine expert at London wine museum Vinopolis, said the bankers chose well. The combination of clay soil and careful tending makes Petrus wines among the most sought-after in the world, he said, and the vintages from the mid-1940s are especially valued.

"It is recognized as one of the great wines of the world," Forrest said.

British newspapers identified the diners as employees of Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays, Britain's largest bank. Four were named as Dayananda Kumar, Mahish Chandra, and Iftikhar Hyder from the London office, and Ruth Cove from the bank's New York office. The names of the other two are not known.

Newspapers reported this week that all but one of the diners had been fired by the bank over the last few months. Hyder _ who had recently joined the bank at the time of the meal _ reportedly was the only one to keep his job.

Barclays Capital refused to comment, but a source at the company said the news reports were true. The Barclays' London switchboard did not have Kumar listed in its directory. An employee who answered the phone at Chandra's extension said he no longer worked for the company.

Hyder, who now works in the New York office, did not immediately return telephone calls from The Associated Press.

The diners paid the bill with their own money. Press reports, which could not be confirmed, said some later tried to claim a portion of the meal as client expenses.

On Monday, London's Evening Standard newspaper quoted Kumar as saying he paid $12,800 of the tab, even though he had not drunk any wine. "To be honest, I'm not that bothered about it," Kumar was quoted as saying.

"I've been on lots of expeditions since I left the bank. I went climbing on Everest, I've just come back from Kilimanjaro, and I'm off to the North Pole soon. It's no real problem."

Many British banks have shed employees recently, but Barclays is one of the stronger performers.

The bank this month announced pretax profits of $5.3 billion for 2001, up 9 percent from the previous year. Operating profits at its business banking arm rose 5 percent to $1.7 billion.

Some commentators saw the Petrus episode as a sign that the financial sector's high-spending days are over.

"The biggest problem that has arisen from this is that nobody in the City is prepared to eat in restaurants any more after big deals," the Evening Standard quoted Kumar as saying. "It's too risky."

___

On the Net:

Petrus: http://www.petrus-restaurant.com
Victorias Black Swan Inn, named after Shakespeare's favorite bar, is a charming local venue for weddings, memorials, and bachelorette parties. Its also a paint-chipped monument to San Antonio history, possessing a nationally recognized paranormal reputation.

The Greek-revival style plantation house, constructed in 1867, is perched on a grassy hill across the Salado Creek. Just 20 years before it was built, the site is where General Caldwell and his men massacred over 60 Mexican soldiers in the bloody Battle of Salado, defending the Republic of Texas.

After the manor was built, it changed hands between fat cats and socialites that now live on in San Antonio infamy, some of whom are recorded to have met their own tragic ends on the property.

On a particularly damp October morning, I drove to the Black Swan to meet with the current owner Jo Ann Rivera to see if the paranormal rumors were true. Approaching the house, I wasnt sure I was in the right place. The creek running parallel to the road was overflowing with the previous night's storm water and I was surrounded by trees. My maps app told me I had arrived, so I blindly swung a right turn. Not a soul was around except for some chickens clucking in the distance and a few people collecting fallen debris on the side of the road. I quickly learned one of them was the woman I was there to meet.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Camille Sauers/MySA

In 1990, Jo Ann Rivera moved into the historic property with her children. Out of the Black Swan, she based her Victorian garment manufacturing business, and later began renting out the space as a venue for special events.

I bought it mostly because my father and friends kept telling me I couldn't do it, Rivera tells me, sitting on a wicker chair on the Black Swan porch. She has a crop of grey hair and is wearing a comfortable sun dress, appearing at ease in front of the stately building that looks plucked from the movie Practical Magic.

Before we get down to the business of ghosts, we are sure to touch on the state of the world. She laments capitalism, while acknowledging her own business, then gripes about how no passing trucks stopped to assist a driver stuck in the flood run-off earlier that day. Then we get into the state of the media and she schools me on local politics.

I read her to be a quick and analytical thinker, that happens to be particularly tapped into the spirit world. Some of the experiences she describes are incredible, yet I believe her to be a generally reliable narrator.

Previous to her residency at the Black Swan, Rivera didnt have any bias toward the paranormal. It was while she was settling into the property that she first realized something was afoot.

When I first got here and moved my business, I was skeptical. I'm like, I don't think that we get to come back and, you know, poke fun at people or move things around. But it didn't take me long, there were a few experiences, says Rivera.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Doors would swing open and slam shut at random intervals. Lights would mysteriously flicker on. In one bedroom where her young children circulated through, they described the presence of a shadow man who would talk to them and sometimes pinch them while they slept. Rivera would notice bruises on her daughter's legs mornings following these reports. The Rivera family adopted nightly rituals, setting boundaries with the spirits, which ultimately proved helpful. Respect the spirits and theyll respect you back. The same rules apply to people.

She understands ghosts as beings operating at different frequencies. She cites quantum mechanics.

A lot of people are afraid of the spirit world, but a lot comes from the fact that they don't understand it, she says.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Camille Sauers/MySA

Over the years, she has become distinctly familiar with eight or so ghostly personalities that stalk the halls. There's a Confederate soldier, who roams near the gazebo. Then theres Joline and Park Street, who lived in the house through the 1950s and early 60s. Park reportedly hung himself in the home in 1965, though some claim that his death was actually murder. He can be seen angrily stalking the grounds. His wife Joline, who died prematurely of cancer, is sometimes sighted by visitors. She always appears wearing a beautiful white gown.

Another spirit that seems to be active is that of Sophie Mahler, who lived there when she was a little girl. Though Mahler died in her 80s, Rivera tells me she often appears to people as a child.

She gives me an interesting insight, because I think we determine our own heaven and hell. So like, for me hell would be if I had to be in a fishing boat, fishing all day, catching fish, she says, half joking.

But I think maybe her Heaven is when she was here as a little girl. She had the run of the property, she could do whatever she wanted.

Rivera recounts a time a repair crew was working upstairs and mentioned that there was a blonde toddler in a blue dress sitting alone in one of the vacant bedrooms. When she went upstairs to check, the child was gone.

After over 30 years living at the Black Swan, a place entrenched in history that seems to attract and foster paranormal frequencies, Rivera says she typically experiences some sort of paranormal activity on a daily basis. At the Black Swan, the undead are just a fact of life.

It's been many years now that I've gone through all this, but still, sometimes it will catch me off guard, she says.

----

While Rivera mostly takes the position that the spirits co-habitating with her and her family are neutral entities, she does recount one creepy encounter that literally makes my hair stand up.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Camille Sauers/MySA

One night, over 15 years ago, she was home alone cooking dinner for her kids, when her dog began to bark aggressively.

She headed into the main ballroom, only to see a woman accompanied by a 10-year-old boy. She told the woman she was closed and handed her some information on weddings at her request. At the time, Rivera was just thinking about getting food on the table. She questions why the boy wasnt following the woman out the door. The woman shrugged and said he didnt arrive with her before leaving the property.

The little boy leaned against the doorway, acting particularly strange and speaking in the seductive tone of a much older man. It was unsettling. Rivera describes him as having the look of a Renaissance painting. As she scrambled to get him out the door, she asked him his name. Dimitri he told her. She told him Dimitri is an interesting name. He replied, wow, you got it right the first time.

I'm like, what does that mean, right? It's really creepy, says Rivera.

She asked him how he got there and where he came from. He told her he was by the creek because he finds it peaceful there, a response she found to be a very odd comment coming from a kid. She asked if she can call his mother and he said plainly that they dont have a phone, in a mature, almost sensual tone. The strange interaction gave her a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She finally got him to leave.

Later, while shes upstairs getting her kids ready for bed, she heard her otherwise friendly dog barking aggressively, yet again. As a mother, alarm bells started ringing in her head. She instructed her children to stay put. Its was darker by then and she went into the kitchen to grab a kitchen knife, just in case. She headed outside to the back porch where the dog was now whimpering. She saw Dimitri, leaning against the old milking barn, trying to blend in.

He leans back and he gives me this grin. It's like, a super sinister kind of grin, says Rivera. She shouted at him to leave, but he stayed put, baring his teeth at her. She ran inside and called the police. When they arrived, Dimitri was nowhere to be found. She told the officer the child's name. He responded, Dimitri, what is he? A demon?

She never saw him again, but his presence felt distinctly abnormal. Shell never forget that feeling, she says. The next day, she took her kids to the old Fuddruckers for some burgers. While she was waving at a little girl seated in the same area, she noticed her mother writing Dimitri over and over again on one of the paper menus.

I have been touched, burned, scraped, bitten. I've had all kinds of things happen with the paranormal world. But that is probably the most intense scary thing that's ever happened to me here, she tells me earnestly, her eyes wide.

----

While she has had her fair share of terrifying experiences, shes also had several significant, moving experiences living in the house.

Notably, she had an interaction with her late mother, who died in the house in 2012.

At this point, the building's reputation was starting to become more widely known, as several ghost hunting television programs featured the building on their shows. One such program was Ghost Adventures with Zak Bagans. The investigative crew did a feature on the Black Swan in 2013, several months after Riveras mothers passing. You can watch the clip online.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Using an EVP recording device, the team was emphatic about trying to connect with her mother. Usually when ghost hunters try to communicate with the spirit world, Rivera and her partner leave the house, not wanting to contaminate the energy. This time though, she was a willing participant.

My mom was very skeptical about activity, but we had an agreement, we had a code word, says Rivera. The pair had established a word years earlier that only they would know, to communicate with one another just in case one of them passed on to the other side.

Sure enough, the team caught Riveras mother saying the word on camera, standing in the middle of the room at the Black Swan where she died.

That was a very real, very intense moment that they were able to get on film, Rivera tells me.

The Black Swan still regularly hosts events and experiences, like the popular "Haunted Cocktail Hour" and now operates a series of ghost tours. Rivera raised three of her five children in the building, and still lives there with her partner, a lawyer named Philip Ross. People still get married there.

I ask her what her experiences have taught her about unknown things.

The first word that comes to mind is acceptance.

"It's good to know that this is not all there is. Yeah, we're not alone. You know, we're not alone on so many levels. I mean, from aliens to ghosts, we are not. This is not the end all, be all. No, this is not it. There's so much more."

Camille Sauers/MySA
Courtesy, Daniel Flores

Good news for Tropic Express fans: the far Westside San Antonio shop is open after a July fire tore through the space.

The social media accounts for the shop recently announced the business is open for regular hours. Customers celebrated the news, saying they'd be stopping by for a treat to mark the occasion. The shop is known for serving San Antonio's favorite snacks like fruit cups, raspas, aguas frescas, elote, and more.
Yves here. Interestingly, this article presupposes that the indignities of American jobs are so well known that they dont need to be specified. Nevertheless, well mention a few. Using technology to micromanage employees and push them to meet unrealistic timetables, like driving routes that necessitate the driver speed or run light to meet his schedule. Skinflintery, like actual and de facto wage theft (Amazon going to the Supreme Court to win the right to prevent employees from leaving at the end of their shift so they can be screened for theft, yet not paying them for detaining them when the typical 15 minute exit is due to Amazon not staffing enough checkpoints). And slapping workers in the face, such as when hospital execs got record pay and bonuses because Covid, while nurses who were risking their lives got squat (save traveling nurses, but not everyone can hit the road).

By Sonali Kolhatkar, the founder, host and executive producer of Rising Up With Sonali, a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. She is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute. Produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute

On September 14, a young woman in Louisiana named Beth McGrath posted a selfie Facebook video of herself working at Walmart. Her body language shows a nervous energy as she works up the courage to speak on the intercom and announces her resignation to shoppers. Everyone here is overworked and underpaid, she begins, before going on to call out specific managers for inappropriate and abusive behavior. I hope you dont speak to your families the way you speak to us, she said before ending with f**k this job!

Perhaps McGrath was inspired by Shana Ragland in Lubbock, Texas, who nearly a year ago carried out a similarly public resignation in a TikTok video that she posted from the Walmart store where she worked. Raglands complaints were similar to McGraths as she accused managers of constantly disparaging workers. I hope you dont talk to your daughters the way you talk to me, she said over the store intercom before signing off with, F**k the managers, f**k this company.

The viral resignations of these two young women are bookending a year of volatility in the American workforce that economists have branded the Great Resignation. Women in particular are seen as leading the trend.

The seriousness of the situation was confirmed by the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report showing that a record 2.9 percent of the workforce quit their jobs in August, which is equivalent to 4.3 million resignations.

If such a high rate of resignations were occurring at a time when jobs were plentiful, it might be seen as a sign of a booming economy where workers have their pick of offers. But the same labor report showed that job openings have also declined, suggesting that something else is going on. A new Harris Poll of people with employment found that more than half of workers want to leave their jobs. Many cite uncaring employers and a lack of scheduling flexibility as reasons for wanting to quit. In other words, millions of American workers have simply had enough.

So serious is the labor market upheaval that Jack Kelly, senior contributor to Forbes.com, a pro-corporate news outlet, has defined the trend as, a sort of workers revolution and uprising against bad bosses and tone-deaf companies that refuse to pay well and take advantage of their staff. In what might be a reference to viral videos like those of McGrath, Ragland, and the growing trend of #QuitMyJob posts, Kelly goes on to say, The quitters are making a powerful, positive and self-affirming statement saying that they wont take the abusive behavior any longer.

Still, some advisers suggest countering the worker rage with bonding exercises such as Gratitude sharing, and games. Others suggest increasing trust between workers and bosses or exercis[ing] empathetic curiosity with employees. But such superficial approaches entirely miss the point.

The resignations ought to be viewed hand in hand with another powerful current that many economists are ignoring: a growing willingness by unionized workers to go on strike.

Film crews may soon halt work as 60,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced an upcoming national strike. About 10,000 employees of John Deere, who are represented by the United Auto Workers, are also preparing to strike after rejecting a new contract. Kaiser Permanente is facing a potential strike from 24,000 of its nurses and other health care workers in Western states over poor pay and labor conditions. And about 1,400 Kellogg workers in Nebraska, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee are already striking over poor pay and benefits.

The announced strikes are coming so thick and fast that former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich has dubbed the situation an unofficial general strike.

Yet union representation remains extremely low across the United Statesthe result of decades of concerted corporate-led efforts to undermine the bargaining power of workers. Today only about 12 percent of workers are in a union.

The number of strikes and of striking workers might be far higher if more workers were unionized. Non-union workers like McGrath and Ragland hired by historically anti-union companies like Walmart might have been able to organize their fellow workers instead of resorting to individual resignations. While viral social media posts of quitting are impactful in driving the conversation around worker dissatisfaction, they have little direct bearing on the lives of the workers and the colleagues they leave behind.

One example of how union organizing made a concrete difference to working conditions is a new contract that 7,000 drug store workers at Rite Aid and CVS stores in Los Angeles just ratified. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 negotiated a nearly 10 percent pay raise for workers as well as improved benefits and safety standards.

And when companies dont comply, workers have more leverage when acting as a collective bargaining unit than as individuals. Take Nabisco workers who went on strike in five states this summer. Mondelez International, Nabiscos parent company, saw record profits during the pandemic with surging sales of its snack foods. So flush was the company with cash that it compensated its CEO with a whopping $16.8 million annual pay and spent $1.5 billion on stock buybacks earlier this year. Meanwhile, the average worker salary was an appallingly low $31,000 a year. Many Nabisco jobs were sent across the border to Mexico, where the company was able to further drive down labor costs.

After weeks on the picket line, striking Nabisco workers, represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, returned to work having won modest retroactive raises of 2.25 percent, $5,000 bonuses and increased employer contributions to their retirement plans. The company, which reported a 12 percent increase in revenue earlier this year, can well afford this and more.

Taken together with mass resignations, such worker strikes reveal a deep dissatisfaction with the nature of American work that has been decades in the making. Corporate America has enjoyed a stranglehold over policy, spending its profits on lobbying the government to ensure even greater profits at the expense of workers rights. At the same time, the power of unions has fallena trend directly linked to increased economic inequality.

But now, as workers are flexing their power, corporate America is worried.

In the wake of these strikes and resignations, lawmakers are actively trying to strengthen existing federal labor laws. Business groups are lobbying Democrats to weaken pro-labor measures included in the Build Back Better Act that is being debated in Congress.

Currently, corporate employers can violate labor laws with little consequence as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lacks the authority to fine offenders. But Democrats want to give the NLRB the authority to impose fines of $50,000 to $100,000 against companies who violate federal labor laws. Also included in the Build Back Better Act is an increase in fines against employers that violate Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which is a business lobby group that wants anything but democracy in the workplace, is deeply concerned about these proposed changes and sent a letter to lawmakers to that effect.

It remains to be seen if corporate lobbyists will succeed this time around at keeping labor laws toothless. But as workers continue to quit their jobs, and as strikes among unionized workers grow, employers ignore the warning signs of rage and frustration at their peril.
(Natural News) Prices for aluminum have risen to a 13-year high amid the ongoing energy shortages worldwide. These energy shortages across China have resulted in Chinas halting of aluminum production, given the extreme energy inputs required to purify and manufacture aluminum.

Chinas move carries repercussions for many other industries that use processed aluminum for their products.

Aluminums price climbed to $3,064 a ton, up 3.3 percent, at the London Metal Exchange on Oct. 11.  the highest recorded since July 2008. Prices for other base metals have also risen, with zinc up by 2.5 percent to $3,230 a ton and copper rising by 1.9 percent.

Industry insiders claim aluminum requires a lot of power to produce. Each ton of aluminum needs about 14 megawatt-hours to produce, which is enough to run a home in the U.K. for more than three years. The insiders add that the aluminum industry would be the fifth largest power consumer in the world if it was a country.

Aluminums high energy requirement has made plants processing the metal the first targets by the Chinese governments efforts to slash industrial energy use. Beijing has also limited the countrys future aluminum production capacity  raising the possibility of deep global deficits of a metal used in different products such as beer cans and airplanes.

Mark Hansen, CEO of commodity trading house Concord Resources Ltd., says several aluminum plants in China have stopped operations as the countrys production has probably peaked, at least in the short term. However, he warns that aluminum prices could go as high as $3,400 a ton in the next year. (Related: Soaring metal prices may delay ongoing transition to clean energy.)

James Luke, commodities fund manager at investment company Schroders, describes China continuing aluminum production as a net export of energy resources. He says: Given the acuteness of the power shortages and the curtailments weve seen, it just doesnt seem rational for China to be exporting that volume of aluminum products every single month.

Aluminum industry repercussions felt around the world

According to the Aluminum Association (AA), Chinese aluminum production has grown at an alarming rate. From just about 11 percent of the worlds aluminum in 2000, China now produces more than 50 percent of the worlds aluminum supply. For many years, China absorbed nearly all of this metal domestically. [But] as the economy softened and demand declined, producers did not respond to market signals, the association says.

The AA adds: Artificial incentives, subsidies and central planning by the Chinese government have driven much of this activity. This behavior led to China building production facilities, even when doing so much made little economic or environmental sense.

Tax rebates support Chinas aluminum manufacturing despite domestic production being under pressure and the demand for aluminum continuing to rise. However, market analysts say Beijing can potentially lower or remove value-added tax rebates on exports to slow down the rate of metal exiting China.

Investors are watching for a possible hit to Chinese aluminum exports, provided the country continues to import primary metals and export huge volumes of processed aluminum. With the country likely to continue importing huge volumes of the raw metal next year, a potential worldwide aluminum shortage looms  alongside a sudden spike in the metals price.

Recent action by the European Union aimed at Chinese aluminum imports sold at undercut prices have also contributed to higher market prices. The EU imposed anti-dumping penalties on Chinese flat-rolled aluminum on Oct. 11. An EU statement from the same day defended the move as a way to counter unfair trading practices.

The anti-dumping penalties range from 14.3 percent to 24.6 percent and will last for a period of five years.

An investigation found that Chinese [aluminum] imports, sold at dumped prices, have caused injury to the [European aluminum] industry. These aluminum products are an important commodity on the EU market, with a market value of 700 million euros [$812.7 million], the statement says.

However, the EU notes in the same statement that it has delayed implementation of the duties for nine months because of temporary and exceptional changes in market circumstances. The anti-dumping penalties will be imposed from July 11, 2022 onward.

CRU Group Manager for Aluminum Primary and Products Research Eoin Dinsmore says: The global metal market in 2022 will be the tightest its ever been. The rest of the world cannot deliver these quantities to China indefinitely. (Related: Power shortages in China may cause world food and commodities prices to surge.)

Metals.news has more articles about the prices of aluminum and other metals.

Sources include:

Bloomberg.com

Aluminum.org

Trade.EC.Europa.eu
(Natural News) A couple of state senators are pushing for a grand jury investigation into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over their handling of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic.

Sens. Kim Thatcher and Dennis Linthicum, both of Oregon, have called on Acting U.S. Attorney Scott E. Asphaug to launch an immediate probe. They are backed by more than 1,718 Oregonians who signed their petition, as well as 53,032 Americans from other states.

In their petition, Thatcher and Linthicum expressed concerns about how the FDA and CDC have been measuring and reporting Chinese Virus vaccine adverse reactions, including serious injuries and deaths. They also claim that the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is flawed, capturing only a tiny percentage of actual vaccine injuries and deaths.

Another point of contention is PCR tests, which have been proven time and time again to be fraudulent. One major issue with these tests is that they can be easily manipulated by jacking up the cycle threshold count, which in effect creates false positives resulting in inflated numbers of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, the letter explains.

Back in August 2020, epidemiologist Dr. Michael Mina told The New York Times that PCR tests tuned at too high of a cycle threshold will pick up genetic fragments that have nothing to do with the Fauci Flu. Mina stated at the time that the threshold should be no higher than 30 cycles and preferably lower.

In the unvaccinated, PCR tests are being tuned to a cycle count of 40 or more, producing loads of false positives. In the fully vaccinated, PCR tests are being tuned a lot lower to around 28, Thatcher says, resulting in fewer positives.

CDC circumvented multiple federal laws in its false covid statistical reporting

The reason for this disparity is that the medical establishment wants to create the illusion that only the unvaccinated are getting sick, and that the fully vaccinated are all healthy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

According to the petition, this low cut-off for the fully vaccinated helps to eliminate false positive results and thereby reduce the number of vaccine breakthrough cases, which in effect furthers the plandemic narrative.

After consulting with a large group of doctors, epidemiologist and virologists on statistical reporting for the Wuhan Virus, Thatcher and Linthicum says they are now profoundly concerned that the scientific literature continues to provide empirical evidence that safe and effective treatments and management strategies for COVID infections exist but are not being made available to Americans most in need.

The nonprofit group Stand for Health Freedom (SHF), which helped put together the petition, says that it was submitted one month prior to going public in order to protect those involved.

The group also cited a March 2020 study alleging that the CDC over-emphasized the Chinese Flu as the cause of death in a number of cases where something else, including an underlying health condition, was the true cause of death.

This, in effect, allowed the CDC to circumvent multiple federal laws, SHF alleges.

This passive VAERS system is a joke, noted one commenter at The Epoch Times. That is why foreign countries with better reporting systems are so important.

I work with many cardiologists that have seen issues with the vaccine but not one doctor ever reported it. That was by their own admission. So, five times underreported is still probably low.

Another noted that none of this is a surprise, seeing as how the CDC and the FDA have been criminal organizations since their advent.

The latest news about Chinese Virus deception can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Fior Hernandez accuses the Department of Justice (DOJ) of trying to silence parents who are standing up for their children in school board meetings during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As [Attorney General] Merrick Garland attempts to intimidate parents in school board meetings, as information and research about COVID-19, alternative medical treatments, truth about vaccine side effects, truth about whats going on is being suppressed  we are going to talk about it, Hernandez says during her program Byline Anew on Brighteon.TV.

We cant be blind sheep saying yes to everything as they lead us directly to the slaughterhouse.

Hernandez condemns the DOJ for asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to probe parents who threaten school staff.

In a memo, Garland says that while spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to the threats or violence or efforts to intimate individuals based on their views.

The memo was released on Monday, October 4th, clearly referencing school board meetings and board officials. It may not literally say the word parents, but really, who are the main ones we are seeing and hearing standing up for their kids and demanding input in their education? Hernandez asks.

The federal government and the NSBA [National School Boards Association] has declared a war on parents, says Asra Nomani, a member of Parents Defending Education in an interview with Fox News.

Nomanis group has been researching how school boards implement radical or woke ideas into the curricula, including critical race theory. (Related: Groups push back on national school board orgs efforts to punish parents as domestic terrorists for exercising their right to oppose divisive curriculum.)

The NSBA recently asked the Biden administrations assistance in the matter, suggesting that there have been threats and acts of violence equating to domestic terrorism.

According to the NSBA, the U.S. public schools and its education leaders are under immediate threat. The association has also suggested that acts of malice violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, and the classification of heinous actions could be equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes.

Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nations core values, says Garland. He notes that those who dedicated their time and energy to ensuring that children receive proper education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their work without fearing for their safety.

Parents know they are the target of the memo

Many parents still see the order as a direct attack on them. The group Parents Defending Education says that the coordinated attempt to intimidate dissenting voices in the debates surrounding U.S. education will not succeed.

Elicia Brand, a parent from Loudoun County, says that parents owe it to their children to stand strong in their fight for freedom. She urges all parents to stay strong, fight for their parental rights and never falter in the face of unjustified threats from the federal government.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says that his state will not allow federal agents to squelch dissent. He says that Garland is weaponizing the DOJ by using the FBI to pursue concerned parents and silence them through intimidation.

Florida will defend the free speech rights of its citizens and will not allow federal agents to squelch dissent, the Republican governor says.

Watch the October 7 episode of the Byline Anew with Fior Hernandez below:

Catch new episodes of the Byline Anew every Thursdays at 10:30-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

FoxNews.com

NYPost.com
(Natural News) A perfectly healthy 16-year-old boy in California died less than a month after receiving a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTechs Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. The teenager received the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on April 3 and died on April 27.

His mother filed a report to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) on July 13. VAERS is co-managed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The report with case ID 1466009 revealed that the teenager was attending an online class when he died. The family is waiting for the autopsy because the doctors did not find anything wrong with him.

According to the mother, her son was a healthy boy with a good academic index. He also wanted to be a civil engineer. In the Diagnostic Lab Data section of the report, the mother says the boy didnt experience any symptoms.

She was also with him one hour before and her assistant saw him 20 minutes before he died. Her assistant did not notice any irregularities while observing her son. (Related: New Zealand records its first Pfizer vaccine-linked death.)

The mother also notes that her son had no birth defects, allergies, illnesses, disabilities or pre-existing conditions. He also wasnt taking any medications prior to his death. The report also revealed that he was hospitalized for eight days but she didnt elaborate on how he was able to participate in the Zoom class or if he was released and joined the online class after.

Pfizer-BioNTech linked to vaccine injuries, deaths among children

Since the start of 2021, there have been several cases of vaccine injuries and deaths among children after receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

On July 5, Singapores Ministry of Health (MOH) reported that it was investigating an incident involving a 16-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest after lifting. weights The incident occurred only six days after he received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.

The teenager collapsed at home and was treated at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospitals emergency department. He was later transferred to the National University Hospital and was reported to be in critical condition.

It wasnt clear if the boy has recovered. He received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on June 27 and was deemed fine after a post-vaccination onsite observation that lasted about 30 minutes. The MOH added that the boy was well five days after inoculation.

On Oct. 4, a 13-year-old boy from Kamwatta, Moruca, in Guyana died two hours after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Guyanas Ministry of Health reported that the boy was observed for 20 minutes after taking the vaccine and there were no adverse events recorded at the time.

But two hours later after returning home, the boy felt weak and was taken to the Kumaka Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Childrens Health Defense has examined preliminary data on the vaccination of children against coronavirus. Results have shown that among children and teenagers aged 12 to 17, the risk of developing myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscles) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) within seven days of getting the second dose is 32 times greater than expected for males and 9.5 times greater for females.

For young adults aged 18 to 24, the risk of developing myocarditis and pericarditis is 27 times greater for males.

In the broader population, the World Health Organizations (WHO) database includes over two million possible adverse reactions from coronavirus vaccines. Most of the cases involved patients aged 18 to 44.

Dr. Patrick Whelan, a pediatric specialist who treats young patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), explains that the spike protein in the vaccines may harm young children. Whelan says that the spike protein is a potentially lethal toxin that causes microvascular injury to the brain, heart, liver and kidneys in a way that does not currently appear to be assessed in safety trials of these potential drugs.

But Big Pharma doesnt seem to care about these injuries and deaths.

Even though coronavirus vaccines are being used worldwide and are even mandatory in some countries, all currently available vaccines have yet to complete clinical trials, with the earliest completion date set for May of 2023.

Visit Vaccines.news to learn more about the dangers of coronavirus vaccines and why you should think twice before getting vaccinated.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

MedAlerts.org

News.Yahoo.com

DemeraraWaves.com
(Natural News) Dr. J Michael Burry of The Big Short fame went on a massive Twitter rant Tuesday, where he posted a series of tweets  including a fact check on Ivermectin, whos actually paying their fair share of taxes, how many genders exist, and a defense of former President Donald J. Trump.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

On taxes, Burry  who has since locked his account  tweeted Top 1%, 20.9% of income, 40.1% of taxes. Bottom 90% paid just 28.6% of taxes. Top 1% tax rate is 7X HIGHER than rate paid by the bottom 50%. Biden tells rich to pay like everybody else does. So, a tax cut for the rich? Or class warfare built on lies.

Burry  the head of Scion Asset Management who rose to prominence after making a mega-successful bet against mortgages into the 2008 financial crisis, linked to this article from taxfoundation.org. His tweet comes as Congressional Democrats debate a $3.5 trillion social spending bill that hinges on taxing the wealthy.

On Trump, Burry noted that the former president NEVER said to inject bleach, adding If you did, again, you fail Darwinism. If you still believe it, you did not read his comments, or you cannot read his comments, or you cannot hear his comments, or you just blindly follow people on the internet #TDS

He then set the record straight on the oft-repeated lie that Trump called white supremacists neo-nazis fine people following the Charlottesville protest (and receipts).

Burry notes that Trump DID suggest internal UV light was an interesting therapeutic approach and was Pilloried for it.

Turns out it is a valid approach that holds promise. Social media still jokes about this. That is how toxic the left is to COVID progress.

On Ivermectin, Burry noted that its a drug that works well in humans and other mammals, adding Ignorance reigns supreme in the media and on social media regarding this drug. Used in humans since the 70s, wide experience, safe, Period. (And of course, receipts).

On Gender:

On self-hating Americans who trash the nations history, Burry wrote Those with better tech conquer, brutally, all through history. How did the Aztek empire get so big, or the Romans? African wars to this day. Ridiculous to bash America or apologize for our founding. You think the Chinese will cut themselves 200 years after they conquer us?

On the state of persecution targeting conservatives  Burry says that it permeates society from K through college and into the workforce, adding Media, Big Tech, Intelligence Agencies, DoJ, IRS are complicit. This is dead serious, and no laughing matter.

Before making hundreds of millions as an investor, Burry was originally a doctor  earning his MD at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com
(Natural News) The Mid-Atlantic state of New Hampshire was recently roused by a mysterious explosion. Adding to the mystery was the fact that earthquake monitors detected no seismic activity in the region that could have caused the boom. Thus, many speculate that a meteor may have caused the loud explosion felt and heard in different towns in the state.

Residents of New Hampshire reported hearing the explosion on the morning of Oct. 10. Many shared their experiences to news outlets, thinking that an earthquake may have caused it.

New Boston resident Dan Brian said: There was a kind of a loud boom that rattled our whole house. It had like an audible boom to it. It was very strange, thats why everyone thought it was like an explosion at first. Meanwhile, Weare resident Richard Bossart described the explosion as a huge thump, like a heavy person had landed on their heels on our second floor.

Manchester residents Daniel and Cindy Howland also reported hearing the explosion. In an email sent to EarthFiles.com, the Howlands reported hearing a thud followed by a slight metal-like crash noise that lasted two seconds. The Howlands email says: Cindy [adds that] she felt a vibration that [Daniel] did not probably [feel] because [he] was in the basement.

New Boston Fire Department (NBFD) Chief Dan MacDonald likewise confirmed the explosion, saying that he himself heard the boom and felt a slight vibration. Soon after, the NBFD chief received an influx of calls reporting the explosion.

Local New Hampshire television station WMUR 9 reported that many of its viewers sent emails about the explosion. A viewer from Merrimack said the huge bang caused their house to shake, while another resident from Goffstown said the shaking caused a picture on their wall to fall. A third resident, this time from Fitzwilliam, also said that they experienced the shaking at around 11:30 a.m. of Oct. 10. (Related: Daytime fireball meteor generates sonic boom over UK and France.)

Explosion had nothing to do with earthquakes or military aircraft

Officials from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) insist they have found no evidence of earthquakes or any seismic activity in the New England region during the past week. Geophysicist Paul Caruso of the USGS National Earthquake Center in Golden Colorado says he found nothing in his Oct. 10 seismographs that indicated an earthquake had occurred.

Weston Observatory scientist John Ebel concurs with the USGS report. We see nothing on our seismic stations [indicating] that there was any earthquake activity in the middle of the day in New Hampshire.

The explosion also has nothing to do with military aircraft, the New Hampshire Department of Safety (DOS) insists. DOS Public Information Officer Paul Raymond says that the Federal Aviation Administrations Regional Operations Center reported no military plane activity over New Hampshire on Sunday morning. Raymond adds that statewide 911 only received one report of the explosion, while New Hampshire State Police received none.

Given that the explosion was unrelated to earthquakes or military aircraft, scientists posit that the explosion may have been caused by a meteor. Ebel says: I would look for a natural event, something coming into the atmosphere past the speed of sound. He mentions the possibility of a meteor or meteorite probably causing enough energy to be released that people heard it here down on the ground.

Other scientists appear to support Ebels theory. They attribute the explosion to a sonic boom from a meteor entering the atmosphere at supersonic speed and quickly burning up. While proving that a meteor is behind the explosion requires people to have seen it, the overcast skies in the region on that day may have prevented people from spotting it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientist Ryan Volz is one of those agreeing with the meteor theory. The Earth is always passing through this sort of dust of sporadic meteoroids  [that are] mostly very small, dust-sized particles. Theyre creating meteor events that no one notices except scientists that try and look for them. But sometimes, you get these bigger meteoroids, and they create something that everybody notices, he says. (Related: Fragments of a rare meteorite shower small Brazilian town.)

Unexplained.news has more articles about mysterious events such as the one in New Hampshire.

Sources include:

StrangeSounds.org

EarthFiles.com

WMUR.com 1

WMUR.com 2
(Natural News) New York City emergency preparedness officials will be working alongside federal counterparts from the Department of Homeland Security in releasing non-toxic gas at 100-plus locations around the city in what is being characterized as a drill.

According to NBC New York, the Mass Transit Authority (MTA) and DHS say the objective is to test the citys and the federal governments response to a weapon of mass destruction attack, as well as the publics ability to recognize one.

Most of the locations will be above ground, including some parks. A number of below-ground subway stations will also be included, though details on which ones werent known, the outlet reported. The tests will be conducted on five separate days between Oct. 18 and 29.

The drill will simulate the aerosol release of a biological agent in a densely populated urban environment, the MTA said in a statement.

The study will track movement of non-toxic material and the results from these tests will be used to learn more about the relationship between airflow in street level and underground environments, the MTAs statement added.

Straphangers and other commuters should expect to see research teams operating throughout the city, the transit agency said.

The study is part of ongoing testing under the federal Urban Threat Dispersion program. New York City has been tested before, back in 2016, as have other major cities including Washington D.C. and Boston, NBC New York added.

According to the threat dispersion website, the project is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to enhance the resiliency of urban areas and transit systems against chemical and biological agents. It adds:

The results will directly benefit and inform outdoor, subway, and infrastructure modeling used by transit and emergency management officials as part of emergency response actions.

The test comes as former Trump administration officials grow increasingly concerned that Joe Bidens inattentiveness to world affairs is empowering our enemies.

I think the world is very worried, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News. I think they see the first nine months, and they are very concerned that America is leaving the international stage.

At its very core, what the Biden administration fails to understand is there is a harsh reality out there, that there is evil and there is good, Pompeo added. And if you withdraw from Afghanistan without considering the ramifications and dealing with them and making sure the conditions are right, America will be diminished.

If you dont make clear that youre going to be an unbreakable ally of the state of Israel, then the Iranians will provide rockets to Hamas in the Gaza Strip and they will fire them into the state of Israel, he noted further. And if you dont understand that American energy is an incredibly powerful national security tool, and instead, you shut it down and give the Russians access to European markets, and beg the Middle East to build more production capacity, you put America at risk.

Those are just indisputable facts. That is the reality of the world that we live in, and the Trump administration was serious about using American power as a force for good in the world against the backdrop of reality, he added.

The botched, deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan was the worst, Pompeo said, because it showed U.S. weakness and it empowered terrorists who would be most likely to pull off an attack like the one being simulated in New York City this month.

He went on to describe it as a failure of America to respond, to make clear that thats unacceptable, and then the ultimate collapse of the Afghan government, as we, for some reason, oddly, closed Bagram, pulled out most of our military forces while we still had, or still have dozens if not hundreds of Americans behind, what is today, enemy lines.

The world is looking for American leadership, he continued. They are looking for a president who is prepared to take real action to defend the things they articulated as important.

Sources include:

YahooNews.com

NBCNewYork.com

NationalSecurity.news
(Natural News) A new poll has shown that only 37 percent of American parents agree to having their children, aged 5 to 11 years old, vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Meanwhile, 35 percent are opposed to having their children injected with experimental vaccines, and only 10 percent of vaccinated parents will insist upon them.

The survey from YouGov notes that 26 percent of parents are undecided about COVID-19 vaccination, and more than 60 percent of adults are not committed to having their children vaccinated against a virus that has allegedly killed over 700,000 Americans.

Vaccine-reluctant parents cite the possible side effects, distrust of the government and scientists and a lack of thorough testing as their main concerns. Many parents who have been inoculated have also said that they dont want their children to receive the vaccines.

This information is consistent with a poll completed by the Kaiser Family Foundation, which shows that only 34 percent of American parents plan to vaccinate their school children as soon as a vaccine for the 5 to 11 age group is authorized.

Government insists on vaccinating children despite risks

Around 500 American children have died from COVID-19 since recording began in May 2020, with the vast majority of childhood cases being mild. However, government advisors still insist that vaccines are thoroughly tested and safe despite being linked to serious and potentially deadly heart inflammation, especially among young men.

Anthony Fauci, the countrys leading infectious disease bureaucrat, has also put out a message for parents who are reluctant to inoculate their children.

We are seeing now, very clearly if you go to pediatric hospitals, that although this risk is less than the adults, there are children in hospital who are getting seriously ill, Fauci says. He adds that some children are suffering from long-term health issues because of the virus. (Related: VACCINE PREDATORS: Fauci thinks it is a good idea for schools to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for children.)

Some states have announced plans to mandate vaccination for schoolchildren.

Governor Gavin Newsom of California says that all elementary through high school students should be required to get vaccinated once it is given final approval from the government. We want to end this pandemic. We are all exhausted by it, he says.

Some parents have expressed dissent, saying that they would rather move their children to a different state than comply with the vaccine requirement in California.

Parents wary of COVID-19 vaccine

As Big Pharma companies race to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines, many are still wary due to the shot getting approved at record speed during a highly politicized pandemic. Schools, which are almost certainly going to require students to get vaccinated, could potentially set the stage for a showdown between reluctant parents and officials.

Michelle Vargas of Granite City, Illinois, has always vaccinated her 10-year-old daughter, Madison. They both get annual flu shots. But when a vaccine for the coronavirus eventually comes out, Vargas will not be giving it to her daughter.

There is no way in hell I would be playing politics with my daughters health and safety, says Vargas, 36, an online fitness instructor. If Madisons school says the vaccine is mandatory, we would find other options, she says.

The decisions to require COVID-19 vaccination in schools will be made at the state and school district levels.

While all 50 states require student vaccinations, most also allow exemptions, such as that for medical reasons and those based on religious grounds. Moreover, 15 states allow philosophical exemptions for people who object to immunizations on personal, moral or other grounds.

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has said that COVID-19 vaccines for children will not likely be widely available until later.

Get more updates about vaccine mandates at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.uk

KFF.org

NBCNews.com
(Natural News) Ghost Robotics, maker of four-legged robots for the military, has teamed up with SWORD International to build a mechanical dog that is capable of carrying a remote-controlled rifle on its back.

The robot dog called Special Purpose Unmanned Rifle (SPUR) has a 6.5 mm Creedmoor rifle from SWORD attached to its back. The SPUR has made its debut at the Association of the U.S. Armys main annual convention in Washington, D.C.

Ghost Robotics has also partnered with other companies to explore defense and security applications for its quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGVs), but SPUR appears to be the first to successfully mount a weapon.

Other examples of unarmed Q-UGVs are already in limited use in the U.S. Air Forces 325th Security Forces Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, where they are being tested by other units in the service.

The configuration of the 6.5 mm gun in the SPUR module is unclear. In terms of the weapon itself, SWORD offers derivatives of the gun model as well as similar but larger caliber guns. The weapon used in the SPUR module looks like it could have a sound suppressor fitted to the front end, which could make it more difficult for opponents to determine its location.

While the 6.5 mm Creedmoor is not currently in widespread use by the military or any other security forces in the United States or elsewhere, the Special Operations Command is in the process of acquiring light ammunition of this caliber. Testing has shown that this gun model actually offers increased range over various 7.62x51mm cartridges that are currently available to the U.S. special operations community.

Ghost Robotics also said that SPUR is capable to fire with precision up to 1,200 meters or 3,940 feet. It also features impressive stabilization capabilities due to its quadrupedal design.

As for targeting, the SPUR module has its own sighting system using software that could be used to enable a human to aim at targets and engage with them with the robots rifle. The Air Force is already in discussion regarding the operation of the Q-UGV from its centralized command facilities through virtual reality headsets.

Additional autonomy for weaponized robot dogs

SPUR could also be programmed to have additional autonomy, potentially employing artificial intelligence-driven capabilities to detect or lock-on potential threats. However, an operator ultimately has to give the approval before it can shoot. (Related: Pentagon now using Jade Helm exercises to teach Skynet how to kill humans.)

Regardless, giving the Q-UGV a weapon of its own can offer a way to prosecute any target that it may come across. This could be valuable if the robot dogs can get into tight spaces that can present significant risks to their human handlers. The gun could also give it the option of engaging threats at more extended ranges, making it highly advantageous for perimeter security tasks in expeditionary scenarios or for scouting and other urban warfare military operations.

Air Force Major Jordan Criss, head of the 325th Security Forces Squadron, says: These dogs will be an extra set of eyes and ears while computing large amounts of data at strategic locations throughout Tyndall Air Force Base. They will be a huge enhancement for our defenders and allow flexibility in the posting and response of our personnel.

Arming these robots adds a new tier of capability for unmanned systems as it could increase their flexibility when used in different roles. However, the ramifications of the use of these robot dogs are not yet known.

Many academics and journalists have said something about warfare changing with increased gamification, such as using Xbox controllers as Boeing High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator did in a test for the U.S. military. It can also cover a greater distance between targets on the battlefield.

Read more about military technology and how artificial intelligence can be weaponized at MilitaryTech.news.

Sources include:

TheDrive.com

Independent.co.uk
(Natural News) Hundreds of thousands of U.S. service members are still unvaccinated or remain partially vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) despite the Pentagons first compliance deadlines drawing near.

Overall, the militarys vaccination rate has climbed since August, when the Department of Defense (DOD) leaders informed 2.1 million troops that immunization is mandatory, exceptions would be rare and those who refuse would be punished. However, the troops responses have been unpredictable.

For instance, 90 percent of active-duty Navy personnel are fully vaccinated, but only 72 percent of the Marine Corps members are. The Air Force has over 60,000 personnel with three weeks to meet the DOD deadline.

Over 246,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported among service members during the pandemic and over 2,200 have been hospitalized.

According to military officials, the staggered deadlines for compliance can help explain the variance in vaccination rates. As the dates approach, the numbers rise quickly as the majority of troops carry out their orders. Thousands of troops have already begun their two-shot regimens, and 98 percent of active-duty sailors have received at least one dose.

However, other services are not on a steady path. Critics say that large gaps between vaccination deadlines jeopardize how ready the military can be in crisis. Specifically, they point to the National Guard, which has been called upon in numerous emergencies over the last two years. Many members of the National Guard are still refusing to get vaccinated. (Related: Members of the military plan to RESIGN if coronavirus vaccines are mandated.)

Less than half of National Guard and Reserve troops are fully vaccinated

The National Guard and Reserves are comprised of over 522,000 soldiers, which is roughly a quarter of the entire U.S. military. They account for nearly 40 percent of the 62 service-member deaths due to the virus. Barely 40 percent of troops are fully vaccinated, and active-duty Army personnel who are facing a Dec. 15 deadline, stand at an 81 percent vaccination rate.

The rise in military infections, hospitalizations and deaths mirror the summer surge in the United States as the delta variant became the dominant strain.

With the pandemic, wildfires and civil unrest happening over the past year, the DOD and governors across the country have mobilized the National Guard and Reserve troops for duty more than any other time since World War II.

The service members, who are typically older than their active-duty counterparts, are exposed to the virus more often than the full-time troops who live and work on insulated military installations.

Lieutenant Colonel Terence M. Kelley, an Army spokesman, has defended the June 2022 deadline for its Guard and Reserve units, saying that the date reflects how large the organizations are, relative to other services and military reserve components.

Half of Army reservists dont live near military health clinics that could administer the vaccine. We expect all unvaccinated soldiers to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Individual soldiers are required to receive the vaccine when available, Kelley says. The June deadline also allows reserve component units necessary time to update records and process exemption requests.

Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, says that the Armys deadlines for its reserve units are jarring and could affect its ability to mobilize troops quickly.

I think the Army needs to take this seriously and their effort to explain away the problem is irresponsible. Youre allowing a lot of room for people not to be deployable, he says.

Get more updates about vaccines compliance in the military at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

CTPost.com

News.Yahoo.com
Mount Cumbre Vieja erupts spewing out a column of smoke, ash and lava as seen from Los Llanos de Aridane on the Canary island of La Palma on September 19, 2021. - The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Spain's Canary Islands today spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity, sparking evacuations of people living nearby, authorities said. Cumbre Vieja straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island and has erupted twice in the 20th century, first in 1949 then again in 1971. (Photo : Photo by DESIREE MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

The largest earthquake in Spain, a 4.5-magnitude earthquake, hits Madrid 26 days (about 3 and a half weeks) after the volcanic eruption La Palma began.

According to Spain's National Geographic Institute, the tremor was one of about 60 recorded, as the Cumbre Vieja volcano continued to unleash lava rivers that are devouring everything within their path and throwing molten rock into the Atlantic Ocean.

La Palma's 4.5 Magnitude Earthquake





La Palma is part of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa whose economy is based on tourism and the production of the Canary plantain.

Around 300 more residents were forced to flee their homes early Thursday as molten lava flows from the Cumbre Vieja volcano threatened to swallow another section of La Palma.

People residing between the villages of Tazacorte and La Laguna were given a few hours to gather their possessions and pets and travel to a meeting location by emergency services.

The flow went through the communities of El Paraiso and Todoque before reaching the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast on Tuesday night, causing fears of explosions and hazardous gas discharge.

As the red-hot current, which reached 1,000 degrees C (1,830 degrees F), contacted the water in the Playa Nueva region, clouds of white vapor rose.

The outflow of molten magma from three rivers widened to 1.7 kilometers (a mile), according to the government of La Palma.

Authorities said hard, black lava has covered 640 hectares (1,580 acres (about the area of Philadelphia Airport)) on the island's western side, but the rest of la Palma remains untouched. More than 1,500 structures have been partially or totally damaged by the lava, however timely evacuations have so far averted deaths. Over 6,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes.

Also read: 800 Evacuees Fear for Their Lives and Homes as Volcanic Lava Threatened to Engulf Their Town

Earthquake Threat in Spain





The earthquake risk in Spain is categorized as medium. This indicates that in the next 50 years, there is a 10% risk of destructive earthquake shaking.

In the Iberian Peninsula, between 1,200 and 1,400 earthquakes are observed each year. They usually score no higher than 4.9 on the Richter scale, with 5.0 or higher occurring once every three and a half years or so.

The last big earthquake in Spain occurred on February 28, 1969, when a 7.8-magnitude tremor on neighboring Portugal's Cape St. Vincent destroyed numerous houses in the southern Spanish province of Huelva.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake beneath Arenas del Rey, in Granada province, killed 839 people, destroyed 4,400 houses, and damaged 13,000 others on Christmas Day in 1884.

According to the IGN, on November 1, 1755, an 8.5-magnitude earthquake struck southwest of Cape St. Vincent, causing a 15-meter wave that swept Western Europe and northern Africa, marking the worst quake-related catastrophe in Spanish history. This event became known as the Lisbon earthquake because of the devastation it produced in the Portuguese city, which claimed the lives of an estimated 15,000 people, although it also impacted the Spanish provinces of Huelva and Cadiz.

Also read: Halting Global Warming May Make a Huge Difference in Rising Sea Levels
Since the middle of September, eruptions of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma have devastated significant swathes of the territory, leaving massive quantities of lava and ash on the ground. However, one type of island dweller had been overlooked for the last month: the canines.

Drone Delivers Food to Stranded Dogs in La Palma Island

Several abandoned canines were recently discovered roaming a walled-in yard coated in ash in the village of Todoque. Reaching the hungry puppies was hard due to the nearby lava flow - until two local firms stepped in with life-saving drones.

Since Saturday, the two firms, Ticom Soluciones and Volcanic Life have employed drones to provide food and water to the dogs, and the companies claim they will continue to do so as long as the weather permits.

Related Article: Experts Debunked Fears of Mega-Tsunami Coming to East Coast Due to La Palma Volcanic Eruption



Lava Blocking the Path

The lava has devastated everything in its path to the Atlantic Ocean, but it has spared a few regions by forming "islands" of land that have escaped damage.

According to Newsweek, La Palma's councilor of security and emergencies, Nieves Rosa Arroyo, said officials became aware of the animals' plight last week and subsequently commissioned the firms to assist.

Related Article: Experts Warn of 'Explosions and Toxic Gases' if Lava From Volcanic Eruption in Canary Islands Reach Atlantic Ocean

Using the Drones

Visibility must be sufficient for the drone pilots to drop the goods to operate the drones safely. Drones may also be unable to fly due to strong winds.

According to meteorologists, calm weather will persist over the island until at least early next week, allowing the drones to continue delivering food and water to the dogs.

The volcano erupted for the first time on September 19 and showed no signs of slowing down. According to Reuters, over 6,000 people have been forced to abandon their houses, with an additional 300 forced to flee their homes early on Thursday.

According to Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which produces mapping products based on satellite images, lava has already covered roughly 1,680 acres (680 hectares) and damaged 1,548 structures.

EMSR546 #ErupcionLaPalma



Our #RapidMappingTeam has released its 20th updated product for #LaPalma#CumbreVieja eruption using a radar image acquired on 13 October at 06:50 UTC



Extent of thelava flow: 680.4 ha (+24.4 ha in 24h)

1,548 destroyed buildingsdetected (+90) pic.twitter.com/lxX8PlLkep  Copernicus EMS (@CopernicusEMS) October 14, 2021

Eruption Rate

The eruption's lava has spilled into the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in approximately 100 acres (40 hectares) of new land.

The eruption earlier in October caused a phenomenon known as gravity wave clouds when it pushed a jet of heated gas far into the atmosphere.

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, a volcano continues to release lava behind a shrine on the Canary island of La Palma, Spain. On its journey to the Atlantic Ocean, a fresh lava torrent from an erupting volcano threatened to swallow yet another neighborhood. On Tuesday, island officials ordered the evacuation of around 800 residents from a portion of the coastal town when the lava changed direction and put their homes in danger of destruction.

Also Read: Satellite Images Show Europe's Most Active Volcano Mt. Etna as it Erupts for 50th Time This Year

For more news updates about what's happening to our environment, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Footage of a woman along with her two friends on a small plane flying 27 puppies so they will be saved from being euthanised has gone viral.

The Viral Video

Cassandra Bergeron, a dog-lover who stuffed the puppies into a small plane, flying them from Alabama to Florida so they can be save from being euthanised recorded the video.

As per a report in The Daily Mail, the TikTok video has gotten more than 13.4 million views. The caption of the post is "Guess how many puppies we rescued?" The video shows Cassandra Bergeron sitting with some puppies close to the pilot, while her friends were with the others at the back of the plane.

When Ms Bergeron was speaking to Daily Paws she said she kept on smiling all through. She said, "I was in pure bliss. I didn't want to land."

The video was made on the 29th of September when Ms Bergeron and her friends were called by a pilot friend to save the animals.

Also Read: WATCH: Adorable Dog Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean Gets Rescued!

The Journey

The women got in touch with Michael Young, a pilot who is also a professor at University of Central Florida. As a part of the Alabama Puppy Rescue Flights, Mr Young has come to the rescue of more than 7,000 shelter dogs, reported The Daily Mail.

Bergeron said that the animals were happy to see the women after they arrived, the puppies even played with them until boarding time.

The women did not pack or carry anything that occupied a lot of space so the plane will fit the puppies.

The video was made during their fight of about 45 minutes from the animal shelter located in Enterprise, Alabama, to Florida where the animals were given to rescue volunteers who carried tham to the shelters in Orlando.

Newsweek reported that families have been adopted all the puppies.

Social Media Users React to the Video

Due to overcrowding, a lot of southern states in the US have been compelled to humanely put animals to death in shelters.

About 44,000 social media users left their comment on the touching viral video.

@kelschecht.art commented: "Are you trying to tell me being on a plane filled with dozens of puppies is an option in life? I'm signing up."

@TxTikTokKt said: "They must be flying...FUR-st class.....ok I'll see myself out."

@Maybee comment said: "Somewhere in the sky there might be a plane full of puppies, such a comforting thought."

Puppies weigh about 22 lb and they usually live in a small backyard. They are always happy to see people. The best thing about puppies is how sweet they are.

In order for your puppy to learn how to behave correctly in certain situations, you have to be consistent with their training sessions and take them for walks regularly so that they feel comfortable being around other dogs.

Related Article: 205 China Dogs, Meant for Meat Trade, Rescued to Arrive in US for Adoption

For more news, updates about dogs and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
In the last two years, lawmakers have paid nearly $10 million to many of the same law firms and lawyers making contributions to wage all types of legal battles.
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Walgreens issued a statement saying vaccine mix-ups are rare after an Indiana family said their two young children got two full adult doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine instead of influenza shots.

Speaking to 14News, Alexandra and Joshua Price said a Walgreens in Evansville, Indiana, administered the COVID-19 vaccines to their two young children, aged 4 and 5, on Oct. 5. The Pfizer vaccine isnt approved by the Food and Drug Administration for children under the age of 12.

Walgreens called me to say there was a mix-up, we did not receive the flu shot, Alexandra Price told the local news outlet. And Im like well what did we get? And he was like we got the COVID-19 shot  And instantly I was like, Well what does this mean for my kids?'

A lawyer for the family, Daniel Tuley, told the outlet that both children were taken to a pediatric cardiologist. The family was told that both kids were showing signs of heart trouble.

The children have experienced a number of adverse effects since receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Fever, body aches, cough, headaches, and nausea are among the symptoms the children are experiencing, Tuley said in a statement to news outlets. The 4- and 5-year-old are also under treatment of a pediatric cardiologist for tachycardia and elevated blood pressure, respectively.

The family said the younger child became sick with a fever and a cough and the older child developed a fever.

Lukas started feeling sick before we even got home from Walgreens, Price said, referring to her son, CNN reported.

On Tuesday after a follow-up appointment, Alexandra said her sons condition had improved but her daughters condition is worsening.

Her blood pressure is in the 98th percentile and she continues to have no energy, Price said, referring to her daughter Sophia.

Walgreens issued statements to several news outlets about the incident, describing such mix-ups as uncommon.

Generally speaking, such instances are rare, and Walgreens takes these matters very seriously, Walgreens said in a statement. In the event of any error, our first concern is always our patients well-being.

The pharmacy chain also said, Our multi-step vaccination procedure includes several safety checks to minimize the chance of human error and we have reviewed this process with our pharmacy staff in order to prevent such occurrences.

Walgreens did not elaborate on how the mix-up could have occurred. The Epoch Times has contacted both Walgreens and Pfizer for comment.

In September, a Wallgreens in Fresno, California, also mistakenly injected a COVID-19 vaccine instead of a flu shot.

By Jack Phillips

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter at The Epoch Times based in New York.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
On Oct. 15, 2021, Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf attended the inauguration of Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra's new concert hall organ in the Gothenburg Concert Hall. Professor Hans Davidsson, chairman of the Gothenburg International Organ Academy, played the organ and told about its origins and unique functions.

The instrument, built by Rieger Orgelbau, together with an international group of organ experts, combines tradition with new technology and innovation. The organ is the only one in the world that has a separate bass organ under the audience's feet with 40 large bass pipes. The organ was named "The Queen of Instruments"

Thanks to the collaboration between the real estate company Higab, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Gothenburgs international organ academy, Gothenburg now has a new world-class concert hall organ.

On October 15, Queen Silvia of Sweden attended the inauguration of Queen Silvia Children's Hospital in Gothenburg. NCC has built a new and modern childrens hospital directly connected to Queen Silvia Hospital for Children and Young People in Gothenburg.

The new building is an extension of the hospital built in the 1960s, the two buildings are connected via a colorful glass corridor in three storeys. The new building spans over nine floors, is 33 000 square metres large with new premises for rehabilitation, surgery, intensive care and administration.

The Foundation for Queen Silvia Childrens Hospital is a non-profit organisation that is fundraising money to improve life quality and wellbeing of children, young people and their families at Swedens largest childrens hospital.
Champaign Police officers stand by during a ceremony to award the Medal of Valor and Purple Heart Awards the family of Officer Chris Oberheim, who was killed in the line of duty in May, and his partner, Jeffrey Creel, who was wounded by gunfire on the same call.
Writes UI political science Professor Brian Gaines: "First reviews of the new Illinois map stress that it is meant to elect 14 Democrats and only three Republicans. As blue as Illinois has become over recent years, it is not 82 percent Democratic."
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.
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Counties that banned in-person religious gatherings and those with a greater number of hospitals per capita were associated with a decreased case-fatality rate of COVID-19 during the pandemics first wave, according to a new University of Michigan study.

On the other hand, counties with high prevalence of asthma and a greater concentration of people over 65 were linked to higher fatality rates, the analysis showed.

This study, published in PLOS ONE, was completed as part of the COVID-19 Dispersed Volunteer Research Network and was presented at the World Microbe Forum, a collaborative virtual meeting conference hosted by the American Society for Microbiology and the Federation of European Microbiological Societies, earlier this year.

Our work provides insights that may help officials target public health interventions and health care resources to locations that are at increased risk of COVID-19 fatalities in subsequent waves. Jess Millar, graduate research assistant, U-M departments of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, and of Epidemiology

Millar and colleagues looked at public data from 3,000 counties to do the risk factor analysis of demographic, socioeconomic and health-related variables during the first wave of the pandemic (March 28 to June 12, 2020). The case-fatality rate was defined as the number of deaths divided by the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Researchers found a reduction in case-fatality rates of:

32% per additional hospital per 10,000 people

13% if religious gatherings were banned

1.5% per 1% increase in the proportion of population without health insurance

0.79% per 1% increase in the proportion of mobile homes

They saw an increase in case-fatality rates of:

9.5% per 1% increase in asthma prevalence

4.5% increase per 1% increase in population over age 65

3.2% per one additional hospital

0.97% per 1% increase in Black or African American population
Shirley Temple Smith, 82, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Columbia, Kentucky, and was a loving wife and mother. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Russel Smith. Survivors include her sons, David Smith (Jennifer) of
(Newser)  "Sometimes, I get the feeling that some years aheadin 30, 40, 50 years, I don't know how manythey will look at us like monsters. Theyll see us all as monsters because we just let people die this way." It's a powerful quote that Martin Zamora gave to the New York Times, which decided to profile the man it dubs the "body collector of Spain." Zamora owns a funeral parlor in Algeciras, near Gibraltar, and has found a grim but necessary niche since 1999: returning home the bodies of migrants who don't succeed in their journey across the Mediterranean to Spain. The 61-year-old says he has managed to get more than 800 bodies home. It's no easy task, between convincing municipal officials to hand him a body and connecting with smugglers to track down relatives.

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The identification alone is a mass challenge. "It can be hard to identify someones face," he says. "But a shoe, a jersey, a T-shirtsuddenly a family member will recognize it." He recounts how his pursuit began in 1999, when he was hired by the local government to bury 16 migrants' bodies and found a phone number in one of the victims' pockets. It led him to a relative in Morocco, and Zamora then traveled there with personal effects from the others; he identified all of them. The challenge doesn't end once the connection is made. Zamora charges a minimum of $3,500 to repatriate a body, but the families of most victims have little; the Times speaks with the imam of one Algeciras mosque who collects funds to assist the families. (Read the full story for much more on Zamora's seemingly endless work.)
(Newser)  "How many people can say they know a serial killer and everyone that he killed?" It's a chilling question that a resident of the Carter G. Woodson Houses in Brooklyn poses in a lengthy piece by New York Magazine about the killings that took place there over a series of years. As Greg Donahue explains, the block-long complex is tough to get into: It's one of just 38 public-housing developments in NYC open only to seniors, but that doesn't mean it's a particularly safe place. The Woodson Houses were in a rough neighborhood; security was lax, and there were no surveillance cameras. At first, their absence didn't seem problematic after Myrtle McKinney was found dead in her apartment on Nov. 9, 2015: Police suspected she had fallen and hit her head and deemed it the result of natural causes.

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Her children disagreed. Though there was no sign of forced entry, the body was positioned far enough under the table that a fall seemed improbable. They urged the NYPD to take another look, with no results, and they didn't have the $15,000 an autopsy would cost (the city wouldn't pay since she wasn't considered a crime victim). Roughly a month later, McKinney's body was finally moved to a funeral home to be prepared for burialand that's when the long gash on the back of her neck was discovered. After a call to police, that autopsy finally took place and confirmed she had been stabbed in the neck. The investigation went nowhereher apartment had long since been cleaned out. Ditto the calls for a CCTV system or better security. Then in early 2019, Jacolia James was found strangled to death. (Read the full piece for more on the third murder, the suspect who lived among them, and the residents' uphill battle with NYC for protection.)
(Newser)  Hannah Gadsby is having none of it from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. Sarandos defended leaving Dave Chappelles controversial special The Closer on the streaming platform in a memo to employees. That memo read, in part, We are working hard to ensure marginalized communities arent defined by a single story. So we have Sex Education, Orange is the New Black, Control Z, Hannah Gadsby and Dave Chappelle all on Netflix. And Gadbsy was not thrilled to be named as part of Sarandos diversity cred. In an Instagram post with language too salty to quote in its entirety, the Australian comedian said, Just a quick note to let you know that I would prefer if you didnt drag my name into your mess.

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She went on to say Sarandos opened the door for Chappelles fans to vent their anger to her. You didnt pay me nearly enough to deal with the real world consequences of the hate speech dog whistling you refuse to acknowledge, Ted. She went on to make a joke about producing poop with more backbone than the businessman, closing by saying, Thats just a joke! I definitely didnt cross a line because you just told the world there isnt one. Gadsby has two specials on the platform, Nanette and Douglas.

Netflix stood by Chappelle and his special, but did not stand by an employee who leaked financial information about the special. Details about production costs for The Closer were shared outside the company, and the person who did the sharing has been fired, the Wall Street Journal reports. We understand the employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company, a spokesperson for the company said. A thousand employees are planning a walkout next week to protest the company's position. (Read more Netflix stories.)
(Newser)  President Biden's camp is going all in for support of Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, but one member of that team is now getting dinged for not lying low. Reuters reports that the nonprofit watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has called for an Office of Special Counsel ethics investigation into White House press secretary Jen Psaki, claiming she may have breached the Hatch Act with her words on McAuliffe from the White House podium. The 1939 act "limits certain political activities of federal employees," including campaigning, though the president and vice president don't fall under that umbrella.

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Psaki's alleged infraction took place during a presser on Thursday, when she noted, "We're going to do everything we can to help former Governor McAuliffe, and we believe in the agenda he's representing." McAuliffe, who was Virginia's governor from 2014 to 2018, is running against GOPer Glenn Youngkin, who has earned the support of former President Donald Trump. "OSC should commence an immediate investigation ... and take any appropriate disciplinary action against Ms. Psaki," the complaint filed by CREW read.

CNN's Jake Tapper broached the subject with Psaki on Friday, and she conceded she'd erred. "I take ethics seriously," she noted. "So does the president, of course." Psaki also said it was a semantics issue that she'd be more cognizant of in the future. "As I understand it, if I had said 'he' instead of 'we,' that would not have been an issue at all," she said. "I'll be more careful with my words next time. Words certainly matter." Psaki isn't the only White House official, or even press secretary, to be hit with a CREW complaint in recent years.

The group claimed violations by multiple officials in the Trump administration, including against ex-press secretaries Sean Spicer, Sarah Sanders and Kayleigh McEnany, as well as against Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway. Reuters notes that Conway's violations were so egregious that the OSC recommended she be removed from federal service. CREW chief Noah Bookbinder acknowledged the contrast to Psaki's alleged breach in a release, noting her actions were nothing compared to "the outrageous offenses of the Trump administration." In a tweet, CREW also lauded Psaki and the Biden administration for "reaffirming their commitment to ethics and to the law, something all too rare in recent years." (Read more Jen Psaki stories.)
(Newser)  The number of snakes under a California house was a surprise to everyone, even the snake wrangler hired to deal with them. I found a total of 92 rattlesnakes under that houseI was tickled pink, Al Wolf, also the director of Sonoma County Reptile Rescue, told KGO. Not tickled pink was the owner of the house, who asked not to be named so as not to freak out her neighbors. She spotted a snake and called Wolf, who came out for free. Wolf does this a lot: He removes snakes from a house and takes them to the property of people who actually want rattlesnakes hanging around for pest control. What he doesnt see a lot of is a nest this size.

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His initial count was 59 babies and 22 adults, according to a Facebook post by the reptile rescue. He went back later to have another look and found 11 more snakes, bringing the total to 92. He also found a dead cat and a dead opossum, ABC News reports. Just in time for Halloween. The house was built on top of some rocks, which Wolf figures made it look like a cozy place for snakes to make a nest. He also thought the ongoing drought in the area could have sent them looking for a source of water.

Pulling nearly 100 snakes out from under a house might sound like grueling work to most people, but Wolf loves snakes. "Give me 300, as long as I can have enough containers, I'll do it all day long." There will probably be more, Wolf told NBC News. He expects the snakes will hibernate soon now that temperatures are dropping. Which might be reassuring for some people, but sounds more like an uneasy detente to others. Either way, Wolf will go back in April and do another check, he said. (Read more weird news stories.)
(Newser)  Three constable deputies were shot in an ambush early Saturday morning while working an extra shift at a Houston bar, leaving one deputy dead and two others wounded, authorities in Texas said. Authorities took one person into custody but were still searching for a man believed to be the shooter, Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief James Jones told reporters, per the AP.

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The Harris County constable deputies were working at the 45 North Bar and Lounge when they responded to a disturbance outside the business around 2:15am, Jones said. They were trying to arrest someone when another person with a rifle ambushed them and opened fire on the deputies from behind, Jones said, according to preliminary information from the scene.

One deputy was shot in the back and another was shot in the foot, said Mark Herman, constable of Harris County Precinct 4. The third deputy was pronounced dead at the hospital. It was unclear whether the deputies returned fire, Jones said. He said Houston police were still investigating, but authorities believe the disturbance may have been a robbery that the constables stopped.

Constables are licensed peace officers who perform various law enforcement functions, according to the Texas Association of Counties. "Probably one of the toughest days of my career," Herman said at an early Saturday presser, per Click2Houston. "I got a father in there that I had to talk to, a wife that I had to talk to, I got two deputies [in surgery]. This is going to affect them for the rest of their lives." A person of interest was taken into custody at the scene, but authorities weren't certain whether the person was a suspect or a witness. (Read more shooting stories.)
(Newser)  Standing outside the building defended by Capitol Police on Jan. 6, President Biden on Saturday honored officers killed in the line of duty. The annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Washington recognized those killed in 2019 and 2020, and their families, the Hill reports. "I've been coming to this memorial for 40 years, missed a couple, and I've spoken to too many police memorials around the country," Biden said, "and it always amazes me how the public doesn't fully understand what we expect of our law enforcement officers."

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In his speech, Biden addressed:

The demands of the job . The nation counts on officers to "take a bullet," find criminals, and act as a psychologist in domestic disputes, he said. "Being a cop today is one hell of a lot harder than it's ever been," Biden added, per Axios.

. The nation counts on officers to "take a bullet," find criminals, and act as a psychologist in domestic disputes, he said. "Being a cop today is one hell of a lot harder than it's ever been," Biden added, per Axios. Solutions . Unless the conditions in which police operate change, he warned, "We're going to have trouble having enough women and men come forward who want to do the job." That includes improving social services, he said, such as health care, counseling, housing, and education, "so there is not the discord."

. Unless the conditions in which police operate change, he warned, "We're going to have trouble having enough women and men come forward who want to do the job." That includes improving social services, he said, such as health care, counseling, housing, and education, "so there is not the discord." Legislation. Biden listed gun control measures he supports, well as reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. He didn't directly mention the movement for police changes that followed the killing of George Floyd, but he thanked the Fraternal Order of Police for working with him, per NPR. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is not going anywhere in Congress right now.

Loss . Last year was the deadliest on record for law enforcement officers, the president said, and he expressed empathy to families of fallen officers. "Your pain is America's pain," he said. Biden ordered flags flown at half-staff for the day.

. Last year was the deadliest on record for law enforcement officers, the president said, and he expressed empathy to families of fallen officers. "Your pain is America's pain," he said. Biden ordered flags flown at half-staff for the day. The Capitol riot. Biden said officers defeated the attack on "a nation's values and our votes," adding, "Because of you, democracy survived. But only because of you."

(Read more President Biden stories.)
Agencies | Kabul

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Friday had turned out deadly again for Afghans who hoped to pray peacefully amid the hardships brought forth by the US withdrawal and quick Taliban takeover.

At least 35 people lost their lives, and 68 suffered injuries in a massive explosion that tore through a mosque in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar during Friday prayers. It is also the second deadly attack in a week against worshippers.

The blast, claimed by Islamic State militants last week at a mosque in the northern city of Kunduz, had killed as high as 80 worshippers. Eyewitnesses had described three suicide attackers, one of whom blew himself up at the entrance to the mosque with the two others detonating their devices inside the building.

The situation is very bad. Mirwais hospital is messaging and calling on young people to give blood, he said, referring to a local hospital where dead and injured had been taken.

Photographs and mobile phone footage posted by journalists on social media showed many people apparently dead or seriously wounded on the bloody floor of the Imam Bargah mosque.

A health official gave figures of 33 dead and 73 wounded and said the final total could be higher. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Interior ministry spokesman Qari Saeed Khosti of the ruling Taliban movement said authorities were collecting details.

Taliban special forces arrived to secure the site and appealed to residents to donate blood for the wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said security forces had been ordered to capture the perpetrators and bring them to justice under Islamic law.

Heinous Terrorist Act, says Bahrain

Bahrain condemned in the strongest terms the suicide bombings in an Afghan mosque in Kandahar. Terming the attack as a heinous terrorist act, Bahrains Foreign Ministry statement said the attack contradicts all religious and moral norms and principles.

Bahrain expressed deep condolences and sympathy to the victims families and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.

Bahrain said it rejects violence, extremism and terrorism in all forms and called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism and dry up its funding sources.


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In Brookfield, a police officer attends school board meetings to ensure everyone stays calm during discussions on mask wearing.

Nurses in neighboring Bethel have endured verbal hostility for implementing guidance from the health department, the superintendent said.

These communities are among many across the country where the public has been antagonistic toward school staff, board members or  in one local case  a student.

Its just not OK, said Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. Our kids are watching us, and that is not something that we want to have them model. Public discourse is incredibly important, but it has to be done with respect and civility.

In Brookfields case, COVID-19 protocols have caused the tension. Other communities in the state and country have seen hostility over claims that critical race theory is taught in schools, experts said. Bethels problems largely stem from misinformation on social media.

In Easton, Redding and Region 9, Superintendent Rydell Harrison departed last summer after less than a year leading the districts. He had been criticized by local residents for his role in diversity initiatives and his condemnation of the Jan. 6 insurrection. The school board had blamed COVID and other challenges for his resignation. As Guilford schools equity liaison, hes been criticized yet again.

This is a small minority of people, but theyre very vocal, Rabinowitz said.

The stress of the coronavirus pandemic may have contributed to the flare ups, officials said.

This is part of what I consider the problems as a consequence of COVID and people being forced to stay home, possibly losing their jobs and seeing less activity economically and probably socially, said Robert Rader, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

State and nationwide problem

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has condemned the disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence toward school officials. Earlier this month, he told the FBI and U.S. attorneys across to coordinate with local law enforcement to address the issue.

Garlands directive followed the National School Board Associations letter to President Joe Biden asking for federal law enforcements help with threats school officials have faced over COVID protocols and propaganda purporting the false inclusion of critical race theory.

Connecticut hasnt had as many incidents as school boards in other parts of the country, Rader said.

We have boards and superintendents who understand their responsibility and will make sure that the publics work is done, he said.

Some school districts in the area, such as Danbury and Ridgefield, did not report problems.

Danbury has done an excellent job in informing parents, keeping parents aware of whats going on within the district concerning their children, school board Chair Gladys Cooper said.

Rabinowitz said shes heard about these problems particularly in southwestern Connecticut, but its affected at least 10 school districts in various parts of the state.

All of it is troubling, but some of it is alarming, she said.

She attended one school board meeting where someone screamed for the superintendent to be fired. At another, a man harassed a teacher and others at their cars, she said. Speakers during public comment sessions have ignored time limits and the board chair, raising their voices, Rabinowitz said.

The governor was escorted from a school forum in Cheshire in August because of anti-mask protesters. One even followed the governor to his car.

Police were called to school board meetings in Fairfield and Haddam over masks, while Branford Board of Education has started stationing a cop at its meetings to prevent disruptive behavior.

Meeting disruption

Brookfields school board ended a mid-September meeting early because anti-mask speakers took over public comment.

When people disagree, tensions typically rise, Superintendent John Barile said in an email.

Once the meeting adjourned, community members continued to shout, video from the meetings shows.

Were getting so angry, someone says off camera. Cant you guys tell that were fed up? Do something.

Community members shouted over each other as the vice chairman of the board tried to calm the group and a woman at the podium attempted to speak.

Ive tried my best to stay polite, the woman says.

Were talking about our kids, she continues. Im sorry if emotions are running high. I dont know what else to do at this point.

After the meeting, some parents followed the boards student representative to his car and got in his face about masks and vaccines, said Rosa Fernandes, chair of Brookfields board.

Thats completely unacceptable, she said.

The board has had police at its meetings since August, but the officer was out of the room at that moment, she said. The officer came in later, helping to calm the nerves of everybody, Fernandes said.

We think thats really helped to keep the order of the meetings, she said.

Some members of the public dont understand that the governor  not the local school board  has control over mask rules, Fernandes said.

Its been a loud minority that has caused issues, she said.

Were not trying to hamper free speech, she said. They can make comments at our meetings, but when it actually interferes with the work of running our district, thats really when it starts to break down.

In Bethel, public comment on masks have stayed civil, although school board chair Melanie OBrien said she understands why parents could get worked up.

As a parent, there is nothing that will get parents more emotionally charged than the health and safety of their child, she said.

Misinformation

Bethel Superintendent Christine Carver said some members of the public have been hostile or accusatory toward school officials based on inaccurate information.

For example, she woke recently to an email asking her if ...we have lost our minds?

The emailer was upset about a social media post claiming a student was sent home from school due to a dress code violation.

The incident didnt happen at Bethel High School, Carver said. The individual who posted the complaint apparently lives on the West Coast. But instead of checking facts, the emailer got angry.

Instead of just asking the simple question, Is it true? Or whats going on?, it becomes an accusation, Carver said. Its happening to my principals, its happening to me, its happening to my teachers.

Frustrations have spilled onto school property. Families have sworn at administrators directing traffic at a school, Carver said. Once, someone spit at an administrator, she said.

Carver acknowledged the traffic situation had been horrific.

But the poor person who is directing traffic cant help that 300 parents all tried to pick up their kids at the same time, she said.

COVID has heightened stress levels, she said.

But it doesnt meant that we shouldnt strive to be respectful, Carver said. Thats what we teach our kids, right?

Calming tensions

The superintendent association works with various partners, including teachers unions, school boards and the principals association, to develop strategies, policies and whatever it takes to address the issue, Rabinowitz said.

CABE has held workshops for boards on how to discuss divisive issues. Active listening is important, Rader said. Public comment should be permitted, but regulated, he said.

Youre required to give everybody the same amount of time to speak, to not defame anyone or otherwise cause a disruption to the meeting, he said.

A police presence may unfortunately be needed, Rabinowitz said.

Brookfield has a communication protocol online that explains who families should contact with a concern.

We have found that reminding all stakeholders about our long established district communication protocol to be quite helpful in resolving matters at the appropriate level of the organization, Barile said in an email.

Carver has urged parents not to assume social media posts are accurate and to contact the school about concerns, rather than sharing potentially false information online.

Assume good intentions, and lets talk about it, she said.

One way to combat misinformation is a new curriculum website showing what the schools are teaching, OBrien said.

In her newsletter, Carver asked parents to be respectful toward others.

In addition to staff, be nice to each other as parents and members of the community, she wrote. Model your conversations, emails, and social media engagement the way you would want your children to interact.
NEWTOWN  It was a test the Newtown Police Department didnt know it took until 500 body camera videos were reviewed from a two-month period in early 2020, and scores were awarded.

In one of the first known body-worn camera studies of its kind in the country, Newtown officers earned either an A or an A- for respectful language, for transparency in explaining police procedure, for fairness in handling responses, and for having a calming presence, the research shows.

What score did Newtown police get from the people who were assisted, stopped, questioned, ticketed and arrested in those 500 bodycam videos? Researchers scored the peoples overall feeling about the officers during those videoed interactions with police as a B, with 84 percent of the public appearing very satisfied with the encounter.

The outcome of the police-community interaction is less important to the person than the way they were treated said James McCabe, a retired New York City Police Department inspector and an associate professor of criminal justice at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, who conducted the study. Police body-worn cameras are as essential as the police officers car, radio and weapon.

Newtown police Chief James Viadero, who invited McCabe to conduct the body-worn camera study, said he was not surprised by the new data, because his officers practice a standard known as procedural justice, which emphasizes fairness, transparency, and respect in police interactions with the public.

Thats the most important thing here, Viadero said last week. I dont care who you are  nobody wants to get stopped, but the officer can address you as sir and treat you with respect.

Viadero was referring to a study presented earlier this month to the Police Commission that gave Newtown officers positive scores in 95 percent of the videos for respectful language, in 94 percent of the videos for fairness, in 92 percent of the videos for de-escalation and in 91 percent of the videos for transparency.

Among the incidents were 83 traffic stops, 80 vehicle accidents, 36 crime reports, 30 arrests, 23 disputes and seven complaints of suspicious activity, recorded in March and April of 2020. In four of the 500 bodycam videos, an officer used force  twice in separate encounters on the same man during a driving while intoxicated arrest. The man was described in the study as belligerent, disrespectful and hostile toward the officer.

Although officers here and across Connecticut know their body-worn cameras can be reviewed at any time, this is one of the first known studies where researchers have scored officers on procedural justice and escalation standards on a large scale.

The effect of such data, McCabe said, is far-reaching as a tool to evaluate officer conduct department-wide, as a mechanism for improved community trust and as a basis for more studies.

Its laying the foundation for the next iteration of studies, said McCabe, who plans to present the Newtown study at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences national conference in March. There is a lot of potential here.

Bodycams in the headlines

Newtowns body camera study follows headlines this summer about a lawsuit and disciplinary actions involving Danbury police officers after a recorded confrontation with a man shooting video at Danbury Library. One of the officers, who was recorded on police body camera footage saying to the videomaker that he would have been dead 20 years ago, faced an eight-day suspension without pay and remedial training.

Newtowns study comes at a time of heightened awareness about police relationships with communities they serve, partly because of widespread unrest and calls for reform in the wake of the George Floyd death at the hands of police last year. Connecticuts state legislature passed a landmark police reform bill last summer, for example, that strived to hold officers personally accountable for misconduct, among other measures.

There is nothing specifically in that bill that directs departments to use body-worn cameras to improve policing, other than the state policy that supervisors should audit bodycams, Viadero said.

Moreover, the Newtown study was commissioned before the May 25, 2020 slaying of Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis led to widespread civil unrest.

This idea came before that, said Viadero, an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University, who began discussing the study with his faculty colleague McCabe in early 2020. Transparency is always a concern, so we wanted to bring in an outside entity.

A member of Newtowns Police Commission commended Viadero for commissioning the study.

These are excellent tools for both sides to ensure there is a fair evaluation of any given interaction, said Neil Chaudhary. I think the chief is being very proactive with this.

McCabe, a member of a monitor team that was appointed to oversee the reform process of the New York City Police Department when a federal court found its stop, question and frisk policy unconstitutional, said the more departments that use body-worn camera to their advantage, the better policing will be.

We know that police overall do an excellent job in our communities, McCabe said. We also know were better when were being watched.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday called a high-level meeting at his residence in Chandigarh over the incident at Singhu border where a body of a man with hands and legs chopped off, was found hanging on a police barricade. The Chief Minister ordered strict and fair action against the guilty and said, The guilty will not be spared. Home Minister Anil Vij, state Director General of Police and other top officials were present in the meeting.



Earlier on Friday, a corpse of a man, with hands and legs chopped off, was found hanging on a police barricade at the farmers protest site near the Singhu border, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hansraj. The man has been identified as Lakhbir Singh resident of village Cheema Khurd in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. The deceased, about 35-36 years old, who used to work as a labourer, has no criminal record or affiliation with any political party, informed the police.



Haryana Police on Friday detained one person in Sonipat in connection with the Singhu border incident.
The former aide of Jayalalithaa visited the memorial for the first time since her return from jail in January this year. This comes after the AIADMK lost the assembly and the local body polls.

Former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala on Saturday paid floral tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers J Jayalalithaa at her memorial at the Marina Beach here. This comes a day ahead of the golden jubilee celebration of the founding of the AIADMK party. Sasikala also offered prayers at the Srinivasa Perumal temple in T Nagar on her way to the Jayalalithaa memorial. The car in which Sasikala reached Jayalalithaas memorial had the AIADMK flag on it.



Earlier this year, Sasikala announced that she will away from politics and public life. In a statement, Sasikala had said I set myself apart from politics and pray for the golden rule of my Goddess Akka (Jayalalithaa). I will continue to pray for her vision always.



The former aide of Jayalalithaa visited the memorial for the first time since her return from jail in January this year. This comes after the AIADMK lost the assembly and the local body polls.
On July 14, 2021, thirteen people, including nine Chinese engineers, two locals and two personnel of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) died and over two dozen other people sustained injuries when a bus carrying the team working on the project fell into a ravine after it was hit by a car laden with explosives.

The all-weather ally of Pakistan, China has demanded USD 38 million compensation for the dead engineers at the Dasu Dam Project.

Mushtaq Ghumman, writing in Business Recorder said that China wanted to be compensated prior to resuming work on the stalled Dasu Hydropower Project. On July 14, 2021, thirteen people, including nine Chinese engineers, two locals and two personnel of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) died and over two dozen other people sustained injuries when a bus carrying the team working on the project fell into a ravine after it was hit by a car laden with explosives.



According to Secretary Water Resources, Dr Shahzeb Khan Bangash, the civil work in the project has been stalled since the attack on Chinese engineers in July, reported Business Recorder. The sources said the issue of compensation to the Chinese nationals is being discussed at a high level. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Water Resources and Chinese embassy were working closely on the compensation package, as well as, resumption of work on the project. According to sources, the Steering Committee, comprising Secretaries of concerned Ministries had constituted another Committee which deliberated on the issues linked to the Dasu project, especially the volume of compensation being demanded by the Chinese government. The Committee has constituted a Subcommittee, comprising all the relevant Ministries to discuss compensation package by taking the Chinese embassy on board as the proposed package is being termed as irrational, said Ghumman.



Secretary Water Resources, the sources said, is hopeful that the compensation issue will be sorted out within a couple of weeks, after which civil work on the site will resume. The Chinese firm, China Gezhouba Group Corp, which suspended work on the Dasu project after the bus incident, had announced negation of its decision to resume work and terminate Pakistani workers, at the request of the Pakistani government. However, the company has not yet resumed work and is saying that it will not proceed ahead until a compensation package and more security of Chinese nationals is provided, reported Business Recorder.
More people than ever are leaving their jobs.

They seem to come from every industry and span generations. Some are following through on long-deferred plans to leave, no longer willing or able to wait out the pandemic. Others are burned out from too many long shifts, late nights and unspent vacation days. And many say the public health crisis forced them to reassess their jobs and priorities.

Whatever the cause, the rush of resignations is accelerating: A record 4.3 million people - about 2.9% of the nation's workforce - quit in August, according to Labor Department data released Tuesday. In September, the nation's jobless rate fell to a pandemic low of 4.8%, but the decline was largely driven by people leaving the labor force. What's more, Gallup data show, nearly half of American workers are actively searching for new opportunities.

Here's what you need to know about The Great Resignation - and what to consider before joining in.

- Who is driving the The Great Resignation?

An exodus of workers from retail, warehouse, restaurant and bar, health care and social assistance jobs have pushed quits to record levels, according to data released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The pandemic's burdens have persisted as government support has dried up, and the fallout is breaking down gender and socioeconomic fault lines: 309,000 women older than 20 dropped out of the workforce in September, meaning they quit or stopped looking for jobs. In contrast, 182,000 men were added, Labor Department data showed.

Women have borne the brunt of the job losses since the pandemic began, research from the Brookings Institution shows. Overrepresented in low-wage service jobs, they have been caught in the crossfire between increased child-care demands (thanks to the delta variant's disruption of school reopening and lack of vaccines for kids). They also are more likely to be in positions that require in-person work, heightening their risks for coronavirus infection.

And while workers 25 and older with college degrees fully recovered from pandemic job losses back in May, Americans in a similar age group without degrees remain 4.6 million jobs below pre-pandemic levels.

"The movement of people back to the labor force has paused," Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network, said in commentary this week. "The biggest problem is not that growth has slowed; it is that people are still scared to go back to work."

- Why are so many workers leaving?

Workers are quitting at or near record levels in nearly every sector tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, going back to 2001. But the pains are most acute among low-wage workers, who economists say are revolting against years of poor pay and stressful conditions. Many are now less willing to endure inconvenient hours and low compensation and are quitting at this stage in the pandemic to find better opportunities elsewhere.

Nearly 40% of workers that quit in August worked in restaurants and hotels. Quits also are soaring among manufacturing and warehouse workers, who are straining under the pressures of surging demand and crunched supply chains.

Some have taken to TikTok to with their grievances, posting videos under the #QuitMyJob hashtag that often call out toxic workplaces. One notable example occurred last fall, when Shana Blackwell broadcast her resignation from a Texas Walmart (over the store's intercom), saying she was pushed to the brink by what she called the store's "toxic, sexist and racist" environment. The video has racked up millions of views.

Walmart told the HuffPost that it had taken Blackwell's concerns seriously and had made "corrective actions" after an investigation of her complaints but declined to disclose whether any disciplinary actions were taken.

Salaried workers also are at their wits-end, tired of the tension between employer's pushes to return to the office and the uncertainty surrounding vaccine mandates. Nearly half of executives recently surveyed by the Society for Human Resource Management said their companies have seen elevated turnover in the past six months.

Flexibility in when and where workers do their jobs now outweighs compensation as a concern for many workers, Grant Thornton's recent "State of Work in America" survey found, with half of the respondents saying they would give up a salary increase for more flexibility. Burnout remains a top reason employees seek other opportunities.

And a surge of savings thanks to government stimulus, booming stock markets and fewer spending options in the pandemic could mean that some households have more funds to sustain them in the interim.

- What does this mean for the economy?

The surge of quits is colliding with an existing labor shortage, which means that employers are under more pressure to hold onto their employees. At the end of August, there were more than 10.4 million unfilled jobs in the U.S. workforce, according to data released Tuesday by the Labor Department.

It also exacerbates uncertainties for companies: Small-business owners have grown "pessimistic" about future economic conditions, according to the National Federation of Independent Business' September survey. Some 51% of business owners reported having openings that couldn't be filled, a record high for the third month in a row.

"Organizations right now are very open-minded about saying, 'What can we do to retain employees?'" said Anthony Klotz, a Texas A&M professor who studies why people resign.

The battle for talent has spurred some companies to raise wages and offer sign-on bonuses and other deal sweeteners to attract new hires. In May, for the first time, the national average hourly pay for nonmanagers at restaurants and bars topped $15. Costco, Amazon, CVS and Walgreens all have hourly minimums of $15 or higher. And over the summer, Walmart, Target and Amazon all announced that they would begin offering free college tuition and textbooks to employees.

It remains unclear how this reassessment of work will play out going forward. For now, people are still hesitant to take the first jobs available to them, if they don't believe they're good jobs. And they are not reluctant to quit a situation they don't like.

- How do I know whether it's time to leave?

The mass departures are being driven by a combination of factors, including the sense by many Americans that there's more opportunity and better pay elsewhere.

But employees might be in position to mend or remake their roles from within, a process known as jobcrafting that has been studied for years. As researchers Justin Berg, Jane Dutton and Amy Wrzesniewski put it in a 2007 paper published by the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, "Job designs are not fixed; they can be adapted over time to accommodate employees' unique and ever-changing backgrounds, motives, and preferences." They contend jobcrafting can lead to more engaged and efficient workers, which ultimately benefits companies.

So before quitting, job experts say, workers may want to consider such options as: Can I move to a different team or department? Is there a way I can take on fewer or more interesting tasks, or shift some responsibilities? Is there something my employer could provide - more money, a promotion, more time off - that would give the role more meaning?

Given the current labor climate, employees have stronger cards when pressing for change. If managers don't engage, that might be all the answer you need.

- How do I exit gracefully?

A by-the-book resignation usually starts with a simple email or in-person meeting. It can be short, but should include a straightforward statement that you're leaving and why. Most companies expect at least two weeks' notice, but timing varies by situation. You may need to walk away sooner, for example, if the work environment is toxic or feels unsafe. In other cases, employees and managers might work out a longer window to ease the workplace transition.

It is best not to bad-mouth your employer on the way out, job experts say, and generally little is to be gained by doing so.

Klotz notes that the power balance shifts as soon as the decision is made to resign. At that point, "you don't need them anymore, and weird things happen when people get that rush of power. Often our true selves really come out, which is why people burn bridges and things like that."

He urged caution when using that power and suggested looking for ways to minimize the disruption your departure might cause.

Even if the position didn't meet expectations, there may be aspects for which you can express gratitude. If the job was difficult, for example, note what you learned from overcoming those challenges? A simple "thank you" can go a long way toward easing your departure.

If you want to go above and beyond to keep a positive relationship with your (soon to be former) employer, consider making yourself available to offer advice even after you leave. Doing so may be a sacrifice on your part, but it allows you to keep the door open for better opportunities there in the future.
At least 43 Connecticut residents are still stuck in Afghanistan, according to an elected official and refugee resettlement agencies.

Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, or IRIS, is working with the U.S. Department of State and other organizations on the ground in Afghanistan to get the 43 residents, who are also IRIS clients, to safety, according to Ann OBrien, IRIS director of community engagement.

These 43 residents resettled in Connecticut from Afghanistan about five or six years ago. The vast majority hold green card and four are U.S. citizens, according to Chris George, the executive director of IRIS, which is a non-profit agency helping refugees and other displaced people resettle in Connecticut. Some are families with children enrolled in the New Haven and West Haven school districts.

Many of them went back to Afghanistan this summer as what they thought would be their last chance to see their loved ones, George said. However, they ended up trapped.

Since the United States withdrew its military presence from Afghanistan, George said these families have been in hiding, mostly in the Kabul area, waiting to get the chance to come home. In the meantime, theyve run out of money, so the agency has had to drop funds so the families can purchase groceries.

Theyre frustrated and they have even begun to lose some hope, George said. We are not resting until they all come home.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the 43 residents is just a partial list.

We know there are hundreds more like them throughout Afghanistan who are in hiding and hunted by the Taliban, Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal said there are hundreds, likely thousands, of U.S. citizens, as well as Afghan allies with targets on their backs, still stuck in the country, but nobody knows for sure.

Last week, Blumenthal, refugee resettlement agencies and non-government groups were able to organize with Sayara International to fly 800 people out of the country on two charter planes.

These residents and allies are being evacuated to nearby, safe countries via charter planes or ground transportation, Blumenthal said. They then are taken to military bases until they arrive in the United States.

Officials have been working with a network comprised of veterans organizations, relief agencies and others to form a Digital Dunkirk to help people evacuate, Blumenthal said.

Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation met with senior Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar to discuss security and terrorism concerns, human rights and safe passage for U.S. citizens and Afghan allies, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The United States should insist as a precondition for any talks that Afghanistan commit to enable these Americans and Afghan allies to leave, along with women, leaders and advocates and others who are in danger. They have targets on their backs, Blumenthal said. We have a moral imperative to keep our promises to them that we will work and fight for them.

Our nation has a moral and humanitarian obligation to protect and evacuate these friends and allies, not just Americans, but also the translators, interpreters, journalists, Blumenthal said. We have made it our mission.

Meanwhile, resettlement agencies IRIS and CIRI, or the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, are still helping refugees acclimate to the state.

The trauma is immense, said Ashley Gaudiano, the director of external affairs for CIRI. The agency has resettled 10 people from Afghanistan and expects to get a family of seven this coming week.

Gaudiano said the agency anticipates getting three to five families every week until March 2022.

From Oct. 8 to Oct. 13, IRIS welcomed 40 Afghan refugees and will bring in 46 more by Monday. In August, the agency welcomed 42 refugees, OBrien said.

IRIS anticipates welcoming another 200 refugees in November and December.

Some refugees have been staying in hotels, churches, temporary housing and with other Afghan families, while others have gone into apartments prepared by IRIS.

George said the people of Connecticut have been incredibly generous, supportive and welcoming of Afghan refugees.

He suggests communities form groups and get trained by IRIS to welcome a refugee family to their community if they want to help.

Those looking to co-sponsor a family should visit IRISCT.org/CommunityCoSponsorship.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
GUILFORD  A West Haven man allegedly killed his wife, a Guilford woman, in July by striking her dozens of times with a weapon, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Robert Faison, 45, of Campbell Avenue was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder in connection with the death of Lindsey Hopkins, 42, according to Guilford police.

An affidavit from Guilford police Detective Daniel Morrell detailing the case against Faison was released by the Connecticut judicial branch.

Officers were called to do a well-being check on July 22, finding a woman on the living room floor with obvious trauma to her head and body, Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

The womans name is redacted in the affidavit; police previously identified Hopkins as the victim in the case.

On July 22, a claw hammer and a screwdriver were found in the living room and while searching woods on the property, Morrell found an ax laying on the ground, according to the affidavit. It did not appear to have been out in the elements long Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

DNA evidence from the ax handle later indicated a mix of two contributors, one of which was 100 billion times more likely to be Faison than an unknown individual, according to the affidavit. DNA from a stain on the ax handle was found to be from a woman, 100 billion times more likely to be Hopkins than an unknown person, according to the affidavit.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later determined that Hopkins had died of a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head and neck, according to the affidavit.

She had suffered a series of lacerations, been bludgeoned repeatedly, causing fractures; her arm was broken. In all, Hopkins was found to have 23 blunt-force injuries, 16 of which were to the head and neck, and five sharp force injuries, the affidavit says.

A medical investigator and a doctor with the office both said the ax found behind the home may have been used to cause the injuries, according to the affidavit.

The medical investigator, Melissa Edelberg, arrived at the scene at 2 a.m.; she said Hopkins had been dead for at least three days, the affidavit says.

In the medical examiners report, Forensic Anthropologist Kristen Hartnett-McCann wrote, in part that the combination of blunt force and sharp force trauma suggests that a sharp instrument may have been used..., Morrell noted in the affidavit.

A nearby resident told police that she had heard like something, not someone, falling down the stairs of the residence in question on July 18, according to the affidavit. She paused the movie she was watching to listen.

It sounded like something metal hitting the stairs, she later told police.

The resident told police that a man she knew as Rob had parked nearby a few nights earlier. She previously heard what she termed arguments between the man and Hopkins coming from the residence, she told police.

Police and a probation officer attempted to contact Faison, according to the affidavit. He was Hopkins husband, police have said.

All calls and voicemail messages left went unanswered and unreturned, Morrell wrote in the affidavit. Further, Faison made no attempts whatsoever to contact police, friends, nor family of (Hopkins) to check on her well-being or to inquire about her whereabouts.

An individual attempted to use a debit card belonging to Hopkins 26 times after her estimated time of death, beginning on July 18, but failed to enter the correct PIN, Morrell said.

Surveillance footage from Waterbury and New York City clearly showed Faison attempting to use the card in some of the transactions.

Faison later was found in a shelter in New York City on July 30 and arrested for violation of probation, Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

Among his belongings, police allegedly found a debit card belonging to Hopkins, as well as a Connecticut vehicle title for a 2006 Nissan Maxima that indicated Faison had purchased it on July 16, he wrote.

Police later determined that Faison allegedly sold a Pontiac Grand Am to two men outside of Four Js Deli in New Haven on July 18, Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

One of the men later told police they originally brokered a deal to buy the car for $600 by paying $200 on three consecutive days. They paid $200 on the first day and $200 on the second day, but Faison did not return for the third installment, according to the affidavit.

The Nissan Maxima later was found in Bridgeport on July 31, Morrell wrote in the affidavit. There was blood on the trunk liner, he wrote; it was linked to Hopkins.

During the investigation, police spoke with Faisons relative, who friends and acquaintances had described as the only person Faison would go to should he be in trouble or need any help, Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

In an initial interview on July 24, the relative said they had last seen Faison on July 20, when he left his cellphone at their house. He had not gotten in touch in a few days, which was unusual, the relative told police.

But the relative later told police they had last seen Faison on July 22, not July 20.

Faison made four calls to the relative while incarcerated for alleged violation of probation, Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

In the first, on Aug. 5, he allegedly made a reference to being in a lot of trouble; in the second, on Aug. 17, he said hed take whatever they (expletive) offer me, fifteen or twenty; in the third, on Aug. 23, he asked the relative to have any chick write him while hes incarcerated.

In the fourth, on Aug. 30, the relative allegedly said that people had suggested you probably had enough of the wom [sic], and said that maybe your mind just snapped and you had enough of what happened.

Faisons cellphone and Hopkins phone were found to have communicated with calls and texts well over 1,400 times between May 31 and July 18, including more than 125 times between July 12 and 18.

After July 18, before Faisons phone seemingly was shut off on the 23rd, there was no further communication between the two, Morrell wrote in the affidavit.

Faison is being held in lieu of $2 million bail . The case was transferred to Part A proceedings, where more serious matters are adjudicated.

He has not yet entered a plea regarding the charge of murder, and is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 25.

According to her obituary, Hopkins had a huge caring heart. She loved to make people laugh and was always helping others in any way she could. Last year, during the pandemic, she made face masks for those who needed them.

She was the daughter of Catharine W. Hopkins of Madison and the late Douglas B. Hopkins, according to the obituary, and is survived by her daughter, Emilie M. Albert of North Branford, her brother, Walker R. Hopkins of Madison, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Meghan Friedmann / New Haven Register

GUILFORD In collaboration with the statewide initiative, Guilford Police collected 123 firearms from residents during the departments third annual gun buy-back event held on Saturday.

Police hosted a voluntary gun buy-back and safe firearm storage event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Guilford Police Department at 400 Church St.
NEW HAVEN  A steady decline in the number of Roman Catholics in New Haven requires a radical change in how to care for the faithful, and change is painful, church officials say.

According to Archbishop Leonard Blair, he is facing that reality as he implements the Archdiocese of Hartfords plan for the city, which he said will give New Havens churches a stronger foundation.

For the Dominican friars of St. Mary Church, the plan means that a single parish, composed of the citys 10 Catholic churches, will require the friars to leave the priory the order has called home for 135 years.

St. Marys four-story priory, built in 1907 and located within Yale Universitys campus close to downtown, will be the central residence and offices for the new parish under the municipal model the archdiocese has been implementing. That wont work if the Dominicans continue to live there, Blair said.

Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

Im not approaching this from trying to get rid of the Dominicans  far from it, Blair said. Im approaching it for pastoral planning, from the point of view of a pastoral plan for the needs of today.

The Catholic Church is not alone in its declining numbers. Traditional Protestant denominations also have been shrinking, although not at the rate of the Catholic Church, according to Gallup. Meanwhile, evangelical, Pentecostal and less traditional churches are gaining members.

The Archdiocese of Hartford implemented its first reorganization in 2017, merging 212 parishes into 131 today. Soon, though he would not say when, Blair will bring further consolidation in New Haven, Hamden and elsewhere. At this point, we want to bring them all under this municipal model and theres no plan to close any church, he said.

Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

Rather, the St. Mary priory would house several priests, with one, a first among equals, acting as moderator, according to a video shown both to the archdiocesan convocation and to the Dominicans provincial council meeting this fall.

When the five friars living on Hillhouse Avenue, two of whom staff St. Marys parish, were told they would have to leave the priory, they were given other options that would allow them to continue living in the area, or at least in Connecticut.

It was my attempt to find some way to keep the Dominicans in the archdiocese, Blair said. But, he said, the friars responded, Thanks but no thanks, were not interested in doing anything.

Hearst Connecticut Media file

The friars dont see it exactly the same way, however.

The Rev. John Paul Walker, pastor of St. Mary, wrote to the parish, As each of these would entail a radically new configuration of the Dominican life and mission in the Archdiocese, the Dominican Province has decided to evaluate these new offers at our next provincial chapter, which will take place in June of 2022.

The Very Rev. Kenneth Letoile, provincial of the Province of St. Joseph, said, Each of these requires further study, like any possibility. At first blush there are pros and cons and more details that need to be reflected on.

He said the provincial chapter of about 40 friars would consider all invitations for Dominican ministry from within the province, which stretches to Ohio and Kentucky He said the proposals from the archdiocese were offers but not serious proposals because there would need to be a lot more detail fleshed out for any of the three.

Waterbury, Hamden, St. Joseph

In its video, the archdiocese laid out the reasoning for needing St. Mary to become part of the citywide parish, staffed by archdiocesan priests, and presented the three offers.

New Havens Catholic institutions include not only the parishes but the St. Thomas More Center and Chapel at Yale University and the Knights of Columbus, whose founder, the Rev. Michael McGivney, is entombed in St. Mary. These, in addition to ministries to Latinos, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, is what the municipal model parish in New Haven must supply, and it will require a collection of motivated diocesan priests to provide this array of intensive ministry, according to the videos narrator.

The video then presents the three options for the Dominicans: the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, which was McGivneys home parish; a combined parish in Hamden, with the friars living in the former rectory and convent at St. Joseph Church on Edwards Street in New Haven; and St. Joseph itself, which could be made into a shrine to the patron saint of both the Dominican province and the archdiocese.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

The video suggested advantages of each option. The basilica, with its 1,500-household parish, would provide a unique connection if the Dominicans were to shift from one McGivney-connected parish to another, the narrator states.

Hamden, with four churches and 5,000 households, could be an exceptional chance for the team of Dominican friars to step into a brand new configuration that would allow plentiful opportunities for priestly ministry, for preaching and the salvation of souls, according to the video.

St. Joseph, which merged with St. Mary in 2017, is 11/2 miles from the Hamden line in the East Rock section. The archdiocese would connect the two houses that once were the rectory and convent. The videos narrator says living on Edwards Street could be seen as a fulfillment of what might have been, for in 1892 New Haven was tentatively selected as the location for the provinces new studium or place of study.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

Finally, the archdiocese offered St. Joseph as a traditional parish, which, if elevated to the status of a shrine, could be developed not only to be a financially sound and sustainable location, but, even more importantly, it could become a site of spiritual renewal and even pilgrimage within the city of New Haven, according to the video.

Letoile said the friars were being told to make a decision by January, when the archdiocese has asked them to leave the priory. For us in a reactive mode to say, OK, well go here, without reflection, would have been ill-advised. Were not just diocesan priests in white robes.

Diocesans must live in community and prefer to have different ministries among the priests, Letoile said. The lifestyle is the basis out of which our mission goes, he said. He said the friars must hold a twofold reflection: Does the ministry line up with what we can do and what is our living situation?

Province of St. Joseph / Contributed photo

A key question is, is this ministry going to be self-supporting?  In all three of the proposals that is one of the things we would have to study, Letoile said.

At St. Mary, Walker and the Rev. Joachim Kenney serve the parish, while the Rev. Jordan Lenaghan is director of religious life at Quinnipiac University and chaplain at Albertus Magnus College, and the prior, the Rev. Jonathan Kalisch, is shrine director at the Knights of Columbus. A fifth friar, the Rev. Angelo Henry Camacho, at 85 has a part-time ministry in Peru. Lenaghan has said Camacho has been unable to leave Peru because of the pandemic.

Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

Lenaghan and Kalisch would live elsewhere in New Haven, joined by a newly appointed chaplain to the cloistered nuns at the Monastery of Our Lady of Grace in Guilford, Letoile said.

An open door

Letoile said when the friars met with Blair during the summer, the centrality of the priory and our way of life was presented to the archbishop. He responded positively and that there was an open door there. Then, when talks were restarted, it became clear that it would not be possible for the Dominicans to remain in St. Marys priory.

Blair said he tried his best to keep the Dominicans in the archdiocese. The only thing that we did not offer them was to stay in the priory, he said. I cant wait until next year to implement the pastoral planning for New Haven.

He said the offers are still available, but that may not be the case for long. We dont necessarily have the luxury of time, he said. He said he wondered why its so important to retain this huge building, which is not cheap to maintain.

Bethany Ippolito / Contributed photo

David Elliott, spokesman for the archdiocese, said he could not give a date for when the plan would be implemented but said it will begin to take form very shortly.

The Dominicans do not come first in my mind, Blair said. The care of the Catholic people of New Haven is first in my mind.  We offered other alternatives. With all due respect, my chief goal here is not to keep the Dominicans in New Haven. Rather it is to create a new pastoral model that will best serve the priests and people.

He said St. Mary, with 400 households, is near the bottom 15 percent in the archdiocese. Its membership has dropped from 989 families in 2010, he said. They also have operating deficits that cant be ignored, either, he said.

Its not like some huge, thriving parish that Im closing, Blair said. Its part of the same challenges that others are facing, and it has to be part of the solution that were facing.

Intellectual rigor

Tacy Woods of Guilford, a lay Dominican, said, We are devastated that theyre leaving. Theyre so unique. When I was coming back to the Catholic Church, I was able to do it so easily. That was because of the Dominicans intellectual rigor along with their contemplative life, she said.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

The Dominicans, formally known as the Order of Preachers, are known for study, prayer and preaching. The fact that its here at Yale and theyre part of the whole community, it hurts that theyre being uprooted, Woods said.

She said the idea of having a citywide rectory for archdiocesan priests, especially young priests, is a positive move, but she wished it didnt mean the Dominicans would be leaving. The Dominicans are big on study because intellectually theyre sharing the faith, Woods said. Having that intellectual rigor at Yale is priceless, really.

When students and others come with serious questions, the Dominicans are able to minister to them in a way that no one else can, she said.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382

This story has been edited to correct the Rev. Angelo Henry Camachos name.
Former Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye housemate, Angel, has stated that she has been receiving death threats because of her relationship s...

Former Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye housemate, Angel, has stated that she has been receiving death threats because of her relationship status.

She stated this in a lengthy Twitter thread on Saturday, where she stated that she was being threatened because of her affiliation with an ex-housemate.

The 21-year-old writer gave a stern warning to the critics, stating that they should desist from calling her henceforth.

Angel tweeted, Im not a messy person at all, especially in real life. I like my space and I like to avoid confrontation but this is me putting it out there that Ive been getting death threats from no caller IDs regarding my relationship status.

Ive stated time and time again that I am single and frankly I promise I will not be chasing anything that will take away my peace.

Please, stop calling me to threaten me because of my affiliation with your fave. I am single. Thank you.

I would also like to state that you can not dictate who I choose to be friends with, I have no intention of stealing your fave from whoever.

Please, leave me out of whatever enmity is trying to form. I am only focused on my brand.

Im too content within myself to be out here dragging anyones man. All Ive ever needed is myself and I can do very well by myself. Thank you.

This comes a day Angel was reportedly hospitalised days after the conclusion of the show.
Seven former Commissioners led by Asu Okang who recently left Governor Ben Ayades cabinet to align with Ayades political opponents in the ...





Seven former Commissioners led by Asu Okang who recently left Governor Ben Ayades cabinet to align with Ayades political opponents in the PDP have lambasted the governor for not assenting to the anti-grazing bill like his counterparts in the South-South.

The commissioners under aegis of PDP Renaissance Group in a statement also charged the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) to as a matter of urgency join other Southern states to domesticate the Anti-Open grazing law in the interest of regional security.

They also frowned at the Governors continual distancing from the South-South governors forum.

Okang expressed surprised that the state has been silent, even when there are clashes by herdsmen and farmers in the region.

We note with utter dismay, that as at today, Cross River is still among the remaining three Southern states, whose Houses of Assembly are yet to consider or pass the Anti-Open grazing law.

The group urged the state government to desist forth from privatising government owned assets listed by the state governor.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said religion should not be a trigger for violent conflict in the state. This is a...

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said religion should not be a trigger for violent conflict in the state.

This is as he lamented that religion has been weaponised to the point that it has become a device used to question the right of some people to exist and practice their faith.

El-Rufai, however, said that the states Religious Preaching Edict of 1984, which his administration reviewed in 2016, will help stamp out the poison from the negative practise of religion.

The Governor said this at the inauguration of the Kaduna State Interfaith Preaching Regulatory Council, held at the Conference Room of the Governors Office, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Friday.

According to him, Most of the residents of Kaduna State are very religious, like other Nigerians. But Kaduna State is, unfortunately, one of the states in the country with a sad history of religious clashes. The personal exercise of faith and the better conduct and character that spirituality promotes helps society to progress. But religion has unfortunately been weaponised so much that something that should bring Gods creatures closer together in a common awareness of mortal frailties has become a device to question the right of some of Gods creatures to even exist at all, let alone practise their faith or live wherever they wish.

It was in 1984 that the government of Air Vice Marshall Usman Muazu enacted the Religious Preaching Edict to address this matter. Subsequent military governors amended the edict to vary the penalty imposed for violations of its provisions.





This is a law that has always been in the statute book of Kaduna State but it has not been implemented faithfully. We decided in 2016 to review this edict and subject a revised law to the scrutiny of an elected legislature for the first time. We have now a religious preaching law, and we are determined to do our best to help stamp out the poison from the negative practice of religion. Religion is a relationship with God, not a bargaining tool for economic or political favours, and certainly not an excuse for murder, arson, destruction of property and other violent crimes against people who worship and pray differently.

The pioneer members of this Interfaith Preaching Regulatory Council have an arduous but most important task of ensuring that those that are the leaders of faith, those that preach do not set our people against each other, and that faith is not practised in ways that deliberately and consistently inconvenience others.

I wish you the best in helping our state to enter a new era where people can remain as religious as they choose to be, but with religion removed as a trigger for violent conflict.

I want to assure members of this Council that the Kaduna State Government will do everything it can to support you to do your job and help our state, to determine those that are qualified by education and training to preach without causing any problems for our people and our communities.

On this note, it is my distinct honour and privilege to inaugurate this Council. I wish you all the best and Gods guidance as you undertake this onerous assignment. Thank you and God bless.
After two years of preparation, the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office has launched a map of drug overdoses geared toward detecting spikes in real time.

District Attorney Jason Williams also said Friday that his office is creating its first narcotics division. Williams painted it as an opportunity to direct resources to drug users in need of help while punishing those who prey upon them.

The new division will be made up of a prosecutor and chief Andre Gaudin, a holdover from the tenure of former District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro. It will be supported by a data analyst, investigators and trial assistants.

Gaudin conceived of the mapping effort, which uses software developed by an anti-drug task force in the Baltimore and Washington area. The City Council in 2019 passed an ordinance mandating the map, a rare example of cooperation between Cannizzaro and Williams when the latter served as an at-large council member.

The map was developed with New Orleans Emergency Medical Services and the Orleans Parish Communication District. Gaudin said its taken time to make sure that data can flow to the database from paramedics and firefighters as they respond to overdoses. The goal is to be able to spot flare-ups of fatal and nonfatal overdoses. Responses to overdose spikes could include naloxone trainings, he said.

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The map, which launched in April, will be available to both law enforcement and public health authorities, Gaudin said. It wont be shared directly with the public. Williams office said it is working on a public-facing dashboard.

Williams promised a different approach to prosecuting drug crimes on the campaign trail last year. Hes followed through with a policy of refusing all low-level drug possession charges, with the exception of fentanyl and heroin.

That exception split drug reform advocates. Some said it would help nudge opioid abusers into the district attorneys diversion program for treatment and counseling, while others said substance use disorder should never be considered a matter for the criminal justice system.

Addiction, substance use disorder is a disease. It is a public health problem, Williams said Friday. We cannot arrest our way out of this problem, and we cannot prosecute our way out of this problem.

In New Orleans, there were 365 accidental drug-related deaths last year, with 78% involving the powerful painkiller fentanyl, according to the Orleans Parish Coroners Office. Williams said his new division will target drug dealers linked to fatal overdoses.
After arriving at his home, a 72-year-old Bywater resident was approached by a man who demanded his car keys, the New Orleans Police Department said Saturday.

He offered the man $20, but the carjacker knocked him to the ground, took his keys and drove off in his vehicle.

The crime was reported Friday at 9:32 p.m. in the 800 block of Louisa Street. Police did not immediately release more details.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto III's surprise announcement that the agency has signed a contract to put body-worn cameras on deputies by mid-December came as an overwhelming relief for Michelle Charles. The lawyer and community activist had helped organize a series of 2020 demonstrations seeking transparency in the investigations into several fatal shootings by Lopinto's deputies.

This is a great day for Jefferson Parish, Charles said Friday. Im so excited. Thats what last year was all about, to get body cameras on the deputies.

For years, Lopinto and his predecessor, Newell Normand, bemoaned the price of the technology, leaving the Sheriff's Office as the largest law enforcement agency in Louisiana without body cameras. Lopinto dropped the news about the contract Thursday night during a Facebook livestream discussion with the Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee.

Metropolitan Crime Commissioner President Rafael Goyeneche called the move to use crime cameras inevitable. Not having it nowadays, he said, is viewed in certain circles as having something to hide, although Goyeneche said he never thought that was the Jefferson Sheriffs Offices motive.

Making this decision reinforces with the public that Jefferson Parish embraces transparency and accountability, he said.

The Sheriffs Office in June signed an $8.5 million, five-year contract with Axon Enterprise of Scottsdale, Ariz., to provide 500 body-worn cameras for staffers and 277 dashboard and rear-facing cameras for patrol vehicles, Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff's Office spokesman, said Friday. The vehicle cameras will also have automated-license plate recognition software.

The body cameras will be used by deputies in the patrol and traffic divisions and officers who work on school campuses and at Louis Armstrong International Airport, Rivarde said. Theyll also be used by some plainclothes investigators such as in the narcotics unit.

The Sheriffs Office now joins several local agencies that use the technology to record interactions with the public, including the New Orleans Police Department, State Police, St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Department and Westwego Police Department.

Advocates for body cameras laud the technology for helping to deter misconduct by law officers and the public. Charles and other activists have said their use would be a huge first step in rebuilding trust with Black residents of Jefferson Parish, whove long complained about racial discrimination and brutality from the agency.

Weve been begging the sheriff to put these body cameras on officers, Charles said.

Lopinto said he has never been against the technologys use.

Ive never refused to have cameras. I think cameras are a good thing he said during Thursdays discussion.

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Until recently, Lopinto echoed his predecessor's concerns over the cost of equipment, data storage challenges and Louisiana's public records laws. Lopinto would not comment on body cameras Friday.

During the recorded discussion, he said the Sheriff's Office moved forward with cameras after completing its five-year lease of Motorola radios, a $4.3 million expense, according to the budget. He said the agency has a $1.6 million budget surplus

The Sheriffs Office sought bids and received them from two companies, Axon and Utility Associates of Decatur, Ga., Rivarde said. The agency then spent several months trying both brands to get a feel for them.

Weve had body cameras on our deputies on numerous occasions over the last few years. Weve been testing out different body cameras to see whats going to work, Lopinto said.

The agency ultimately decided to go with Axon. The contract includes internet-based cloud storage for the video recorded by deputies, Rivarde said, so the Sheriffs Office doesnt have to buy and maintain computer servers.

The cameras and equipment are supposed to arrive within the next two weeks, barring shipping delays, Lopinto said. Deputies could begin training in November, and the agency wants the cameras in use before Christmas.

Sheriffs Office officials are still finalizing policies regarding the cameras use, including activation requirements, Rivarde said. Under the New Orleans Police Department policy, the device must be activated during all calls for service, traffic stops, pedestrian checks, vehicle pursuits and a number of other situations that involve or could involve criminal conduct.

+4 Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office an outlier on body cams as criticism swirls around deadly force A shooting last month that left a Black welder dead in Marrero after he bolted from deputies was only the latest episode of fatal force by Jef

When officers are involved in a critical incident, such as a fatal shooting or encounter with the public that ends in injury, the New Orleans department must decide within nine days whether to release the body camera video. The department has routinely done so over the six years it has used the cameras.

Lopinto cautioned that a videos release would not be automatic. The cases would be considered individually.

Theres a time and a place where it makes sense for me to show video. Theres a time and a place where it doesnt make sense for me to show video, he said.

He said he wouldnt want to release video while investigations were being conducted and witnesses had not yet been interviewed, out of concern for influencing recollections. If a witness is being untruthful, he said, he would not want to disclose any impeachment evidence that could be used in court.

That's not a position for me to cover up for one of my deputies. Thats not who I am, and thats not who Im going to be, Lopinto said.
This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with WRKF and WWNO, and co-published with The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating a deputy caught on video holding a Black woman by her hair and slamming her head repeatedly into the pavement, with such force that a witness to the Sept. 20 incident said it ripped several of Shantel Arnolds braids from her scalp.

It was the second time that hour that Arnold, 34, had been assaulted. By the time the deputies arrived, she said she had already fended off an attack by some local boys.

The video begins with a JPSO deputy seen holding the wrist of Arnold, who is lying on her back on the sidewalk. The deputy appears to be dragging her along the pavement. The deputy then grabs Arnolds arm with his other hand and jerks her upwards, lifting her entire body off the ground.

They briefly disappear behind a parked white vehicle. When they come back into view, the deputy is holding Arnold by her braids, slamming her repeatedly onto the cement. At one point, he whips her down so violently her entire body spins around and flips over.

The footage ends as the deputy crouches down and places a knee onto Arnolds back.

Graphic warning: The video below is violent and may be disturbing to some viewers. Can't see the video? Click here.

In this case, the Sheriffs Office is conducting an internal affairs investigation into the incident, something the office has not done in some similar cases, according to court records.

ProPublica and WWNO/WRKF were able to confirm the probe because Arnold, who did not file an official complaint, and her relatives have transcripts of their interviews with investigators. But Sheriff Joe Lopinto did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident itself or his departments response to it.

For decades, members of the Black community have accused the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office of using excessive force against them, making false arrests, and failing to rein in abusive deputies.

Last month, a story published by WWNO/WRKF and ProPublica revealed stark racial disparities in shootings by deputies and systemic problems with transparency and accountability.

The investigation found that more than 70% of people deputies shot at during the past eight years were Black, more than double the parishs Black population. In addition, 12 of the 16 people who died after being shot or restrained by deputies during that time were Black men.

The investigation also found that the Sheriffs Office could not account for how often its deputies use force or how many complaints civilians lodged against its employees.

The latest troubling incident started around 2 p.m. on Sept. 20 when Arnold was attacked by three boys as she was walking down the street near her familys trailer home.

At 4-foot-8 and about 100 pounds, her left eye missing from a car accident years earlier, Arnold regularly made an easy target for the neighborhood bullies, her family said.

During the attack, which lasted several minutes and which was captured in a cellphone video, the boys slammed Arnold to the ground and beat her while a crowd watched and laughed.

She tried to defend herself with a stick, which is visible in the cellphone video. The assault ended only after the 71-year-old Lionel Gray, whom Arnold calls her stepfather, chased the boys away.

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Disheveled and covered in dirt, Arnold stumbled down the road towards her home when an unidentified JPSO deputy rolled up beside her in his patrol car.

In the transcript of her interview with an internal affairs investigator, Arnold, says: Im on my way home. I aint make it all the way to the block, the police come out of nowhere, swarming, getting me like, Come here. Im like, Whats going on? I just got beat up by two children, what yall doing?

Arnold said the deputy demanded she stop and talk to him. She told him she had just been assaulted, wanted to go home and continued walking.

According to Gray and another witness, Arnolds uncle, Tony Givens, the officer jumped out of his vehicle, grabbed Arnold and threw her to the ground, unprovoked. Gray and Givens were standing at the foot of the familys driveway, about 20 feet away.

In an interview with the internal affairs investigator, Gray said that she didnt pull away.

She didnt have a chance to pull away because, you know, this guy was strong. He grabbed her arm, and some kind of move he made, and she went down to the ground. ... So I was walking up to him and he told me, If you come any closer Im going to kick everybodys ass out here. So, I said ... you dont have to use that type of force on that little woman right there, shes a midget.

What happened next was picked up on a video shared on social media and viewed more than 130,000 times.

It is unclear who took the video, which is the only footage of the incident to have surfaced; the JPSO remains one of the few large law enforcement agencies across the country that does not use body cameras.

This week, however, the sheriffs department announced that it had signed an $8.7 million contract for 500 body cameras that would be deployed by December.

Arnold told investigators with the Sheriff's Office it was not the boys but the deputy who caused her injuries, which included bruises and scratches across her body, a busted lip, and recurring headaches.

Deputies on the scene called an ambulance, which took Arnold to a local hospital. She was not charged with a crime.

Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, said the video of Arnold and the deputy was yet another testament to the shocking frequency that JPSO targets and brutalizes innocent, unarmed members of the Black community.

Sam Walker, emeritus professor of criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, called the deputys actions in the video outrageous and questioned whether the Sheriffs Office properly trains its deputies in control tactics or de-escalation techniques.

There are essentially two answers here. One is they do, and he ignored his training, Walker said. Or answer number two is no, they don't, which is to say their training program is completely unacceptable. So, it's either him or the organization.

Shortly after Arnold had been taken to a hospital by ambulance, her sister, Mercedes, arrived on the scene. Mercedes, 32, said the deputy accused of attacking her sister was still present and tried to convince her to call the coroner to have Arnold committed to a hospital for mental health problems. She refused.

He was just trying to cover up what he did by saying my sister is crazy, she said.

In days and weeks following, Mercedes and multiple family members said the same deputy has rolled by their house multiple times in what she believes to be an attempt to intimidate them.

But she said she and her family are not afraid and will continue to speak up until the Sheriffs Office holds its deputies accountable.
The first time the guy in the hooded sweatshirt and face covering passed my car, I ignored the needle prick of fear that ran through me. It was 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. I was parked and Googling directions to a costume party, dressed as a peacock.

The second time he appeared, I couldnt ignore him. He told me to get out of my car and give him my phone and my money. I complied. He and two male accomplices got in my vehicle and drove off, leaving me shedding feathers in the shadows of Louisa Street.

I knew how the carjacking would go down as soon as it started. I knew because Id interviewed two carjacking victims earlier that week for a story about how that crime is surging in New Orleans. In just a few seconds, Id joined their ranks.

According to the New Orleans Police Department's calls for service data, 2020 saw the highest number of carjackings in New Orleans in a decade  278 people called police reporting carjackings that year. Thats a 104% increase from 2019.

So far, 2021 is on track to eclipse 2020. With two and a half months left in the year, 271 people have already reported carjackings.

That mirrors national trends, according to LSU professor Michael S. Barton, a sociologist who specializes in criminology and urban sociology. Although information is limited because the FBI does not gather national data for carjackings, cities including Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville, and Washington report carjacking surges, according to NPR. A large portion of the crimes are committed by teenagers.

The NOPD didn't respond to a request for comment. But in an Oct. 8 press conference, after a week that included two mass shootings and 20 gunshot victims, seven of whom were fatally wounded, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said police are confronting a "bolder, more brazen criminal element."

"Were dealing with a different criminal element at this point in time," Ferguson said. "We have to continue to do our diligence, whether they are juveniles or adults, to ensure we hold them accountable for their actions."

Even before I was carjacked, it was evident that New Orleans was in the throes of a carjacking surge. There were reports on neighborhood watch groups, in the NOPDs daily log of major offenses and among my friends.

One friend whod been carjacked got her car back. It was riddled with bullet holes. It had been used in a drive-by shooting, police said.

An Uptown resident got carjacked in her driveway at 11 a.m. on a Sunday, an AR-15 stuck in her face by a 14-year-old suspect.

"He pulled open the door, pointed a gigantic rifle at my head, and said, 'Get out of the car, bitch,'" said the victim, who asked to remain anonymous because of concerns for her safety. "It was like time stopped."

So what is behind it all? There are lots of factors, but according to a citation in Bartons paper, Collective Resources and Violent Crime: New Orleans Before and After Katrina, disruptions to communities from a disaster may result in short-term increases in crime.

Looting reports spike in the city after Hurricane Ida, 911 call data shows Eight days after Hurricane Ida made landfall, Mike Abdul was tired. He still didnt have electricity at home, and his business  Queens Beauty

Anecdotally, that pattern seemed to be repeating itself in post-Ida New Orleans, where storm debris lined the streets for weeks and traffic signals remain defunct more than a month after the storm.

After I called 911, police arrived on the scene five minutes later. Thinking of the story and the uncanny timing of my crime incident, I asked them what was driving this surge.

These things come in waves, an officer told me. He didn't elaborate.

Barton, however, did. In addition to the storm, the pandemic is also likely a factor in rising crime rates.

COVID-19 is going to do a bizarre thing to crime and crime data, Barton said. People are out of work, losing family members  there are so many things that have changed over the past 18-19 months that have led to additional strains, and I suspect that connects with what the officer said about a wave.

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When it comes to carjackings, he cites the prevalence of face masks as a factor (suspects know they can cover their faces without arousing suspicion). Also, disrupted supply chains have led to car shortages and rising used-car prices that make vehicle theft more rewarding.

People are stealing cars to commit other kinds of crime or chop them up for parts, Barton said.

Louisiana law defines carjacking as a violent crime, along with homicide, shooting and armed robbery. According to a July report by watchdog group The Metropolitan Crime Commission, violent felony crime increased precipitously in New Orleans over the last 18 months.

New Orleans police take a number of things into consideration when they classify a crime incident as a carjacking, including whether the victim was removed from the vehicle. But some incidents that might seem like carjackings to an ordinary person are classified as car thefts. Recently, a 70-year-old woman had her keys snatched away and her car stolen while she was unloading it. The crime was classified as a theft.

Barton said carjackers often show a high level of organization and planning, looking for areas with escape routes, high value targets and places to hide so they can keep an eye out for potential victims. He likened the process to fishinga metaphor the Uptown victim reiterated when she watched a neighbors surveillance video footage of her attack.

Theyre huntingmy neighbor used that term, and it was jarring, but that's what they were doing. Theyre looking for the opportunity, she said.

I wondered if carjackers targeted women, but my analysis of 2021 police reports about carjacking showed the crime was fairly evenly divided along gender lines: 73 victims were male and 67 were female.

Carjackings arent evenly distributed throughout the city. Barton said carjackers focus on areas with high-value targets. An analysis of this years 911 call data reveals that the lions share were concentrated in Little Woods, where 25 people were carjacked. Village De Lest is in the No. 2 spot with 11 carjackings, followed by St. Roch and Mid-City, which had 10 and 9 carjackings, respectively. The CBD, Bywater, 7th Ward, St. Claude and Plum Orchard areas were tied for the No. 5 spot, with eight carjackings each.

My neighborhood, Bywater, fits Bartons model: an affluent, gentrifying area with distracted citizenry. Mine was the second carjacking on that block in less than two weeks. A month earlier, a woman was carjacked outside Bywaters Crescent Park in the 3200 block of Chartres Street. In a quintessentially New Orleans bit of small-town connectedness, that Bywater victim happened to know the Uptown victim, and I interviewed her, too.

NOPD investigating armed carjackings in Bywater and New Orleans East New Orleans Police are investigating two carjackings that took place Thursday evening.

It was about 4:30 p.m., and I had the day off work, said the Bywater carjacking victim, who asked not to be identified due to concerns about her safety. I decided to take the dog down to walk in the park. I usually bring a book, hang out in the park and read, get a beer.

She noticed broken glass in the parking lot and a teen boy sitting on the stairs, but thought little of it until he approached her gray 2017 Honda CRV and opened its door.

He put a gun to my head, and he was like, Get out of your car. Im going to take your car, she said. When she scrambled to collect her dog, the suspect cocked his gun and started counting down.

I had mace and a good little hunting knife in my driver-side door, but he opened my door and was just there with a gun in my face, she said. Theres nothing anyone can do to prevent that kind of thing.

I consider myself lucky that I didnt see a gun, and that I didnt experience physical assault. The Bywater victim didnt leave her house for a week and a half after her carjacking. The Uptown victim is being treated for acute stress disorder.

I see danger everywhere now, the Uptown victim said. It took me a week to get into a car as a passenger, and I cried the entire way.

To me, becoming a carjacking victim feels a lot like becoming a hurricane victim. Both experiences knocked out my communication and mobility, and made things harder financially.

Im glad to have a bike and a supportive community that has offered me rides and company, and sent me flowers, chocolate chip cookies, prayers and reiki. It means a lot, especially considering how emotionally spent New Orleans is after weathering so many disasters in so little time.

I have a lot of faith in New Orleans' resiliency, but I wonder how long it will take to recover from a pandemic, a hurricane and a violent crime wave. A lot other people in New Orleans are asking the same question.

People have roofs blown off. We still dont have a refrigerator. All kinds of people are going through all kinds of trauma right now, and then you add thiscarjackings. How do you go out at night now? the Uptown victim said. And when you see it (done by) someone whos 14, it makes it all worse. What are we doing? What kind of life are these kids born into? How can we make this better for them, too?
Satellite photos taken six weeks after Hurricane Ida blasted southeast Louisiana show its storm surge, waves and winds devastated a large swath of wetlands in the north central Barataria Basin, gashing a coastal buffer that helps protect 1 million people from flooding.

The European Space Agency Sentinel 2 images, captured before Ida on Feb. 1 and afterward on Oct. 9, indicate that the wetlands adjacent to the southeast corner of the failed Delta Farms property, a shallow lake, are now connected by newly created open water to Little Lake in the northern basin near Lake Salvador.

Wetlands to the south of that area and east of Clovelly Farms have also disappeared. And numerous breaches in wetlands have formed on the north and south sides of a canal running along the southern border of Lake Salvador, turning what had been solid green wetlands on the canal's south side into a collection of wetland patches and open water. The images show the Category 4 hurricane delivered at least a temporary knockout to this part of a fragile coast that is the focus of a $50 billion, 50-year effort to restore and protect the southern third of the state from disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico.

The wetland areas ripped up by Ida just south of Lake Salvador on Aug. 29 include a mix of:

Freshwater marsh

Flotant, which is a mix of wetland plants whose roots extend through water to anchor into bottom sediments

Floating marsh plants not connected to the subsurface.

Louisiana parishes face some of highest flood risk of any U.S. counties, new study says It will come as no surprise to anyone whos been caught in a sudden downpour in New Orleans, Lake Charles or many points between.

When healthy, flotant mats often are strong enough to hold the weight of adults walking across it. But they also allow the plants to move up and down with tidal water levels.

That many of the changes in central Barataria have persisted for as much as 40 days post-landfall lends itself to the interpretation that what we observe in these images may unfortunately be indicative of real wetland loss, said Brady Couvillion, a geographer with the U.S. Geological Surveys Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Baton Rouge. How long that loss will persist remains to be seen.

These marshes can float at times, or can loosely rest on a soft soil beneath, Couvillion said. In some cases, vegetation can send roots through the flotant mat and loosely attach to the soil underneath. It appears the majority of the wetlands affected by Hurricane Ida were this type of loosely attached flotant marsh.

Couvillion said some of the photographed areas that appear to have converted to open water actually had been covered by by floating aquatic vegetation not rooted to the soil, and thus dont really represent newly open water. He said its often difficult to differentiate between the vegetation types in satellite photos. And some areas that seem to be open water, such as near Myrtle Grove, might still be the result of Ida storm surge that hasnt drained yet.

We may see this area rebound, as vegetation may move into what is usually a relatively low-energy environment and begin to colonize, first as floating aquatic vegetation, then potentially as flotant marsh, Couvillion said. However, we cannot say if or when that will occur.

The storm struck 14 years into the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's continuing efforts to save the state's 20 southern parishes from vanishing.

The reports of damage comport with what were seeing with the amount of debris in canals and ditches along the areas hit by the storm, said Bren Haase, executive director of the coastal authority. Immediately following the storm, flying over Lake Salvador, a lot of the marsh was displaced into the lake itself, and it was difficult to see where the shoreline of the lake was.

Water levels have dropped since that flight, but significant losses of wetland grasses remain evident.

According to Army Corps of Engineers initial estimates, storm surge from Ida reached heights of 6 to 7 feet near Lafitte, which is near the Lake Salvadors southeast corner. The surge was topped by waves likely half again higher, as Idas more powerful eastern side crossed the area Aug. 29.

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The hurricane packed top winds of almost 140 mph as its eye cut across Port Fourchon, just to the south, and continued north along Bayou Lafourche.

In Little Lake and Barataria Bay, just east of Galliano and Golden Meadow, which are are protected by hurricane levees, surge heights were estimated by the Corps at 12 to 14 feet, again topped by waves half again as high.

In addition to the satellite photos, evidence of the rapid erosion caused by surge and waves comes from aerial drone photos taken by Elevated Services LLC of an area of newly open water just east of Clovelly Farms, where solid wetlands were present just days before the storm.

And the grass debris from the attached and floating wetlands have been identified by the coastal authority in reports to the Corps of damage to the levee systems. The debris must be removed to assure that grass growing on the wet side of the levees, which acts as armoring against surge damage from future hurricanes, isnt killed.

Ida's damage to the natural elements of Louisiana coast were likely not as extensive as that of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which destroyed more than 200 square miles of wetlands in 2005. Idas most significant wetland damage occurred in areas just north of where restoration efforts have aimed at rebuilding land bridges, new wetland platforms of solid sediment and sand extending west from the Mississippi River through Plaquemines and Lafourche parishes.

Though initially stacked with enough soil to be above the surface of the water, the new land area will eventually sink enough to be colonized by wetland grasses that will be inundated during high tides. In addition as acting as speed bumps to future storm surges, the land bridges also help reduce saltier water from the Gulf of Mexico from reaching freshwater wetlands and the intermediate flotant wetlands, like those near Lake Salvador.

The three major reasons for Louisiana's coastal loss are hurricanes, saltwater intrusion from oil and gas exploration activities and lack of replenishing sediment since the Mississippi River was leveed in the early part of the 20th century.

Charles Sasser, a Louisiana State University research professor specializing in wetland plant ecology, warns that restoring the flotant marsh area might prove difficult, now that part of it has converted to open water.

"You would expect there to be some natural regrowth of the marsh, but the critical thing for these buoyant marshes is to have fresh or nearly fresh water," Sasser said. "That's been the battle for decades in the Barataria Basin and other places."

That battle might depend on the broader success of state officials to build land bridges of sediment mined from the Mississippi River and pumped inland to be used as a nursery for new wetland grasses. The long stretches positioned strategically east-west within the Barataria Basin will help reduce the flow of saltier water from the Gulf to the northern parts of the basin.

Also assisting could be the controversial Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, proposed for construction just east of the Delta Farms area. The diversion is to add sediment that will end up atop existing wetlands, and to build new wetland areas just west of Myrtle Grove. While it will operate at its 75,000 cubic feet per second maximum for a short part of the year, usually in spring and summer months when the river is at its highest, the plan is to allow about 5,000 cubic feet per second of freshwater to flow through the structure year-round, which could help in keeping the upper Barataria area fresh enough to assist the flotant plants.

"The cool thing about floating marsh is if it is in a somewhat protected area, if it's not subject to intense wave or wind action or tidal action, they can maintain themselves," Sasser said. "They have that advantage over marsh attached to the water bottom. But they're at a real disadvantage when salinity levels are increasing."

State officials also are tracking:
After a tumultuous week that saw Larry Hollier step down as chancellor of the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Steve Nelson has been appointed interim chief of the institution.

Nelson most recently served as dean of the center's medical school. LSU expects him to led the campus for as long as 18 months, while it seeks Hollier's replacement.

+2 Larry Hollier, chancellor of LSU Health Sciences Center who came under fire, resigns post Larry Hollier is out as chancellor of the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, bringing an abrupt end to a 15-year tenure amid a raft of

Hollier was accused of underpaying women, violating university policies and inappropriately awarding pay raises and promotions to his inner circle, including creating a publicly funded position for a close colleague's son. An internal audit by the university cited "conflict of interest, favoritism, nepotism and retaliation."

His contract as chancellor was due to expire in December. A vascular surgeon, he now plans to return to the faculty.

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The LSU Health Sciences Center comprises six professional schools, including medical and dental, with 2,400 employees and an annual budget of more than $650 million. LSU said Nelson will focus on modernizing its financials, building and maintaining clinical partnerships and shaping the university's research portfolio.

+3 Audit dings leadership of LSU Health Sciences Center over nepotism, favoritism Top officials at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans skirted university hiring policies when they moved an in-house lawyer to the jo

Nelson, 68, a pulmonologist, has been with LSU since 1984, written seven books and been awarded more than $40 million in research grants.

I am honored to have this opportunity and look forward to working with my colleagues here at the Health Sciences Center, the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the entire LSU family of campuses to make sure our institution performs at its very best, Nelson said. When we are at our best, we are best positioned to help the people of Louisiana and beyond.
Williamsport, Pa. -- Few people may be aware that the Friends of the James V. Brown Library (JVB), a public membership program which sponsors current library book sales in Williamsport, is responsible for drawing well-known writers and authors to the librarys yearly gala.

The events could not take place without community contributions. The Friends of JVB "are the premier sponsor of the author gala by funding the featured author's speaker fee," said Dana Brigandi, director of Development for the library.

The role of the Friends of the JVB is to "assist the Library by funding materials, programs, and services beyond the Library's regular budget, encourage volunteer service, promote the value of the Library to the citizens of Lycoming County, and advocate support for the Library," according to their website.

Internationally-known writer and best-selling novelist/screenwriter David Baldacci came to Williamsport in one of his first public events since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baldacci entertained the audience with tales of his travels and experiences during his stop in Williamsport Oct. 6, including stumbling upon "David Baldacci day" in Barga, Italy, talking with a top forensic doctor about committing murder, and what famous actor will be starring in upcoming movies he's written.

In an earlier interview with NorthcentralPa.com, Baldacci said, "I've always been all in on this writing thing; it's what I've always wanted to do with my life. I spent decades doing something else because I couldn't make a living writing, but I was still writing full time and so I think it's really ... it's an inner motor that you go the extra mile, you do the research, do the extra planning and thinking."

Related reading:

According to Brigandi, development director for the James V. Brown Library, the librarys Author Gala raised more than $30,000 to support programming.

The current book sale, another library fundraiser which is being held at Christ Episcopal Church, 426 Mulberry St., Williamsport ends Saturday, Oct. 16, The book sale will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Flemington, Pa.  Pennsylvania State Parole agents said a routine home visit turned into the seizure of one ounce of bath salts, a significant sum of cash, a money counter, multiple digital scales, packaging material, and drug paraphernalia.

Officers, agents, and troopers from various agencies were called to the scene near the 200 block of Houston Street in Flemington. Jennifer Nicole Smith, 34, of Lock Haven was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors and held on $20,000 monetary bail at the Clinton County Prison after the raid.

Smiths charges include felony conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and two misdemeanor charges of intentional possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19.

On Oct. 13, agents with Pennsylvania State Parole said they discovered controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and a bag containing assorted packaging material. Agents said they alerted Pine Creek Township Police Chief David Winkleman and the Clinton County Drug Task Force.

The agencies conducted a search of the residence that turned up more evidence.

According to the release, Smith was transported the Clinton County Correctional Facility and arraigned on the charges.

Participating agencies included Pine Creek Township Police Department, Lock Haven City Police Department, Clinton County District Attorneys Office, Clinton County Sheriffs Office, Pennsylvania State Parole Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.

Docket sheet
Williamsport, Pa.  Ronald Rogers, 31, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Allenwood (USP Allenwood), was indicted by the federal grand jury for possessing a weapon in prison and threatening to assault and murder a law enforcement officer according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the two-count indictment charges that on April 13, 2021, while an inmate at USP Allenwood, Rogers possessed a piece of plastic-like material with a metal screw sharpened to a point, measuring approximately 6-inches in length. The indictment also charges Rogers with threatening to assault and murder a correctional officer following the recovery of the weapon.

This case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

If he is found guilty, Algeria faces a total maximum term of 15 years imprisonment on both counts of the indictment, a fine of up to $500,000 on both counts, and a maximum term of supervised release of three years on each count.
Williamsport, Pa.  After seeing her vehicle posted to the Williamsport Bureau of Polices Facebook page, Tarel Victoria Gallo, 31, of Williamsport said she had to turn herself in.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, a bicyclist was struck by a moving vehicle in the area of Washington Blvd. and Penn St. at approximately 6:49 p.m.

Police said the vehicle that hit the cyclist failed to stop and continued westbound on Washington Blvd.

Surveillance video revealed the vehicle to be a black or dark in color Chevrolet Cruze 4-door sedan.

On Sept. 22, Gallo, with her attorney present, spoke with Sergeant Brian McGee at City Hall. During the interview, Gallo allegedly told McGee she felt a jolt to her vehicle as she was traveling on Washington Blvd.

Related reading: Williamsport police searching for driver who struck bicyclist on Sunday

According to the affidavit, Gallo told McGee she continued to her boyfriends house on Cherry Street. Gallo told authorities she observed damage to the passengers side of her vehicle later in the night.

A flat tire was discovered on the vehicle the next day, which Gallo told officers she had fixed the following morning, according to the report.

Gallo stated that when she realized that it was her vehicle and that she was the person who struck the bicyclist she had to turn herself in, wrote McGhee.

According to the affidavit filed on Oct. 6, the bicyclist suffered multiple facial fractures, severe traumatic brain injury, is comatose, does not move extremities, and is on a ventilator.

Gallo, who was released on $50,000 unsecured bail, was charged with third-degree felony accidents involving death or personal injury. She was also charged with a third-degree misdemeanor in accident involving damage to an attended vehicle and two summary traffic offenses.

Court records show Gallo was given an accelerated rehabilitative disposition for a misdemeanor DUI offense in 2016. In that case Gallo was charged with DUI: general impairment and DUI: high rate of alcohol along with two summary traffic offenses.

Gallo will meet with Judge Aaron Biichle on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. for a prelminary hearing.

Docket sheet
Submitted October 12, 2021

Pennsylvanias legislators and governor should be ashamed of themselves. They are not taking care of the people of this state, and it doesnt seem to bother anyone in the legislature unless it affects them directly.

My children are the most important people in the world to me. My only daughter, Kate, has an intellectual disability and is nonverbal. She sometimes wanders at night. She is at risk for falls. She doesnt understand stranger danger, and she must have help for all her personal care. This means someone has to monitor her activity 24/7. And she cant be dropped off at some program (which is what a legislator once suggested to me), because there simply arent enough staff for those programs.

You might ask why we dont just hire a direct support professional (DSP). Well, there arent any to hire. Every week, I call providers. Every week, Im told we dont have staff. And the reason there isnt enough staff is that the state does not allocate enough funding to provide the same hourly wage for providers that PA pays its own DSPs. Equal pay for equal work is just lip service in PA.

The system is broken and its just getting worse. I know it is because government has created this problem, and that makes me angry. We should be progressing. Instead, the system is barely surviving, and thats the same for my beloved daughter.

So I am Kates staff. I am her DSP. I took money out of my retirement fund  paying a stiff tax penalty as a result  so I could give up my career to care for my daughter. Thats what moms do. We care for our children.

I work two part-time jobs, relying on family members and friends occasionally to help with Kate, but a full-time, trained DSP is what she needs. My 88-year-old mom needs my support, too, since we lost my dad during the last year. But I cannot provide that support because Kate depends on me.

Whats really bad is that Kate qualifies for more than 65 hours of support per week. That help would allow me to work full-time again and have the energy and financial means to care for Kate in the hours there arent any DSPs available. And there doesnt appear to be an end in sight.

Kates moved from provider to provider, but when COVID hit she began regressing terribly because we could not find anyone to work with her. There is a chance we could put Kate in a group home, but even thinking about that option kills my soul. Shes my daughter  just like anyone elses daughter  and like every parent reading this, I just want the best for my daughter. Some people need more care than others, and Kates one of those who needs more.

Every fix we have had is temporary. The only real way to fix this problem is for providers to hire more DSPs. But they cant, because the state simply doesnt provide the funds for them to do so. Whats worse, PA pays its own DSPs (in its state centers, a.k.a. institutions) significantly more. Thats in direct conflict with the equal pay for equal work principle that PA says is so important here.

I WONT GIVE UP. I was raised to keep fighting for the people I love. And politicians need to realize that people like Kate and I can VOTE. Its shameful that they are not doing their jobs, fulfilling their duties, for people like my Kate. Theres way too much self-serving going on. Legislators push for $15 minimum wage for the average Pennsylvanian, but they pay DSPs significantly less. Thats what were dealing with. And sons and daughters are bearing the brunt of those decisions. MY daughter is bearing the brunt of them.

Do I sound angry? Well, I am. Im frustrated, disheartened, disillusioned, and appalled. This is a juggernaut for parents.

THOUSANDS of Pennsylvanians are waiting for services as I type this. They are sons and daughters whose parents love them and want them to live a fulfilling life. They are like my Kate. They deserve to be cared for. And Ill keep fighting for my daughter  for all these sons and daughters. Because thats what moms do.

--

The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed in this letter to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of NorthcentralPa.com.




Williamsport, Pa. -- Penn College continues to place students in jobs soon after graduation thanks to the school's vocational programs in high-demand fields, the college reported.

On Wednesday, Congressman Fred Keller visited Penn College in Williamsport to tour its vocational training labs and discuss the future of Pennsylvanias skilled workforce with Penn College faculty and other local leaders.

Keller joined State Representative Clint Owlett for a tour of the schools facilities, beginning at the Thompson Professional Development Center and including the state-of-the-art construction, welding, and electrical laboratories where students acquire the skills needed for in-demand careers.

Since last June, Penn College said the institution has trained more than 2,900 students in the industrial, healthcare, and energy sectors, with a special emphasis on apprenticeships. The colleges largest program areas include nursing, information technology, welding, and construction.

Keller and Owlett sat down with Penn College administrators, as well as representatives from the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Innovative Manufacturers Center, and Williamsport Area High School to discuss their shared goals of improving workforce development in the region.

During the roundtable, Keller said he recently introduced legislation that would help connect workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic to career opportunities in high-demand fields. The Strengthening Knowledge, Improving Learning and Livelihoods (SKILLS) Act would amend existing law to prioritize job creation for in-demand industries.

This pandemic has had a profound impact on Americas workforce, supply chain, and industries across the board. Moving forward, our focus must be on helping more people find work, while also ensuring that the workforce needs of industries like long-term care are being met," said Congressman Keller.

"Thanks to Penn College, thousands of local students have gotten the training necessary to succeed in these competitive industries. I am glad to work together with all of our local partners to create a brighter future for Pennsylvanias workforce.
The PA House recently passed legislation that would require K-12 schools to post their curricula online in a standardized, user-friendly manner. The goal is to help parents more easily research what their children will be taught in school.

Information to be posted would include academic standards, instructional materials, assessment techniques, course syllabus and a title or link to all textbooks being used. Under the bill, it would have to be posted prior to the start of each school year.

The bill also stipulates that a school administrator or designee would be required to post the information online, so as not to burden teachers. Also, school entities would have 30 business days to update their websites after approval of updated curricula.

Legislators argue that this bill would not create an additional burden for schools or teachers. School policies already entail parent or guardian access to information about curriculum, including academic standards to be achieved, instructional materials and assessment techniques, as well as a process for the review of instructional material.

Given that each school entity adopts its own policy for making curriculum available to parents and guardians, there is no standardized method for individuals to view curriculum. By requiring this information be available online, House Bill 1332 creates a uniform procedure for parents, guardians and school entities alike.

To ensure sufficient time for each school entity to post curriculum online, the requirements set forth in the bill do not begin until the start of the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, the chief school administrator or a designee would be responsible for updating and maintaining the website.




New Columbia, Pa. Milton PSP released the name of a woman who perished in a fire Friday afternoon in White Deer Township.

Brenda Lee Reibsome, 57, became entrapped as fire consumed the small residence located near the 300 block of Grover Drive in New Columbia.

According to a story from the Daily Item, White Deer Township Volunteer Fire Company responded and were assisted by the Warrior Run Area Fire Department, William Cameron Engine Company, Turbot Township Fire Company, Milton Fire Department, Mifflinburg Hose Company, and the South Williamsport Fire Department.




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Rep. Greene posts Twitter poll concerning 'national divorce' says 'I too might agree'

Special Screenshot from 14th Congressional District Rep. Marjorie Greenes personal Twitter page.

14th Congressional District Rep. Marjorie Greene offered support Friday to the idea that Republican leaning states and Democratic leaning states should separate into two different nations after posting a poll earlier this week.

Should America have a national divorce? she posted to her personal Twitter page early this week with three options: Yes, by R & D states; No, stay together; and Undecided.

On Friday morning Rep. Greene continued to post to her personal Twitter page intimating support for the idea.

This should be the warning siren to all of us that America is on a path to irreconcilable differences, she wrote on her personal account. She then cited several issues that she claimed were the fault of current President Joe Biden and added I too might agree.

Greene has 449,700 followers on her personal Twitter and more than 333,800 on her official congressional account.

Greenes spokesperson, Nick Dyer, on Wednesday directed an inquiry to another Tweet he claimed was Greene specifically denouncing those claims.

That Tweet read The horrid state of our union since Biden took office has had so many people asking me about a National Divorce, she wrote on Wednesday. ND is not civil war like Antifa/BLM incitement over the past few years, its a civil legal process. Its a real issue bc Americans dont like communism.

Dyer said in an email that Greene would be traveling so may not be available for comment on the topic.

However, she continued to post on her Twitter account regarding the topic on Friday while showing support for the issue.

She claimed that Democrats had caused a rift among Americans, the results of the poll with 84,487 Twitter users participating were: 48% No, stay together, 43% Yes, by R & D States and 9% Undecided.

She further wrote that the final results were skewed after the outraged left shared this poll and tried to tank it.

On Tuesday, prior to the poll being broadcast in multiple media outlets, more than 18,500 people had cast a vote and the results were: 50.8% claim they want the country divided, 38.7% say they want all U.S. states to stay together and 10.5% voted they were undecided.

Since taking office, Greene has conducted several town halls within the 14th District, including one Thursday night in Paulding County, as well as attending a number of events and fundraisers throughout the district. She has also taken to the national stage and is scheduled to speak in Plainfield, Connecticut on Oct. 23.

This Thursday, Greene testified in defense of Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who pleaded guilty after publicly criticizing the failures of senior leadership following an attack at Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport, which took the lives of 13 service members.

Concerning the trial The Military Times wrote:

So did her arguments during the sentencing phase of the Marine officers special court-martial, which meandered from her personal 9/11 experience to calls for President Joe Bidens resignation.

Amid repeated relevancy objections from Lt. Col. Nicholas Gannon, the Marine Corps top prosecutor, Greene was cut off multiple times by Col. Glen Hines, the military judge.

After testifying on Thursday, she posted to her personal Twitter page that she was honored to testify on Schellers behalf.

Scheller was sentenced on Friday to receive a punitive letter of reprimand and forfeit $5,000 of one months pay after pleading guilty to all charges stemming from his public tirades against top military and civilian leaders, the Marine Corps announced.
George Bowers is the Senior Pastor of Antioch Church of the Brethren and has authored sixteen books including six volumes of his original poetry in Valley Verses. They are available at Four Star Printing and Shenandoah Stuff. He can be reached through www.georgebowersministries.com or at gabowers@shentel.net.
Centier took home a statewide award for community service last year from the Indiana Bankers Association.

The Indianapolis-based trade association that represents banks and bankers across the state gave its Commitment to Community Award to Community First Bank of Indiana in Kokomo in the below $500 million in assets category and Centier Bank in the above $500 million in assets category.

The Indiana Bankers Association has given out the annual awards since 2018 to celebrate banks' community outreach and shine a public spotlight on the way financial institutions serve their communities beyond just offering loans and savings accounts. A total of 22 banks across the state submitted nominations for the Commitment to Community awards this year.

The winners were honored at the IBA Mega Conference Wednesday in Indianapolis.

The Indiana Bankers Association appreciates all the nominations for the 2020 C2C Awards," Indiana Bankers Association President and CEO Amber Van Til said. "Each nomination tells the winning story of banks commitment to the communities they serve.

Centier, Indiana's largest privately owned bank, grew from a single branch in Whiting in 1895 to more than 60 branches across Indiana today.
Goncalves was honored as CEO/Chairman for the Year for taking decisive action, adapting to market shifts, and balancing immediate challenges with a trajectory of long-term growth. The award is reserved for steel industry leaders respected by peers, competitors, employees, investors and the community.

It is especially a great honor and recognition to be named CEO/Chairperson of the Year among my industry peers. It is my distinct privilege to lead Cleveland-Cliffs and to provide the strategic vision and decision-making necessary to evolve the company into the powerhouse that it is today," Goncalves said. "This is a new era for Cleveland-Cliffs as we have increased our annual revenues from $2 billion in 2019, to $5 billion in 2020, to an expected $21 billion dollars in 2021. This remarkable transformation was made possible by the support, enthusiasm and hard work of our executive team and our 25,000 employees across the company.
Nelson's family and friends remembered him last month as a dedicated husband, family man, community leader and mentor. He coached a basketball team and was known by many as "Coach Glyn."

Lenberg was arrested Wednesday, police records show.

Simms is accused of firing a gun early Monday as he attempted to run from Portage police. He later surrendered and was arrested without further incident, according to a police report.

Portage police were investigating a robbery about 2 a.m. outside a Super 8 motel in the 6100 block of U.S. 20, according to a police report.

Investigators developed Simms as a possible suspect and learned from police in Lake County that Simms and another person were being investigated in connection with similar crimes, the report states.

Police learned Simms and the other person were traveling in a white Pontiac minivan, which they located near the Super 8.

About 4 a.m., Simms and two other people returned to the minivan, and police attempted to block it in to take detain them, the report states.

Simms took off running, and officers heard a gunshot from the direction he ran, police said.
VALPARAISO  For the first time in two years, downtown was teeming with trick-or-treaters Friday night. The tradition returned with kids out in full force.

The whole street is full of nothing but smiles, said Louie Ketchum, a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows lodge. His group handed out flying rings to the kids.

Greg Simms, also a member of the group, said they ordered 1,400 of the discs and had another 1,000 at his house if needed. We thought wed do something a little different, he said.

We are having a great time! Its great seeing all the kids in their costumes, said Shannon Kolesci, who was representing Baos Pastry.

Weve been doing it for long. I think its a great thing for the community, added Rachel Lynn.

Scot MacDonald, director of the Memorial Opera House, was excited to see so many trick-or-treaters and to have a sold-out show that night.

We love seeing the kids. Its a great opportunity for us to connect with the community in another way, he said.

Mia Shurr, 2, dressed as a cowgirl after riding a horse for the first time this summer. She practiced saying, Yee haw! but it came out as a meow at least once.
KNOX  LaPorte County Prosecutor John Lake is suing former Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer for alleging he targeted Meer's stepson for arrest to try and cost him reelection in 2019.

Lake said he didn't file sooner because he wanted to see how the criminal cases against Meer and his stepson, Adam Bray, turned out.

He also said the two-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit in such cases in Indiana was fast approaching and after talking it over with his wife they both agreed it was the right thing to do.

I dont want to get into the facts of the case but what he said was a lie. We have a right to protect our integrity and our reputations, Lake said.

Lake said the heated political climate in the nation also factored into his decision.

These kind of attacks are becoming more and more popular. People say outrageous things about elected officials. Its about holding people accountable, he said.

The lawsuit claims defamatory statements by Meer caused Lake and his wife, Mary, loss of professional stature and credibility.

Mary Lake is a deputy prosecutor for her husband in the third year of his first four-year term.
These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services, Mr. Inslee said. We have a duty to protect them from the virus, they have the right to be protected, and the communities they serve and live in deserve protection as well.

Dow Constantine, the King County executive, and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan joined Mr. Inslee at the news conference to voice their endorsements.

Applications will be considered for legitimate medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs, the governor said, but not for philosophical objections. Employees will not be able to forego the vaccine and get tested weekly.

Mr. Inslees office said that the bill for coronavirus tests would be in the millions of dollars if continued indefinitely and the testing option had not worked well in public facilities like prisons, privately-run hospitals or nursing homes. Were past the point where we can test our way to safety, he said. They dont solve the problem.

Mr. Inslee is using the emergency authority powers he was granted during the coronavirus pandemic to issue the new order, his office said. The state licenses health care workers in private facilities and settings, and the governor said that the same enforcement mechanism that comes into play when a medical error or the wrong medicine is given. This is a life-and-safety rule, he added.
The setback also means that President Biden will have a weakened hand when he travels to Glasgow in two weeks for a major United Nations climate change summit. He had hoped to point to the clean electricity program as evidence that the United States, which is historically the largest emitter of planet-warming pollution, was serious about changing course and leading a global effort to fight climate change. Mr. Biden has vowed that the United States will cut its emissions 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

The rest of the world remains deeply wary of the countrys commitment to tackling global warming after four years in which former President Donald J. Trump openly mocked the science of climate change and enacted policies that encouraged more drilling and burning of fossil fuels.

This will create a huge problem for the White House in Glasgow, said David G. Victor, co-director of the Deep Decarbonization Initiative at the University of California, San Diego. If you see the president coming in and saying all the right things with all the right aspirations, and then one of the earliest tests of whether he can deliver falls apart, it creates the question of whether you can believe him.

Democrats had hoped to include the clean electricity program in their sweeping budget bill that would also expand the social safety net, which they plan to muscle through using a fast-track process known as reconciliation that would allow them to pass it without any Republican votes. The party is still trying to figure out how to pass that budget bill, along with a bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill.

For weeks, Democratic leaders have vowed that the clean electricity program was a nonnegotiable part of the legislation. Progressive Democrats held rallies chanting No climate, no deal!

Mr. Biden had hoped that enactment of the legislation would clean up the electricity sector, which produces about a quarter of the countrys greenhouse gases. He wanted a program with impacts that would last well after he leaves office, regardless of who occupies the White House.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at an event in San Francisco Friday morning that she was still pushing for the strongest possible climate change provisions in the bill.
Mr. Mercados brother, Ray Rivera, 65, said that his family could not raise enough money for his bail and was reeling from their loss.

We didnt want him to die in there, Mr. Rivera said. Im crushed.

In a statement, Vincent Schiraldi, the correction commissioner, said that the cause of Mr. Mercados death appeared to be medical in nature pending further investigation and that he was heartbroken about it.

Our department is more committed than ever to improve safety across the jail system for staff and detainees, Mr. Schiraldi said in the statement.

More than 600 people in custody had confirmed cases of Covid-19 as of last week, city records show, up slightly from 589 the week before.

Mr. Mercado was not the only person to come to harm in the jail system this week. At around 5 p.m. Thursday, another detainee, Anthony Scott, 58, tried to hang himself in a holding pen at the Manhattan criminal courthouse. Mr. Scott was there after been arraigned on an assault charge, a court spokesman said, and had been ordered held on $15,000 cash bail or a $45,000 bond.

Guards and rescue workers cut him down and took him to Bellevue Hospital Center, where he was in critical condition on Friday, according to two people familiar with his case who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe details of a detainees health.

We are outraged to learn that the city again has failed to protect our vulnerable clients in its custody, and this incident is the latest horrifying example of that ineptitude, said Tina Luongo, attorney-in-charge of the Criminal Defense Practice at the Legal Aid Society. Instead of receiving treatment, Mr. Scott was criminalized for his mental illness.
The dual fridge

The Covid concept home reflected the idea that American middle-class families need to stockpile food and supplies. The home has two full-size modern refrigerators, one in the kitchen, and one just off the kitchen, in the laundry room. Second fridges are not uncommon in American homes, but they have not been thought of as a middle-class consumer item. They were either associated with working-class and poor rural communities, for bulk-buying and freezing, or the high-end luxury consumption patterns of people who had multiple refrigerators for entertaining and household management, as well as storing food for housekeepers and nannies.

The concept home is solidly middle class, as evidenced by the survey respondents income level. The idea of having two full-size refrigerators is said to be, according to the study, an accommodation for parents who say they need more refrigerator space so, among other reasons, they can stockpile food items. In an area like North Carolina, where the Covid concept home is being built, the stockpiling of the goods in two refrigerators seems like overkill  until one considers where this new home construction is happening. Like many master-planned communities, this one is redeveloping an exurban area where infrastructure is not keeping up with the influx of new residents.

The place  described by the developers as near (but not too near) major cities like Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham  was important to the study. People in these exurban communities have to travel miles to the nearest grocery store, which is more akin to how rural people have to go into town to get goods than to living in the city or suburbs. If youre going to take 30 minutes to drive to the grocery store, you may be stocking up, not just in response to Covid, but in response to the transportation costs and the time and effort required to get to grocery stores as housing developments outstrip retails ability to keep up with consumer demand.

The escape room

The Covid concept home has a hidden room upstairs in the master bedroom that was obviously designed to be a mom room, where mothers can hide from their spouses and their children. It has a bookcase, a false bookcase door, an opening  again, only accessible through the master bedroom. It is decorated with floor pillows, reminiscent of California cult chic. It looks like the kind of space where one is expected to chant and to achieve vibrations that will pull them closer to the ultimate energy source. Or whatever.

This room is the most divisive design element among those with whom I shared the concept home. Women with small children, in particular, like one woman I toured the home with, said some version of: I could absolutely use a room like that, because what Covid showed me is that so much togetherness with my family is not good for my mental health and my well-being. And I cannot escape the home. So I need escapes within the home. But some men and women were appalled at the rooms concept, describing it as pandering. As one woman said to me, getting away from your children cant solve the problem of how unfair and unsustainable modern motherhood is. It cant rebalance a disproportionate division of labor. She called it akin to building a bubble bath to solve the social structural problem of gendered labor and expectations.

Calgon, take me away  Remember those commercials from the 1970s and 80s? As I recently told an audience, a bubble bath isnt going to fix what is wrong with you. Because a lot of our burnout and ennui is not about being tired. It is about being unsupported. Child care, transit, elder care and health care would do more for our collective well-being than a bubble bath. Much in the same way that a secret not-so-secret room  in a middle-class home designed for a woman to be constantly accessible and continually managing the liminal space between her multiple social roles, from the control center of her overextended middle-class home in a master-planned exurban community that requires her to drive 20 to 30 minutes for all of her necessary services  can in no way qualify as self-care.

The Covid concept home demonstrates both the exuberant quality of American consumption  that we can buy our way out of everything  and its limits as a solution. Designing for problems that may seem straightforward in a survey may sound really cool, and may provide you with some really cool features. Listen, I thought that the laundry room was impressive, and I never imagined myself being impressed by a laundry room. But the problems posed by Covid cant really be solved at the level of the household. These are structural, collective problems: politically and culturally, economically and spiritually. A concept house for our post-Covid reality probably needs to look more like dense, accessible, affordable housing so that women can untether themselves from the control center of their homes, and instead just enjoy a simple cup of coffee in the kitchen.

The Covid concept home is 2,600 square feet, was built in 60 days and is not yet priced but is expected to be listed at some point next year. It has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. You can see pictures and take a virtual tour from the comfort of your own home.

Tressie McMillan Cottom (@tressiemcphd) is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science, the author of Thick: And Other Essays and a 2020 MacArthur fellow.
[explosion] In one of the final acts of its 20-year war in Afghanistan, the United States fired a missile from a drone at a car in Kabul. It was parked in the courtyard of a home, and the explosion killed 10 people, including 43-year-old Zemari Ahmadi and seven children, according to his family. The Pentagon claimed that Ahmadi was a facilitator for the Islamic State, and that his car was packed with explosives, posing an imminent threat to U.S. troops guarding the evacuation at the Kabul airport. The procedures were correctly followed, and it was a righteous strike. What the military apparently didnt know was that Ahmadi was a longtime aid worker, who colleagues and family members said spent the hours before he died running office errands, and ended his day by pulling up to his house. Soon after, his Toyota was hit with a 20-pound Hellfire missile. What was interpreted as the suspicious moves of a terrorist may have just been an average day in his life. And its possible that what the military saw Ahmadi loading into his car were water canisters he was bringing home to his family  not explosives. Using never-before seen security camera footage of Ahmadi, interviews with his family, co-workers and witnesses, we will piece together for the first time his movements in the hours before he was killed. Zemari Ahmadi was an electrical engineer by training. For 14 years, he had worked for the Kabul office of Nutrition and Education International. NEI established a total of 11 soybean processing plants in Afghanistan. Its a California based NGO that fights malnutrition. On most days, he drove one of the companys white Toyota corollas, taking his colleagues to and from work and distributing the NGOs food to Afghans displaced by the war. Only three days before Ahmadi was killed, 13 U.S. troops and more than 170 Afghan civilians died in an Islamic State suicide attack at the airport. The military had given lower-level commanders the authority to order airstrikes earlier in the evacuation, and they were bracing for what they feared was another imminent attack. To reconstruct Ahmadis movements on Aug. 29, in the hours before he was killed, The Times pieced together the security camera footage from his office, with interviews with more than a dozen of Ahmadis colleagues and family members. Ahmadi appears to have left his home around 9 a.m. He then picked up a colleague and his bosss laptop near his house. Its around this time that the U.S. military claimed it observed a white sedan leaving an alleged Islamic State safehouse, around five kilometers northwest of the airport. Thats why the U.S. military said they tracked Ahmadis Corolla that day. They also said they intercepted communications from the safehouse, instructing the car to make several stops. But every colleague who rode with Ahmadi that day said what the military interpreted as a series of suspicious moves was just a typical day in his life. After Ahmadi picked up another colleague, the three stopped to get breakfast, and at 9:35 a.m., they arrived at the N.G.O.s office. Later that morning, Ahmadi drove some of his co-workers to a Taliban-occupied police station to get permission for future food distribution at a new displacement camp. At around 2 p.m., Ahmadi and his colleagues returned to the office. The security camera footage we obtained from the office is crucial to understanding what happens next. The cameras timestamp is off, but we went to the office and verified the time. We also matched an exact scene from the footage with a timestamp satellite image to confirm it was accurate. A 2:35 p.m., Ahmadi pulls out a hose, and then he and a co-worker fill empty containers with water. Earlier that morning, we saw Ahmadi bring these same empty plastic containers to the office. There was a water shortage in his neighborhood, his family said, so he regularly brought water home from the office. At around 3:38 p.m., a colleague moves Ahmadis car further into the driveway. A senior U.S. official told us that at roughly the same time, the military saw Ahmadis car pull into an unknown compound 8 to 12 kilometers southwest of the airport. That overlaps with the location of the NGOs office, which we believe is what the military called an unknown compound. With the workday ending, an employee switched off the office generator and the feed from the camera ends. We dont have footage of the moments that followed. But its at this time, the military said that its drone feed showed four men gingerly loading wrapped packages into the car. Officials said they couldnt tell what was inside them. This footage from earlier in the day shows what the men said they were carrying  their laptops one in a plastic shopping bag. And the only things in the trunk, Ahmadis co-workers said, were the water containers. Ahmadi dropped each one of them off, then drove to his home in a dense neighborhood near the airport. He backed into the homes small courtyard. Children surrounded the car, according to his brother. A U.S. official said the military feared the car would leave again, and go into an even more crowded street or to the airport itself. The drone operators, who hadnt been watching Ahmadis home at all that day, quickly scanned the courtyard and said they saw only one adult male talking to the driver and no children. They decided this was the moment to strike. A U.S. official told us that the strike on Ahmadis car was conducted by an MQ-9 Reaper drone that fired a single Hellfire missile with a 20-pound warhead. We found remnants of the missile, which experts said matched a Hellfire at the scene of the attack. In the days after the attack, the Pentagon repeatedly claimed that the missile strike set off other explosions, and that these likely killed the civilians in the courtyard. Significant secondary explosions from the targeted vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material. Because there were secondary explosions, theres a reasonable conclusion to be made that there was explosives in that vehicle. But a senior military official later told us that it was only possible to probable that explosives in the car caused another blast. We gathered photos and videos of the scene taken by journalists and visited the courtyard multiple times. We shared the evidence with three weapons experts who said the damage was consistent with the impact of a Hellfire missile. They pointed to the small crater beneath Ahmadis car and the damage from the metal fragments of the warhead. This plastic melted as a result of a car fire triggered by the missile strike. All three experts also pointed out what was missing: any evidence of the large secondary explosions described by the Pentagon. No collapsed or blown-out walls, including next to the trunk with the alleged explosives. No sign that a second car parked in the courtyard was overturned by a large blast. No destroyed vegetation. All of this matches what eyewitnesses told us, that a single missile exploded and triggered a large fire. There is one final detail visible in the wreckage: containers identical to the ones that Ahmadi and his colleague filled with water and loaded into his trunk before heading home. Even though the military said the drone team watched the car for eight hours that day, a senior official also said they werent aware of any water containers. The Pentagon has not provided The Times with evidence of explosives in Ahmadis vehicle or shared what they say is the intelligence that linked him to the Islamic State. But the morning after the U.S. killed Ahmadi, the Islamic State did launch rockets at the airport from a residential area Ahmadi had driven through the previous day. And the vehicle they used   was a white Toyota. The U.S. military has so far acknowledged only three civilian deaths from its strike, and says there is an investigation underway. They have also admitted to knowing nothing about Ahmadi before killing him, leading them to interpret the work of an engineer at a U.S. NGO as that of an Islamic State terrorist. Four days before Ahmadi was killed, his employer had applied for his family to receive refugee resettlement in the United States. At the time of the strike, they were still awaiting approval. Looking to the U.S. for protection, they instead became some of the last victims in Americas longest war. Hi, Im Evan, one of the producers on this story. Our latest visual investigation began with word on social media of an explosion near Kabul airport. It turned out that this was a U.S. drone strike, one of the final acts in the 20-year war in Afghanistan. Our goal was to fill in the gaps in the Pentagons version of events. We analyzed exclusive security camera footage, and combined it with eyewitness accounts and expert analysis of the strike aftermath. You can see more of our investigations by signing up for our newsletter.
New South Wales will become the first Australian state to allow fully vaccinated residents to return to the country without quarantining, starting next month, the authorities announced on Friday.

Since the start of the pandemic, tens of thousands of Australians have been stranded abroad because of caps on the numbers of weekly returnees. Anyone entering the country must quarantine for 14 days in a hotel at their own expense.

Although the authorities in New South Wales, which includes Sydney and is Australias most populous state, implied that tourists and other visa holders would also be able to enter, Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected that notion at a news conference later on Friday, saying that such a move would be a decision for the federal government.

We are not opening up to everyone coming back to Australia at the moment, he said. We are only extending this to Australian residents, citizens and their immediate families.
In a stressed health care system, some routine procedures or elective surgeries can be deferred without much harm. But more than half of the 2.3 million Medicare beneficiaries who die annually rely on hospice care, Medicare reported. To qualify for hospice, patients are deemed to be within six months of death, which cannot be postponed.

Because many put off enrolling  American patients spend only a median of 18 days in hospice  even short waits can mean the loss of valuable care, from pain relief to help with household tasks.

It causes huge distress to tell a family, We cant serve you, said Barbara Hansen, who directs Oregons and Washingtons state hospice and palliative care organizations.

The Center for Hospice Care in northern Indiana, which serves about 2,000 patients annually, has not had to turn away patients. But the smaller of its two inpatient units, a seven-bed hospice in Elkhart, has remained closed since July because of inadequate staff.

The Center had planned to reopen it on Oct. 1, but a newly hired nurse left, so the unit remains unavailable. I keep thinking its going to get better, said Mark Murray, the Centers president and chief executive.

In New York State, its a day-to-day jigsaw puzzle that puts a strain on the organization, said Jeanne Chirico, the president and chief executive of the states Hospice and Palliative Care Association. Some hospices, which often pride themselves on enrolling new patients within a day, may take an additional day or two, since admissions are a labor-intensive process. They may send home aides for fewer hours.
The final James Bond outing for Daniel Craig, No Time to Die, also marks a notable milestone for Bondian geopolitics: The franchise just completed a five-movie arc with a single lead actor, and amid all the globe-trotting and intrigue you would barely know that China existed. Shanghai and Macau were brief backdrops, and one villain had been tortured, offstage and in the past, by Chinese security forces  but overall a series released across the years of Chinas rise gave little hint that Americas leading rival mattered any more than any other exotic Bondian locale.

In fairness, the Cold War-era Bond movies were not obsessed with Russia, serving up stateless supervillains rather than Soviet adversaries in many of his outings. But the reality of Russian power was part of the fabric of the series. The same actor showed up as the head of the K.G.B., for instance, in five Bond movies in the 1970s and 80s.

Chinas absence from Bondworld is part of a general absence in American cinema. Out of fear of losing the Chinese market, and amid the aggressive use of commercial soft power by Beijing, in the almost quarter-century since Brad Pitts Seven Years in Tibet and Richard Geres Red Corner, no major Hollywood release has portrayed the Communist regime in a substantially negative light. Instead, China appears in our pop productions in soft focus, as in The Martian and Arrival, or else takes a fantastical form, as in Mulan and Shang-Chi.

Or just as often, as in the Craig movies, it barely appears at all. The Asian pop culture that has increasing influence on America is mostly Korean and Japanese, while China  despite all its power, despite our economic intertwinement, despite its crucial role in our political and now our public-health debates  remains more a domain for experts, its internal life and culture more distant and opaque.
To the Editor:

Re Should We Mess With the Atmosphere?, by David Keith (Opinion guest essay, Sunday Review, Oct. 3):

Dr. Keith makes the case for solar geoengineering, whereby a fleet of airplanes dumps vast quantities of reflective chemicals into the upper atmosphere to block sunlight. What could possibly go wrong?

While bold, creative thinking has its place in addressing the climate crisis, this is not the time to play fast and loose with the only planet we know that can support life. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has shown that we can still avert a dangerous planetary warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) if we enact deep, sustained emissions reductions this decade, as the Biden administration has pledged to do by embracing a rapid transition toward clean energy.

Thats where our collective focus must be going into the crucial international climate summit next month. By taking swift, decisive action to reduce emissions this decade, we reserve the right to begin cooling the planet midcentury, the safe way.

Kim M. Cobb

Michael E. Mann

Dr. Cobb is a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Mann is director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University.
Q: My children have been asking me for weeks: Will trick-or-treating happen this Halloween? Our Upper West Side co-op has been silent so far, but whats the word on the street? Are buildings planning to allow children to take the elevator from floor to floor to get their loot? Personally, I have mixed feelings about all this. I want my children to enjoy something normal, but I also worry about the potential for an outbreak in the building. So how are buildings approaching this sticky subject?

A: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this Halloween is shaping up to be a dud for apartment dwellers.

Id be surprised if buildings allow young trick-or-treaters to run around, even with masks, because they cannot yet be vaccinated, said Steven D. Sladkus, a real estate lawyer and partner at the Manhattan law firm Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas. Were not out of the zone of Covid.

Last fall, during the pandemics second wave, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discouraged trick-or-treating, describing it as a high-risk activity to avoid. In turn, New York apartment buildings nixed the annual tradition of children riding their apartment elevators in search of sweets.
NASA embarked on a 12-year mission to study a group of asteroids on Saturday with the launch of Lucy, a robotic explorer that will meander through the unexplored caverns of deep space to find new clues about the creation of our solar system.

The 5:34 a.m. Eastern time liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop an Atlas 5 rocket from United Launch Alliance was the first step of Lucys four-billion mile path into the orbital neighborhood of Jupiter. There, two swarms of asteroids known as the Trojans have hid for billions of years, leftover debris from the solar systems early formation.

The spacecraft launched before dawn, setting off toward the orbit that will begin its elaborate trajectory. Lucy separated from the rockets second stage booster roughly an hour after liftoff and about a half an hour later unfurled two circular solar panels that will power the spacecraft throughout its journey.

Orbiting the sun on each side of Jupiter, the two clouds of dark asteroids have only been scrutinized by scientists from afar. Some 10,000 have been identified of the roughly one million that are estimated to exist. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to dive directly into the clusters to get close-up views of seven unique Trojan asteroids, plus one tiny asteroid in the solar systems main asteroid belt.
When an advisory panel to federal regulators endorsed boosters for Johnson & Johnsons one-dose Covid-19 vaccine on Friday, the scientists on the committee discussed a question many people are asking: Is it a good idea to mix and match vaccines?

The question came up after the panel heard a presentation about a study showing that the mix-and-match approach gives patients who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine a stronger antibody response.

Dr. Peter Marks, a top Food and Drug Administration official, told the panel that the agency might consider allowing Johnson & Johnson recipients to receive a booster shot of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. But Dr. Marks, who oversees the F.D.A.s vaccine division, gave no timetable for that decision, saying only that authorization of a different vaccine as a booster for Johnson & Johnson recipients was possible.

The panel heard from Dr. Kirsten Lyke of the University of Maryland School of Medicine about the study, in which she and her colleagues found that Johnson & Johnson recipients may benefit more from a Moderna or Pfizer booster. The study, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, examined different combinations of the three vaccines.
To get around Republican obstruction, Democrats are using a fast-track process known as reconciliation that shields legislation from a filibuster. That would allow it to pass the 50-50 Senate on a simple majority vote, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting a tiebreaking vote.

But it would still require the support of every Democratic senator  and nearly every one of their members in the House. Democratic leaders and White House officials have been haggling behind the scenes to nail down an agreement that could satisfy both Mr. Manchin and Ms. Sinema, who have been reluctant to publicly detail which proposals they want to see scaled back or jettisoned.

Congressional leaders aim to finish their negotiations in time to act on the reconciliation bill by the end of October, when they also hope to move forward on another of Mr. Bidens top priorities, a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that would be the largest investment in roads, bridges, broadband and other physical public works in more than a decade.

As with any bill of such historic proportions, not every member will get everything he or she wants, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, wrote to Democrats in a letter ahead of the chambers return on Monday. I deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by each and every one of you.

It remains unclear which sacrifices will have to be made, with lawmakers still at odds over the best strategy for paring down the plan, let alone how to structure specific programs. The most potent plan to replace coal and gas-fired plants with wind, nuclear and solar energy, for example, is likely to be dropped because of Mr. Manchins opposition, but White House and congressional staff are cobbling together alternatives to cut emissions that could be added to the plan.

Liberals remain insistent that the bill  initially conceived as a cradle-to-grave social safety net overhaul on par with the Great Society of the 1960s  include as many programs as possible, while more moderate lawmakers have called for large investments in just a few key initiatives.

In the midst of the impasse, rank-and-file lawmakers have been left to return home to their constituents to try to promote a still-unfinished product that is shrouded in the mystery of private negotiations, all while explaining why a Democratic-controlled government has yet to deliver on promises they campaigned on.
Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate and a former governor, has sought to tie Mr. Youngkin to the former president, while the Republican candidate has largely tried to keep some distance from Mr. Trump, to avoid alienating the all-important suburban, moderate voters who could decide the races outcome. But at the grass-roots level, the messages from Virginia Democrats and Republicans are less distinct.

Democrats argue that losing the statewide election on Nov. 2 would be a bad omen for them in the 2022 midterms, and Republicans agree. And while Democrats paint Mr. Youngkin as an acolyte of Mr. Trump who would help pave the way for the former presidents return in 2024, Republicans at the Take Back Virginia rally on Wednesday explicitly said the same thing. They were willing to make clear what Mr. Youngkin has carefully avoided.

John Fredericks, a conservative radio host who organized the event and calls himself the Godzilla of truth, said the Virginia race was the first step in clawing back the political power that Trump voters believe was stolen from them last year. He was one of several speakers who encouraged the audience to become election workers.

Lets win on Nov. 2 and send a message to America that we have had enough, Mr. Fredericks told the crowd. You are the motor. You are the engine. You are the deplorables that, if we turn out on Nov. 2 and vote early and be a poll watcher, you can change the course of history in America.
Asma told her family she wanted to be a doctor. They asked her what kind. A childrens doctor?

Not just any doctor, Asma told them, pointing an index finger in the air, as she often did to make a point. I want to be the head doctor.

The death of Asmas father meant that the bureaucratic hurdles for the family to come to the United States were infinitely higher, since there was no primary applicant. But as long as American troops remained in the country, there seemed to be no huge impetus to leave. A few relatives, including Yousuf, Asmas uncle  whom, like others in the family, The Times is identifying by one name for safety reasons  made it to the United States. But Asmas family remained in Afghanistan.

Then Kabul fell to the Taliban, and suddenly what was once an aspiration for a better life became a matter of life and death. Nabila fled with her children to her sisters house in Kabul, and then, on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 a.m., the family got into a taxi and went to the airport. Each child had a backpack with one change of clothes. Nabila had her husbands work documents and a handful of family photos, including one of her engagement. That was it. No clear plastic bag of travel-size liquids. No favorite book. No suitcases.

Image Asma was burned by a tear-gas canister thrown by American forces while she and her family waited to get inside the Kabul airport.

The taxi let the family off near the Abbey Gate, where thousands of people had massed. Nabila knew that perhaps this was not the best day to be fasting, as she would most likely be outside for hours, if not longer. But then again, this was perhaps the perfect day to be fasting. I wanted requital from God, she recalled.

About 12 hours later, with the sun gone from the sky and the stars becoming clear, the crowd at the gate surged, pushing the family closer to the concertina wire. Troops threw out tear-gas canisters, and Asma was hit in the face. The hem of Nabilas dress caught fire briefly as they both went down.

Asmas brother Israr rushed to his mother and sister and poured water on Asmas face. He struggled to breathe amid the smoke. His sisters mask was stuck to her face in a ghastly melding of burned material and skin.
While family members were on the phone with The New York Times, Mr. Vadell, 62, called them on another line to say he was being held at the Helicoide, a Venzeuelan prison known for its harsh conditions. His voice cracked, said his daughter, Cristina Vadell, as he asked them to make arrangements to send water and food, which the Venezuelan government does not supply.

Its disgusting to see how governments play and toy with peoples lives, as if they were gods or something, like theyre children fighting for a toy, said Veronica Vadell, another daughter, who said the U.S. government should not have extradited Mr. Saab before ensuring their fathers safety. Our dads fate is in the hands of the U.S. government and the Venezuelan government, and we cant do anything about it.

The extradition of Mr. Saab also threatened to derail the negotiations between Mr. Maduro and Venezuelas political opposition, which has long been supported by the United States. The talks began in Mexico in September, and the opposition has hoped they will provide an opportunity to pressure Mr. Maduro into holding free and fair elections.

In an interview with The New York Times on Thursday, the head of Venezuelas political opposition, Juan Guaido, said he hoped the talks would push the government to play fair during regional elections set for next month, which would then serve as a trampoline to mobilize voters to push for a free presidential election in the coming years.

But the Venezuelan government immediately backed away from the talks on Saturday. In a statement condemning Mr. Saabs arrest, the Maduro government said the move threatens the good development of the negotiations.

Mr. Saabs lawyer, Jose Manuel Pinto Monteiro, claimed in a video sent to reporters that Mr. Saab had been kidnapped by the United States.

If Mr. Saab were to cooperate with American officials, he could help untangle Mr. Maduros economic web, aiding the authorities in bringing charges against other allies of the Venezuelan government.
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota said on Friday that he would call upon the states National Guard to help ease staffing shortages that have kept hospitals from transferring Covid-19 patients for stepped-down care at long-term care facilities.

Mr. Walz called the transfers a very typical thing in our medical system and said they had been bottlenecked by capacity at those facilities. He said the National Guard will be given the training necessary to provide long-term care. He did not say how many soldiers will provide that relief, but said it will be a fairly large contingent.

The governor traveled to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, just outside Minneapolis, to announce the plan.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand  Since New Zealand closed its borders in March 2020, setting the stage for one of the worlds most successful Covid-19 responses, the wide-body jets that once ferried its citizens to every corner of the globe have mostly been redeployed for shipping freight. And the vast majority of Kiwis have, throughout the pandemic, been as flightless as their eponymous birds.

But on Saturday, some 300 residents of Auckland, New Zealands biggest city, boarded an Air New Zealand Boeing 787 jet once again at the citys international airport. This time, it was not to take a trip, but to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the booth of a business-class seat. The doses were kept cool with dry ice on the trolleys that typically offer a choice of chicken or beef.

Its one of a kind, said Johan Rickus, 30, as he proffered his left arm for his second dose. After receiving the vaccine from a health care worker, he was ushered back to economy class by an uniformed member of the cabin crew to wait out his 15 minute post-vaccination period in a slightly less cushy seat.

The event was one of dozens of pop-ups held around the country for Super Saturday, a single-day vaccination effort organized by New Zealands Ministry of Health. The goal was to break the countrys record for the most doses delivered in 24 hours  previously 93,000. About 350,000 vaccinations slots were available, which could reach about 8.3 percent of New Zealands eligible population. By 8 p.m., the country had already given out nearly 130,000 doses, with hours yet to go.
God parenting, church officials said, had fallen to earth as a secular custom between relatives or neighbors  many deficient in faith or living in sin  and was now a mere method of strengthening family ties.

And sometimes mob ties, too.

Italian prosecutors have tracked baptisms to map out how underworld bosses spread influence, and mob widows in court have saved their most poisonous spite for the real Judases who betray the baptismal bond. It is a transgression most associated with, well, The Godfather, especially the baptism scene when Michael Corleone renounces Satan in church as his henchmen whack all of his enemies.

But church officials warn that secularization more than anything led them to rub out the godparents, a Sicilian thing thats been going on for 2,000 years, or at least since the churchs dicey first days, when sponsors known to bishops vouched for converts to prevent pagan infiltration.

Its an experiment, said Msgr. Salvatore Genchi, the vicar general of Catania, as he held a copy of the ban in his office behind the citys basilica. A godfather to at least 15 godchildren, the monsignor said he was well qualified for the role, but he estimated that 99 percent of the dioceses godparents were not.
PARIS  President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday became the first French head of state to attend commemorations of the mass killing of Algerian independence protesters by the Paris police 60 years ago, a brutal episode that many historians consider the most violent repression of a peaceful demonstration in contemporary Western Europe.

Despite a death toll now estimated to be as high as 200, the French authorities avoided mention of the killings until President Francois Hollande acknowledged them in October 2012.

Activists and historians hoped that Mr. Macron would go further and acknowledge not only the responsibility of the police, but also that of the state in covering up what a court has since described as a massacre.

He should recognize the state massacre, Mohammed Harbi, a historian of the Algerian war of independence, told Le Monde newspaper. This cannot be avoided.
David Amess, a British lawmaker who was stabbed to death on Friday, warned in a book published less than a year ago that attacks on members of Parliament had spoiled the great British tradition of voters meeting politicians, adding that a deadly assault could happen to any of us.

That tradition of lawmakers conducting regular, in-person meetings with voters  encounters known as constituency surgeries  gives Britons unusually good access to their political representatives.

But Mr. Amess died after being attacked at just such an event on Friday, and in 2016, it was outside a constituency surgery that Jo Cox, a Labour lawmaker, was murdered.

In 2010, Stephen Timms, another Labour lawmaker, survived a serious stabbing at another such meeting, and in 2000, a parliamentary aide, Andy Pennington, was killed in similar circumstances while trying to protect Nigel Jones, a lawmaker for the Liberal Democrats, from a machete attack.
LONDON  As Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other British leaders paid their respects on Saturday to a Conservative lawmaker fatally stabbed a day earlier, the police were searching three addresses in the London area while continuing to question the 25-year-old man arrested after the attack.

Late Saturday, Londons Metropolitan Police said they had been granted a warrant under the Terrorism Act to keep the suspect in detention for six extra days in connection with the killing of David Amess in a seaside town east of London.

The police have formally declared the attack a terrorist episode, with a potential link to Islamist extremism. They have not yet publicly named the suspect, who was arrested at the scene, but the BBC, citing government sources, identified him as Ali Harbi Ali, a British national believed to be of Somali heritage.

The BBC also reported that the suspect had briefly been referred to Britains Prevent program, which is intended to keep people from being radicalized.
Border restrictions that are part of the pandemic response in Japan have deterred most tourists from visiting the country. So one airline is taking an unusual approach to generate revenue by offering extreme discounts on domestic flights.

Peach Aviation said this week that it would sell 150 unlimited passes to passengers 12 and older with valid photo identification giving a month of access to the budget carriers 33 domestic flights. It said it was catering especially to digital nomads in Japan who are working remotely and looking for workcations in places they havent been after months of coronavirus restrictions on travel.

On Tuesday, the first 30 buyers would be able to buy a pass for as little as $173. (In comparison, a 21-day Japan Rail Pass costs $583.) For $87 more, they would get to reserve their seats and bring along a checked bag. Fares for the remaining 120 passes would cost $87 more.

The airline is hoping to tap into a demand for domestic flights after the restrictions grounded most airplanes.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  Tony Nohra, a shopkeeper in a Christian neighborhood of Beirut, was receiving a shipment of yogurt on Friday, the day after sectarian clashes killed seven people in the city, and talking about how many Shiite Muslim friends he had.

But when asked how the violence had begun, he snapped. You have to ask the guys there, he said, angrily pointing toward the Shiite neighborhood nearby.

Overhearing the comment, the Shiite man delivering the yogurt cut in.

No, no, he insisted. It started from here.

Most of the time, residents of Beirut, a scrappy Mediterranean city whose roughly 2.5 million inhabitants represent tremendous ethnic and religious diversity, get by and get along. They do business, socialize and even marry outside of their religious groups.
Mr. al-Assadi said he does not foresee any change in an existing ban on senior officials of the Sadrist Movement from meeting with U.S. or British officials.

Once a fierce sectarian defender of Iraqs Shiite majority, Mr. al-Sadr has expanded his reach in recent years, reaching out to Sunnis, Christians and other minorities. After telling his followers to protect Christians, young men from Mr. Sadrs stronghold in the mostly Shiite neighborhood of Baghdads Sadr City began wearing large crosses around their necks in a sign of solidarity. In a previous election, the Sadrists formed an alliance with the Communist Party, which is officially atheist.

Externally, he has fostered relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at a time when those countries Sunni Arab rulers were hostile to Iraqs Shiite-led government. Domestically, one of his main demands is to clean up Iraqs dysfunctional and deeply corrupt political system, which appoints people to senior government posts on the basis of party loyalty rather than competence.

He has grown and evolved, said Nabeel Khoury, a former U.S. State Department official who served in Iraq in 2003. But I think to some extent we underestimated him in the very beginning.

Mr. Khoury said that he was approached in 2003 by Mr. al-Sadrs aides as Iraqs first governing council was being decided.

We had coffee, we talked and they said Sadr was interested in playing a political role, said Mr. Khoury, a fellow at the Atlantic Council. But Iraqi political figures who had returned from exile did not want Mr. al-Sadr involved, Mr. Khoury said, and the United States followed their counsel.

A few months later, the cleric formed his Mahdi Army militia to fight occupying troops.

When U.S. forces had an opportunity to kill Mr. al-Sadr during a battle in Najaf, Washington told them to stand down, also on the advice of the Iraqi expatriate politicians, said Mr. Khoury, adding: They knew if Sadr was killed it would become a big problem for them.
Robert A. Durst, a former real estate mogul, is on a ventilator in a Los Angeles hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus, days after being sentenced to life in prison for the 2000 murder of his confidante.

We were notified that he tested positive for Covid, his lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, said on Saturday.

Mr. Durst, 78, was admitted Friday night to LAC+USC Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments inmate locator. The district attorneys office said it could not comment because of medical privacy laws.

At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Mr. Durst sat slumped in a wheelchair. He wore a brown prison jumper and a mask. At times, his breathing appeared labored. He pulled down his mask, only to raise it again moments later.

His health deteriorated over the weeks of the trial, Mr. DeGuerin said. On Thursday, he looked like death warmed over.
Coronavirus vaccinations will soon be mandatory for public service and health care workers in the Yukon Territory, government authorities there announced on Friday, as the territorys next-door neighbors grappled with a spike in cases.

The state of Alaska and the Northwest Territories, the province to the east of the Yukon, have each dealt with widespread resurgence of cases, the Yukons premier, Sandy Silver, said during a Covid-19 briefing on Friday. The Northwest Territories has the highest rate of active Covid-19 cases in Canada, according to national public health data.

In the Yukon, vaccination will also be mandatory for teachers and the staff of some nongovernmental organizations that receive government funding, such as those that serve prisons and other congregate living settings.

Workers must receive both doses by Nov. 30. Starting that day, the territory will also require residents to show proof of vaccination to attend public events like theater performances or to enter recreational facilities like gyms and community centers. However, access to grocery stores, banks and other places that provide essential services will not be dependent on vaccination status.
Raymond White Auctioneering recently held an online auction for a charming cottage in the Midlands and it sold for a staggering amount with bidders from all over the world battling it out for the property.

There was huge interest in advance of the auction to be approved for bidding, with over 500 virtual and in-person viewings taking place of the cottage in the village of Ardagh in Longford.

The demand in the current market had viewers from the UK, Europe and USA, looking at the virtual tour online.

The auction began at 12 midday, had over 60 bids, the reserve being met within one minute, and the successful winning bid of 163,000 coming in within 20 minutes.

Jackie White, owner of Raymond White Auctioneering commented "This is a strong reflection of the current market, the auction attracted lots of attention, the property is walking distance from Ardagh village, and will make a great home with a little TLC."

She added, "It is clear that there is large demand in the market, particularly for residential investments, and we have added market-leading virtual tours and online auction facilities that enable investors to complete the full transaction online. We have already started planning our next online auction and are actively seeking property to list.

"Property prices in Longford are up 15% year on year, demand is high, with most of our house hunters having the finances in place, ready to move on a suitable property that may come up. Last weeks auction attracted bidders from all over the world through our virtual tours."
Thirteen schools from Offaly were awarded the Green Flag last week for their dedication to sustainability and protecting their environment.

Despite two school years with closures and challenges posed by Covid-19, 526 schools across Ireland were awarded Green Flags, including 33 schools that have been awarded the Green Flag for the first time.

Green-Schools is an environmental management programme for schools which focuses on themes including Litter and Waste; Energy; Water; Travel; Biodiversity; Global Citizenship and Marine Environment.

The Offaly schools receiving their green flag this time around were:

Mercy Primary School, Birr

Scoil Bhride, Rhode

Philomena's N.S, Tullamore

Scoil Bhride Boys N.S, Tullamore

Francis B.N.S, Clara

Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Rhode

Josephs Gortnamona N.S, Tullamore

Scoil Mhuire Banrion, Edenderry

Scoil Naomh Eoin, Birr

Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Tullamore

Edenderry Youthreach, Edenderry

Scoil Bhride, Edenderry

Mary's N.S, Tullamore

Speaking at each ceremony this week, Green-Schools Manager Cathy Baxter congratulated the 526 schools receiving their Green Flag: We know that you have all been working incredibly hard in your schools over the last year and you continued to find innovative ways to keep the programme going during school closures and social distancing. You managed to have outdoor Committee meetings, online workshops and attending online webinars to keep up to date, so thank you.

Schools were invited to six online award ceremonies which took place from Monday, October 4th to 8th with the final ceremony for the Water theme taking place on October 14. At the ceremonies, schools enjoyed activities like Sea Shanties and online quizzes, with messages of support played from Captain Climate, actor Nicola Coughlan, champion cyclist Lara Gillespie and local authority Environmental Awareness Officers, who support schools during their participation in Green-Schools.
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The 15th Edition of Indo-Nepal Joint Training Exercise, SURYA KIRAN XV culminated on October 2, 2021 after 14 days of rigorous training. The exercise was focused on Counter Terrorism and Disaster Relief operations.

INDIA AND US TO SET-UP JOINT WORKING GROUP IN DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL SECURITY

The Industrial Security Agreement (ISA) summit between India and the US was held from September 27 to October 1, 2021 at New Delhi. The summit was organised to develop protocol for the exchange of classified information between the defence industries of both the nations. This group will meet periodically to align the policies and procedures expeditiously that will allow the defence industries to collaborate on cutting edge defence technologies.


The calmness of Ajit Pawar even under pressure from ED and IT and the uneasiness shown publicly by Sharad Pawar camp at the same time under similar circumstances is a clear message that there is a serious power fight going on within the party.

Just recently, the PIB released a presser saying that the Income Tax department has unearthed unaccounted money to the tune of Rs.184 crores. This is a separate treasure IT department that has found independent of the Rs.1084 Crores found two weeks earlier. The presser hinted that the recovery is "from a very powerful Political Family."

Almost all the media persons, along with social media, immediately speculated that "the Political Family" must be of an ex-CM as the raids were mainly conducted at Baramati and Pune. The connection was obvious. Some private and media persons' social media handles claimed that the raids were targeted at the Pawar family, quoting sources within the Income Tax department. But the Income Tax department or The Enforcement Directorate, which conducted many raids earlier, never confirmed it officially.

But the hints were clear enough for social media and journalists to speculate. The agencies confiscated and seized all this money, mainly in cash, a few pieces of jewellery and few immovable properties. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya claimed IT had confiscated Ajit Pawar's sister's 'Benami' property in Kolhapur.

The entire Jarandeshwar sugar mill, now owned by Ajit Pawar, has been confiscated by the ED and IT, which say they have found an open trail of money laundering and misappropriation of public money. Jarandeshwar sugar mill was a cooperative mill, which was "auctioned" by the banks and sold to Ajit Pawar just for 40 crores. According to industry insiders, the value of the Jarandeshwar sugar mill is calculated to be around 400 crores. A few weeks after "purchasing" this mill, Ajit Pawar raised another around 400 crores from banks for "operating" Jarandeshwar. The money trail was clear and ED confiscated the sugar mill.

On the other hand, the recent raids are said to be targeted at the other members of the powerful family and the persons close to an ex-chief minister linked to Baramati, as it's been visible by the fluttering statements one after another NCP leaders close to the ex-CM.

Surprisingly, even after seizer of such a large amount of cash and property by the agencies, the Ajit Pawar faction within NCP, including Ajit dada himself, is visibly calm and remained unreactive even after media piercing again and again on the issue. Some political analysts say that this shows the vast infighting is going on within NCP and MVA. Entire Maharashtra knows that the ex-CM doesn't like his nephew, who has the largest following base within the party. Grapevine is that the ex-CM wants to instate his only daughter as the party head and present her as the future Chief Minister. Party workers, 99% of them Marathas, are in support of nephew, as the daughter is known among workers for her behaviour being more arrogant than the nephew. Hence, the current IT and ED raids are seen as the result of the infighting within the powerful family for control over the NCP.

Today, Ajit dada has shown political maturity by choosing to be calm and living away from media under the present conditions. While on the other hand, Sharad Pawar has shown a diagonally opposite attitude by choosing to hold a press conference against these raids by the agencies. He made an unscathed all-out attack on the agencies, claiming that the raids were politically motivated. He even crossed his limits by dragging the Narcotics Bureau in it, saying, "It's possible that the Narcotics Bureau planted drugs on Aryan Khan and others." Notably, NCP minister Nawab Malik's son-in-law is under NCB custody for several months for drug peddling charges. Malik is said to be a close aid of Sharad Pawar. Similarly, absconding former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, wanted by ED in money laundering cases, is said to be a close confidant of Sharad Pawar.

The political analysts draw attention to these facts and the calmness of Ajit Pawar even under pressure from ED and IT and the uneasiness shown publicly by Sharad Pawar camp at the same time under similar circumstances. They say the message is clear that there is a serious power fight going on within the party.

Another group of journalists point to another powerful political family in the state, but the current raids were targeted Baramati, a town in the Pune district of western Maharashtra known as home to ex CM's family.

Common Man Needs Answers

As for the common man, he needs answers from these politicians. How does an ailing sugar mill valued at over four hundred crores get "auctioned" just for 40 crores and a politician connected to it? How the same banks can give away four hundred crores to the same politician for the same sugar mill which they "auctioned" a few days ago for just forty cores, while these same banks outrightly deny Mudra loans amounting to just one to ten lakhs to a common man who wants to set up a small business? Sunil Jadhav, a small-time trader who runs a very small shop that sells vegetables in Dadar who tried a few times for Mudra Loan, asked the same question while this correspondent approached him for his reaction on the current raids. How can these corrupt politicians secure these large amounts from the same banks? He asked. He also wants to know why these politicians need this large amount of money when they are not employing any people to pay for it?

Common man also wants to know why the politicians of the stature of Sharad Pawar, time and again, drag the noble agencies like ED CBI and income tax department and even the Narcotics Bureau for their petty political gains? Mahesh Chavan, a taxi driver, reacted angrily, disliking the Pawar's move of holding a press conference against the agencies. He pointed out that it's an unnecessary step if you are innocent and must prove innocence before a court of law.

The Press Conference by Sharad Pawar against IT and ED raids clearly show that these politicians do not want to face the charges before a court of law, said Chavan while driving his cab thru busy city traffic. He also disapproved of Sharad Pawar's statements against Narcotics Bureau, saying that "This is amounting to support the drug cartel, or it shows that some big fish from his party may be involved." Either way, it's not good for the common public, and he demanded answers from these politicians. "Did they support the drug cartel similarly for their entire political career? They need to clarify their stand on drugs and should come clear on all suspicions." He asked sharply, to which this correspondent had no answers.

(Names of the common men stated in the story have been changed to protect their identity)
In a pattern from Red Fort violence to gang rape to hacking, Rakesh Tikait and Yogendra Yadav distanced themselves from the crime and evaded responsibility.

Police arrested one Nihang, Saravjeet Singh, on Friday (October 15) in the Singhu border hacking case.

On Friday (October 15) morning, the Haryana Police recovered a chopped body hanging from a police barricade at Singhu Border, where farmers have blocked the road for months now.

The victim has been identified as a 36-year-old labourer Lakhbir Singh from Tarn Taran in Punjab. He was a Dalit.

The Nihang justified the killing on the ground that Lakhbir had desecrated the holy books of Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib.

Hours before the police arrested Saravjeet, he addressed a press conference with other Nihang in which he expressed no regret for what he had done. On the contrary, he said he would do it over and over again if need be.

In a viral video clip, Nihang could be seen surrounding Lakhbir and torturing him. His one hand was chopped off, and he was hanged on a police barricade for public display.

When the police arrived Friday (October 15) morning to remove the body, Nihang did not initially allow the police to do their job.

Later in the day, in a joint press conference, Yogendra Yadav and Rakesh Tikait distanced themselves from the crime, evading its responsibility.

In January this year, when the tractor march to Delhi had turned violent, and rioting happened in Lal Qila, Yogendra Yadav and Rakesh Tikait had evaded responsibility then too.

A young farmer had died after the tractor he was driving overturned. The rioting farmers vandalized inside Lal Qila on January 26. The tricolour was removed from the ramparts of the Lal Qila.

Now, it has become a very standard pattern.

A young girl from Kolkata had come to express solidarity with the protesting farmers in April this year. At the Tikri border, she was gang-raped by the protesting farmers. On April 30, she succumbed in a hospital.

Yogendra Yadav was aware of the gang rape, but decided to remain silent. In a press conference in May, he admitted he was aware of the crime and was in touch with the perpetrators.

She told me she had been harassed and raped after she left for Tikri. On the train, one of the accused grabbed her hand and forcefully kissed her. After she came to Tikri, she was staying in the tent of the Kisan Social Army, where two of the men who had accompanied her raped her. She told me that they had been blackmailing her, Hindustan Times had quoted the victims father.

In June this year, the protesting farmers had burnt alive a 42-year-old farmer at Tikri border after sprinkling kerosene on him. Yadav and Tikait had evaded responsibility, even then.

Blasphemy is becoming a very serious concern in Punjab. There have been at least six cases in the last three months where violence has erupted in the name of blasphemy. Victims have mostly been Dalits.
The neutralised Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Umar Mustaq Khandey was involved in the killings of two police personnel at Baghat, Srinagar and other terror crimes.

Pampore: Two terrorists have been neutralised in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Drangbal area of Pampore, Pulwama, on Saturday (October 16). The incriminating materials, including arms & ammunition, have been recovered.

In the early hours of Saturday, top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Umar Mustaq Khandey was trapped, said Kashmir Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar. He is involved in the killings of two police personnel at Baghat, Srinagar and other terror crimes.

"LeT terrorist Umar Mustaq Khandey who martyred our 2 colleagues SgCT Mohd Yousf and Ct Suhail Ah in Baghat, Srinagar while they were having tea, neutralised in Drangbal, Pampore. Amongst various other crimes of the terrorists, this stands out as most unforgivable," said the Kashmir Zone Police.

Courtesy: ANI
The Indian statement questions the report's credibility, as on-ground experience would easily reveal much worse conditions in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal which are ahead of India in the report.

New Delhi: If it is intended to launch a vicious campaign against India and give satisfaction to those who take pleasure in spewing venom on the country's achievements, the latest report of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) appears a fallacy.

"It is shocking to find that the Global Hunger Report 2021 has lowered the rank of India on the basis of FAO estimate on proportion of undernourished population," a strongly worded statement from the Ministry of Women and Child Development said.

It also said that the methodology used by FAO is "unscientific" and based on telephonic surveys. This is "found to be devoid of ground reality and facts and suffers from serious methodological issues."

The statement came close on the heels of a report of FAO that India has slipped to 101st position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 of 116 countries, from its 2020 position of 94th. Worse, the report has placed India behind its neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

"The publishing agencies of the Global Hunger Report, Concern Worldwide and Welt Hunger Hilfe, have not done their due diligence before releasing the report," the ministry said in its statement.

The methodology, they have based their assessment on the results of a 'four question' opinion poll, which was conducted telephonically by Gallup.

"The scientific measurement of undernourishment would require measurement of weight and Height, whereas the methodology involved here is based on Gallup poll based on pure telephonic estimate of the population. The report completely disregards Government's massive effort to ensure food security of the entire population during the covid period, verifiable data on which are available."

The opinion poll does not have a single question on whether the respondent received any food support from the Government or other sources.

"The representativeness of even this opinion poll is doubtful for India and other countries," it said.

The Ministry statement expressed surprise that it shows - four countries of this regionAfghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka have not been affected at all by Covid-19 pandemic induced loss of job/business and reduction in income levels, "rather they have been able to improve their position on the indicator 'proportion of undernourished population".

Perhaps on this score, the report's credibility comes into question as on-ground experience would easily reveal much worse conditions in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal.

The Global Hunger Report 2021 and FAO report on 'The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021' has completely ignored the following facts available in the public domain. The ministry said adding, the Government of India has implemented additional nationwide schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY) and Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme (ANBS).

"Under PMGKAY, Government of India has made allocation of food grains @ 5 kg per person per month free of cost for around 80 Crore (800 million) beneficiaries of the 36 States/UTs covered under National Food Security Act (Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Households) including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer for the period April to November 2O2O and again for the period May to November 2021," the ministry stated.

In fact, during FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu's election in June 2019, several doubts were expressed. Qu was the Chinese vice-minister for agriculture and rural areas.

The US and some other countries had strongly opposed a Chinese candidate saying, "Chinese leaders at INTERPOL, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have (in the past) demonstrated a bias towards Chinese foreign policy and a lack of transparency and accountability". In fact, Meng Hongwei, who was elected Interpol's president, later quit under "mysterious circumstances".

India's candidate at FAO in 2019, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, had withdrawn from the contest at the last moment. China has also been the third-largest contributor to the FAO, with an assessed contribution of $21 million for 2019-20.
The temple had no security and its main entrance lock was found broken and all the idols in the temple have been vandalized.



Dhaka: The perpetrators of communal violence in Bangladesh on Saturday vandalized six idols of the Daniapara Maha Shoshan Kali Mandir at Rashunia union in Sirajdikhan Upazila of Munshiganj.

As per The Daily Star, the vandalism was carried out between 3 am, and 4 am, confirmed Md Rashedul Islam, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sirajdikhan Circle).

"The temple had no security and only the idols were vandalized," he said.

"The main entrance lock was found broken, and the tin shed was also cut and all the idols in the temple have been vandalized," said Shuvrata Dev Nath Vanu, General Secretary of the Daniapara Mahasmashan Kali Mandir Committee, reported The Daily Star.

"We are preparing to file a complaint with the police," he said.

"Such an incident had never happened before in the temple," added Shuvrata.

On Wednesday, communal violence broke out in several places in Bangladesh after news broke on social media about the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran at a Durga Puja venue on the bank of Nanuar Dighi.

Several puja venues were vandalized in Chandpur, Chittagong, Gazipur, Bandarban, Chapainawabganj, and Moulvibazar. The clashes resulted in several casualties.

On Friday, one man named Jatan Kumar Saha was killed, and 17 others were injured in an attack in Begumganj Upazila of Bangladesh's Noakhali district.

Also, a mob attacked an ISKCON temple in Bangladesh's Noakhali district on Friday, and according to the community, one of its members was killed.

Courtesy: ANI
The Hindu community came under attack in different places despite a strong vigil by law enforcers for ensuring peaceful Durga Puja celebrations.

Dhaka: Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad announced that they would lead a demonstration on Saturday (October 16) against the violence and vandalism targeted at the Hindu community during Durga Puja celebrations. It announced demonstrations across the country on Saturday protesting the incidents. A demonstration will take place in Shahbagh intersection at 4:00 pm, said the statement, reported The Daily Star.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, in a statement, said communal forces attacked puja mandaps and houses in Chattogram, Noakhali and Kishoreganj. It strongly condemned the incidents and demanded that the culprits be punished.

The Hindu community came under attack in different places on Friday despite a strong vigil by law enforcers for ensuring peaceful Durga Puja celebrations.

As per The Daily Star, violence and vandalism in several districts were witnessed across Bangladesh. The perpetrators of communal violence stabbed a man to death at a temple in Noakhali as well as idols, houses and shops of the Hindu community came under attack.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said those behind the incidents would be brought to book. "No one will be spared ... All the incidents will be investigated and the motive behind them will be revealed. Those trying to destabilise the situation will be punished," he told The Daily Star last night.

Asked whether they had any clue about the culprit(s) behind Wednesday's incident in Cumilla that sparked the violence, he said, "Investigation is underway. We are hopeful about identifying them. Law enforcement agencies are also on alert to avert any untoward situation in future."

The violence took place yesterday after processions were brought out following Juma prayers protesting the incident in Cumilla on Wednesday. In Noakhali, attackers from a procession of several thousand people stormed into the Bijoya Durga Temple on College Road in Begumganj around 2:30 pm. At one stage, the mob beat and stabbed Jatan Kumar Saha, 38, a member of the executive committee of the temple managing committee. He died in Noakhali Sadar Hospital later, reported The Daily Star.

With Jatan, five people have been killed as violence erupted in several places following reports that "the Holy Quran was demeaned" in Cumilla. Four of them were killed in clashes between a mob and law enforcers in Hajiganj of Chandpur. Several processions joined by thousands of people attacked and vandalised at least ten temples and over 50 businesses of the Hindu community on College Road, DB Road, Bank Road, Chowmuhoni, Chowmuhoni Dakkhin Bazar, Radha Madhab Temple and Ram Thakur Ashram in Noakhali, said Gowtam Saha, a Hindu Community leader of Begumganj. His car was set ablaze inside the ashram, he said.

Additional police members, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), brought the situation under control around 5:00 pm. At least 50 people, including cops, were injured as the law enforcers swung into action, said police sources.

In Chattogram, a group of zealots from a procession brought out in the Andarkilla area started throwing brickbats targeting the Jemson Hall Puja Mandap in the district, reported The Daily Star. Witnesses said as the group threw brickbats at the temple housing the mandap and tried to vandalise it, police chased them away, leading to a clash between the law enforcers and the zealots. Police said they detained around 50 protesters from the spot.

In Sylhet, religious zealots went to Bhati-Bangla Durga Mandap in the Hawladarpara area of the city, vandalised the entrance gate and five houses and three shops owned by Hindu people, locals and witnesses said.

Advocate Dilip Kumar, a resident of the area, said the attackers first tried to attack the Kali Temple and then attacked the Durga Mandap with bamboo sticks. They also attacked several houses of local Hindus and a few shops owned by Hindu people, he added, reported The Daily Star.

In Dhaka, five policemen were injured, and at least five people were detained after a group of protesters clashed with on-duty police personnel at the Kakrail intersection yesterday following a protest procession that was brought out from Baitul Mukarram after Juma prayers.

Earlier, security around the national mosque was beefed up, and members of RAB, BGB and different intelligence agencies were deployed alongside the police to avert any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, police on Thursday night filed two cases over the attacks on a puja mandap and clash between zealots and law enforcers in Hajiganj, Chandpur, against five to six identified and 2,000 unidentified people, said Abdur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Hajiganj Police Station.

Courtesy: ANI
While EAM Dr S Jaishankar is visiting Israel at the invitation of the Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, MoS or External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan be visiting the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

New Delhi: External Affairs on Dr S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Israel between October 17 and 21 at the invitation of the Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid.

"This will be his first visit to the country as External Affairs Minister," an MEA release said. Dr Jaishankar will hold a bilateral meeting with the Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and call on the President, the Prime Minister, and the Knesset Speaker.

"India and Israel elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during the historic visit of PM Narendra Modi to Israel in July 2017. Since then, the relationship between the two countries has focused on expanding knowledge-based partnership, which includes collaboration in innovation and research, including boosting the 'Make in India' initiative," the MEA statement said.

Dr Jaishankar will also interact with the Indian-origin Jewish community in Israel, Indologists, Indian students who are currently pursuing their education in Israeli universities, and business people, including from the hi-tech industries. The visit will also be an occasion to pay tribute to the valiant Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the region, especially during the First World War, the MEA said.

Dr Jaishankar's visit would also ensure engaging the new coalition government in Israel and provide a fresh boost to the bilateral relationship. Naftali Bennett, a right-wing Jewish nationalist, took over as the new PM of Israel, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, in another statement, MEA stated that the Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan would pay an official visit to the Republic of Sudan on October 18 and 19 and to the Republic of South Sudan from October 20 to October 22.

During his visit to Sudan, MoS Muraleedharan will hold talks with Foreign Minister Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi and other dignitaries on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. He will call on the President of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, First Lt. General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Al Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. MoS will also interact with the Indian community in Sudan.

In South Sudan, the junior foreign minister will call on President General Salva Kiir Mayardit. He will meet Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mayiik Ayii Deng, Speaker of Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Ms. Jemma NunuKumba and other dignitaries. He will also address the Indian Community in Juba.


The Muslim mob violently attacked the ISKCON temple and destroyed multiple idols. One devotee was killed, and many were injured.

The violent attacks by the Muslim mob, targeting Hindus, Durga pooja pandals and temples in Bangladesh, continued for the fourth day on Friday (October 16).

On Friday, a Muslim mob attacked the ISKCON temple in the Noakhali area and killed one 25-year-old devotee Partha Das. The mob destroyed the temple and many idols on the premises.

"ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical.

We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice", ISKCON posted on social media platform Twitter.

It added, "It is with great grief that we share the news of an ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people. His body was found in a pond next to the temple.

We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action in this regard."

After the Friday prayers, a group of Muslims held a meeting at the gate of Andarkilla Jummah mosque and then marched towards JM Sen Hall.

The violent attacks by the Muslims had started on Wednesday (October 13) when multiple mobs attacked many pooja pandals. The Islamists justified the anti-Hindu riots on the grounds, saying the devotees desecrated Quran. The Islamists have been using such made-up narratives to justify their violent anti-Hindu riots for years.

In October 1946, following Muslim League's and Jinnah's "Direct Action" call, massive anti-Hindu riots broke in Noakhali in West Bengal (now it's in Bangladesh). In the organised anti-Hindu riots of Noakhali, more than 5000 Hindus were murdered, and many Hindu women were raped. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, one of the masterminds of the anti-Hindu Noakhali riots, became the prime minister of Pakistan.

The Muslim League and Muhammad Ali Jinnah had given a call for Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946, to demonstrate their power and strengthen a separate Muslim land demand. Lakhs of Hindus were forced to migrate and became homeless overnight. Mahatma Gandhi visited Noakhali in 1946 to calm the tempers but failed.

Mahatma Gandhi had accused Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy of orchestrating the anti-Hindu riots.

In a series of posts on social media, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, raised concerns over the violent attacks on Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh.

"Vandalising temples and Durga Puja pandals in Cumilla district, Cox's Bazar & Noakhali in Bangladesh; following "conspiratorial rumours" spread through social media is disheartening.

Desecrating idols of Maa Durga at will is an orchestrated attack on the Sanatani Bengali community," Adhikari posted on Twitter.

He added, "I urge Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji, Hon'ble HM @AmitShah ji, Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar ji & Hon'ble Governor of WB @jdhankhar1 ji to take up this painful & shameful issue with the Bangladeshi authorities diplomatically, & support the Sanatani Bengalis in these times of distress."

In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Adhikari wrote, "This time the religious fanatics took to the streets to vandalise several Durga pooja pandals and various temples also. Presently the condition of 'Sanatani People' living in Bangladesh is very miserable."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed action against the Islamists indulging in anti-Hindu violence.
While Pak PM assured the worried leaders that the new ISI chief appointment has been settled, Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, said the notification regarding the appointment of the new chief of the country's premier spy agency would be issued in two to three days.

Islamabad: As reports of the impasse between the civil and military leadership over the appointment of Director General (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has refused to die down, Pakistan has been witnessing uncertainty, confusion in the past few days regarding one appointment.

An editorial published in The News International stated that this matter seems to have consumed the country's media, politics and government.

"As a recap, we were told that a notification had been issued. Then came news that it had not. Then we were told that all was well, and a 'new' notification was to be issued, that the 'one page' we have heard so much about was intact and stainless, and that the PM was in the process of deciding on the individual to be appointed, and now we learn that there may be interviews before a final decision is made."

The News pointed out that this issue has come to the forefront when the country is facing not just external challenges, including the Afghanistan situation, FATF and IMF.

While slamming the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan government, the article described the whole situation as "somewhat farcical" because of the immense uncertainty and very obvious confusion.

This comes after Pakistan PM is reportedly setting new precedence by himself taking interviews of candidates for top public offices. In the latest such instance, he is likely to meet probable's to appoint the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general, one of the most powerful offices in the country.

Presiding over a hurriedly called meeting of the parliamentary committee of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at Parliament House, the prime minister assured the worried party leaders that the issue of appointment of new ISI chief had been amicably settled by him and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and that the government would complete its five-year term, according to Dawn.

After completion of the meeting, Fawad Chaudhry, Information Minister, said that the notification regarding the appointment of the new chief of the country's premier spy agency would be issued in two to three days.

Denying that Imran Khan would take interviews of the probable candidates (ISI chief candidates), he said, "Prime Minister Imran Khan will just meet all candidates (for the slot of ISI DG)", according to Dawn.

So far, in the history of Pakistan, no such interviews were taken over appointing the ISI chief.

Earlier, Imran Khan had received a summary carrying names of candidates for one of the most powerful positions in the country amid "differences" with his Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Bajwa on the issue of appointment of new Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General.

Earlier, Faiz Hameed was removed as the Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence and appointed as the Peshawar Corps Commander.

Courtesy: ANI
The security council members expressed sympathy for victims and wished for their quick recovery. It also reaffirmed that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

New York: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday (October 15) strongly condemned the 'horrendous terrorist attack' against the Imam Bargah-e-Fatima Mosque in Afghanistan's Kandahar province and underlined the need to bring perpetrators of the attack to justice.

At least 47 people have been killed and 70 other suffered injuries in an explosion inside a Shia mosque in Kandahar on Friday. The attack also follows several other recent attacks against religious institutions in Afghanistan, including last week's attack against the Gozar-e-Sayed Abad Mosque in Kunduz.

In a statement issued by the UNSC, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice," the statement said. They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, the statement said.

They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Courtesy: ANI
BARRYTON  For two years, a marijuana business has leased 14 acres of land from the village of Barryton for the purpose of establishing a marijuana grow facility.

Recently, the company, M66 Group LLC, made an offer to the village council to purchase the land for the purpose of expanding their project.

During a meeting this week, residents voiced their objections to the proposed sale for over an hour during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Many residents in attendance expressed concern that the village was giving up more than it was gaining by the sale of the property.

Tyler Dutcher with Vivid Farms Cannabis Company, who also leases land from the village, addressed the council during the meeting. Dutcher said he has been trying to educate the council on the value of "green zone" land and the opportunity for the village to capitalize on establishing a green zone.

Green zone properties refer to commercial real estate eligible for a growing, processing, testing, transportation, or provisioning permit from a local municipality.

"Today, the cheapest green zone you can find is $16,500 per acre, with the highest being $127,000 an acre," Dutcher told the council. "The negotiations on this property started out at $6,000 per acre. Council decided on $8,500, which is barely anything over what the lease would have made for the village and now they have lost their asset."

Council president James Soriano said that when M66 Group made the offer to purchase the property, he and another council member contacted realtors to gauge the value of the land before proceeding.

"We contacted two realtors, they both understood that this was for cannabis growing," Soriano said. "The low end was around $9,000 an acre and the high end was around $20,000. In our area, we are at the low end of value for property. The high end numbers were on more populated areas versus more rural areas. Depending on your location, it makes a difference."

Attorney Joanna Stevens, who is working with M66 Group in the negotiations, concurred with the local realtors' assessments.

"Those numbers (that Dutcher represented) are not comparable," Stevens said. "There is no way on the open market you are going to get that much for acreage in this area, even with the potential for the business, because you have other issues. If they don't have people from this town, they have to move operations here. There are logistics to consider. There are so many factors that people are not going to pay that."

When asked why council didn't offer the property for sale on the open market, Soriano said that was not an option because of the lease contracts currently in effect.

"In the contract that was created by the prior council, a clause was put in for first right of refusal to buy the property," Soriano said. "That is what sparked the offer to purchase the land. M66 Group approached me with an offer. I, in turn, contacted Tyler Dutcher and informed him of the same opportunity, if he desired."

In an email dated July 23, Dutcher told the council that "Vivid Farms would like to continue our lease as is."

"We are not currently interested in purchasing the village land at this time, and we recommend that council reconsider the value of the land before offering a sale to any party involved," Dutcher said.

Council decided to proceed with negotiations with M66 Group.

TO LEASE OR TO SELL?

Other residents in attendance questioned whether it would be financially better for the village to maintain ownership of the property and continue with the lease contract.

The village currently has lease contracts with both M66 Group and Vivid Farms for sections of the property in question.

M66 Group leases 14 acres at a rate of $8,000 per year for 10 years, for a total revenue to the village of $80,000 over the 10 years. Vivid Farms leases 2 acres at a rate of $2,000 per year for 10 years, for a total revenue of $20,000 over the 10 years.

According to village council meeting minutes, M66 Group approached the council in July with an offer to purchase the 14 acres they currently lease.

Council voted to approve the sale of the property for $8,184 per acre, for a total of $119,000 during the July 23 meeting, however, the village was told by their attorney that the terms of the contract are not legal because the village cannot hold a mortgage or land contract.

"If council decided to sell, it would have to be a cash sale," Soriano said. "The purchase agreement has to be renegotiated. It will go back and forth until both parties are happy."

Soriano explained the council's reasoning for selling the property included getting money for the needed repairs to the village's park pavilions, which is estimated to cost $20,000.

"Because this property was acquired through the USDA for the sewer system, $23,000 would go right to an extra payment for the sewer line," Soriano said. "The other monies would go to fixing the two pavilions. That was the mindset of the council."

Another advantage they considered was additional tax revenue from having the property on the tax rolls.

M66 Group representative Judd Jaffee told those in attendance at the meeting that by selling the property to them, the village would gain $5,000 to $10,000 a year in tax revenue.

"We came to the village after speaking with our attorney, thinking this purchase would be good for everybody," Jaffee said. "We think it would help us develop if we can mortgage it (the property) and the bank will give us money to build a bigger facility and make more money which would bring more money to the village and employ more people. There is a lot of motivation. We would like to work to improve this community."

'NAILING DOWN THAT 1%'

Soriano said a big factor they had considered was a clause in the contract calling for a 1% of net income donation back to the village from the grow facilities owned by M66 Group.

"The 1% is where my concern is," Soriano said. "One percent of a $14 million operation is amazing and that is what the understanding was -- that the village was going to benefit and that the funding could be used anywhere. Part of the value to me was nailing down that 1% donation."

Soriano explained that with the current MRA rules, the village is not receiving any money from the cannabis businesses other than the licensing fees and the lease payments.

"Even with the businesses up and running, on a grow facility right now there is not an excise tax that is being offered like it is on a provisioning center," he said. "All of that money that the village thought it was going to get, they are not going to get."

President pro-tem Kathryn Kerr said right now the excise tax that comes back to municipalities only comes from the provisioning centers or a microbusinesses.

Both M66 Group and Vivid Farms have said they plan to eventually establish a provisioning center.

"I was trying to nail them (the companies) down to that 1% because that is going to help our village thrive," Soriano said. "We found out later that the village cannot include that in the sales contract. It is in the business plan, but the business plan is not binding."

Soriano said both companies have agreed, in principle, to the 1% donation.

Some residents expressed concerns that the million-dollar industry may never happen, stating that in the two years since M66 Group began leasing the property, there has been little movement on the project.

In an email to the village council, Dutcher said his main concern was the intentions of the M66 Group in trying to purchase the property.

"There has been no forward motion on the property in two years, except for ours," Dutcher said. "Most of the village licenses do not have any forward motion taking place. This is tying up valuable tax money and land that the village could be getting hundreds of thousands of dollars from. Once the land is no longer in the village's hands, it can be sold with the license the company already has for millions with the village at a complete loss."

Stevens responded saying this is something she deals with every day in working with municipalities and cannabis industries, and that is handled through the contract negotiations.

"Through the contract, that is how you protect the village," Stevens said. "That is how municipalities are ensuring how these parcels of land that are being utilized by these companies and that it (the development) actually comes to fruition. There are timetables that can be set. If some of those companies lose funding and can't continue, there are processes in place for that.

"I have yet to see where people aren't doing what they have said they would do, especially if it is under contract," she added.

Jaffee said they have been making progress on the current project and have done excavating, building road access and putting in a septic and drain field for their Class C grow facility.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

In his presentation to the council, Dutcher also accused Soriano of conflicts of interest in dealing with the sale of the land to M66 Group.

"The first few time Jim came to talk, we discussed his role with helping the M66 Group and how they had him doing everything -- designing their facility, locating contractors, managing the job site and logistics," Dutcher said during the meeting. "He said they were helping him out with rent, so it paid off."

Residents questioned Soriano about whether the accusations were true or not.

"I do not help with the business," Soriano said. "What I did is help with measurements for building permits. They are not here, so it is easier for them to call me and ask for help. I have done no different for them than I have done for Tyler."

Soriano stated in an email to the Pioneer that he understands that to some, it might seem to be a conflict of interest because he rents his home from the M66 Group.

"I do not work for the M66 Group, I rent from them," Soriano said. "I began renting from them in June 2020, prior to running for the village president seat. It was no secret where I was living or who I was renting from."

Soriano went on to say that he and Kerr had asked their attorney if there was a conflict of interest and were advised that it was not a conflict of interest for him to lease his home from the M66 Group.

"I have been involved with the council for many years," he continued. "If I was working for M66 Group, I would simply abstain from anything involving them. The fact is I do not work for them."

When asked if the residents had any vote in the decision to sell the land, Soriano responded that they have a voice.

"You may not have a final vote, but you do have a voice," he said. "You can bring information to the council that might change a decision."

No action was taken on the sale of the property during the meeting.
As the COVID-19 pandemic pushes two-years old in the United States, it still rages throughout the state and country. But this pandemic exacerbates a different epidemic that has plagued the nation for a long time.

The current 2020 data from the state of Michigan shows 2,684 people have died from an overdose last year. (According to its dashboard, the states data is still considered to be provisional and could slightly increase as more data is finalized.)

In Midland County, substance use disorder has experienced an impact from the pandemic, but the type of impact depends on who is talking. The Midland Sheriff's Office reported an increase in drug overdose over the last year, while the Midland City Police Department saw less overdose during that time.

In 2019, Midland County Sheriff Myron Greene said the department responded to 29 overdoses, which jumped to 35 in 2020. Looking at 2021, this year has already superseded the previous year with 37 overdoses.

Drugs (have) always been in the community and I think unemployment (and) people being locked inside and not being out in the community doing as much, those may have affected it, Greene said. But if there was a hard, fast (and) easy answer, I don't know.

The Midland Police Department is seeing a different trend though. The number of overdoses has decreased from 36 in 2019, to 33 in 2020, and 20 so far in 2021, said MPD Community relations Officer Brennon Warren. He did not have an indication as to why these numbers have decreased.

However, Warren said the department has seen more intoxicated drivers over the past year. Last year, there were 101 cases of it, but now the city is at 111 so far this year.

The most prevalent substances used in Midland County are heroin and methamphetamine, Greene said. This is because of the drugs addictive properties and cheaper prices. Greene only has guesses as to why these numbers may have increased.

Fighting an uphill battle

Co-founder of nonprofit For A Brighter Tomorrow, Lori Wood said its been an uphill battle to fight the epidemic over the years.

Substance use disorder is climbing, said Wood, adding that many Michigan residents have died of overdoses this year. A handful of (the deaths) are from our own community. Between the bills going up and the deaths rising, we need more support. COVID has (caused) hurt in so many different ways.

In terms of substances, Wood said heroin and alcohol were prevalent in previous years. Now, Wood agrees with Greene, meth is locally prominent. She added cocaine use is growing, in addition to an ongoing presence of heroin in Midland.

The nonprofit, which is located at 1509 Washington St. (Suite E) in Midland, serves Midland County residents facing substance use disorder. For A Brighter Tomorrows main services are matching clients costs for drug counseling and testing  according to Wood, testing is always court-ordered and counseling is usually ordered by the courts.

Nobody covers drug testing, nobody, Wood said.

This is partially a reason why Wood co-founded this nonprofit. On average, a drug test is $30. The client pays $15 and For A Brighter Tomorrow covers the other half.

Every client is different, she continued. Some test once a month and some test twice a week. That's an additional cost for them  in my mind that is unattainable, so that's our main function.

Being a Midland County resident whos struggling with substance use disorder are the only eligibility requirements to receive For A Brighter Tomorrow services.

State-funded agencies, however, are required to fit outlined criteria.

Ten16 of Midland is a state-funded organization that participates with Medicaid and Healthy Michigan, said Sam Price, who is the president and CEO of Ten16. They provide services for people struggling with drug addiction, such as recovery housing, walk-in services, outpatient counseling and recovery coaching.

The organization also has a staff member at the emergency department of MidMichigan Health to help people struggling with drug addiction to connect with support and treatment. What services these people receive and what insurance will cover depends on what stage of ones substance use disorder is at, Price said.

In 2020, Ten16 saw a decrease in the number of people coming to the emergency department for drug addiction treatment from the organizations yearly average of 450, to 356. In 2021, that number continued to fall, with Price projecting the number to hit only 311 patients by the end of the year.

The organizations center for recovery, located at 113 North Saginaw Road, serves around 300 people over the course of a year, Price said. But this number is now down about 30%. The organizations residential program on M-20 is running at only 50% capacity, he said.

Number of people with 'problematic' drug use increased last year

However, that does not mean there were fewer people struggling with drug addiction last year. Price said the number of people with problematic drug use increased last year, with the stressors of the pandemic returning some to drug addiction.

Some of the people that we were seeing may have had much longer periods of sobriety under their belt, Price said. Then the pandemic came along, and they lost their jobs, lost their support system, and stressors came along and ended up having a relapse as a result of it.

In 2020, Brighter Tomorrow had its smallest number of clients. Traditionally, Wood said they have around 100 clients who have 24/7 access to the groups team.

Everything slowed down, said Wood of the initial response to the pandemic. With the courts and all of the state services, they just shut right down.

From an operating standpoint, Wood said the group was able to maintain its funding without matching clients costs to combat this disease during a time when health precautions limited access to fundraising opportunities.

She said this was helpful to the nonprofit, but the small number of clients dont necessarily mean there is not a community in need.

'We do this to save lives'

You can die from it, Wood said regarding substance use disorder. And there's a very good chance you will. We do this to save lives.

I have to let people know that we'll help you, we'll get you through this, she said. We'll stand by your side, because that's what we needed and it wasn't there for us.

Wood lost her daughter, Ashley, in 2012 to an overdose.

Inspired by a persistent cardinal that came to visit Woods home shortly after police notified her of the loss, she created For A Brighter Tomorrows logo to feature the red bird flying with a glowing sun in the background.

I think that's my message from Ashley saying she's free and she's happy, said Wood. Then, the cardinal stopped flying around my yard for the rest of the day. I wanted the cardinal inflight and I wanted the sun behind it for brighter days.

As Midland County largely moves into seemingly traditional times with various events returning, she said people are able to access more normal ways of receiving support.

This year, Wood said the number of clients have already increased. But at the same time, Wood said billing for services have increased by $600-800 over the past three to four months.

Moving forward, Price said he hopes to be serving more people in the coming years. This is not because he hopes more people are struggling with drug addiction, but because he hopes more people who need help treating it will come in and get it. He said only 10% of people nationwide struggling with drug addiction get the treatment they need at places like Ten16, Price said.

Where can I receive Naloxone in Midland County?

The Midland County Department of Public Health has teamed up with local organizations, including the Legacy Center for Community Success, in an effort to prevent deaths caused by opioid overdose.

One way the department makes an effort to prevent deaths is through providing life-saving medication.

The Midland County Department of Public Health has naloxone for county residents in need. According to the state of Michigans Overdose Data to Action dashboard, naloxone is a life-saving medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is commonly known by two brand names, Narcan and Evzio. https://co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/Narcan.aspx

Prior to the pandemic, Midland County residents could pick up Narcan nasal spray from the Midland County Department of Public Health, which is located at 220 W. Ellsworth St. in Midland.

Due to the pandemic, the health department now delivers naloxone to residents in the parking lot.

Midland County residents should call the Health Department at (989-832-6665) to make an appointment for a parking lot delivery.

The department asks people to call ahead and make arrangements prior to arriving at its office.

The department of public health is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office closes from noon to 1 p.m. daily.

Resources:
It's apple month in Michigan, which is one of the top apple producers in the United States.

Michigan apples are sold in 32 states and 18 countries, according to the Michigan Apple Committee.

Marrian VanderBeek, of Midland, said she loves this time of year because of the things she will bake. She canned 200 pounds of apples during the crops harvesting season.

Apples are a wonderful fruit, it not only nourishes your body, but your soul, VanderBeek said. Most whatever you make with them gives a sense of comfort. Its a cozy-feeling food.

Who doesnt feel warm inside with a piece of apple crisp, apple strudel or even some hot apple cider, she added. They keep the doctor away for a reason.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed October as Michigan Apple Month, recognizing the states importance to the industry.

Apples are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in the Great Lakes States diverse agriculture. Growers dedicate their lives to the industry, operating 775 family-run farms with over 14.9 million apple trees, covering 34,500 acres in Michigan.

Passionate Michigan Apple growers have carried on the tradition of growing apples for many generations and continue to produce the best tasting apples in the world, stated Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, in a press release. Our industry appreciates the recognition of the hard work and dedication of Michigans apple growers.

This years Michigan Apple crop is estimated to be 18.25 million bushels (766.5 million pounds), according to the official crop estimate announced in August at the USApple Outlook meeting, held in Chicago.

In late April, a freeze occurred in which some Michigan Apple growing areas experienced nine or more hours in the 20 degrees Fahrenheit range, which was too cold for any of the delicate apple blossoms that had opened at that time, said Smith. However, there will still be plenty of apples for consumers to enjoy this fall, either from the produce department of your favorite grocery store, or from farm markets, cider mills and orchards.

Shawn Coughlin, of Baynes Apple Valley in Freeland, said despite the temperature issues, the cider mill has done well.

Weve were able to get every apple we needed and then some, Coughlin said.

Coughlin and his wife bought the Baynes four years ago this week. He said they cant grow and sell their own apples due to issues with the Tittabawassee River.

They purchase all their apples from Michigan apple growers, he said. This past year, they bought about 1,500 bushels of apples from the growers.

Coughlin said apples rank sixth or seventh among the things they sell. Doughnuts and cider top the list. Yet, among the apples they offer include the Mutsu, a very large apple that they havent been able to get in past years. He said they are still waiting to hear if they will get the 22 bushels, they ordered of EverCrisp apple.

We will never get away from apples, Coughlin said. Thats what we are, a cider mill.

While state apple yields ran from marginal to very good, prices were impacted. Coughlin said apple rises rose 25%, cider apples went up 35% and the prices for the plastic jugs saw a 48% increase.

Its the first time weve had to raise prices in our four years of owning Baynes, Coughlin said, noting that they had to pass some of the prices onto customers.

There are an estimated 150 cider mills and 300 farmers markets in Michigan, according to the Michigan Apple Committee.

To discover new ways to celebrate Michigan Apple Month this year, visit MichiganApples.com for recipes, tips, flavor profiles, farm market locations and much more.

The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan Apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. To learn more, visit MichiganApples.com.
Cora Heart Crether, 64 of Palestine, died on November 10th in Tyler. Funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rising Star Baptist Church in Grapeland. Burial will follow in Golden Gate Cemetery in Grapeland. The viewing will be Friday from 10 to 6 at Emanuel Funeral Home Palestine.
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Hundreds of Thousands of people took to the streets here Saturday to protest government's failure to fully implement programmes it agreed to initiate two years ago or undertake a reshuffle
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Manfi, hailed efforts to advance the African action process and give impetus to the aspirations of the continent's peoples through the African Union (AU), regional economic groupings and regional mechanisms
Photo: (Photo : Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

The principals in some Michigan schools have agreed to forgo the traditional Halloween activities, as well as the annual Valentine's Day commemoration after some parents allegedly raised their concerns about inclusion.

Officials of East Lansing Public Schools sent a letter to the school community advising them that the regular Halloween festivities will not push through this year. Apparently, some parents expressed discomfort about letting their kids participate in the costume-wearing because their sons or daughters may become overwhelmed or easily frightened. Some elementary children could also end up crying when they see other costumes that they didn't have.

In the same manner, Valentine's Day activities will also be different in February to do away with upsetting children who may not get "amazing" gifts from their classmates. Parents also said that they disagree with young boys and girls giving presents that focus on the celebration of romantic love, leading to "drama and teasing."

"We're striving hard at East Lansing Public Schools to be a district that is equitable and inclusive for all families," the letter stated.

Read Also: Big Retail Stores Must Have a Gender-Neutral Toy Section as Required by New California Law

Concentrating on Classwork

The school officials said that instead of the usual activities, they would have teachers incorporate Halloween and Valentine's Day in the curriculum. For instance, Math classes could include measuring pumpkins to learn about the circumference. Students might also get some commendations on these holidays for meeting behavioral or academic goals.

MacDonald Middle School and East Lansing High School, which also fall in the same school district, plan to scale down Halloween parties. However, the students will not be prohibited from wearing a costume if they choose to do so.

Understandably, the school officials said that other parents and students might be disappointed by their decision. Moving forward, however, the educators said that they would plan a school year "full of fun and learning" for everyone.

Following the announcement, one parent took to social media to say that there will come a time when "there is no joy to be had anywhere." Another parent said that this decision will rob the kids of precious childhood memories after such a horrible year of lockdowns because the adults are "overthinking things."

One netizen also said that the rules should be simple, and those who don't like it can always choose not to join instead of making the school "accommodate their fears."

Seattle Cancels Halloween Parade

The news comes after Seattle Public Schools also announced that there would be no Halloween parade this year. The decision doesn't have to do with the pandemic, but it prevents students who do not celebrate the holiday from feeling marginalized.

The school officials said they have been mulling over this for five years after repeatedly getting requests from students of color who skip the parade and isolate themselves at the library. In a statement, the officials said they would be replacing the events with more educational opportunities.

Kids at the Seattle Public Schools will not have to wear costumes, but a parent said this call had been an exercise in "wokeism" from a school staff largely made up of White Americans. One Asian parent said the school did not involve them in the decision.

Related Article: Parents Sneak Air Quality Monitors in Their Kids' Backpacks to Check Classroom Ventilation
Photo: (Photo : Ronny Hartmann/Getty Images)

A New York City judge bars a father from seeing his daughter unless he decides to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Justice Matthew Cooper issued a vaccine mandate for the father from Long Island so he could see his 3-year-old daughter. If he doesn't comply with the order, he can submit to a COVID-19 PCR test every week.

In the custody ruling for the divorced parents, Judge Cooper wrote that a decision was made to suspend the father's visitation rights due to "exceptional circumstances" of the pandemic. He believed that the choice to remain unvaccinated is "not in the child's best interest," especially if the girl sees her father in person regularly. The names of the parents involved in the custody case were not released to the press.

In addition to either getting vaccinated or testing for COVID-19 every week, the father may be required to undergo a biweekly antigen test 24 hours before he sees his daughter. According to the New York Post, the judge is quite high-profile and had ruled on the custody cases of Uma Thurman, Robert De Niro, and Lamar Odom.

Read Also: COVID-19 Vaccination in Children: White House Tells States to Prepare Giving Doses to Kids 5-11 Years Old

Dad Has COVID-19 Immunity

However, the father's lawyers said that the judge's decision was unjustified since their client has natural immunity from the COVID-19 virus as he had the infection early this year. Lawyer Llyod Rosen said that his client still chose not to get vaccinated because of the side effects.

Rosen also clarified that the father is not a conspiracy theorist and is still waiting on more reliable data about the vaccine, despite the judge's ruling. He previously had a bad experience with the flu vaccine, thus highlighting his concerns about this particular vaccination.

The judge told the lawyer that his client must present medical proof of his natural immunity from a doctor. However, the father instead cited his freedom and religious beliefs to justify his refusal of getting the vaccine.

Following the ex-couple's divorce in 2019, the custody fight between the two parents had been intense in court. Cooper underscored that the father has a history of substance abuse and hasn't received any treatment for his mental health issues. His visits to his daughter had to be supervised to ensure the child's wellbeing.

In early September, the mother's lawyers raised concerns with the court about the unvaccinated father, prompting Cooper to uphold the vaccination mandate in New York for many workers. After a couple of weeks, the mother told the court that she would let her daughter see his father if he got the weekly COVID-19 test.

The father, however, didn't want to comply with the vaccination nor the test and asked for a full hearing in court. Cooper denied this request, citing the child's best interest.

For now, the father is still mulling if he should appeal the decision or not. According to NBC New York, a temporary restraining order was issued against the father, but he can see his daughter virtually or talk to her on the phone.

Same Case with Texas Dad

In Liberty County, Texas, a dad is also fighting to see his four children, ages six to 11 years old, after receiving a vaccine mandate from the court. Like the dad from Long Island, Chris Staley refused to get vaccinated because of the potential side effects five years down the line.

Staley's lawyers advised him to comply with the vaccine mandate because his visitation rights would be affected. When Staley refused, his lawyer quit the case. The father said he's trying to get in touch with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss the vaccine mandate as there is an existing rule from the governor prohibiting such orders.

Related Article: Cases Increasing for Divorced Parents Suing Each Other Over Children's COVID-19 Vaccine
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In August Patently Apple reported on Apple's new rebellious culture and in September we reported on Apple firing Ashley Gjvik, a senior engineering project manager who had a long history of publicly criticizing the company's culture of work.

Today, Bloomberg is reporting that has reportedly fired another employee, Janneke Parrish, who worked as a program manager for Apples Maps service from the Austin, Texas and who helped lead a movement encouraging workers to share their concerns about the company.

Parrish was fired after she removed apps and files from her work devices during an internal probe, according to the Verge. Its unclear what sparked the review of Parrish, but its possible that the former employee speaking to the media led to the investigation. Parrish was quoted discussing an internal meeting in the New York Times in September.

After that meeting, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook sent an email to employees complaining that details about the gathering had been shared with the media. Cook said hed heard from many employees who were incredibly frustrated to see the contents of the meeting leak to reporters.

Cook added that "We also know that people who leak confidential information do not belong here." That was clearly a message that Parrish decided to purposely ignore by talking to the NY Times.

Parrish, who ran for city council in Round Rock, Texas, this year, helped spearhead the #AppleToo movement, which led to Apple employees speaking out about inconsistent pay, a lack of transparency and other workplace issues.

Sources: Bloomberg and The Verge
In mid-December 2020 Patently Apple posted a report titled "Microsoft to Shift away from Intel to Custom Designed ARM Chips for Servers & Possibly Surface PCs." At that time, the focus was on server and PC security chips. The chip wasn't to be a general purpose processor to compete with AMD or Intel, according to Panos Panay, Microsoft's Chief Product Officer. However, Panos interestingly added, "Where we think we need to invest in silicon, we are absolutely going to. If theres a need, were going to fill it."

Of course "that need" came in the form of Apple's M1 processor that became a powerhouse that rocked the PC industry. Intel freaked out and retaliated with a series of anti-M1 Mac ads. In January Qualcomm was quick to announce their acquisition of Nuvia and in July they announced that their first-gen laptop chip created by the Nuvia team would be ready for sometime in 2022 to compete with Apple's M1 processor. And now we're learning that Microsoft is developing a new team to create their own processor to power future Surface devices.

A recent job opening for a "Director of SoC Architecture opened on September 3, 2021 was revealed in a new report today in Taiwan. The job opening reads as follows:

"Are you passionate about building cool devices and technologies? The Surface Team is lighting up Microsoft experiences with their next generation of devices. A fundamental part of our strategy is bringing productivity and mobility together through devices that enable new experiences  helping people and organizations unlock their creativity, passion and potential. Creating these devices involves a close partnership between silicon, hardware and software engineers, designers and manufacturing. We are creating the next generation and Surface needs you.

The Silicon Architecture organization is charged with defining the features and capabilities of SoC devices. We are responsible for: Driving and co-engineering silicon features that provide clear user experiences differentiation and emotional connection to Windows ecosystem as showcased by Surface platforms. Strategically develop and incorporated IP (SW/HW) that enables meaningful experiences that are unique to significantly better."

The report out of Taiwan suggests that Microsoft may be working with Samsung to create their first mobile processor  though the new chip from Nuvia could be an alternative way to go.

One rumor suggests that Microsoft will choose to work with Samsung's next-gen Exynos processor that is set to integrate a custom Radeon GPU to boost the ARM architecture for Windows and Surface devices, while providing longer batter life, a key feature of Apple's M1.

It's no secret that Steve Jobs switching Apple's vision towards mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad devastated Microsoft's leadership in the industry with Steve Balmer completely underestimating the power of Apple's shift. A decade later and Microsoft, under the hardware leadership of Panos Panay, is determined to take on Apple at the hardware level and beyond.

Microsoft has indeed come up with some nice hardware under Panos Panay. Their Surface Studio is a knockout all-in-one desktop design. Their Surface Duo smartphone is definitely original and their new Surface Studio Laptop Studio is yet another design that's provides consumers with something unique. What they now need is a processor that could at least stand closer to the performance of Apple's M1+ and that's their current mission.

On Monday, Apple is going to unleash the power of their next-gen M1 processor and hopefully a newly refined MacBook Pro design that will continue to keep Microsoft's Panos Panay burning the midnight oil to play catch-up.
The space probe, dubbed Lucy and packed inside a special cargo capsule, lifted off on schedule from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 5:34 a.m. EDT (0934 GMT), NASA said.



It was carried aloft by an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.



Lucy's mission is a 12-year expedition to study a record number of asteroids. It will be the first to explore the Trojans, thousands of rocky objects orbiting the sun in two swarms - one ahead of the path of giant gas planet Jupiter and one behind it.



The largest known Trojan asteroids, named for the warriors of Greek mythology, are believed to measure as much as 225 kilometers in diameter.



Scientists hope Lucy's close-up fly-by of seven Trojans will yield new clues to how the solar system's planets came to be formed some 4.5 billion years ago and what shaped their present configuration.



Believed to be rich in carbon compounds, the asteroids may even provide new insights into the origin of organic materials and life on Earth, NASA said.





"The Trojan asteroids are leftovers from the early days of our solar system, effectively the fossils of planet formation," principal mission investigator Harold Levison of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, was quoted by NASA as saying.



No other single science mission has been designed to visit as many different objects independently orbiting the sun in the history of space exploration, NASA said.



As well as the Trojans, Lucy will do a fly-by of an asteroid in the solar system's main asteroid belt, called DonaldJohanson in honor of the lead discoverer of the fossilised human ancestor known as Lucy, from which the NASA mission takes its name.



The Lucy fossil, unearthed in Ethiopia in 1974, was in turn named for the Beatles hit "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."



Lucy the asteroid probe will make spaceflight history in another way. Following a route that circles back to Earth three times for gravitational assists, it will be the first spacecraft ever to return to Earth's vicinity from the outer solar system, according to NASA.



The probe will use rocket thrusters to maneuver in space and two rounded solar arrays, each the width of a school bus, to recharge batteries that will power the instruments contained in the much smaller central body of the spacecraft.





Source: REUTERS









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Bernard Okoe-Boye, a medical doctor at the Ga East Municipal Hospital has given a medical or health justification in support of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill currently before Parliament.



The former Deputy Minister of Health also disclosed some health-related issues which he asserts are triggered by sexual acts between persons of the same sex.



The former lawmaker for Ledzokuku constituency explained that research indicates that homosexuals are more vulnerable to certain diseases due to the nature of their sexual intercourse.



Okoe-Boye, speaking on the October 14 edition of Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana show, stated that the first sign of the Human Immune Virus was discovered among homosexuals.



HIV was discovered among same-sex individuals. The first group that started exhibiting very unusual symptoms that physicians saw was from same-sex partners. It was peculiar amongst them and thats where the research started.



One of the things that is also identifiable with such a group is mental and psychological illnesses. If you take 100 heterosexuals and 100 same-sex people, the studies show that, they (same-sex people) have serious psychological issues.



Anorectal cancers which is a disease that has got to do with the back of a man, it is very high amongst same sex relations and we know why. The more you try to access a place not meant for it, the more you open yourself for disease, he said on Metro TV.



Bernard Okoe-Boye also gave a hypothesis of how homosexuality is a threat to human existence and could create a procreation crisis in the near future.



Anytime science proves that there is danger ahead, laws are made to get people out of that danger. What makes a society is a family. Today, people are saying that it's nothing because we assume 98% of the society is heterosexual so it's normal. What if in 50 years' time, the homosexuals become 98% percent and the heterosexuals 2%. It means the human race will go extinct, he said.



In light of this, Bernard Okoe-Boye wants Parliament to pass the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to guard against these things.



He explained that with the countrys health sector not in the best of conditions, it is important that the state initiates measures against practices that could create crises in the future.



Background Parliament is expected to discuss a Private Member's Bill submitted by some eight MPs. The 38-page bill before parliament, among other things, stipulates that, people of the same sex who engage in sexual intercourse are liable on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than seven hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than five years or both."



The Bill targets persons who hold out as a lesbian, a gay, a transgender, a transsexual, a queer, a pansexual, an ally, a non-binary or any other sexual or gender identity that is contrary to the binary categories of male and female.



The Bill also targets promoters and advocates of LGBTQ+ rights including, a person who, by use of media, technological platform, technological account or any other means, produces, procures, markets, broadcasts, disseminates, publishes or distributes a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill, or a person uses an electronic device, the Internet service, a film, or any other device capable of electronic storage or transmission to produce, procure, market, broadcast, disseminate, publishes or distribute a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill as well as a person who promotes, supports sympathy for or a change of public opinion towards an act prohibited under the Bill.



As part of its provisions, the Bill outlines that a flouter can be sentenced to a jail term of not less than six years or not more than ten years imprisonment. At the back of the public support the Bill has received, a group of academicians and other professionals have expressed their opposition to the bill.



According to the group of 18, the bill, Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values 2021 Bill, when passed into law, would erode a raft of fundamental human rights, as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

















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Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has cautioned Ghanaians against the risk of contracting the deadly Coronavirus in the month of December this year.



According to him, it is likely Coronavirus cases in Ghana will rise in December.



''As we draw near to December, it's a high-risk season for COVID. Every nation is preparing itself for COVID going into December. There are three reasons why the virus infection increases in December. Our cases, by all means, will rise a little. [1] During December, the weather is cold and dry. It's the best climate for respiratory viruses meaning the viruses that cause lung problems are very effective during the cold season. So, December is a high risk.



''[2] Those in overseas return in their numbers. Although I'm not saying they are carriers of the virus but the virus is more prevalent abroad than in Ghana and the testing at the airport may help to check it but there is no foolproof testing in the world. Thirdly, a lot a people do shopping during December and as many people come into town and parties become a lot, that's the risk factor," he revealed on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo''.



Dr. Okoe Boye warned that the aged, obese Ghanaians and those who have health complications like Diabetes and Hypertension are most prone to die from the virus infection, so advised them and the populace who haven't taken the Coronavirus vaccine shot to immediately visit the health centres to be vaccinated.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, expressing his condolences to the family of Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, said the former Aviation Minister and Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central will be remembered for his diligence and forthrightness.



Mr Adda, 65, died in Accra on Wednesday, October 13, at a hospital in Accra, where he was receiving treatment for a sudden illness, his family told the Ghana News Agency.



"I am shocked and very saddened by the news of the sudden death of my friend, the former Minister for Aviation and former Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Hon. Kofi Adda," President Akufo-Addo said in a Facebook post.



"I extend my deepest condolences to his wife and family for their loss, and pray for Gods strength for them in these difficult times.



"Kofi Adda will be missed, and will be remembered for his diligence and forthrightness. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen."



Mr Adda, a financial economist and a management consultant, served as a Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central and also the Minister for Aviation until January 2021.



He first entered Parliament in 2003 after winning a by-election after the death of the incumbent, Mr John Achuliwor.



He retained his seat in the 2004 elections and was appointed the Manpower Development and Employment Minister by President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2005 before being reshuffled to head the Ministry of Energy in 2006.



Although, the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2008 elections, Mr Adda retained his seat.



He, however, lost the seat in 2012 to the then NDC parliamentary candidate, Mr Mark Woyongo.



The MP reclaimed the seat from the NDC in 2016 and was appointed Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, in 2017.



He was later moved to the Aviation Ministry before the end of President Akufo-Addos first term as President.



The astute politician contested the 2020 NPP Parliamentary Primary again but was beaten by Ms Tangoba Abayage, the then Upper East Regional Minister.



Mr Adda, born on April 22, 1956, was from Navron-Pungu Wusunyu, Navrongo.

Source: GNA









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Charles Owusu has spewed venom on lawyer Akoto Ampaw and his cohort opposing the anti-gay bill, wondering why intellectuals like them would support homosexuality in Ghana.



An elite group made up of lawyer Akoto Ampaw, Prof. Raymond Atuguba; the Dean of the University of Ghana (Legon) School of Law, politician Charles Wereko-Brobbey and their like-minded academics have vehemently spoken against the bill stating that it is a violation of the fundamental human rights provision in the 1992 Constitution.



They remain resolute in their position to oppose the enactment of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill which aims at criminalizing homosexuality in Ghana.



Reacting to their position on the bill, Charles Owusu asserted that their opposition exposes the mindset they have for Ghana and her populace.



He described the group as a bunch of ''intellectual principalities and demons''.



"Their mindset is dirty. They don't have a good mind. Their mindset is nation-wrecking," he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo''.





He assured them that the entire nation won't allow them to advance their ''dirty mindset''.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Queens, A women's group in the Ashanti Region together with other voluntary groups have honoured and responded to the concerns of the market women in Ashanti Region.



During the birthday celebration of Hon. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen which generated a spontaneous attention across the entire country at the Kumasi Race Course Market, the leadership of the market women association made a passionate appeal to the Trades and Industry Minister through Queens to help them with bags of cement for their civil works at the market.



The leader and president of Queens, Madam Afia Korankyewaa together with other well meaning individuals have mobilized 200 bags of cement and two trips of quarry gravels to honor the market women's request.



During the presentation, Madam Afia Korankyewaa reiterated her appreciation to the market women for their continuous support and dedication towards the economic transformation in the country and thanked the market women for the trust they've reposed in the NPP government.



Receiving the donation on behalf of the Race Course Market Women, Maame Kakyire Badu the secretary of the association expressed her profound gratitude to the Hon. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and thank the women group for the kind gesture and prayed God to bless and refill every barn that contributed to this generous feat.

Source: Atiemo Emmanuel/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Ghana is ready to share her learnings and development experiences with other countries as they all seek to better the lives of their citizens, the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has assured.



Thus, Ghana will continue to develop and enhance cordial and mutually beneficial relations with friends both near and far, with the ultimate aim of accelerated development and improved livelihoods.



Dr. Bawumia assured of Ghanas commitment to the exchange of practical development ideas on Friday, 15 October 2021 when he welcomed H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, to the Jubilee House, Accra for bilateral talks at the beginning of a three-day visit to the country.



Amongst other objectives, Vice President Jagdeo and his delegation are in Ghana to learn about the countrys experiences in the oil and gas sector, with particular reference to local content and participation, the legal framework, and general best practices in exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon finds, having discovered hydrocarbons on a large scale in 2015.



During the visit, technical teams from Ghanas Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Petroleum Commission (PC), Ghana Gas, Energy Commission and other stakeholders in the energy sector will be engaging their counterparts from Guyana to share ideas and exchange learnings.



We are here to listen and learn, and given your experiences in the oil and gas sector, I am sure we have come to the right place Vice President Jagdeo declared, adding, Our ongoing cooperation is testament to how well we can work together and learn from each other.



We want to deepen our cooperation beyond the oil and gas sector, to trade and investment in each others country. We want to learn from you in the areas of agriculture, digitization, health, especially your Agenda 111, and infrastructure development he indicated.



Recalling the longstanding relations between Ghana and Guyana and the uncanny similarities in their histories, Vice President Bawumia said Ghana remains a bulwark for peace and democratic development in the West Africa sub region, and indicated that given the emerging opportunities, particularly in the energy sector, greater cooperation would serve as a catalyst for trade and investment for both countries.



As a sign of Ghanas readiness to provide practical learnings, Vice President Bawumia presented a large, bound folder detailing the origins and implementation plans for Governments Agenda 111, designed to make health care accessible and affordable at the lowest level of society.



A beaming Vice President Jagdeo described the document as the highlight of his day.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The teacher standing trial for allegedly sodomising 19 pupils of the Kulpi Junior High School (JHS) in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region has pleaded guilty to all the charges preferred against him after investigations by the police.



The accused, Mr. Natomah Otabel, a Social Studies teacher of the school, pleaded guilty to defilement and unnatural carnal knowledge when he appeared before the Tamale Circuit Court yesterday (October 14).



The court, presided over by Mr. Justice Alexander Oworee, remanded the accused person in police custody to reappear on October 21, 2021 for judgement.



Re-arrested



The accused was earlier discharged by the Salaga Magistrate Court in the Savannah Region last Wednesday (October 13) because it did not have the jurisdiction to try the case.



However, he was re-arrested by the police immediately he was discharged and put before the Tamale High Court.



Facts of the case



The facts of the case are that the suspect is a Social Studies teacher at Kulpi Roman Catholic (R/C) JHS in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region.



On Thursday, September 23, 2021, five of the victims confided in a female teacher of the school that their Social Studies teacher Natomah Yamousah Otabel had been harassing them sexually by allegedly having unnatural carnal knowledge with them at the teachers quarters through the anus without using a condom, after he had lured them to his residence under the pretest of sending them.



The female teacher, on hearing this, informed the headmaster and the assistant headmaster of the school.



The headmaster invited the victims to his office and after questioning, they indicated that several others had also been sexually harassed by the accused person.



The accused was later invited and when asked, he admitted to the allegations.



Medical examination report



The costs of medical examination of the victims at the Tamale Teaching Hospital were paid by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga South, Hajia Zuweira Ibrahimah, and Developing Kids Ghana, a non- governmental organisation.



The medical report is yet to be submitted to the police.













Source: graphiconline.com









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The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr Sidie Mohamed Tunis, today announced the appointment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to serve as a Champion to spearhead the direct election of members to the ECOWAS Parliament by the citizens of members states.



He said the appointment was based on the firm support the ECOWAS Parliament had been receiving from President Akufo-Addo who is the current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.



He also announced the appointment of two other key personalities who would join forces with President Akufo-Addo to spearhead a roadmap for the direct election of members to the ECOWAS Parliament.



They are the former President of the Republic of Niger and a former Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, Mahamadou Issoufou, who will serve as the Chief Advocate, as well as a former President of the ECOWAS Commission and the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, as Assistant Chief Advocate.



We are convinced that we are on the right track. We also believe that with the advocacy coming from His Excellency Issoufou Mahammadou and His Excellency Dr Ibn Chambas, combined with Your Excellency as the Champion, our objective is as good as achieved, he said.



Article 18 of the Supplementary Act relating to the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament provides that Representatives shall be elected by direct universal suffrage by the citizens of Member States



Extraordinary Session



Addressing the opening ceremony of the Extraordinary Session of the Fifth ECOWAS Parliament in Winneba today, Dr Tunis said he was also personally committed towards making the direct election of members to the ECOWAS Parliament as one of the most enduring democratic legacies of the Parliament.



The four-day meeting, which is on the theme Two decades of democratic elections in ECOWAS member states: Achievements, challenges and the way forward, is the first of such meetings to be held outside of a capital of any member state.



It has brought together 115 legislators from the 15 member countries who will take an appraisal of electoral systems in member states, identify challenges and put forward proposals for possible solutions to the various shortcomings observed in the organisation of elections and other threats to democracy in the region.



They will also identify the deficiencies and good practices for conducting elections in member states within the context of existing legal, institutional and material frameworks, and make recommendations for improving elections within the bloc.



Cardinal objective



Making reference to Article 18, Dr Tunis said one of the cardinal objectives of the ECOWAS Parliament under the current leadership was the election of members into the Parliament by direct universal suffrage.





He said the ECOWAS Parliament was able to initiate the process last year despite restrictions and difficulties associated with executing normal activities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.



Appreciation



He expressed appreciations to President Akufo-Addo for demonstrating dedicated and exemplary distinction and quality performance as the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State.



His Excellency has brought great pride both to himself, his country Ghana, and the African continent. We are proud of him, and his achievement as a statesman, a leader and democrat.



Since assuming his role as Chair of the Authority, His Excellency has diligently supported the works of the Parliament and has exercised excellent leadership in handling the affairs of the region, 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.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has told supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to work hard to ensure that the party wins power in the next general elections.



Addressing supporters of the NDC in the Western Region on Thursday October 14 as part of his thank you tour, he assured that if the supporters kill themselves for the party to win power, the party will reciprocate their effort and not forget them.



We urge you all to work hard and bring the party back to power.



When you work hard and we come into office we wont forget you, the party shall not forget you.



If you die for the party, the party will also die for you when we come into office.



Do that and we come into office we wont forget you, we will reward you for your hard work when we come to power.



He further expressed optimism that the NDC will win the 2024 elections with revived energy and commitment.



When I said do or die, I meant we will work hard. I strongly believe that God will give us victory in the next elections.



NDC will win the 2024 elections with revived energy and lesson learned from the 202 elections, the Presidential Candidate of the NDC in the 2020 elections told the supporters.



Earlier in the week, he paid a visit to the Esatern Regional House of Chiefs to thank them.



Over there, he noted that times are hard for Ghanaians under the Akufo-Addo administration.



He said food prices and other commodities are increasing on a daily basis.



Fuel costs are rising, every day the pump prices go up, he said.



He added This year many unions are unhappy with the negotiations that took place where a paltry 4 per cent was given to them when those of Article 71 office holders have been given wider increment.



Even though you do free SHS you have no jobs for them to do when they come out. Times are hard and people suffering, food prices are going up. every day the prices are increasing, he stressed.



These are things that are not going on well and I believe Nananom (Chiefs) will speak about it, he said.









Source: 3 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.

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A Canadian passport is displayed in Ottawa on July 23, 2015. Canadian officials are bracing for a potential onslaught of passport renewals now that the border between Canada and the U.S. is poised to reopen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Michael Coard, Esq. can be followed on Twitter, Instagram, and his YouTube channel as well as at AvengingTheAncestors.com. His Radio Courtroom show can be heard on WURD 96.1 FM or 900 AM. And his TV Courtroom show can be seen on PhillyCAM/Verizon Fios/Comcast. The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Philadelphia Tribune.
University colleagues and former students are mourning the loss of Professor of Philosophy James Jim McBain, who lost his fight with ALS on Oct. 12. He was 50.

ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease  a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord and impairs a persons ability to speak, breathe, and swallow. McBain was diagnosed on Dec. 29, 2020.

He enriched every life he touched and was a master educator, noted his colleague and friend, Professor Don Viney, who taught closely with him for 19 years.

In McBains own words, written in 2016:

I love helping my students work through the literature I love. I love the class time, the conversations, the a-ha moments students have. I love rereading those works that got me into philosophy in the first place and discovering new texts that are shaping my future thoughts.

McBain with Willard Quine, recognized as one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th Century.

McBain joined the Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences as a lecturer in 2002, was appointed an instructor in 2005, and became a tenure-earning faculty member in 2008. He was promoted to full professor in 2018. He was also a visiting professor at Kansas State University.

His specialization: teaching courses such as biomedical ethics, business ethics, and ancient, modern, and contemporary philosophy  subjects he was invited to speak about across the nation and abroad.

Viney called him an ideal colleague."

He was constantly tutoring me in the latest developments in philosophy  he was very attentive to what was happening in philosophy programs around the world. He really had his finger on the pulse of current activity in the discipline, Viney said.

Between the two of us, Ive always thought of him as the better philosopher. He willingly took on more administrative tasks than I wanted to do, carefully planned the courses we should have, even revised the philosopher minor we offer and encouraged me to teach world religion more often. We were very different in our approaches, but he was important to my career, had an incredible sense of humor, and was a good friend.

It was at Pittsburg State that McBain met Rhona Shand, who was an associate professor of art for 16 years. They married in 2014 at Culzean Castle in Scotland. She survives of the home in Pittsburg, along with their beloved Corgi dogs.

McBain in Scotland on his wedding day.

After his diagnosis last year, McBain continued teaching as long as his health permitted.

He wanted to teach as long as possible, Rhona said.

Kate Dreiling Bennish, who will graduate in December with a degree in biology and plans to attend physician assistant school, will remember him as one of her favorite teachers.

His teaching style in biomedical ethics was so engaging, she said. He understood the careers we all were going into, that we would see some challenging things, and he didnt hold back at preparing us for that. You could tell that he loved teaching us and that he had a heart for his students.

In addition to teaching, McBain served as co-chair of the medical ethics committee for Ascension Via Christi. There, Chaplain Pete Mayo described him as a tremendous resource who brought deep and wide background and theory.

Our entire committee always looked forward to his view, Mayo said. Even though he had superior qualifications, he was humble about it. He never took over or dominated the discussions. Instead, he listened and waited to be asked his thoughts. And then, he seemed to pull it all together with a practical and helpful outcome.

McBain also was a published author, was active in the PSU in Paraguay program, and was a frequent guest lecturer at other universities. His family and colleagues noted that he had eclectic passions and interests: he was a skater, a BMX rider, a gamer, a world traveler, an accomplished cook, owned a Fiat and Italian scooters, and was once a DJ for a rap group.

He held bachelors degrees from Truman State University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a masters and doctorate from the University of Missouri.

PSU President Steve Scott said McBain will be deeply missed by his students, as well as his colleagues throughout Russ Hall, which is home to the HPASS Department.

I enjoyed many hallway conversations with him through the years, and I have missed those encounters over the past months of Jim's illness, Scott said. In those conversations, his passion for his students and his discipline were so evident and inspiring to me. Our thoughts will be with Jim's wife Rhona and their family members in the days and weeks to come."

Per McBains directive, there will be no memorial services. However, as a passionate Corgi owner, he specified that memorial donations be made to the Corgi Connection of Kansas in Milford, Kansas, c/o CCK, 7622 Old Milford Rd., Milford, KS 66514.

Banner photo: Colleagues Don Viney (left) and Jim McBain (right).
Vermillion, SD (57069)

Today

Windy and becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High around 50F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 29F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Five Big Hands from Episode #4 of the 1,050,000 Triton Million Charity Event

October 16, 2021 PokerNews Staff

In 2019, 27 amateurs and 27 of the worlds best pros competed in the biggest buy-in event in history. Now, the Triton Million - A Helping Hand for Charity poker tournament is being released as a 10-episode series on Triton Poker's YouTube Channel.

A total of 54 players stumped up the seven-figure entry fee with 50,000 of each buy-in going to benefit 15 different charities. As a result, this saw 2.7 million going to a plethora of good causes as well as generating a staggering 54 million ($73,993,800) pound prize pool.

Here's a look at five of either the biggest or most interesting hands from the fourth episode, which can be viewed in full below.

Hand #1: Wu Folds a Set

With the blinds at 5,000/10,000/10,000, Ben Wu opened to 25,000 from early position holding the and was the only person to call when Nick Petrangelo three-bet to 87,000 from the cutoff holding the .

The flop was a good one for Petrangelo with the handing him a flush draw and Wu check-called a 50,000 continuation-bet from Petrangelo.

Fortunes reversed on the turn when the delivered Wu a set. However, neither player put a chip into the pot, preferring to check. Then when the completed Petrangelo's flush. Wu led for 150,000 and then folded after Petrangelo raised to 560,000 to drag in a million chip pot.

Hand #2: Sexy Poker From Cao

The action remained in the same blind level when Wiang Qiang raised to 21,000 from under the gun holding the . Rui Cao made the call in the next seat holding the , and then both players perked up in their seat when Jason Koon squeezed out a three-bet from the cutoff to 110,000, holding the . Qiang released his hand, but Cao put in a small four-bet to 245,000, and it was enough to take the pot after Koon folded.

Michael Soyza

Hand #3: Soyza Bluffing

With the blinds at 6,000/12,000/12,000, Cao opened to 28,000 from the cutoff with the , and Michael Soyza called in the big blind holding the .

Soyza check-called first a bet of 25,000 and then 75,000 on a board of before the landed on the river.

Soyza calmly delved into his stack and came up with a bet of 225,000, and with a shake of his head, Cao let the hand go leaving Soyza to pull in half a million chips on a bluff.

Hand #4: King High for Koon

In the same blind level, Koon opened to 27,000 in early position with the and Cao called with the from the big blind.

Cao check-called a 72,000 bet from Koon with his open-ender on the flop, and then both players checked through the on the turn. The arrived on the river leaving Koons king-high as the best hand.

Cao could only win with a bluff, and he tried, betting 77,000, but Koon sniffed it out with a great call.

Hand #5: Soyza With a Decision

In the same blind level, Soyza opened the betting from first position making it 25,000 to play with his , Christoph Vogelsang called with the from the hijack, and Cao three-bet to 90,000 from the button holding the . Both the other players called.

The flop of gave Vogelsang a boat, and when the action checked to Cao, he bet 110,000. That was followed by a call from Soyza and the German star check-raised to 350,000.

Cao folded instantly, but Soyza had a tough decision with the overpair, ultimately deciding to fold.

Coverage of the 50,000 Triton Million Charity event continues at - million.triton-series.com.

You can stay up to date with the latest content from Triton Poker by visiting their YouTube Channel. Don't forget to recap all of the action in our 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series London hub.

*Images courtesy of Triton Poker/Joe Giron
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Fangs are in fashion this weekend at the USC Aiken Etherredge Center, with Aiken Civic Ballet Company offering its presentation of "Dracula," an annual tradition that began in 2018 but was set aside in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.

The second of two shows is set for today at 7 p.m., and this year's cast is comprised of about 80 performers, including dozens of local dance students and several professionals from Roanoke Dance Theatre.

Choreography and the lead role are being handled by Norbert Nirewicz, a native of Poland who has performed around the world and throughout the United States. "It's for the whole family, from 3 to 93," said Nirewicz. "It's Dracula, but it's not scary at all. It should be fun ... Obviously, it changes a little bit from year to year."

Among other high-profile performers is Rolando Sarabia, from Cuba, in the role of Jonathan Harker, "the rich guy" who is in the process of selling a house to the main character, as Sarabia described the arrangement. "He sees a picture of my  beautiful wife he tries to steal from me, and we fight to the end."

Daniel Howard, 15, is among the cast members, portraying the "dark creatures" and "townspeople." He said the show's plot and music do not change from year to year, but Nirewicz tweaks the choreography, and has five professionals as part of this year's company. Most of the performers live in Aiken County, he said.

Sarabia and Nirewicz expressed thanks for the staff and their fellow performers. Among the youngest members of the corps are "little bats" Juliette Portanova, Rowan Hughes, Madison Hamm and Ella Bland. Among other creepy critters are "spiders" Emmalyn Ewing, Alexis Hamm, Scarlett Portanova, Annabelle Volk and Madelynn Smith. Several performers play multiple roles.

Aiken has an unusual connection to the subject matter, as local resident Dacre Stoker is a great-grandnephew of Irishman Bram Stoker, the author of the classic 1897 novel that led to a variety of movies and other creations.

Tickets are $28.50 and can be purchased online at aikenballet.org. The price of $25.50 is available for seniors, members of the military and anyone 12 years old or younger. The company's announcement indicates that "this ballet may be scary for children under the age of 8." Details are at secretary@aikenballet.org.
A three- and four-story, self-storage facility could soon be on the way along a major Mount Pleasant traffic artery.

Bids are due Oct. 19 on the proposed 125,294-square-foot Broadway Street Self Storage that's been in the works for about three years on Coleman Boulevard.

An affiliate of Charleston-based Gramling Brothers Real Estate & Development wants to build the project at 415 W. Coleman, between Peach Orchard Plaza and Vicious Biscuit.

The facility takes its name from a road that wraps around the back side of the property. The shorter portion of the building would be on the Coleman side.

Peach Orchard Plaza, a collection of shops in a strip center, will eventually be demolished and may be redeveloped as a two-story office building, according to preliminary plans.

When the town annexed the tract in 2019, it allowed a structure up to 45 feet along the street front and 55 feet farther back. Sixty percent of the building at street level must be set aside for commercial uses, such as retail or restaurant space.

Construction could begin by the end of the year, but it depends on costs and permitting, according to Mikell Harper with Gramling Brothers.

Storing stuff

A new three-story storage facility is in the works for Charleston's rapidly changing upper peninsula, and two others are on the way to Johns and James islands.

The 6-acre peninsula site, on land owned by Hope Real Estate Ltd., is at 62 Brigade St. off Morrison Drive.

In 2018, a five-story storage building was proposed for the site in front of several warehouse buildings.

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Also, a 130,000-square-foot Extra Room Self Storage site is in the works on Maybank Highway near Low Tide Brewing on Johns Island.

On James Island, a new storage facility is planned for 5 acres on a wooded parcel between Pet Helpers and Folly Road Church of Christ near Signal Point Road.

More multifamily

Another huge apartment development is proposed for Charleston's upper peninsula.

FIDES Development of Atlanta wants to build a 365-unit multifamily project called The Darby on Meeting Street Road near Greenleaf Street on slightly more than 3 acres owned by Cooper River Corp. LLC, according to a filing with the city of Charleston. Plans show a 419-space parking deck on the back of the L-shaped site.

A few buildings are on part of the site. The property is north of the US Foods Chef'Store at 1510 Meeting St. The plans are making their way through the city review process.

The site also is south of The Refinery office and retail building and north of the soon-to-be-redeveloped Pepsi distribution plant into a mix of uses as well as the 300 or so units Miami-based Lennar's apartment division is building where Morrison Drive meets Meeting Street Road.

The newly proposed complex comes as San Francisco-based rental housing site Apartment List shows rental rates skyrocketed 19 percent in the Lowcountry from October 2020.

Last year at this time, the year-over-year rate was down 1.0 percent. Apartment rental rates in Charleston jumped 2.5 percent in October from September, also ahead of the national median price spike.

Median rents in Charleston currently stand at $1,448 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,692 for a two-bedroom unit, according to Apartment List.

Nationally, the median rent climbed 15 percent in 2021, more than three times the average growth rate in recent pre-COVID-19 years. Median rates nationally rose 2.1 percent in October, matching the August percentage jump, and ahead of rates in recent pre-pandemic years.
A man was accused of throwing pennies and making an antisemitic comment to the owner of King Street Cookies around the time of a Jewish holiday.

David Blue Morrow, 26, was arrested Oct. 14 and charged with one count of hate intimidation and one count of simple assault.

A Charleston police officer met with Harris Cohen, 55, the shops owner, on Oct. 1 in reference to the alleged assault.

Cohen, who is Jewish, told the officer he was standing next to a fountain in Marion Square Park the afternoon of Sept. 23 when he saw Morrow walk toward him.

Without speaking, the 26-year-old began throwing pennies at Cohen, several of which hit his legs, according to a police report. Cohen separated himself from Morrow and walked across the street without further interaction.

Days before the encounter, however, Cohen was celebrating a Jewish holiday and wearing a yarmulke, a traditional skullcap worn by some religious Jews.

He was standing outside the Francis Marion Hotel about 8 p.m. when Morrow walked up to him and said something to the effect of, Why dont you make cakes in Nazi ovens rather than cookies, according to the report.

Though Morrow never spoke to Cohen on Sept. 23 when he allegedly threw coins at the man, Cohen believed the prior incident reflected Morrows motivations that day, too, Cohen told police.

The Jewish holiday of Sukkot was Sept. 20 to Sept. 27.

Antisemitic tropes and stereotypes are often used in hate crimes against the Jewish population, according to data from the Anti-Defamation League.

Sometimes the stereotype is used that  Jewish people are very frugal, therefore theyll even pick up a penny from the floor, said Rabbi Yossi Refson with Chabad of Charleston. Thats where that particular antisemitic action comes from  Throw a penny on the floor and watch a Jew pick it up.

The hateful stereotype was seen in a lot of Nazi propaganda, which depicted Jewish people as money hungry, Refson said.

The cookie shop owner didnt initially report the incident, but ultimately decided to because of Morrows increasingly hostile actions toward him, according to the report.

The investigating officer was able to obtain evidence which depicted Morrow throwing the pennies at Cohen, said Sgt. Elisabeth Wolfsen, police spokeswoman.

Officers sought an arrest warrant for Morrow, which was issued Oct. 14. He was arrested later that day and booked into the Charleston County jail.

This was not the first time Cohen experienced antisemitism in downtown Charleston, he told The Post and Courier. In at least two separate instances, a man gave him the "Nazi salute several times," he said.

These acts are part of what Cohen referred to as the broader "decline of downtown Charleston," describing how his block of King Street was full of trash, graffiti and vagrants.

He spoke to The Post and Courier in June 2020 about similar issues, expressing frustration then with how the city was handling vagrants.

"Vagrants are different than homeless," Cohen said last year. "We're all for helping the homeless; we do have somebody at the city slowly trying to help the homeless. But the ongoing vagrants, the habitual vagrants, something's got to happen to them."

While meeting with the police officer Oct. 1, Cohen provided him with a picture of Morrow, whom the officer described in his report as a local vagrant requiring frequent officer interaction.

Morrow has been booked into the Charleston County jail at least nine other times, most frequently for disorderly conduct, according to arrest records.

It is unclear whether Morrow and Cohen had any contact prior to late September.

Morrow remained in custody Oct. 15 pending a $2,174 bail, arrest records show.

Both of Morrows charges are considered violations of Charlestons municipal ordinances.

If convicted of hate intimidation, he faces a maximum penalty of $500 in fines and up to 30 days in jail. Violating the simple assault ordinance carries a maximum penalty of $1,087 in fines and up to 30 days in jail.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
I understand the religious objection some Christians have to the COVID vaccine. Like Pope Francis and most of the worlds Christians, I think its tragically misguided (more on that in a moment), but I understand it.

But when the Charleston County School District announced that it had granted 570 religious exemptions from its mask requirement, I couldnt imagine how wearing a face mask in the middle of a pandemic to reduce the spread of a deadly virus could violate the religious beliefs of any Christian  or Jew, or Muslim.

So I spent some time this past week reading through a sampling of parents applications for exemptions, and while I cant attest to their sincerity, I can tell you that nearly all the applicants identified themselves as Christians, and there were four recurring scriptural themes:

 We are created in the image of God, so its sinful to cover our faces. To do so, one parent said, is to unjustifiably veil the clearest visible expression of Gods image on us as human beings created in His likeness and is an assault on the image of God and contrary to His will for me.

 We are supposed to trust in God and not be afraid of death, so wearing a mask (and, some continued, being vaccinated) means were giving in to fear. One parent wrote that while COVID-19 is a serious disease, We believe that making our children wear a mask during the school day is essentially telling them to be fearful again and that Jesus is not in control and those fearful feelings can ultimately hinder their walk with the Lord.

 Our bodies are temples of God, and some parents believe that wearing masks could harm our bodies. We do not know the long-term physical consequences of prolonged mask wearing in children, one parent wrote, so asking me to mask my daughter for 7 or more hours per day is forcing me to choose between human preference and the written commandments of God.

 Christians are admonished not to bear false witness, and wearing a mask would communicate what some parents believe is a lie that masks protect us against COVID.

There was a tremendous sense of anger, persecution and victimhood in the requests. One application, for instance, argued that those demanding that everyone wear a mask are targeting Christians and dishonoring the image of God and creating an us against them (masked vs. unasked) paradigm." Another declared: The veiling of the face is a Muslim practice of submission to Allah. This is not a Christian practice, and it is an affront to our Lord to imply that His divinely-designed system of a built-in air filtration system (the cilia in the nostrils) is somehow deficient," an idea that is "an abomination to our Lord.

Many of the requests also seemed to be rooted ... elsewhere. Although some parents wrote their own requests, many provided language copied and pasted from the internet or social media: some transparently, attributed to ministers in California, Washington, Mississippi and elsewhere; others using the same text without attribution. One parent who went beyond religious beliefs to use state law as an argument against a mask requirement forgot to replace Virginia with South Carolina in the text. Another submitted an eight-page copied-and-pasted legal brief that made dubious constitutional claims about religious exemptions and outlined legal objections to a vaccine mandate  but didnt say a word about masks.

A spokesman suggested the district couldnt question parents forthrightness as long as they explained how mask wearing conflicted with their sincerely held religious belief. I would have rejected those that didnt bother including even a reference to masks, but the fact is that with fewer than 1% of students unmasked for religious reasons, the Charleston schools are probably a lot safer than most S.C. schools, which still dont require masks nearly three weeks after a federal judge invalidated the Legislatures ban on mask mandates.

Ill leave it to clergy to explain the theological problems with the parents' interpretations of Gods word, but I should remind you that while wearing a mask provides limited protection to the wearer, the overwhelming body of evidence shows that it greatly reduces the wearer's ability to transmit the virus, which is the point. And that there is no evidence that masks are harmful except to people who qualify for a medical or developmental exemption, and ample evidence to the contrary.

I would also note that interpreting the faith, not fear mandate this way means you should send your kids out into the street to play in traffic. And that this image of God interpretation would prohibit beards and makeup, as well as sunglasses and a lot of hats. And that saying masks dont work is actually communicating a lie  as is suggesting that masks harm us.

More importantly  and this is for the benefit of any readers who are looking for reasons to criticize Christians  I would note that most of my fellow Christians do not share these interpretations.

In fact, most Christians believe that God gave us the intellect to formulate vaccines and fashion face masks in order to preserve life. Thats why the worlds leading pro-life voice has suggested that its selfish not to wear a mask in public. Pope Francis also has said that even though the current vaccines research and production involved using cell lines derived from a human fetus that was aborted in 1973 and another that was aborted in 1985, morally everyone must take the vaccine" because it is about your life but also the lives of others."

As my priest explained to a parishioner who raised the fetal tissue objection: Its a tragedy that these fetuses did not come to full term, but we can honor the lives that were sacrificed 40 years ago by giving them the opportunity to preserve life now through the vaccine.
Remember South Carolinas old disturbing schools law? The one that made it a crime for students to act in an obnoxious manner? The one that prompted a sheriffs deputy in Richland County to dump a high school student out of her desk and slide her across the floor when she refused to relinquish her cellphone? The one that same sheriffs deputy used to charge a classmate for encouraging other students to video the incident  thus bringing the gut-wrenching scene to the publics attention?

After that 2015 incident at Spring Valley High School went viral, we all got an education on how too many schools were relying on school resource officers to handle their routine discipline problems, which meant the sort of behaviors that ought to result in students being suspended or expelled were instead resulting in arrest, conviction and imprisonment.

The next year, the state Board of Education told schools to stop using police to help enforce school discipline, and nearly two years after that, the Legislature finally abolished the ridiculously broad law that made it a crime for a student to simply sass a teacher, let alone refuse to hand over a cellphone, yell or curse.

And we thought that was the end of it: We had solved this problem that was funneling too many disruptive students into a school-to-prison pipeline: giving them criminal records that would reduce their chances of succeeding in school, and increase their odds of committing what most of us think of as actual crimes.

It turns out we didnt solve the problem. In an order last week, U.S. District Judge Margaret Seymour wrote that S.C. police have been using a similarly vague disorderly conduct law to arrest students for similarly disruptive behavior that shouldnt be treated as a crime.

From 2015 through 2020, she noted, 5,210 young people were sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice for disorderly conduct  73% of them for behavior that occurred in school; only 15% of the students arrested at school were charged with more serious crimes. The number of young people sent to DJJ for either disorderly conduct or disturbing schools dropped significantly after the disturbing schools law was changed, but there were still more than 1,000 children and teens sent to DJJ in the 2019-20 school year for disorderly conduct. And yes, there's a racial component of the problem  black kids are far more likely than white kids to get charged  but that's not the primary problem with the law. The primary problem is the law itself.

By its language, S.C. Code Section 16-17-530 seems to be aimed at drunks. But the language goes far beyond drunkenness, allowing police to charge not only those who are in a public place "in a grossly intoxicated condition" but also anyone who "otherwise conducts himself in a disorderly or boisterous manner. Using "obscene or profane language" in public also constitutes disorderly conduct.

From a public policy perspective, thats a problem; disorderly and boisterous sounds like a pretty good synonym for adolescent.

And although we wouldnt encourage anyone to use profanity, there's simply no way to justify sending someone to jail  jail  simply for cursing. (The S.C. Court of Appeals has said profanity is illegal only when its accompanied by fighting words  words that, as the U.S. Supreme Court has said, by their very utterance, inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. But the judge cited cases where students were charged with disorderly conduct for using profanity that didnt cross that bar.)

Judge Seymour concluded that using South Carolina's disorderly conduct law for school discipline was a problem from a legal perspective as well, because the language is so all-inclusive that its impossible for people to guess when their behavior would cross the line from merely annoying to criminal conduct. Indeed, one police officer testified that another officer might arrest someone for behavior that didnt faze him.

Because of that imprecision, Judge Seymour ordered the state to stop charging students with disorderly conduct while theyre in school. So, again: Problem solved. Right?

Again, not quite.

S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, who filed notice on Wednesday that he intends to appeal the ruling, raised a very practical objection in his defense of the current law: Police, he argued, need the law to handle disruptive and fighting students who are yelling at staff and visitors, hitting other students, running away from staff, kicking over furniture, hitting doors, shoving staff and law enforcement.

Judge Seymour observed that the Constitution does not permit criminal laws broadly drafted to serve as all-purpose tools of law enforcement and suggested that the state could draft a law that addresses with specificity the concerns Defendant raises. Shes certainly right about that second part.

Even if Mr. Wilsons appeal succeeds and police are again allowed to use the disorderly conduct law in our schools, the Legislature should amend it to define what is and is not legal  both in school and out. Police have a lot discretion about when to arrest people and when not to, and appropriately so, but they shouldnt have discretion about what is and isnt a crime. And children and adolescents shouldnt get sent to juvenile jail because they talk back to teachers, or even to police officers.
Europeans are looking forward to a cold, dark winter. Natural gas is scarce and expensive, and the green energy in which European countries have invested many billions of dollars cant produce reliable electricity. So panic is starting to set in. The Telegraph reports from the U.K.:

There is no question that Europe is gripped by an energy crisis as severe as any it has faced since the 1970s, and that the UK is right in the thick of it. Prices are soaring. Energy firms are going bust. There is talk of factory closures, three day weeks, and rolling blackouts.

***

The UK and Europes energy crisis has been years in the making. Over the course of the past year, wholesale gas prices have risen more than fivefold. On some days of frantic trading, prices have been soaring by 20 or 30 per cent in a single session, a sign of a market under severe stress. The reason? The switch to cleaner, renewable energy, while welcome in itself, has meant that demand for gas, viewed by policy-makers as a reliable, not-too-dirty transitional fuel, has been steadily increasing.

***

A lack of wind has meant that renewable energy has not been as plentiful as expected, and gas is being used as a back-up.

This reporter doesnt seem to fully understand the relationship between green energy and natural gas. Wind turbines produce electricity around 40% of the time; solar panels much less often in a climate like Englands. So despite endless green energy investments, most of the time the energy source is not wind or solar, but rather natural gas. Why natural gas? Because you can start up and shut down a natural gas plant in response to the weather, in a way that you cant start up or shut down a coal plant or a nuclear reactor. When people talk about using wind and solar energy, what they mostly mean is burning natural gas.

The Telegraphs story is largely about the geopolitical power that Vladimir Putin now wields, as a result of Europes feckless devotion to green energy.

While the UK imports relatively little gas from Russia right now, the latters decisions to a large extent determine the global price, and that in turn determines whether Britain can buy the supplies it needs from anywhere. Even worse, right now, there is very little that anyone can do to get out of the situation. On the supply side, there is not much Europe can do, argues Simone Tagliapietra, a senior fellow at the Brussels-based Bruegel Institute.

Notice that no one suggests that the supply side solution is to build still more wind turbines and solar panels. When the chips are down, these sources of electricity are more or less useless. This chart shows how unreliable wind energy is:

Energy this unreliable is essentially pointless, and with fears rising of Britons freezing in their homes, no one is counting on wind or solar power.

We could see shutdowns, with heating and gas stoves turned off; pensioners could die of the cold, while the rest of us put on extra coats, and heat up our dinner in the microwave, assuming the electricity network is still running. In reality, it probably wont get to that point. As a first option, the Government could start restricting supply to industrial users, which accounts for up to 20 per cent of overall demand. Industries such as chemicals, paper, packaging and building materials, all big energy users, could see factories put on three-day weeks. After that, schools and offices could also be put on a three-day week to save energy, and so could retailers (a shopping mall takes a lot of heating in winter), and then possibly closed completely. That would take a huge amount of pressure off the system. After that, there could be the kind of staggered blackouts we saw in the 1970s, designed to eke out meagre supplies through the winter. It wouldnt be great. But it would mean the heating would keep running for most families.

So it may be back to the 70s, only worse. Meanwhile, here in the U.S. we have endless supplies of natural gas, but we also have an administration that wants to suppress production of the commodity for which the world is desperate. In theory one could imagine an administration worse than Joe Bidens, but I dont think I am up to the task.
Expanding the Supreme Court so that Joe Biden can nominate two (or perhaps four) new leftists has been on the Democrats wish list since the 2020 election. But I dont see how they can accomplish that objective, since it would require nullifying the filibuster, and it is hard to see either Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema going along with that for such a radical purpose.

Perhaps this is why Biden appointed a four-person commissionthree law professors and a left-wing activistto investigate the potential for court packing. That commission has released an initial draft report, which is embedded below. What is striking to me is the credibility the commission gives to leftists grounds for thinking the Court should be enlarged. Our democracy is under attack! In leftspeak, that means the Court is one of the few institutions they dont control.

As we noted in Section I (B), some proponents of Court expansion justify the reform as a response to what they perceive to be a crisis of legitimacya concept whose dimensions we delineate in Chapter 1 of this Report. In the wake of bitter judicial confirmation battles, critics charge that Republican lawmakers since 2016 have used underhanded measures to secure a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court. Critics further worry that this new supermajority threatens to take the law, and particularly federal constitutional law, in a more radical direction than where it was already movingperhaps by reversing or continuing to revise longstanding precedents in the areas of reproductive rights, affirmative action, gun rights, religion, administrative law, voting rights, and campaign finance law.

We should be so lucky. Id love to see a list of those longstanding precedents that have been revisednot, of course, reversed.

But for the improper confirmation tactics of Republican lawmakers [Ed.: I.e., they had the votes], the argument goes, the Courts doctrinal trajectory might have been considerably different. The confirmation process, in this view, has cast a shadow on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and its jurisprudence. The loss in legitimacy could, over time, affect the willingness of the publicand especially those who disagree with the trend of Supreme Court decisionsto treat the Courts rulings as authoritative.

In other words, give us the majority or the institution is illegitimate and we wont follow its decisions.

I am not interested in deconstructing such nonsense, but rather in simply noting that Bidens hand-picked commission hasnt been able to come out in favor of court packing. Not yet, at least. This fact has prompted howls of outrage from the Left, as catalogued here. Apparently quite a few Democrats had seriously been counting on using their razor-thin control of Congress to pack the Supreme Court. Happily, it looks as though cooler heads are going to prevail. And it does seem plausible, as leftists are now saying, that Biden appointed this commission to give himself cover if and when he decides not to proceed with packing the Court.
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About a year ago, mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria began in Lagos.

The slogan, #ENDSARS, called for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuses.

In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the veteran Nigerian actor, Jide Kosoko, speaks about the protest and his take on President Muhammadu Buharis administration

PT: What new projects are you currently working on?

Kosoko: One major production will be coming from me very very soon, it is called Ogun Ahoyaya.

It is about the feud between King Kosoko and Akitoye following the invasion of Lagos by the British. Kosoko was a member of the Ologun Kutere Lagos Royal Family who reigned as Oba of Lagos from 1845 to 1851. It is a movie close to my heart. Being a prince in Lagos and a descendant of Oba Kosoko, the movie would showcase a lot that many are not aware of.

It is a historical play is centered around events in Lagos of the 18th century. It reflects on the legendary feud between King Kosoko and King Akintoye. Prince Kosoko is (was) the rightful heir to the Lagos throne. But due to the feud between him and Eletu Odibo (the Prime Minister), his nephew Akintoye is made king on the pretense that Prince Kosoko could not be located when Oba Oluwole died. King Akitoye realising who Kosoko is persuades his people to search for him, so as to make him return to Lagos.

PT: It is clearly going to be an epic movie

Kosoko: It is indeed an epic, a super epic. Because we would be assembling not less than 1000 cast (actors), that is one, and of course, I am also going to work on some projects for Startimes too.

PT: One of the movies you featured in, Shadow Parties is currently showing on Netflix. How does this make you feel?

Kosoko: I feel happy. It does feel good to know that people are still identifying with traditional stories-stories that touch the heart. This movie shows that dialogue is the best way of resolving conflicts. You can see the number of deaths that occurred in the film. You can see that at the end of the day it was resolved by dialogue, just like what is happening in Nigeria today.

We continue to blame every government, and for real we all contributed to the whole situation. The government plays a principal role in bastardising everything, but are we all doing it right? Are you a good citizen and must everything come from the government? Must you say that because you do not have a white-collar job you can get yourself into activities that further compound the problems? Most of these politicians we continue to abuse and are they not the same people we that run to for one assistance?

PT: What are your thoughts on President Buharis administration?

Kosoko: So many things are responsible for the situation we find ourselves. I cant speak for the government but I cant say Buhari (government) is totally bad. Ive never said so, and I may not say so, but I am disappointed in some of his actions. I hate a situation where the APC government will keep reminding us of how bad things have been since PDP assumed power.

We are all aware of that, before you decided to come on board, deciding to assume power means you have a solution to the problems so that is my own concern. Buhari knows that discipline is his watchword, I wanted to believe him then, but he should know that in getting a corrupt-free society you would face quite a lot of antagonism.

Its just like a dog eating bone and you want to collect the bone, it would be a tug of war. I believe him and personally, Buhari is not corrupt, but so many things are still going on. This means that prompt action must be taken to ensure that those things stop.

PT: You were actively involved in campaigning for President Buhari.

Kosoko: Yes I was.

PT: Any regrets?

Kosoko: No I can never. I will ask you and ask all the Nigerian youths going up and coming down saying different things. Let them show us who to follow, do you know who will do well, do you know? You dont know, Professor Wole Soyinka was appointed the founding Corps Marshall of the FRSC, he ran away, he couldnt stand it. So, tell me if you are able to confirm to me that Jide Kosoko is the best to govern us, then I will follow you. But nobody knows, we are all making trial and error.

PT: What does the arrival of Netflix, Amazon, and other movie streaming platforms in Nigeria portend for your industry?

Kosoko: You see when social media and the movie streamings sites you mentioned came into Nigeria, we were a bit scared that they would take our job from us but after series of workshops, conferences and seminars, we came to a decision that we should use them to our own advantage.

PT: What are your thoughts on the EndSARS protest which began about a year ago?

Kosoko: I want to advise our youths, look at that beautiful EndSars rally, I was so happy about it at the beginning but after the third day, I was no longer comfortable. Because they had made their point after the third day, and because they had started extending it to other things; I knew from experience that it wasnt going to end well. The assignment given to Special Anti-Robbery Squad was a responsible assignment but the people responsible for the assignment failed to do it. Thus government needs to retrain them, there should be aptitude tests for people enlisting in the military and paramilitary.

I will appeal to the youths, to leave Desmond Elliot alone, when we talk in an emotional situation, we can say anything. If he calls them children, he is not calling them his own children. He is calling them children of the government. Then secondly, there are some stupid youths who dont know more than abusing people on social media. All those youth abusing people on social media cant make good leaders, they wont take other peoples opinions. I still believe that there are right-thinking youths.

We need to pray to the almighty God to give us the right leaders.

PT: Lets talk about the death rates in your industry. What is TAMPAM doing about this?

Kosoko: So many things are responsible for these deaths like individual attitudes, living standards, careless approach to health issues, and health challenges. Even people that take care of themselves still get sick, take more or less someone who is careless about their health. Thus the BOT through the Executive of TAMPAM is coming with a trust fund for our members.

PT: Is there any health insurance in place?

Kosoko: Our members dont cooperate, there are HMOs but they are not cooperating until something goes wrong.

PT: What about the conflicts between TAMPAM and its members?

Kosoko: Sorry I would have to cut you there, TAMPAM is the most organised and the largest guild in Nigeria. Mind you, TAMPAM is not a regulatory body. We are currently working on sanitising the industry to ensure that things work out fine.
The National Economic Council has strongly advised against public protests to commemorate the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.

The council, in a statement Friday, said due to the current security situation in the country, there is a possibility of the protest being hijacked by armed hoodlums and criminals.

The National Economic Council was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 29, 2015, and is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Read the full statement below:

THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL HAS ISSUED AN ADVISORY ON PUBLIC PROTESTS AT THIS TIME AS FOLLOWS:

While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the National Economic Council (NEC) strongly advise those planning public protests across the country to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement.

This is because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues. Council, therefore, urges the organisers to reconsider their plan.

NEC would also like to point out the various actions already taken by Federal and State Governments to address the grievances that led to the 2020 protests, including

* The disbandment of SARS;

* Broad police reforms;

* Establishment of judicial panels of inquiries to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies;

* Recommendations of panels which are already at various stages of implementation, including the setup of Victims Compensation Funds from which several victims have received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels;

* And prosecution of police personnel indicted by the panels.

These are commendable actions that ought to be taken to a logical conclusion in a peaceful atmosphere.

Organisers of the planned protests should explore the various channels of communication with governments at various levels to advance their positions and avert the breakdown of law and order that may result from such public protests.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that it may soon be forced to cut food rations to more than half a million women, men and children in north-eastern Nigeria.

Chris Nikoi, WFPs Regional Director for West Africa, said this in a statement on Saturday, in Abuja, following a recent visit to Nigeria.

He said that WFP would do this unless urgent funding was secured to continue life-saving operations in crisis-ridden Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The WFP director stated that the cuts would come just as severe hunger reached a five-year high in the country, in the wake of years of conflict and insecurity.

He said the situation had been worsened by the socio-economic fallout from COVID-19, high food prices and limited food supply.

He added that the number of internally-displaced surpassed two million in September 2021, reaching another grim milestone.

Cutting rations means choosing who gets to eat and who goes to bed hungry. We are seeing funding for our life-saving humanitarian work dry up just at the time when hunger is at its most severe.

Mr Nikoi warned that if at least US$ 55 million was not received in a matter of weeks, WFP would have no choice but to cut food rations and reduce the number of people it serves, where assistance is already prioritised for the most vulnerable as early as November.

Our food assistance is a lifeline for millions whose lives have been upended by conflict and have almost nothing to survive on. We must act now to save lives and avoid disruptions to this lifeline, Mr Nikoi added.

He said that the number of Internally Displaced People (IDP forced to flee their homes in search of safety in northeast Nigeria) had been rising steadily, reaching a new all-time high of over 2 million in September 2021.

The WFP director said that current food security analyses showed that 4.4 million people in North-east Nigeria did not know where their next meal would come from, and over 1 million children are already malnourished.

He cited continued attacks on communities by non-state armed groups, harsh lean season conditions amid an economy dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19, as portending great danger for the people.

Mr Nikoi added that high food prices and a severe reduction in household purchasing power, had also contributed to a bleak outlook for the most vulnerable people in northeast Nigeria.

He warned that despite increasing needs, WFP may soon be unable to sustain life-saving operations in the conflict-riddled north-east.

(NAN)
A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Saturday, turned himself in for interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

This came weeks after this newspaper reported how the top member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shunned previous invitations by the anti-corruption agency.

His decision to turn himself in could have been made to avert possible arrest which our reporter learnt was being planned by the commission.

Top EFCC officials, who asked not to be named because they had no permission to speak on the matter, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Kwankwaso arrived at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja before noon on Saturday.

This was after repeated invitations not honoured by him, one of the sources said.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCCs spokesperson, could not be immediately reached for comments.

A close aide, who sometimes speaks for Mr Kwankwaso, said he would get back to our reporter, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Petition

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the former governor was being investigated over a 2015 petition by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners, who alleged that he violated the Kano State Pension and Gratuity Law of 2007 in the management of pension remittances amounting to about N10 billion contributed between 2011 and 2015.

Mr Kwankwaso, earlier governed Kano State between 1999 and 2003, before he returned for his second term from 2011 to 2015.

The 64-year-old also served as the senator representing Kano Central between 2015 and 2019.

According to the petitioners, Mr Kwankwaso had directed that pension remittances be used for housing development, largely to favour the pensioners.

A tripartite deal was later reached between Kano State Pension Trust Funds as the investors and Kano State Investment and Property Limited and Kano State Housing Corporation Limited as developers on a 60:40 sharing ratio.

However, after contracts for the construction of 1,579 houses were awarded for the development of  Kwankwasiya, Amana, and Bandarawa Cities, the petitioners alleged, Mr Kwankwaso manipulated the process to terminate the term of the agreement and made outright allocations in favour of his aide and cronies.

The alleged manipulation happened in May 2015, the month Mr Kwankwaso left office as Kanos governor.

Mr Kwankwaso is not the only politically exposed person who shunned an invitation by the EFCC last week, findings by this newspaper show.

As of the time of filing this report, Mr Kwankwaso had been grilled for hours by EFCC operatives.

It is not clear yet if he will be released on bail or pass the night in custody.
Ahead of Saturdays Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, there is palpable fear among residents as the two factions of the party in the state prepare for a showdown.

The two factions  one loyal to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the other to his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun  will be holding parallel congresses in Abeokuta.

While the faction of the Governor Abiodun will hold its own congress at the MKO Abiola Stadium, less than two kilometers to the Governors office, the Amosun group will hold their congress at the palace of the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba-land.

The distance between both congresses grounds is about five kilometers.

Politicians were seen in their numbers hanging around on the street of Abeokuta in preparation for the congress.

Traders have expressed fear as many of them have vowed not open their shops on the said day.

Residents react

A petty trader at Panseke market, Iya Falilat, noted that she wont be displaying her goods on Saturday owing to the rumoured violence she had heard from politicians.

My neighbours who are politicians, in fact they do attend ward meetings have warned me to stay at home on Saturday, missing tomorrow sales wont kill me. I choose to live and sell some other time instead to having this political thugs to battle.

Another trader who sells close to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, who preferred not to say her name, noted that she wont step out of her home on Saturday.

The memory of the 2019 elections is still very fresh in my head, not even when I have started hearing different things. I wont come out tomorrow, I will only eat and sleep.

Police spits fire

In a statement signed by the police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the command said it would resist any act of hooliganism, brigandage or political thuggery before during and after the congress.

The police, however, affirmed MKO Abiola Stadium as the venue of the congress but didnt dismiss the Alakes palace where the other faction had also chosen to hold their congress.

Therefore, anybody who has no business in and around the venue of the congress are by this release warned to stare clear of the place.

The Command will deal decisively with anybody caught in any act capable of undermining the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state, no matter the position or status of such person.

Parents and guardians are also advised to call their wards to order by counseling them not to allow themselves to be used for political thugery as such will be viewed with all seriousness.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole while wishing members of the party successful congress, enjoins them to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and exhibit high sense of sportsmanship.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun on Saturday confirmed that three persons lost their lives in a lonely accident around Four Square Gate on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The Ogun Sector Commander of FRSC, Ahmed Umar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, Ogun, that the accident happened at about 6.50 a.m.

Mr Umar explained that the crash involved three males and a Mitsubishi Canter with registration number LAR 116XN.

He blamed the accident on excessive speeding, which made the vehicle to loss control, skipped into bush, thus leading to the death of all the males in the vehicle.

The corpses of the victims have been deposited at FOS morgue, Ipara, he said.

The sector commander described the crash as avoidable act, advising motorists to avoid excessive speed and dangerous driving, and also to obey traffic rules and regulations.

Mr Umar commiserated with the family of the victims and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

He also enjoined them to contact the FRSC Command in Ogunmakin KM27, for details of the crash and reclaim the properties of the victims recovered from the scene of the mishap. (NAN)
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger concluded its state congress in Minna on Saturday with consensus candidates emerging as the partys new executives.

Ahmed Wambai, Chairman, Congress Committee, made this known while inaugurating the new party executives.

Today we are gathered here to domesticate the Niger APC congress; the National Caretaker Committee appointed us to conduct the Niger APC congress.

Any parallel congress in Niger is illegal. We are the legitimate body appointed to conduct the Niger APC state congress, he said.

He explained that the partys Constitution recognised election, affirmation or consensus for state congresses.

We learned that APC members in Niger settled for consensus candidates as their new party leaders and that is what we adopted, he added.

In his remarks, Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger thanked the party members for coming up with the consensus idea in order to avoid rancour.

Mr Sani-Bello said that he did not impose any candidate on the party, but that members chose their leaders voluntarily.

He commended members for conducting themselves peacefully during the hitch-free exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Haliru Jikantoro, emerged as the new Chairman of the party while Abdulsalam Madaki, emerged as vice-chairman.

Ibrahim Kahalee, emerged as Secretary; Idris Mohammed, emerged as Treasurer; Ahmed Bello emerged as Financial Secretary, while Suleiman Abdullahi emerged as Youth Leader. (NAN)
The #EndSARS panel set up to investigate cases of police brutality in Abuja will resume sitting on Monday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement on Saturday.

This comes nearly seven months after the panel last sat in March.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the panel was crippled by lack of funding from the federal government.

The NHRCs 11-member Independent Investigative Panel commonly referred to as #EndSARS panel, was inaugurated on October 21, 2020 to probe various various forms of rights violations perpetrated by the operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.

The setting up of the panel replicated in about 29 states and Abuja was spurred by the nationwide #EndSARS anti-police brutality protest led by the youth against brutal activities of men of the defunct SARS in October last year.

The protest ensured SARS was proscribed, with authorities promising broad police reforms and setting up of the judicial panels of inquiry across the states to award compensation to victims.

The Suleiman Galadima-led panel last sat in Abuja on March 24, 2021, when it declared a two-week Easter break, but never resumed.

The hiatus was due to some logistics challenges, NHRCs spokesperson, Fatima Mohammed, said in the commissions statement, dismissing insinuations that the panel had fizzled out.

The panel is expected to take final written and oral addresses in eight petitions, on Monday, signalling the conclusion of the cases and adjournment for the panels report on them, the statement added.

55 petitions concluded

According to Mrs Mohammed, the panel has within the first four months when it commenced sitting concluded 55 petitions, while 75 are ongoing at various stages.

The statement disclosed that 33 petitions were ready for the payment of compensations including other legal and administrative remedies in accordance with the relevant laws.

So far the panel has brought hope to families, survivors and victim of human rights violations by the police given the fact that justice has already been served in a number of cases, thus rekindling peoples hope that the government indeed has not abandoned their Constitutional responsibility of ensuring a safe and secure environment, the statement read in part.

Lack of funding

However, a report by this newspaper had recently revealed how lack of funds crippled the panels sitting, thereby dashing the hopes of 300 petitioners.

The Abuja panel has been crippled by a lack of funding from the federal government, PREMIUM TIMES had confirmed, but it is not a fact the NHRC or members of the panel would publicly admit.

Chino Obiagwu, a Senor Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and leader of the team of lawyers engaged by the NHRC to guide and advise the panel, as well as interrogate complainants and witnesses during proceedings, confirmed the crippling impact lack of funds has had on the panel.

Mrs Mohammed did not acknowledge if the NHRC has received funding from the federal government.

The Abuja #EndSARS panel is being chaired by Suleiman Galadima, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, while Hilary Ogbonna serves as secretary of the panel.

Abdulrahaman Yakubu represents the NHRC, representatives of Civil society, Lydia Umar, and Uju Agomoh.

Other members are representatives of the youth, Mubarak Mijinyawa (speaker Nigerian Youth Parliament ), and the representatives of Police Service Commission, Tijani Mohammed.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, state governors, and other federal government representatives constituting the National Economic Council (NEC), have resolved to ensure the prosecution of police officers indicted by the #EndSARS panels in various states.

Where violations do not constitute criminal liabilities, they urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.

They made the resolution at the NEC meeting held on October 15, also vowing to ensure victims of police brutality are compensated according to the recommendations of the various #EndSARS panels.

The #EndSARS panel is the common name of the various judicial panels of enquiry set up in the wake of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest against the cruel activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The idea of setting up the panels was muted by the NEC in acquiescence to one of the demands of the protesters.

The NEC, at its Friday meeting, vowed to implement the recommendations of the panels.

Each state, in collaboration with the federal government, shall establish modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the panels, the NEC resolution contained in a statement shared by Mr Osinbajos spokesperson, Laolu Akande, on Friday, read in part.

It added, Already, as resolved by NEC, a number of States have set up Victims Compensation Funds, from which several victims have already received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels.

On the resolution for the prosecution of erring police officers, the NEC asked governors to forward copies of the reports of the various #EndSARS panels in their states to their attorneys-general for the arraignment of the indicted persons.

Council directed state governors to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons, it said.

Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.

11 state panels submitted final reports

The #EndSARS panel, the common way of referring to various judicial panels of enquiry set up to investigate police brutality, was replicated in 28 states and Abuja.

The idea of setting up the panels was muted by the NEC in the wake of last years #EndSARS protest against the cruel activities of the now disbanded SARS.

The NEC said 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission) had set up the Judicial panels/commissions of Inquiry (Panels) to investigate allegations of violations of human rights levied against members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, especially members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The 28 states that set up these panels were Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba.

It said 11 states  Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers  had submitted their final reports to

Out of the 28 states, 11 states (Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers) have submitted their final reports to Council; with Lagos, set to finalise its sittings on 19th October 2021, submitting an interim report. Governors of other States including Delta and Ebonyi at todays meeting also indicated that their reports would be submitted soon, it added.

EndSARS Protest Anniversary

Meanwhile, members of the NEC also advised against #EndSARS protest anniversary.

Organisers have been mobilising for the protest billed to hold on October 20, to coincide with first anniversary of the October 20, 2020 shooting of protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos at the peak of the #EndSARS protest last year.

Leading human rights advocates like Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, have backed the organisers and advised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to withdraw threats to stop the peaceful protest.

But the NEC at its meeting held on October 15, advised those planning protests to mark the anniversary of the ENDSARS to reconsider the option, citing security concerns.

The resolution of the NEC contained in a statement shared by Mr Osinbajos spokesperson, Laolu Akande, on Friday, read in part, While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the National Economic Council (NEC) strongly advises those planning public protests across the country to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement.

This is because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues. Council, therefore, urges the organisers to reconsider their plan.

The body said both the federal and state governments had since the 2020 protest, addressed the protesters grievances by ensuring the disbandment of SARS; broad police reforms; and establishment of judicial panels of inquiries to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
British lawmaker David Amess has died after being stabbed several times during a meeting with his constituents at a church in eastern England.

BBC reported that a man walked into Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, south Essex, where Mr Amess was holding the meeting with locals on Friday and attacked the politician.

Mr Amess, 69, from Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative Party, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday Friday, BBC reported.

The UK Metropolitan Police, whose counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation of the incident, said in a statement early on Saturday that they declared the fatal stabbing as a terrorist incident.

He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene, the statement said. A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered.

As part of the investigation, officers are currently carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and these are ongoing, the police said, adding that it is believed that the suspect in custody acted alone.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken of his shock and sadness at the loss of one of the kindest people in politics.

David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we have lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague, Mr Johnson said in a short video on Twitter.

The prime minister said Sir David had an outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable.

Mr Amess had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children. He is the second serving MP to be killed in the past five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, BBC reports.

He has been a member of parliament for Southend West, which includes Leigh-on-Sea, since 1997, but has been a lawmaker since 1983, his biography shows.

His website lists his main interests as animal welfare and pro-life issues.
United States authorities have arrested and charged at least 11 Nigerians with laundering about $9 million in proceeds derived from fraud and romance scams.

They face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The defendants include Adedayo John, 32; Oluwadamilola Akinpelu, 26; Kazeem Raheem, 29; Morakinyo Gbeyide, 39; Warris Adenuga, aka Blue, 26.

Others are, Lateef Goloba, 27; Samsondeen Goloba, 29; Olawale Olaniyan, 41; Olawoyin Peter Olarewaju, 34 and Emmanuel Oronsaye-Ajayi, 30.

Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Patrick J. Freaney, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service, announced the unsealing of the charges on Wednesday, October 13.

They said nine of defendants were arrested in the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of New York on October 13, and were meant to be presented for prosecution before a U.S. magistrate, Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York the same day.

One of the defendants was arrested in the Southern District of Texas, and was to be presented the same day in the districts federal court, the statement said, adding that one defendant remained at large.

The outcome of the proceedings could not be ascertained yet by our reporter.

As alleged, the defendants were part of a criminal enterprise that not only defrauded businesses by assuming the online identities of legitimate counterparties, Mr Williams, an Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said.

He added that the defendants also preyed on vulnerable elderly people, deceiving victims into sending money in phony romance scams. Thanks to the Secret Service, the defendants are now facing federal felony charges.

Mr Freaney, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the secret service, said:

As the continued threat posed by cyber-enabled fraud remains ever-present, the U.S. Secret Service remains steadfast in its pursuit of those who threaten our collective financial security.

He said the defendants allegedly used a myriad of fraud schemes, including romance scams and business email compromises to defraud over 50 victims in excess of $9 million.

Due to the efforts of the Secret Service and our partners at the New York City Police Department Financial Crimes Task Force, this organised group will no longer be able to operate its alleged scheme to defraud and will answer the charges brought against them in the Southern District of New York.

Defendants alleged scheme

Victims were typically defrauded in one of two ways, prosecutors said.

One of the schemes, according to them, is using business email compromise fraud schemes to trick businesses into transferring funds to bank accounts the victims believed were under the control of legitimate recipients of the funds as part of normal business operations, when in fact the bank accounts were under the control of the defendants or their co-conspirators.

They said in other instances, romance scams were used.

This, they said was perpetrated primarily through electronic messages sent via email, text messaging, social media, or online dating websites, to deceive victims into believing they were in romantic relationships with fake identities, and then using false pretenses to cause the victims to transfer funds to bank accounts controlled by the defendants or their co-conspirators.

Many of the victims were said to be vulnerable older men and women.

As a result of these frauds, law enforcement officers have identified more than 50 victims who have transferred more than $9 million to bank accounts under the control of the defendants.

The defendants risk as much as 30 years imprisonment going by the maximum sentence prescribed by the law, the Department of Justices statement said.
The twenty years between 1978 and 1998 witnessed an epic struggle in Nigeria.

The struggle to rescue Nigeria and, the education sector, especially the higher education segment took on specific class character in the last forty yearstwenty years (1978-1998) largely under World Bank-supervised military dictatorship, and twenty years (1999-2021) under an alleged democracy also supervised by the World Bank and dominated by the same, and equally deadly, ideological forces spread across Nigeria.

The central character of the four-decade long dispensation is privatisation, massive private accumulation of wealth by a tiny ruling-class, and general abandonment of social services (education, healthcare, basic utilities, etc.) provisioning. Budgetary allocation to education has dwindled drastically in spite of the struggles of labour, (ASUU in particular) and the students movement. The vicious attack on the students has decimated their movement by the mid-1990s. From 1988, ASUU was banned several times. The Nigeria Labour Congress itself was directly under government sledge hammer between 1988 and 1999; the NLC had not recovered from that trauma!

These are the general conditions that produced the general crisis of decay everywhere (public service, universities, utilities, security, roads, hospitals, etc.) and the progressive and deepening decay in our institutions of higher learning where workers are owed salaries or paid what they now call amputated wages. Yet, key decision-makers and their friends are smiling to their banks every day.

Under the conditions of frustration, anger, and confusion in which our people live, and given that their capacity for resistance had been constantly stultified for years, any minor cause, not to talk of the loss of life of a young student or any human being for that matter, will spark a huge lot of reaction and conflagration!

Where the ruling circles, those whose policies impose the current disaster on society are untouchable, armed, and invisible to the victims, the victims (in this case various interest groups in the university community) turn their frustrations against one another. That was the background to my immediate reaction on social media when I heard of our tragic loss of Aisha Adesina at OAU; the post was quoted partly online by Premium Times on October 6, 2021.

My exact reaction to the statement by [OAU] Senate concerning the unfortunate event was as follows:

OAU IFE STILL LOOKING FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND REMOTE CAUSES OF DECAY

Government-sponsored DECAY that was born more than two decades ago. Really depressing. When the academy dies, virtually ALL will be lost. And to know this is the same Great Ife whose unflinching tradition of truth and courage generations of faculty and students sacrificed time, careers and blood to build.

I said depressing! But I was actually embarrassed; because the remote causes of our present situation, on all counts, had been in public view for at least forty years!

As the swearing in of the [INEC-trained] Student Union EXCO has been suspended by OAU (Senate decisions on students protestsSpecial release by the Registrar, Oct. 5), Management closed OAU on October 2; Senate met Oct. 5; Senate commiserate with the family; condemns the students action and frowned on blocking of Ife-Ibadan and Ife-Ede roads; commended the Vice-Chancellor for the prompt and proactive decisions to suspend students activities stressing that precious lives could have been lost if actions had been delayed, [Senate] affirms its support for decisions taken by management:

That students vacate campus Swearing in of newly elected student union officers should be put on hold.

Earlier in the year, I have read As OAU prepared for its 60th Anniversary (1) by Mr Bola Bolawole [Wednesday. 14th April, 2021: reubenabatic.com.ng]accessed Saturday, 9th Oct. 2021, where Mr Bolawole observed as follows:

Little wonder that the University is touted as the Best University in Africa. . . Sadly, the university has since fallen on hard times and is today a shadow of its former self as facilities and infrastructure have been allowed to decay and fall into bad shape. A couple of months ago, I went into Fajuyi Hall, whose hall chairman I was in 1981/82 to help my son move out his belongings and I wept. Everywhere and every facility was decrepit. . .Sorry for the digression.

For Mr Bolawole in April 2021, articulating the sorry sight was a digression. But for me and most university workers, especially ASUU members, across Nigeria, since about the time that Bolawoles generation of radical, patriotic groups and alliances of progressive students entered the universities in Nigeria, the advancement of the decay in our alma mater, and the entire university system in Nigeria, had been the centrepiece of the crisis! It was that deepening of the crisis that compelled and enabled ASUU to force the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out the Needs Assessment of 2013 and to start undertaking the subsequent, if largely token, amelioration of the decay in Federal and State Universities.

I also saw a copy of, and read, ASUUs (ASUU, OAU Branch) Statement of October 2, 2021 [signed by Chairman, Dr Adeola Egbedokun]. I need to highlight portions of ASUUs statement because of the allegations against ASUU in the Statement issued on the tragedy by SSANU Chairman, Comrade Taiwo Arobadi.

Paragraph 2 of ASUUs statement referred to alleged circumstances that surrounded the death. . .. ASUU did not mention, or make any allegations!

Paragraph 3 stated ASUU OAU would like to urge the university Administration to pay diligent attention to the health center, as we cannot continue to pretend that all is well at the facility. We demand that the university administration should set up an independent Panel of Enquiry to look into the activities of the Health Center with a view to finding lasting solutions to the perennial complaints of both staff and students against the center.

In paragraph 4, ASUU was categorical:, ASUU OAU wishes to advise students to be law-abiding. . . in the course of their legitimate protest.

SSANU Chairman, Comrade Taiwo Arobadi, signed and circulated a release titled,

SSANU COMMISERATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY. The release asserted, inter alia,

The attention of SSANU has also been drawn to the unfortunate online release of ASUU OAU Chapter that the deathwas as a result of the negligence by the staff and workers of the Health Center.

As I observed earlier on, I have read ASUU (OAU, Ile-Ife) statement of October 2, 2021 signed by Dr Adeola Egbedokun. In the statement, there was reference to perennial complaints of both staff and students against the center, but there was no place in ASUUs statement where anybody or group was accused of negligence by ASUU (OAU) Chapter. Bola Bolawoles That peace may return to Great Ife (turnpot@gmail.com), which I saw on the 6th of October, tallied, some, with ASUU (OAU) claim of perennial complaints. . . : Bolawole observed, . . .the OAU Health Center is not new to controversies. Students have protested against it from time immemorial.

At this point, some reflection on Mr Bola Bolawoles intervention, That peace may return to Great Ife will appear to be in order. The rather hagiographic bent of Mr Bolawoles intervention, as it relates to the incumbent VC, given the circumstance of the tragedy on ground, is worrisome.

Basically, my worry has to do with what I consider to be the inappropriateness of apprehending the ambience of the tragedy on ground (the death of the young lady) as an occasion to highlight the achievements of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor. The VC may actually have been a star; and in that regard, I havent seen any comment accusing or denigrating Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede. But that is beside the point!

To begin to rail against disgruntled elements, or a minority that lost out, politicians who were feeding protesters, etc., and these categories may actually exist, simply does not fit this tragic occasion. And it appears to me that it is the intrusion of hagiography in That peace may return. . . which generated the considerable equivocation in Mr Bolawoles comments on the state of healthcare facility at OAU, all our universities and the healthcare facilities generally in our country. We must also begin a dialogue towards determining the credibility of the objections to public protests on account of the possibility of the so-called hoodlums joining, and/or the actuality that hoodlums do join, or high jack, the protests. This insistent refrain from segments of enlightened citizens is inimical to citizens right to public gatherings that are guaranteed by Nigerian lawthe Police Act, 2020. As the less government, more private accumulation ruling class policies produced and reproduced what the class now call hoodlums and miscreants, these hungry and justifiably angry victims have become the excuse for systematic silencing of the growing tribe of poor people across Nigeria. And the paradigm has become routine excuse by state actors for frequent virtual execution of protesters or just anyone who simply happens to be in any wrong location such as at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020the ultimate metaphor!

As damaging as allegations of negligence against anyone or any group by aggrieved or distressed individuals can be, aggrieved or distressed individuals, quite often, make such allegations especially against public officers. False allegations of negligence are unfortunate, but ever present, hazards of serving other people. It is precisely because such allegations may be false that demands are made by responsible organisations that such allegations be investigated by an independent committee or commission! And if allegations are found to correspond to truth, remediation, restitutions and reconciliations are made; and, if need be, sanctions are imposed to deter future occurrences.

Demands for independent investigation by both Senate and ASUU, we must emphasise, do not remove the fact that workers in the Health Center are generally hard-working, competent and dedicated people (doctors, cleaners, nurses, pharmacist, etc.) that I knew and know personally. They are our relatives, colleagues and co-workers who have shown dedication to the community, many times beyond the call of duty. Many of the health sector workers have, themselves, like NARD and JOHESU today, been complaining about the decrepit nature of health facilities since 1984! Today, there are doctors in public hospitals that have not been paid for ELEVEN MONTHS!

It is also the truth that the decay of public institutions is not the invention of God or Providence. It is the manifestation of a certain political economy imposed on Nigeria since the close of the 1970s. Nigerias working people and their children have struggled with this imposition which has deepened social and economic inequality occasioned by the policies of overlapping ruling class regimes (military and civilian) that abandoned public welfare and reduced the value of workers earnings. Universities, health-care facilities and hospitals are abandoned. Students accommodations, staff housing are reduced or cancelled, subsidised catering facilities were terminated since 1984 when 800 catering workers were sacked at University of Ife and 10,000 were sacked nationwide. Workers and Students resisted this impoverishment and humiliation of Nigerian people. Student unions and workers unions (Cleaners Union, Students Union, ASUU, NASU, SSAUTHRIAI) fought side by side. Of course the ruling class fought back and many university people joined the oppressors. Students were imprisoned, dismissed, killed etc. Lecturers were imprisoned and sacked. Most Vice-Chancellors and the so-called Management were laughing to their banks framing students and handing them over to police!

The massive ruling class siege and attacks on working people created the current decay of our universities. And the decay is occurring simultaneously with the legendary level of private wealth accumulation among the members of Nigerias ruling class across the country!

It is the consequence of the siege on the victims of ruling class policies that subverted their organisational and inter-organisational integrity and solidarity. Students started fighting among themselves and against workers, segments of unions hook on to governments and their agents in the universities, private and primordial interests split unions. As solidarity wanes in the community, individuals and groups take the law into their own hands or frantically surrender to management that then help government to impose irresponsible and anti-people policies like IPPIS, reduced funding, and the so-called cost-recovery strategies! The reinstatement of community and, especially workers solidarity, is the antidote to the current decay. We used to have, and to activate, this antidote! The incumbent VC at Ife himself seemed to have discovered, only recently that IPPIS is subversive of university autonomy!

A related issue regarding my worry about hagiography is the amount of effort said to have been invested in renovation, or is it reforming of student unionism at OAU; complete with training of students by INEC! The student union was under a ban. It was unbanned, I heard, as an honour to late Mr Yinka Odumakin, an alumnus who was a patriotic student leader. Odumakin was in the generation of OAU student leaders who suffered constant intimidation in the hands university administration, the military, and the police authorities. Following this October protests, the OAU Students Union is now under virtual ban; INEC training or not!

Many of the problems of our situation today underscore the problems of power believing that history does not matter! For a university, circumscribed historicism is particularly unfortunate. Take the example of the contrived controversy concerning whether the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) is 2021 or 2022! In As OAU prepares for its 60th anniversary (1) by Bola Bolawole (theshieldonlineng.com: accessed Sunday Oct. 10, 2021), the PRO to OAU [Biodun Olanrewaju] was reported to have corrected the impression that the university was established in 1962. It was further asserted in the article: the erroneous impression emanated from the fact that students came into residence or that academic activities began in 1962.

I consider the debate unnecessary because it can also be reasonably argued that a university does not exist de facto unless academic activities begin in it! We all know why celebrations become so important in our institutions in spite of the decay that everyone acknowledges! In any case the 10th Anniversary of the University if Ife was celebrated in 1972 by a significant segment of the founders! Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the inimitable Hezekiah Adedamola Oluwasanmi, (the Vice Chancellor), T.T. Solaru, Omolayole, etc., were there at the celebrations. Our senior colleagues Layi Ogunkoya, Segun Osoba, Sam Aluko, Biyi Afonja and others were there at the Agric Foyer. My humble self was there reporting for our campus magazine Ife Dialoguethe publication of the Ife Dialogue Committee. We just hope and pray that the next administration will not, in spite of the dire situation of OAU, insist on celebrating the 60th Anniversary of OAU, in 2022!

And the tendency of the leaders of institutions to be unavailable during crises and periods when students are distressed, needs to be terminated! Of course empathies are created and conditioned by the congruence of the interests of leaders and the communities they lead. Fortunately, at OAU, I can attest personally to the fact that H.A. Oluwasanmi was always there among the students during distress and crisis. Wande Abimbola was there too. So was Roger Makanjuola who even called Town Hall Meetings to dowse crisis! So were senior academics like Oyin Ogunba, Bayo Lamikanra and Union people like late Edmund Oshinaike, late Kola Olufemi and Tunde Fatunla, late Otas Ukpomwan, Dipo Fashina G. G. Darah, Folabo Soyinka-Ajayi, late J.D. Oke and Ayo Asafa, to mention just a few; even though the union people end up carrying the can of being accused of instigating the students!

We reiterate the point that the crisis of the abandonment of our universities by ruling class governments are bound to keep generating problems that will continue to divide the communitiesworkers against workers, students against workers, students against students! Yet, the only way to save the universities is for workers groups and students to be on the same side in the struggle against the deepening decay being imposed by the Nigerian ruling class and their collaborators.
Zanzibar had been most delighting to me. My presentation earned me two huge rewards having been rated as top paper. First was a book gift. The second was the full sponsorship to attend the 2017 edition of the conference of Global Network of Internet Scholars, GIGANET, which would precede the same years edition of the Internet Governance Forum, IGF, slated for Guadalajara in Mexico.

Zanzibar suddenly bounced to the headlines again with Abdulrazaq Gurnahs 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature. So soon, I would say, after Tanazanias first female president, also from Zanzibar, emerged. Twin mega star is the label I should probably hang on Zanzibar.

Like Nigerias Abeokuta perhaps which produced President Obasanjo and Nobel Laureate Soyinka, Zanzibar is the birthplace of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu and now the indomitable Abdurazaq Gurnah, the new Nobel Laureate in Literature, the second Black African to win it, after our own WS, Wole Soyinka.

Until President Samia Suluhu happened following the tragic death of the frugal President Magufuli, not many people outside Tanzania probably bothered to know so much about Zanzibar. But now global searchlights are beaming relentlessly in the direction of the otherwise innocuous island. Yes, innocuous but seemingly contented and deservingly so.

Zanzibar had earned its reputation as a famous toast of tourists for quite a while. Immediately, some female check-in operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport spotted Zanzibar on my ticket attached to my passport as I endured the airport protocols, the comments were the same. Oga, na only you com dey go Zanzibar? Fine man, make I follow you enjoy for Azanzibar nah Not catching the humour early enough, a fellow passenger volunteered some profile of Zanzibar and concluded: Youd love the place. Na everytime Oyinbo people dey go there go do vacation

My first and only trip to Zanzibar till date was in 2016 at the instance of Research ICT Africa, an organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa. The trip derived from my successful bid for a place on the all- expenses-paid Communication Policy Research South, CPRsouth, Conference as a communication scholar with flair for digital communications development. It was organised in conjunction with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, COSTECH.

I had looked forward to the journey to Tanzania, the country to which Zanzibar belongs, with so much excitement. This was especially with the possibility of getting to re-unite with a great pan-africanist and former legal adviser to Mwalimu Nyerere, Prof Paschal Mihyo. I had met Prof Mihyo in 2003 at the Institute of Social Studies, ISS, The Hague in Netherlands, where, as a NUFFIC Fellowship awardee, I studied Globalisation and Development. Prof Mihyo was then based at the ISS and was the number one host to most Africans who had cause to do anything at ISS. A highly cerebral and mobile scholar, he had left the ISS and moved on to run the secretariat of the Association of African Universities, AAU, before retiring to his home country of Tanzania when I had cause to visit. But Mihyo was based in Dar-es-Salaam while my destination was Zanzibar.

Like most fellow conferees, I arrived Zanzibar late in the evening, too fagged out to savour the environmental beauty of the journey from the airport to Z Ocean Hotel, venue of the conference.

We arrived at the hotel but not with the usual encumbrances of formalities that terrorism has since inflicted on humanity especially in the hotel vicinity. In spite of the rampaging Al-Shabab in the neighbouring country of Kenya, security at this hotel was minimal and polite. I had a restful night.

The morning after: Spectacles on parade on the seamless beach side were assorted. But even the room details are unusual, pretty modest but functional and tastefully so, relative to the unique African context. How? The rooms are very modest enclosures without the bogus usuals of the typical westernized hotels that must have lights on all day to be duly habitable The beds were literally enveloped up in roomy, snow-white, mosquito nets that confer on you the confidence of inviolable shield against any flying insect at all, especially mosquitoes, the dreadful malaria dispensers.

Z Ocean is a modest hotel with the tallest structure being only one-storey and it is an addendum. This modesty not withstanding, it reckons properly with diversity across culinary and other facets you may imagine, including religion. It has a mosque. The diversity tolerance, it is important to note is probably reflective of the larger society. In Zanzibar, every childs education counts such that Islamic education has been mainstreamed to give muslim children full sense of citizenship. A lofty manifestation of this today is that the weekly khutbah or sermon in major mosques are rendered in Arabic without translation since everyone speaks Arabic courtesy of Islamic education already mainstreamed.

Z Ocean Hotels construction design is such that a number of rooms are made to oversee the beach. As you step out therefore, if it coincides with the sunrise period, the usual time for conferees to hurry to business sessions venue, you encounter the sun and sea spectacle that readily reminds one of the ubiquitous Acapulco Sun and Sea shirts of the 1980s.

The kitchen at Z Ocean Hotel was as Afro-centric as continental with varieties of rice to veggies favourites of combinations of luxuriant edible leaves spiced with invitingly red pastes. And then the kasala tea! Its indigenous but theres hardly anyone that can resist it irrespective of your nationality or culinary sophistication. Without any additive as sweetener, kasala tea is simply complete even with its look hardly different from what you earn from the mixture of bournvita and milk. It became the favourite of almost all CPRsouth attendees during our short stay.

I felt for my country. Here is Z Ocean serving kasala tea with pride. How many of our hotels in Nigeria serve cocoa, our pride of years peaking with Cocoa House at Ibadan? I have been ceaseless in my request for cocoa beverage from hotel restaurant staff. From Lagos to Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Port Harcourt, often you get the options of either coffee or tea. Kasala plunged me into deeper thought when I remembered that the previous year, Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, USA, generously served cocoa powder, so well mixed like Nigerias Checkers Custard, so that you dont have to add anything again to enrich its taste. With the cocoa beverage, Marriott made me fall in love with Carlifornia where I was the only African attendee of the Online News Association, ONA, conference of 2015. ONA availed me with the uncommon opportunity of interfacing with the biggest media players on the internet ranging from Google to Facebook and the likes.

Zanzibar had been most delighting to me. My presentation earned me two huge rewards having been rated as top paper. First was a book gift. The second was the full sponsorship to attend the 2017 edition of the conference of Global Network of Internet Scholars, GIGANET, which would precede the same years edition of the Internet Governance Forum, IGF, slated for Guadalajara in Mexico.

Back to Zanzibar Airport the day I was leaving, so much to learn again. The hood does not make a monk my late school principal, of blessed memory, at Ede Muslim Grammar School, Mr Olatunji would always caution. The Zanzibar airport has been one of the most modest Ive ever passed through. Perhaps at par with the one in the neighbouring Niger but clearly far more modest than the one in Bourkina Faso. You then begin to wonder why Governor Aregbesola of Osun State would not learn from Tanzanias example but would rather want to repeatedly sell Cuba to folks even if only verbally not with deeds. It remains most tragic that he sank so much money into the Ido-Osun airport (MKO Abiola means success to me at all times) without any good story till he vacated office. Zanzibar airport offered us free internet access but the giant of Africa till date has not contemplated this in spite of the loud name change of the most concerned ministry headed by the controversial professor.

As if to remind everyone that we were all in transit anyway, flights arrived and left as scheduled no matter how many passengers. Yours sincerely did the 20-minute flight to Dar-es-Salaam in what was like a chartered flight because the chopper that took me left with only one other passenger apart from me. Fun all the way with the pilot.

Tunde Akanni is Acting Head of Journalism Department of LASU where he also doubles as the pioneer Director of the Digital Media Research Centre, DMRC.
The Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors forum, former Minister, scholar, activist and politician, Dr. Kayode Fayemi popularly called JKF is three years in the saddle this October. This is his second time as Governor of the state having first superintended over the affairs of the state between October 2010 and 2014 which is now being referred to as JKF 1 and his second coming as JKF 2. Just as he had an eight point agenda fashioned after the Millennium Development Goals during his first tenure, he has a five point agenda in his second coming which are Governance, Knowledge Economy, Social Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development and Infrastructure and Industrial Development. In his first term, through his eight point agenda, he touched all 132 (now 139) communities in Ekiti State and now, he has also touched all the communities one way or the other through his five point agenda.

The mantra, Reclaiming the land, restoring our values was the signature tune of JKF 2 and his campaign slogan while seeking office for the second time in 2018. Having spent 3 years in the saddle, it is evidently clear that the slogan is neither a mere election sloganeering nor polemical sally. The milestones achieved in the last three years have confirmed that JKF has indeed reclaimed the land and restored Ekiti values and the work is still ongoing. Recently, Ekiti came second in the country for budget transparency. Ekiti State also recently won awards of best private secondary school in Nigeria, best public secondary school, best SUBEB nursery and primary school and the best teacher in Nigeria. Ekiti came first in International Arts and Craft Expo 2020 and came second National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2020. All these are testimonies of good governance.

The first executive order he issued on assumption of office in 2018 was the abolition of all forms of education taxes levied on pupils by the previous administration and he pronounced free and compulsory education for all pupils in Ekiti state from primary school to Junior Secondary School. Teachers were recruited as well as civil servants. JKF has been paying workers salary promptly and paid part of the arrears owed by the last administration. He also increased payment of gratuity from N10m monthly to N100m.

JKF restored electricity to Ikogosi, Ipolo-Iloro and Erijiyan communities that have been in darkness for 4 years. He resuscitated the moribund Gossy water company, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts, Ire burnt bricks and Fountain Hotels. He completed the abandoned Oja Oba market, many buildings at the state secretariat, Oba Adejugbe hospital and the state Pavillon. This is just to mention a few which shows that Fayemi does not play politics of bitterness and does not believe projects should be abandoned because of political party differences! This is what led to the novel Ekiti Transition Law which he presented to the house of Assembly and was passed into law in 2019. It forbids any new government from abandoning projects by its predecessor. He has also completed the gigantic and ultra modern civic centre which he started during his first tenure. He has constructed and commissioned the ultra modern office of the Ekiti State Water Corporation while many towns without pipe borne water in the last 30 years have been connected. He has rehabilitated the Ero dam to provide portable water to 10 Local governments. Egbe, Itapaji and Ureje dams have also been rehabilitated. Erijiyan water supply scheme has been completed while water supply was also restored to Ipole Iloro. Many new areas in Ado Ekiti have been provided with pipe borne water. There was electrification of many farm settlements .

Many development partners that left the state under the last administration have returned and are supporting in the area of infrastructure.

Fayemi in three years have touched all communities in Ekiti State through construction of roads, provision of pipe borne water, renovation of primary and secondary schools, renovation of basic and comprehensive health centres, general hospitals as well as Ekiti State Teaching Hospital where the internal roads were rehabilitated, payment of WAEC and NECO fee for students and many empowerment schemes under the Social Investment programme. There is monthly sustenance cash transfer for 15,000 Ekiti elders and monthly food support for the elderly across the state called Ounje arugbo. Four new model colleges were constructed and named after Ekiti icons, additional secondary schools were established due to overpopulation of students, 3 new model schools have again been approved. It is also worthy of note that school enrolment shot up in Ekiti and this necessitated the establishment of these model colleges and new secondary schools.

Fayemi embarked on a massive road reconstruction and thus, Ekiti has the best network of state roads in the Southwest and thats why Abuja bound trucks recently invaded and destroyed our roads. It should also be mentioned that federal roads in the State have collapsed! The ongoing airport project, the knowledge zone and the safe city project are all to open up Ekiti economically and secure it technologically in accordance with global best practices. The creation of 19 additional Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the Fayemi administration is to bring government and development closer to the grassroots. The state roads constructed by Fayemi are; the Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo- Ijan road, Oye-Isan- Ikun road, Aramoko- Erijiyan road, Agbado-Ode-Isinbode Road, Ibuji-Igbaraodo-Ilawe- Ado Ekiti road. The new dual carriage Ado-Iyin road will be commissioned this December.

Rural Assess and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP), a world bank project is also intervening in some roads. On security, Ekiti has her own fair share of this general problem but the JKF administration has put in place, a good security architecture combining of the regular security agencies, Amotekun and local hunters. The safe city project is also ongoing as CCTV cameras are installed at strategic places in the State capital.

The House of Assembly where I presently serve was totally renovated and to give a befitting ambience. The house has collaborated well with the Governor in passing into law bills that are beneficial to the people especially protection of women and the girl child. The enactment of the 2019 Ekiti State Gender based (prohibition) Law ( Revision of 2011 GBV Law), the naming and shaming of sexual offenders is also novel in Ekiti while the 2020 Sexual Violence Against Children Compulsory Treatment & Action Care Law was enacted in 2020. The house also passed the bill for the establishment of the Ekiti Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps, 2020. Altogether, the house has passed a total of 68 laws. The Assembly has been able to perform its primary function optimally.

In agriculture, government has attracted many big investors like Stallion rice mill, Dangote rice mill, FMS farm, JMK farms, Promasidor etc. The Ikun diary farm has been resuscitated and is producing 80,000 liters of milk per month. Youth in Commercial Agricultural Development YCAD a programme started during JKF 1 has been sustained and over 1,000 young farmers have been empowered and they are doing well. They were assisted with all they needed to succeed like land, implements, seedlings and loans. Loans were also given to rice farmers as well as cocoa and cashew seedlings as support for farmers. There is ongoing creation of Agric villages in the 16 LGAs in Ekiti State. The House of Assembly recently passed into law, a private member bill sponsored by this writer titled, The Ekiti Food Security Bill by making provision for active participation of political office holders and career officers in Agriculture otherwise called  Own a Farm Project and other related matters, 2021.

The Ekiti elderly resort is almost complete, transit home and skill acquisition centre for women who are victims of domestic violence has been built and there are inmates. The wife of the Governor has also done a lot in protecting and empowering women in many ways like the multiple birth trust fund and helping the elderly and the needy. A molecular laboratory was procured and installed to test for COVID. Over 250 beneficiaries received between N250,000 and N10million as COVID-19 soft loan.

Fayemis second term has witnessed development in concrete terms than his first coming. This is in spite of the lean resources of the state. Ekiti is one the state that earns the least federal allocation. All communities in the state have been touched by the JKF 2 administration and indeed, his government is actually reclaiming the land and restoring Ekiti values. As his administration winds to an end, it is hoped that the ongoing projects will be completed especially the agro allied cargo airport scheduled to be delivered next year August. Congratulations to Ekiti people for choosing right and I pray that he finishes well.

Hakeem Jamiu writes via hakeematus@gmail.com
We have been tracking the spate of borrowing by the Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya-led Government in Gombe State and have noticed that it has borrowed well over N44 billion in just a little over two years and yet it is embarking on obtaining another loan of N35 billion from the Capital Market. Already, the Gombe State Executive Council has on October 6, 2021, given its approval for the loan and directed the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning to write to the Honourable Minister of Finance to issue an ISPO of N665,605,647.90 monthly to allow deductions from State FAAC allocation in settlement of Principal and Interest accruing on the Suku through a sinking fund to be created for the purpose and the payment of the Financial Advisory. Service Fees of 0.005% of the sum of N175,000,000.00 to Finmal Finance Services Ltd(a company allegedly owned by Umaru Kwarianga, Chairman Gombe Investments and Property Development Company and the Campaign Manager to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahayas 2019 gubernatorial election).

What is particularly concerning to us is that these excessive borrowings that come with a crushing socioeconomic burden and impact on the state are not stimulated or urged by the urgent and realistic needs of the state. This irresponsible borrowing enthusiasm, if not checked or curbed, will end up crippling the state and subject its people to a long term of heinous and infernal economic slavery. The overarching condition for the justification of a state government to borrow is the ability of the proposed project to be self-sustaining, able to repay the loan and above all is integral and vital to the states fiscal and development framework. State debts should not be acquired at the whims and pleasure of state executives but for the sole purpose of fast-tracking development at a comparatively reasonable cost.

We call on the Governor of Gombe State to, within seven days of this publication, publish in at least one national daily newspaper and one other circulating within the state details of all the debts it has procured which details should include the amounts, the purpose for such debts and their link to the Development Agenda of the Government, Cost-Benefit Analysis showing the economic and social benefits of such borrowings, cashflow projection to ascertain the viability and sustainability of the purpose of borrowing, Audited Financial Statements for the past three consecutive years, the Appropriation Laws authorising the purposes for which the borrowings were utilised, how much that has been repaid or the plan for the repayment, the ratio of the states debt profile against its total revenue, the states Internally Generated Revenue, investments of the state (if any), evidence of attainment and maintenance of current credit rating, Debt Sustainability Analyses by the DMO, evidence of an up to date submitted to the DMO of Quarterly Domestic Debt Data and evidence of compliance with all the requirements of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007.

We are by this publication also putting all banks that have granted loans to the Gombe State Government or are in the processes of processing loans for the Gombe State Government or that are involved with the loans of the Gombe State Government in any manner whatsoever, on NOTICE that we shall institute legal processes to ensure that they face the full wrath of the law for any failure to comply with all regulatory requirements concerning such an involvement.

We also call on the following institutions and offices to pay attention to the borrowing appetite of the Government of Gombe State with a view that it complies with DMO domestic guidelines for state governments:

The Debt Management Office/Debt Management Bureau;

the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

the Minister of Finance;

the Attorney-General of the Federation;

the Minister responsible for national planning;

the Chief Economic Adviser to the President;

the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and

the Accountant-General of the Federation;

In the case of the DMO and the Minister of Finance, we state that it owes the people of Gombe State the abiding duty of ensuring that the Gombe State Government does not acquire any debt without complying with the letter and spirit of the Guidelines for such borrowing.

We are worried that despite the borrowing of humongous sums and of course the earnings of the state from FAAC and IGR, the state is getting poorer by the day, its infrastructure, public institutions and departments are deteriorating at an accelerating rate. The rising profiles of the education and health sectors of the state under the previous governments are dimming, and no aspect of the state can be said to have been positively impacted by this borrowing government. Indeed, the state is falling apart and the present borrowing spree is indicative of the cluelessness of Governor Yahaya and his team. The Government has on paper been awarding contracts but we state boldly that the reality on the ground is not reflective of such contracts.

Signed ___________________________

MOHAMMED SALISU ABDULLAHI

Trustee
Armed gunmen have abducted the village head of Banye in Charanci local government area of Katsina State during an attack on Friday night on the community.

The village head, Bishir Gide, is related to Bala Almu Banye, a federal Commissioner at the National Population Commission.

Details of the attack are still sketchy but a younger brother to the abducted traditional ruler, Nura Ishaq, confirmed the abduction.

He, however, said because of the telecommunications networks shutdown in the area, he could not ascertain how many people were abducted or killed.

Mr Ishaq, a journalist practicing in Katsina, said he was still waiting for the details from his brothers.

The spokeperson of the Katsina Emirate Council, Ibrahim Bindawa (Sarkin Labarai), also confirmed the attack and the abduction of the monarch.

He said the council had not been briefed, possibly because of the absence of network in the area.

We are waiting for the official briefing. I have also heard of the abduction but I cannot give you any details because we were just hearing of the abduction. I will communicate later, he said.

The police spokesperson in the state, Gambo Isa, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him.

Bandits also recently abducted the village head of Radda also in Charanci.

The village head is related to the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, (SMEDAN), Dikko Umar Radda.
The police in Akwa lbom State have arrested a traditional ruler and two other persons for allegedly selling two 500KVA transformers meant for community electrification.

The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, Odiko MacDon, who disclosed this to reporters in Uyo on Friday, identified the traditional ruler as Aniefiok Udo, the village head of Nsiak in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

The transformers were donated for an electrification project in Nsiak village by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said Mr MacDon, a Police Superintendent.

He said the suspects confessed to the crime and led police operatives to the recovery of the transformers. He identified the two other suspects as Eteobong Udo and Uduak George.

On September 23, 2021, the Anti-cultism Unit arrested the village head of Nsiak Village in Ikot Ekpene Local Area, Aniefiok Mfon, Eteobong Udo and Uduak George.

Investigation revealed the suspects conspired and sold two 500KVA brought to the said community by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Mr MacDon said the police have also arrested two suspects in the state for rape.

One of the suspects, Solomon Ntah, from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, was arrested on August 28 for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl.

The other suspect, Monday Ubokudom, also from the same area, was arrested on October 4, for allegedly raping a minor. whom he had dragged into the bush, Mr MacDon said.

The police spokesperson thanked the residents of the state for their goodwill and other security agencies for their cooperation in tackling the security challenges in the state.
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 41F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low near 25F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Peng extended congratulations to the laureates from Brazil and Mozambique via video.

Since the establishment of the prize in 2015 by UNESCO and China, it has exerted a positive influence and inspired more people to devote themselves to girls' and women's education, Peng said, adding that hundreds of thousands of girls and women have been able to develop their knowledge and learn new skills, and build confidence in changing their destiny and pursuing their dreams.

In addition, an increasing number of people are supporting girls and women's education, and promoting gender equality in global education, she said.

Peng also expressed hope that the international community would pay more attention to and support the education of girls and women, and make new contributions to the realization of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative impact on girls and women in terms of education, and Peng called for more efforts to provide them with equal and quality education. She advocated making full use of digital technology, sharing high-quality online education resources and increasing education support for girls and women from poor families and poor regions. She also stressed the importance of strengthening health education for girls and women to comprehensively improve their physical and mental health.

Meanwhile, Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, recognized China's role in the establishment of the prize as well as in helping girls and women realize their dreams, especially when faced with the challenges brought by the pandemic.

The UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education honors outstanding and innovative contributions made by individuals, institutions and organizations to advance girls' and women's education.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-10-15/Peng-Liyuan-attends-UNESCO-award-ceremony-for-girls-women-s-education-14nUt4YoSTm/index.html

SOURCE CGTN
DETROIT, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In this time of the unemployment epidemic known as the "Big Quit" where workers are leaving jobs in record numbers due to stress, anxiety, and low wages, one business owner stands head and shoulders above the rest. Meet Alison Vaughn, owner of Jackets for Jobs. Ms. Vaughn a 4-time recipient of the Best and Brightest Company to Work for in Detroit as well as in the nation leads a progressive team of world-changers who are undergirded by an atmosphere of respect and support.



On this National Boss's Day where employees all over the U.S. take a moment to appreciate their leader, the team at Jackets for Jobs has a lot to be thankful for. In a recent Monster poll where 76% of employees characterize their boss as "toxic" Alison's leadership model promotes a positive work environment. "I feel like I am a good boss because I treat my employees with respect, and I am supportive of the decisions that they make. I am more of a macro manager instead of a micromanager. I also make my employees feel valued," says Vaughn.



The author of Ms. Goal Digger was awarded the 2021 Female Entrepreneur of the Year award by the prestigious Michigan Association of Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE). The Michigan State University and Women's Campaign School at Yale University grad has her finger on the pulse of the business community. Her decades of work bringing the plight of clothing insecurity to light caught the attention of her colleagues at MAFE.



Tonya McNeal-Weary Founder & Executive Director of the Michigan Association for Female Entrepreneurs had this to say about Vaughn's accomplishments, "It is truly an honor to acknowledge women entrepreneurs who have launched businesses that are making an incredible impact. We selected Alison Vaughn for this prestigious award because of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Through her work with Jackets for Jobs, Ms. Vaughn is helping thousands of individuals enter Michigan's workforce while impacting local communities through volunteerism."



In a recent interview, Ms. Vaughn expressed her appreciation for the timely acknowledgment saying, "to be recognized by your peers, other female entrepreneurs, and to know that people are watching, and they see your hard work that I put in because my business is all about uplifting other women, is a great accomplishment."



To continue inspiring women, the ever-evolving Ms. Vaughn is also throwing her hat into the fashion arena as a contestant in the Miss Fashion Global National Modeling Competition.



The global event held in Destin, Florida is hosted by industry giants who want to redefine beauty to encompass women of every age, color, and size. The mission of this event is "to empower women." and who better to be crowned Miss Fashion Global than Alison Vaughn who has been empowering women in Detroit and beyond for decades.



For more information, visit www.jacketsforjobs.org or www.AlisonVaughn.com.



https://youtu.be/Vzw4w24_u5U



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12889770



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Jackets For Jobs

Related Links

http://www.jacketsforjobs.org


Mr. Valdes' entire career has been focused on helping LATAM publishers, brands & agencies discover the right tools and services to optimize their respective digital properties. He has over fourteen years of experience leading LATAM operations for multinational, digital-first companies including global companies such as MarketWired, now GlobeNewswire, and Disqus. Prior to joining EX.CO, he was the Mexico, Colombia and Argentina Country Manager at Taboola, and recently served as the Regional Business Director at Adsmovil.

As Head of LATAM at EX.CO, he will bring unparalleled guidance and support to the company's range of premium Spanish-language publishers, brands & agencies, introducing current and new partners to EX.CO's range of engaging digital solutions that prioritize user experience while earning businesses increased leads, conversions, engagement, first party data and significant revenue growth.

Valdes enthused, "I'm thrilled to join the EX.CO team and provide LATAM-based and other Spanish-language businesses with the most cutting-edge digital technology that allows them to connect with their audiences. EX.CO's technology is not only easy to use and implement with a simple embed code- without any coding or design skills needed- but is also beautiful, fully customizable and has the fastest page loading times in the market. For publishers, this means better editorial experiences for readers and a significant boost to revenue, leads, subscription conversions, first party data and more- all via an intuitive platform."

Current partners such as The HuffPost Spain, VICE Media, and Clarin (Ole) use EX.CO's range of engaging solutions-- instream video, product matching journeys, polls and other interaction-driving experiences-- to boost a range of business results. The HuffPost Spain , a long-time partner, specifically has achieved many of its engagement and revenue goals by using EX.CO's RSS video solution, which highlights the publisher's top stories in video, as well as other interaction-driving experiences like polls. As a result the publisher has earned longer dwell times on-site, boosted CTRs and increased revenue.

"EX.CO has always been an ally for The HuffPost," said Daniel Ventura, Director of The HuffPost Spain. "Their technology has been vital in increasing our readers' engagement with our content. Adding their digital experiences across our site has allowed us to offer our best content in a more enjoyable way for our readers and without the need to add complicated processes to our workflow. The fact that their video solution is a monetizable element and therefore a potential stable source of income makes it even better."

For more information about EX.CO's full suite of interactive digital experiences, visit our website at EX.CO or follow us on LinkedIn .

About EX.CO

EX.CO is the global platform powering billions of website interactions that help companies grow. With an always-on, dynamic layer of experiences easily integrated across owned digital assets, EX.CO changes the way companies interact with their audiences to drive business results. Founded in 2012, the company today has employees around the world, clients such as ViacomCBS, Audi, VICE, and Sky and funding by investors including The Walt Disney Company, Saban Ventures, Viola Group, 83North and firstime.

Media Contact:

Avery Kaye

Director of Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE EX.CO

Related Links

https://ex.co


Most recently, the NATA team has found that one of the greatest destination-shifts in terms of safety and security can be found in Central America. A popular pre-pandemic destination for Americans, Panama is not the friendly host that it once was.

Panama is the top receiver of foreign direct investment in Central America and had been one of the fast-growing economies in the Americas. The Ministry of Economy predicted a 4% growth in GDP in 2020 (up from 2019's 3%). However, the pandemic reversed the growth trend as government revenue plummeted while spending on unexpected expenditures increased, increasing borrowing. That's why a recent ease in travel entry aims to offer the now-struggling economy some relief, but reports indicate that the efforts to keep cash in the country have not always been above board.

Most famously, the Panama Papers, and the recent Pandora Papers, exposed the rogue offshore finance industry connecting well over 100 politicians and public officials to offshore holdings linked to corruption and illicit activity.

As a result of the Panama Papers, current President Laurentino Cortizo ran on a platform to fight against corruption. Two years into his term, little has changed. Since taking office, he has lost numerous cabinet members, including security, social development, housing, and health ministers, resulting from suspicion of corruption. During this time, he has made attempts at constitutional reform which led to significant public opposition and protests. In addition, he proclaimed public-private alliances as part of a cornerstone of his economic policy. These alliances led to mistrust both publicly and within his own party. (source: https://www.centralamerica.com/opinion/panama-president-first-year/ )

In late August 2021, the Panama Chapter of Transparency International called out the Government of Panama to release Cabinet Council minutes, circumventing transparency laws. "We demand the immediate transparency of all documents related to public assets and resources of the State, in addition to once again urging the Comptroller General of the Republic and other control authorities to fulfill their role as a counterweight to the executive power," said Transparency International.

One specific story, widely publicized in Latin American press, tells of a businessperson who was enticed my Panama's apparently friendly policies to invest, and even to live part-time in the picturesque locale. The dream destination turned out to be a nightmare when his assets were frozen and he was forced to leave his country. To add insult to injury, Forbes has reported that his cars were not only confiscated, but have been used, or sold by local officials, all without any formal charges being raised. (source: https://www.forbes.com.mx/sin-orden-judicial-vehiculos-de-empresarios-mexicanos-en-panama/0)

While Panama may present itself as an enticing destination in photos, the NATA group warns that it isn't the only ones raising red flags about Panama. In fact, in the latest US Travel Advisory the US State Department listed Panama as "Level 4: Do Not Travel. Exercise increased caution due to crime. Some areas have increased risk." (source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/panama-travel-advisory.html)

SOURCE North American Travellers Association
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UNITE Dubai, a concept which can also be found in Monaco, Zurich, New York and in Davos during the World Economic Forum exists to allow both public and private sector wealth to meet and engage with other governments and private wealth from around the world.

UNITE Dubai - Highlights Video UNITE Dubai - by The Private Investment Group (PRNewsfoto/The Private Investment Group) CEO of the World Humanitarian Forum (PRNewsfoto/The Private Investment Group)

The theme for this prestigious occasion was 'Changing the Narrative'. Alastair Lidel, CEO and Founder of The Private Investment Group said "As we find ourselves entering a new phase in the global pandemic it is imperative, we do not gloss over lessons we have hopefully learnt. We must look at how we can support businesses in making their home here in the Middle East, we must encourage private wealth from here in the region to engage with their counterparts in Europe, US and Asia. The pandemic has shown us that borders exist only as a concept, and it is the job of humanity as a whole to innovate and support each other in the coming years ahead."

Obediah Ayton, Chief Operating Officer at The Private Investment Group said "Many of the Sovereign Wealth Funds, Multi Family Offices and Private Equity Funds that joined us for UNITE Dubai have a strong appetite currently for companies that are breaking new ground, innovating to create new technologies and also bring the 'human' element into diversification of portfolios. UNITE Dubai and The Private Investment Group are proud to support such initiatives and do all that we can in promoting the UAE and the wider region.

Sharing the UNITE Dubai Ethos of 'Changing The Narrative' The World Humanitarian Forum, discussed topics such as 'Building Forward Better', Victor Friedberg from New Epoch Fund talked about 'The Future of Food and Innovation' and Scott Armstrong, Chief Editor for Arabian Business had the speech around 'The Great Reset & Opportunities Within' touching on important issues like mental health and 'The ROI of Social Good'.

During the evening, a highly select group of businesses and governments from around the world who are changing the narratives in their own sectors joined UNITE Dubai as our proud partners.

ArabianBusiness.com

The Middle East region's premier resource for informed news, features, and commentary covering sectors as construction, banking, technology and leisure in both English and Arabic.

Microsoft for Startups

Microsoft for Startups is a global program dedicated to helping B2B Startups. The program supports qualifying startups across 3 pillars: tech scale their companies, Community Engagement and Market Access.

Grabba

Grabba Secures Identity by transforming the best identity technologies for organisations, nations and people.

Adit Ventures

Adit is a Venture Capital Investment focused on fintech, edtech, IoT, and Big Data/AI that has enjoyed a dozen liquidity events in its seven-year history, including names like Spotify, Palantir, and SoFi.

P4ML,

P4ML focuses on Real-world evidence (RWE) to benefit rare disease patients and families, but also researchers and drug developers working to help this vastly underserved population and to accelerate new medicines, devices, digital tools, and care delivery. P4ML are also the winner of The Entrepreneur Middle East - Awards 2021- 'Most Innovative Medtech Company of the Year' '

RevRoad

RevRoad is a venture services firm with a unique due diligence process spanning over 2 years, that has proven to be very successful, gleaning proprietary market signals to determine which of those companies are primed for investment.

GMM Fund Management

GMM Fund Management is an independent group of fund management companies (UCITS Managers and AIF Managers) authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.

Invest Cyprus

Invest Cyprus (Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency) is the investment authority of the Government of Cyprus dedicated to attracting and facilitating foreign direct investment into the country.

FlavorGod

FlavorGod is a leading worldwide brand that focuses on food seasonings that are both healthy & all-natural.

TOKHIT

TOKHIT is the first Social Network where Digital Creators can create many Streams of Automated Income with the power of NFT and Blockchain. The Official Launching date for TOKHIT is 22.02.2022.

Welthee

Welthee, is a Decentralized Investment Fund that offers institutions and money managers a disruptive technology for unprecedented risk mitigation methods, diversification through a user-friendly platform.

Media Contact

Casandra Lidel

[email protected]

0585030483

SOURCE The Private Investment Group
Facing global changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the world economy and trade are undergoing profound transformations. The Canton Fair, therefore, should help foster China's new development paradigm, innovate its mechanism, create more business models, and expand its role to become a vital platform for the country's opening-up on all fronts, Xi said.

This platform should also help advance the high-quality development of global trade and facilitate the "dual circulation" of domestic and overseas markets. China is willing to join hands with all other nations and practice real multilateralism to build a world economy featuring high-level openness, Xi said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 130th Canton Fair and the Pearl River International Trade Forum in China's southern city of Guangzhou. He said China's development is propelled by opening-up and reform, and the country will share its development opportunities with the world to achieve better development.

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister Patrick Achi and Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan attended the ceremony via video link.

Premier Li said the history of the Canton Fair is a history of China's opening-up and integration into the world economy, and also a history of enterprises from all over the world sharing China's development opportunities and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

Foreign leaders spoke highly of the Canton Fair's role in promoting international trade and facilitating the global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era. They expressed their confidence in China's economic development prospects and said that they will encourage companies from their countries to expand cooperation in China to better share China's development opportunities.

After the opening ceremony, Premier Li inspected some domestic and foreign exhibition halls and listened to their briefings on businesses. In the end of the inspection, Premier Li said he hopes the Fair can scale new heights in advancing win-win cooperation and sustainable development.

Please visit: https://fbuyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/account/new-buyer/register for more opportunities

SOURCE Canton Fair

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunday, October 17 is National Pasta Day!

Let's celebrate with pasta & tomatoes: theirs is a marriage made in heaven--they could never divorce because they love each other so much. And the moment you open a can of tomatoes it suddenly hits you: this, THIS, is delicious!

Conchiglioni with buffalo ricotta and cream I  SAN MARZANO DOP

Of course, they must be the most delicious tomatoes. For a joyous plate of pasta in its cloak of delicious tomatoes, we recommend Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP.

This "Crown Jewel" of luscious tomatoes captures the taste and tradition of their culinary culture. Red juicy tomatoes, perfectly sweet, full of tasty umami: a tomato like no other. But why canned you might ask? Why not eat fresh, in season?

The reasons are both delicious and healthful. San Marzano DOP is a unique tomato, whose taste is captured when heated and canned rather than raw. When harvested for the can, tomatoes are picked at the peak of ripeness, with flavors fully developed (when sold fresh, they are picked for shelf life, firm and unripe). Canned tomatoes offer a nutritional bonus: the process releases a higher level of the powerful antioxidant Lycopene than fresh.

You need only puree a can of San Marzano DOP and heat it with a little olive oil, garlic or onion for a quintessential taste of Italy. Toss it with spaghetti and pretend you are Sophia Loren as you happily fork it up.

On market shelves lined with brands, some even using the San Marzano name, how do we choose the authentic San Marzano DOP? Simple: look for the DOP insignia (denominazione di origine protetta) on the label. This ensures the tomatoes are grown and processed in the specific regions that contribute to their unique characteristics; the DOP designation reassures you of the highest standard of excellence.

In honor of our pasta celebration, the chefs at I  San Marzano DOP offer you a little gift of a recipe: Conchiglioni with buffalo ricotta and cream. For this and many other San Marzano DOP recipes, visit I Love San Marzano DOP.

Enjoy  It's from Europe!

Follow us on:



@iLoveSanMarzanoDOP #iLoveSanMarzanoDOP

I  San Marzano DOP is a campaign co-financed by the European Commission promoting San Marzano dell'agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP tomatoes in the USA.

SOURCE I  San Marzano DOP
Wang also became the first female taikonaut to work in the space station and take a spacewalk.

Tasks ahead during Shenzhou-13 mission

During their six months' in-orbit stay, the crew will carry out a series of tasks as scheduled.

Two to three extravehicular activities (EVAs), also known as spacewalks, are planned for the mission, which will be completed via collaboration, Ye told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview before their launch.

The specific division of work will be arranged and adjusted depending on the actual situation, Ye added.

Different tasks are set in each EVA for the construction of the space station, Zhai told CMG.

"We'll have more space science experiments than the Shenzhou-12 crew as we have a longer flight time," said Zhai.

A special task this time is that the crew will remotely control a spacecraft to dock with the space station, Zhai added.

Tests of key technologies, further verification of life support technologies and comprehensive performance and compatibility assessment of all systems will also be conducted.

During the Shenzhou-10 mission in 2013, Wang, along with her then crew members Nie Haisheng and Zhang Xiaoguang, completed China's first space teaching task. During the Shenzhou-13 mission, new lessons can be expected.

"Apart from the tasks, we also hope to do more space science education, to bring space closer to the general public," said Wang, which she hoped will help people learn more of space and the taikonauts' life in space.

China launched the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship in the early hours of Saturday morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert, after a see-off ceremony held on the ground Friday evening.

The Shenzhou-13 mission is one of a series of launches to complete the building of China's new space station called Tiangong by the end of 2022. Previously, China successfully launched the Tianhe core module, two Tianzhou cargo ships and the Shenzhou-12 crewed spaceship to construct the space station.

With the International Space Station set to retire in the coming years, China's space station will become the only one in Earth's orbit. The China National Space Administration has expressed its desire for international cooperation and non-Chinese astronauts are being trained for future space station missions.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-10-16/China-s-Shenzhou-13-crew-enters-space-station-14oFV8ew2qc/index.html

SOURCE CGTN
The hybrid event, entitled ' Women and career progression: How to fully harness human potential ' is taking place on 22 October 2021 at the Women's Pavilion by Expo 2020 Dubai and in partnership with the Embassies of Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Commissariat General of Italy for Expo 2020 Dubai and UN Women.

The event is bringing together government leaders, business executives, civil society actors, philanthropists, media representatives and storytellers from across the globe, including Mr. Stefan Schleuning, Head of Unit at the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI); H.E. Mona Ghanim Al-Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council; HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, philanthropist and advocate for gender equality at Alwaleed Philanthropies; Krister Nilsson, State Secretary to Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs of Sweden, Mateja Ribic, State Secretary to Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia and Hayla Ghazal, YouTube vlogger, entrepreneur and UN Change Ambassador, among others.

Speaking in the lead up to the event, H.E. Andrea Matteo Fontana, EU Ambassador to the UAE and EU Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai said: 'Gender equality is a core value of the EU and a fundamental right. We are proud that the EU is a global leader in gender parity. However, women continue to be under-represented in the labour market and decision-making positions both in politics and business and they still carry a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work  which has been accentuated by the pandemic.'

He further added: 'We are looking forward to a great exchange with inspirational leaders and changemakers from around the world to discuss how to accelerate women's career progression to unlock human potential and build prosperous societies for all. We are also excited to partner with the Women's Pavilion by Expo 2020 Dubai, which is the first pavilion in Expo's history solely dedicated to women.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director, UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC said: "UN Women is proud of its partnership with the EU to advance women's economic empowerment and career progression. At Expo2020, gender equality and women's rights are at the forefront and our message about women's economic empowerment is clear: the world needs strong participation and leadership from women in all fields to build more robust economies, and more inclusive and equitable societies, especially in a post COVID-19 world."

Gender inequality, if left unchanged, undermines global economic stability. Investment in women empowerment reaps rewards across generations, communities and countries, reshaping societies and unlocking women's full potential. As a society, the onus lies with each one of us. We must all continue to work collaboratively to achieve gender parity. In doing so, we continue to challenge social and cultural norms, all whilst contributing to the development of a sustainable economy where no woman is left behind.', said Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed Saud AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies.

To join the conversation virtually, you can register on:

Online Registration Form (123formbuilder.com)

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1661791/Career.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1661792/Expo_2020_Logo.jpg



SOURCE Expo 2020 Dubai
NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Lightning eMotors, Inc. ("Lightning eMotors" or the "Company") f/k/a GigCapital3, Inc. ("GigCapital3") (NYSE: ZEV; ZEV.WS) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and docketed under 21-cv-02774, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Lightning eMotors securities between May 7, 2021 and August 16, 2021, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased publicly traded securities during the Class Period, you have until December 14, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Lightning eMotors designs, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles. The Company produces electric fleet medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including delivery trucks, shuttle buses, passenger vans, chassis-cab models, and city transit buses.

Prior to its business combination with Lightning eMotors, as described below, GigCapital3 was a special purpose acquisition company, also known as a blank check company, incorporated for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

On May 6, 2021, Lightning eMotors consummated a business combination (the "Business Combination") with Lightning Systems, Inc. ("Lightning Systems") pursuant to a certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2020, by and among GigCapital3, Project Power Merger Sub, Inc, and Lightning Systems. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from GigCapital3, Inc. to Lightning eMotors, Inc. On May 7, 2021, the Company's common stock and warrants began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "ZEV" and "ZEV.WS", respectively.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company would record a substantially greater net loss per share in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 and would pull its full year guidance for the remainder of 2021; (ii) accordingly, the Company materially overstated its financial position and/or prospects; and (iii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On August 16, 2021, post-market, Lightning eMotors announced the Company's financial results for the second quarter of 2021, including a net loss per share of $0.79 compared to a loss of $0.10 in the second quarter of 2020. The Company also pulled its full year financial guidance for the remainder of 2021, just days after announcing a multi-year agreement with Forest River, a Berkshire Hathaway company.

On this news, Lightning eMotors's stock price fell $1.63 per share, or 16.93%, to close at $8.00 per share on August 17, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Amplify Energy Corp. ("Amplify" or the "Company") (NYSE: AMPY). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Amplify and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On October 4, 2021, Amplify issued a press release announcing a large oil spill in Southern California. Specifically, the press release stated that "on Saturday, October 2, 2021, Beta Offshore (a subsidiary of Amplify Energy) first observed and notified the US Coast Guard of an oil sheen approximately four (4) miles off the coast in Southern California and initiated its Oil Spill Prevention and Response Plan. The Company has sent a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate and attempt to confirm source of the release. As a precautionary measure, all of the Company's production and pipeline operations at the Beta Field have been shut down." On this news, Amplify's stock price fell sharply during intraday trading on October 4, 2021.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Annovis Bio, Inc. ("Annovis" or the "Company") (NYSE: ANVS) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and docketed under 21-cv-04040, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Annovis securities between May 21, 2021 and July 28, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Plaintiff pursues claims against the Defendants under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

If you are a shareholder who purchased Annovis securities during the Class Period, you have until October 18, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Annovis is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company that is developing therapies addressing neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease ("AD"), Parkinson's disease ("PD"), and AD in Down syndrome. Its lead compound is ANVS401 (Posiphen), an orally administrated drug which purportedly inhibited the synthesis of neurotoxic proteins that are the main cause of neurodegeneration.

At all relevant times, the Company was conducting two Phase 2a clinical studies. The trial conducted in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study examines twenty-four early AD patients, whereas the AD/PD trial examines fourteen AD and fifty-four PD patients. Both are double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and were purportedly designed to measure not only target, but also pathway validation in the spinal fluid of patients. Annovis stated that if it could show both target and pathway validation in two patient populations, it "believe[d] that [its] opportunity for successful Phase 3 studies is better than if we merely demonstrated target validation in one patient population."

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Annovis's ANVS401 did not show statistically significant results across two patient populations as to factors such as orientation, judgement, and problem solving; and (2) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On July 28, 2021, after the market closed, Annovis reported interim clinical data from its Phase 2a trial. Among other things, the Company reported that AD patients twenty-five days after treatment failed to show statistically significant improvement compared to the placebo. Annovis also reported that, although patients showed cognitive improvements in certain areas, the results were not statistically significant.

On this news, the Company's share price fell $65.94, or 60%, to close at $43.50 per share on July 29, 2021, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


For a calligraphy artist with six decades' experience, Wang Dongling always remains open-minded to emerging media technologies. In his view, a conversation with new technologies is a conversation with the future. In October 2015, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., came to Hangzhou and paid a visit to Wang Dongling to learn Chinese calligraphy from him. The event led to a heated discussion by people from all walks of life, domestically and internationally. Earlier in 2013, Wang Dongling cooperated with the renowned new media artist Jeffrey Shaw on "Big Writing." In 2020, during the global rage of Covid-19, he was invited by American director Peter Sellars to participate in the trans-disciplinary art project titled "This body is so impermanent"

Wang Dongling has been conducting extensive and in-depth calligraphy experiments since the 1990s. He never regards calligraphy as a kind of legacy, but promotes the open, experimental potential of calligraphy so that calligraphy, as an ancient art form, can become a member of the contemporary art world.

In Exhibition Hall No. 4 of Zhejiang Art Museum , named "Fantasy Land of Calligraphy," is a world of colored glaze illuminated by both lights and colors: from abstract ink paintings to silver gelatin calligraphy, to the use of materials like stainless steel mirror and clear acrylic, and to the numerous representations through new media such as iPad calligraphy and motion capture digital art.

In Exhibition Hall No. 5, named "Scholar's Snow Cave," the small-sized works in Regular Script and big-sized works in Cursive Script encompass calligraphy genres such as album leaves, scrolls, tablet inscriptions, screens, etc. Created with deliberate, meticulous laws and discipline as well as a grandiose, peculiar beauty, these works express the artist's profound immersion and training in the calligraphy tradition and gesture toward bold possibilities for innovation.

The hanging scrolls in four scripts in Exhibition Hall No.6 showcase the six decades' creative journey of Wang Dongling. The newly created "Big Writing" installation in commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of Confucius' passing represents the contours of the journey of Confucius. The shift from Cursive Script of profound traditional depth to Entangled Calligraphy is also a response to the artist's personal life journey.

Wang Dongling discussed teaching foreign students and the enlightenment that resulted from it: "In 1981, I taught calligraphy to foreign students. Foreign students inspired me to look at calligraphy in new ways and to consider how people outside of our circle view art. My usual calligraphy practice had become too constrained and monotonous for me. I believe that new ideas should be developed to strengthen and broaden the artistic expression of calligraphy. After a conversation with a bearded Colombian student in 1983, I began "secretly" practicing modern calligraphy. "Powerful and Unconstrained (Tian Ma Xing Kong)" was my first modern calligraphy piece. I had a starting point to broaden my calligraphy skills from then on."

In the 1990s, he personally taught at the University of Minnesota and numerous other higher institutions and actively participated in overseas academic activities on contemporary art. He said, "I've taught calligraphy at several universities in the United States, Germany, and Japan. I've taught foreign students pen and ink skills in Chinese calligraphy, but I don't want them to become "Chinese calligraphers" who can imitate classical works of famous writers such as Yan Zhenqing well. Instead, I want them to be able to wield this most basic and traditional artistic language of China once they've mastered and internalized it, so that their creativity can flourish and enrich their own artistic creation". When discussing his experience teaching calligraphy in the United States, he stressed that "some Westerners write calligraphy not to write Chinese characters, but to draw abstract images, and they learn calligraphy not to be a Chinese calligrapher, but to learn art techniques and inspiration from calligraphy to create other art. I began to realize that calligraphy is not only a dialogue with tradition, but also with the global civilization. It is not only about a dialogue with contemporary art but also with digital technology. "

Since the new century, he personally initiated the project titled "Big Characters Travel the World," a plan to construct writing scenes of Chinese calligraphy at the most important art institutions around the globe, promoting academic communication between calligraphy and international art circle. In his view, Chinese calligraphers must proactively and confidently enter onto the scenes of international art for mutual illumination and inspiration in cross-cultural exchange. It is only by "manifesting the common through differences" that calligraphy can return to its true origin in cultural dialogues and make due contributions to the culture of humanity as a whole. As a result, calligraphy must transcend "the controversy between east and west."

His works are represented in the collections of the National Art Museum of China, the Palace Museum (Taipei), Peking University, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Library and Archives Canada, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Vancouver Art Gallery, as well as in universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley.

President of the China Academy of Art, Gao Shiming said, "How do we revitalize the unique intellectual genealogy of Chinese calligraphy in the spirit of cosmopolitan sharing? How can we make calligraphy an always sustainable and open cause? With his indefatigable efforts and constant experiments during the last six decades, Wang Dongling provides us with a meaningful example. For sixty years, he has been tirelessly exploring within the great tradition of Chinese calligraphy and constantly searching for inspirations across the grand horizon of world art. Through the dialectics of "WritingNon-writing" he returns to the vital fountainhead of calligraphy and opens up its creative space. For calligraphy, he has a grand vision: to revitalize the great tradition of calligraphy for contemporary audiences, to spread the Tao of calligraphy in Chinese civilization to the whole world. For himself, he has a firm position: to remain indifferent to praises and condemnations, favors and shames, to live as he wishes, to do justice to this life."

SOURCE China Academy of Art
BRUSSELS and ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Regulated Information  Inside Information  UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the Company that they were unable to complete review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for bimekizumab for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis by the Prescription Drug User Fee Action (PDUFA) date of October 15, 2021.

The Agency has determined that on-site inspections of the European manufacturing facilities for bimekizumab are required before the FDA can approve the application. The FDA indicated that they were unable to conduct the inspections during the current review cycle due to COVID-19 related restrictions on travel. Therefore, the FDA is deferring action on the application until the inspections can be completed. In the letter, the Agency cited only travel restrictions and its inability to complete facility inspections as the reason for the deferral. The BLA for bimekizumab remains under review.

Under FDA guidance relating to pre-approval inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agency may defer action on a pending application when a facility inspection is planned but cannot be completed by the PDUFA goal date due to COVID-related travel restrictions, provided that no deficiencies have been identified and the application otherwise satisfies the requirements for approval.1

"We are currently in contact with the FDA to schedule the inspections of our manufacturing facilities as soon as possible," said Prof. Dr. Iris Loew Friedrich, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Development UCB. "We have provided the Agency with the manufacturing schedules through the first quarter of 2022, and we are eager to assist the FDA to allow its assessment of bimekizumab to be finalized. We are committed to bringing bimekizumab to patients in the U.S. with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis as soon as possible."

In August 2021, bimekizumab received marketing authorization in countries of the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and Great Britain, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.2,3 Bimekizumab is not approved by any other regulatory authority outside the EU/EEA and Great Britain. Regulatory reviews are underway in Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Japan.

UCB's financial guidance for 2021 and 2025 remains unchanged.

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease with primary involvement of the skin.4 This skin condition affects men and women of all ages and ethnicities.4 Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary but may include red patches of skin covered with silvery scales; dry, cracked skin that may bleed; and thickened, pitted or ridged nails.5 Psoriasis also has a considerable psychological and quality-of-life impact, potentially affecting work, recreation, relationships, sexual functioning, family and social life.6

Unmet needs remain in the treatment of psoriasis. A population-based survey identified that approximately one in three psoriasis patients reported that their primary goals of therapy, including keeping symptoms under control, reducing itching and decreasing flaking, were not met with their current treatment.7

About bimekizumab

Bimekizumab is an investigational humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively and directly inhibits both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.8 Selective inhibition of IL-17F in addition to IL-17A has been shown to suppress inflammation to a greater extent than IL-17A inhibition alone.8,9

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 8,400 people in nearly 40 countries, the company generated revenue of 5.3 billion in 2020. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCBUSA.

Forward looking statements UCB

This press release may contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: the global spread and impact of COVID-19, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws, and hiring and retention of its employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products, which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems.

Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any of such forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labelling in any market, or at any particular time, nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be or will continue to be commercially successful in the future.

UCB is providing this information, including forward-looking statements, only as of the date of this press release and it does not reflect any potential impact from the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, unless indicated otherwise. UCB is following the worldwide developments diligently to assess the financial significance of this pandemic to UCB. UCB expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

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For further information, contact UCB:

Corporate Communications Laurent Schots, Media Relations, UCB T +32.2.559.92.64 [email protected] Immunology Communications US Nicole Herga Immunology Communications U.S. T +1.404.226.7591 [email protected] Investor Relations Antje Witte, Investor Relations, UCB T +32.2.559.94.14 [email protected] Brand Communications Eimear O'Brien, Brand Communications, UCB T +32.2.559.92.71 [email protected]

References

1 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Drug Inspections - COVID-19. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/coronavirus-covid-19-drugs/manufacturing-supply-chain-and-drug-inspections-covid-19 Last accessed: October 2021.

2 BIMZELX (bimekizumab) EU Summary of Product Characteristics https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/bimzelx-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed: October 2021.

3 BIMZELX (bimekizumab) GB Summary of Product Characteristics https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12834; https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12833 Last accessed: October 2021.

4 National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/. Last accessed: October 2021.

5 International Federation of Psoriasis Associations. Available at: www.ifpa-pso.com/our-cause//. Last accessed: October 2021.

6 Moon HS, Mizara A, McBride SR. Psoriasis and psycho-dermatology. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2013;3(2):117-130.

7 Lebwohl MG, Kavanaugh A, Armstrong AW, et al. US Perspectives in the Management of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Patient and

Physician Results from the Population-Based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (MAPP) Survey. Am J Clin

Dermatol. 2016;17(1):87-97.

8 Glatt S, Helmer E, Haier B, et al. First-in-human randomized study of bimekizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody and selective dual

inhibitor of IL-17A and IL-17F, in mild psoriasis. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2017;83(5):991-1001.

9 Glatt S, Baeten D, Baker T, et al. Dual IL-17A and IL-17F neutralisation by bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: evidence from preclinical

experiments and a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial that IL-17F contributes to human chronic tissue inflammation. Ann Rheum

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New Delhi, Oct 16 : Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu who resigned as the chief of party's Punjab unit last month has met former party president Rahul Gandhi at his residence here following which he withdrew his resignation. Congress' Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat was also present in the meeting.

After the meeting that took place on Friday evening, it is believed that the political situation in Punjab will become normal now. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is expected to arrive in the national capital on Saturday morning to attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting.

During the meeting that lasted for about an hour, Rahul Gandhi took feedback from Sidhu.

After the meeting, Harish Rawat said: "Sidhu has assured Rahul Gandhi that he will discharge his responsibilities properly... and he will continue as the Punjab state president. He told Rahul Gandhi that he has withdrawn his resignation." "He (Sidhu) shared his concerns with Rahul Gandhi. We have told him that his concerns will be taken care of here," Rawat said.

Sidhu had reached Delhi on Thursday and met organization general secretary KC Venugopal and Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat at the Congress headquarters.

On the instructions of the Congress High Command, Sidhu arrived here on Thursday evening and held a meeting with both the leaders. This was the first meeting held in Delhi after Sidhu's resignation.

The Gandhi family is said to be angry with the manner in which Sidhu had resigned, and therefore, he was called to Delhi.

It is expected that now after Sidhu's meeting with Rahul Gandhi, the impasse in the Punjab Congress has been resolved.

"Whatever my issues were... I have told the party high command, I am sure that Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will understand my point and I have faith in their decision. Whatever decision they take will be in the interest of the Congress and Punjab," Sidhu had earlier said on Thursday after the meeting.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Oct 16 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who has arrived here to take part in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday has met senior party leader Ambika Soni.

According to sources, the meeting between the two senior Congress leaders lasted about 2 hours following which the Rajasthan Chief Minister left for Jodhpur House.

The CWC meeting is expected to begin at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday.

According to sources, Gehlot will also meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Delhi besides attending the CWC meeting.

Gehlot, a party veteran, also discussed several organisational issues with Soni.

Ahead of the Rajasthan chief minister's visit to Delhi, the state's party in-charge Ajay Maken also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and provided her feedback on the current situation in the state.

Also, Maken in Jaipur held one-on-one meeting with all the party MLAs and workers regarding the cabinet expansion, after which it was expected that Gehlot would soon expand the cabinet. However, Maken said the cabinet could not be expanded due to Gehlot's health conditions.

The CWC meeting is being considered "very important" in view of the situation in Rajasthan.

Three others leaders from Rajasthan -- CWC members Raghuveer Meena, Jitendra Singh, Raghu Sharma will also attend the meeting, apart from Ashok Gehlot.

After Punjab, the possibilities of cabinet expansion are being explored in Rajasthan too.

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma who has been appointed in-charge of Daman Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli, will participate in the CWC meeting for the first time.
Srinagar, Oct 16 : An encounter has started between terrorists and security forces at Drangbal area of Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday, officials said.

"Encounter has started at Drangbal area of Pampore, Awantipora. Police and Security Forces are on the job," police said.

The firefight between terrorists and security forces took place after a joint team of the police and the army cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.
Jammu, Oct 16 : A counter insurgency operation entered the fifth day on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts as the Army deployed para commandos to eliminate terrorists whose exact number is still not known.

Police sources said traffic on the Poonch-Rajouri highway remained closed in Bhimber Gali area for the third straight day.

Five soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed in the first exchange of gunfire between the combing troops and the terrorists on Tuesday.

On Friday, two soldiers were killed, while reports said a JCO who was missing.

But there has been no official confirmation on the missing JCO.

Para commandos have been deployed in the densely forested Nar Khas area where the two soldiers were killed on Friday.

Defence sources said initially the operation had started following reports that three terrorists and a local guide were seen in the Dhera Ki Gali (DKG) area.

"After the firing exchanges started in Mendhar area while the engagement with the terrorists was going on in DGK area, it is likely that there are two groups of terrorists, one operating in Poonch district and the other in Rajouri district.

"The exact number of terrorists would be known after they are eliminated," the defence sources said.

They added that two locals have been detained by police for questioning in connection with providing food and shelter to the terrorists.
Kabul, Oct 16 : The death toll from a series of bombings inside a mosque in Afghanistan's Kandahar city has increased to 32, while 68 others were wounded, state media said.

In a report, Afghanistan's official Bakhtar News Agency said the explosions occurred inside the Bibi Fatima Shia mosque in police district one (PD1) on Friday afternoon when hundreds of worshippers were offering prayers.

At least four assailants were reportedly involved in the deadly attacks, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying.

The number of deaths might increase further as many of the injured were in critical condition, it added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet.

Witnesses told TOLO News that three back-to-back explosions hit the mosque, one of the biggest in Kandahar city.

The Taliban government has condemned the attack.

Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy minister for the Ministry of Information and Culture, called it a "major crime".

The UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan said that those behind the incident should be brought to justice.

Friday's attack came exactly after a week when another Shia mosque in Kunduz city was hit by a suicide bombing which claimed the lives of at least 50 people.

The IS-K, a local branch of the Islamic State terror group, had claimed responsibility for the attack, which was the deadliest since the US forces left Afghanistan at the end of August.

Following the Taliban takeover, the security situation in Afghanistan has remained calm yet uncertain.

A series of bombings were launched by the IS affiliated militants in recent weeks.

On Thursday, a Taliban district police chief was killed and 11 people were wounded when a vehicle came under attack in Kunar province.
Paris, Oct 16 : Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been officially nominated as the Socialist Party's candidate for the 2022 presidential election.

Supported by the First Secretary of the Socialist party Olivier Faure, Hidalgo won 72 per cent of the votes, accounting for 90 per cent of the ballots counted, against Stephane Le Foll, the mayor of Le Mans, according to the results announced Thursday night.

"I understand the responsibility laid on me," Xinhua news agency quoted Hidalgo as saying after the voting, adding that she was "proud and honoured" to represent her party in the election slated to take place on April 10, 2022.

However, a survey carried out by French radio RTL on Thursday about French people's voting intentions showed that Hidalgo only obtained 4-7 per cent of the votes, far lower than incumbent President Emmanuel Macron's 27 per cent.
Film: Sardar Udham (Streaming on Amazon Prime); Duration: 162 minutes.

Director: Shoojit Sircar. Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Shaun Scott, Stephen Hogan, Banita Sandhu, Kristy Averton and Amol Parashar.

Rating: ****The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919 may be an incident etched in the memories of all Indians owing to its mention in our history textbooks, but not many know about the valour and sacrifice of Sardar Udham Singh, an ordinary lad from holy city, who witnessed this tragedy up close and personal.

He was haunted by the memories of that traumatic day for 21 years before he took revenge by assassinating Michael O'Dwyer, the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, upon whose orders General Dyer opened fire.

How Udham Singh joins Bhagat Singh's Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and moves to London and there, with the help of others who are a part of the revolutionary movement, including a British woman, Eileen Palmer, eventually manages to shoot O'Dwyer and his trial thereafter, form the crux of this film.

The tale is straightforward, albeit narrated at a languid pace, but the plot, narrated in a non-linear manner, goes back and forth in time to establish the rationale behind Udham's resolve and provide a glimpse of his early life and his journey as a revolutionary.

The film belongs to Vicky Kaushal, who essays the title role with subtlety and an underlying ferocity, all at once. He is a man with a single-minded mission and never loses focus.

Each year of the wait to achieve his goal is a struggle and he portrays that with brutal honesty -- whether it is seeking refuge under various aliases or doing odd jobs to buy time or hone his skills. His body language, broken English, unbridled confidence and fearlessness, all exude the aura of a revolutionary and freedom fighter.

The screenplay by Shubhendu Bhattacharya is taut and well-researched, throwing light on several historical facts unknown to many. The period is recreated with honesty and one is transported there.

The dialogues are crisp, yet hard-hitting, particularly O'Dwyer's scathing speech at Caxton Hall before he is shot, reiterating that "It is the right and the duty of the British to rule India". One can feel Udham Singh's anger upon hearing these words, further strengthening his resolve.

The cinematography by Avik Mukhopadhyay is atmospheric and enriches the scenes with unparalleled brilliance. His lens brings alive each frame with candour and the story with it. Particularly noteworthy is the heart-wrenching Jallianwala Bagh massacre scene where the pain and pathos of those injured and dying are palpable.

The end of the film, maybe known to us and predictable, but the surge of patriotism and the awe-inspiring feeling for Udham Singh is something Shoojit Sircar manages to arouse in each viewer. The dauntless unremorseful Udham Singh, with Bhagat Singh's photograph in his clenched fist as he lies motionless, becomes an everlasting memory.

Overall, with a runtime of 162 minutes, there are moments when you feel the viewing is a bit tedious.

(Troy Ribeiro can be contacted at troy.r@ians.in)
Phnom Penh, Oct 16 : The Unesco has highly appreciated Cambodia's commitment to strengthen urban heritage preservation.

"Urban heritage, including its tangible and intangible components, constitutes a key resource in enhancing the liveability and resilience of urban areas, and fosters economic development and social cohesion in a changing environment," the UN agency said in statement on Friday.

The commendation came after Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday issued a circular on preventing the demolition and destruction of heritage buildings in the kingdom, aiming at promoting heritage conservation and sustainable development.

In line with the Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage promulgated in 1996, the circular was designed to preserve urban heritage buildings, including religious, public and private buildings, habitats and ancient houses.

It also set out recommendations to prevent destruction and any form of modification, alternation or damage to the appearance of urban heritage buildings.

"Cambodia has a long-standing record for its efforts on cultural conservation, and this circular will further strengthen the balance between urban growth and sustainable development, and reaffirm Cambodia's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 11, highlighting the importance of cultural and natural heritage for making safe and resilient cities," the Unesco said.

"The circular will also promote the universal respect for cultural rights for all through the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage," it added.

The Southeast Asian nation has rich cultural heritage with three Unesco World Heritage Sites -- Angkor Archeological Park, the Temple of Preah Vihear, and the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk.

The Agency said it has been working closely with Cambodia's relevant authorities to promote the conservation of these sites, and it will continue to provide technical assistance to the government and stakeholders for the preservation of cultural and urban heritage.
Colombo, Oct 16 : The Sri Lankan government has announced that it has decided to restart the on-arrival Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) service at its airports for fully vaccinated international travellers.

In a statement on Friday, Immigration and Emigration Department Controller General Sarath Rupasiri said the issuance of on-arrival ETA would facilitate tourists who were unable to obtain an online ETA due to time constraints in arranging their journey to Sri Lanka, reports Xinhua news agency.

Rupasiri said the facility would be available at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.

However, despite the facility, the controller general advised travel operators to encourage incoming tourists to obtain the online ETA prior to their arrival in the country to avoid unnecessary delays at the airport.

Sri Lanka saw the highest tourist arrivals growth in September with 13,547 arrivals while the country recorded 37,000 visitors from January to September.
New York, Oct 16 : A team of US researchers, including a scientist of Indian-origin, has shown for the first time that Covid-19 vaccines and prior Covid infections can provide broad immunity against other similar coronaviruses.

The findings build a rationale for universal coronavirus vaccines that could prove useful in the face of future epidemics.

"Until our study, what hasn't been clear is if you get exposed to one coronavirus, could you have cross-protection across other coronaviruses? And we showed that is the case," said lead author Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster, Assistant Professor of Microbiology-Immunology at North-western University's Feinberg School of Medicine.

Penaloza-MacMaster collaborated with North-western Medicine physician, Igor Koralnik and Lavanya Visvabharathy, a post-doctoral research associate at Feinberg, to evaluate immune responses in humans who received Covid vaccines as well as in Covid patients.

"We found that these individuals developed antibody responses that neutralised a common cold coronavirus, HCoV-OC43," Penaloza-MacMaster said.

"We are now measuring how long this cross-protection lasts." The three main families of coronaviruses that cause human disease are Sarbecovirus, which includes the SARS-CoV-1 strain that was responsible for the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Other coronaviruses are SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for Covid-19 pandemic; Embecovirus (that includes OC43) which is often responsible for the common cold; and Merbecovirus, which is the virus responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), first reported in 2012.

During the study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, plasma from humans who had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 produced antibodies that were cross-reactive (provided protection) against SARS-CoV-1 and the common cold coronavirus (OC43).

The study found mice immunised with a SARS-CoV-1 vaccine developed in 2004 generated immune responses that protected them from intranasal exposure by SARS-CoV-2.

The team found prior coronavirus infections can protect against subsequent infections with other coronaviruses.

Mice that had been immunised with Covid-19 vaccines and later were exposed to the common cold coronavirus were partially protected against the common cold but the protection was much less robust, the study found.

The reason, the scientists explained, is because both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are genetically similar while the common cold coronavirus is more divergent from SARS-CoV-2.

"As long as the coronavirus is greater than 70 per cent related, the mice were protected," Penaloza-MacMaster said.

"If they were exposed to a very different family of coronaviruses, the vaccines might confer less protection." Given how different each coronavirus family is, that answer is "likely no", said the study authors.

However, there may be a path forward for developing a vaccine for each coronavirus family (Sarbecovirus, Embecovirus and Merbecovirus), they said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hyderabad, Oct 16 : Rana Daggubati, who got hyped as a nefarious villain in the famous 'Baahubali' series, is all set to join hands with Milind Rau for his next film.

Rau, who has been in the news with his two Tamil films -- 'Aval' and 'Netrikann' -- is said to have lined up a supernatural thriller for Rana Daggubati. The film will go on the floors in 2022.

To ring in the Dussehra celebrations, the production house, Viswanti Pictures, took to their Twitter handle to make an official statement about the film. It is being touted as a pan-India movie to be released in multiple languages.

The producers tweeted: "Our #Bhallaladeva @RanaDaggubati to star in @milindrau story/direction in new movie by SpiritMedia in collaboration with @VISWASANTIPICTS & @VCWOfficial. Pan-India #Film in #Telugu #Tamil & #Hindi. Produced by @GopinathAchant, CH. Rambabu & @arjundasyan. Stay tuned for more." Rana, meanwhile, will be seen with Sai Pallavi in 'Virata Parvam', which will be released soon. The film was to hit the screens earlier in April, but the second wave of the pandemic had made it impossible for the producers to release it.

Rana is also all set to lock horns with actor-politician Pawan Kalyan in their upcoming action-drama 'Bheemla Nayak', which is the official remake of Malayalam super-hit movie 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'.

And as reported earlier, Rana will soon join his uncle Venkatesh Daggubati for an upcoming Netflix series, 'Rana Naidu', which is the Indian adaptation of the acclaimed American TV series 'Ray Donovan'.
Helsinki, Oct 16 : As of Saturday, the European Union's (EU) Digital Covid Certificate, also known as the 'Covid-19 Passport', will be used nationwide in Finland.

"The Covid-19 Passport will serve as an alternative in situations where the event or premises in question are subject to restrictions. Such restrictions can include restrictions on opening hours or on the number of participants at events," Xinhua news agency quoted the government as saying.

However, "the Covid-19 passport will not serve as an alternative to restrictions in situations where the authorities have closed the premises or prohibited the public event altogether owing to the Covid-19 situation", the statement added.

For example, restaurants can avoid restrictions if they require their customers to present a Covid-19 Passport. Thus, they would not have to comply with the restrictions on opening times or customer numbers.

"People aged 16 and over can be required to present a Covid-19 Passport," according to the release.

In general, the passport can be required at restaurants, nightclubs and public events.

According to public health officials, the mandatory use of the Covid-19 Passport could motivate people to take the vaccine, especially if an eventual increase in the number of new infections forces the introduction of new restrictions.

Over the past two weeks, Finland registered a 30 per cent increase in the number of new infections.

The incidence rate currently stands at 140 cases per 100,000 residents.

On Friday alone, 723 new cases were reported by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Around 85 per cent of the country's population aged 12 and over have already received one vaccine dose, and 74 per cent two doses.

Also on Friday, Finland updated its restrictions on entry into the country.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers are now required to undergo two Covid-19 tests: one before entering the country and the other upon arrival in Finland.

People arriving in Finland are now required to present proof of either full vaccination, recovery from Covid-19 within the past six months, or a negative test result.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Oct 16 : In a statement on its Telegram channel, the Islamic State (IS) terror group on Saturday claimed that its Khorasan branch (IS-K) carried out the twin bombings inside the Shia mosque in Kandahar, that claimed the lives of 63 people while injuring 83 others.

In the statement, the terror group said that two IS-K suicide bombers carried out the attack on Friday inside the Bibi Fatima Shia mosque in the city's police district one (PD1) when hundreds of worshippers were offering prayers, Khaama Press reported.

The statement said that the first suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the hallway of the mosque and while the second did it inside.

Initial reports had said that there were three suicide bombers who shot at security guards of the mosque and then entered and detonated their explosive vests.

It is the second deadly attack by the group in the past two weeks targeting the Shia Muslims in Afghanistan.

Friday's attack came exactly after a week when another Shia mosque in Kunduz city was hit by a suicide bombing which claimed the lives of at least 50 people.

The IS-K had claimed responsibility for the attack, which was the deadliest since the US forces left Afghanistan at the end of August.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said that a large number of IS militants have been entering Afghanistan which can threaten the security of Central Asian countries.

The Taliban, which took over Afghanistan in August, said the IS were only making trouble but were not a threat.
New Delhi, Oct 16 : Questioning Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's silence over the brutal Singhu border murder, the BJP said that for the Congress, Dalit lives are expendable, as long as it suits their politics.

BJP general secretary and Punjab in-charge, Dushyant Gautam told IANS that any death is unfortunate but to draw the attention of the Gandhi siblings (Rahul and Priyanka), a Dalit has to die in a BJP ruled state.

"Both the Gandhi siblings only react to unfortunate incidents which happen in BJP-ruled states and remain silent on happenings in Congress-ruled states.

"Congress Chief Ministers Bhupesh Baghel and Channi announced compensation for an unfortunate incident in Uttar Pradesh to politically establish Gandhi siblings but not a single penny for the Dalit resident in Punjab who was killed yesterday," Gautam said.

The body of Lakhbir Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab, was found hanging with a severed hand, close to the main stage of the farmers' protest site near the Delhi-Haryana border on Friday morning.

In a tweet, in-charge of the BJP's National Information and Technology Department, Amit Malviya said: "24 hours after the gruesome murder of Lakhbir Singh, a Dalit Sikh, Rahul Gandhi hasn't said a word. Neither has Punjab CM announced any compensation for the family, which hails from Punjab. Clearly, for the Congress, Dalit lives are expendable, as long as it suits their politics." On Friday, BJP general secretary (organization) B.L. Santhosh tweeted: "They lost every moral right to call themselves farmers. It's time saner elements if any among them to apologise to nation and withdraw and engage with government unconditionally." Taking note of the brutal murder, Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Vijay Sampla had on Friday asked the Haryana DGP to immediately arrest the culprits.
New Delhi, Oct 16 : David Marchick, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), will travel to India to advance its investments helping boost global health and expand Covid-19 vaccine production capacity throughout the developing world.

Marchick, along with a delegation, will arrive in India on October 24.

The delegation will visit the office of Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer 'Biological E' and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the pharma major to open a new facility with substantial capacity for vaccine manufacturing.

The proposed MoU is in support of the historic commitment set out by US President Joe Biden and the three leaders of the Quad countries, namely Australia, India and Japan.

The DFC's support is projected to facilitate capacity expansion to produce nearly two billion Covid-19 vaccine doses across the globe by end of 2022 with more projects in the pipeline.

The agency is also working on expanding access to critical therapeutics and introducing medical equipment designed for low-resource environments under DFC's global health and prosperity initiative.
New Delhi, Oct 16 : Social media platforms differ in functioning and appearance. Hence, it is really important to make sure that their aesthetics are in place so that one can attract more leads, increase sales, and broadcast the message in the right manner to the target audience. To ensure that your social media page is in the correct format and order, this guide can help you: Draw Inspiration

Every social media platform can weave a different story depending on the aesthetic you want to present. So make sure that you draw inspiration for your brand from the right sources and for the relevant social media platform. Pinterest and Instagram are more image-driven while content on Twitter is all about crisp tweets. Similarly, Facebook is all about combining trendy content with featured posts and stories. So, make sure that you use all the trending platform-specific updates and features to draw and implement your inspiration.

Create Content Conceptualize a board for yourself and start pinning content you like. It may include photos, videos, GIFS, carousels etc, that reflect your brand aesthetic and help you weave the story you want to portray in the right format. If you decide to use a template, make sure to pick one that fits your vision, sensibility, and covers your competitive strategy. Also, pay attention to the description, content and information of the products you are considering to feature.

Produce and Post While planning content may sound difficult, producing content can be even more tedious. Ensure that you use original social media templates, unique formats, and different fonts. Get innovative with design, and feature content on your page with precision and perfection. You can shoot content, use Photoshop, try templates, or maybe combine free images from the internet to feature what you like.

Set the timeline Create a timeline to help you remember when you want to post, or when you want to have your content finished. A timeline is like a calendar for your content. You can create a simple timeline in your notes or phone calendar to stay on top of things. This will ensure that you know what to post and when so that you don't get lost amid the chunk of content. Also, do keep a tab on trending and topical posts, events or updates so that you can integrate them into your social media content to feature an aesthetic that you love! (Mehar Gulati, Founder, Scarlet Relations, has managed the outreach strategies of multiple brands working with over 20 clients like Martin Katz, Venessa Kandiyoti, Atelier VM, 111 Harley Street, Glossier, Cartier, Three Floorand many more during her time at different agencies for 3 years)

(IANSlife Features can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
October 16 : After two decades, Sunny Deol announced the sequel to his film Gadar. Sunny is set to return with his popular character Tara Singh, who had created furore in India as well as in Pakistan. On the occasion of Dussehra, he announced his new film Gadar 2.

On Friday, Sunny Deol took to his Instagram handle, and announced Gadar 2. The cast of the sequel will remain the same as it will star Ameesha Patel and director Anil Sharmas son Utkarsh Sharma, besides Sunny Deol. Sharing a motion poster of the film, Sunny wrote, After two decades the wait is finally over! On the auspicious day of Dusshera, presenting to you the motion poster of #Gadar2. The Katha Continues.

Image Source: Instagram/iamsunnydeol Sunny Deol announces Gadar 2 after two decades

As soon as the actor dropped the poster, fans were excited and showered heart emojis on the post. Ameesha Patel also posted the poster and wrote, Announcing the biggest ever sequel in Indian cinema. Presenting to you the motion poster of #Gadar 2.

The original film, Gadar, was released on June 15, 2001, which was directed by Anil Sharma. Set during the Partition of India in 1947, the film was about Tara Singhs life, who was a truck driver in pre-Independence India. He saved a Muslim girl (Ameesha Patel) during the Partition, and how he travelled to Pakistan to bring her back. The film also starred Amrish Puri, Vivek Shauq, and Lillete Dubey.

Reportedly, Gadar 2 will go on floors in November 2021 as the pre-production work is on full swing. Much like the original film, Gadar 2 will speak of the India-Pakistan conflict.

Meanwhile, Sunny Deol is gearing up for his upcoming untitled film, which will be directed by R. Balki. The actor will also be seen in his home production Apne 2.
Lucknow/Mumbai, Oct 16 : After two Shia mosques in Afghanistan were bombed in a span of one week killing hundreds of worshippers, Shia Muslim clerics in India have slammed the silence of Sunni clerics on the targeted killings which have increased after the war-torn country was taken over by the Taliban in August.

Speaking to IANS on the phone, top Lucknow-based Shia cleric Kalbe Jawwad said: "No Sunni Muslim clerics have come out to condemn the killings. We have supported them when any such incident happens... And this is not happening for the first time but from the last 25 years.

"If the Sunni Ulema from India and Pakistan start condemning the killings, then such incidents will not happen. But their silence is tacit support to the killings." He also alleged that the killings are result of a conspiracy by the US Israel, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to wipe out the Shias since the past three decades.

The cleric added that the Islamic State (IS), Taliban and other terror organisations have been operating with the support of US Israel and Saudi Arabia He said the Taliban has deceived the Shias by saying that everything will be normal and then cheated the community by killing them.

Another cleric from Mumbai, Maulana Ashraf Zaidi told IANS over the phone that the incidents were condemnable and requested the Indian government to take the matter to UN.

"I request our government to take the persecutions of Shias in both Pakistan and Afghanistan to US as a sensitive country we should pay our attention on such incident." The Islamic State (IS) terror group on Saturday claimed that its Khorasan branch (IS-K) carried out the twin bombings inside the Shia mosque in Kandahar a day ago, that claimed the lives of 63 people while injuring 83 others.

Friday's attack came exactly after a week when another Shia mosque in Kunduz city was hit by a suicide bombing which claimed the lives of at least 50 people.

The IS-K had claimed responsibility for the attack, which was the deadliest since the US forces left Afghanistan at the end of August.
Mexico City, Oct 16 : At least one suspect was killed and two people were injured in a shootout at the entrance to Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM), authorities said.

"A few moments ago, there was a direct attack on two people at the AICM, two injured people are out of danger," Omar Garcia Harfuch, head of Mexico City's Secretariat of Public Security, wrote on his Twitter account.

"One of the suspects died a few moments ago in the hospital from gunshot wounds," he added.

According to a police source, two people on a motorcycle fired at a moving luxury SUV, which they chased to the entrance of the AICM terminal, reports Xinhua news agency.

One of the SUV occupants returned fire, injuring one suspect who was taken to the hospital under custody and later died, while the vehicle's driver cut off the motorcycle as they entered the parking bay and ran it over.

The motorcycle and the SUV were handed over to authorities for further investigation, along with a weapon found at the site, according to public security authorities.
New Delhi, Oct 16 : Delhi Police arrested a man for raping a minor girl in Kotla Mubarakpur area of South Delhi.

A woman had lodged a complaint at the K.M. Pur police station that around 2 months ago when she came back to Delhi from her native village in Uttar Pradesh, her 15-year-old daughter told her that while she was alone at home one afternoon, she was raped by her cousin.

The accused had also threatened her not to disclose about the incident, the police said on Saturday.

As per the statement of the victim, an FIR was registered on Thursday under sections 376, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 4 of the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act and the accused has been arrested, the police said.

Further investigation is underway.
Rome, Oct 16 : Italy's new flagship carrier ITA has started operations with a flight between Milan and Bari, filling the gap left by 75-year-old airline Alitalia that ceased operations the day before.

A last-minute deal between ITA and Alitalia means the name of the venerable airline that has carried tens of millions of passengers will live on, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to media reports, the ITA on Thursday paid 90 million euros ($105 million) for rights to Alitalia's brand and identity, down from the original 290 million euros asking price.

That means ITA -- the name is an Italian acronym for Italian Air Transport -- will be allowed to use Alitalia's identity, Internet domain, livery, and uniforms indefinitely.

Despite the acquisition, ITA will remain legally separate from its predecessor in order to ensure it will not be liable to Alitalia's debts.

ITA, which is a fully-owned entity of the Italian government, starts out with a fleet of 52 aircraft serving 44 destinations.

The numbers are set to increase to at least 105 aircraft and 74 destinations by 2025.

The company is already selling tickets connecting more than a dozen Italian cities, major European hubs including London and Paris, as well as long-haul routes connecting Rome to New York, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles and between Milan and New York.

The company is also reportedly considering long-haul routes between Italy and Asian destinations including China, as well as Latin America and Africa.
United Nations, Oct 16 : Globally, around three in 10 people, or 2.3 billion, do not have handwashing facilities with water and soap available at home, the Unicef said.

The situation is worst in the least developed countries, with over six in 10 people without access to basic hand hygiene, the UN agency said in a fact sheet on Global Handwashing Day, which falls on October 15.

According to the latest estimates, two in five schools worldwide do not have basic hygiene services with water and soap, affecting 818 million students, of which 462 million attend schools with no facility at all.

In the least developed countries, seven out of 10 schools have no place for children to wash their hands.

One-third of health care facilities worldwide do not have hand hygiene facilities at points of care where the patient, health care worker, and treatment involve contact with the patient.

The latest data show that some progress has been made since 2015.

The global population with access to basic hand hygiene at home has increased from 5 billion to 5.5 billion, or from 67 per cent to 71 per cent.

However, if current trends persist, 1.9 billion people will still not have access to basic hand hygiene by the end of the decade.

The cost to provide hand hygiene in all homes in 46 of the world's least developed countries by 2030 is an estimated $11 billion.

"Global response efforts to the pandemic have created an unprecedented time for hand hygiene. Yet progress remains far too slow for the most vulnerable, underserved communities," Unicef WASH Director Kelly Ann Naylor was quoted as saying in a statement.

"Hand hygiene cannot be viewed as a temporary provision to manage Covid-19. Further long-term investment in water, sanitation and hygiene can help prevent the next health crisis from coming. It also means fewer people falling ill with respiratory infections, fewer children dying from diarrhoeal diseases, and more pregnant mothers and newborns protected from preventable conditions like sepsis."
Washington, Oct 16 : US President Joe Biden's administration is planning to ask the Supreme Court to block Texas' highly controversial near-total abortion ban.

"The Justice Department (DOJ) intends to ask the Supreme Court to vacate the Fifth Circuit's stay of the preliminary injunction against Texas Senate Bill 8," Xinhua news agency quoted Anthony Coley, a spokesman for the Department, as saying to the media.

The Biden administration argues that the private enforcement regime is a transparent attempt to shield what they see as a blatantly unconstitutional ban and that if the scheme were allowed to stand, could allow states to undermine other constitutional rights in similar ways, according to a report by The Hill news outlet.

A three-judge panel for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 late Thursday night that the state law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy can remain in effect while it hears the Biden administration's legal challenge.

The Texas law, which was signed into law in May by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, also prohibits most abortions, even in cases of rape, sexual abuse, or incest.

It prohibits any effort to aid, or any intent to aid, the doctors who provide the prohibited abortions or women who try to get one.

The law has unique enforcement provisions allowing private citizens, rather than state officials, to sue abortion providers.

Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in December in Mississippi's bid to overturn 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a woman's right to an abortion.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Beijing, Oct 16 : Consumer electronics brand TCL has released the first binocular full-colour MicroLED AR glasses 'Thunderbird Smart Glasses Pioneer Edition' in China.

At present, TCL has not revealed the price and availability of the AR glasses, reports GSMArena.

In terms of specifications, it features a microLED display and contain a waveguide developed in-house by TCL.

Thunderbird Smart Glasses look like normal sunglasses with colour screens that are transparent and comes with an inbuilt camera.

The brand has also shared a video showing an overview of specifications offered by the Thunderbird Smart Glasses Pioneer Edition. The device features a MicroLED display with 4um (micrometre) pixels.

TCL's new smart glasses will compete with Xiaomi's Smart Spectacles and Facebook's Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses.

The new Xiaomi Smart Glasses weigh only 51 grams, and it supports XiaoAI AI assistant for voice commands.

It houses a display chip measuring just 2.4 x 2.02 mm. Under a microscope, Xiaomi says the display is roughly the size of a grain of rice, with individual pixels sized at 4im.

In addition, Facebook in partnership with Ray-Ban recently launched its first smart glasses named 'Ray-Ban Stories'.

Built in partnership with Facebook and EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban Stories start at $299 and will be available for purchase in 20 style combinations online and in select retail stores in the US as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK.

The frames feature two-front 5MP facing cameras for capturing video and photos. There's a physical button on the glasses for recording or one can say "Hey Facebook, take a video" to control them hands-free.
Silvassa : , Oct 16 (IANS) Kickstarting the campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll to the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli seat, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the party is not worried even if the BJP brings US President Joe Biden for canvassing, here on Saturday.

"When the Shiv Sena speaks, it's called a roar. The Railway Minister of India is sitting in Silvassa for the past four days. Is there no work left in his ministry or has it been auctioned off like Air India? Even if they deploy Biden for campaign, we are not bothered," Raut said.

The Shiv Sena has fielded Kalaben M. Delkar, the widow of former seven time MP Mohan S. Delkar, who committed suicide in a Mumbai hotel on February 22.

"There is a reign of terror in Dadra & Nagar Haveli unleashed by the current administration. Mohan Delkar 'sacrificed' his life for the people. We have fielded Kalaben Delkar to ensure justice for his 'atma-samarpan' and the masses of this Union Territory are suffering under the present regime," Raut asserted.

Addressing mediapersons here, the Sena's Chief Spokesperson took potshots at the BJP, saying that even during the West Bengal elections, the entire Union Cabinet and the BJP top brass campaigned there, but they proved no match for the charisma of Mamata Banerjee.

"In the same way, no attempts by the BJP will work here. We have held the hand of Kalaben Delkar, she's our mother and sister, we will support her throughout. We expect her poll victory will be the biggest ever in the electoral history of this constituency," Raut declared.

He said Kalaben Delkar does not need any sympathy but only support since her family has worked in the UT - around 170 km north of Mumbai nestling between Maharashtra-Gujarat borders - for several decades and she deserved to win the seat held by her late husband and her late father-in-law Sanjibhai R. Delkar.

"After the 2024 elections, Shiv Sena will play a crucial role in national politics... It will start with the Dadra & Nagar Haveli seat. It's a fight for our dignity and self-respect and we shall struggle till the end," Raut said.

Last week, Kalaben Delkar, along with her family and thousands of supporters joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai and was made the candidate for the parliamentary bypoll, taking political circles by surprise.
Washington, Oct 16 : Former US President Bill Clinton's health indicators are "trending in the right direction", but he will continue to receive treatment at a Southern California hospital for one more night, his spokesperson said.

Clinton, 75, was admitted on Tuesday evening to the University of California (UC) Irvine Medical Center in Orange County for a non-coronavirus-related infection, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

His white blood count has decreased significantly, his spokesperson Angel Urena said on Friday, adding that Clinton will remain in the hospital overnight to "receive further IV antibiotics".

Clinton was in an intensive care section of UC Irvine Medical Center, though not receiving "ICU care", KABC-TV, the West Coast flagship station of the ABC television network, quoted an aide to the former President as saying.

The aide told reporters at the hospital that Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but is on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Clinton was in Southern California for a private reception and dinner for the non-profit Clinton Foundation.

After meeting friends in Orange County on Tuesday, he reported feeling fatigued, an aide to the former President was quoted as saying by The Los Angeles Times.

Clinton, a member of the Democratic Party, served as the 42nd US President from 1993 to 2001.
Seoul, Oct 16 : South Korea's chief nuclear envoy will leave for Washington on Saturday for talks with his US and Japanese counterparts after his trip to Moscow aimed at securing Russia's cooperation in bringing North Korea back to dialogue, officials said here.

Noh Kyu-duk wrapped up a four-day trip to Moscow and was set to depart for Washington, as Seoul ramps up diplomacy to resume its stalled initiative for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Noh and the US special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, are expected to meet bilaterally on Monday and join a trilateral meeting with their Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, the following day.

Noh will likely hold two-way talks with Funakoshi on Tuesday.

The three held their last in-person talks in September in Tokyo.

The upcoming talks will likely touch on President Moon Jae-in's recent proposal to declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War, which Noh has said is the most effective among confidence-building measures with the North.

They could also discuss inducements for dialogue with the North, such as humanitarian support, and the recent reactivation of inter-Korean communication lines, which has raised cautious hope for a thaw in cross-border relations.

Nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang have remained stalled since the Hanoi summit in 2019 between then US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that ended without a deal.
Canberra, Oct 16 : Australia's biggest industry group on Saturday urged the federal government to halve the country's carbon emissions by 2030.

Innes Willox, the chief executive of the Australian Industry (Ai) Group, wrote in a comment piece for Guardian Australia, that the case for stronger climate action "has been strengthening rapidly" while the costs "are turning out to be lower than expected", reports Xinhua news agency It comes one day after Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed he will attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow and outline the government's long-term emissions reduction target prior to his departure.

Willox wrote that the new package should include three key commitments; a 2050 net zero commitment, a significantly larger 2030 pledge and policy directions to achieve the goals.

Australia's existing climate target, which was set in 2015, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26-28 percent below the 2005 levels by 2030.

"There is no magic number, but roughly halving Australia's emissions from our own peak would put us in the mainstream on 2030 goals," Willox said.

"Trade competitiveness needs to be front of mind in designing these policies.

"But it is becoming ever clearer that our competitiveness hinges on successfully making the transition to net zero emissions, not on holding it back." The Ai Group represents more than 60,000 businesses that employ more than 1 million Australians in myriad industries including manufacturing, construction, mining and defence.

Some members of Morrison's governing coalition have ruled out supporting the net zero target that would jeopardize jobs in regional areas.

However, Willox said that Ai Group research has found that "both bad policy and no policy" on climate change would "see Australia lose jobs and investment overseas".
Ramallah, Oct 16 : Palestine has warned that the consequences of more Israeli settlement plans in Jerusalem "will be dangerous", the official WAFA news agency reported.

"The Israeli plans to build hundreds of housing units for Israeli settlers in several illegal settlements surrounding the occupied (East) Jerusalem are dangerous," WAFA quoted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's office as saying.

These plans will "cut off the city from its Palestinian surroundings" and pose "a challenge to international law and international resolutions", the office added.

The plans "contradict the signed agreements and the commitments repeatedly expressed by the US in which it affirmed that it considers settlement expansion and unilateral measures an unacceptable act".

Abbas's office called on the US to maintain its positions and implement what President Joe Biden announced in his call with Abbas that he rejects "any unilateral measures", Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday According to official Palestinian figures, since 1967, more than 600,000 Israeli settlers have been living in 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, home to more than 3 million Palestinians.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are claimed by the Palestinians, in the 1967 Middle East war and has controlled them ever since.

The Palestinians want to establish their independent Palestinian state on these territories.

"The path to peace is clear: establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," the statement said, referring to Abbas's speech in September before the UN General Assembly.
Amaravati, Oct 16 : Dozens of people were injured in the violence during traditional fight with sticks during Dasara celebrations in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district.

Hundreds of villagers of divided in two rival groups attacked each other with sticks during Banni festival at Devaragattu village in Holagonda mandal late Friday night.

Police said more than 40 people were injured in the clashes but unconfirmed reports have put the number at 100.

The injured were admitted to hospitals at Adoni and Alur. The condition of four of them is stated to be critical.

A police officer said the violence broke out during the traditional fight on a hillock at Mala Malleshwaraswamy temple. Though large number of policemen were deployed to prevent the fight, villagers defied the orders to organise the fight.

As part of the annual celebrations, people from different villages divide in two groups to fight with sticks to secure the idols of the deity.

Villagers from Neraniki, Neraniki Tanda and Kottapeta villages fight with devotees of Arikera, Arikera Tanda, Suluvai, Ellarthi, Kurukunda, Bilehall and Virupapuram.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva took the form of Bhairava and clobbered two demons, Mani and Mallasura, with sticks. The villagers enact the scene on Vijayadashami day. Group of villagers from demons' side try to snatch the idols from the other group, called God's team. They fight with sticks for the idols.

Thousands of people from various parts of Kurnool and surrounding districts and even neighbouring Telangana and Karnataka gather at the village to watch the traditional ritual, a part of Dasara celebrations.

The fight results in injuries to several people every year but devotees consider these injuries as a good omen. Authorities conduct awareness programmes every year to dissuade villagers and even impose prohibitory orders but they defy the orders on the ground that the fight is part of their tradition.
Bengaluru, Oct 16 : Activists in Bengaluru are gearing up to protest pothole-ridden roads across the city by performing 'pothole pooja' (worshipping potholes) as the government is turning a blind eye to the plight of vehicle riders.

B. Clip Alumni Association and Karnataka State Motorists Association have given October 30 deadline to the ruling BJP government to get rid of potholes in Bengaluru. "If the administration does not respond, 'pothole pooja' programme will be taken up all across the city in every ward with an intention to embarrass authorities and get them working," explained Kavita Reddy, the Vice President of B. Clip Alumni Association.

Both organisations have held one such programme near Chalukya circle on October 14 on the occasion of the Dussera festival. They gathered near Karnataka Legislative Assembly from where Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta travel almost every day.

The members gathered around a 3x3 pothole, spread vermillion, embellished it with flowers, performed aarti and broke a pumpkin and prayed to the pothole not to harm anyone as the government is doing nothing about it.

The vehicle riders gave thumbs up and said a big yes to the protest. Some of them even joined the unique protest. The government and police officers who passed by pretended that they did not see the function which was intended to mock them.

Anand Begur, the President of B. Clip Alumni Association told IANS that, it is a satirical attempt to get the problem of potholes fixed in the city. "We are planning to conduct a survey of potholes and will stage the unique protest all over," he said.

Raghavendra, the President of Karnataka Motorist Association explained to IANS that, the government has submitted false statistics to the High Court regarding potholes. Though the High Court has given a deadline twice, the potholes have not been fixed.

He further said that 13,847 km of arterial and sub arterial roads are there in BBMP limits. The government has stated that only 246 km of roads are pothole-ridden which is incorrect. There is no respect from the government towards the High Court directions, he said.

Kavitha Reddy who is also a lake activist explained that, since there is no council, it has become very difficult to deal with the administration. "If the government fails to fill all portholes before October 30, we will get the survey conducted as we did it in 2016 and organize such protests to humiliate the government.
Gurugram, Oct 16 : Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Saturday condemned the brutal murder which took place at Singhu border in Kundli, Sonipat where farmers' protest is underway.

He said this while interacting with reporters after inaugurating new office building of the Excise and Taxation Department in Gurugram in Sector 32 in front of Sir Chhotu Ram Bhavan in village Jharsa.

Responding to a question regarding the killing of a person at the farmers' protest site at the Singhu border, Dushyant Chautala said that this is a barbaric incident.

"Though the police are taking legal action and one person has also taken the responsibility of the incident, but those who are the leaders of around 40 dharna sites should also take responsibility for that," Chautala said.

He said if any such incident happens in any organisation, department or movement, then it is the responsibility of the leadership of the concerned organisation, department or movement.

A body was found hanging with hands, legs chopped at the spot where farmers' are protesting (Kundli, Sonipat) on Friday.

Responding to a question regarding the Ellenabad bypoll, Chautala said that the BJP-JJP alliance has fielded a strong candidate.

"We will fight the elections with full strength and win the elections," he said.
Hyderabad, Oct 16 : Actor and producer Manchu Vishnu took oath as the newly elected president of Tollywood'd influential trade body, Movie Artists Association, on Saturday, with his father, Telugu cinema's acclaimed veteran star, Mohan Babu, accompanying him.

The 'Mosagallu' actor sought everyone's support in this journey after a hotly contested vote that had ended in the opposing panel led by acclaimed character actor Prakash Raj walking out of the association. Vishnu's team shared pictures showing him signing the papers to complete the formalities.

"I have today assumed the office of the President of MAA!" Manchu Vishnu tweeted. "Need all your wishes and send me positivity as much as you can." Prakash Raj and his panel members, who had resigned from their respective positions after the elections, skipped the oath-taking ceremony. Earlier, they expressed their reservations about the legitimacy of the elections and the way they were conducted. Mohan Babu's alleged "abusive behaviour" was one of the reasons cited by Prakash Raj for his unhappiness.

On Saturday, Mohan Babu was definitely more reconciliatory, urging the members of the Prakash Raj panel not to disassociate themselves from the association, whose sole reason, he said, was to take care of the welfare of all those who are working for the Telugu film industry.

Prakash Raj, though, hasn't backed down. Alleging foul play in the elections, he has sought CCTV footage from the election officer.
San Francisco, Oct 16 : Top 10 hacking groups have executed ransomware attacks worth a whopping $5.2 billion in Bitcoin over the past three years, according to a US treasury report.

The report, released by the US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on Friday, found that ransomware-related transactions totalled around $590 million from January 2021 to June 2021, exceeding the $416 million reported for entire 2020.

"The FinCEN analysis of ransomware-related suspicious activity reports (SARs) filed during the first half of 2021 indicates that ransomware is an increasing threat to the US financial sector, businesses and the public," the report said.

"The number of ransomware-related SARs filed monthly has grown rapidly, with 635 SARs filed and 458 transactions reported between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021, up 30 per cent from the total of 487 SARs filed for the entire 2020 calendar year," it added.

The report analysed 177 unique convertible virtual currency wallet addresses used for ransomware-related payments associated with the 10 most commonly-reported ransomware variants in SARs during the review period, reports ZDNet.

The report analysed the massive growth in ransomware payments in the first half of 2021 by looking at suspicious activity reports from financial institutions.

FinCEN identified Bitcoin as the most common ransomware-related payment method in reported transactions. Bitcoin was trading at over $60,000 per coin on Saturday.

FinCen found a total of 68 different ransomware variants. The report lists the most commonly reported variants, which are REvil/Sodinokibi, Conti, DarkSide, Avaddon and Phobos, among others.

The report came after more than 30 countries, including South Korea, Japan and the UK, this week pledged to work together to combat the growing threat of ransomware attacks in a virtual conference hosted by the US.

The White House-led meeting came after a series of recent ransomware attacks on US businesses that have crippled their systems by infiltrating them and locking them up until a ransom is paid.
Seoul, Oct 16 : Samsung is planning to launch its next premium flagship, Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+, soon. As per a recent report, S22 generation will be a bit wider and less "skinny and tall" than the current S21.

GSMArena reported that according to tipster Ice Universe, the edges of the smartphones would be slightly rounder with minimal bezels.

"This is the first time we have seen the Tempered Glass Screen Protector of Galaxy S22 and S22+. They are more rounded and slightly fatter than S21 series," the tipster noted.

Bezels are minimal all around and appear to be symmetrical on all sides. However, it should be noted that screen protectors can sometimes be a bit deceiving in terms of bezel proportions.

In terms of specifications, the upcoming series may feature a new 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom capabilities as opposed to a high-resolution sensor with poor optical zoom.

Samsung is planning to take a different approach on the Galaxy S22/S22+ models that will arrive early next year. The Galaxy S22 series smartphones will have a 10MP telephoto lens that supports 3x optical zoom rather than the hybrid zoom of the Galaxy S20/S21 era.

Previous rumours suggested that the Galaxy S22 Ultra is expected to continue the dual 10-megapixel telephoto camera setup on the Galaxy S21 Ultra. One of the lenses will be a periscope lens that will offer 10x optical zoom.

Galaxy S22+ is expected to be equipped with a 4,500 mAh battery. In terms of software, Galaxy S22 will be pre-installed with OneUI 4.x based on Android 12.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Oct 16 : While preparing for next year's assembly polls, the BJP is keeping its options open about any possible tie up or association with former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. The saffron party, however, is closely monitoring political moves of the former Chief Minister.

BJP national general secretary and Punjab in-charge, Dushyant Gautam told IANS that the BJP has its plan and strategy for Punjab assembly polls and is working accordingly with the developing situation. "No doubt, Singh is a big name and has had an impact on state politics but first of all the former chief minister must clarify his position about the next political move. We have our plans and the BJP is moving ahead with it. We cannot say about Singh's plan and currently we can't say what will happen in future," Gautam said.

Gautan pointed out that the doors of BJP is open for all nationalists. "We are a nationalist party and for us nation comes first. Anyone who believes in this is welcome," he said.

Gautam mentioned that the party is currently working on strengthening the organisational presence across the state. "We are focused on getting 51 per cent of vote share and meanwhile several programs and campaigns are already going on to expand the party base in the state," Gautam said.

Former Chief Minister Singh has made it clear that he was not joining the BJP but has no intention to continue in the Congress either. Many party leaders admitted that Singh will give the BJP's campaign a major boost and any tie up will happen only once he clarifies his stand. "Singh's image suits our nationalist politics and he can be used to pacify farmers protesting against the three farm laws for the last one year," a party leader said.

Another leader pointed out that Singh will help BJP gain the ground lost after alliance with SAD was snapped. "Singh's stature and understanding of politics will help if we join hands with him," the BJP leader said.

As part of its ongoing strategy, the BJP is already concentrating on about three dozen urban seats of Punjab spread across the state. A party insider explained that voters in urban constituencies have different aspirations. "Urban voters of Punjab want peace along with prosperity and they will support the party which promises both. Earlier they also supported BJP, now we are working on winning back their support in next state polls," party insider said.

The BJP is facing toughest challenges in Punjab in comparison to other four states - Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand -- where polls will be held together in February-March next year.

The BJP is contesting assembly polls on its own in Punjab for the first time after its one of the oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) walked away from alliance last year over new farm laws. In the last Punjab assembly polls in 2017, the BJP had won only three out of 23 seats it contested.
Hyderabad, Oct 16 : One South India's most happening actors, Allu Arjun, is busy shooting for his upcoming action-drama 'Pushpa'. Being directed by blockbuster filmmaker Sukumar, expectations are already running high.

With the movie slated for a December 17 release, the 'Pushpa' shoot is progressing at full speed so that the post-production work can be wrapped up in time. The next big ritual is breaking the pumpkin, which is what South Indian filmmakers do after a shoot is completed. It is slated for November 5, by when Allu Arjun and his fellow actors would have completed dubbing as well.

Allu Arjun plays a crude, untamed character named Pushpa Raj, who is a sandalwood smuggler. Rashmika Mandanna is also all set to impress the audience in her unglamourous, rural avatar. Pushpa is one of this year's most-anticipated movies.

Malayalam cinema's sensational actor Fahadh Faasil also appears as the baddie. Actor Sunil and others play important roles as well.

The makers of 'Pushpa' have released two lyrical songs -- 'Dakko Dakko Meka' and 'Srivalli'. Both the songs have grabbed the attention of music lovers and become instant chartbusters.
New Delhi, Oct 16: In a big blow to radical Islam, the leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Abu Musab al-Barnawi is dead, Nigerias top general has said.

"I can authoritatively confirm to you that Abu Musab is dead," Lucky Irabor, the chief of defence staff, told reporters at the presidential villa in Abuja, without elaborating.

ISWAP, led by Al Barnawi since 2016, is an offshoot of the infamous Boko Haram terror group, which has created havoc in West Africa.

Analysts believe that the death of Al Barnawi is expected to have a positive impact on the region. The terror master controlled large swathes of territory, imposed taxes on the local population. He also earned substantial income by controlling fishing in north Borno areas, apart from funding and material support that he received from ISIS, the Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust reported.

Al-Barnawi had also established many nodes in the Lake Chad islands-the launching pad for attacks in three countries-Nigeria, Niger and Chad.

The daily said that Al-Barnawi had died in late August but did not give any details.

Al Barnawi's death has delivered yet another heavy blow to the Islamist movement in West Africa. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was killed in May. Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) has also died this year.

Al Barnawi rose to the highest rank in ISWAP after a bitter power struggle with Shekou, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2015. But ISIS passed on the leadership mantle to Al Barnawi, who had a wide following in Boko Haram. Al Barnawi's father was Muhammed Yusuf, the founding father of Boko Haram. As a result, Al Barnawi inherited the loyalty of many Boko Haram fighters after Yusuf was killed by Nigerian police in 2009, sparking a nationwide insurrection.

The ISIS which was in the lookout to co-opt Boko Haram, finally chose Al-Barnawi as ISWAP leader over the rebellious Shekou.

India Narrative had reported earlier that Shekou was killed in May after ISWAP assaulted his stronghold in the Sambisa Forest area.

According to the Nigerian news website HumAngle, after his bodyguards were killed or captured, Shekau surrendered, and tried to cut a deal with ISWAP. But after he was asked to issue a humiliating surrender statement, Shekau blew himself up, detonating a suicide vest that he was wearing. All people present during the negotiations were also instantly killed.

"Africa is going to be the battleground of jihad for the next 20 years and it's going to replace the Middle East," BBC quoted US State Department's coordinator for counter-terrorism, ambassador Nathan Sales as saying.

Since Shekau's death, the Nigerian armed forces say that thousands of Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to them, Reuters is reporting.

Last month, France announced that its forces had killed the ISGS leader al-Sahrawi. ISGS is Islamic State's affiliate in the Sahel, a strip of land below the Sahara Desert that includes countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Oct 16: Iran has advised Azerbaijan to be cautious of "devil's costly traps" and avoid making false statements which could permanently damage the relations between the two countries.

While addressing a virtual meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Heads of State on Friday, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had accused Iran of conspiring with Armenia and promoting drug trafficking for nearly three decades.

Aliyev said that by regaining control over a 130-kilometer section of the state border with Iran that had been under Armenian control for nearly 30 years, Azerbaijan has closed the drug trafficking route from Iran through Armenia's Jabrayil region to Armenia and then to Europe.

"The volume of heroin seized by us in other areas of the Azerbaijani-Iranian border has doubled compared to the same period last year. This means that for about 30 years, Armenia, together with Iran, used the then occupied territories of Azerbaijan for drug trafficking to Europe," said the President of Azerbaijan.

Reacting strongly to the comments, Tehran said that "ignoring the principles and requirements of the neighbourhood and making false and unconstructive statements" is not a sign of good faith and prudence.

"Accusation against a country that the world recognises as a hero in the fight against drugs has no effect other than invalidating the speaker's words. Beware of the devil's costly traps," said Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani in a series of tweets.

Iran's Foreign Ministry also strongly rejected the "astonishing new allegations" made by Aliyev, calling them "fabricated".

Tehran emphasised the "leading role" played by Iran in the fight against drug trafficking, highlighting that thousands of martyrs and wounded Iranians during the past four decades in the fight against this "ominous phenomenon" is part of the country's committed and continuous efforts on this path and which has been acknowledged by relevant international institutions over and over again.

"Unfortunately, it seems that despite the private and positive messages received from Baku in different calls, there is an intention on the part of Baku to make baseless media statements, which, of course, will be answered in due manner," said Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

Countering 'Three Brothers' The fresh war of words is the latest addition to the escalating tensions between the two neighbours which share a 700-km long border.

Tehran is becoming increasingly worried about the rising Azerbaijani nationalism inside Iran, where over 25 percent of the population is ethnic Azeri.

Analysts believe that in the name of "combatting Islamophobia" and promoting "peaceful co-existence" of Muslim communities all over the world, Azerbaijan is busy nurturing a trilateral partnership with Turkey and Pakistan to increase its influence on the Azeris of Iran, especially after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The trio also held a two-week long trilateral exercise 'Three Brothers - 2021' in Baku mid-September in which special forces from the three countries focused on targeting threats and fostering interoperability.

Referring Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan as "close friends and brothers", Commander of the Azerbaijani Special Forces Lieutenant General H Mirzayev said that Ankara and Islamabad's support "from the first day" of the 44-day counter-offensive operations launched by Azerbaijan against the Armenian armed forces says a lot about the close ties enjoyed between "our" people.

"Today, cooperation between our countries in all areas is at the highest level. Important measures are being taken to further strengthen and develop our relations to ensure the region's and peoples' security," said Mirzayev.

Infuriated Iran then held a military drill codenamed Fatehan-e Khaybar (Conquerors of Khyber) along its Azeri borders, saying that it will not tolerate foreign presence in the northwest region of the country.

Tehran reaches out to Moscow Tehran has also intensified diplomatic efforts to play an active role in the region which is witnessing some intense geopolitical activity after the Taliban's return in Afghanistan.

Amirabdollahian also told Jeyhun Bayramov, the foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that "third parties should not be allowed" to affect the good relations between the two countries.

On October 14 - "at the initiative of the Iranian side" - Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

According to the Russian foreign ministry, the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program was examined as both parties "synchronized watches" on key issues of the bilateral agenda, which were discussed during the talks between the two ministers in Moscow on October 6.

On Friday, Abdollahian also dialled China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and updated him on the resumption of talks between Iran and the European Union, which took place on Friday.

The two sides also expressed their readiness to implement the 25-year cooperation document and agreed that the talks will continue at the same level in Brussels in the coming weeks.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Srinagar, Oct 16 : A non-local street vendor was shot and killed by militants on Saturday in the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir.

Police sources said a non-local street vendor was shot and critically injured by militants near the Eidgah park in Srinagar city.

"He was shifted to hospital for treatment where doctors said he was dead on arrival. The area has been surrounded for searches", sources said.

Reports say the street vendor has been identified as Arvind Kumar of Bihar.

Militants had killed a school principal and a teacher in a government higher secondary school in the same area on October 7.

Two days before that, militants had killed a famous pharmacy owner, M.L. Bindroo, a Bihari street vendor and a taxi driver in a series of attacks on civilians.
Jaipur, Oct 16 : Rajasthan Police have arrested a school headmaster for raping an 11-year-old girl studying in class 8, inside the classroom of a government school, confirmed police officials on Saturday.

The victim called on the Child Welfare Committee and narrated her ordeal. The committee contacted the Singhana police station area police and got the accused arrested.

As per the Singhana police station officer Bhajana Ram, "The crime was reported on October 5. The accused headmaster had also threatened to kill the girl if she tried to tell about the incident to anybody else." "However, as the girl shared her tale with the Child Welfare Committee, the accused headmaster Keshav Yadav was arrested by police and a case was registered against him under POCSO Act. The accused is being interrogated," he added further.

Police officials said that the girl was quite upset after the incident. While studying, she saw the child helpline number and contacted on it which quickly informed Archana Choudhary, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee. The team met the girl and informed the Jhunjhunu SP Manish Tripathi who sent the team to arrest the school headmaster.
Chennai, Oct 16 : Three passengers were arrested on Friday by the Chennai Air Customs for trying to smuggle in gold and electronic goods.

According to a statement issued by the Customs, the passengers arrived from Dubai and Sharjah by different flights on Friday.

On personal search, 10 bundles of gold in paste form were found concealed in their rectum, on extraction of which five gold ingots totally weighing 2.55 kg worth Rs 1.12 crore were recovered.

Electronic goods worth Rs 4.7 lakh were also seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
Srinagar, Oct 16 : After killing a non-local street vendor in Jammu and Kashmir's capital city Srinagar on Saturday, militants shot dead another non-local carpenter in Pulwama district.

Police sources said militants fired at a non-local carpenter, identified as Sageer Ahmad from Saharanpur, U.P. in Litter village of Pulwama district.

"He was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed to injuries", sources said adding that security forces have reached the spot to trace the militants.

Earlier on Saturday evening, militants shot dead a non-local street vendor, Arvind Kumar Sah from Bihar near the Eidgah park in Srinagar.

Militants had shot and killed a school principal and a teacher inside a government higher secondary school in the same area on October 7.

Two days before that incident, a famous pharmacy owner, M.L. Bindroo, a Bihari street vendor and a taxi driver were killed by militants in a series of attacks on civilians.
Jammu, Oct 16 : Four more army soldiers including a junior commissioned officer (JCO) were martyred during an anti-terror operation in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours.

The operation entered 5th day on Saturday and so far, 9 soldiers including two JCOs have been killed in this operation.

Lt Colonel Devender Anand, defence ministry spokesman said, "Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh of Indian Army were killed in action during search operations being conducted by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police in densely forested area of Nar Khas forest in Mendhar district of Poonch.

"Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh were part of search operations launched by the security forces to flush out terrorists hiding in the forested area." "On 14 October 2021 after a fierce firefight with terrorists, the communication with Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh was disrupted." "Relentless operations continued to neutralize the terrorists and to re-establish communication with the soldiers. Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh were killed in action in the fierce fight and their bodies have been recovered in the evening today," an army statement said.

The operations in the area are continuing.
Bengaluru, Oct 16 : Karnataka being a hub of startups in India is keen to offer ground-breaking solutions to private companies and government organisations of UAE in various sectors ranging from logistics to infrastructure, oil-and-gas to environment and waste management to healthcare C.N. Ashwath Narayan, the Minister for IT/Bt and Science Technology said in Dubai on Saturday.

Addressing the Inauguration Ceremony of 3 days event 'World Dubai Expo 2020', he said that some of the sectors in the UAE that are witnessing the massive presence of Indians, especially Bengaluru based start-ups and tech majors.

"Karnakata government which is playing the role of a facilitator has been undertaking all tech-focused initiatives in line with achieving the vision set by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India reach the 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025. Shared economic visions and geopolitical outlooks have spurred the two sides (Karnataka and UAE) to seek to expand cooperation across multiple domains including in investment, technology, and the knowledge economy", Minister Narayan explained.

Karnataka is one of the prosperous states in India with an estimated GSDP of $220 billion and has been a leader in sectors of Information Technology, I-T enabled services, Electronics, Machine Tools, Aerospace, and Biotechnology, he pointed out.

Further, the Minister added, "Karnataka has a robust Startup which includes MNCs/GCCs, incubators, and accelerators. Besides the State is home to premier higher education institutions such as Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), and several others. The state has sector-specific policies for IT, BT, Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) in order to give a push to the growth of the technology sectors and innovation in the State." He said, Karnataka is a leading global innovation hub due to partnerships established with innovation hubs such as UAE, adding that the government of Karnataka is interested to strengthen its relationship with the UAE on common grounds of innovation and technology.
Dhaka, Oct 16 : A three-member probe body has been formed after two more persons were killed in a fresh attack in Bangladesh. The attackers vandalised puja mandaps and carried out attacks on temples in Noakhali's Begumganj upazila during the celebrations of Durga Puja.

The committee is being headed by Additional District Magistrate Md Tarikul Islam, confirmed Mohammad Khurshed Alam Khan, deputy commissioner of Noakhali district. The committee was asked to submit its report within seven working days, he added.

A dead body of a youth named Pranto Chandra Namodas, 20, was recovered from the pond adjacent to ISKCON temple in Chowmuhani early on Saturday. Earlier, another man was killed and 30 others were injured after locals carried out attacks on several temples in Chowmuhani area of Noakhali.

Meanwhile, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the home minister claimed everyone involved in the communal attack will be identified and punished under the law. He said the government is firmly determined to ensure that people of all religions can freely perform their religious rituals.

Tazul Islam, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development of Bangladesh, has called opon local public representatives to be alert and stand strong against those who would seek to destroy communal harmony.

"I am making a call to all public representatives at the city corporation, municipal, upazila parishad, district parishad and union parishad level, and all other institutions - be ready," he said at an event in Dhaka on Saturday.

On the eighth day of Durga Puja, Quran was allegedly disrespected at a temple in Cumilla which led to attacks on Hindu places of worship which triggered clashes.

After that several incidents occurred in Chandpur, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Gazipur, Chapainawabganj and other districts. The BGB personnel have been deployed in two dozen districts and security was beefed up at puja venues.

Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Whip of the National parliament and organising secretary of the ruling Awami League, after visiting the affected temples on Saturday, said Friday's attacks on several temples at Chowmuhani in Noakhali were pre-planned. He said, "A group of fanatic Bangladeshis planned to destabilise the country by carrying out the attacks on the provocation of the so-called prime minister's spoiled child. It was not an isolated incident."
Hyderabad, Oct 16 : The last rites of top Maoist leader Akkiraju Haragopal alias RK were performed near Pamedu-Kondapalli on Chhattisgarh-Telangana border on Friday.

The Communist Party of India (Maoist), which confirmed RK's death on Friday, released the photographs of his funeral on Saturday.

A large number of Maoist cadres, some of them armed, attended the last rites. One of the pictures show a woman Maoist sitting next to the body wrapped in red cloth and a group of armed cadres, including women, standing in the background.

RK, a member of the central committee and politburo of CPI (Maoist), died in South Bastar on October 14. A day later, the Maoist party confirmed that the 63-year-old leader died of kidney failure and other ailments.

According to a statement issued by the party's spokesman Abhay, RK died at 6 a.m. on October 14 while undergoing treatment.

Terming RK's death as a big loss, the spokesman said that his last rites were performed amid revolutionaries.

Also known as Saket, Madhu and Srinivas, RK was the in-charge of Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) committee of CPI (Maoist).

RK, who was active in the Maoist movement for decades, had led the Maoists in peace talks with the government of then undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2004.

He was born in the Palnadu region in Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh in 1958. He married Sirisha alias Padma, also a Maoist. Their only son Munna alias Pridhvi was killed in an encounter with the police in 2018 in Ramaguda.

Sirisha surrendered in 2005 and was rehabilitated by the Andhra Pradesh government. She was later arrested by the Odisha Police in Koraput district on November 13, 2010 when she was on her way to meet her husband and son.

Sirisha, who now lives in Prakasham district in Andhra Pradesh, broke down on hearing about RK's death.
Bhopal, Oct 16 : With less than two weeks left for the bypolls to three Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have sharpened their attack against each other.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who was campaigning for BJP candidate Gyaneshwar Patil in the Khandwa Lok Sabha seat on Saturday, took a jibe at the Congress, calling it a "party without a president".

"The Congress, which is already suffering due to the lack of a president, now has another group called G-23. Rahul Gandhi is not the president of Congress, but he can take a decision to change chief ministers. Here in Madhya Pradesh, they have only one face for every post. If it is the CM's post, they have Kamal Nath and if it is party chief in state, then again Kamal Nath is the only face for Congress," Chauhan said while addressing the gathering in Khandwa on Saturday.

He also attacked senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh, alleging that all development works were stopped and the state was under the clutch of "goons and mafias" during his tenure.

Chauhan alleged that during his 15-month tenure, former Chief Minister Kamal Nath had stopped several development schemes launched by the BJP government and had given a free hand to corruption.

"For 15 months, the Congress did nothing," he added.

The state Congress on its part accused the BJP of indulging in selling and purchasing of MLAs to remain in power.

Senior spokesperson of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Bhupendra Gupta, told IANS, "BJP claims that it is the largest political party in the world, but in reality it does not have its own candidates for elections. Every time the BJP purchases candidates from other political parties. It does not have confidence in its own leaders." Gupta also alleged that out of the four candidates contesting the bypolls for BJP, one has been brought from another party.

"Shishupal Singh Yadav, who is the BJP candidate in Prithvipur Assembly bypolls, had contested the last election on a Samajwadi Party ticket. There are around 40 per cent votes of the Yadav community in Prithvipur and therefore the BJP did not trust its own party leaders and nominated its candidate from the Yadav community," Gupta said.

Bypolls to three Assembly seats -- Prthvipur under Nimar district, Raigaon in Satna district and Jobat in Alirajpur district -- along with one Lok Sabha seat -- Khandwa -- will be held on October 30.
Bengaluru, Oct 16 : Expelled AIADMK leader V.K. Shashikala's nephew V.N. Sudhakaran, who was serving prison sentence in a disproportionate assets case, was been released from the Central Prison in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The disowned foster son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late J. Jayalalithaa, Sudhakaran was set free after completion of all formalities. His supporters gathered near the prison premises to give Sudhakar a warm welcome, raised slogans in his favour.

Sudhakaran, convicted along with Jayalalithaa's aide Shahikala, was sentenced to 4 years in jail along with penalty of Rs 10,00,10,000.

Shashikala was released on January 27 this year after she paid the fine. However, Sudhakaran had to serve nearly one year more in prison for non-payment of the fine.

Sudhakaran was entitled to 89 days of parole, which he didn't avail. Considering this, his jail term, which was supposed to end in January 2022, ended on Saturday. Along with the fine amount, Sudhakaran's wife paid another fine of Rs 10,000 to the court.

Sudhakaran is the younger brother of AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran. He was adopted by Jayalalithaa and a gala wedding ceremony was held when he got married to the grand daughter of legendary actor Shivaji Ganeshan. The marriage made news for all the wrong reasons before Jayalalithaa disowned him in 1996.
Agartala, Oct 16 : A delegation of intellectuals in Tripura on Saturday met Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Agartala, Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, and urged him to request his government to ensure action against those who vandalised Durga Puja pandals in the neighbouring country.

The five-member delegation led by Agartala Press Club President Subal Kumar Dey urged the Bangladesh government to take adequate steps to protect the lives, properties and culture of the people belonging to the religious minorities.

"The growing incidents of violence against the religious minorities in Bangladesh are against the philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Religion is an individual choice but festivities are for all and the combination of all people with diverse religions can make the festivities more purposeful and cheerful," said the letter submitted to the Bangladeshi envoy.

The other members of the delegation included Arunoday Saha, former Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University, Arun Nath, Pranab Sarkar and Sanjay Paul.

On Thursday, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb spoke to the Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Vikram K. Doraiswami, and discussed the Durga Puja related violence in the neighbouring country.

"Doraiswami informed Deb that the situation is under control now. He and other Indian officials in various diplomatic missions in Bangladesh have visited different places to know the details of the incidents at the ground level," a source told IANS, referring to the telephonic conversation between Doraiswami and Deb.

As per media reports, the mob violence erupted in Comilla earlier this week after unconfirmed posts went viral on social media about the alleged desecration of the Quran at a Durga Puja venue, following which Hindu temples were vandalised.

A total of 16 persons have been detained in Chandpur and Chittagong in connection with the cases filed over the attacks on Durga Puja pandals and clashes between the police and the mob in Chandpur's Hajiganj upazila on Wednesday night that left four persons dead.

Incidents of violence, according to media reports, were also reported from Hajiganj, Chandpur, Noakhali, Cox's Bazaar, Chattogram, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Moulvibazara and Kurigram.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised strong action against those involved in provoking communal disturbances by spreading fake photos of the Quran being placed at the feet of a Hindu deity at a Comilla temple during Durga Puja.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday night met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence here to discuss several issues related to the state. Top Congress leaders including the party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal and Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken were also present the meeting.

Gehlot arrived in the national capital on Friday evening to attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting that was held on Saturday at the party headquarters.

After the meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence, Maken said: "It was a normal meeting. Since the Rajasthan Chief Minister was in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi met all the leaders." Ahead of Gehlot's visit to Delhi, Maken had also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and provided her feedback on the current situation in the state.

Also, Maken in Jaipur held one-on-one meeting with all the party MLAs and workers regarding the cabinet expansion, after which it was expected that Gehlot would soon expand the cabinet. However, Maken said the cabinet could not be expanded due to Gehlot's health conditions.

According to sources, Gehlot is also likely to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi before leaving Delhi for Jaipur.

Earlier on Friday, he met senior party leader Ambika Soni.

Since Gehlot has come to Delhi after a gap of eight months, he has been meeting the senior party leaders to interact with them and present his views on some crucial issues.

In fact, after Punjab, the possibilities of cabinet expansion are being explored in Rajasthan too.
SURVIVING ON LES, Tony Amatullos first feature film, has been named an Official Selection of the 2021 Chelsea Film Festival. SURVIVING ON LES tells the story of one long-time Lower East Side shop owner and his attempt to stave off gentrification, keep the doors to his haberdashery open and keep his traditions alivealbeit with a little help from some very non-traditional friends. And Amatullos directorial debut, co-produced with Israeli producer David C. Lewis of DCL Media, is off to a strong start.

IMBd writes: Surviving on LES is a deep dive into a unique New York City universe undergoing a dramatic change. The Lower East Side of Manhattan is a space in cultural conflict and its inhabitants are our window into this experience. The old guard is navigating the transition from the golden age of immigrants and mom and pop grocers to Matcha cafes and designer shops. Can the long-time residents of the Lower East Side co-exist with the gentrified hipsters staking out their own territory?

Amatullo currently has SURVIVING ON LES in development as a spin-off for theatrical production and two books under option:



Saeida Rouass Assembly of the Dead, which she and Julia Hoff are adapting as a streamer series and Amatullo, Rouass, Hoff and academy-award winning writer, director and producer Bobby Moresco will shoot in Morocco.

The biography of the extraordinary life of Elaine Black Yoneda by Rachel Schreiber, that will be published in December 2021 by Temple University Press and is being developed as a feature film.

Amatullo spent a number of years in Los Angeles, working on both the production and studio sides of the film industry, but it took his moving back to New York City, his roots, for him to finally direct his first feature filmSURVIVING ON LES.

This film tells a New York story close to my heart, says Amatullo. The Lower East Side has been the starting point for generations of Irish, Italian and Jewish immigrants. As a boy growing up in the city, I would visit Orchard Street with my parents on Sundays to buy everything from shoes to picklesand had some of the most amazing interactions with the shop owners and sales people. They were masters of customer service and closing a sale.

SURVIVING ON LES premiers at the Chelsea Film Festival and streams online 24/7 from October 14-17, 2021. Passes are on sale now. Watch the trailer. Director, Tony Amatullo; Writers, Tony Amatullo, Marla Roberts, David C. Lewis; Executive Producers, Tony Amatullo, David C. Lewis; Co-Producer Joe-ODonnell.

Media Contact:

Barbara Worton

Associate Producer SURVIVING ON LES

survivingonles@gmail.com

http://www.chelseafilm.org (for information on Chelsea Film Festival)
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. continues the strategic expansion of its Miami Litigation Practice with the addition of Thomas R. Heisler as a shareholder.

Heisler, who joins Greenberg Traurig from Gair Eberhard Nelson Dedinas Ltd., a litigation boutique in Chicago, is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully argued a wide variety of matters for clients in state and federal courts. He focuses his practice on business-related disputes and litigation in the areas of real estate, financial services, trust and estates, shareholder and partnership disputes, and commercial contracts.

In the past 18 months, we have continually expanded our litigation practice to meet increased client demand, and Toms trial experience is a welcome addition to our team, said Shareholder Brigid F. Cech Samole, who is co-chair of the Miami Litigation Practice. His experience in handling real estate and financial services matters will particularly benefit our clients in the South Florida region, where these industries serve as a major driver of the local economy and, by extension, a potential source of litigation..

Among the matters Heisler has handled, he won a multimillion-dollar judgment, including punitive damages, for a physician who was defrauded by his former business partner and obtained summary judgment for a property management company defending itself against a lawsuit alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. In handling a civil fraud case against the estate of a deceased Chicago businesswoman that had been brought by a University of Chicago neurosurgeon, Heisler won a multi-million-dollar jury verdict and later successfully defended the verdict on appeal.

Tom is an experienced trial lawyer with a demonstrated ability to present complex cases in court and achieve favorable results for clients, said Yosbel A. Ibarra, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurigs Miami office. We are focused on helping our clients achieve their business objectives, which includes having trial lawyers like Tom as part of our team.

He earned his J.D. with honors from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. He earned an M.F.A. from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a B.A. from Colorado College. He is admitted to the bar in Florida and Illinois.

Greenberg Traurig has the reputation of being the best firm in Florida, both for the quality of their lawyers and their collaborative, client-focused culture, which is why the choice was an easy one when I decided to relocate, Heisler said. I am looking forward to developing my practice here and collaborating alongside some of the best litigators in the state.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2300 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 25 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
Primark has long been supportive of breast cancer initiatives having donated 250,000 globally to support breast cancer charities. In the US Primark has partnered with Pink Aid.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Primark is launching its first collection of leisure, nightwear, underwear and accessories designed and developed for those who have experienced breast cancer and undergone breast surgery. The collection was modeled by women who have experienced breast cancer and supported by a new awareness campaign running across select Primark stores in October. The 22-piece collection is available in selected Primark stores now with prices starting from $4.50. In the US this collection will be available at Primark stores in Boston DTX, Danbury, King of Prussia, Staten Island, and Brooklyn.

The new collection has been informed by focus groups with cancer patients and oncology nurses to trial and test the products. The resulting collection has a focus on comfort and style and is designed to allow for ease of dressing post-surgery, with fabrics which are noted for their cooling qualities and soft touch. The range also features a selection of items made with recycled or sustainable cotton and recycled polyester as part of the Primark Cares label.

Alongside the bras, the collection features lingerie, slippers, women's jersey tees, sweats and cosmetic bags in a mauve and soft pink color palette. The new collection has been modeled by four women who have experienced breast cancer and these images will feature in a number of Primark stores throughout the month.

Primark Group Product Director, Paula Dumont Lopez said: Cancer touches the lives of so many of us, so were pleased to be able to get behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Were really proud of this new collection which has been informed by women who have experienced breast cancer and so combines practical elements without compromising on style and, crucially, is affordable for everyone. We also know how important early detection is, so we are using our stores and our online channels to help people in being breast aware.

Frances Warbuton, one of the models featured in the new campaign commented: Its wonderful that Primark is doing post-surgery underwear. It just makes things simple for us and makes things feel normal. Its a wonderful thing. The new underwear range is a fantastic idea. It's practical but comfortable and makes it easier for facing everyday life. A lot of thought has gone into the design and material making the underwear feel supportive and luxurious.

Primark has long been supportive of breast cancer initiatives having donated 250,000 globally to support breast cancer charities. In the US Primark has partnered with Pink Aid. Pink Aid's mission is to help underserved breast cancer patients survive treatment with support and dignity, to provide screening and financial assistance to those in need, and to empower breast cancer survivors to heal by helping and inspiring others.

About Primark:

Primark is an international retailer that offers customers the latest fashion, beauty and homeware at great value prices. Founded in Ireland in 1969 under the Penneys brand, Primark today has 399 stores across 14 countries in Europe and North America and employs more than 70,000 people. Primark is working to make more sustainable fashion affordable for everyone and is focused on giving clothing a longer life, protecting life on the planet and improving the lives of people who make Primark products. As part of this it has unveiled a series of commitments it is working to achieve by 2030. These include making all its clothes from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials, ensuring all clothing is recyclable by design, halving carbon emissions across the value chain, removing single-use plastic and pursuing a living wage for workers in the supply chain. You can find out about these commitments and more at primark.com.

About Pink Aid:

Pink Aid was founded in Connecticut in 2011 to help women in underserved communities survive breast cancer treatment with support and dignity, provide screening to women in financial need, and empower breast cancer survivors to heal by helping and inspiring others. Pink Aid grants support diagnostic testing, recovery & wellness programs, as well as outreach and education initiatives in Connecticut and on Long Island.

Pink Aid's Pink Purse Program provides direct emergency financial assistance to breast cancer patients in need undergoing treatment. Pink Purse funds pay for expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities, childcare, food and other essential needs. Since the Pink Purse Program began in 2015, over 1,800 breast cancer patients have received emergency financial assistance approaching more than $1,000,000 in paid bills usually within 48 hours. During the pandemic, Pink Aid expanded its Pink Purse Program nationally and has since received applications from 30 states. Learn more at pinkaid.org.
 Donecle  Latam 2019 The 100% automated flying dentCHECK drastically reduces the time taken to inspect an aircraft while improving the quality of maintenance operations significantly., says Erik Klaas, 8trees CTO.

In early 2020, the French Defense Innovation Agency launched a program in partnership with 8tree, Donecle and Dassault to explore automated drone-based dent-inspection of the Rafale military aircraft.

The focus of this program was to develop an integrated solution comprising dentCHECK  8trees 3D dent-mapping technology  onboard a Donecle drone, to enable automatic inspection of aircraft surfaces.

Tested on metallic and composite surfaces, this integrated flying dentCHECK solution allows the comparison of new inspection results against the aircrafts digital damage record.

The collaborative project was able to validate the technology at the French military base 118 in Mont-de-Marsan. Within one hour, the flying dentCHECK inspected dents and bumps of an entire Rafale fighter with accuracy of 0.1mm depth and 2mm size.

Its all about automating non-destructive testing tasks and procedures. The 100% automated flying dentCHECK drastically reduces the time taken to inspect an aircraft while improving the quality of maintenance operations significantly., says Erik Klaas, 8trees CTO.

Both 8tree and Donecle will be exhibiting at MRO Europe in Amsterdam, October 19-21. The flying dentCHECK will be showcased at Donecles booth #3080C, while 8tree will be demonstrating the latest dentCHECK features at booth #9059.

About 8tree

We make precision 3D measurement as simple as taking a photo

With this vision in mind, 8tree makes 3D optical surface inspection tools that solve chronic problems for multiple industries. 8trees products empower every operator  from mechanics on the floor, to engineers in the lab  with instantly actionable precise measurements, portability and performance. With its patented user-centric product design, instant go/no-go answers and zero-learning curve, 8tree is committed to making precision 3D scanning more broadly accessible  technically and commercially.

For more information, visit http://www.8-tree.com/

For recent news follow 8tree on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/8tree-wind/
Pet parents with limited time in their busy work and family schedules will soon be able to entrust their pets to Ryde (http://www.petryde.com), a premium, on-demand pet concierge service that gets pets to and from routine pet care appointments in style, while saving pet parents time and making their daily lives less stressful.

Ryde has just launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Fundable.com to raise seed capital. Information on Rydes equity crowdfunding campaign, which is only open to accredited investors, can be found at https://www.fundable.com/ryde-on-demand-pet-concierge.

Rydes subscription-based, on-demand pet concierge service lets pet parents request a pet pick-up or drop-off at the vet, groomer, daycare, or boarding facility  all at a moments notice using Rydes mobile app. Other features let pet parents monitor their pets trip with GPS technology and even watch their pets via live, in-kennel webcams. The company also plans to offer several in-home and pay-as-you-go services that provide even more convenience to busy pet parents.

Pets bring immeasurable joy to our lives, but with that comes the responsibility of routine pet care services such as veterinarian, groomer, daycare, and boarding appointments, said Jeff Davis, founder of Ryde. Sooner or later, every pet parent finds themselves unable to make their work and family schedules sync up with the business hours of pet care providers, forcing them to manage their pets need on someone elses schedule instead of their own.

Davis also said Rydes mission is to create a five-star customer experience in the local-market pet transport industry, which for decades has seen little innovation or kept up with current pet trends. Months of careful study and research have gone into learning what pet parents want, and Ryde it set to deliver that with a modern and unexpected luxury service.

Based in the Houston, TX area, Ryde is currently planning to launch and test its service by late Spring 2022, initially serving a limited geographic area in The Woodlands, just north of Houston. The company plans to rapidly push further into the Greater Houston area, then expand to other cities as well.

About Ryde

Ryde is building a tech-enabled, on-demand pet concierge service to simplify the lives of busy pet parents. Its upscale service delivers an elevated level of customer service like the industry has never seen before.

The company is founded by Jeff Davis, a career marketing and communications professional who has founded several small-business start-ups. His ventures include a first-of-its-kind consumer product sampling concept that earned accolades from Business Insider as one of its 50 Coolest New Businesses in America for 2015.

Visit http://www.petryde.com for more details on what Ryde is building.
Bormans Crown & Sceptre (Atlantic Monthly, Feb.) chronicles the British monarchys triumphs, scandals, and changes.

How has the British monarchy endured for so long?

I think the secret of the monarchys success lies in the royal pageantry and traditions that are still so beloved of people across the globe. The fact that these ceremonies have remained virtually the same over the 11 centuries of the crowns existence provides a much-needed thread of continuity in a rapidly changing world. At the same time, though, the monarchy has adjusted in response to changing times, otherwise it would be little more than a brontosaurus... stuffed in a museum, as Prince Philip once put it.

Who is the most underrated king or queen?

There are plenty to choose from here, but I think my favorite is George V. He tends to be overshadowed by the scandalous activities of his son, Edward VIII, who gave up the throne for Wallis Simpson and plunged the monarchy into crisis. By contrast, George was wholly undramatica steady, dependable sort of man who provided a vital figurehead during the first world war. Duty was his watchword and one that inspired his granddaughter, Elizabeth II, who affectionately called him Grandpa England.

You write in the book that some of the most successful sovereigns have been those who didnt expect to inherit the throne. Why do you think thats the case?

I found this fascinating because on the face of it, those monarchs who have been trained for the role for many years ought to be the most successful. But some of the longest-serving princes of Wales have made the worst kingswitness George IV, for example. By contrast, those incumbents who had no expectation of becoming king or queen seem to have made a much better job of itas the two Elizabeths prove. I think this is largely because they didnt take it for granted. They worked harder to make themselves successful and were far more mindful of popular opinion than the often arrogant characters who had been raised to see the throne as theirs by right.

What does the future of the monarchy look like?

Thats the burning question! The modern version of monarchy would make Henry VIII spin in his grave. The queen has little real power and can only advise, not directly influence, the course of political events. Yet opinion polls prove that she is still highly valued by her people. Those opinion polls get a lot less positive when people are asked to look beyond Elizabeth IIs reign, though. But her two immediate heirs, Charles, Prince of Wales, and William, Duke of Cambridge, both fully appreciate the potential of the crowns philanthropic role. I think this holds the key to its survival long into the futurethat and the glorious pomp and pageantry that has always been at its heart.
Retellings are not a new trend. From Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine to Pride by Ibi Zoboi, YA authors have mined, and continue to draw on, the Western canon for inspiration. What is noteworthy about several recent and forthcoming releases this season is how their authors are intentionally subverting their source texts through the lenses of gender, race, and sexuality.

There are so many so-called classics that have been held up for generations as this standard of excellencebut why? asks Emily Settle, associate editor at Feiwel and Friends and editor of the imprints new Remixed Classics series. The series first book, A Clash of Steel by C.B. Lee, leans on the legend of Chinese pirate queen Ching Shih to reimagine Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island; the second, So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow, stars four Black girls coming of age during the Civil War, a nod to Louisa May Alcotts Little Women. And the third Remixed Classics title, Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi (Mar. 2022), is a Robin Hoodinspired adventure set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade; here, the merry band of misfits use cunning and thievery to foil a usurper queen and restore peace.

These classics are widely thought to accurately depict real history, but thats simply not true, Settle says. Its even more harmful to teach it as such to young people. What do these new books bring to the original texts? If anything, a much needed, long overdue reality check!

Settle hopes the series serves as a Trojan horse of sorts: Were looking to both provide engaging reads as an alternative to these classics, she notes, and also to challenge the notion of what classic even means.

PW spoke with YA editors and authors of new and forthcoming fresh takes on well-known literary novels, fairy tales, theater, and even films, on the enduring appeal of updating old stories. The goal of a lot of these remixes, retellings, and reimaginingsand certainly of our seriesis decentering whiteness, decentering heteronormativity, Settle says. Thats really important work.

Everything is canon

Western literature, often the backbone of U.S. high school English courses, gets a remake this season. Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood (Wednesday, Oct.) is an Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre. I wanted to do my best to nod to the very important scenes in the original text but also make it my own, Blackwood says. Her Jamaican American upbringing also allows her to look at the text through a postcolonial lens. A person of color being this crazy woman up in the attic and villain of the whole thingits not about that anymore. The Black characters are the heroes. I chose Ethiopia as my inspiration not just because of the folklore, but also because the country was never colonized.

Hers is a romantic novel, Blackwood says, but one that asks readers not to hold the original so dear to your heart as you read, because its going to be different. Its a haunted house book, and its a lot of fun.

Epically Earnest by Molly Horan (HMH, June 2022) winks at its inspiration, Oscar Wildes The Importance of Being Earnest. An LGBTQ romantic comedy of manners in the vein of Wildes play, the novel features Jane Grady, who is searching for her biological family while navigating an all-consuming crush.

The Witch Owl Parliament by David Bowles (Tu, Oct.), a graphic novel deemed ultracool in its PW review, sets Frankenstein in colonial Mexico, centering Mexican mythology and Indigenous cultural references. The book is also a genre mash-upsteampunk, fantasy, and an alternate historyand the first in a series set in this world.

Sayantani DasGuptas YA debut, Debating Darcy (Scholastic, Mar. 2022), transposes Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to the high-stakes world of high school debate. The thing that draws me to Austen is her humor and her ability to be witty and dry and poke at social conventions and do social critique, DasGupta says. An important part of writing Debating Darcy was to tap into the humor and the wit and the love of words that Austen has.

DasGupta explicitly addresses questions of representation and reimagining European and American literature in her text. Its a little meta because the characters themselves have this conversation, she says. Leela [the protagonist] thinks to herself, If I was back in the day of some of those stories, I would be serving the white characters. I would be the maid. I would be the scullery person, I wouldnt be the fancy lady dancing. And then she asks herself, Why do we need other cultures fanciness? Why do we need other cultures concepts of fanciness when we have our own? Im trying to think through Leela, what does it mean to be a Brown girl enamored with these sorts of stories? How do you include yourself? Are we making space for ourselves and letting history off the hook by doing so? Can both of those ideas exist simultaneously? I wanted to problematize it without having an answer, because I think the answer is really complicated.

The book also includes a #MeToo moment, because DasGupta believes that rereading (and rewriting) canonical texts is a dynamic process, especially for marginalized creators. The reading experience is not just the text, she says. Its the space created between the text and the reader. That space has to be filled in by the readers life and the readers perspective. When you do a retelling, youre entering that liminal space and creating a new shapemaking new bridges between that original text and your own life experience.

Several authors have taken another look at Shakespeare, who is also ever-present on school syllabi.

Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology in An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan (Little, Brown, Apr. 2022). Here, the star-crossed pair, Hunter Yee and Luna Chang, are reincarnations of Chinese godsHouyi, an archer, and Change, the moon goddess. Chloe Gong also riffs on Romeo and Juliet in Our Violent Ends (McElderry, Nov.), the sequel to These Violent Delights. Gongs take is set in 1927 Shanghai, a city on the brink of revolution.

Samantha Cohoes fantasy Bright Ruined Things (Wednesday, Feb. 2022) is a spin on The Tempest. Like the play, the book features a magical island and is about belonging. Cohoes take is set in the 1920s and sets up a series of magical mysteries that only Mae, the protagonist, can unravel.

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker (Flatiron, Jan. 2022) is a genre-bending, time-traveling twist on Shakespeare set in postapocalyptic London. Its not just Romeo and Juliet, but also Wuthering Heights, Barker says. The stories are completely entwined in an alternate universe. In school, these works were depicted as epic love stories, and I bought into that as a girl. But when I went back to them as an adult, I realized they were terrible and unhealthy ideals about love. Barker hopes her book serves as a counterexample, particularly in terms of inclusivity, race, and gender, not just in the way women are depicted, but also the way teenage love is depicted.

Barker considers her work in conversation with her source texts. Writers are realizing that classic works are a rich vein to tap into, she explains. If you want to comment on race or gender or issues of social justice that are relevant to teens, what better way to do so than to have it set off against something that we understand as a frame of reference? Retellings are interesting because they are a barometer of where society is at and is moving.

Return to Camelot

Centuries-old Arthurian legends continue to inspire modern creators. Recently, director David Lowery cast Dev Patel as Gawain, King Arthurs nephew, in his film The Green Knight, bringing renewed interest to this world of English and Welsh folklore. Robyn Schneiders The Other Merlin (Viking, out now) puts a rom-com spin on Camelot. In the book, Emry Merlin, a bisexual teen wizard masquerading as her brother, falls in love with Prince Arthur, toys with Lord Gawain, and annoys Princess Guinevere.

The Color of Dragons by R.A. Salvatore (HarperTeen, Oct.) is a pre-Arthurian story about the origins of Merlinand magic itself. The book draws on lesser-known dragon lore as well as the legends of the Round Table, and spins a romance between Maggie, who cant yet control her gift of magic, and Griffin, infamous for hunting dragonlike beasts on behalf of the king. The books second half is breathless, blood-soaked, and brutal, PWs review said.

The Excalibur Curse by Kiersten White (Delacorte, Dec.) is the third book in the Camelot Rising trilogy, which centers on Guinevere and her reimagined genesis. We consider it a feminist spin on the world of Arthur and Arthurian legend, says Wendy Loggia, v-p and senior executive editor at Delacorte and the books editor. Having this character be the driver and be someone who has agency in what happens to herthat hasnt always been the case with legends of the past. Kiersten loves seeking out stories that we might know, but taking those classic characters and twisting them into a version of a story thats uniquely her own.

Tale as old as time

Fairy tales are getting a makeover, too. In Briarheart (Little, Brown, out now), Mercedes Lackey offers a fresh, feminist retelling of Sleeping Beauty in her story of sisterly love, rather than romantic love. Cyla Panin also refashions Beauty and the Beast into a story about siblings in Stalking Shadows (Amulet, out now).

Rebecca Kim Wells queers her source text in Briar Girls (S&S, Nov.). In this adaptation of Sleeping Beauty, Lena, who is cursed, and Miranda, who is on a quest to wake a sleeping princess in order to liberate her city from its tyrannical ruler, join forces and wits on a journey of adventure and self-discovery. Wellss straightforward handling of bisexual Lenas sex-positive attitude is a breath of fresh air, PWs review said.

Marissa Meyer combines horror and Rumpelstiltskin in Gilded (Feiwel and Friends, Nov.), the first in a duology. In it, the cursed millers daughter teams up with a ghost to thwart the evil king.

Young women are often at the center of these stories, including in two forthcoming Putnam titles, says Jen Klonsky, president and publisher of Putnam Books for Young Readers and Razorbill Books: The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder (Jan. 2022) and Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz (Apr. 2022). Were calling The Bone Spindle Sleeping Beauty meets Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,  she explains. Its this very female-forward story. Briar Rose is a prince under a sleeping spell and Fi is smart, brave, a bit snarkyand she has to save the prince. Fi also has an adventuring partner who is gay. These two women have scenes in which they are escaping by the seat of their pants and helping each other through things. And the stakes are high. Too often, those kinds of scenes had been reserved for men and boys.

Cinder & Glass, a retelling of Cinderella set in the royal court of Versailles, serves as a commentary on class and gender. It doesnt have the ending of the Cinderella tale that I grew up knowing, Klonsky says. In some retellings, and certainly in the Disney version, Cinderella is kind to the point of naivete. In Mels story, Cendrillon is her own person and has all the hallmarks of an authentic young woman. She is not afraid to call out someone for bad behavior. She finds a way to be true to who she is and what she wants without being cruel to others. And that stands in stark contrast to other characters in the story, which I think is true to the source. It reads like the fairy tale we know, but also has a healthy dose of feminism.

Fairy tales are often a go-to for gatekeepers, such as parents, teachers, and librarians, Klonsky adds. Theyre sort of imprinted on our DNA, she adds, and its really exciting to revisit them through the lens of coming of age and young adulthood, because adolescence is filled with scary and out-of-control moments and so are fairy tales.

Reboot!

Works for the stage and screen also provide scaffolding for new YA novels.

Jennieke Cohen draws on George Bernard Shaws Pygmalion and its well-known adaptation, My Fair Lady. Set in 1830s England, in an alternate-historical London, My Fine Fellow (HarperTeen, Jan. 2022) brings together Helena Higgins, posh and top of her class at culinary school; half-Filipina Penelope Pickering, who is trying to prove the worth of non-European cuisines to all of England; and Elijah Little, a Jewish boy who hawks his pastries on the streets. Helena and Penelope attempt to transform Elijah from a street vendor to a gentleman chef.

I wanted to switch the genders because Pygmalion is very much a product of its time, and I wanted to deal with some modern issues on top of the issues that were already there, Cohen says. I wanted to deal with anti-Semitism and feminism because those are things that are cropping up againor that never go away. These are things Ive dealt with in my own life, and a lot of young people still do.

Cohens reimagining is as accurate to the historical period as possible; an authors note is clear about what actually happened and what is fiction. If youre reading historical fiction, its always nice to know what the author has fabricated vs. what is true, she says. She hopes that readers are inspired to research the era further. I hope that they get a sense of joy out of it and escapism, because its a rags-to-riches story set in a different time period, but also that they get a different perspective of what life mightve been like at that time for Jewish people and mixed-race people.

Emma Lord also flips genders in When You Get the Chance (Wednesday, Jan. 2022), inspired by the musical Mamma Mia! and subsequent Meryl Streep/Amanda Seyfried film. In the book, aspiring Broadway star Millie Price stumbles upon her fathers emo LiveJournal from 2003, which launches her on a search for her birth mother, who is one of three women: Steph, a talent agency receptionist; Farrah, a dance teacher; or Beth, a stage enthusiast.

David Valdess teen daughter, a fan of the Netflix series Stranger Things and all things 1980s, prompted him to reimagine the 1985 hit Back to the Future for a new generation. In Spin Me Right Round (Bloomsbury, Nov.), Luis Gonzalez, a gay, Cuban American teen, travels back in time to his parents era to save a closeted classmates life. Luis is a kid who thinks everything is about him, until traveling to the past makes him stretch and grow in terms of his own sense of self, Valdes says. His own story becomes impacted and affected by other people and their choices and this idea of being community, of watching out for each other, of what makes your life possible.

Valdes says he is not retelling but reclaiming. A good story lives and grows over time, he explains. When the people retelling the stories are different and the people populating the stories are different, it gives them new value. It brings them back to life. And it doesnt require you to reject the old. I didnt stop loving Back to the Future because I didnt see myself in it. Now, since I seized the wheel, literally steering the narrative, I get to find my place in it.
DEAL OF THE WEEK

Morrow Buys Kuangs Yellowface In a mid-six-figure deal, May Chen at William Morrow preempted world English rights (jointly with Ann Bissell at HarperCollins UK imprint Borough Press) to Rebecca F. Kuangs Yellowface. Morrow, which compared the novel to White Ivy and The Other Black Girl, said it tackles questions of diversity and racism in publishing and the erasure of Asian American voices and history. Kuang was represented in the agreement by Hannah Bowman at Liza Dawson Associates. Morrow said Yellowface follows a white author who steals an unpublished manuscript, written by a more successful Asian American novelist who died in a freak accident, and publishes it as her own. Kuang is the author of the Poppy War fantasy trilogy (which won, among other awards, a Hugo and a Nebula) and has masters degrees in Chinese studies from Cambridge and Oxford. Shes currently pursuing her PhD in East Asian languages and literatures at Yale.

Chaker Reassesses Beauty for Avery

Wall Street Journal features writer Anne Marie Chaker sold Beauty and the Beast to Lucia Watson at Avery. The author is also a professional bodybuilder, and the nonfiction book, subtitled Weightlifting and the Fulfillment of Female Strength, is her debut. Beauty and the Beast, Avery said, is a deeply reported look at the history of the female ideal and origins of skinny.  It offers a road map for women to buildrather than diminishthemselves. Todd Shuster at Aevitas Creative Management handled the North American and open market rights deal for Chaker. Beauty and the Beast is slated for spring 2023.

McMeel Puts on Vittorias Big Girl Pants

In a world English rights agreement, Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold Amber Vittorias These Are My Big Girl Pants to Patty Rice at Andrews McMeel. The illustrated poetry collection is set to be released in book format in 2023, and then as a calendar in 2024. Vittorias work, Glick said, leverages naive artistic approaches, such as simple line and bold swaths of color, to abstractly depict relatable tales of what it is like to be a woman. She added that Big Girl Pants explores becoming oneself in a world with the male gaze, and being okay with ones changing physical and emotional self.

Tor Eyes Wards Looking Glass

For six figures, Kelly Lonesome at Tor Nightfire acquired North American rights to two new novels by Catriona Ward (The Last House on Needless Street). The author was represented by Robin Straus at Robin Straus Agency, in association with Andrew Nurnberg Associates. The first book, Looking Glass Sound, is set for March 2023 and follows a writer who, after a failed marriage, rents a New England cottage where, Tor said, he intends to pen his final novel based on his now-dead nemesis. At press time, the publisher hadnt provided details on the second book in the deal. Ward has won a variety of literary awards, including the British Fantasy Award for Best Horror for her novel Little Eve (which was released in the U.K. in 2018 and is being published by Nightfire in the U.S. in October 2022).

Berkley Is Fired Up for Luxs Sign

Berkleys Jen Monroe preempted world rights to Claudia Luxs debut, Sign Here, in an exclusive-submission two-book deal. Sign Here, Berkley said, is a genre-bending tale about a guy working in hell (literally), who, in order to land a promotion, must convince a member of a wealthy family to sell their soul. Monroe said the novel is like The Good Place if it were a thriller, and that it explores ideas about family, memory, morality, and the all-consuming power of love. Lucy Cleland at Kneerim & Williams represented Lux, whose father was the poet Thomas Lux. Sign Here is set to bow as one of Berkleys lead titles in fall 2022. The second book in the deal is currently untitled.
Tattered Cover has long had multiple locations in Denver, but with the recent announcement that it will open a new outlet 70 miles south in Colorado Springs early next year, the new owners are making their first move to transform it into a regional chain. Kwame Spearman (CEO), David Back (chairman of the board), and a team of investors purchased the 50-year-old bookstore in December and have quickly moved to put their stamp on the Colorado institution. Theyre opening the stores first childrens concept and fifth location, Tattered Cover Kids, at Auroras Stanley Marketplace on June 26. There are also three affiliate airport stores with Hudson Booksellers at Denver International and a newly opened Tattered Cover + Kids pop-up store at the Park Meadows Mall.

Two weeks prior to opening the childrens store, Tattered Cover completed the move of its LoDo store to the McGregor Square complex, a new multiuse development adjacent to Coors Field. The investment group is also following through with a new general bookstore that the previous owners could no longer afford to complete in Westminster, which is currently slated to open next month.

We are in growth mode, Spearman said. I think we will expand throughout Colorado. He added that there are a few more stores already in the hopper, and none of them are near communities that already have established indie bookstores.

If you look across the state, there are so many communities that would benefit from what we do, Spearman said. He pointed to the stores efforts to reach out to schools and work with local authors. Were really trying to propel our local artistic community up and give them access to our customers, he added.

Those arent the only changes made by Spearman and Back. On October 1, they began offering wine and beer at McGregor Square, another Tattered Cover first. Going forward they plan to add wine bars to the Westminster and Colorado Springs locations.

Changes also extend to book inventory. Since February, Tattered Cover has placed a new emphasis on Black-centric books and events through a special section, which it branded Hue-Man Experience in a nod to Denver bookseller Clara Villarosa and her celebrated Denver bookstore, which closed in 2000. The 91-year-old Hue-Man founder serves as a consultant.

For Spearman, the in-store experience will continue to be key as the number of stores grows. Tattered Cover came to prominence, he said, because it was such an experience to go into our stores, and because our staff is so knowledgeable about the book world. Thats what people are looking for moving forward. Businesses in retail that provide that experience, that have that superior customer experience and curation, arent going anywhere. And in fact, coming out of the pandemic, I just think theres a tremendous opportunity for growth, and its not worrying about Amazon or delivery. Its really providing value to our community, and if you do that then sales will follow.
On August 31, writer and literary translator Jennifer Croft, known for her International Booker Prizewinning translation of Olga Tokarczuks Flights, made a resolution and shared it with her 10,000 Twitter followers: Im not translating any more books without my name on the cover, she wrote. Not only is it disrespectful to me, but it is also a disservice to the reader, who should know who chose the words theyre going to read.

Replies poured in from writers supportive of her decision and other translators who have felt overlooked by publishers. Croft, who translates from Polish and Spanish into English, had clearly struck a nerve.

One month later, for International Translation Day on September 30, Croft turned her personal resolution into a public campaign. In an open letter published on the website of the U.K.s Society of Authors and cowritten with novelist Mark Haddon, Croft called on writers to ask their publishers to give translators cover credits and coined the hashtag #TranslatorsOnTheCover. For too long, weve been taking translators for granted, the letter reads. From now on, we will be asking, in our contracts and communications, that our publishers ensure, whenever our work is translated, that the name of the translator appears on the front cover.

The Authors Guild quickly backed the idea. It is long past time that translators be acknowledged for their contributions by including their names on the books cover, said Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild. Thats only the first step, however; translators should also receive royalties and a share of subsidiary rights.

The issue of crediting translators on book covers has been a topic of discussion within the literary translation community for decades, and little has changed over that time. But by harnessing the power of social media, Crofts push is gaining traction in the rest of the literary world. To date, the letter has received about 1,800 signatures, including from such writers as Alexander Chee, Chris Kraus, R.O. Kwon, Jhumpa Lahiri, Yiyun Li, Olga Tokarczuk, and Bryan Washington.

Putting our names on the covers of the books we wrote every word of takes two seconds and zero dollars, Croft told PW. Why not make that change?

Of the 368 English-language translations of fiction and poetry published in 2021 that are in the Translation Database hosted by PW, only 162, or 44%, credited translators on their front covers, while 206 did not.

Crofts own experience with cover credits has varied by publisher. She cited Bloomsbury, the Feminist Press, Transit Press, and the U.K.s Charco Press as publishers that put her name on book covers as a matter of course. This, she said, is how it should be. But often translators must negotiate for months over cover credits and royalties.

Some publishers arent even really willing to negotiate with translators, Croft explained, which goes back to the underlying issue of publishers just not being willing to recognize us as co-creators of the workas artists in our own right.

Croft also cited practical reasons that readers and publishers alike would want translators credited on covers. The reader deserves to know upfront who wrote the book theyre about to purchase, she said. Just like when youre deciding what movie to watch, you might want to know whos in it as well as who directed it.

She used the example of audiobook narrators as a parallel for literary translators. I often choose audiobooks based on who reads them, she said, adding that this helps her find titles she might not otherwise have heard about. The same is true for translations: if a reader loves a translation by Damion Searls or Ellen Elias-Bursac, seeing a book with one of those names on the cover might prompt them to try out a new author.

Key contributors

Translators are often the ones pitching American publishers the foreign-language books they want to translate, rather than the original authors. They are, in other words, essential to the process even beyond the work of translation; they are not the equivalent of automated translation services. When a translator chooses to translate a book, it usually means that they love it or think its of particular importance, and they believe that like-minded readers will feel the same about it.

So why might a literary publisher choose to omit a translators name from the cover? I would love to hear an editor or publisher explain their motives, Croft said. I honestly cant understand what they might be.

But it seems more consumers are taking notice of these omissions. When FSG shared on its Instagram the cover of the forthcoming short story collection The Trouble with Happiness by Tove Ditlevsen, translated by Michael Favala Goldman, some commenters noted that Goldmans name was missing from the cover. List the translator, one wrote. Exciting, said another. Only thing missing is the translator on the cover. (FSG did not respond to PWs request for comment.)

Some publishers approach cover credits on a case-by-case basis. New Directions, one of the foremost independent publishers of literature in translation, published 22 translated titles in 2021; of those, six credited their translators on their covers. In a statement on behalf of New Directions, a spokesperson said that the publisher doesnt adhere to a cut-and-dried formula for cover text. We believe that readers respond to the book they see, the statement continued. Its design has been created to convey the essence of a work and springs from a great deal of respect for all who contributed to it. If the translators name is not on the front then its always featured prominently on the back, and in all our efforts we are extremely diligent with highlighting, honoring, and acknowledging the work of our brilliant translators.

Other publishers have a more consistent approach. Kendall Storey, senior editor at Catapult and Soft Skull Press, didnt mince words: What is there to be gained by leaving the translators name off the cover, anyway? she asked. Is it to trick unsuspecting readers into thinking theyre buying an English-language original? How long will that ruse last?

In a joint statement on behalf of Archipelago Books, associate editor and director of publicity Sarah Gale, editorial and development associate Emma Raddatz, and publisher and founding editor Jill Schoolman echoed Storeys sentiments. It seems natural to recognize [a translators] role in a prominent place, they said, so that any reader who picks up the book knows that theyre holding a work of collaboration.

Both Catapult and Archipelago include transaltors names on the front covers of all translated books.

One small press publisher of literary translations, who spoke with PW on the condition of anonymity, took issue not with crediting translators but with the #TranslatorsOnTheCover campaign itself. I think the issue is more complicated, the publisher said, and that the campaign is conflating not being on the front cover with not being recognized at all, which I think is kind of disingenuous. I think translators names should be on the coverjust not always on the front. The publisher feels there are better ways to highlight and support the translators by focusing on issues like royalties, rights, and payas echoed in the Authors Guilds statementrather than using cover credits as the centerpiece of some sort of PR campaign.

For Croft, cover credits are an important way to elevate translation in the minds of publishers and readers, showing that it is also a kind of authorship. Having our names on the covers of our books foregrounds the collaborative nature of translation in a wonderful way that I think readers will really respond to, she said. There is no reason to keep concealing our identities, as if languages other than English were something to be ashamed of.

Five front covers of recently published books in translation; some translators are credited, others are not.
WARRANT RESCINDED FOR ARREST OF FORMER TNA STAR

Court records indicate that the bench warrant issued former WWE developmental and Impact Wrestling star Trenesha Daniyall Biggers aka Rhaka Khan last month in advance of the scheduled start of her trial before the 409th District Court in El Paso, Texas has been rescinded. Records indicate that Biggers posted a Personal Recognizance Bond on 10/15, the same day the warrant was rescinded. Biggers had been issued a DCLK Warrant aka a bench warrant, which can be issued by a judge or court, usually when a defendant fails to appear at a scheduled court hearing.

As previously reported, Biggers is facing charges of interference with child custody and "aggravated kidnapping facilitate."

The trial has been pushed back six times due to the slowdown in the court system brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently there is a status conference on the case scheduled for 10/22 followed by a Judge's conference on 11/8.

Biggers was indicted on the charges in August 2019, leading to her being listed as one of El Pasos most wanted fugitives after failing to appear in court. There are two court instances where her no-shows led to her bail being revoked. She was finally arraigned in December 2019. Biggers is being represented by a public defender.

In the State of Texas, interference with child custody is when someone "takes or retains a child when that person knows that the taking or detention of the child violates a judgment or order." It is considered a state jail felony and can be punishable by up to two years in prison.

Biggers last wrestled in 2011 for the now-defunct Lucha Libre USA promotion, which aired on MTV. Biggers was part of the 2005 WWE Diva Search and was signed to a developemental contract after failing to make it past the top 25 contestants in the search. She was sent to Deep South Wrestling but was released in May 2006. She worked for a number of independent promotions and in Japan before signing with Impact Wrestling in 2008, departing that promotion in 2009. She worked for Lucha Libre USA in 2010 and 2011.

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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/16/2021



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Madison Prewett has revealed when she last spoke to Season 24 Bachelor Peter Weber "Through mutual friends, there's been conversations circulating, but we have not seen each other since [the finale]," Madison told Us Weekly."We don't, like, talk or anything of that sort," she added, confirming the pair has had no direct contact.'s Season 24 finale aired on ABC in March 2020.Madison, however, insisted she has "nothing but the best to say about him.""I think he's an incredible guy and everyone goes off of what they see on an edit [or] on a TV screen," she explained, "but people have to remember that every single one of us are humans and things can be depicted a certain way, but we have real feelings. We have real emotions and a real life."Just two short days after the pair's joint appearance on season's After the Final Rose special, Peter and Madison released separate statements via Instagram on March 12 announcing they had decided to split and end their revived romance Their relationship was "revived" because Peter had asked Madison for a second chance after he called off his engagement to 's technical winner, Hannah Ann Sluss , who received Peter's final rose after Madison quit the competition during their final date.Madison shared how three words -- strength, grace and courage -- were "fully redefined" for her on , and her book titled This Moment: Standing Firm with Strength, Grace, and Courage hits bookshelves Tuesday, October 19."I had come in [to the reality dating process] thinking strength was perfection and courage was fists up, ready to fight, make your voice known. And grace was passive and shy and just letting people walk all over you," Madison explained."And so during my time on , I really had those three words fully redefined for me."Madison's book apparently begins with a bang, recalling her time on : After the Final Rose, when she and Peter had decided to try again despite opposition and backlash for many fans and even Peter's own family, including his outspoken mother Barbara Weber.Barbara was convinced Madison wasn't a match for her son, and she openly expressed her approval and love for Hannah on television.Barbara -- who was also ecstatic when Peter got romantically involved with Kelley -- additionally accused Madison of being "rude" and inconsiderate to Peter's loved ones while filming the show."Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is to remain silent. And that was what that moment was like for me. I'm a fighter, I'm a challenger. It is not easy for me to remain silent," Madison told Us."When you're under attack or when you're under pressure, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to just trust, 'Okay, God, like you're going to defend my character. You're going to defend my name and my reputation. There's no point of me trying to defend myself in this moment.'"Peter appeared to quickly move on from Madison, as he quarantined in Chicago with his fifth-place finisher Kelley Flanagan beginning in March 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.Madison told Kaitlyn Bristowe on her "Off the Vine" podcast in April 2020 that Peter visited Kelley after he called and texted Madison allegedly asking "to get back together." Peter later suggested there was more to the story and Madison had left some key details out.Peter and Kelley went on to date for about a year before officially called it quits in February 2021.Madison insisted, however, that she didn't want her book to be "a Bachelor tell-all" in which she simply spills a lot of tea."That's not really helping anyone or adding value to anyone. I do use the story. I do tell, you know, what happened and how everything made me feel . I was very real and honest about all of that, but I have no bad blood against absolutely anyone," Madison explained.Madison assured the magazine her "no bad blood" comment is completely genuine."[I] mean that with all my heart," she said."I didn't really have anything bad to say -- even in the moments where I felt something was unjust [or] I didn't feel taken care of in the moment [or] I didn't feel very loved and valued in the moment -- I still can look back at those moments now and see how God has used it."Madison even hopes Peter will walk away from reading her book feeling positive and maybe even uplifted."I hope that even when he reads all of this, that he feels like I care about him and have his back and I have nothing bad to say about him," Madison shared."And even through that entire experience, like, I wish him the best. And I know that God has an amazing plan for him, and I hope that he sees that for himself too."As shown on 's 24th season, Peter and Madison constantly questioned if their relationship could make it long-term due to their different lifestyles and motivations.Barbara, for instance, claimed Peter loves to date, party and is generally "spiritual," but Madison claims to have devoted her life to God.Not only was Madison a virgin on the show -- and Peter had sex with Hannah Brown four times in the Fantasy Suite on her ette season alone -- but Madison said one of her biggest goals in life is to open an orphanage.Madison expects her future husband to be the religious leader of her family, and Peter admitted to the bachelorette his faith could be stronger.Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
64, of Traverse City, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, at Munson Medical Center, in Traverse City, with her daughter, Tina, by her side. She is survived by: her daughters, Tina Tuller-Buist, Meagan Eby, and Rachael Eby. Cremation has taken place and there are no services planned at thi
Samantha Wolfe lives in Beulah, where she is a member of 100+ Women Who Care, sits on the board of the Mills Community House, and volunteers with North Sky Raptor Center. She is currently pursuing her Master's through Miami Universitys Global Field Program.
Anyone who knows me well, knows I love pumpkin spice lattes. So much so, that some have called it an addiction. OK, that was just me, I called
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Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 39F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

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A woman accused of breaking into homes in Greenwich and nearby Westchester County, N.Y. while families were attending funerals has been found guilty by a jury in White Plains.

Latonia Stewart, 30, of the Bronx, was found guilty of six counts of burglary and criminal possession of stolen, both felonies, after a week-long trial ending Thursday, the Westchester County District Attorneys Office announced Friday.

Authorities said Stewart looked up death notices online and targeted homes of individuals she believed would not be home because they were at memorial services.

Greenwich police charged her in late 2019 with larceny and burglary, alleging the so-called obit burglar had broken into a home in Greenwich. Town police said she was was accused of stealing personal belongings worth more than $20,000 from a home in the west end of Greenwich in October 2017.

The Greenwich case is still pending, according to the state judicial website.

According to the Westchester D.A.s office, Greenburgh Police arrested Stewart on May 1, 2018 after observing her driving away from the home of a deceased person with jewelry in the vehicle. The D.A.s office said she had a website with an obituary pulled up on her cellphone.

Besides Greenburgh, the D.A.s office said she targeted residences in Cortlandt, Ossining, Rye Brook, Scarsdale, and Tarrytown.

Prosecutors in New York took the case to trial, superseding the charges in Connecticut.

According to the D.A.s office, Stewart used a sledge hammer to break windows and glass doors to gain entry into certain homes, and caused further damage to the homes once inside.

It is absolutely appalling that people mourning the loss of a loved one were specifically targeted and taken advantage of in such a cruel and heinous manner, Westchester D.A. Mimi Rocah said in a statement. I commend the great work of my team, the Greenburgh Police Department, and the other law enforcement partners who handled this case, and I hope that this verdict brings some measure of comfort to the victims.

Stewart faces a sentence ranging from a minimum of three and half years to a maximum of 15 years in a state prison on each burglary count. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22.
Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan has been in jail for close to two weeks now in a drugs case. The star kid has filed multiple bail pleas but has not found any relief yet. He is likely to remain in prison till October 20.

Aryan Khan's father Shah Rukh Khan has not been seen at the Narcotics Control Bureau office or at the courts when his bail pleas were heard. His mother, Gauri Khan has been snapped by the paparazzi a couple of times at the locations. As per the latest information, the youngster was allowed to talk to his parents from jail.

Aryan Khan spoke to his parents, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan in jail on call

Aryan Khan is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai. As per the jail authorities, Aryan spoke to Shah Rukh and Gauri via a video call.

Drugs-on-cruise case | Aryan Khan spoke with his father Shah Rukh Khan and mother Gauri Khan via video call from inside Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail: Jail officials



Mumbai Special court has reserved order for 20th October on his bail application.  ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2021

Aryan Khan bail plea order reserved

Aryan was arrested on October 3 after he, along with seven others, were detained following a raid by the NCB on a cruise off Mumbai coast enroute Goa. As per the NCB panchnama, he has admitted to consuming charas. Drugs such as Hashish, MDMA, Cocaine and more were recovered in an 8-hour operation, after which 20 persons have been arrested in total.

The Mumbai sessions court on Thursday reserved its order in the bail application of Aryan Khan and the others arrested in the drugs case. The court will pronounce its verdict on October 20.

Aryan Khan is lodged at the jail along with Arbaaz Merchant while Munmun Dhamecha is lodged at the Byculla jail. ASG Anil Singh argued in court on Thursday that the accused was in possession of contraband. He stated that Aryan Khan and Arbaaz Merchant had consumed drugs on the cruise ship.

Aryan Khan's lawyer Amit Desai argued that he was not in possession of drugs. He added that the youngster had nothing to do with international drug trafficking or illicit trafficking as claimed by the NCB.

He argued that there were no WhatsApp conversations about the consumption of drugs. He added that there was no recovery of drugs and that Aryan Khan had been abroad for several months.
A mob attacked an ISKCON temple in the Noakhali district of Bangladesh on Friday and according to the religious organisation, one of its members, identified as Partha Das, was killed. Radharaman Das, Vice-President ISKCON Kolkata, said that they have called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence and requested to talk to with Bangladesh administration to curb any violence against Hindu devotees.

"We called PM residence and requested his secretary to inform Prime Minister that he should speak with his Bangladesh counterpart to end this cycle of violence. Yesterday, around 500 strong mob entered our temple premises and broke deities, brutally injured devotees," Das told ANI.

Calling it an unfortunate incident, the ISKCON Kolkata VP said that the organisation has written a letter to the United Nations and appealed to the global body to condemn this incident and send a delegation to Bangladesh.

'Bangladesh ISKCON contacted police, but no one came'

ISKCON National Communication Director Vrajendra Nandan Das, while speaking to the Republic Media Network, said that India should pressurise the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of Hindus living there.

"Our authorities and devotees of the Bangladesh ISKCON contacted the police and requested them to come to the spot immediately. But, no one came to the rescue and only arrived when the damage was already done," he said,

Referring to the discipline followed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Vrajendra Nandan Das said that everyone on this planet has the right to live. He also remarked that nobody has the right to kill a life.

ISKCON temple vandalised in Bangladesh

On Friday, a mob allegedly attacked an ISKCON temple in Noakhali district, in which a person was killed. The goons vandalised the temple and burned the sculpture of ISKCON founder AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.



This is not the first such attack on Hindus in Bangladesh. On Thursday, violence broke out during Durga Puja celebrations after rumours spread alleging that the Holy Quran was desecrated on the banks of Nanuar Dighi. Three people were killed and several others were injured when a group clashed with police in Cumilia district. At least 18 crude bombs were also recovered from the gate of a Hindu temple in Khulna district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate seven new medical colleges at Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh on October 25. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath informed the media on Saturday, while on an inspection for the preparation of the upcoming event. The inauguration of the medical colleges will take place in seven districts including Siddharthnagar, Deoria, Mirzapur, Etah, Hardoi, Ghazipur and Bahraich.

CM Yogi Adityanath reaches Siddharthnagar

7 new medical colleges will be inaugurated at Siddharthnagar district, UP. PM Narendra Modi will participate in the inauguration ceremony that has been scheduled on Oct 25. UP CM Yogi Aditynath while at the inspections interacted with the media and said, "The admission process will be done in these medical colleges from this academic session through NEET examination. These seven new medical colleges will not only help the people of nearby districts but also neighbouring Nepal. CM Yogi added that the medical college in Siddharthnagar will be named after Madhav Prasad Tripathi, who happened to be an active member of Jana Sangh and the first state president of BJP.

The UP govt led by CM Yogi Aditynath has time and again emphasised the motive to set up at least one medical college in every district of UP on approval of the National Medical Commission (NMC) before the completion of five years of our government. This project to set up seven new medical colleges at Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh has been delaying for a while and previously it was supposed to take place on July 30 which later got postponed to August.

The inauguration is all set to take place and PM Modi along with UP CM Yogi Afityanth will be completing the same on October 25. The medical college in Deoria has been named after Devraha Baba, the medical college in Ghazipur is named after Maharshi Vishwamitra, Mirzapur medical college is named after Maa Vindhyavasini, Pratapgarh Medical College is named after Dr Sonelal Patel and Siddharthnagar Medical College is named after Madhav Prasad Tripathi

UP CM Yogi Adityanath will now chair a crucial meeting to study the looming power crisis in the state. According to Republic Network TV sources, issues of power crisis, wrong meter readings and power theft in the state will be discussed in the meeting. Several reports have claimed that parts of UP are now facing 4-7 hours of power cuts. The UP CM is likely to analyse the situation and come up with feasible actions to tackle the situation.

Image Credits - ANI/Twitter
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who is on a trip to the United States, met the world's leading business executives at the Big Apple and discussed the recently launched 100-lakh-crore infrastructure master plan, digitisation, and the Make-in-India initiative.

Sitharaman reached New York City on Saturday and met Mastercard Executive Chairman Ajay Banga and Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach. She concluded her visit to Washington DC where she took part in the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The initiatives and progress towards financial inclusion and digital transformation formed part of the discussion," the Ministry of Finance maintained.

Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman

met Mr Ajay Banga, Executive Chairman and Mr @MiebachMichael, CEO, @Mastercard, in New York, USA, today. The initiatives and progress towards #financialinclusion and #DigitalTransformation formed part of discussion. pic.twitter.com/YnMCxDvpJ0  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) October 16, 2021

FM stresses on Gati Shakti and Indian start-ups

During her meeting with FedEx Corporating President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Raj Subramaniam, Sitharaman stressed on the recently launched initiative of the National Infrastructure Master Plan 'Gati Shakti' and India's third-largest start-up ecosystem and the unicorn base (start-up companies reaching a high valuation).

Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman met Mr Raj Subramanyam, CEO, FedEx, in New York, USA, today. The recently launched initiative of National Infrastructure Master Plan #GatiShakti and India having 3rd largest start-up ecosystem & unicorn base formed part of discussion. pic.twitter.com/RFX8lyXRze  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) October 16, 2021

On October 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Rs 100-lakh crore national master plan for multi-modal connectivity that aims to develop infrastructure to reduce logistic costs and boost the economy.

The Gati Shakti initiative plans to cut logistics costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time, PM Modi said at an event, while launching the plan. The project tends to lend more power and speed to projects by connecting all concerned departments into one platform. Now, the infrastructure schemes of various ministries and state governments will be designed and executed with a common vision.

Banking sector's commitment towards Make in India initiative discussed

"The Indian Finance Minister while meeting Citigroup Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jane Fraser discussed the banking sector's commitment towards the Make in India initiative while laying focus on Digitalisation and Partnerships with Financial Technologies towards a digital transformation," the Ministry of Finance maintained.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman also met IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna "IBM interest in India in the areas of hybrid cloud, automation, 5G, cybersecurity, data, and AI (Artificial intelligence) formed part of the discussion," the Ministry added.

Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman met @ArvindKrishna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, @IBM, in New York, USA, today. @IBMs interest in India in the areas of hybrid cloud, automation, 5G, cybersecurity, data, and AI formed part of the discussion. pic.twitter.com/e2a7Y2iF6Y  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) October 16, 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman embarked on a week-long US visit and began her trip from Boston, where she met CEOs, addressed a roundtable meeting of investors and executives, and addressed students and faculty at the Harvard Kennedy School.

(With Inputs from PTI)

Image: PTI
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti sparked a row for the umpteenth time by slamming the anti-terror crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir and warning the Centre of "dire consequences". Speaking to the media on Tuesday, she argued that the targeting killings of minorities in the Union Territory was a failure of the government. According to her, 700 civilians had been taken into custody in this context without any credible evidence in order to absolve the authorities of their responsibility.

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti remarked, "I had an inkling from the start that the government will perpetuate injustice to cover up its failure to prevent the incidents in which a Kashmiri Pandit brother and a Sikh girl were killed. Arrests have started. Hundreds of people are being taken into custody. There is no evidence against them. I want to know the names of those arrested, where they hailed from, what is their crime and what is the evidence against them. If they keep on arresting people like this, I want to tell them- there will be dire repercussions. And perhaps we will all have to suffer the consequences."

Taking to Twitter later, she claimed, "J&K administration had prior information about attacks on minorities. Yet, they chose to ignore these inputs. Instead, they were busy providing security to Union Ministers who were brought to Kashmir to amplify BJPs fake narrative and propaganda of so-called normalcy in J&K". Moreover, Mufti alleged that the Centre was resorting to "collective punishment" in a bid to resolve problems in the Union Territory.

The recent killings (in Kashmir) are saddening...It is govt failure. As a cover-up, govt is arresting people without evidence. If they keep arresting repercussions will be dangerous, everyone will have to pay the price: PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti pic.twitter.com/oZwZV9zx50  ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2021

Targeted killings in J&K

Targeting killings rocked J&K last week after terrorists killed Makhan Lal Bindroo who owned a popular pharmacy in Srinagar's Iqbal Park on October 5. On the same day, Virender Paswan, a street food vendor hailing from Bhagalpur in Bihar and Mohammad Shafi, a taxi driver were also shot dead by terrorists. This was followed by another gruesome incident on Thursday when Supinder Kaur, the principal of the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Srinagar and teacher Deepak Chand were gunned down.

The security forces have intensified their crackdown against The Resistance Front- a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the killings. On Tuesday, the NIA NIA conducted raids at 16 locations in the Kashmir valley in connection with the terror attacks in J&K and other major cities by the cadres of terrorist organizations such as TRF, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen. IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar has stated that 7 out of 28 civilians killed by terrorists in 2021 belonged to the Hindu and Sikh communities.
With the rise in terror challenges, the Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai on Saturday forewarned India's security forces to arm themselves up in order to tackle potential incidents of drone strikes, airstrikes, and lone-wolf attacks.

Addressing a gathering at the 37th Raising Day of the National Security Guard (NSG), Rai exhibited high confidence in the elite counter-terrorism unit. He said that the Black Cat commandos of the elite NSG wing are competent to neutralise any terror activity and establish peace in the country.

MoS Rai appeals to security forces to be prepared for terror activities

"The nature of challenges has changed and the security forces have to be prepared for incidents like drone attacks," Rai said.

The MoS spotlighted that the NSG has been from time to time developing its efficiency and capabilities. He reiterated that the force is forever ready to confront challenges.

"As long as the NSG exists, there will be no impact on the security and peace system of this country," Rai said adding, "My faith in NSG has increased after witnessing your demonstration to deal with terrorist attacks."

Rai threatens repercussions against anti-India motives

Hinting at Pakistan, the Minister threatened, "Those who cast an evil eye in our country should think that its consequences will be very bad."

"The result of such anti-India activities had to face by that country as well as it is familiar with the repercussions of its bad intention against our country," said the Minister of States (Home).

Rai lamented that despite all the efforts and support of foreign powers, India does not get the benefit as much as it plans.

He stated that in a maiden approach towards counter-terrorism, a security policy has been framed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Minister greeted the NSG on its 37th Raising Day, terming it as a "World-class trained force to combat all facets of terrorism" and that the nation is proud of its troops.

The elite striking force, NSG, was established in 1984 after the Union Cabinet decided to form a 'Federal Contingency Force' that was 'well trained to tackle the various manifestations of terrorism'. The NSG, popularly known as Black Cats marks its Raising Day every year on October 16.

The rise in Drone attacks

On July 29, suspected Pakistani drones were spotted hovering in three locations in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to Border Security Force (BSF) officials, three unidentified lights were spotted simultaneously over Bari-Brahmana, Chiladya, and Gagwal near the international border at around 8.30 pm on July 29. The alert security forces fired upon the drones after which they disappeared.

On July 23, a hexacopter drone carrying 5kg of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) was shot down by the J&K police near the border areas of Kanachak. The drone was directed to drop the IEDs to a person who would later plan an attack in the region.

On August 1, four drones were spotted in Samba's Bali-Brahmana police station region.

(With Inputs from ANI)

Image: PTI, Pixabay, Representative
Pune Oct 16 (PTI) An air display was held in Pune Air Force Station on Saturday as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

The display commenced with the renowned 'Air Devils' jumping from an Mi-17 helicopter with colourful parachutes, followed by enthralling performances by the Sarang team with their 'Made in India' Dhruv advanced light helicopter and the Suryakiran aerobatic unit with their Hawk MK 152 aircraft, a defence release said.

The grand finale was a scintillating display by nine aircraft of the SuryaKiran aerobatic team piercing through the Pune skies with their blazing contrails leaving the audience spellbound, it added.

These were part of the 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh' celebrations being held nationwide to honour the braves who took part in the successful campaign of 1971, which led to the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troops and the birth of Bangladesh.

Among those who witnessed the air display were Air Chief Marshal PV Naik (Retd) and Lieutenant General JS Nain, GOC-in-C, Southern Command. PTI COR BNM BNM BNM

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The economic wing of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has collected evidence of foreign funding in the illegal conversion case. According to sources, the UP ATS has evidence of foreign funding amounting to Rs 150 crore that was sent to three persons from the conversion syndicate - Maulana Umar Gautam, Kalim, and Salahuddin.

During its investigation, ATS authorities found out that during the course of five years, the Islamic Dawa Center and Fatima Charitable Trust received more than Rs 30 crores from foreign organisations. The Fatima Charitable Trust is an organisation of Umar Gautam, who spent only 60 percent of the foreign fund on conversions.

In addition, it has also emerged that Vadodara resident Salahuddin's organization, the American Federation of Muslim of Indian Origin got Rs 28 crore rupees in 5 years which he gave to Umar Gautam. Moreover, Rs 22 crores was sent to Al Hasan Educational Society, the organization of Kalim. The funds were sent from Dubai, Turkey and American institutions. Among other details that have emerged state that Prakash Kavde alias Adam of Maharashtra and his associates had received Rs 57 crore from a UK organization to increase illegal conversions.

Uttar Pradesh illegal conversion case

The Uttar Pradesh police in June had arrested one accused - Umar Gautam along with eight others for allegedly running a religious conversion racket. During the course of the investigation, it was unearthed that the racket involved the conversion of deaf children and women to Islam and more than 1,000 people were converted under various pretences. The Police statement further said that more than a dozen deaf and dumb children in Noida were also converted. The arrested accused have confessed to converting nearly 250 to 300 people every year.

In September, Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui was nabbed in Meerut after being on the radar of security agencies due to suspicious activities for months. Addressing a press conference, Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar revealed that the cleric had received vast amounts of foreign funding in the case. "Investigation shows Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui runs Jamia Imam Waliullah trust that funds several madrassas for which he received huge foreign funding. Investigation shows Maulana Kaleem Siddiquis trust received Rs 3 crores in foreign funding, including Rs 1.5 from Bahrain. Six teams of ATS have been formed to investigate this case," Prashant Kumar said. In addition, the UP ATS arrested another active member of the well-known "illegal conversion syndicate" whose 14 members have already been taken into custody since June 20, officials said.
The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Ferozepur Police on Friday, October 15, arrested a drug smuggler and recovered 6.73 kgs of heroin from the fields near the international border of Punjab. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Harmandeep Hans informed that the recovered heroin is worth Rs 34 crores. The accused identified as Didar Singh is a resident of Naurang Ke Sial village of Ferozepur district.

Speaking at a press conference, Hans said, "Didar Singh was caught by police during patrolling and recovered 120 grams of heroin from his possession at first".

He added that over 6 kg 730 gm of heroin worth Rs 34 crore was recovered when search operations were conducted near the Indo-Pak international borders of Punjab.

The police further informed that during the interrogation, the accused said that he used to access heroin from the Pakistan-based smugglers. The investigation is still underway.

Indian Army seizes heroin

Earlier on October 2, the Indian troops deployed along the LOC in Uri Sector conducted a search operation and recovered 25-30 kilograms of drugs worth Rs 20-25 crores in packages with Pakistani markings. This development comes after a Pakistan-based terrorist was killed and another identified as Ali Babar was captured alive following an extended search operation conducted on September 28.

Bengaluru drug peddling case

On September 28, four people including two Iranian nationals were arrested by The Central Crime Branch (CCB) in connection to drug trafficking in Bengaluru. Marijuana worth Rs 1 crore, 130 marijuana plants, LSD blotting papers, and a car was recovered from the two Iranian nationals who were unlawfully residing in Bidadi.

Giving an update to the case, Sandeep Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, Bengaluru City Police, said in a tweet, "CCB arrest 4 drug peddlers including 2 Iranians, overstaying on student visa procured hybrid cannabis seeds through the darknet and grown at home using Ultraviolet lights. Case booked under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and Foreigners Act".

Mundra Port drug seize case

On September 21, the NCB seized 2988.22 Kg heroin worth 21,000 crores, and two people were arrested from Vijaywada of the firm Aashi trading. According to the authorities, the drugs were brought in from Iran and Afghanistan. Currently, many search raids are conducted by the National Investigation Agency.

(With ANI input)

(Image: ANI)
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday passed a resolution to sternly oppose the directions passed by the Home Ministry allowing BSF soldiers to conduct seizures, arrests within 50km stretch in border states of Punjab, West Bengal & Assam.

The Congress, which is the ruling party only in Punjab, has been opposing the amends made by the Union government, nad on Saturday reiterated its demand requesting the Centre to repeal the order.

CWC passes resolution to oppose amendments in BSFs jurisdiction

As per the PTI, Congress said that they will discuss the issue with other opposition parties and state governments and will form a consensus, urging the Modi government to take back the order.

To which, Congress Working Committee (CWC) in a resolution said, the notifications issued by the central government allowing officers of the central security forces to search any place and arrest as well as search any person in the alleged exercise of powers to prevent a cognisable offence, have been observed with grave concern by the party.

"This is a dangerous encroachment on the exclusive power of the states and the powers of the state police," the CWC said.

On Wednesday, MHA approved the BSF to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of the existing 15 km in the three states.

Jurisdiction of BSF extended up to 50kms in Punjab, Bengal & Assam

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) permitted the Border Security Forces (BSF) in West Bengal, Punjab, and Assam to expand their area of jurisdiction, giving them the authority to conduct searches, arrest suspects, and make seizures in these states.

According to the new order, the Border Security Force, which was previously only authorised to act up to 15 kilometres in the states of Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, will now be able to act up to 50 kilometres inside Indian territory from the International Border (IB) along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders without any additional hurdles or permission from the Centre or state governments. The Border Security Force Act of 1968, Section 139, gives the Centre the authority to change the scope and territory of the BSF's operational mandate as needed, depending on the scenario.

With PTI Inputs

Image: PTI
Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress on Saturday, October 16, slammed the Central government for not playing an effective role & remaining a mute spectator against the incidents of communal violence in Bangladesh, which resulted in the loss of several lives.

Targeting the BJP-led NDA government, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh slammed the Union government, claiming that the government failed to take significant measures to condemn the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, during which several Durga Pandals were vandalised and the idols of Maa Durga were desecrated.

TMC slams Centre for being a mute spectator in Bangladeshs Communal Violence

Ghosh said that the TMC wants the safety of the minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh, as well as in India.

Expressing his anguish on the reports of violence being reported from Bangladesh over the few days, TMC State General Secretary wrote in a tweet in Bengali saying, Some disturbing news is coming from Bangladesh. Though the Sheikh Hasina government and many people of that country are opposing such acts, why is @PMOIndia a mute spectator? The Centre should play an effective role, and the BJP mustn't do cheap drama of fake Hindutva over it. We want the safety of minorities in both India and Bangladesh.



He asserted that the centre should play an effective role in the protection of Hindus offshore in Bangladesh and BJP should refrain from indulging in the cheap drama of Hindutva.

MEA urges Bangladesh Govt to ensure justice & protection of minorities

Ghosh's statement comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took up the matter with the Bangladeshi counterparts, demanding strict action against the perpetrators and directed the Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government to take prompt measures to ensure the safety of minorities in the country. The External Affairs ministry further informed that the Indian mission is in close contact with the Bangladeshi authorities over the matter.

Communal Violence in Bangladesh's ISKCON

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and a BJP MLA, had earlier shared a tweet by ISKCON in which the organisation claimed that its Noakhali premises in Bangladesh had been attacked and that one of its members had been slain. He also wrote to Prime Minister Modi, urging him to intervene in violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

It is with great grief that we share the news of a ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people. His body was found in a pond next to the temple.



We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action in this regard. https://t.co/BLwqGsN36h  ISKCON (@iskcon) October 16, 2021

In Bangladesh, around four people were killed in a clash between rioters and law enforcement officers, after several Hindu temples and Durga Puja pandals were vandalised, prompting the deployment of paramilitary forces in 22 affected areas. While addressing a recent ceremony at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the criminals would be hunted down and punished.



(With PTI Inputs)

Image: PTI/ Twitter
The International Space Station was mistakenly rotated by nearly 57 degrees on Saturday as the astronauts onboard ISS sounded the alarm after the shift in the direction of the space station. The error happened when the Russian astronauts on board were testing the engines and mistakenly shifted the space stations direction by 57 degrees after which the American astronauts alerted the authorities and send a distress message. The American astronauts informed authorities about the shift and how it happened. This comes at a time when a film crew has reached the ISS to shoot a movie up there, in a first.

The accident occurred while Russian astronauts were testing the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft, which is currently docked along with the International Space Station. The satellite rotated 57 degrees due to the pressure from the engine testing. The Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft is connected to the ISS and will return the film crew to Earth.

'Challenge' movie to be shot in space by Russians

On October 5, a Russian actor and film director set out on a mission to shoot the world's first film in space, setting new standards for cinema. Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko, along with cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, a veteran of three space missions, blasted off towards the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft (ISS). As planned, their Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft was launched at 1:55 p.m. (0855 GMT) from the Russian space launch centre in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.



Watch @NASA TV now as three Russian crewmates aboard the Soyuz MS-19 crew ship approach the station for a docking today at 8:12am ET. https://t.co/yuOTrZ4Jut pic.twitter.com/Yjy8njJjAG  International Space Station (@Space_Station) October 5, 2021

Peresild and Klimenko are heading to space to shoot the film "Challenge," in which Peresild plays a surgeon who travels to the International Space Station to help a crew member with a cardiac condition. After 12 days on the space station, they will return to Earth with another Russian astronaut.

During a pre-flight press conference on October 4, Peresild, 37, claimed it was tough for her to adjust to the training's strict discipline and rigorous demands. Shipenko, who has directed several commercially successful films, agreed that their four-month fast-track training was 'tough. Russia's state-controlled Channel One television, which is also involved in the film's production, has extensively covered the crew training and launch.

Image: Shutterstock
On Friday, the Sudanese Prime Minister announced a series of steps in the nation's transition to democracy in less than a month after a coup attempt rocked its leadership. In a speech broadcast by Sudan's official TV, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok described the attempt of the coup as an 'alarm bell' and added people to awake for the causes of the countrys political and economic challenges.

"The serious political crisis that we are living in right now, I would not be exaggerating to say, is the worst and most dangerous crisis that not only threatens the transition but threatens our whole country," Hamdok said.

According to the official statement of Sudanese authorities, the coup attempt by a group of soldiers on September 22 this year. However, they failed to oust the Hamdok government.

Have a look at Abdalla remarks over Sudan coup attempt

                   .



               .#_ https://t.co/6nhMLXStfw  Abdalla Hamdok (@SudanPMHamdok) October 15, 2021

The Sudanese authorities said followers of the nation's former autocrat, Omar al-Bashir, were planning to take over the country. In his speech, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok recounted how the military overthrew Bashir amid a massive public uprising against his three-decade rule in 2019. Notably, the army established a transitional military council after protests erupted in December 2018 against the deteriorating economic conditions of the country and later ousted Omar al-Bashir government. Subsequently, the country has formed an interim for a 39-month rule, joint civilian-military government and has been ruling since then. The transitional period is set to be followed by elections to form a new government.

Hamdok stressed to work together to maintain Sudan revolution achievements

However, tensions between the civilians and Generals in the transitional administration have intensified since the failed coup attempt within the military. Since then, a large number of the population have been protesting against the military leaders. The protest has been spearheaded by the Sudanese Professionals Association and has been demanding an immediate handover of power to civilians. Meanwhile, Hamdok stressed bringing all parties back to the table for talks in order to address the root issues behind the political crisis.

Hamdok laid out a series of proposals that he said would help speed the handover to a fully elected and civilian government. In a speech to mark the Muslim holiday of the Prophet Muhammed's birthday, he highlighted the groups having differing opinions to work together. Also, he emphasised that the countrys transitional constitution and judicial bodies to be respected. This crisis was not created today, it did not descend upon us from the sky, and it did not surprise us at all, Sudan's PM said of the recent political turmoil.

(With inputs from AP)

(IMAGE: AP)
On Friday, October 15, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) expressed concerns about the UN peacekeeping force's working conditions in Abyei, a disputed region along the South Sudan border. The members expressed great concern over recent developments in Gok Machar, South Sudan, including threats to the safety and security of peacekeepers, which resulted in the murder of an Ethiopian peacekeeper on September 14, reported news agency Xinhua citing a press statement. The council members demanded that the South Sudanese government facilitate the unhindered implementation of UNISFA's mandate and provide full support to the mission's personnel by removing all hurdles to the mission's work in order to protect civilians, including ensuring the mission's freedom of movement and facilitating the provision of food, medicine, and other necessary supplies to its personnel, reported Xinhua.

The council members emphasised the importance of UNISFA and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) in achieving peace, security, and stability in Abyei and the broader region, and urged the South Sudanese government to step up its mediation efforts with members of the local community in Gok Machar in order to reduce tensions and allow for the redeployment of UNISFA personnel to team sites 11 and 12. The members of the council also urged Sudan and South Sudan to schedule a meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to resolve the current issues and make the JBVMM's work easier. According to Xinhua, the press statement by UNSC members was issued after the Security Council heard a briefing on the dramatic deterioration of UNISFA's working conditions in South Sudan.

UNSC condemns 'horrendous terrorist attack' in Kandhar

Meanwhile, the UNSC also strongly denounced the 'horrendous terrorist attack' on the Imam Bargah-e-Fatima Mosque in Afghanistan's Kandahar region on Friday, emphasising the importance of bringing the culprits to justice. An explosion inside a Shia mosque in Kandahar claimed the lives of at least 47 people and injured another 70. Members of the UN Security Council conveyed their sincere sympathies and condolences to the victims' families. The UNSC also urged all States to cooperate actively with all competent authorities in this regard, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. The Security Council members reaffirmed that all acts of terrorism are unlawful and unacceptable, regardless of motivation, wherever, whenever, and by whomever, they are perpetrated, according to the statement.

Image: PTI
The partially mutilated remains of a man buried by the 79 AD volcano eruption of Mount Vesuvius have been discovered by the archaeologists in Herculaneum, Italy. Archaeologists believe the man might have been aged between 40-54 years, reported ANSA. The Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini has described the discovery as "sensational".

The skeleton of the man was found on what would have been the ancient towns beach, reported the wire service. During the present time, the partially mutilated skeleton of the man was found at the base of an extremely high lava stone wall, with his head pointing back in the direction of the sea. The skeleton of the man was surrounded by carbonized wood, including a roof beam, that might have crushed his skull, reported the news agency. Excavations in the 1980s and 1990s unearthed the skeletons of more than 300 'fugitives', who were believed to have been sheltering while they waited to be rescued.

Skeleton of a man discovered in Herculaneum

Francesco Sirano, the director of Herculaneum archaeological park, told the wire service that the mutilated remains of the man were discovered at the ancient town buried by the volcano, reported the news service. Sirano informed that the discovery might help in finding the last moments of life in the town, which is few kilometres from Pompeii, reported the news service. The archaeologist explained that the bones of the discovered skeleton were a 'bright red colour', which Sirano believed will be "the mark of the stains left by the victim's blood". Sirano has described the last moments of the region as "instantaneous, but terrible," reported the news agency.

Sirano told the news service that the team of experts have been trying to figure out the identity of the victim. Sirano asserted that the person was not with other victims who had been sheltering for the rescue, as per the news service. Furthermore, Sirano added that the victim might have been a rescuer who was trying to take the people out to safety. While speaking to Culture Minister Dario Franceschini described the discovery of the remains of a "fugitive" at the archaeological site Herculaneum as "great news", as per the ANSA report. Furthermore, Franceschini asserted that the remains of the man were found after 30 years of excavation carried out by the ministry's staff. He called the discovery "sensational".

(Image: AP/RepresentativeImage)
The Durga Puja celebrations have concluded in Bangladesh even as another Hindu devotee was found dead on Saturday amidst days of communal unrest and violence unleashed by unidentified Muslim bigots who vandalised temples over alleged blasphemy, leading to the deployment of paramilitary forces in more than half of administrative districts.

Authorities overnight imposed a nationwide security vigil while officials said that initial investigations have thrown up crucial evidence against the perpetrators of violence against the minority Hindu community's Durga Puja.

The paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has expanded the vigil from 22 to 34 out of 64 administrative districts.

The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said it expects to arrest some of the key perpetrators of the sporadic violence which took place in the past three days.

Voicing optimism over the investigation, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters that "we expect developments of the investigations in the next one or two days".

The police, meanwhile, said that they have recovered the body of a Hindu devotee from a pond near a temple in southeastern Begumganj sub-district of Noakhali.

According to a Hindu community leader, the deceased was a victim of bigot attacks on devotees on Friday.

Four people were killed and scores of others injured during clashes between Muslim bigots and the police at Hajiganj sub-district in central Chandpur on Wednesday and Thursday, prompting the government to call out paramilitary forces to maintain law and order across the country.

With the latest killing, the death toll during the Durga Puja celebrations across the country has reached five.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to bring to justice the culprits behind the violence, saying anyone involved in the attacks on Hindu temples and Durga Puja venues in Comilla will not be spared.

"The incidents in Comilla are being thoroughly investigated. Nobody will be spared. It doesn't matter which religion they belong to. They will be hunted down and punished," she said while exchanging greetings with the Hindu community members during an event at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka on the occasion of Durga Puja.

The violence had erupted after an alleged blasphemy incident at a Durga Puja pavilion in Cumilla, bordering Chandpur and about 100 kms from Dhaka, after which a probe was launched.

Sporadic clashes continued on Friday between police and bigots while extreme right-wing Islamic Shashontantra Andolon on Saturday took out a big procession in downtown Dhaka's Purana Paltan area protesting what they called as "demeaning of the "Holy Quran".

The armed police equipped with water cannons and other riot gear kept a sharp vigil from a close proximity.

The Durga Puja celebrations, considered to be the biggest festival of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, concluded without the traditional Bijoya Dashami procession.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the procession was not carried out this year.

Besides, the idols were immersed on Friday at around 4PM instead of 12 PM out of respect for the Jumma prayers of the majority Muslim community, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

As sporadic attacks and vandalism reported on Friday as well, authorities issued prohibitory orders in the Noakhali district, banning public gatherings in Chaumuhani municipality from dawn to dusk on Saturday, it said.

The mob attacked, vandalised and looted Hindu households, businesses, and several temples in Chaumuhani during their march, the report said quoting the police.

The government and law enforcement agencies described the incidents as planned with the aim of destabilising the country.

In Sylhet, locals and the police on Friday foiled attempted vandalism at two pavilions in the city's Hawlader Para area. The attackers hurled bricks at the pavilions as well as adjacent houses, the report said.

More than 150 people, brandishing sharp-edged weapons, took out a march and tried to attack the Kalibari pavilion. However, as the devotees protested, the mob marched towards the Hawladar Para area and broke the gate of another pavilion, the report said.

According to the police, Facebook and YouTube were largely used to instigate communal tensions while reports said that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) identified more than a hundred identities which were used to spread instigative comments.

Mobile phone operators said that under the BTRC directives, they stopped the 3G and 4G internet connectivity for 12 hours on Friday which the authorities said were done due to "unavoidable reasons".

"The violence appeared to be part of a plot against interfaith harmony and the perpetrators were involved in identical incidents in the past as well," said Colonel KM Azad of RAB that draws men from the Army and other armed forces including the police.

"We are preparing to take stringent legal actions and arrest some of them very soon," he said.

This year, the Durga Puja began on October 11.

Hindu devotees paid tribute to Goddess Durga for four days and immersed the idols in rivers on the fifth and final day on Friday.

This year, Durga Puja was celebrated at 32,118 puja pavilions across the country, including 238 in the capital Dhaka, the report said.
Ambassadors from a dozen European Union countries cleaned up microplastics at one of the most iconic beaches in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador on Friday.

The initiative was part of a global campaign by the EU to warn the world's population about single-use plastics that end up in the sea.

The bloc's ambassador to Ecuador, Charles-Michel Geurts, said it was part of an international initiative.

Young people from the local community joined the diplomats and local officials in the clean-up operation.

The EU delegation included the ambassadors of Germany, France, Italy, Hungary, Rumania, Czech Republic, Finland, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain.

Ecuador's environment minister Gustavo Manrique also took part.

French ambassador Frederic Desagneaux said it highlighted their commitment as partners of Ecuador in the fight against pollution, and to demonstrate that preserving nature was a global responsibility.

The Galapagos Islands, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and 1,000 kilometres from the Ecuadorian mainland, were declared a World Heritage Site in 1978 because of their unique animal and plant species.

It served as the basis for the English scientist Charles Darwin to develop his theory of the evolution of species.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A court in Iran sentenced the former governor of Irans Central Bank, Valiollah Seif, to 10 years in prison. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail for violating the country's currency system, according to AP. Ahmad Araghchi, a then-deputy to Valiollah Seif, was sentenced to eight years on the same charges, as per the agency report.

Seif was also involved in smuggling foreign currency, AP cited the judiciary spokesman Zabihollah Khodaeian as saying to the State TV. Valiollah Seif served as governor of Irans central bank for five years from 2013 to 2018 under former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, reported Iranian State TV. Araghchi worked as deputy to Valiollah Seif between 2017 and 2018. In addition, eight others who were involved in the matter were also sentenced to different prison terms, AP reported. Further, the report mentioned that all the defendants have the right to appeal.

The defendants were selling 160 million US dollars and 20 million euros on the open market, Iran International reported. Ahmad Araghchi in his defence in 2018 had mentioned that the trading of hard currencies took place for strengthening the value of Iran's currency, the rial, Iran International reported. Furthermore, Aragchi had mentioned that they had worked with the Intelligence Ministry on the matter. Moreover, the decision was taken on a request by the Supreme National Security Council and orders by President Rouhani, as per the Iran International report.

The Iranian currency rial exchange rate was at 39,000 to $1 in 2017 at the beginning of Araghchis tenure in office. Reportedly, the rial had reached more than 1,10,000 to $1 by the time he left office in 2018. As per the AP report, the change was also partly at a time when the United States had imposed sanctions on Tehran. The rate of the rial had dropped from a rate of around 32,000 rials to $1 at the time of Irans 2015 nuclear deal. The price of the currency 'rallied' for some time after former US President Donald Trump announced the decision of withdrawing Washington from the nuclear deal. In addition, Trump reimposed trade sanctions on Iran in 2018.

(With Inputs from AP)

Image: Twitter/@SwissEmbassyIr, Shutterstock
Iraqi President Barham Salih on Friday urged the objectors to the early results of the snap parliamentary elections to calm down and "resort to law", ANI reported quoting Xinhua News Agency. In a statement released by the President's media office, he also called on all parties to adapt to a "responsible national stance, keep calm and avoid any escalation that might affect societal peace and security." Protests broke out in Iraq after pro-Iranian parties dubbed the snap election results as a 'scam,' Israel Times reported.

It is to be noted that Iraq held its parliamentary elections on October 10, which were originally scheduled for 2022. Millions of voters lined up to cast their ballots at over 8,000 polling booths across Iraq last Sunday, Xinhua News Agency reported. The elections began at 7 am and by the end of the day saw a footfall of 9 million out of the 24 million eligible voters in the country, as per preliminary results. The turnout was roughly calculated to be 41%, the country's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) noted last Monday.

The elections were advanced due to mass protests against the country's poor governance fuelled by corruption and lack of public services. The voters were supposed to choose candidates for 329 seats in the Parliament from a pool of 3,249.

Pro-Iranians call snap parliamentary elections 'scam'

As per the preliminary results announced last Sunday, religious scholar and political maverick Muqtada al-Sadr amassed a vote share of 73 out of the 329 seats in the Parliament. Meanwhile, the Fateh (Conquest) Alliance witnessed a sharp decline from 48 seats to about 16 seats. Additionally, pro-Iranian Shia parties with a link to armed group Hashd al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) garnered about a dozen and Imtidad Movement won about 9 seats. As of October 13, the tally was completed for 94% of polling stations, but the final result was yet to be officially announced due to a manual count of 60,000 votes, Israel Times reported.

Salih urges EC to follow up on complaints

Following the announcement of results several formal complaints were filed by objectors accusing the election commission (EC) of "manipulation". Salih urged the electoral commission and the judiciary to look into the complaints with "high professionalism, responsibility, and complete impartiality."

Image: ANI (representative)
After a spate of attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh, the country's Home Minister has assured the minorities that Bangladesh will never be used as a haven for fundamentalists. Speaking to Republic Bangla, Asaduzzaman Khan also stated that India and Bangladesh will work towards a brighter future. Additionally, Khan has also said that those responsible for the violence will not be spared.

"No one will be spared and all the incidents will be investigated and the motive behind them will be revealed. Those who are trying to destabilise the situation will be punished," said Khan.

Asaduzzaman Khan also acknowledged that there are some elements in Bangladesh trying to disturb and destabilise the peace and harmony in the country. Khan revealed that the investigation and exuded confidence that the authorities are hopeful about identifying the culprits. In addition, the law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh have also been alerted to avert any untoward incidents in the future.

ISKCON Temple & devotees violently attacked

Amid growing attacks, devotees at an ISKCON temple in the Noakhali area were violently attacked by a mob on Friday. Many devotees suffered injuries and the temple property was damaged. Sharing pictures of the vandalised temple, ISKCON said there was significant damage to property. Initially, they also informed that the condition of a devotee, who was allegedly attacked with a dagger, remained critical.

Moreover, the sculpture of ISCKON founder AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Probhupad's was also burnt down by the goons, it said. The temple authority has appealed to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of all Hindus and bring the perpetrators to justice.

ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical.



We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice. pic.twitter.com/ZpHtB48lZi  ISKCON (@iskcon) October 15, 2021

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina assures 'appropriate punishments'

Earlier after the violence during Durga puja in Cumilla city, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured appropriate action against those responsible. Hasina said that people behind the communal violence will be hunted down and given "appropriate punishments." The Bangladesh Prime Minister added that the people responsible need to be punished in order to stop the recurrence of communal attacks in the country.
The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad has stated that on October 16, they will lead a demonstration against the violence and vandalism directed at the Hindu community during the Durga Puja celebrations. The Daily Star reported the statement saying that a protest will take place at 4:00 p.m. in Shahbagh crossroads. Communal troops attacked puja mandaps and homes in Chattogram, Noakhali, and Kishoreganj, according to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad in the same statement. It harshly criticised the events and asked that those responsible be held accountable.

Despite rigorous monitoring by law enforcement officers to ensure safe Durga Puja celebrations, the Hindu community was attacked in several locations on October 15. According to The Daily Star, rioting and vandalism were reported in various regions across Bangladesh. Communal violent criminals stabbed a man to death at a temple in Noakhali, as well as idols, houses, and shops belonging to the Hindu community.

Asaduzzaman Khan, the Home Minister, stated that individuals responsible for the incidents would be prosecuted. When asked if they knew who was responsible for the violence in Cumilla on October 13, he answered, "We don't know. An investigation is currently underway. We're optimistic that we'll be able to find them. Law enforcement agencies are also on high alert in the event of a subsequent incident," The Daily Star reported.

Processions brought out to condemn the incident in Cumilla resulted in violence

Following Juma prayers, processions were brought out to condemn the incident in Cumilla on October 13, which resulted in the violence. Around 2:30 p.m. in Noakhali, attackers from a procession of tens of thousands rushed the Bijoya Durga Temple on College Road in Begumganj. At one point, the mob assaulted and stabbed Jatan Kumar Saha, 38, a member of the temple governing committee's executive committee. The Daily Star said that he later died in Noakhali Sadar Hospital.

Five persons have been slain in Jatan as a result of the violence that erupted in numerous locations after claims that "the Holy Quran was desecrated" in Cumilla. In Hajiganj, Chandpur, four of them were slain in fights between a mob and law enforcement officers. At least 10 Hindu temples and over 50 Hindu stores were attacked and vandalised on College Road, DB Road, Bank Road, Chowmuhoni, Chowmuhoni Dakkhin Bazar, Radha Madhab Temple, and Ram Thakur Ashram in Noakhali, according to Gowtam Saha, a Hindu Community leader of Begumganj, ANI reported.

Security around the national mosque had previously been tightened up, with members of the RAB, BGB, and several intelligence services deployed alongside police to prevent any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, police in Hajiganj, Chandpur, filed two cases against five to six identified people and 2,000 unidentified people on Thursday night in connection with attacks on a puja mandap and clashes between zealots and law enforcement officers, according to Abdur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Hajiganj Police Station.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: PujaParishad.BD@Facebook
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to visit Israel next week, as per social media posts by two top zionist diplomats. On Friday, Ambassador and Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Alan Ushpiz took to Twitter to wish Indians on the occasion of Dussehra. In his tweet, he also mentioned Jaishankars important visit to Israel and said that India was a close ally and a prominent strategic partner to the country.

Later, Israels ambassador to India Naor Gilon retweeted Ushpizs post and said that his country was excited to welcome the Indian lawmaker. As of now, details of the visit haven't been revealed-neither by Israeli ambassadors nor by the Indian Foreign Affairs Ministry. Notably, the visit would mark Jaishankars maiden visit to the middle eastern state since taking office.

Shubho Bijoya/Happy Dussehra to all of you, on the eve of @DrSJaishankars important visit to Israel. India is a strategic partner and a very close friend pic.twitter.com/9BQuEUons3  Alon Ushpiz (@AlonUshpiz) October 15, 2021

We are excited to receive @DrSJaishankar in Israel https://t.co/oTtsWYDWdC  Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) October 15, 2021

India-Israel ties

India officially recognised Israel in September 1950 and since then both the countries share close ties. The bond was bolstered further in 1992 after both of the countries opened embassies in each other's territories. At present both the countries cooperate in the fields of agriculture, trade, defence, S&T, culture and education inter alia. Earlier this year, New Delhi expressed strong support for the zionists as they battled Hamas insurgents in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar had recently visited Armenia and paid a tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the first genocide of the 20th century at the hands of the Turkish government. The homage was paid at Yerevan's Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex erected in memory of the victims of the genocide. "Began the day by paying homage at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex," tweeted Jaishankar, who is the first Indian External Affairs Minister to visit Armenia.

On October 13, Jaishankar arrived in Yerevan and was greeted by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. Jaishankar left for a three-nation tour of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia on October 10, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During his visit, he also met the President of Armenia's National Assembly, Alen Simonyan and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.

(Image: AP/PTI)
Residents of a Norwegian town with a proud legacy of producing coins, weapons and silver were coming to terms on Saturday with the horrible knowledge that someone living in their community used a bow and arrow to attack people doing their grocery shopping or other evening activities - and succeeded in killing five of them.

On a central square in Kongsberg, a former mining town of 26,000 people surrounded by mountains and located southwest of Norway's capital, people laid flowers and lit candles in honour of the four women and a man who died in Wednesday's attack.

The victims ranged in age from 50 to 70, police have said.

It's horrible. I think it is something that has affected the whole city. It's a small city so, it's very difficult, said Anna, a student living in Kongsberg.

Officers arrested a Kongsberg resident identified as Espen Andersen Braathen, a 37-year-old Danish citizen.

He was detained about a half-hour after he allegedly began firing arrows in a supermarket where police tried to confront him but lost sight of him when he fired at them and they had to take cover, law enforcement authorities have said.

Andersen Braathen proceeded from the supermarket into a quiet downtown neighborhood of wooden houses and birch trees, where he fired at people on the street and inside some apartments, police said.

Along with the five people killed, three were injured.

The regional prosecutor leading the investigation has said that Andersen Braathen confessed to the killings after his arrest, and police said they think he acted alone.

Norway's domestic intelligence agency said Thursday that the case appeared to be an act of terrorism but cautioned that the investigation was ongoing.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The local media reports that Taliban representatives departed from Kabul for Uzbekistan on Saturday to negotiate commerce and transit connections. The visiting group includes Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban's newly-announced interim government's Deputy Prime Minister. As per the reports by TOLO News, Hanafi stated that the group will meet with Uzbek officials in Termez, Uzbekistan.

The team includes officials from the ministries of commerce, trade, higher education, public health and the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority, according to him. The Taliban will meet with Uzbek authorities to discuss extending commercial links, power, railways and bilateral contacts between the two countries, according to the Afghanistan news channel. During the meeting, the two countries' banking cooperation will also be discussed.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov met with Taliban commanders, a week ago

Just a week ago, when Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov met with Taliban commanders in Kabul to explore economic cooperation and obtained clear assurances that the insurgent group will never pose a security danger to Uzbekistan, the two parties agreed to meet again in the near future in the Uzbek city of Termez, close to the Afghan border, to explore trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. During the visit on October 7, Kamilov met separately with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, according to Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry.

The parties reviewed the situation in Afghanistan, humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, and infrastructure projects in the war-torn country's energy and transportation sectors, according to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry. Taliban leaders expressed gratitude to Tashkent for calling on the international community to pursue a constructive discussion with Afghanistan's new leadership, according to the ministry's statement.

Uzbekistan does not want to be seen as a pro-Taliban or pro-Western state

According to the Diplomat, Uzbekistan does not want to be seen as a pro-Taliban or pro-Western state, but rather as a neutral party. Earlier, Tashkent refuted accusations that Afghan resistance troops, including ethnic Uzbek and Tajik opposition forces, were stationed on its soil, despite earlier reports that opposition leaders were temporarily stationed in Uzbekistan when the Taliban launched a military campaign in the country's north. Tashkent, along with other Central Asian countries, also failed to respond to a request from the Biden administration in June for a temporary asylum for around 9,000 Afghans who assisted American operations.

(With inputs from ANI)

(Image: Twitter/@QaharBalkhi)
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  The United Nations refugee agency on Friday expressed deep concern about legislation Poland adopted this week allowing the arbitrary rejection of migrants' asylum applications.

The new legislation, approved by parliament on Thursday, came in response to the presence of hundreds of migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa on Poland's border with Belarus. European Union member Poland accuses its neighbor of encouraging the migrants to cross the border, in response to sanctions the EU imposed on the Belarusian regime.

In practice, Polish border guards have for weeks been pushing back migrants illegally entering from Belarus.

Christine Goyer, the UNHCR representative in Poland, said in a statement that the new law undermines the fundamental right to seek asylum set out in international and EU law.

Goyer said that restricting the access to territory and asylum procedures for asylum-seekers contravenes the 1951 Refugee Convention, which clearly states that asylum-seekers should not be penalized for irregular border crossing."

She added that the practices will only compound the hardship of people forced to flee.

The new law must be approved by President Andrzej Duda.

Poland says the Belarusian government is encouraging the migrant arrivals by offering free tourist visas and easy flights to Belarus, as part of a hybrid war against the EU.

Polish border guards say there are hundreds of illegal attempts now per day to enter Poland, with 682 recorded on Thursday.

Conditions on the border are becoming increasingly dangerous for migrants as temperatures drop.

On Thursday Polish police reported the latest fatality among those trying to cross the border, a 24-year-old Syrian man whose body was found in a field. Other migrants found dead there in previous weeks were found to have succumbed to exhaustion.

___

Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The 17th Edition of India-US joint training exercise EX YUDH ABHYAS 21 commenced at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska in the United States on 15 October. The 14-day military training exercise between the two nations include activities on joint training in a "Counter-Insurgency" and "Counter-Terrorism environment" as part of the United Nations mandate, according to the Ministry of Defence press release. The US Army soldiers belonging to First Squadron (Airborne) of the 40th Cavalry Regiment and Indian Army soldiers of 7 MADRAS Infantry Battalion Group would be taking part in the joint training exercise.

Taking to Twitter, the Indian Army announced the commencing of the opening ceremony of the training exercise in Alaska. The Indian Army in a tweet said, "The 17th Edition of IndiaUS joint training exercise commenced with an opening ceremony at #Alaska #USA. The 14 days exercise includes joint training for operations under #UnitedNations mandate." As per the Ministry of Defence press release, the opening ceremony was commenced with the unfurling of the National Flags of both countries amidst playing of the National anthems of both the nations. 300 US Army soldiers belonging to First Squadron (Airborne) of the 40th Cavalry Regiment and 350 soldiers of 7 MADRAS Infantry Battalion Group of Indian Army would be participating in the joint military training exercise.

Exercise #YudhAbhyas



The 17th Edition of IndiaUS joint training exercise commenced with an opening ceremony at #Alaska #USA. The 14 days exercise includes joint training for operations under #UnitedNations mandate. #IndiaUSFriendship pic.twitter.com/a7WNjyi5Ns  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 16, 2021

During the opening ceremony, Major General Brian Eifler, Commander US Army, Alaska, welcomed the Indian contingent. He called on both the contingents to focus on "improving cohesion and interoperability to achieve training objectives of the exercise", as per the Ministry of Defence press release. He emphasised the importance of the free exchange of ideas and best practices between the troops of both nations. He asserted the need for both the contingents to learn from each other's experiences. "The joint exercise will help the armed forces of both the countries in knowing each other and they would be able to share their experiences and boosting the 'situational awareness' through the exchange of information," states the Ministry of Defence press release. The training exercise would help in undertaking joint operations at the 'Battalion level in mountainous terrain with cold climatic conditions'.

Image: AP/PTI/RepresentativeImage
UKs counter-terrorism officers are leading the probe into the stabbing and killing of British Conservative lawmaker David Amess who was attacked at a local Catholic church in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday while meeting constituents. "The investigation is in its very early stages and is being led by officers from the specialist counter-terrorism command," Ben-Julian Harrington, the force's chief constable, told Associated Press.

Essex police had earlier stated at a briefing that it was investigating the motive behind the assaulters move, whom the officers did not yet identify. The latter was immediately arrested on the spot after stabbing Amess. The attack was carried out at Englands Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh in the afternoon by a 25-year-old man, who the police said, was in possession of a knife.

We were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05 pm. Sadly, a man later died. A man was arrested at the scene. We are not looking for anyone else, police said in a statement shortly after the death of the MP.

The UK Conservative MP, who was elected to parliament in 1983, was reported as the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet whose every word and act was marked by kindness by the British press. Tributes poured in for the kind UK lawmaker from ministers and leaders worldwide. United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video broadcast from 10 Downing Street that our hearts are full of shock and sadness today at the loss of Sir David Amess MP, who was killed in his constituency surgery, in a church. Johnson said that the UK Conservative MP was one of the "kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics.

I think all our hearts are full of shock and sadness today at the loss of Sir David Amess MP, who was killed in his constituency surgery, in a church, after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people of Essex and the whole of the United Kingdom," Johnson said in a video message as he paid tribute to the deceased MP. We must really leave the police to get on with their investigation," he added.

All our hearts are full of shock and sadness at the death of Sir David Amess MP.



He was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics. pic.twitter.com/SIx6SZ1P3w  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 15, 2021

(People leave the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess was stabbed several times at a constituency surgery, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England. Image: AP)

(A police forensic officer carries a bag at the scene near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Image: AP)

Lawmakers 'shocked' at UK MP stabbing

UK politicians and lawmakers worldwide were shocked on Friday after a 25-year-old assailant brutally stabbed the 69-year-old Conservative lawmaker of the UK with a knife. The British law enforcement, that apprehended the assaulter on the spot, but did not immediately divulge the motif of the attack and neither identified the suspect. The man was held on suspicion of murder, reported Associated Press on Friday.

The incident occurred in the town of Leigh-on-Sea just afternoon. "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the wider public," the Essex police said in a statement.

According to Sky, MP Amess was attacked during a regular meeting with constituents at a Methodist church located at the seaside city about 40 miles (62 kilometres) east of London. While the paramedics rushed to the scene, the MP for Southend West could not be saved and succumbed to his wounds. Sir Amess has been the UKs member of Parliament since 1983 and was one of the longest-serving politicians in the British House of Commons.
Amid the ongoing Myanmar crisis, a senior US State Department official on Friday, 15 October, backed the exclusion of Myanmars military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, from an upcoming ASEAN Summit. Speaking at a press briefing, the US official said that it is completely justified to not allow Myanmars participation in the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They added that Washington is supporting all efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the Myanmar crisis.

"It seems perfectly appropriate and, in fact, completely justified for ASEAN to downgrade Burma's [Myanmar's] participation [in the summit]," the official said during a press briefing as per Sputnik.

"We are supporting all efforts to promote a just and peaceful resolution to the crisis [in Myanmar], the restoration of democratic institutions and we fully respect ASEAN's decisions there, the senior US official added.

Myanmars military leader excluded from ASEAN Summit

The State Department official went on to say that additionally, the United States is also talking about downgrading the participation of Myanmar in future ASEAN summits and meetings. It is to mention that the statement from the senior US official comes after ASEAN members decided to exclude Myanmars military leader Min Aung Hlaing from participation in the summit. The decision was made in response to the Myanmar Armys unwillingness to engage with the regional bloc to resolve the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the nation.

According to Sputnik, the US, UK, Canada and the European Union (EU) on Friday extended their support to the ASEAN special envoy for Myanmar ahead of his trip to the Southeast Asian country. The declaration made by the aforementioned countries was also inked by New Zealand, Norway, South Korea and Timor Leste. The countries called on Myanmar to engage constructively with the ASEAN Special Envoy to implement aspects of the Five-Point Consensus swiftly for a peaceful resolution to the Myanmar crisis.

It said that the signatories endorsed ASEANs efforts to chart a course out of the current crisis in Myanmar. We welcome the prospective visit to Myanmar by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei. Meanwhile, according to Nikkei Asia, Myanmars foreign ministry had earlier this week said that the military government was committed to constructively cooperating in the implementation of a five-point consensus.
Due to Senator Joe Manchin's opposition, an important component of the Biden administration's climate plan could be deleted from the huge budget package presently waiting in Congress, as per the reports of The New York Times. The report also stated that the White House would likely drop the programme to replace coal and gas-fired power facilities in the US with wind, solar and nuclear energy from its budget bill, citing congressional staffers and lobbyists familiar with the topic.

Earlier the Biden administration stated that the renewable energy initiatives will drastically reduce global warming emissions, saving hundreds of thousands of lives from lethal air pollution. Biden also said in August that by 2030, half of all new vehicle sales in the United States will be electric and that pollution rules for trucks and cars will be strengthened.

The White House is reworking a version of the bill to remove the climate provision

According to the American daily newspaper, Manchin has informed the administration that he is opposed to the clean energy initiative. He has personal financial ties to the coal business. The White House is currently reworking a version of the bill to remove the climate provision and also other possible initiatives to significantly reduce emissions are being considered by the administration.

It would be a major setback for the administration's efforts to address the climate catastrophe if Manchin's opposition to Biden's clean energy initiative succeeds. According to the daily, the Democrats may try to pass a renewable energy plan as a stand-alone law, but that time is running out. A group of experts determined in July that a clean energy standard would provide the most net advantages to the United States out of all the policies proposed by the Biden administration to address the climate catastrophe.

"The senator has made it clear that he opposes using taxpayer funds to pay private firms"

Senator Manchin's spokeswoman told The Guardian that the senator has made it clear that he opposes using taxpayer funds to pay private firms to accomplish jobs that they already. According to the spokeswoman, he continues to support efforts aimed at combating climate change while also ensuring America's energy security and reliability.

(Image: AP)
Indigenous groups and other environmental activists marched to the Capitol Friday as they continued a weeklong protest demanding that Congress and the Biden administration stop new fossil fuel projects and act with greater urgency on climate change.

Nearly 80 people were arrested on the fifth day of the People vs. Fossil Fuels protest. That brings the total arrested during the week to more than 600, organizers said.

Under a banner declaring We did not vote for fossil fuels, activists pressed President Joe Biden to stop approving new pipelines and other fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency. Demonstrators urged members of Congress to listen to the people" who sent them to Washington and take urgent action to phase out fossil fuels that contribute to global warming.

Capitol Police said 78 people were arrested on obstruction or crowding charges. Three of those arrested also were charged with assault on a police officer.

Speakers said Biden was not following through on his promises to act on climate change.

Its ridiculous. He promised, just like theyve done in the past, Well talk about it, well bring it to the table. Wheres our seat?'' asked Isabelle Knife, 22, who traveled to Washington from the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota.

We havent had a seat. We havent been heard,'' Knife said. It takes youth to be on the frontlines. It takes us to put our bodies on the line.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration was listening to advocates and people who have been elevating the issue of climate for decades.

Environmental activists have important voices, and theyve put climate on the front of the agenda when it wasnt 10 years and 20 years ago, Psaki said Thursday.

She encouraged activists and anyone who supports action on climate change to look at Bidens proposals in a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a larger Democratic-only plan to address social and environmental issues.

Hes trying to push across the finish line ... an enormous investment and commitment to addressing the climate crisis, Psaki said. Thats in his legislative agenda thats currently working its way through Congress now. It doesnt mean his climate commitment ends once he signs this into law; it just means thats what our focus is on now, and it will have a dramatic, important impact.

The Capitol protest followed a sit-in Thursday at the Interior Department in downtown Washington. Demonstrators clashed with police as they challenged pipelines and other fossil fuel projects and called for declaration of a climate emergency. More than 50 people were arrested.

An Interior Department spokeswoman said a group of protesters rushed the lobby, injuring at least one security officer who was taken to a nearby hospital. Police and protesters clashed outside the building, and officers used Tasers against several unarmed protesters, a spokeswoman for the protest group said.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet member, was traveling Thursday and was not in the building during the protest.

The protest was part of a historic surge of Indigenous resistance in the nations capital that started on Monday, Indigenous Peoples Day, outside the White House, said Jennifer Falcon, a spokeswoman for the Indigenous Environmental Network, a part of the coalition that organized the protest. More than 100 people were arrested as protesters linked arms and sat along the White House fence line to urge faster action to combat climate change.

The Andrew Jackson statue at the center of Lafayette Park across the street from the White House was defaced with the words Expect Us  part of a rallying cry used by Indigenous people who have been fighting against fossil fuel pipelines.

Protesters also climbed a flagpole outside the Army Corps of Engineers office, demanding a stop to Line 3, an oil pipeline upgrade that was recently completed in Minnesota. The pipeline will bring tar sands oil from Canada to Wisconsin.

In November we made a choice to vote for a president who said he would be the climate president, who said he would stop pipelines, and right now we are seeing a betrayal from the White House and Congress,'' said Zanagee Artis, co-executive director of Zero Hour, a youth-led climate justice organization.

We need climate action now. We are out of time to address this issue, Artis said, adding that he campaigned for Biden and called voters on his behalf.

Black and brown people voted in droves'' for Biden, and young people voted in record numbers for a president who promised action on climate change, Artis said. Now Biden has the power to revoke permits for Line 3 and other pipelines and he has not. He has the power to revoke fossil fuel leases and he has not.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The United States informed on Friday that a group of officials from the State Department, as well as its international development and other agencies, will travel to Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia next week to address the crisis in Myanmar, reported Kyodo News. The situation in Myanmar has deteriorated since the military coup in the month of February. Although the details are still being worked out, senior State Department officials stated the delegation, led by State Department Counselor Derek Chollet, who also serves as a policy adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, will stop in Japan on its way home to discuss Myanmar and Indo-Pacific challenges, reported the outlet.

The officials will seek to expand cooperation with US allies and partners as well as strengthen the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in regional stability during their trip to Southeast Asia, which will take place from October 17 to 22, according to a press release from the State Department. They will reiterate the United States' commitment to Myanmar's people and emphasise that the international community, including neighbouring countries, has an "urgent responsibility" to pressure the military regime to end violence, release political prisoners, and bring back Myanmar to a democratic path, according to the statement. In Thailand, the officials lead by Chollet are also expected to discuss cross-border humanitarian aid for Myanmar.

ASEAN not to invite Myanmar's military leader for regional group's summit

The US officials' trip comes as ASEAN foreign ministers have unilaterally decided not to invite Gen. Min Aung Hlaing for the regional group's summit meeting later this month. The decision has been taken as Gen. Hlaing lead the coup that deposed Myanmar's elected government under civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The decision to exclude Myanmar's military chief signals a historic departure from ASEAN's principle of non-interference in member countries' internal affairs, reported Kyodo News. According to one of the top State Department officials, it appears entirely reasonable and completely justified for ASEAN to restrict Myanmar's participation in subsequent meetings because the military junta has been unwilling to work with ASEAN to address the issue, the outlet reported.

Myanmar military coup

As Myanmar's military has taken steps to sabotage the country's democratic transition, including the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and a few other civilian leaders in Burma, several governments and human rights organisations around the world have expressed concern and urged the military to immediately release all those who have been detained unlawfully. However, the Myanmar Army has claimed it carried out the detentions in response to fraud in last Novembers general election that Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) won by a landslide. On August 1, Military Commander Min Aung Hlaing declared that he would remain in charge until 2023 when he plans to hold an election, reported ANI. According to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), as many as 945 people have been killed since the military takeover took place in February. Additionally, more than 2 lakh people have been displaced due to flashfloods and another 1.8 lakh people have been reported as COVID infected in the country.

(With agency inputs)

Image: AP/ Instagram/ @Derek Chollet
The United States is all set to reopen international borders for fully COVID vaccinated foreign visitors from 33 countries from November 8, reported BBC. Ending the year-long COVID-related travel bans, the US will now allow travellers, who have completed double doses of vaccines against COVID-19, to enter the country via International flights and border crossings, the White House announced on Friday. However, the policy of arrival into the country will be "guided by public health, stringent and consistent," White House Spokesperson Kevin Munoz wrote on Twitter.

Starting next month, the new rules will apply to the group of 26 European nations called the Schengen countries, including Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Germany, and 20 others. Additionally, the US will also welcome fully jabbed travellers from the UK, Brazil, India, Iran, South Africa and Ireland. The resumption of international travel is expected to revive the US economy.

The US new travel policy that requires vaccination for foreign national travelers to the United States will begin on Nov 8. This announcement and date applies to both international air travel and land travel. This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent. https://t.co/uaDiVrjtqi  Kevin Munoz (@KMunoz46) October 15, 2021

New guidelines for vaccinated travellers in US

Currently, not all technical and logistical details have been publicly announced by the White House. As per the Associated Press, the new policy announced currently is quite similar but not identical to those announced last month. Here are details of the previously outlined regulations.

Air passengers must have double vaccination proof before boarding a US-bound flight. Vaccinated air passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test from at least 72hours before the scheduled travel date. The vaccines should be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). (Currently which includes AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sinovac) The travellers will be tested for COVID-19 before entering the United States and while leaving the country. The travellers will be put under contact tracing, which means US-bound airlines will collect information such as phone numbers and email addresses of an individual.

The non-essential travel ban through land and air was imposed in March 2020 to mitigate the skyrocketing cases of COVID-19 in the country. The restrictions began with keeping Chinese travellers out of the country in January 2020 and later the ban was imposed to many more without any clear information on when and how the restrictions were to be lifted. The White House on Tuesday also announced that it has planned to revoke restrictions on land and ferry travels for fully vaccinated travellers from Canada and Mexico.

(With inputs from AP)

(Image: AP)
Laborers say that their bosses do not provide health care or pay them their salaries when they become ill and leave their jobs.

A Lao worker (L) shows lesions on his leg caused by the use of banned chemicals at a Chinese-operated banana farm (R) in Bokeo province in northern Laos, in an undated photo.

Chinese-backed banana farms in Laos are evading a government ban on the use of dangerous pesticides and herbicides that harm workers, and are failing to pay them their salaries when they leave their jobs, despite running profitable export businesses, workers said.

Banana farming for the Chinese market is a major source of employment in rural Laos, with hundreds of hectares of planted land employing Lao villagers and other workers in nurseries, planting, and harvesting, researchers say. But illnesses and deaths have long been reported among Lao workers exposed to chemicals on foreign-operated banana farms.

Most banana plantations in Laos are run by Chinese companies, with growing areas in the northern provinces of Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, and Luang Prabang, and in the central provinces of Borikhamxay and Vientiane.

There were more than 38,000 hectares (93,900 acres) of banana farms throughout the country prior to a government ban on the use of pesticides and herbicides in 2015. But government officials say they are unable to estimate the current amount of land on which the plantations now operate because some growers have shut down their businesses following the ban and during the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic.

Lao banana exports to China and Thailand totaled U.S. $200 million from this January to September, earning more money than other exported crops, based on figures reported by the Vientiane Times on Thursday.

But despite a booming business for Chinese-run banana farms, none of the financial gains have trickled down to Lao workers who earn about U.S. $100-200 a month, laborers said. To make matters worse, the companies do not usually pay the workers on time or at all, and they do not provide health care for those affected by the chemicals.

Workers on the plantations remain exposed to hazardous chemicals which growers import from China even though they are banned in Laos. Yet, they accept dangerous working conditions because they earn more money on the banana farms than by doing other jobs.

Some workers exposed to chemicals develop skin diseases due to a lack of protective gear and few inspections by government officials to ensure that plantation owners are not using banned pesticides and herbicides, workers said.

Data issued by the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment in July state that many banana plantations run by Chinese and other foreign companies still import illegal herbicides and pesticides to use on their acreage in Bokeo province, which has the greatest number of plantations and was the first to implement the ban on chemical usage in the fields.

Its the same everywhere

The banned chemicals used on most Chinese-run banana farms affect not only workers health, but also the environment and the livelihoods of villagers who live near the plantations, according to the ministry.

Some workers who become ill or develop skin lesions from the chemicals leave their jobs, but receive no compensation, plantation workers said.

Two banana farm workers died from chemical usage this year at the VS Chinese banana plantation in Borikhane district, Borikhamxay province, because of the use of banned chemicals.

One worker from a banana plantation in Borikhamxay, who declined to be named for fear of being fired, told RFA that laborers on the farms cannot avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Its the same everywhere with chemical usage on banana farms, he said. Some workers are afraid, and some are not. Those who were scared have quit, so now there are not so many workers. Many dont want to work.

A Borikhamxay official from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry said that during the coronavirus pandemic in Laos, the department assigned officials to routinely inspect banana plantations for chemical usage and to check on the well-being of workers, but he could not provide details.

They routinely went to the plantations for inspection, said the official who declined to give his name, though workers dispute this.

Chinese and Vietnamese banana farms in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, have refused to allow authorities to inspect their farms for chemical usage, and have only permitted them to inspect the fruit during transport for export, said a provincial official from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

They are not allowing inspections of the farms now, nor are they permitting [government soil] experts to check for chemicals, he said. Its only when they transport bananas that they allow them [to do their jobs].

RFA was unable to reach the owners of some of the Chinese companies that operate banana farms in Laos or Lao labor and agriculture officials in other locations for comment.

Laid-off workers feel the pinch

Another banana worker from Borikhane district said laborers must deal with other problems such as delayed or unpaid salaries, prompting most to quit their jobs and return to their hometowns.

Not even 100 laborers out of 600 in 2020 still remain on the banana farm where he works, he said.

There are not many now because they quit when the owners didnt pay them, the worker said.

The owners sometimes said that they would pay on the 15th of the current month, but later changed it to the 15th of the next month, he said.

Chinese owners do not allow workers to leave the premises to buy food, so that they have to purchase their meals on the banana farms, which charge them higher prices, the worker said. If they are caught leaving the premises to buy food, they will be fired.

At another banana farm in Houayxay district, Bokeo province, some workers who were laid off without pay became homeless and had no money to pay for medical treatment for a skin disease they contracted from chemical exposure on the plantation, one of the workers said.

Two other workers laid off from plantations in Attapeu province were forced to walk nearly 250 miles to get to their homes in Khammouane province since they had no money, RFA reported in September.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Khin Maung Zaw had relayed former President Win Myints testimony about an attempt to force his resignation.

Myanmars junta has barred a lawyer representing deposed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint from speaking to the media, the lawyer said Friday, days after he revealed that authorities attempted to force Win Myint to resign as the military seized power in a February coup.

Khin Maung Zaw, a lawyer representing the two National League for Democracy (NLD) leaders in their trial on charges of defamation at a court in the capital Naypyidaw, said in a post to his Facebook page that the juntas Pyinmana township administrator had banned him from speaking to the news media, foreign diplomats, foreign governments or anyone from outside the law, beginning on Thursday.

According to the order, which was issued under Article 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, any communication with said entities would constitute harassment or cause harm to those working in accordance with the law and prompt public unrest.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice, it said.

On Tuesday, Khin Maung Zaw had informed the media that Win Myint testified in court about senior military officials attempting to force his resignation, citing a false health condition, on the day of the coup. When he refused, the officers threatened him, but he would not be swayed, Khin Maung Zaw said.

The former president was detained later that day, along with Aung San Suu Kyi and several other high-ranking party officials, and the military took control of the country.

Another lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RFAs Myanmar Service that Khin Maung Zaw had simply relayed Win Myints testimony and never exaggerated anything.

Kyee Myint, a high court lawyer in Myanmars largest city Yangon, told RFA that the ban on Khin Maung Zaw is illegal.

The Code of Criminal Procedure and the Media Law do not allow thisthey issued this Article 144 order citing a law from over a century ago, he said.

The Media Law was introduced only recently  so, when an ancient law competes with a new law, the latter prevails. According to the 1973 Speech Act, the Media Law overwrites those old [Article] 144 laws. That's why they cant do this to him.

Kyee Myint said he believes the military banned Khin Maung Zaw from talking about the case because it fears the influence of Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. He noted that the ban had only been issued after Win Myints testimony was widely reported in the international media.

The junta says it unseated the NLD government because, they claimed, the party had engineered a landslide victory in Myanmars November 2020 election through widespread voter fraud. It has yet to present evidence of its claims and public unrest is at an all-time high.

In the more than eight months since the Feb. 1 coup, security forces have killed 1,178 civilians and arrested at least 7,341, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisonersmostly during crackdowns on anti-junta protests.

Information blackout

The ban on Khin Maung Zaw follows similar restrictions on lawyers who commented on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. The deposed State Counsellor had previously instructed her legal team to report back to the media, saying court hearings should be made public.

According to a Yangon-based lawyer, who also declined to be named, Aung San Suu Kyi defense attorney San Marlar Nyunt was barred from speaking to the media in August. Another lawyer who regularly commented to the media on Aung San Suu Kyis case has refused to do so for the past two weeks, he said.

Junta Deputy Minister of Information Major General Zaw Min Tun told RFA that restrictions had been imposed on Khin Maung Zaw because his remarks could be destabilizing to the country at a time of acute political tension.

Do these [statements] contribute to the stability and peace of the people at a time like this? You can reasonably decide whether it is helpful or notit does not help, he said.

The restriction was issued because it could lead to more division between the two sides.

But Kyaw Thiha, a member of the NLDs Central Executive Committee, told RFA that the junta is trying to use an information blackout to maintain its grip on power.

Even lawyers are now barred from speaking in public about the court trial of state leaders, he said.

This is like an official declaration to the world, which is watching us. It is an overt declaration that this regime has maintained a news blackout and will continue to direct the countrys internal affairs using unjust laws.

Defamation charge

Win Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi, and former Naypyidaw Mayor Myo Aung all face the charge of defamation of the state under Article 505 (b) of Myanmars Penal Code related to two statements issued by the NLD Central Executive Committee on Feb. 7 and 13 that prosecutors say were meant to disrupt public order and instigate against the state.

Win Myint has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The NLD Central Executive Committees Feb. 7 statement urged foreign governments, diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, and international organizations not to recognize the junta and claimed the military had violated Myanmars 2008 constitution by staging a coup against elected government leaders.

The Feb. 13 statement, which was released while the junta was circulating a restrictive bill on cyber security, claimed that all regulations, rules, and laws enacted by the military government were illegal.

The court in Naypyidaw on June 29 overruled objections by defense lawyers that the statements were inadmissible because they were released after the leaders were detained and held incommunicado.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
The decision comes after Myanmar's military refuses to allow the bloc's envoy to meet all parties as was agreed.

Myanmar's junta leader and armed forces chief Min Aung Hlaing (right) waves during the inauguration of a new military coast guard in Yangon, Myanmar, Oct. 6, 2021.

Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET on 2021-10-15

Southeast Asian foreign ministers decided on Friday not to allow the Burmese junta chief to attend an upcoming ASEAN summit, an Indonesian diplomat said about a rare move by the regional bloc, which has been criticized for its collective dithering in response to post-coup Myanmar.

The top diplomats of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations took the decision at an emergency virtual meeting, after Myanmars military government this week backtracked on allowing ASEANs special envoy to meet with all parties in the country, including jailed opposition leaders.

After Fridays meeting, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that ASEAN member Myanmar had made no progress in implementing the blocs five-point roadmap to putting the country back on a path to peace and democracy.

Indonesia proposed [that] the participation of Myanmar at the summits should not be represented at the political level until Myanmar restores its democracy through an inclusive process, Retno said in a message posted on Twitter.

BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, asked Ade Padmo Sarwono, Indonesias envoy to ASEAN, whether the blocs members had decided against inviting Senior Gen, Min Aung Hlaing  the Burmese junta chief  to the Oct. 26-28 summit.

Read Retnos tweet, he replied.

BenarNews asked him whether other ASEAN members had the same position as Retnos.

Yes, he answered.

In the hours before the regions top diplomats huddled for their emergency meeting, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah warned that Kuala Lumpur would press to have Min Aung Hlaing excluded from the summit, if needed.

Malaysias stand is clear and I will repeat that if there is no significant progress in the implementation of the five-point consensus, the junta chief helming the nation should not be invited to the ASEAN summit, he told reporters.

The junta leader had agreed to the consensus at an April meeting in Jakarta that was called to discuss the situation in Myanmar after he led the military in a Feb. 1 coup that toppled an elected government.

Min Aung Hlaing has tested other ASEAN members patience since leading the coup and throwing Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy government in jail. During the more than eight months since, Burmese security forces have killed close to 1,180 people, mostly anti-coup protesters.

ASEAN was finally pushed to deliver its sharpest response to the Myanmar junta. The 10-member bloc did not immediately issue a statement after the Friday meeting, but one was expected on Saturday.

Several news sites on Friday, citing unnamed sources, corroborated what the Indonesian diplomat Ade said. Some media outlets said that Wunna Maung Lwin, the junta-appointed foreign minister, attended Fridays meeting.

Some news agencies, also citing unnamed sources, said ASEAN would invite a non-political figure to represent Myanmar at the meeting.

The emergency meeting of foreign ministers was called by Brunei, which currently holds the blocs revolving chairmanship.

Until now, Myanmar military-appointed officials have participated in all ASEAN sub-meetings since the coup. The junta has also splashed photographs of these virtual ASEAN gatherings on state media and social media, all in an attempt to gain legitimacy.

Political analysts and rights groups had said that was tantamount to recognizing the military government.

Credibility gap

For this reason and for its legendary delays in arriving at decisions, ASEAN was on the verge of losing credibility.

This was the cost of its dithering and indecision on the complex and fast-evolving geopolitical environment, former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa recently told The Jakarta Post.

The regional bloc works by consensus, which is why critics have called it ineffective. Some diplomats in the region had said that Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand were blocking taking stern action against the Myanmar junta.

It took the bloc more than a hundred days to agree on who would be special envoy to Myanmar. During that time, ASEAN also watered down a United Nations resolution calling for an arms embargo on Myanmar.

Throughout this period of indecision, Burmese security forces continued to shoot at and kill anti-coup protesters.

On Thursday, two analysts told BenarNews that they did not think ASEAN member-states would agree to block Min Aung Hlaing from the summit  or at least not agree on this at the emergency meeting.

Still, it was clear during the past two weeks that Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines were against allowing the leader of the Myanmar coup into the summit because he was not cooperating with ASEAN envoy to Myanmar Erywan Yusof.

Meanwhile, a host of countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, on Friday issued a Joint Statement of Support for the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar.

They said they are committed to supporting his efforts to facilitate Myanmars full and urgent implementation of the five-point consensus, as decided by ASEAN leaders and the Commander in Chief of the Myanmar military.

We emphasize support for the objectives of Dato Erywans visit, including his intention to meet all parties in line with the Five-Point Consensus, and call on the regime to facilitate his access. We reiterate our support for the Special Envoy role going forward, and stand ready to support ASEANs efforts across Chairs, the statement said.

ASEANs decisive move, after months, to deliver its sharpest rebuke to the Myanmar junta won plaudits from some analysts and on social media.

Simon Adams, president of the Center for Victims of Torture, an organization that treats torture survivors and does human rights advocacy, called it a good decision by ASEAN to not allow the junta chief into the summit.

A junta that is responsible for shooting down protesters, mass arrests and overseeing the torture of detainees should not be allowed to pretend that it has diplomatic credibility, said Adams.

Myanmars generals belong in handcuffs not at ASEAN meetings. Its time for ASEAN to give the 5-point consensus some teeth.

Mizanur Rahman, commissioner of the Bangladesh Securities & Exchange Commission, said on Twitter: ASEAN seems to have exceeded my expectations."

The Civil Disobedience Movement, led by professionals in Myanmar, thanked ASEAN.

You made the right decision not to invite treasoner-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing. He committed treason against the country and he is a terrorist, the group said in a tweet.

He doesnt deserve to be sitting at the ASEAN meeting.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
Ruben Brekelmans, a Dutch politician and member of the Netherlands House of Representatives since March, introduced a motion for diaspora groups  including Uyghurs from northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region  who live in the European country and are subject to diplomatic pressure, to be included in the Dutch governments human rights policy and annual human rights report. Lawmakers unanimously passed the motion on Wednesday.

The moves comes nearly eight months after the Dutch parliament passed a nonbinding motion declaring that Chinas systematic persecution and mass detention of Uyghurs amounts to genocide  the first such move by a European country. At the time, Prime Minister Mark Ruttes conservative-liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) voted against the resolution.

Brekelmans, 35, spoke to Mamatjan Juma, deputy director of RFAs Uyghur Service, about why he introduced the recent motion, how it will affect Uyghurs living in the Netherlands, and whether the Dutch parliament will introduce further motions on Uyghur human rights. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RFA: Why did you introduce the motion, which the Dutch parliament passed on Wednesday?

Brekelmans: In the Netherlands, we have a human rights policy, and every year the government writes an extensive report on what has been achieved across the world, but its all about what happens outside the Netherlands. What my motion asks from the government is to look at repression thats happening within the Netherlands for minority groups that are threatened by their respective governments. Of course, the Uyghurs are an important example, but also with opposition members from Iran or journalists from Belarus we have seen the same thing  that regimes are also threatening them inside the Netherlands. The motion asks that we include these in our human rights policies as well, to report on this every year. And if we put pressure on a foreign regime, then we also take into account the violations of human rights inside the Netherlands. The resolution has passed. It was accepted by the entire parliament. We have 150 seats in the Netherlands, and everyone voted in favor of the motion. So, it has been widely accepted.

RFA: What happens now that the motion has passed?

Brekelmans: The motion has been accepted, which means that now the government has to implement the motion. So they have to include repression of minorities inside the Netherlands in their human rights policies. It doesn't mean that there is now new legislation because it was not an amendment, as we call it, to any existing legislation. But the motion has legislative power in the sense that the government now has to implement it because it has been accepted by parliament.

RFA: So the government can mobilize law enforcement agencies and take some necessary steps to protect the Uyghur population in the Netherlands, right?

Brekelmans: Yes, those laws and legislation already exist. When there is any intimidation and if it can be proven that there is an individual behind it, then of course we have all the usual laws for any intimidation in the Netherlands. But what we see in practice is that its often very anonymous whats happening. Someone gets a phone call from someone they dont know but its very likely that its someone working for the Chinese Embassy or for the Chinese regime. It is very hard to attribute it to an individual and to prosecute that individual. So thats why existing legislation on intimidation often doesnt work. And this law doesnt change anything about that. Its not about having new forms of punishment or anything like that. But what it does do is that it brings more attention to this problem, makes it more known to our diplomats, so that when our diplomats are interacting with China they also take into account intimidation and repression that's happening inside the Netherlands. Thats often neglected now or its not taken into account to the fullest extent, and its becoming more prominent in our diplomatic interactions with China. So for next year, this element will be included, and it will be part of the human rights report that is written every year. From tomorrow onward, it will be part of the diplomatic practice.

RFA: The Dutch parliament has recognized the policy China is conducting in Xinjiang as a genocide and as crimes against humanity, but so far the Dutch government hasnt recognized it as such. Whats the possibility that the Dutch government will accept, denounce, or recognize these atrocities as genocide and crimes against humanity?

Brekelmans: At this point, its a bit hard to say because the current government had some strict rules for recognizing a genocide in general, not specifically for the Uyghurs. There were different criteria for accepting and recognizing a genocide. We are currently forming a new coalition government, and it might be that those criteria will be slightly amended, but its still very uncertain. It could also be that those criteria remain the same. And then we would need to see whether its possible, whether the government is willing to recognize it.

RFA: U.S. lawmakers have passed the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act and are working on a Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Does the Dutch parliament plan to introduce similar legislation concerning Uyghur human rights issues?

Brekelmans: Yes, in the Netherlands it works a bit differently, so we dont have this big legislation or these big acts like you have in the United States. We normally work more through motions and amendments as we have discussed in this interview. I think there will be a lot of attention not only on China and Chinas internal policies, but also on foreign policy. There will be many new policies and measures introduced over the next couple of years, but I dont think that there will be a big act or a big package of legislation as in the United States because thats not a political practice in the Netherlands.

RFA: Is the new amendment basically for the Uyghurs?

Brekelmans: Its broader than that. Its not only for Uyghurs  thats also mentioned in the motion  but also, for example, for opposition members from Iran. We have seen a lot of intimidation of them. We see it for journalists and people working for NGOs that have come from Belarus. Weve also seen it from the diaspora from Eritrea which is intimidated by the embassy. It is for multiple governments and multiple minorities, though Uyghurs are definitely one of the major [groups], and thats why it was also mentioned in the motion.

Reported by Mamatjan Juma for RFAs Uyghur Service. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.
A court in Iran sentence the former governor of the countrys central bank to 10 years in prison for violating Irans currency system, a judiciary spokesperson said on October 16.

Besides violating the currency system, Valiollah Seif also had a role in smuggling foreign currency, judiciary spokesman Zabihollah Khodaeian told state TV.

Ahmad Araqchi, a then-deputy to Seif, was sentenced to eight years on the same charges, Khodaeian said.

Eight others were also sentenced to various prison terms, he said. All of the defendants have the right to appeal.

Seif was governor of Iran's central bank for five years, until 2018, under former President Hassan Rohani. Araqchi was his deputy from 2017-18.

State TV said they were involved in violations of the currency market in 2016, a time when the Iranian rial dropped sharply in value against major foreign currencies.

The defendants illegally injected $160 million and 20 million euros into the market, state TV said.

The rial exchange rate was at 39,000 to $1 in 2017 at the beginning of Araqchi's time in office, but it reached more than 110,000 to $1 by the time he was dismissed in 2018. The change partly coincided with severe U.S. sanctions imposed on Tehran.

The rial has tumbled from a rate of around 32,000 rials to $1 at the time of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers to around 27,000 rials to $1 in recent months.

The currency unexpectedly rallied for some time after President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the nuclear deal and reimpose crippling trade sanctions on Iran in 2018.

The sanctions have caused Irans oil exports, the countrys main source of income, to fall sharply.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Iranian media reports say the planned execution of a man who was arrested for murder at the age of 17 has been postponed after international appeals for his life to be spared.

Arman Abdolali, now aged 25, was scheduled to be executed on October 16 for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, who went missing in 2014.

The body of the alleged murder victim has never been found.

Iran Human Rights (IHR) said Abdolali confessed to the murder at the time of his arrest, but later withdrew his confession.

Amnesty International has called his trial "grossly unfair" by a court that "relied on torture-tainted 'confessions.'"

Rights groups also say his execution would violate international conventions that Iran has signed that prohibit the execution of minors.

The postponement marks the second time within a week that Abdolali's execution has been delayed, according to Iranian media.

"Arman Abdolali's sentence which was to be carried out this morning...has been stopped again, and the young man was sent back to prison last night," the Etemad newspaper reported on its website, without elaborating.

The Hamshahri newspaper had said this week that the death sentence had been postponed until October 16, adding that Abdolali would "probably be executed soon."

Amnesty International says Abdolali was being held in solitary confinement at a prison in Karaj, west of Tehran, in preparation for his execution there.

"The Iranian authorities must immediately halt all plans to execute Arman Abdolali," Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement.

UN human rights experts also appealed to Iran to halt the execution.

"International human rights law unequivocally forbids imposition of the death sentence on anyone under 18 years of age," said the Geneva-based UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Iran has denied that its use of the death penalty for crimes committed as minors should be taken as a sign that it violates human rights.

Iran executed at least 246 people during 2020 -- retaining its place as the most prolific user of capital punishment in the region and the second worldwide after China, according to Amnesty International.

IHR, which monitors the use of the death penalty in Iran, said at least 64 juvenile offenders have been executed in Iran over the past 10 years.

In a sign of the international concern over the case, Germany's human rights commissioner, Baerbel Kofler, said carrying out the execution would be an "unacceptable breach of international law."

"Arman Abdolali was a minor at the time of the alleged crime. There is credible evidence that his confession was obtained under torture and that the conviction thus contradicts fundamental principles of the rule of law," she said in a statement released by the German Foreign Ministry.

With reporting by AFP
An Iranian appeals court has upheld a ruling that adds another year to the prison sentence of an Iranian-British woman who has already served a five-year prison sentence in Tehran, according to her lawyer.

The initial court ruling against Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe also included a one-year-travel ban abroad, meaning Zaghari-Ratcliffe cannot leave Iran to join her husband and now 7-year-old daughter in London for nearly two more years.

In April, the court sentenced Zaghari-Ratcliffe on charges that she had spread propaganda against the system when she participated in a protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in London in 2009.

Lawyer Hojjat Kermani said on October 16 that Zaghari-Ratcliffe was "concerned" when he informed her about the appeals court decision at a closed-door hearing. He said that she was in touch with her family about the decision.

Employed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the Reuters news agency, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was taken into custody at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport in April 2016 when she tried to return to her home in Britain after visiting family in Iran.

She was then sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly plotting the overthrow of Irans government -- a charge that she, her supporters, and rights groups deny.

Rights groups accuse Iran of holding dual nationals as bargaining chips for money or influence in negotiations with the West.

Tehran denies that it jails dual nationals to use as bargaining chips.

Iran does not recognize dual nationalities, so detainees like Zaghari-Ratcliffe cannot receive consular assistance.

Authorities recently furloughed Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison because of the surging coronavirus pandemic. She has been restricted to her parents home in Tehran since.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Russia on October 16 reported 1,002 deaths linked to COVID-19, the highest such figure since the pandemic began.



New COVID-19 cases, confirmed in the past 24 hours, also hit a record high at 33,208, the Russian coronavirus task force said.

RFE/RL's Coronavirus Coverage Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.

Overall, Russias coronavirus task force has reported more than 7.9 million confirmed cases and 222,315 deaths -- the highest death toll in Europe and the fifth hardest-hit nation in the world.



The state statistics agency Rosstat, which also counts deaths where the virus wasnt considered the main cause, has reported a much higher toll of pandemic deaths -- about 418,000 deaths of people with COVID-19 as of August. If that higher number is used, Russia would be the fourth hardest-hit nation in the world, surging past Mexico.



The Kremlin has blamed the rising death toll on Russia's slow vaccination campaign and has appealed to people to get the shot. Take-up has been slow, with many Russians citing distrust of the authorities and fear of new medical products.



Russia was fast to develop and launch its Sputnik vaccine when the pandemic struck last year and has since approved four vaccines for use.



Despite the surge in infections and deaths, the Kremlin has ruled out a nationwide lockdown, delegating the power to make decisions on toughening coronavirus restrictions to regional authorities.



Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized on October 12 the importance of broad vaccination and urged lawmakers to help encourage the population to get the shots.



We must patiently and persistently work with people and explain all the advantages of prophylactics against this dangerous disease, Putin told a meeting with newly elected Russian lawmakers.



Around one-third of the population -- 43 million -- has been inoculated, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on October 12.

With reporting by Interfax and Reuters
The source of a massive leak of information, including videos, of alleged torture and sexual assaults in Russia's penitentiary system has fled to France, where he plans to seek political asylum.

The news was confirmed on October 16 by Vladimir Osechkin, a prominent Russian human rights defender, who runs the anti-torture project Gulagu.net, which has released much of the video.

Osechkin had described his source for the massive leak only as a Belarusian IT engineer who had been incarcerated in a prison in Saratov where he faced abuse, calling him only "Syarhey."

According to Gulagu.net, Syarhey arrived at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris on October 16 on a flight from an unspecified country in northern Africa. It said he had immediately turned to police at the airport in the French capital for help on seeking asylum.

It also included a photo on its Telegram channel depicting someone it said was Syarhey at the airport.

Gulagu.net on October 4 began publishing the first batch of videos that it claimed show prison inmates being tortured by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN).

Osechkin wrote on Facebook on October 4 that the videos "prove" that FSB and FSIN members are using rape and other forms of torture to force inmates to cooperate with them and that they "themselves become part of the torture machine" by snitching on other inmates or by signing false testimonies prepared by investigators.

Russian prosecutors said on October 5 that they had launched a preliminary investigation into the videos already released by Osechkins Gulagu.net, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov promised a "serious" probe if the incidents depicted in the clips turn out to be genuine.

One of the videos posted on the Vot-tak.tv website shows several people using a large stick to rape a naked man who is tied to a bed.

According to Osechkin, that video was shot in a Russian prison in February 2020.

The Mediazona website published three other videos purportedly showing inmates being tortured in a prison hospital in the city of Saratov.

According to Osechkin, Syarhey had access to videos stored in the prison's computers that were shot in several penitentiaries in the Vladimir, Saratov, and Irkutsk regions between 2018 and 2020.

Osechkin alleged that some 200 inmates have been tortured and raped by FSB and FSIN agents in these penitentiaries during that period, and that the videos he has obtained document the ill-treatment of 40 of them.

A spokesman for the Prosecutor-General's Office, Andrei Ivanov, told reporters on October 5 that all correctional facilities in Saratov will be checked as part of a preliminary investigation to see if inmates there were being abused.

A day later, on October 6, the FSIN said it had fired five senior prison officials, including the director of the prison where the alleged abuse took place and the head of the regional prison service.
Vietnamese automaker VinFast will debut two new all-electric SUV modelsthe VF e35 and VF e36 (pictured)next month at the Los Angeles Auto Show ahead of a planned 2022 U.S. launch. (VinFast)
Five of the seven Rocky Mount City Council wards experienced a substantial loss of population from 2010 to 2020, with Ward 2 in particular bei
Romaa Rekhi

Chandigarh: Romaa Rekhi is an Indian Casting Director who has worked on the movies like 'Singham' (Punjabi), 'Guddiyan Patole', 'Rabb Da Radio', 'Bhajjo Veero Ve' and many more. Romaa has also played an important role in casting the actors for the famous television serial 'Udaariyaan' which is produced by Ravi Dubey & Sargun Mehta. The main leads of the show are also being loved by the audience and their fan following is increasing day by day. Her upcoming projects are 'Sass Meri Ne Munde Jamme', etc., and we assume that characters of these films will also get the same love and acceptance from the viewers.

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Romaa was born and brought up in Delhi and is from a nuclear family. However, her friend circle is from Punjabi Film Industry so, she had links with the producers and directors. Whenever her friends discuss the story and its characterization, she used to give her suggestions about which actor may best suit for a specific role and this is how her career as casting director began. She always first listens to the narration and then decides the actors according to the role and personality.

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Romaa Rekhi

Romaa believes that casting is the soul of any film, any wrong selection may ruin the feel of that story. As we all know, in Punjabi films almost the same artists are casted but she usually tries to give chance to new artists who have potential and courage but are looking for a chance to prove themselves.

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Romaa recently started her own casting company by name Romaa Rekhi Casting and soon she will be delivering major projects in Pollywood. When asked about her future plans, Romaa revealed that her company is planning to conduct workshops and training programs for people who are interested in pursuing their careers as actors. Starting from Punjab, these workshops will be organised all over India.

Romaa enjoys her work as a casting director and she feels that it is her own way of contributing to the world of Cinema by casting fresh faces and giving chance to unknown talents.
The first US-listed bitcoin exchange traded funds are on the verge of launching next week with the deadline for an objection from Americas top securities regulator fast approaching.

According to people familiar with the matter, the ETFs are likely to be given a green light by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, marking the culmination of an eight-year battle to win approval.

ProShares Bitcoin Strategy would be the first ETF to launch, probably on Tuesday, when the 75-day period during which the SEC could object will have expired. A day later, the Invesco Bitcoin Strategy ETF, would also be allowed to launch unless the regulator blocks it.

ProShares and Invesco declined to comment. The SEC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The likely approvals could open the floodgates to a stream of similar products, potentially fuelling a further leg up in the price of the cryptocurrency, which was trading 4.8 per cent higher on Friday at a shade under $60,000 on the Coinbase exchange.

All the ETFs will be based on bitcoin futures contracts, rather than the spot price, with the SEC known to be concerned about a potential lack of liquidity and the risk of price manipulation on spot exchanges.

It is still possible that the ETFs hit a roadblock, with the SEC having until midnight on Monday to raise objections to ProShares vehicle.

As recently as last week Gary Gensler, chair of the SEC, described crypto finance as the Wild West or the old world of buyer beware that existed before securities laws were enacted, adding that it is rife with fraud, scams and abuse.

However, Gensler has hinted that he is more comfortable with trading on regulated futures venues such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Overnight the SECs Office of Investor Education and Advocacy tweeted: Before investing in a fund that holds bitcoin futures contracts, make sure you carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits.

The likely approvals come eight years after entrepreneurs and Olympic rowers the Winklevoss twins applied to launch the first bitcoin ETF in the US, at a time when bitcoin was trading nearer $1,000.

A swath of proposed funds has bitten the dust since, with the US having been overtaken by jurisdictions such as Sweden, Switzerland, Jersey, Germany and Canada that have permitted crypto exchange traded products.

Almost 50 crypto ETPs are now up and running worldwide with combined assets of $14bn, according to data from TrackInsight. This includes 16 bitcoin ETPs, including inverse vehicles, which rise in price when bitcoin falls and vice versa.

US investors have had access to private trusts such as the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, however, which has grown to $37bn in assets since launching in 2013, indicating the appetite for the cryptocurrency in the US.

Weekly net flows into dedicated cryptocurrency funds as a whole hit a four-year high of more than $2.5bn earlier this month, according to data provider EPFR.

While the SEC believes bitcoin futures are more appropriate for retail investors than trading in the underlying spot market, they are unlikely to deliver the same returns.

The bitcoin futures market typically, though not always, trades with a modestly upward sloping curve, known as contango. This means that, more often than not, a fund will incur a loss when it rolls the front-month contract into a longer-dated one.

Matt Hougan, chief investment officer of Bitwise Invest, which has filed to launch a spot bitcoin ETF, estimated the cost of this roll yield at 5 to 10 per cent a year.

Dave Abner, global head of business development of Gemini, a crypto exchange, said that while bitcoin futures ETFs are said to offer more protections for investors, this approach could unfortunately create another set of returns that dont equal reality for investors seeking investment exposure to bitcoin.
The Biden administration will drop travel restrictions for vaccinated people from November 8, reopening the US to foreign nationals travelling by air or land from places around the world, including the UK and Europe.

The White House confirmed on Friday its new travel system would start in three weeks time, ending the series of travel restrictions that have been in place since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Munoz, a White House spokesperson, said on Twitter that the new rules would apply to both international air travel and land travel, and was guided by public health, stringent, and consistent.

Under the current rules, which were put in place by former president Donald Trump, people who have been in the UK, Ireland, the Schengen area, China, India, Iran, South Africa or Brazil in the previous 14 days cannot enter the US unless they are a US resident, green card holder or have a specific exemption.

Trump rescinded those rules on his last day in office, but they were immediately reimposed by his successor Joe Biden.

British and EU officials have argued for months that the bans are illogical now that vaccination rates are higher in most of Europe than the US, and Covid case rates lower. They were vindicated last month when the Biden administration announced it would replace them with vaccine requirements in early November.

Air travellers will have to show proof of having been fully jabbed and show a negative Covid test taken in the previous three days.

The US will also reopen its land borders with Canada and Mexico to vaccinated travellers, ending restrictions put in place at the start of the pandemic and easing what was becoming a big strain in Bidens relationship with Americas closest neighbours.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will release the full details on how the policy will be implemented in the coming days, including which vaccines will be accepted and what kinds of proof will be needed. People briefed on the plans said children would be exempted from the vaccination requirement, though it is not clear at what age the US will set the cut-off.

A firm date for the restart of international travel will be welcomed by the airline and travel industries, which have been badly hit by the near total shutdown of some of their most lucrative routes. Flights between the UK and North America were worth $9bn a year in revenue to UK and US airlines before the pandemic.

Satya Anand, president of Emea for the hotel group Marriott, said he was extremely pleased by the news. This decision will further support the travel industrys global recovery, and we look forward to welcoming these travellers back to our US hotels.

The opening of the border would also be crucial to the recovery of US cities where footfall has remained low, said Peter Kern, chief executive of Expedia.

New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles have dragged because normally those would filled up by a lot of international travellers . . . When Europeans are here, it is good for cities, he said.

The US welcomed about 80m international tourists in 2019, according to the UN World Tourism Organization. So far this year, arrivals of foreign citizens have been down 79 per cent compared with 2019.
Jason Gentry identifies his co-defendant, Dominick Donovan, from the stand during Donovans trial in Salem Superior Court in 2018. Gentry, who had originally avoided jail time, was sentenced to 18 months in jail on Friday after a judge concluded Gentry flouted the terms of his probation.
Carlsbads iconic windmill building on Palomar Airport Road will soon be transformed into a food hall with 11 restaurant concepts, a full bar and childrens games.

Windmill Food Hall, which will open in the summer, will fill the 12,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by TGI Fridays restaurant, which closed in 2016.

Windmill Food Hall is the latest brainchild of Carlsbad restaurant entrepreneur James Markham, who developed the national chains Pieology, Project Pie and MOD Pizza, as well as his newer local concepts Crackheads, Rolled Up, Doughballs and Jarfood.

Markhams ahead-of-the-curve thinking has led to glowing write-ups in numerous trade publications, including Restaurant Hospitality, Business News Daily, Fast Casual, Pizza Marketplace and PMQ Pizza Magazine.

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In 2015, Entrepreneur magazine wrote that Markham may not have created fast-casual pizza. But the serial entrepreneur is definitely the Johnny Appleseed of custom quick-serve pies.

Carlsbad restaurant entrepreneur James Markham will open his Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad in summer 2018. (James Markham )

So if Markham is known for hitting home runs with his food ideas, does he see food halls as the next big thing? Yes, but he plans to improve on the concept.

I think that food halls are here to stay, he said in an interview on Tuesday. Most of the stuff I do is a little different than everyone else. Food halls now are daytime-driven, dependent on the lunch and early-day weekend crowd. None of them have created an atmosphere that draws people in at night. We plan on doing that.

Windmill Food Hall will have 11 individual food-service areas that will be leased to different vendors. Some will be Markhams own concepts, like Crackheads, an all-day breakfast sandwich eatery, and maybe Doughballs, which serves wood-fired pizzas. But others will be up-and-coming, locally-born restaurants that Markham wants to help transition up from farmers markets and food trucks.

To keep the venue family-oriented, Markham said there will be childrens games like Skee-Ball, a vintage Pac-Man video game, Ping-Pong, Jenga and other hands-on games and play items.

And for the grown-ups, Markham will be introducing a single-point payment system, similar to the one used last fall at the KAABOO festival in Del Mar. When parties arrive at the check-in desk, theyll be issued a key fob or bracelet synced to their credit card, which can be swiped at any booth or the bar.

Markham said this will simplify the purchasing process for large parties and free up cocktail waiters, so they can concentrate on filling table-side drink orders without having to process credit cards.

An artists rendering of the Windmill Food Hall, which will open in Carlsbad in the summer. (James Markham )

Windmill Food Hall, which is aiming for a June opening, is one of three food halls now in the works around San Diego County.

This summer, the Little Italy Food Hall will open next to the pedestrian-friendly Piazza della Famiglia on West Date Street between Columbia and India streets.

Also this summer, Whisknladle Hospitality will reopen the former San Diego Tech Center in Sorrento Valley as Park Commons, a 10,000-square-foot food hall and event space. One chef will oversee multi-concept food stations that will serve salads, Middle Eastern wraps, street tacos, poke, sandwiches and coffee, plus an evening bar.

They all join Liberty Public Market, a highly successful 30-vendor food hall that opened two years ago at Liberty Station in Point Loma.

The lease for the Windmill property was handled by Bill Shrader, David Maxwell, and Serena Patterson of Colliers International San Diego Regions Urban Property Team.

Shrader said the explosion of food halls is part of a nationwide trend among diners to have more than just a meal when they go out to eat.

The interior of the former TGI Fridays restaurant in Carlsbad will soon become the Windmill Food Hall. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune )

Experiential retail and restaurant concepts will continue to thrive as consumers want choice when dining out, he said. The Windmill Food Hall will deliver an exciting, new concept in one of North Countys iconic buildings.

The Windmill Food Hall will open at 890 Palomar Airport Road, just west of The Flower Fields and Legoland California. The 150-room lodge portion of the property is the Carlsbad By the Sea hotel.

The windmill-topped building was constructed in 1982 as the southernmost location of Pea Soup Andersens, a cafe/hotel company founded in Buellton in 1924 by Denmark-born restaurateur Anton Andersen. The buildings were sold to Holiday Inn in 1998. Last September, RAR Hospitality assumed management of the hotel. The company is planning a $1 million refreshment of the property.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
The Great Resignation

In the midst of the current labor shortage, 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The latest figures are for August when 242,000 more workers quit than in July.

The high resignation rate is an ongoing trend that has been dubbed the great resignation.

Each month, more people are quitting their jobs. At the same time, employers are finding it tough to hire qualified workers.

Why People Are Quitting

Many surveys, like the one done by Prudential, find that departing workers are seeking better pay, better benefits, and better work/life balance.

Theres simply no labor shortage when youre talking about finding house cleaners for a hotel  there is a shortage of workers who want to work at what youre offering, says Sylvia Allegretto, a University of California  Berkeley labor economist.

Prudentials Vice Chair Rob Falzon agrees.

The road ahead will see the market for talent heat up, and it will become increasingly competitive for employers to attract and retain top talent, says Falzon. Employers looking to be a magnet for top talent in the post-pandemic economy must understand workers expectations of work and what they need from their jobs.

How You Can Benefit

Employers are adding incentives to attract and retain employees. If you are a qualified applicant, you may have several options.

Some things to look for in a new job include:

Higher compensation. Companies across the country have raised starting pay. In addition, more companies are offering sign-on bonuses.

Childcare. Many women have not returned to employment because they have no way to care for dependents. As a result, more companies are offering help with childcare.

Flexibility. More companies are open to hybrid work schedules. A lot of clients are telling us We dont care if its temp or contract work or full-time, we are flexible to whatever the candidate wants,' says Lauren Ferrara, vice president of recruiter Creative Circle.

Women Raise Careers With Poker

Negotiating is tough. It would be easier if someone invented a game that you could enjoy while perfecting your bargaining skills. A game that would teach you to know when to hold em and when to fold em.

Wait a minute. Such a game exists. It is called poker and it is being used to teach women how to advance in the workplace.

Poker Skills = Business Skills

Using poker to help women hone business skills is the brainchild of billionaire options trader Jenny Just. She co-founded Peak6 Capital Management 20 years ago.

Poker Power is a 12 module course designed to teach women poker skills that apply to business success. Those skills include spotting tells. Those are changes in an opponents behavior that give clues to the strength of that players hand. Spotting tells is called reading an opponent.

I started Poker Power in 2019 as a launchpad for girls and women to succeed in school, business and life,  says Just on the Power Poker website. The skills and strategies that we teach empower women to sit at every table, from the classroom to the boardroom.

Numbers Stacked Against Women

Just also claims poker can improve self-confidence and build risk tolerance. Women will need those skills to raise their numbers in management.

About 35 percent of managers at Peak6 are women. However, the national average of women money managers is 14 percent. That figure has not changed in two decades.

A Morningstar report earlier this year found that there are seven times as many male executive officers as women. At the top level, only 0ne in 17 CEOs are women, according to the study.

COVID Changes Life Insurance

Covid deaths worldwide have topped 4.5 million. Over 700,000 have occurred in the United States alone.

As a result, life insurance sales and premiums have soared to levels not seen in decades. At the same time, some companies are beefing up underwriting to make it harder or more costly for Covid survivors to get coverage.

A Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA) report shows those sales and price trends.

Sales and Premiums Rising

Sales of life policies increased eight percent in the first six months of 2021. That is the largest increase since 1983, according to LIMRA.

Part of that increase may be due to companies waiving some application requirements.

Insurers are issuing life policies despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, financial author Laura Adams told BankRate. In fact, many carriers have adjusted their requirements so you can skip an in-person medical exam.

Life premiums increased 18 percent over the first half of 2021, reports the survey. The second quarter of this year produced a 21 percent premium increase. That is the largest quarterly jump since the third quarter of 1987, according to LIMRA.

Existing Coverage Unchanged

Nothing changes if you have a life policy you purchased before the pandemic. If you die from Covid, your policy will still pay out.

You may find some changes If you purchase a new policy.

There may be additional wording that excludes a payout for a Covid related death. Look for these exclusions and ask the sales agent about them.

Last 12 Months Question

Insurance companies incorporated a 12-month exclusion question on policies even before the pandemic. That question may prohibit coverage if you have had Covid in the last year. The question goes something like this:

In the last twelve months, have you had or been advised to have by a physician any surgery, diagnostic test, hospitalization, treatment or other procedure that has not been done or for which results are not known?

A yes answer to this question is always a decline, writes Anthony Martin, founder and CEO of Choice Mutual Insurance. Again, every single application no matter what company you consider or what type of policy you look at will have this sort of question.

Guaranteed Issue Policies

Guaranteed issue policies are an alternative to traditional life policies. They do not ask screening questions or require physical examinations. However, policy prices are usually higher than standard policies and face amounts are often lower.

What You Can do

If you own your own coverage  keep it. Contact your insurance company if you are having trouble paying your premium. Some companies allow you to delay payments.

If you do not have coverage, now is a good time to apply. However, you should shop around. Look for the most coverage at the lowest rate from a highly rated company.

How to Research an Insurance Company

The best way to gauge the strength and performance of an insurance company is to check with your states insurance department. You can also check rating companies such as Standard & Poors and A. M. Best.

You can also try Bestow for a life insurance company.

Read More:

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.
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Becoming partly cloudy later with any flurries or snow showers ending by noontime. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

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The rate of new COVID-19 cases statewide has gone up steadily since about mid-July, when the seven-day average dropped below 30. Despite some fluctuations over the past month, that upward trend has continued.
California Highway patrol officers detained four people after authorities said the driver of a stolen vehicle led police on a highway chase that ended in Oakland, where the suspect vehicle crashed into an AC Transit bus, causing the bus to crash into a home, authorities said.

Multiple people were injured in the crash, including the bus driver, four bus passengers and all four suspects in the silver Toyota Camry that led police on a chase on Highway 24, Interstate 980 and the streets of Oakland before subsequently crashing, Oakland police and CHP officials told The Chronicle.

Oakland police said the four suspects  all men  were taken into custody by CHP officials, but it was immediately unclear on what charges they were formally arrested, said Off. Karsant, a spokesperson with CHPs Oakland office. All four were taken to a local hospital, where two were in critical condition and two were in stable condition, Oakland police said.

Seven passengers and the bus driver were aboard at the time of the crash, Oakland police said. The bus driver and four bus passengers were taken to a local hospital and were in stable condition on Friday evening, Oakland police said.

The one person who was inside the Oakland home at the time of the crash was not injured, police said.

Karsant said CHP Oakland officials were alerted by CHP Contra Costa officials shortly after 2 p.m. that they were pursuing a reportedly stolen vehicle that was traveling westbound on Highway 24. At about 2:07 p.m., Oakland polices Communications Division were alerted by CHP that they were involved in a felony vehicle pursuit of a car driving toward Oakland.

CHP officials requested air support from Oakland polices helicopter, ARGUS, which followed the vehicle overhead, Oakland police said.

Oakland CHP officials took over the pursuit on westbound 24 at Old Tunnel Road  west of the Caldecott Tunnel  where Karsant said the suspect vehicle reached speeds of 70 mph while driving through moderate traffic. The vehicle eventually exited the freeway, prompting CHP to stop pursuing, but then the vehicle pulled back onto the freeway on the Broadway onramp to westbound Highway 24, Karsant said.

CHP officials followed the Toyota onto westbound Interstate 980, where the vehicle eventually exited on 27th Street in Oakland, Karsant said. CHP officials stopped chasing the vehicle Due to the drivers erratic driving, Oakland police said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

As the suspect vehicle continued to drive recklessly on city streets, Oakland police said the car crashed into an AC Transit bus at the intersection of 10th and Market Streets.

After impact, the bus then crashed into a residential home, police said.

Oakland and CHP officers responded to the scene and safely extracted passengers from the bus, police said.

Lauren Hernndez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
San Jose is about to become the biggest city in California with mandatory water reductions.

In response to the states deepening drought, the San Jose Water Co., which serves more than 1 million people in San Jose and surrounding communities, notified the state on Friday that it plans to impose 15% cuts on all households, compared to their 2019 water use. Surcharges would be levied on those who dont comply.

Because the water supplier is a private company, it needs approval from the California Public Utilities Commission before moving forward, which its almost certain to get. Officials with the San Jose Water Co. said they expect the mandates to take effect in mid-November.

We are absolutely in a serious drought, and we dont know what this winter will bring, said Liann Walborsky, the companys director of corporate communications. The more we save now, the better off well be in the future.

Across Northern California, dozens of cities and water districts have begun forcing customers to reduce water use. Two years of little rain and snow has left supplies in many communities at sometimes record lows. In the Bay Area, shortages in Marin and Sonoma counties are especially dire, with some water agencies demanding residents cut as much as as 40%. Many in agriculture have lost all their water.

The San Jose Water Co., which nourishes most of San Jose as well as Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga and Monte Sereno, gets almost all its water from the wholesaler Santa Clara Valley Water District in the South Bay. The districts supplies, a mix of local reservoirs and wells on top of water bought from the state and federal water projects, have dropped significantly this year.

Making matters worse, one of the districts reservoirs, Anderson Lake near Morgan Hill, was drained last year for earthquake repairs at the order of the federal government. The districts total reservoir storage stood at just 11% of capacity this week.

In June, the district declared an official water shortage and asked retailers, including the San Jose Water Co., to reduce their demand by 15%, compared to 2019, the last year before the two-year drought. The San Jose Water Co. responded by asking customers to cut back voluntarily, but the reductions have fallen short of the target.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District said Friday that it doesnt expect to drop its reduction goal even with the wet winter season approaching. The forecast calls for possibly heavy rains across much of Northern California late next week, but the long-term outlook, based largely on a developing La Nina weather pattern, favors drier conditions moving forward.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Depending on how things go, there could be a real possibility that we may have to have increased water use restrictions, said Matt Keller, spokesman for the district.

Under San Jose Water Co.s plan, households must use 15% less water than they did in 2019 or pay a surcharge of $7.13 for every 100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons, used above the limit monthly. Most households use about 1,000 cubic feet of water a month, according to the water company. Those that use less than 500 cubic feet will not face restrictions.

The restrictions also do not apply to businesses.

The company plans to hold a virtual public hearing on Oct. 28 to discuss the new water rationing policy.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
Last month, the police chief of Richmond and her husband, an Oakland police sergeant, drove to Vallejo to confront the mother of a man they had come to believe was sex-trafficking a young woman on the streets of Oakland.

But this visit was not work-related. The 18-year-old woman, who months earlier had been on track to start college in the fall, is a relative of the couple. She has resisted their attempts at intervention, not only denying that she is being trafficked but filing for a restraining order against them, saying they once held her against her will.

In many ways, the situation mirrors others in which family members go to almost any length to attempt to persuade a relative to leave prostitution.

But this case, which has prompted criminal investigations involving at least five law enforcement agencies, is unique in that it involves a couple with power and deep connections in Bay Area law enforcement. And it raises questions about whether they crossed lines in responding to a personal emergency and used their connections to get the trafficking case prioritized over others.

Vallejo police are investigating whether Bisa French, the Richmond chief who made history last year as the first woman to lead the city force and Californias only Black female police chief, and her husband, Oakland police Sgt. Lee French, made criminal threats against the trafficking suspects mother during the Sept. 22 visit, according to a lawyer for the Frenches.

Both Bisa and Lee French are on leave from their jobs and declined interview requests through their attorney. The Chronicles efforts to reach the young woman and the trafficking suspects mother have been unsuccessful. The investigation was first reported by the East Bay Times.

The Frenches attorney, Michael Rains, said the couple may have told the mother something to the effect of If I find your son, Im going to kick his butt, but he insisted they did not break any laws. Ive not heard of any allegations out there, Rains said, that theyre trying to use their badge or law enforcement status in any way.

But law enforcement is now at the center of the case. The trafficking suspect, 34-year-old Oho McNair of Richmond  also known as Joe Goldman  was arrested Oct. 11 by Oakland police. The next day, the Alameda County District Attorneys Office charged him with felony pimping and pandering in connection with the Frenches relative.

As of Friday, McNair was being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $100,000 bail. He has pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, the Frenches family member is continuing to fight the couples attempts to intervene in her life. The Chronicle is not naming the young woman because she is an alleged victim of sex trafficking, though she denies she is a victim.

In a handwritten request for a restraining order against the Frenches, filed at the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Richmond, the teenager alleges that they confronted her on Sept. 21, the day before their trip to Vallejo, after she went to their home.

The teenager said the Frenches physically restrained her from leaving and threatened to kill McNair  whom she refers to as her partner  and lock her up if she didnt leave him. The Frenches deny the accusations.

According to court records, the case traces back to when the young woman met McNair at a Safeway store where they both worked. She began working there in November 2020, when she was 17.

McNair had a history of sex trafficking. According to records in Alameda County Superior Court, he was convicted of human trafficking in 2014 and sentenced to 288 days in jail, with credit for time he had already served after his arrest the year before.

During a preliminary hearing in the earlier case, a 20-year-old woman who testified against McNair said she had met him on the online dating site Tinder. Though she ultimately gave him money she made from having sex with clients, while he protected her as she worked on the Track in Oakland, the woman said she thought of McNair as her boyfriend and would confide in him about her mental health and other problems.

It was, in a way, like we were dating, she said. He was kind of like my best friend as well.

Oakland police Officer Marcos Campos, who wrote a probable cause statement for McNairs recent arrest, said witnesses had observed potential inappropriate behavior between McNair and the teenager before they quit Safeway at the same time.

The teen left her home a few days after her 18th birthday in June and did not tell her family where she was going. She had planned to attend St. Marys College in Moraga this fall. Campos suggested that Lee French was the reporting party in the trafficking case, but did not detail exactly what initiated the investigation.

Campos wrote, however, that on Sept. 19 he obtained the teenagers credit card history and found numerous charges for rooms at Oakland hotels known for prostitution activity.

Searching through past police reports, Campos discovered that the young woman had been arrested Aug. 18 for loitering on East 15th Street, in an area known for prostitution, while wearing tight and revealing clothing. Officers had detained her on suspicion of engaging in prostitution before releasing her. She has not been charged with any crime.

Based on my training and experience, (the teen) was actively being sex trafficked along the E. 15th St. corridor, Campos wrote.

On Sept. 21, the teen went to the Frenches residence in Richmond, where she told Lee French to stop preventing her from being an active sex worker, Campos wrote. Sometime after that, an Oakland police officer and an FBI agent were dispatched to the scene.

An Oakland Police Department spokesperson said Friday that Sgt. French has been shielded from any information pertaining to the investigation of his relative.

An FBI spokesperson said he could not confirm or deny the existence of any investigation. The FBI commonly gets involved in local trafficking cases.

The teen told the officers that day that she knew McNair as Pro and that he taught her to move and make money, Campos wrote. She told the investigators that he instructed her to read books on self-empowerment and how to make money. While she performed street-level prostitution, Campos wrote, McNair kept the profits and provided protection.

He said the teen told police that while working for McNair, she did not have to make an exact amount before returning home. She felt fortunate and happy because other prostitutes do not have this same privilege. She also reportedly said that McNair made her into a stronger person and brought her up to her full potential.

In her seven-page handwritten request for a restraining order, the teen described a chaotic scene when the Frenches met with her at their home. She said that after arriving at the home, she asked Lee and Bisa French not to bother her and to let her make her own decisions.

As she stood up to leave, she said, the Frenches rushed over to her and told her she wasnt going to leave the house.

Together they pinned me down in the chair as I screamed at the top of my lungs for them to stop, the teen wrote. Bisa French then threatened to kill McNair and his mother, a threat that Lee French echoed, according to the teens written request.

After several more physical altercations and attempts to leave by the teen, she said she decided to comply and play smart, and agreed to spend the night at a friends house  though she described sneaking out and sleeping in McNairs car that night.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The next day, McNair received a call from his mother saying that the Frenches had driven to her Vallejo home and threatened to kill McNair if the teen did not return to the Frenches residence, according to the teens statement. She said she agreed to go, and that the Frenches then drove her to the federal building in Oakland, where FBI officers got her to agree to go to a safe house in Arizona.

She wrote the letter seeking a restraining order on Oct. 1 from the safe house, and it was filed in court six days later. But a temporary restraining order, which is often granted immediately, was denied.

A judge, referring to the relationship between the teen and the Frenches, wrote, Based on the information provided it appears that the (teen) is not in immediate danger of abuse and the alleged facts, while serious, appear to involve complex issues that require a hearing. The narrative strongly implies that the (teen) may be suspected to be a victim of crime by someone other than the (Frenches).

On Oct. 6, the day before the teens written statement was filed, she went missing from the safe house, Campos wrote. Officers found her at McNairs side when they arrested him in Richmond on Oct. 11th.

While denying the allegations in the restraining order application, Rains said the Frenches believe McNair crafted the request. The judge set a hearing for Oct. 25.

Rains said that when the couple went to McNairs mothers house on Sept. 22, they were invited inside and had a conversation. It was an emotional thing, Rains said. There were no terrorist or criminal threats made.

Even a couple of cops never realized the power these guys can exert over a girl, he said. He said of McNair: Hes completely taken over her mind and will.

It was early October when Vallejo police detectives reached out to the Frenches and said the allegations could qualify as criminal threats, Rains said. He said the Frenches will cooperate with the investigation and grant an interview to detectives soon.

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams said in a statement last week that his department is investigating members of the Richmond and Oakland police departments.

As the Chief of Police, when an incident occurs in Vallejo which involves police officers employed by another department, it is my responsibility to contact the employing department to inform them of accusations involving one of their members, so the employing agency can launch an internal affairs investigation, Williams said.

He added, All communications with the Richmond and Oakland Police Departments were conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures.

On Oct. 8, Richmond City Manager Laura Snideman emailed council members to alert them that Bisa French was taking personal leave to address a distressing family situation and that Louie Tirona would serve as acting chief.

French joined the city force as a 22-year-old single mother in 1998 and later worked graveyard shifts while studying criminal justice management at San Francisco State University. She became the first Black woman to head the Richmond Police Department in July 2020.

It is a very sad tragedy for the French family, and they deserve our compassion, our prayers and our support as they work through this to, hopefully, a positive outcome, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said.

According to Rains, when McNair was arraigned Thursday in Alameda County Superior Court, the teenager  his alleged victim  was there to support him.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Andres Picon contributed to this report.

Matthias Gafni, Susie Neilson and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com, susie.neilson@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni, @susieneilson, @ctuan
Provided by National Weather Service Bay Area/

All evacuation orders and warnings for a wildfire in Santa Cruz County have been lifted, officials reported Sunday morning, as crews made major progress against the blaze overnight.

The Estrada Fire  which ignited Friday when a prescribed burn went wrong  was 60% contained Sunday morning, officials said on Twitter. It had burned 148 acres between Watsonville and Morgan Hill above Hazel Dell Road, near Santa Clara County.
California health officials this week began encouraging virtually everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot before the holiday season, emphasizing that pretty much everybody in our population is eligible.

Official vaccine eligibility expanded most recently in October, when Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine boosters got the go-ahead after the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed recommendations made by expert advisers.

The guidelines approved by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, which also allow mixing and matching of booster shots, are in alignment with the Food and Drug Administrations decision to extend authorization beyond certain groups of Pfizer vaccine recipients, who had been authorized to get boosters in September.

The CDCs decision expanded booster recommendations to high-risk Moderna recipients and all Johnson & Johnson recipients, opening up eligibility to tens of millions more Americans.

But some Bay Area officials hinted at an even stronger endorsement for boosters, going beyond the official guidelines.

Nobody will be turned away who wants a booster, Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Santa Clara Countys vaccine officer, said Wednesday.

Heres the latest on who can get boosters.

I got Moderna. Can I get a booster shot?

Yes, if you are in an eligible group. The CDC has backed guidelines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, which this week said that recipients of the Moderna vaccine who are over 65, live in a long-term care facility, are over 18 and at risk for a severe case of COVID-19 because of underlying health conditions  including mood disorders  or at high risk of exposure due to their job should get a booster shot if they got their second dose at least six months ago. These are the same groups as those currently eligible to receive Pfizer boosters.

Both Pfizer and Moderna recipients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a group that makes up about 3% of the population  can currently get a third dose of the vaccine at least 28 days after their second shot, as they arent as well protected from the virus with just the two-dose series.

I got Johnson & Johnson. Can I get a booster shot?

Yes. The CDC has followed the FDA in approving a second dose of the one-shot J&J vaccine for all J&J recipients  not just those in certain groups. That means, unlike for Pfizer and Moderna, anyone who got the J&J vaccine can get a booster of the same shot at least two months after their previous dose. J&J is approved for people 18 and older.

What about mixing and matching?

The CDC and FDA also say anyone who is eligible for a booster shot  including J&J recipients  may get a different brand from the one they received first. Neither agency formally recommended a specific combination. People are advised to try to use the same brand they initially received, but if they prefer another, or their original brand is not available, they can take any one they wish.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In San Francisco, J&J recipients could already get a supplemental shot of an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine if they wanted it, as long as they consulted with their doctor first.

A study released by the National Institutes on Health this week found J&J recipients who got a Moderna or Pfizer booster saw a greater increase in antibody levels compared to those who got a J&J booster.

Im not currently eligible. Should I be worried?

People not yet approved to get a booster  who are now mostly in groups at low risk of severe infection  do not need to worry, said Dr. Robert Siegel, an infectious disease expert at Stanford. He explained that while boosters are very useful for the personal protection of those in higher-risk groups, the still-limited data makes it hard for regulatory agencies to justify recommending them more widely.

While the third dose continues to add to the level of personal protection, it is less critical in terms of limiting the spread of the virus in the community, he said.

Still, Siegel thinks its likely that boosters will be recommended for everyone eventually.

Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev
Amid mounting evidence of waning immunity and an increased risk for older adults to end up hospitalized with COVID even after vaccination, Bay Area public health officials are eager to increase uptake of boosters, especially ahead of what could be another winter surge.

So far, interest in boosters has not matched the demand for first shots earlier this year, health officials say. Though data is somewhat unreliable, in most Bay Area counties roughly 10% to 30% of eligible older adults have gotten a booster since they were authorized for certain groups in August.

The slow rise is partially because only the Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for boosters; the other two vaccines are expected to be cleared in the coming days. But the lack of enthusiasm for boosters may also be tied to inconsistent communication about who needs them  or whether theyre even necessary  and general fatigue with the pandemic response as people tire of keeping up with whats expected, some experts say.

All three vaccines remain highly protective against the coronavirus and in particular at preventing hospitalization and death from severe illness, but that protection has slipped somewhat, and most notably among adults ages 65 and older. Its urgent, some health experts say, to get boosters to everyone in that older age group.

We know a lot of boosters are being given, but theyre probably only scratching the surface, said Dr. Eric Topol, executive vice president of Scripps Research in La Jolla (San Diego County). Many older adults were first vaccinated in January and are eight months, nine months out, and thats dangerous. Their odds of serious illness are going back up again. Its really essential they get boosted, and I dont know if thats seeped into the public yet.

One big reason for the seeming lack of interest may be widespread confusion over who should get boosters, the result of a patchwork federal authorization process and mixed messages from local and national experts, starting with a promise from President Biden in August that every American would have access to them soon.

Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Boosters currently are authorized only for those who got the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. Only certain groups are eligible: adults age 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and adults age 18 and older with serious underlying medical conditions or who work in settings that put them at high risk of exposure. The shots are strongly recommended for older adults and long-term care residents, and people age 50 or older with serious medical conditions; the other groups are eligible for boosters but are not necessarily a priority.

A federal advisory panel on Thursday recommended Moderna boosters for the same groups, and the next day advised Johnson & Johnson boosters for everyone who got the single-dose shot. Final approval of those boosters is expected as soon as Oct. 22.

Health officials said theyre eager for all three boosters to be authorized because it will streamline their public outreach and make it easier to talk about who should get the shots.

It complicates things a little bit when not all the vaccines have been authorized, said Dr. Martin Fenstersheib, the vaccine officer for Santa Clara County. We had to say, Everybody 65 and older, come and get a booster  but only if youre Pfizer. And people say, Whats going on here? Hopefully we can alleviate that confusion and make it across-the-board available, no matter what vaccine you got.

Roughly a third of Santa Clara County residents age 65 and older who got the Pfizer vaccine have had a booster, public health officials said. They are trying to increase the total with text messages to all county residents in that age group advising they get the follow-up shot, plus reaching out to long-term care facilities and agencies that work with older adults.

Similar efforts are under way in most Bay Area counties. Marin County, where about a quarter of older adults have had boosters, seeks to hit 50% by mid-November. Solano County has opened an eight-week mass vaccination clinic at the county fairgrounds to deliver boosters, as well as shots for children ages 5 to 11 once they become eligible, which could be early next month.

Dr. Bela Matyas, the Solano County health officer, said booster response has been slow so far  roughly 10% of eligible older adults have had third shots of Pfizer  but hes hopeful it will increase once the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are authorized.

I expected way more buzz than what weve seen so far. We have not been inundated by interest in people boosting, Matyas said. But my anticipation is well see large crowds once the other two types are approved, he added.

Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Getting boosters to older adults and nursing home residents in many ways is similar to annual flu shot campaigns, health officials said. But the booster efforts are especially pressing, said Dr. Naveena Bobba, deputy health officer for San Francisco. She worries about the coronavirus spiking again in the fall and winter, as people begin gathering for holidays and heading indoors, where theyre more at risk of illness.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

This group is specifically so vulnerable to COVID, as well as flu, that we really want to get them their shots when theyre due, and not wait until we see numbers going up or when the next surge comes, Bobba said. Were trying to get them protected prior to that. The worst thing that could happen is if they miss their booster and end up sick with COVID and in the hospital this winter.

Many facilities that cater to older adults have started partnering with pharmacies to bring boosters  along with flu shots  to people who may not have realized they needed them, or who may have struggled to untangle the complex recommendations.

There may be some information fatigue too, health experts said. Matyas said he senses that some residents are tired of trying to keep up with the constantly evolving pandemic response, and theyre also distracted more by real life as some things go back to normal. There are just too many things to focus on right now, he said.

In a recent panel discussion with other health experts, Dr. Erica Pan, the state epidemiologist, said shes eager to get booster shots to more Californians, especially older adults and others who are at increased risk of serious illness. We have not at all tapped our capacity, she said.

Pan said she understands that people may be frustrated and exhausted by the shifts in messaging. Health officials need to be flexible so they can respond quickly to new information, but theres confusion that sometimes ensues, and thats been hard for everybody, Pan said.

Judith Scott, 80, acknowledged that its been challenging to stay on top of the latest data and recommendations, though shes somewhat more used to it than most after a career as an emergency department nurse. She followed the booster advice closely too, and on Thursday she and her 85-year-old husband got their third shots of Pfizer.

The Peninsula Regent  the San Mateo independent living center where she lives  arranged for all residents to get boosters on site if they wanted them. Managers said about 99% of the 212 residents are fully vaccinated; they dont yet know how many have gotten boosters or intend to.

Im a big one to look at statistics, said Scott, noting that data show the vast majority of people who are hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated. But if the vaccination needs a little bit of a shove, a little bit of a push to keep us from being sick, then Im all for it. I dont know whether I was worried about getting sick, but I recognized it as a possibility. At our age, we just dont want to get this disease.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
Regarding Governor approves flurry of new laws (Bay Area, Oct. 11): Once again we are presented with the solution to a problem that never existed. AB1084 by Assembly Member Evan Low requires large retail stores to have a gender-neutral area or display for selling childrens toys and items. Do we really need a gender-neutral area for toys?

In reality all toys are gender-neutral, as boys and girls have been playing with each others toys since the dawn of time. Any gender child can and do play with any toys they choose to. Is it really necessary to politicize the selling of childrens toys for the sake of being politically correct? Having a boys and girls toy section hardly reinforces outdated and harmful gender stereotypes, and stigmatizes whats acceptable for certain genders. Wow! Thats amazing! Not having a gender neutral toy section does all that?

Cant we at least keep adult obsession over political correctness out of the childrens toy department?

Kenneth Jones, San Francisco

Update Peace Corps Act

This year, President John F. Kennedys dream of a Peace Corps turned 60. The Peace Corps is known today as the worlds foremost international volunteer organization. For a budget size considered a rounding figure in many federal agencies, the Peace Corps serves an outsized role in international development and Americas part in it.

Nearly 250,000 Americans have served, often in dangerous and difficult situations. Many have returned to become leaders in American society. One such leader, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove (Sacramento County), who served in Ethiopia from 1966-68, recently introduced bipartisan legislation, HR1456, to update the Peace Corps Act. That law has not been comprehensively updated since 1999. The world has changed a lot since then.

Between us, we have extensive Peace Corps experience, including tours as volunteers (father, Ghana 1981-83; daughter, Morocco 2017-19), five years in volunteer recruitment, agency union work and currently one of us is again a candidate to serve in retirement (Philippine fisheries conservation work). Garamendis bill will rectify the deficiencies in the current law, making the program more efficient and effective in the 21st century.

Please contact your Congressional representatives and encourage the legislations passage.

Natasha and Aaron King, Oakland

Not responsible for past

Regarding Task forces key debate: reparations for whom? (Front Page, Oct. 14): If my great, great grandfather was a pedophile and abused children, should I pay reparations to the great, great grandchildren of those children? I dont believe I should.

I came to the United States as a 12-year-old in 1958, and I make a point of treating people decently, as I would like to be treated, regardless of their ethnicity, race or religion. I have a responsibility for my own behavior but I dont feel responsible for what people in this country did in the past, and I dont feel I should have to give money to others for behavior I am not responsible for.

We should be open and transparent in acknowledging bad behavior past and present, and deal appropriately with bad behavior currently being experienced, but I dont believe in just handing out money to people today based solely on the color of their skin or for grievances that their ancestors experienced many generations ago.

John OHare, Moraga

Water in short supply

Recent letters referred to the insanity of pushing for more housing when we have no assurance of enough water to supply it.

I live where the Carmel River used to provide half of our water supply, but that will be stopped this year for past overuse, and despite 25 years of advance notice of the stoppage, no new water sources have been developed (planned, yes, but not yet here).

How enthusiastic am I supposed to be at the prospect of more housing when new neighbors will threaten my own ability to live here?
You no doubt have seen The Video. A man, in broad daylight, brazenly empties the shelves of a San Francisco Walgreens and casually rides a bike out of the store with little intervention from a nearby guard.

The lawlessness, the complete societal breakdown. A shocking sight that offends the basic notions of law and order.

When I say youve no doubt seen the video, I am absolutely confident you have, because a recent analysis by the media watchdog FAIR found that the video  taken by ABC7s Lyanne Melendez  garnered over 300 articles of media coverage around the world and millions of clicks, from the United Kingdom to Mexico to France and beyond.

Thats a sizable amount of coverage, indeed, for a single instance of petty theft.

What you no doubt havent heard, because it garnered only one article in mainstream media, is that Walgreens settled a $4.5 million wage theft suit last November for robbing its California employees for years. According to plaintiffs, Walgreens failed to pay minimum wages and overtime wages didnt compensate for meal periods, refused to authorize and permit rest periods, lied on wage statements and engaged in an assortment of alleged illegal business practices  fleecing millions from its low wage workers. Millions that couldnt be spent on food, diapers, rent, life-saving medicine. Millions whose absence no doubt caused countless hours of stress and mental wear and tear to the check-to-check workers that money was owed.

But because it was spread out over years and the victims were disproportionately people of color  and the suspects faceless executives  it went virtually unnoticed.

Assuming the man in The Video stole the maximum allowed for his misdemeanor charge  $949  this would mean the Walgreens wage theft story involved 474,183% more theft yet resulted in one story compared to 309. Why? Corporate wage theft, several studies show, is much more prevalent than all other forms of theft  larceny, robbery, car theft  combined, yet is almost never covered in our media, outside of a handful of legal trade publications.

No one was hurt in the viral Walgreens shoplifting video, and far less was stolen than what Walgreens took from its California employees for years, yet it seared into our collective minds in a matter of days.

Viral videos and sensationalist headlines about retail theft pander to racist, property-centered notions of crime and are teed up by editors and producers knowing the type of foaming response they will solicit. Sourced entirely from corporate representatives, San Francisco police and retail lobbyists like the California Retail Association, local and national media have published countless stories over the past few weeks about store closings due to the alleged shoplifting epidemic.

Dozens of outlets, including The Chronicle, reported on The Video and Walgreens closing 17 stores in San Francisco due to shoplifting  and not a single one mentioned that Walgreens announced in August 2019 it planned on closing 200 stores to trim its U.S. footprint. Nor did the stories mention that during a similar time period, throughout 2020, Walgreens closed a greater percentage of stores in New York City (28% compared to 24% in San Francisco), where no such shoplifting epidemic is said to exist, either by Walgreens or the New York Police Department.

Media outlets, as well as San Francisco supervisors, routinely parrot CVS claim that 85% of the theft is from organized crime. The only evidence presented so far? An infographic with cartoon robbers and money bags on it.

There was one recent major case of actual organized retail crime, but this was disrupted more than nine months ago.

Also left unexamined: If CVS is reportedly suffering from the same shoplifting epidemic as Walgreens, then why hasnt it shut down any San Francisco stores in either 2020 or 2021?

There undoubtedly are a number of factors contributing to store closings  shoplifting probably being one of many.

But to what extent?

Right now we are told that its the only reason. But without primary source evidence of the corporate deliberations behind these decisions, reporters are taking these companies at their word.

The impact of these journalistic decisions isnt benign; it drives demand for more police and longer prison sentences.

Meanwhile, the companies in question have tremendous incentive to blame shoplifting. CVS, for example, contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to industry groups like the California Retail Association and California Chamber of Commerce, both of which lobby for repealing or meaningfully revising Proposition 47, Californias 2014 criminal justice reform ballot measure to reduce or eliminate prison sentences for nonviolent crime like petty theft.

Given the stakes of heeding calls for tougher laws and more crimes  namely more Black and brown people in prison for much longer  media outlets should demand actual evidence, or inquire about corporate internal methodology for identifying organized crime rings, before echoing these claims.

There is, of course, shoplifting in San Francisco  or any other major city. Anyone with eyes can see this. But San Francisco Police Department data shows that shoplifting in the city is down. Detractors say this is due to underreporting; the reality of the situation is epistemologically unknowable. This conveniently allows them to fearmonger about a spike in shoplifting, no matter what the evidence does or doesnt say.

Repealing Black Lives Matter-inspired reforms has real and often tragic consequences on mass incarceration. The premises for doing so are being cemented right now in the public mind. They are deserving of robust fact-checking, skepticism and pushback.

Adam Johnson is co-host of the Citations Needed podcast.
Data released by the San Francisco Police Department does not support the explanation announced by Walgreens that it is closing five stores because of organized, rampant retail theft.

One of the stores set to close, on Ocean Avenue, had only seven reported shoplifting incidents this year and a total of 23 since 2018, the data showed. While not all shoplifting incidents are reported to police, the five stores slated to close had fewer than two recorded shoplifting incidents a month on average since 2018.

The announcement put Walgreens at the center of one of the citys most acrimonious debates. What amounted to the closure of a small handful of chain drugstores in the city drew national media attention, fueled by an increasingly bitter fight over how San Francisco polices and prosecutes crime.

Weve been sounding the alarm for a while that this issue is not getting better, said Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, which represents the point of view of merchants.

But the timing of Walgreens decision led observers to wonder whether a $140 billion company was using an unsubstantiated narrative of unchecked shoplifting to obscure other possible factors in its decision.

They are saying (shoplifting is) the primary reason, but I also think when a place is not generating revenue, and when theyre saturated  S.F. has a lot of Walgreens locations all over the city  so I do think that there are other factors that come into play, Mayor London Breed told reporters last week.

A Walgreens spokesperson declined Friday to answer specific questions about the store closings and whether other factors  such as competition from online retailers, stagnating foot traffic because of the pandemic and originally opening too many stores in San Francisco  played into the decision.

A Chronicle analysis of city maps found 53 Walgreens in San Francisco, compared with 22 CVS stores. Those numbers include locations that are solely pharmacies, inside medical buildings or other retailers.

Spokesperson Phil Caruso said he was also unable to share figures about the stores revenue. He instead referred back to a previous statement from the company, saying that over the past few months, retail theft in San Francisco had escalated to five times our chain average at its stores and that as a result, the corporation had ramped up investments in security for San Francisco locations to 46 times our chain average.

Four years ago, Walgreens told shareholders it planned to close 600 stores nationwide. It wound up closing 769. In 2019, the Illinois company said in a U.S. Security and Exchange Commission filing that it would shutter 200 stores, or fewer than 3% of its 10,000 locations in the U.S.  one of several cost-saving measures projected to save $1.5 billion in annual expenses by 2022, according to the filings.

San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston seemed exasperated and skeptical of Walgreens rationale. One of the five ill-fated stores, at 300 Gough St., sits in his district.

Walgreens is abandoning the community. We do not know exactly why, he said The Chronicle. Preston tweeted that his office is trying to get further clarity on the impetus for the closures, and assess whether there is a path to keep the Gough Street store open.

Two things are true: Walgreens has experienced retail theft, and Walgreens has long planned to close stores. We do not know which factor or factors led to the decision to close 300 Gough and other San Francisco stores, Preston said.

One Stanford economist observed that in San Francisco, the customer base is dwindling given the decline in population downtown after the pandemic and the number of people working remotely.

Since working from home is here to stay, city center retail is going to see lower demand in the long run, Stanford University economics Professor Nicholas Bloom wrote in an email, citing a study he published in May that shows 15% of residents left the city center during the pandemic and have not returned.

So this is going to be one of many such store closures, Bloom speculated. While Walgreens may have publicly blamed this on higher thefts, another factor is there are simply less people in the city center, spending less money.

Police records show that the fives stores slated to close experienced 319 shoplifting incidents since the beginning of 2018. The numbers appeared to swing wildly: The Walgreens at 4645 Mission St., which had the most shoplifting reports  37  in 2020, had the lowest number  3  as of Oct. 13 this year.

Shoplifting in San Francisco became a viral story after the wide circulation of a video in June showing a man grabbing items from shelves in a Walgreens at 300 Gough St. and stuffing them into garbage bags. The Gough Street store is among the stores set to close. He rode out of the store on a bicycle while two astonished onlookers  one wearing a security guards uniform  recorded the incident on their cell phones.

By announcing it was closing stores because of shoplifting, Walgreens inserted itself into one of the most divisive political battles in the city, one that contributed to a broader debate about crime and law enforcement. Proponents of the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin, for example, point to shoplifting as one example of how life in the city has deteriorated on his watch.

In an opinion piece for the San Diego Union-Tribune, California Republican Party Chair Jessica Millan Patterson pointed to the five Walgreens closures as evidence that Democratic policies have created a crime spike.

Retailers have been unhappy since the state in 2014 passed Proposition 47, which classifies shoplifting as a misdemeanor unless the stolen items were valued at more than $950. They have unsuccessfully sought to have the law overturned. The California Retailers Association lobbied against the laws passage. Criminal reform advocates argue that minor shoplifting arrests disproportionately affect underrepresented communities and contribute to unfairly high incarceration rates.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Michelin contended that shoplifting is a heavy burden for chain stores and other merchants. Hiring security guards and installing locked cases is expensive, she said. She expected to see other retailers shut down in the future.

Some city officials shared that concern, which is why they began a multipronged effort by adding more dedicated police investigators and upgrading the citys online reporting system.

San Francisco does struggle with unusually high property crime rates compared with many other cities. According to a 2019 report by the Public Policy Institute of California, San Francisco had the highest rate of property crime per capita of any city in the state. Thats probably at least in part because of the citys high levels of economic inequality and population density, criminal justice researcher Magnus Lofstrom previously told The Chronicle.

Lost somewhere in the conversation are customers, who have grown impatient with the locked shelves and other security measures, and the specter of fewer stores next month.

Its all very sad, Haight resident Qussay Ammar said, standing outside the Gough Street Walgreens on Thursday afternoon. Workers had already packed up the merchandise in the cosmetics aisle, now lined with boxes and empty shelves. Most other products, from air freshener, to vitamins, to anti-bacterial wipes, were behind plexiglass.

Another shopper, Keira Wiele, said shed witnessed a lot of retail theft at this particular Walgreens, but that shes still wary of the companys messaging.

Do I think theyre in a position where people are grabbing a couple snacks from the shelves here or there? Yes, Wiele said.

Do I think its a huge issue? No.

On Friday, customers at the Ocean Avenue Walgreens stopped to gape at a sign in the front window. It marked Nov. 8 as the last day of business.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Susie Neilson contributed to this report.

Rachel Swan, Danielle Echevarria and Shwanika Narayan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com, danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com, shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan, @DanielleEchev, @shwanika
On the long Labor Day weekend, under blue skies and a blazing sun, not a single person strolled or rode a bicycle along the shut-to-cars Great Highway. Not a soul roller-skated, walked a dog or pushed a baby carriage along the popular beachfront stretch all three days.

Or so said the data trackers.

Staffers with San Franciscos Recreation and Park Department noticed their sensors, placed to study usage of the road to determine its long-term fate, werent spotting anybody. So they went to investigate. Turns out someone had messed with the devices, rendering them useless.

Two weekends later? Somebody stuffed cotton balls into the sensors, meaning more lost data. Over the recent October long weekend including Indigenous Peoples Day? Somebody switched up cotton balls for ripped plant parts, and the city lost data again.

Its certainly not the crime of the century, but its bizarre  and its one more example of just how heated the arguments over 2 miles of pavement have become.

Protests and counterprotests? Dueling petitions? Competing flyers? Thats all productive.

But vandalizing city property, holding nasty signs as bicyclists roll past, and even making crank phone calls to an advocates mother clearly cross the line. And raise a key question: Of all the crises in San Francisco, this is whats got you fighting mad?

Tamara Aparton, a spokesperson for the Recreation and Park Department, previously worked at the Public Defenders Office and said the imbalance between how little that average San Franciscans cared about her old offices work then and how much they care about her new offices work now is stark.

We had clients who were absolutely brutalized by police officers, illegally searched and overcharged, and it sort of garnered a collective shrug by most of the population, she said. Working for Rec and Park, I have discovered the things San Franciscans get incredibly passionate about.

Tops on that list? Whether to close these two particular miles of beachfront roadway in a city boasting 1,200 miles of streets.

The pitch, the level of passion about this, its just wild, Aparton said. Its probably gotten worse during the pandemic. People are spending time at home, and they probably have time to obsess about things and nurture their resentments.

And even, for a tiny few, to stuff cotton balls into sensors.

I mean, that is deranged, Aparton said. We eventually have to make a recommendation based on actual usage, and that takes data gathering and analysis.

The city in the spring of 2020 shut the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard to cars because sand covered it  and to give people space to exercise while socially distanced. Many people loved the new beachfront promenade and wanted one of the pandemics few silver linings to become permanent.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

But some neighbors hated that cars spilled into their residential streets, sometimes double-parking, speeding or damaging their parked vehicles. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency added speed bumps and stop signs, but some neighbors said the problem remained.

Mayor London Breed and Supervisors Gordon Mar, Connie Chan and Myrna Melgar met privately in August before announcing the road would reopen to cars during the week but remain closed on the weekends and holidays until a permanent solution was reached. And then the over-the-top reactions among some people really started flying.

Bicyclists who want the roadway permanently shut to cars have staged weekly protests, riding across both lanes to slow traffic behind them. Theyre not breaking any laws, but those who want the road open to cars seven days a week find the 45-minute slowdowns an affront.

Parker Day, a safe streets advocate, posted Sept. 30 on Twitter a photo taken during a bicycle protest of an older man standing by the road holding a sign reading Get out of my neighborhood with neighborhood spelled incorrectly.

A day later, Day received 11 phone calls in quick succession from an unknown number. He finally answered, and the caller, he said, went on a tirade about how he was a psychopath and should leave the state because he isnt wanted here. Ten minutes later, Days mom called to tell him shed just received a similarly strange call telling her she should be ashamed of her son.

During last weeks bicycle protest, a video shows a different man holding a sign saying, Go back to where you come from! and calling out, You fing fools!

Day has been involved in various safe streets projects all over San Francisco for years and said hes never seen this level of response.

Its really wild. Weve been called homophobic slurs, gotten lots of middle fingers, Day said. Its this othering of people who enjoy the promenade and saying they dont deserve it for some reason.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Judi Gorski, an artist who lives in the Outer Sunset, is an avid member of the Open the Great Highway group, which is pushing for the road to return to cars seven days a week. She cited a stream of reasons  including worsened traffic on residential streets, the trampling of plants along the road by pedestrians, and increased emissions because of start-and-stop traffic that used to sail along the Great Highway.

She has a totally different view of the bicyclists protests, saying they prevent people from getting to their jobs.

Theyre doing it in such a militant and cruel way, she said.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Gorski said her group is not vandalizing sensors or holding nasty signs  and that its probably little kids stuffing cotton in the sensors and that bicyclists may be doctoring photos and videos of the sign holders. These explanations are highly dubious, but the accusations show just how odd this whole argument has become.

Were not bashing anyone, Gorski continued. Were just giving our point of view, which is that this highway should be shared by everybody.

I called Gorski because public records show she emailed the Recreation and Park Department asking for very specific details about the sensors last month. She said the questions had nothing to do with the vandalism and that she simply doesnt trust the departments data gathering and wanted to know more about it.

Heres the truth: Neither sides actions are likely to have much impact anytime soon. Aparton said the department will collect data for another six to 12 months. Only by the end of 2022 will it propose a permanent solution for the Great Highway to the public for feedback and debate. We may have have a final decision in 2023, the same year the part of the road south of Sloat will close because of erosion.

Until then, Aparton said, its likely to remain open to cars on the weekdays and closed to them on weekends and holidays. And no vandalized sensors, misspelled signs or rude calls will change that.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf
Much has been said about a new economy , about forgetting old models or finding a new way of doing things . This is because many of the current problems climate change, inequity, over exploitation of resources have been attributed to capitalism and especially to companies.

The pandemic only exposed all these problems even more, igniting the conversation about the economic models that caused them and about whether the system of consumerism under which we have lived is the cause of many of the social problems that we have to face today.

But, just as businesses are part of the cause, they are also an important part of solving the social problems we face. At least that is how we believe those of us who have bet on a new economic model in which companies play a key role in creating not only economic value but also social value.

From Nobel Prize winners like Muhammad Yunus, who promotes social capitalism, to business experts and academics like Michael Porter believe that from the same companies and taking advantage of the same mechanisms of capitalism - market laws, private capital, scalability, competitiveness, etc. . Social problems can be solved.

This vision has been developing for several years in which a new type of companies has been conceived that not only seek to generate wealth, but have also prioritized generating well-being, which are known as social companies .

This vision contradicts many discourses about the evil of companies, the abuse of power, the exploitation of people and natural resources, the disinterest in the environment and the social decomposition that they can create. And it is not that companies like this do not exist, but there are many that have decided to change the ways of doing things.

Mexico catches up

In many countries, the model that promotes social enterprises has been put to the test, betting on a new economy, thanks to the creation of a legal regulatory framework that defines both the legal figure and the regulations so that they can operate and above all prosper. Only in Latin America Colombia, Ecuador and Peru already have a social enterprise law and in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay it is already being discussed in congresses.

But in Mexico so far there are no formal discussions or proposals for a social business law, although there are businesses that, due to their activities and not because of their legal form, have been defined as social. They have had to operate around the legal and fiscal aspects as each one of them has considered and what has impacted the way in which they generate income or obtain financing.

This has limited its growth by not having laws that facilitate its operation and provide benefits to continue generating impact or to attract adequate capital. These laws, which should be considered from the legal figure, as well as the regulations on their operation and tax incentives or benefits, are the first step to move us to a new economy.

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The challenges we face to have a social business law in Mexico

The first challenge to create a social enterprise law in Mexico is the definition of what is social enterprise, since there is no consensual definition that encompasses the different models that existing social enterprises follow. Some know them as purpose-driven businesses, others as triple bottom line businesses or just plain social businesses. But beyond the name, there is no single definition that can encompass the different models. However, what does exist are certain components that must be considered, accepted by most of the actors, the main ones being: the measurement of impact, the purpose of profit and the use that is given to the profits of the company. Impact measurement is basically the element that defines social enterprises: for a social enterprise, generating impact is part of its reason for existing, of the results it must deliver, and not just an area or responsibility, being the generation impact generated as important as profit generation. But this impact must be measured and recorded to confirm that it is being met. And although many social companies have their measurement methods, an external entity is also necessary that can confirm this impact. This is where we find the second challenge to define the entity - public or private - as well as the methodology that could certify that the impact measurement is appropriate and that the company is complying with the generation of the positive impact so that they can be considered as a social company. The third challenge is to reconcile the profit motives with the social nature of the company. This mainly because this is where the obstacles are to define the tax incentives that they could have. Just as civil society organizations, foundations and NGOs have tax benefits such as tax deductibility on their expenses or access to funds and grants, especially considering their social work, social companies should have similar considerations. But the fact that they are for profit is a barrier to that. And although it is not said that they should have the same benefits as foundations, they should not be treated the same as other companies. The challenge of defining tax benefits or incentives may be the watershed for more people deciding to create or become a social enterprise. Finally, there is the discussion of the distribution of profits . In traditional business models, profits are shared among partners, but in social companies, it is sought that the profits are reinvested to continue generating impact. But you ask like how much percentage of profits should be reinvested? How can you ensure that this happens? If there are no profits for the partners, would it be attractive to invest in social enterprises? In some countries with social enterprise laws, a percentage of the profits that must be reinvested has been defined, leaving a margin for the shareholders, but some also suggest that the profits serve to pay only the initial investment of the partners, but not for generate extra profit for them. Now, this will be key for social enterprises in Mexico to be attractive to attract investment.



Depositphotos.com

The road traveled

Until today, there have been many working and dialogue tables both with political actors and with some authorities to promote the law. For several years the Association of Entrepreneurs of Mexico (ASEM) included the law of social enterprises within its Emprendecalogo , the compendium of law proposals necessary to promote entrepreneurship in Mexico.

With the Entrepreneurship and thanks to constant work with the "entrepreneurial caucus" made up of 10 senators from different parties, several laws have been advanced, such as the "one-day business creation law" or the "re-entrepreneurship law." However, at least six proposed laws are still pending, including the law on social enterprises.

In turn, the Alliance for Impact Investing, formed by a group of organizations and companies in favor of promoting ethical and sustainable investments, has also carried out efforts to identify opportunities to create public policies that promote impact investment for not only to ensure the growth of social enterprises in Mexico but also to attract foreign capital seeking ethical and sustainable investments to the country.

Similarly, Sistema B Mexico has taken on the task of promoting the social enterprise law in the region and advising governments so that it can see the light of day. In particular, its certification tool has been a benchmark for measuring the positive impact of companies.

And this year the Secretary General of Ibero-America with the support of the United Nations Development Program and the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada as well as relevant actors of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem have worked and presented one of the investigations more complete on the subject entitled "Companies with a purpose and the regulation of the fourth sector in Ibero-America" that will undoubtedly be a watershed in drawing the way forward to achieve a Law of Social Enterprises in Mexico.

Power in Mexico

As I mentioned at the beginning, much has been discussed recently about a new economy, but it is something that has already been built for several years in the country.

In 2020, an effort was carried out to carry out a census of social enterprises, in which 305 social enterprises were identified, although there were nearly 1,000 companies that participated by recognizing themselves as social enterprises. We can also consider as a good sign the growth of certified B companies in Mexico, which have been increasing year after year and today are close to a hundred.

Mexico has seen a growth in programs and studies related to social entrepreneurship and social enterprises, with incubators, accelerators, investment funds that during the last 10 years have bet on this new way of doing business, creating companies, and positively impacting the world.

Thanks to this, today social enterprises in Mexico have managed to impact more than one million people with access to basic and quality services, increased income, housing construction, reduced impact on the environment, while generating close of 100 thousand direct jobs and attracted more than one billion pesos in investments.

The potential to generate fast-growing companies that, in addition to creating economic value, also generate social value and thereby contribute to the solution of social problems in Mexico is enormous. And the country is in a situation of social and economic factors conducive to advancing a law on social enterprises.

The importance of having a legal framework and regulation on social enterprises in Mexico will not only serve so that those that are already operating can be more efficient and grow, but also so that existing companies or new companies can consider taking the path to become social enterprises and help drive a new economy.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
NEW YORK (AP)  U.S. health officials are setting the stage for a national COVID-19 vaccination campaign for younger children, inviting state officials to order doses before the shots are authorized.

Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine is currently being given to people as young as 12 in the U.S. In the next three weeks, federal officials plan to discuss making smaller-dose versions available to the nation's 28 million children between the ages of 5 and 11.

To help states and cities prepare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week sent out a seven-page document with guidance on how to set up expanded vaccination programs.

For example, it notes pharmacies in every state can give COVID-19 shots to children, but it clarifies that only doses prepared and packaged specifically for children are to be used for those under 12.

It doesn't speak to some thornier questions, however, such as how much school-based clinics should be relied on or whether kids should be required to get then shots as a condition of school attendance.

Those questions will have to be worked out in each state and city.

The guidance comes as communities are gearing up for a new phase in the 10-month-old effort to vaccinate as many people as possible against a virus that has killed more than 720,000 in the U.S.

The disease has been most dangerous to older adults, who have higher rates of death and hospitalization than children. But some kids are at risk for severe illness, and more than 540 U.S. children have died from COVID-19, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Just as important, health officials believe that vaccinating children will reduce virus spread to vulnerable adults.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are furthest along in researching use of their vaccine in younger children. They say a two-dose vaccine series  one-third as potent as the version giving to people over 12 years old  is safe and effective in 5- to 11-year-olds.

An independent expert panel that advises the Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to publicly debate the evidence at a meeting in late October. If the FDA authorizes the kid-size doses, a different expert panel advising the CDC would take up the matter in early November, and then offer a recommendation to the CDC.

It's not yet clear how many people will get shots for their younger kids right away, said Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

Were going to have potentially a very busy, and perhaps modestly chaotic time initially, he said.

But there probably will not be the kind of heavy demand seen when shots first became available for adults, he added.

The new CDC guidance calls for shots to be given at the offices of pediatricians and family-practice doctors, and at pharmacies, rural health clinics and federally-qualified health centers.

The CDC discussed the option of vaccination clinics at schools, but stopped short of endorsing that as a primary way to get kids vaccinated. School clinics are logistically appealing, but many parents may not be comfortable with the idea, Plescia said.

The guidance also warns health care providers to only use doses that have been prepared especially for kids, and not try to fraction adult doses, Plescia noted.

CDC guidance said immunization program managers can start ordering doses Wednesday, though vials wouldn't be delivered until the FDA and CDC sign off.

When the coronavirus vaccines were first authorized in December, the U.S. government prioritized having hospitals and pharmacies administer them. Some office-based physicians felt left out.

Dr. Jesse Hackell registered early with New York state to be able to administer the shots to teens. He said his office, located 25 miles north of New York City, didnt receive doses for that until May.

But Hackell said the CDC has reassured pediatricians that once authorization happens for 5- to-11-year-olds, the process will go more smoothly and pediatricians offices will be able to get shipments quickly.

Dr. Richard Besser called on the government to do more to address racial and economic disparities that might emerge in the push to vaccinate younger kids.

For example, kids may not get shots if parents can't get time off from work to bring them in.

"It's really important that we recognize the barriers to vaccinations," said Besser, chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC.

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AP medical writer Lindsey Tanner contributed to this report from Three Oaks, Michigan.

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The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Officials with both the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday announced they're asking for the public's feedback on a plan to manage air tours over the Bay Area's national parks.

The Air Tour Management Plan would place set regulations for low-flying air tours over national parks throughout the nation.

Under the local plan, 2,548 air tours per year would be allowed over places like Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore. In addition, the plan would prohibit helicopter tours over Point Reyes National Seashore and also ban all commercial air tours over Muir Woods, FAA and NPS officials said.

Residents can comment feedback on the plan at the project's website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bayareaatmp. In addition, residents can attend a virtual public meeting on the matter later this month, on Oct. 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVlOC2ovidA.

"We encourage anyone who is interested in air tours over the parks to share their thoughts on the proposed plan," National Park Service Communications Director Charles Strickfaden said in a statement. "The draft plan is based on current operations and reported air tour levels at the four Bay Area federal parks. Its purpose is to ensure that park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources, are protected."

The plan is scheduled to be finished with the plan by Aug. 2022, in accordance with a 2020 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals in a lawsuit brought on by environmental groups that alleged the FAA and NPS failed to implement air tour management plans for national parks in Hawaii. As part of the ruling, the FAA and NPS must produce a plan to bring 24 national parks in compliance with the Air Tour Management Act of 2000, which requires that vendors of commercial air tours that fly over national parks and tribal lands must obtain a permit from the FAA.

Copyright  2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

State public health officials urged residents this week to get a flu vaccine, especially if they are part of a high-risk group such as those age 65 and older.

Flu season typically lasts from October to May and begins to accelerate in November and December, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Last year's flu season was likely blunted by public health measures enacted in response to the state's winter COVID-19 surge, but the potential for outbreaks of both viruses still looms this year, CDPH Director and state Public Health Officer Dr. Tomas Aragon said.

"In the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, a severe flu season could be devastating for California," Aragon said. "Getting a flu shot is a safe and simple thing we can all do to keep people out of the hospital and reduce the strain on our health care system."

Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone six months old or older, but are particularly important for high-risk groups, including people who smoke or have underlying health issues, pregnant women, children age 5 or younger, long-term care facility residents and employees and workers in industries that are deemed essential.

CDPH officials also noted that it is safe to receive a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day.

Flu vaccines are available and low or no cost at most retail pharmacies, health care providers, clinics and some local health departments. Retail pharmacies will also accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, CDPH officials said.

Information about the annual flu can be found at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/Influenza.aspx.

Copyright  2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Kanye West made headlines in 2019, when he set his sights on thousands of acres of land in Wyoming.

However, just two years after he purchased a couple of massive Wyoming ranches, the rapper may be less enamored with the Cowboy State. Hes placed one of the propertiesknown as Monster Lake Ranchback on the market for $11 million, TMZ reported.

It's not known exactly how much West paid for the ranch, but it had been listed in the range of $13 million to $14 million.

Wild Wild West Lake Ranch

Yeezy made his first big splash in Wyoming when he purchased Monster Lake Ranch, located 11 miles outside Cody, WY. He proceeded to dub the nearly 4,000-acre spread "West Lake Ranch."

Kanye West's ranch on the market (Realtor.com)

A peek at the ranch's 3,888 acres (Realtor.com)

Go-cart track (Realtor.com)

Varied terrain (Realtor.com)

Corral (Realtor.com)

He apparently still owns a second ranch that he picked up that year, possibly with the intention of holding his Sunday Services there. That 6,713-acre ranch reportedly includes heated helicopter pads and walk-in saunas.

At the time West arrived out West, he had big plans for development in the area, the New York Times reported. He had recorded part of his ninth album there, and contemplated producing his clothing line in Cody.

A couple of years ago, we looked into the properties, and came up with some theories as to why he'd buy out in the unlikely locale of Wyoming. Speculation on why he made the play at the time ranged from a savvy tax move, to seclusion from the paparazzi, to building a business there.

But with his recent purchase of a beachfront marvel in Malibu, perhaps Kanyes focus is on going back to Californiaafter his foray into cowboy country.

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Watch: Kid Cudi Scooped Up This SoCal Mansion for a Sweet Discount

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Flip or flop?

West leaves up for grabs a spread that offers two freshwater lakes, a Bureau of Land Management lease, equipment sheds, equine facility, livestock corrals, and hay meadows.

The once-in-a-lifetime property comes with a lodge, commercial kitchen, and entertainment features including a go-kart track and trophy trout fishing, which offers commercial opportunities, the listing notes.

The 3,888 acres include views of the sandstone cliffs and Absaroka Range mountains make it a premier Wyoming ranch investment, the listing adds.

Its an expensive piece of property, says Tom Evans of Jackson Hole Sothebys International Realty, who has experience in sales within the luxury ranch space.

He tells us he's seen real estate sales soar, as the pandemic inspired those who could work remotely to flee from the city to the wide open expanses of his state.

That market for larger tracts of property has been extremely strong the last two years, Evans says. Theres a lot of wealth out there.

Wealthy buyers have flocked to the nation's least populated state, he points out.

They love our open space," he adds. "They love our tax climate.

Evans focuses his business in the Jackson area, where $10 million buys you a handful of acres with a house. It appeals to high-net-worth buyers who want upscale amenities and proximity to the airport. For example, this $11.5 million listing in Jackson that Evans represents comes with just 5 acres, but features a luxury five-bedroom contemporary home.

Cody has a fascinating history of its ownit was founded by "Buffalo Bill" Codyand beckons those looking for a sleepier town and more space.

As for West's ranch, It will probably sell, because its a unique piece of property, with thousands of contiguous acres, Evans says.

The post Kanye West Puts Monster Lake Ranch in Wyoming on the Market for $11M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Its been a turbulent few weeks for Netflix.

The Los Gatos company is dealing with mass employee walkouts, criticism from the LGBTQ and comedy communities and threats of subscription cancellations. It all follows Netflix's release of a Dave Chappelle stand-up special  his sixth in the past four years  that has widely been condemned as harmful to the transgender community.

The hour-long special, titled The Closer, was released Oct. 5, serving as the end of the comedians multi-million dollar deal with the mega-streaming platform. It's seemingly the most incendiary the comic has been in his musings of race, gender and sexuality. In the special, he claims that the largely "white" LGBT movement has moved past the Black civil rights movement, offers his public support for J.K. Rowling for her anti-trans views and continues his rants on the #MeToo movement.

Chappelle also alludes to his 2019 stint at the Punch Line, a San Francisco comedy club, with Daphne Dorman, a software engineer and trans comic who opened for him and died by suicide in October of that year. The bit is intended as a heart-to-heart closer for the show, one that Dorman's family says she would have supported, but for trans activists, largely landed as a disingenuous defense.

GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition and other LGBT activist groups condemned Netflix and Chappelle for releasing "The Closer."

Still, the controversial series was widely viewed, with Bloomberg reporting Oct. 13 that more than 10 million people watched the special since its release.

Here is a rundown of everything that's led up to the release of "The Closer," and its aftermath. This story will be updated.

March 21, 2017: Dave Chappelle's comeback comes to Netflix

As part of a behemoth $20 million-per-special deal, Chappelle releases two new specials back-to-back. They're something of an official comeback after the legendary comic walked away from "Chappelle's Show" a decade earlier. In both specials, Variety reports at the time, Chappelle uses anti-trans slurs, but they are largely embraced by critics as a welcome return-to-form for the comic.

Aug. 26, 2019: Netflix releases Chappelle's 'Sticks and Stones'

Chappelle's fifth special for Netflix, following the four 2017 specials he distributed through the streaming giant, signals a major shift in Chappelle's comedy  and his critical reception.

With the focus on "cancel culture," he aims his target on the alleged victims of Michael Jackson and Louis C.K., trans people and the Second Amendment.

Chappelle also mentions Dorman for the first time in this special; she was present at a set he held at the Punch Line in San Francisco. He notes that she "laughed harder at the trans jokes than anybody in the room." (He would go on to invite Dorman to open for him months later.)

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In a tweet two days later, Dorman defends Chappelle.

He isn't punching up or punching down, she writes. He's punching lines. That's his job and he's a master of his craft.

Following the considerable acclaim for his recent comeback, the critics go hard against him for "Sticks and Stones." (It has a 35% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.)

Jan. 27, 2020: Netflix releases 'Disclosure'

The Netflix documentary "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen" spotlights notable transgender stars  many of whom have been featured in Netflix's original programming  including Laverne Cox, Mj Rodriguez and Jamie Clayton.

The documentary depicts how pop culture's portrayal of trans people can have real-world consequences. (More on this later.)

Oct. 5, 2021: Netflix releases Chappelle's latest special, 'The Closer'

Chappelle's sixth and latest special, "The Closer," is met with polarizing responses: seeming adulation from celebrities at an event days after its release, stark criticism on Twitter and in various publications.

The takes are searing, often critiquing his humor just as much, if not more, than his lack of sensitivity. One critic called his humor "sour and curdled," while another wrote that he's "quadrupling down on a manufactured panic of his own making."

Nonetheless, his fans were quick to rally around the special, with the "audience rating" on Rotten Tomatoes an astounding 96%.

Oct. 6, 2021: A transgender Netflix worker in San Francisco speaks out

A day after its debut, Terra Field, a trans software engineer at Netflix, publicly condemns her employer for releasing "The Closer."

"What we object to is the harm that content like this does to the trans community (especially trans people of color) and VERY specifically Black trans women," she writes in a Twitter thread. "... Promoting TERF ideology (which is what we did by giving it a platform yesterday) directly harms trans people, it is not some neutral act."

Field did not respond to multiple requests for comment from SFGATE.

Oct. 6, 2021: A transgender Netflix showrunner resigns from Netflix

Shortly after Field's missive, a co-showrunner for the Netflix show Dear White People speaks out against Chappelle's special and Netflix's support for the comic.

"I will not work with them as long as they continue to put out and profit from blatantly and dangerously transphobic content," says Jacyln Moore, who is a white trans woman, on Twitter.

Her statement ignites a firestorm of debate over what Veronica Wells, a writer for Essence, describes as Moore's "'privilege' as a member of the LGBTQ community to boycott a Black man" and run a show about "the Black experience at a predominantly white university."

"Its no coincidence that this is the conversation people opted to have instead of the one about transphobia," Wells writes. She later adds, "To focus on Moore is to ignore the very sect Chappelle seems to have forgotten: Black trans women."

Oct. 11, 2021: Netflix suspends three employees

The streaming giant suspends Field and two other employees days after Field's thread goes viral. The company denies that her suspension was due to her tweets, instead alleging in multiple media statements that the employees' suspension was because they attended an executives' meeting they were not supposed to.

Netflix reinstates Field a day later, and Field shares to Twitter an email purportedly from Netflix that says, in part, "Our investigation did not find that you joined the QBR meeting with any ill intent and that you genuinely didnt think there was anything wrong with seeking access to this meeting. Additionally when a Director shared the link it further supported that this was a meeting that you could attend."

Oct. 12, 2021: A Netflix trans employee walkout is announced

As Field's suspension is lifted, the Verge reports that Netflix's transgender employee resource group is set to stage a walkout Oct. 20 to protest Netflix and "The Closer.

"Netflix has continually failed to show deep care in our mission to Entertain the World by repeatedly releasing content that harms the Trans community and continually failing to create content that represents and uplifts Trans content," says one employee in an internal message, per the Verge.

Oct. 13, 2021: A Netflix CEO's Chappelle defense goes public

Ted Sarandos, Netflix's co-CEO and head of content, sends a staffwide letter defending "The Closer" and Netflix's decision to release the film despite internal claims that it would create tangible harm, Variety reports.

He disputes those allegations by likening "The Closer" and other contentious content to violent video games.

"While some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesnt directly translate to real-world harm, Sarandos writes.

Many critics on Twitter cite "Disclosure," the film featuring trans Netflix talent that argued exactly the opposite. Writer Jen Richards, who was also in the film, speaks out against Netflix in response.

Sarandos also invokes "Orange is the New Black," which stars Cox, and comedian Hannah Gadbsy, who has two stand-up specials on the platform, alongside Chappelle as examples of diversity in Netflix's programming.

Oct. 14, 2021: Hannah Gadsby speaks out

Gadsby, a queer Australian comic whose profile was visibly raised after her Netflix special "Nanette," decries Sarandos' comment and how he invoked her in the all-staff letter he sent.

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

"Hey Ted Sarandos!" her message, shared on Instagram, begins. "Just a quick note to let you know that I would prefer if you didnt drag my name into your mess. Now I have to deal with even more of the hate and anger that Dave Chappelle's fans like to unleash on me every time Dave gets 20 million dollars to process his emotionally stunted partial world view. ... Fk you and your amoral algorithmic cult."

Oct. 15, 2021: The leader of the trans walkout is fired

The Verge's Zoe Schiffer, who broke the initial news of Field's suspension, reports that Netflix had fired a Black trans employee who helmed the worker walkout.

The company allegedly suspected that the employee, who remains unidentified, leaked viewership numbers for "The Closer" to the press. Bloomberg ran its story, with specific viewership numbers, on Oct. 13.

A Netflix spokesperson tells Schiffer that the employee was indeed fired "for sharing confidential, commercially sensitive information outside the company." (A representative for the company later issues the same statement to SFGATE.)

Oct. 20, 2021: Netflix workers walk out

Netflix employees and allies mobilize outside of Netflix's Los Angeles offices, with support from LGBTQ rights organizations and transgender and nonbinary in-house talent such as "Queer Eye's" Jonathan Van Ness and Elliot Page. Organizers decry Chappelle's special, as well as his failure to meet with transgender Netflix workers.

A counterprotest also shows up in support of Chappelle. Scuffles ensue between the two groups, including broken signs, USA Today reports.

"We respect the decision of any employee who chooses to walk out, and recognize we have much more work to do both within Netflix and in our content," a spokesperson tells USA Today.

Oct. 23, 2021: Fired Netflix worker speaks out

The worker fired by Netflix for allegedly leaking viewership numbers to the press speaks to media outlets over the ongoing controversy.

B. Pagels-Minor was hired as a data project manager at the company in 2020, they tell USA Today. In an interview with NPR, Pagels-Minor denies any allegations from the company that they leaked internal information to Bloomberg, but said that they shared this data in an internal memo to other co-workers.

"... my hope was to create a really robust internal memo that really outlined clearly that there was economic value in diversifying content and specifically investing in trans content," they told NPR's David Folkenflik.

Oct. 25, 2021: Chappelle responds to criticism, announces SF film screening

Dave Chappelle releases a response to criticism from the LGBTQ+ community over his remarks. In the five-minute clip  which was part of a recent live performance  Chappelle dispels rumors that he turned down an invitation to speak with transgender Netflix employees.

He states that he would meet with them under a few conditions: the time and place will be of his choosing, everyone in attendance must have watched the entirety of the comedy special in question, and in an added barb, they must agree that comedian Hannah Gadsby is not funny.

The unapologetic clip goes on to bemoan the backlash against him, focusing on the fallout concerning a forthcoming documentary that chronicles the pandemic shows he threw in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Chappelle states that studios are now no longer interested in the film, and several film festivals have removed the untitled documentary from their lineups.

As a result, he announces that he will screen the movie in 10 cities across America in November, including a first stop at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Nov. 4.

If you are in distress, call the National Suicide Prevention hotline 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more resources.

SFGATE features reporter Michelle Robertson contributed to this report.
When I first saw its name, I laughed. In California, in the year 2021, when colleges are being renamed, statues righteously taken down and Disneyland reimagined in the furtherance of anti-racism and inclusion, could there really be a beloved Bay Area institution called Al the Wops?

Staring at it on an online map of the Sacramento River Delta, I zoomed in on Locke, Calif., population between 70 and 80 people. Something about its location  on the dry side of a levee, amid a tangle of root-like tributaries, surrounded by towns Id somehow never heard of  seemed mysterious. I was overcome by a desire to get in my car and drive. But the state was in the midst of a COVID surge and vaccines werent yet widely available, so my visit would have to wait.

Several months later, on a sunny Friday afternoon, I finally made it to Als. I stood out front staring at its red-and-white facade and hand-painted lettering. Its brick red batwing doors with diamond-shaped windows were like exaggerated portholes to a place every bit as captivating as it had seemed from afar.

Freda Moon

But as a West Coast Italian American, the Wop in Als name had the dual effect of delighting and disorienting me. Ive always felt a bit disconnected from my guido identity. So much so, I had never even heard most of the many anti-Italian slurs, including wop. The word, which is said to be derived from the southern Italian word for guappo, is a name for both a proper noun referring to a notable mafia-like organization and an insult with associations somewhere between swaggerer and scoundrel. It is not, according to the Atlantic, an acronym for without papers, as is commonly thought.

My own associations with Italian American culture  theoretically, my culture  was a mix of stereotype and something deeper. Red sauce restaurants, the non-reality of The Jersey Shore, Madonnas sexy Catholicism schtick, the Mario Brothers of my Nintendo childhood, the shame and hurt my mom carried from being an alienated ethnic in a deeply bigoted and anti-immigrant 1950s Oregon.

All of this drew me to Al the Wops more than it repelled or offended me.

A Delta character

Based on its name and online comments, which name-dropped favorite bartenders and shouted out the kitchens most distinctive dish, I knew it was the kind of place dripping with history and frequented by dedicated regulars. (The dish? A pile of peppers served with a squat tub of peanut butter, $2, or free with purchase.) But it wasnt until I walked inside that I appreciated the restaurant-bars place in this tiny Delta town.

Freda Moon

Its one of the few operating businesses remaining in Locke, a place built in 1915 after a fire devastated the nearby town of Walnut Grove. It was a village for, and by, the Chinese workers who constructed so much of the states railroads, tunnels and levees. One of the more recent of Californias rural Chinatowns, the community's population went from some 1,500 at its peak to fewer than 100 today. Of those who live there now, only 10 Chinese residents remain.

In 1990, Locke was made a National Historic Landmark. While not quite a ghost town, it has that deserted, frozen-in-time feel. Its buildings seem to be slowly collapsing in on themselves, its sidewalks in such disrepair that there are signs along its one-lane main street admonishing the local representative to do something. More storefronts are empty than occupied.

Freda Moon

One storefront that is not only open, but buzzing with a tipsy, late-pandemic energy is the towns nearly century-old bar and restaurant, Al the Wops. Dating back to 1934, its founder Al Adami, who was the first non-Chinese person to own a business in Locke. Adami was reportedly a bootlegger during Prohibition who used his illegal earnings to start his business, according to the Delta Conservancys Delta Currents.

Al died in 1961, but seems to have been quite a character. According to restaurant lore, he routinely took scissors to the neckties of patrons  a demonstration of the restaurants casualness. He also used the bills tacked to the ceiling (more on them to come) to fund an annual liver dinner in celebration of the townspeople, a tradition that continued until the pandemic.

A historic dive bar gets a new lease on life

Finally throwing open its swinging bar room doors, I looked up and around, unsure where to set my attention. The reality of Al the Wops was even better, and stranger, than Id imagined. The space was a boozy, informal museum of town relics, crowded with tchotchkes, memorabilia, knickknacks and photographs.

Freda Moon

The bar itself, a long dark wood counter lined with vinyl stools, was surprisingly crowded for 3 p.m. on a weekday. Als has become a destination for bikers, along with boaters, history buffs and dive bar enthusiasts. When I noticed a man at the bar wearing a Sturgis 2021 T-shirt, suggesting hed attended this years event, I realized this bar may not attract the most COVID-cautious crowd, so I opted for a corner table where I could take in the scene at a bit of a distance.

The bar has a smell I couldnt quite place  somewhere between the faintest whiff of cat pee and generations of musty memorabilia. There are the lids of old wooden asparagus boxes with names like Early Bird, River Maid, and Stockton's Pride above one window. Taxidermied bison, elk and deer gaze down from overhead. Dollar bills are mysteriously tacked to the tall ceiling, which is painted yellow, green and red. Trains of dollars, taped together hang like streamers, wave in the wind of the fans. The smell, which isnt bad so much as transportive, seems natural in this place of sloping floors, Chinese lanterns, a mural of cowboys wrangling cattle and a cheeky NO WHINING sign behind the bar.

Freda Moon

The jukebox is about as chaotic as Als walls  Elviss In the Ghetto followed by Adele, Tiffanys Children Behave leading to Iggy Pop, and Walker Hayess Fancy Like, which, to my horror, would be stuck in my head for weeks. This unpretentiousness is Als charm.

We have families that have celebrated for generations at Als. We know families where the parents met at Als. We want to keep Als for Als customers, for the locals, the farmers, the boaters, the bikers and the car clubs.

The menu, like the jukebox, is an eclectic assortment of comforting Americana classics. Its midafternoon, so I order a small Hillbilly Chili, which is made with chunks of pork and lima beans and topped with red onion and shredded cheese along with a small order of garlic fries. When it arrived, this modest order  served in a red and white paper basket  was about three times as much food as I was expecting and more than I could eat.

Freda Moon

As I retrieved my food, the older man at the bar raved about Als fried chicken and proclaimed the $25 steak  The Big Ol Steak, as its called on the menu  the best in the Delta. Beats the pants off Peters, he said, referring to a more traditional steakhouse in nearby Isleton, where wed planned to splurge on dinner the next night. (Instead, I returned to Als, that time for take-out fried chicken to eat with my kids at a picnic table in the Delta breeze.)

Other menu highlights include spaghetti and meat sauce  a house-made bolognese  served with salad and slices of extra thick-cut bread. The bread itself was a textural revelation: white bread thats pillowy soft on one side and butter-crisped and grilled on the other. And theres a frozen drink machine, churning frose and margaritas: Its summer in a glass, the woman at the bar said, even though summer is technically over.

On Saturday night as I waited for our food, I ordered a margarita in a to-go styrofoam cup and listened as the locals at the bar lamented the loss of another longtime local institution, Giusti's, which had recently been destroyed in a fire. Als, which was sold during the pandemic when it was not in a good place in terms of traffic and business, might have been lost too had a group of five decades-old friends not bought it at the end of 2020. One of the new owners, Greg Wellman, explained in an email that they planned to preserve it virtually as it was.

Freda Moon

We actually made the decision to buy last year around this time on a boating trip up the Delta, he wrote. All of us had been going to Als for years prior for car rallies, motorcycle runs or boating trips.

When I asked if he had any favorite items among the artifacts, Wellman said, There is so much to look at Als, its hard to say. He mentioned a signed picture of former Gov. Pete Wilson sitting at one of Als tables, the prolific taxidermy and two fedoras that had once belonged to Al himself, which sit on the deer heads above the bar. There is also a 1966 Harley Davidson Topper scooter, which is pretty rare, he wrote, and which blends the personal interests of some of the owners (vintage Italian scooters) with many of the patrons (Harley Davidson riders).

Freda Moon

When I followed up one last time, asking whether the slur in the bars name had caused controversy, I didnt hear back. But by then, the question was an afterthought. I like the idea that Al had a sense of humor, about himself and others, and that the place hed created feels like both a relic and a living, breathing, boisterous celebration of Delta life.

Mostly, though, I was grateful the name, in all of its provocativeness, had drawn me there.
In a busy week for air travel news, the U.S. said it will reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors on Nov. 8; United announces a number of new and revived international routes for 2022; JetBlue and American introduces reciprocal perks for their elite frequent flyers; Singapore and Fiji will reopen to vaccinated American visitors, with their airlines adding or enhancing services to and from the United States, including San Francisco; Southwest offers travel vouchers to passengers caught up in its operational mess last weekend; Southwest and American get squeezed in a political battle over vaccine mandates; TSA reports an alarming number of guns seized at security checkpoints so far this year; Oakland International hires a company to install facial recognition technology; LAX commissioners approve big expansion projects for the airport; and American Express opens a Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow.

The White House on Friday said that Nov. 8 is the date when vaccinated international visitors will finally be allowed to enter the U.S. after an 18-month ban. They will need to show proof of vaccination to fly here, and both international visitors and returning Americans will still need a negative COVID test result to enter the country. Airlines and other industry players have eagerly awaited the announcement as key to reviving a booming international travel business that was decimated by the pandemic. Both U.S. and European airlines have already ramped up their transatlantic winter schedules in anticipation of the announcement. The policy change should heal relations with major European nations, as most had reopened to vaccinated American tourists weeks or months ago.

Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

In a spate of international route announcements this week, United Airlines set a date of May 26, 2022, for the long-delayed launch of its planned daily flights between San Francisco and Bangalore (Bengaluru), India. When the airline first announced the route in 2020, it was supposed to launch early summer of 2021. Other pandemic-delayed route plans are now due to begin next year, United said, including service from Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, and Newark to Tokyo Haneda, launching by March 26; daily Chicago-Zurich service, set for April 23; daily Newark-Nice flights, scheduled to start April 29; and a second daily Newark-Frankfurt frequency, beginning April 23.

Uniteds 2022 international plans also include five new transatlantic destinations on its route map, plus new or expanded routes to existing European destinations. Those five new destinations  none are currently served non-stop by a North American airline  include Amman, Jordan, where United will fly three times a week from Washington Dulles starting May 5; Ponta Delgada in the Azores (Atlantic islands that are a part of Portugal), with daily flights starting May 13 (using a 737 MAX 8); Bergen, Norway, with Newark departures three days a week as of May 20; Palma de Mallorca in Spains Balearic Islands, with three weekly flights launching June 2; and Tenerife in Spains Canary Islands, getting three weekly flights as of June 9.

All of the new destinations focus on the leisure market, as international business travel has yet to show a significant revival.

Other new routes coming in 2022, United said, include Denver-Munich, Chicago-Milan, and Washington Dulles-Berlin, along with extra daily frequencies from Newark to Dublin and Rome. The airline will also resume Denver-Frankfurt and Denver-London service in March, along with Newark-Porto, Portugal, and Dulles-Lisbon service will come back in the summer.

In other transatlantic news, Delta will restart New York JFK-Prague service with up to seven flights a week, beginning May 26; and Air France is setting Dec. 6 for the resumption of its Seattle-Paris CDG service three days a week. Air France will also increase capacity on its 11 existing U.S. routes, adding frequencies to destinations like New York, Los Angeles and Miami, as well as scheduling larger aircraft. By March 2022, Air France expects to return to a capacity equivalent to approximately 90% of its capacity in 2019 to and from the USA, the airline said last week.

On the domestic side, United has suspended some Bay Area routes for the winter, according to the San Francisco Business Times. SFO routes that got the axe through February include non-stop flights to Bentonville, Ark. (near Walmart headquarters), Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Toronto, and Calgary. United also suspended these routes through February: from Mineta San Jose to Chicago OHare and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa to Denver.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

JetBlue and American Airlines this week introduced the latest enhancements to their Northeast Alliance, providing reciprocal benefits to the elite-level members of their TrueBlue and AAdvantage loyalty programs. That means elites will now receive priority check-in, priority baggage, access to expedited security lanes and priority boarding no matter which airline theyre traveling on. In addition, AAdvantage elites now get two free checked bags on JetBlue when they check in at airport kiosks, ticket counters or via the JetBlue mobile app; TrueBlue Mosaic elites will get the same benefit on American flights with ticket counter check-ins, and soon through all check-in channels, American said. JetBlue Mosaics traveling on AA will also get free same-day changes to flights.

In the weeks ahead, elite members of each carrier will gain access to preferred seating on the other. AAdvantage and Mosaic members already have mileage-earning privileges on both airlines. American said that AAdvantage members will be able to redeem miles for JetBlue flights starting in November, and JetBlue noted that Mosaic members will be able to do the same on AA flights in the future. While the two airlines continue to move ahead with their Northeast Alliance, the U.S. Justice Department is challenging the partnership in court on antitrust grounds.

Singapore and Fiji are the latest transpacific destinations to set reopening plans for vaccinated U.S. travelers, and their airlines are scheduling new Bay Area flights to meet the anticipated demand.

In Singapore, the government said it will open new vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) effective Oct. 19 for travelers from several more countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, and Denmark. It recently did the same for Germany and South Korea. The new policy means that fully vaccinated travelers from those countries will no longer have to undergo a mandatory quarantine when entering Singapore, although they will still have to produce negative results on COVID-19 tests.

Singapore Airlines said it is converting its daily San Francisco-Singapore non-stop (SQ33) to special VTL status effective Oct. 20 with tickets already on sale. The airline uses an A350-900 ULR for that flight, specially configured with all business class and premium economy seating. It noted that applications for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (necessary for all passengers) are already open and said customers must ensure that they are eligible to travel under the VTL arrangements before the flight. The airline has created a VTL information page on its website with a link to the online travel pass application.

Singapore Airlines also plans to add four weekly Seattle-Vancouver-Singapore flights from Dec. 2 through Feb. 15, with two operating as VTL service.

Meanwhile, Fiji  which has been virtually shut down to international travel since the pandemic began  has set a Dec. 1 opening date for fully vaccinated visitors from several countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Japan, New Zealand, and several others. Visitors must show proof of vaccination, as well as a negative result from a COVID PCR test taken no more than three days before departure to Fiji. Visitors must also download a government app for contact tracing and take a rapid COVID test after arrival.

With the new rules coming into effect, Fiji Airways plans to restart several international routes out of Nadi including San Francisco with five A330 flights a week and Los Angeles with daily A350-900 service, both beginning Nov. 30. Twice-weekly Honolulu-Nadi flights start Dec. 2, using a 737 MAX. The airline will also resume service in December to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.

As we reported earlier this month, Thailand also plans to end its mandatory quarantine for vaccinated foreign visitors, effective Nov. 1.

In other transpacific news, that new service linking San Francisco International with Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) by Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways didnt start by the end of the third quarter, as previously expected. The airline is still waiting for U.S. Transportation Dept. approval of its operational plan. Bamboo is now hoping to begin flights by the end of December.

After its massive operational meltdown last weekend, when flight cancellations affected up to 30% of its schedule, Southwest Airlines said this week that things are pretty much back to normal. The airline is trying to apologize to thousands of inconvenienced customers by sending them emails with travel vouchers for amounts ranging from $100 to $250. That's in addition to refunding their cancelled flights, according to USA Today. A spokesperson told the newspaper that affected customers should be getting the emailed vouchers automatically, although it might take a while, since there are so many to be processed.

That operational mess also got Southwest caught up in a nasty political imbroglio, as right-wing media pundits and politicians like Tucker Carlson and Sen. Ted Cruz (R.-Tex.) tried to blame the airlines woes on the Biden administrations mandatory COVID vaccinations for all employees of large companies and government contractors. The pundits claimed that the airline had to cancel so many flights because its pilots  and maybe FAA traffic controllers  refused to work as a protest against the federal mandate. There is no evidence of any such job actions, however, and Southwest, its pilots union and the FAA all adamantly denied the allegations.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Southwest and American Airlines  both based in Texas  were in the middle of another political tug-of-war last week after Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning any company or organization in the state from imposing vaccine mandates on their employees. Obeying Abbotts order would put those companies in direct violation of President Bidens mandate. But American and Southwest are defying Abbotts new rule, deciding that a federal mandate takes precedence over a state one.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Transportation Security Administration said this week that as of Oct. 3, its airport screeners have stopped 4,495 firearms from being carried onto commercial aircraft. Thats a new record, exceeding the 4,432 guns intercepted in 2019  and with three months remaining in this year. TSA Administrator David Pekoske called the number alarming, especially since the number of air travelers this year is lower than the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Looked at another way, the number of guns seized by TSA so far this year amounts to 11 per million passengers screened; in 2019, it was five per million.

In airport news, Oakland International is moving toward facial recognition for travelers. A biometric technology company called Idemia announced that it is partnering with OAK to install facial recognition systems to verify the identity of departing international travelers in the airports Terminal 1. Idemia VP Lisa Sullivan said the companys technology significantly speeds up passenger clearance, as we can recognize passenger faces within fractions of a seconds, with absolutely no compromise on security. It requires no touch and limited interaction with the system making the boarding process as streamlined and stress free as possible for the passengers.

U.S. citizens whod rather not be subjected to facial recognition can decide to opt out and instead go through the usual procedures of showing their passport and boarding pass to airline employees instead of just walking through the boarding process. Idemia has already deployed its facial recognition technology in the new West Gates at LAXs Bradley International Terminal and is working on a similar project at Newark International Airport.

Except for the new West Gates attached to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, most of the ongoing construction projects at Los Angeles International Airport are intended not to add significant gate capacity, but to upgrade and modernize passenger terminals and to add new ancillary facilities like the upcoming people-mover system. But LAX's Board of Commissioners recently approved an expansion program intended to make the airport significantly larger in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The main passenger-focused elements of the expansion include construction of a new Concourse Zero, just east of Terminal 1, with 11 narrow-body aircraft gates; and a new Terminal 9, just east of the existing Terminal 8, that will add another 12 gates for wide-body aircraft or up to 18 for narrow-bodies, depending on the final configuration. The overall project will also bring more parking facilities, improved airport roadways and airfield improvements like additional taxiways.

American Express has cut the ribbon on a Centurion Lounge in London Heathrows Terminal 3  the first one in Europe. The 7,000-square-foot lounge offers food service from Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit, a tea cart with hot and cold teas and pastries, a full bar and even a small art gallery. Guests can enjoy dedicated workspaces, power outlets, private phone areas, comfortable seating, wireless mobile charging, high-speed Wi-Fi and access to American Express Member Services Professionals to assist with on-site Card and travel-related services, the company said. AmExs Centurion Lounges are open to its Consumer Platinum and Business Platinum Card members.
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You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short.
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Nagnata founders Han and Laura May. Credit:Instagram

As Sydney reopened after three-and-a-half months of lockdown, many bars, pubs and retail stores had lines out the door with patrons desperate to return to a life of normality. Other businesses, however, chose not to open their doors until everyone is welcome.

Luxury lifestyle and activewear label Nagnata  co-owned by Laura May Gibbs, the girlfriend of actor Simon Baker  went public with their brands stance on vaccination restrictions in a lengthy Instagram post stating the doors of their Byron Bay studio would remain closed until unvaccinated customers are allowed to enter.

In the spirit of being transparent, the majority of our Nagnata team are fully vaccinated, the store said.

Low vaccination rates in the regions  especially Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers  are under the spotlight after the NSW government delayed regional travel for the second time due to fears about COVID-19 spreading in unvaccinated areas.
That always feels a privilege but its also a big responsibility. Its touching, she says. As the anchor of ABC TVs flagship daily current affairs program 7.30, Sales is one of the countrys most recognisable journalists. Crabb is also a regular on our screens, with her most recent series Ms Represented devoted to politics from a female perspective. Both have written several books, Sales most recent a non-fiction offering called Any Ordinary Day and Crabbs Men at Work: Australias Parenthood Trap. Almost decade ago, Crabb melded her love of cooking with her political work in the ABC series Kitchen Cabinet, for which she visited an array of pollies in their home kitchens. Food is front and centre in the book and the podcast. Theres a funny section at the back of Well Hello which features Crabbs recipes improved by Sales, often by omitting key ingredients: pea and mint tarts without the peas and the mint, for example. The banter hits the stage. Credit:Stephen Blake You might think that is put on or played up but it is absolutely typical. She will enthusiastically ring me up to tell me how shes made my X recipe so much better, says Crabb. I dont mind the idea of it but do you have to constantly inform me of it like its doing me a favour? Feels a little offensive for you to say I put some meat in it and it tastes so much better!

But if I try something with bacon, then youll know when youre making it for meat-eating friends, says Sales with a laugh. Little-known facts are peppered throughout the book  theres a Chatters crack, for example, a toffee-like concoction that has assumed cult-like status. Certain expressions work like code: CLANG for name-dropping, for example; dont even mention the tuba. The podcasts merch includes fairy wren regalia, including a cross-stitch you can do that reads please leave by 9pm. Chatters love to help other Chatters: in an impressive case in point, a pair of glasses made it home from Broome to their NSW-based owner thanks to the group. The book provides insights into each of the women. Sales is obsessed with music  show-tunes in particular. In one essay, she writes about deciding against music as a career, another discusses her not-giving-a-toss attitude, informed by her grandmother, who regularly said to her as she was growing up: Its none of your business what anyone thinks of you. Theatrical voice strengthening occurs backstage. Credit:Stephen Blake Crabb relies on cooking for her peace of mind, she is not a fan of the list, rarely wears jeans and once met Colin Firth in the toilets at a fancy bar in Soho.

Well Hello was spurred on by the pandemic. While publishers had made approaches in the past, both women had busy, demanding day jobs, family commitments and little spare time. They also travelled for work, but the widespread impact of COVID-19 suddenly left them in a different position. Are you saying I look like a freak? Credit:Louie Douvis We thought if ever we were going to do it, nows the time, says Sales. Co-written with Miranda Murphy, who writes the Chat 10 newsletter, the book is a strange beast, featuring think pieces, top 10 lists, snippets from the podcast, edited conversations and stories about Chatters and their community. The book is illustrated by Gwen Blake, who has drawn sweet caricatures that appear throughout. Its so nice to think that talking about the thing we love to do as a hobby  that is, read  can become something that entertains other people. That makes me happy on such a molecular level, says Crabb. Both journalists sound surprised at how much they love the finished product. Yes, its actually turned out quite well, says Crabb. Even when we first did the podcast, we both harboured misgivings about whether anyone would listen  because its just like this [chat] really, And then when we started doing live shows, it was a bit the same. Throughout the interview, theres lots of the gentle jibing between the two that characterises the podcast. Sales could not be stopped writing top 10 lists of this that or the other, and, of course, she loves to write top 10 lists of X, Y and Z, says Crabb. I am hopelessly indecisive, so it took me about six months to write my top literary works and I refused to put them in order because I would have had an aneurysm.

While both women have shared interests, their minds work in different ways and they process things differently. Its a big part of why the podcast works. Like lots of things, when theres chemistry, its hard to identify why it works, Sales says. Loading Apart from similar values, theres the shared interest in the arts and literature and a love of humour. Once you move beyond those shared core things, we think quite differently so then its fun. Crabb will have a take on something and Ill be like, wow, I hadnt thought about it like that, she says. This shared foundation that you get on well but then enough difference that you find the other person interesting and you spark off each other. For Crabb, authenticity is one of the key ingredients of the podcast, which happens to be why they both love making it. Were not trying to create a persona or even a particular outcome; it happens organically. Its just us: we dont have to cater for anyone else and that authenticity is probably what makes it fun to listen to, even when it goes completely pear-shaped. And especially then. Well Hello: Meanderings from the world of Chat 10 Looks 3 is published by Penguin.

But we digress Part of the appeal of Chat 10 Looks 3 is its meandering nature. The following exchange, taken from our interview, gives an insight into a conversation between Crabb and Sales. Sales: I just looked up and caught a glimpse of us [on Zoom] and thought, thats it in a snapshot, look how different we look to each other. Everything about us is quite different and yet complementary. Its weird. Crabb: Are you saying I look like a freak? Sales: You look really creative and arty and I look really conservative.

Crabb: This from a woman who wore a moustache on stage at the Enmore Theatre and fishnets a la Freddie Mercury. Sales had gone to Sexyland to get them  for a Chat 10 live event - and dragged an old friend along with her. It was good to go in there and have a sticky-beak. It was like the Bunnings of sex toys, everyone is in Bunnings-style uniforms. They just normalised it. Loading Crabb recalls a conference she attended recently about women being treated for breast cancer, which can have really big effect on your sex life, and the oncologist on the panel said Sexyland - or sex shop staffers - are often really, really good at advising people who are going through treatment about what they can do. It made me think, good on you, Sexyland. Its exactly the sort of digression that makes the podcast appealing. The main conversation might be about the latest book theyve read, or the Netflix series theyre obsessed by, or the musical Hamilton (Sales) or chef Ottolenghi (Crabb), but it will meander along to embrace a range of other topics, potentially including Sexyland providing a community service.
Something can be feasible and difficult at the same time. A recent analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) published at the request of the British government (the host for this years COP26 global climate meeting in Glasgow) found that the path to achieving net zero emissions by the year 2050 across the planet requires fundamental shifts in politics, economics and technology. Transport would quickly shift to running on electricity rather than fossil fuels, with combustion engine sales ceasing globally by 2035. Buildings and homes would switch to electricity, alongside the near-total decarbonisation of grids between 2030 and 2035. Major fossil fuel exporters like Australia see sales drop precipitously, due to reduced demand but also the need to reduce emissions domestically (the process of extracting coal and gas is itself a major source of Australias emissions). Can you picture, in your mind, how Australias political and media structures might react to the suggestion of a ban on combustion engine sales by 2035? Scenarios like those released by the IEA make waves because they nudge us into considering in detail what we mean by transformative or radical. The reports finding that no new oil and gas fields or coal mines ought to be approved for development from here on sent the fossil fuel industry into a tailspin. But of the various global sector-based targets the IEA highlighted in their report, one stood out as a litmus test. Loading The report calls for a phase-out of unabated coal in advanced economies by 2030. This makes perfect sense. The generation of electricity using coal power accounts for just under one-third of total global emissions, so shutting them down as soon as possible is an immediate shot in the arm for climate action. Electrifying other sectors that currently rely on fossil fuels - cars, gas stoves, heavy industry - means every single reduction in the carbon intensity of the electricity grid becomes a double hit. Killing coal power is the first, biggest and most consequential domino in the chain of events of climate action.

Despite being a wealthy country with plenty of potential for renewable energy, Australia remains extremely reliant on coal-fired power generation. Among OECD countries, Australia holds the fourth-highest share of coal in its total energy supply, and the second-highest total fossil fuel share. Instead of being made up of many small contributors, several very large coal plants comprise the bulk of Australias power emissions. Of the 10 nations with the planets highest emissions from fossil fuel plants, Australia has the second-highest concentration in single power plants. The top 5 per cent of fossil fuel plants are responsible for just under 90 per cent of all electricity-based carbon dioxide pollution. Concentrated effort on these massive coal plants would immediately change the entire countrys climate problem. Why isnt this happening? Across all states and within both major parties vying for federal government, and in the boardrooms of every single coal power owner, the policy is to let coal plants run until they retire due to old age, no matter the direct impacts of their emissions in the interim. That assumption alone makes it essentially impossible for Australia to align with net zero or 1.5 degrees Celsius targets.

The National Electricity Market, the grid that comprises the easternmost populous states, will still be 34 per cent reliant on coal in the best-case scenario by 2030, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)s latest Integrated System Plan (ISP). In the worst-case scenario, its 52 per cent by 2030 and 64 per cent by 2042. An update of the ISP is due in 2022, and AEMOs recently released assumptions and scenario planning show, thankfully, a likely increase in focus on carbon budgets and climate targets. The federal governments Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) models Australias emissions on a sectoral level. This annual report is seen as a reflection of the countrys climate policies. Their annual emissions forecasting shows that the grid will still be emitting 88 megatonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent in 2030, compared to 150 megatonnes in 2019. Coal, in 2030, will still comprise a stunning 37 per cent of grid electricity across Australia, according to the governments projections. Pay close attention and youll notice how sensitive the topic of climate-aligned coal retirement is. Queenslands Labor state government booted the CEO of the state-owned Stanwell corporation for very vaguely musing about planning for the retirement of coal plants. Queensland has no plans to decommission any of our publicly owned generation assets in Queensland ahead of their time, the states energy minister told the Australian Financial Review. Their time, of course, should have been up two decades ago. In May this year, one of Queenslands newest coal turbines catastrophically exploded, causing widespread blackouts and serious damage to the turbine hall. The Queensland government has vowed to replace it with a new turbine, instead of decommissioning that plant and building zero-emissions technologies instead. The Callide power station in Biloela, Queensland. Credit: State governments steadfastly refuse to entertain the possibility of Paris-aligned coal phase-outs (with the recent exception of former NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean). Renewable energy targets, while very welcome, can present the impression that something is being done, deflecting the question of whether enough is being done. At the federal level, proposals that incentivise the continued operation of coal and gas plants under the guise of reliability are attracting intense criticism for their emissions-worsening impact.

AGL Energy, comfortably Australias worst corporate emitter, considered winding down the output of its coal plants in line with a global 1.5C climate target, setting this vision out in a little-read scenario document. But that pathway was rejected on the grounds that the company shouldnt be the first to close coal early, claiming that AGL is not able to make unilateral commitments to closing power stations in advance of government policy as this may lead to unintended outcomes. AGL recently announced their backing for the controversial plan to incentivise coal plants. A 2030 coal phaseout - one of the most meaningful, achievable and beneficial first steps to climate action - simply does not exist within one of the worlds most coal-reliant countries. The consequence is clear - Australias coal power fleet is set to create significantly more climate harm, comfortably burning through Australias carbon budget. It is also clear that an uncontrolled, chaotic transition away from fossil fuels would result in significantly worse outcomes for those employed in the coal industry, and the communities that host these power stations. A recent report from the Investor Group on Climate Change found that in a disorderly scenario, communities like the Hunter Valley and Gippsland will be disproportionately affected (as you might expect, a 2030 coal phase-out isnt modelled or even mentioned). If one truly cares about the human lives connected to these machines, an orderly transition is the far better option. Already, the signs of an uncontrolled transition are discernible. Shifting economics, changing demands for flexibility and rising climate impacts like extreme heatwaves are all rattling the operation of Australias coal fleet. This is not what we want the energy transition to look like. It was recently announced that Blackrock is among a range of large financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and Citigroup that plan to buy up coal plants and retire them well prior to their scheduled closure dates. This could put developing countries even further ahead of Australia in decoupling from coal.

It may sometimes feel that Australia has escaped the dark days of climate partisanship. But how much agreement exists simply because the hard questions are simply ignored? Bipartisanship is easy if no major political party will engage with whats needed to make net zero by 2050 a reality. Loading Weve gone from denial of the science underpinning climate change to denial of the mitigation required to meet our Paris commitments, said British climate scientist Kevin Anderson. Whilst the former denial resided mostly in a small but powerful group, the latter is widespread amongst policymakers, journalists & academics. Anderson is painfully correct. If Australia sets a net zero by 2050 target at COP26, it will likely be heralded as a major shift in climate policy, but its almost certain to leave unaltered the fact that most of the country is failing to align with that trajectory. Every single day is another collection of missed climate opportunities, the biggest and most beneficial being the start of a fair and fast coal phase-out. To the leaders of this lucky country, the future looks like a comfortable free ride in the final decades of the fossil fuel era. This is a deadly fantasy. The current real-world trajectory is an eyes-closed sprint into a catastrophic stew of climate impacts and chaotic energy failures. Nothing will change until Australias biggest burning problem - its deep reliance on coal - is dealt with.
A few years back I read about a study on how much our personalities change each decade of our lives. The purpose of the study was to show how bad we were at knowing wed change a lot in the next 10 years, but I took great comfort in realising that who I was isnt who I am now, and that I dont yet know who I will be.

The reason why I bring this up now is because its been at least 10 years since March 2020 (or at least it feels like it), and weve been presented with an opportunity few will ever have: we get to completely reinvent ourselves, if we choose, without first having to fake our own deaths or move continents.

How many times in history have people been forced to hide from most of society for months at a time, and be able to emerge from their chrysalis without the added complication of a criminal record?

So, with Melbournes lockdown lifting on Thursday, we still have a few days to work out who were going to be before our debut back into society. Lets treasure this opportunity and see it for what it could be.

Sure, it could be inconvenient that none of our clothes fit properly any more due to comfort eating/over-exercising. Instead, lets see this as an opportunity to embrace our new post-pandemic style.

Read the full opinion piece here.
Inner west residents have called for an apartment development next to Sydney Park to be scrapped and the building site incorporated into the park, as the developer takes legal action against a local council after its plans were refused.

The Land and Environment Court this week will hear an appeal by Maxida International after the City of Sydneys Central Sydney Planning Committee rejected its application to build 389 apartments at One Sydney Park earlier this year.

An artists impression of the One Sydney Park development, which residents group, the Friends of Erskineville, argues will impact Sydney Park. Credit:HPG Australia

The company, which owns the site of the development, is appealing to the court to approve scaled-back plans for 356 units in eight six-storey buildings along Euston Road at a cost of $234 million.

A spokeswoman for the Hailiang Property Group (HPG Australia), which is developing the site on behalf of the owner Maxida, said the project would replace two dilapidated industrial warehouses with a development more appropriate to the location.
I was pleased to see Helen Pitt discussing the idea of electrifying the old Freshwater class ferries (Lets do this, Sydney: save the Freshwaters, October 10). This could also be done to the new Emerald class ferries. Why the state government replaced polluting diesel ferries with new polluting diesel ferries is a mystery. It is 2021, and I thought we were trying to cut emissions. Even better than simply electrifying the ferries is hydrogen-electric technology. This can be applied to cars, trucks, ferries, ships, locomotives. No pollution. Dennis OHara, Wanniassa (ACT)

As Helen Pitt notes, NSW Transport has given us trains that cannot manage Blue Mountains tunnels and river cats that cannot fit safely under Parramatta River bridges. However, all four Freshwater ferries manage heavy seas with few exceptions. So, why not reverse the decision and keep them for passengers convenience and enjoyment? And, importantly, it could save taxpayer dollars being spent on replacement buses when the new ferries are not up to the job. Jennifer Fergus, Manly

A matter of ethics

Many thanks to the Sun-Herald for advising us of the businesses that will remain closed until December 1 as they dont wish to offend the unvaccinated (Not the police, say businesses staying shut over vaccine, October 10). The 80 per cent of us who have been vaccinated are grateful for being warned to avoid these businesses in the future because of their lack of care for the general population. It would also be great if more businesses with similar ethics announced their ethics to the community. Anthony Wood, Epping

To those complaining of discrimination I ask; are you being discriminated against for being required to wear a seatbelt? Are you being discriminated against for not blowing cigarette smoke in my face when Im serving you at a bar or restaurant table? Are you being discriminated against for not being able to drive drunk? Are you being discriminated against for not being allowed to scream antisemitic, Islamophobic, homophobic abuse at passers-by? The safety of the community overrides individual rights. Nick Andrews, Bellevue Hill
Former premier Bob Carr has changed his mind about voluntary assisted dying and now supports legalising it in NSW.

Mr Carr, who led arguments against voluntary euthanasia as premier in the 1990s, told The Sun-Herald other Australian states had proven that voluntary assisted dying laws could work, and it made no sense for NSW to lag behind.

A big majority of families are telling us they want this option, Mr Carr said. I sure as hell want it.

Former NSW premier Bob Carr has changed his position on voluntary assisted dying. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Mr Carr, 74, said he changed his mind in part because he was disappointed with the lack of scientific advances in palliative care and cures for diseases.
NSW has recorded 319 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday as the state hit its 80 per cent double-dose vaccination target.

Fully vaccinated NSW residents will on Monday have expanded freedoms, including being able to participate in community sport and having up to 20 visitors in their homes.

Shoppers pictured at Westfield Bondi Junction. Restrictions will ease further now that NSW has reached 80 per cent. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Other relaxed restrictions at 80 per cent include the removal of a cap on guests at weddings and funerals, masks no longer being required in offices, being able to drink while standing and dancing being permitted indoors and outdoors at hospitality venues.

However, regional travel is no longer on the cards for Sydneysiders at the 80 per cent vaccination level  it has been pushed back to November 1 to allow regional vaccination to catch up to the rate in Sydney.
NSW government ministers will press their federal counterparts to allow the state to open up to overseas students and tourists as a matter of urgency after the state hit its much-anticipated 80 per cent double dose vaccination target on Saturday.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said summer in NSW is looking good as he confirmed NSW would ease restrictions on Monday to allow 20 visitors in peoples homes, the return of community sport, as well as indoor dancing and drinking while standing at pubs.

Feels great to break this news. Huge thanks to all the nurses and vaccination hub staff at NSW Health, the GPs, the pharmacists, and each and every person who rolled up their sleeve to get us here, Mr Perrottet tweeted. Been a long wait but weve done it.

Those freedoms are for fully vaccinated people only, with the unvaccinated still blocked from participating in such activities. Masks will still be required in most indoor settings, but vaccinated people will no longer need to wear masks in the office.
David Sandlers twin daughters will not be wearing masks when they return to kindergarten on Monday. He and his wife are not convinced the benefits of face coverings for young children outweigh the downsides.

They dont want to wear them, they dont find them comfortable, they cant read their friends faces, he said. We think its going to upset the children and limit their interaction more than any benefit it brings.

Twin sisters Maya and Noa Sandler wont be wearing masks when they go back to school, their father David says. Credit:Louise Kennerley

However, Tiara Relativos children, aged eight and five, have been wearing masks throughout lockdown, particularly in crowded areas, and will continue to do so. At the beginning it didnt always stay on, it would stay on for longer and longer each time, she said.

Theyre pretty good about keeping it on now. I think its a really nice way of showing people around you that you care about them. A mask is just like a hat. You drill into kids, put your hat on, and they get used to it.
Restless travellers and families rushed to book flights after NSW declared its international border would open on November 1 and returning fully vaccinated residents would not have to quarantine either at home or in a hotel.

There was an immediate increase in the number of flights booked following Premier Dominic Perrottets announcement compared to the days prior, Webjet chief executive David Galt said.

Some of the most popular destinations were to Nadi (Fiji), Auckland, Dublin and London, Mr Galt said. Closer to home, it was flights departing Sydney to Ballina (Byron Bay) and Melbourne that led the pack.

Qantas will restart international flights from November. Credit:

The best-value fares include Sydney to London return from $1400, Singapore return from about $900, and less than $500 return to Fiji, he said.
Within a month of announcing a congestion-busting cut to the migration program, the Morrison governments 2019 budget forecast that Australias population would grow at an unprecedented average of 450,000 a year over the four-year forward estimates. This forecast relied on two key assumptions: first, that net migration would increase substantially, and second, that the fertility rate would do the same. At best, these assumptions can be described as heroic. They were actually a fraud perpetrated on the Australian public to support Frydenbergs boast about the budget forever being back in black. The idea that we would grow the net number of people arriving to live here long-term, while also pursuing the recently reduced ceiling on the number of permanent visas issued, was an extraordinary leap of faith. The notion that Australian women would magically begin having more babies at a time when child care is inaccessible and prohibitively expensive was a fallacy. There has only ever been one occasion when Australias population has grown by more than 450,000 in a single calendar year, and that was back in 1971. How the government will bust congestion with a population growing at that rate over four years remains a mystery.

Scott Morrison has very carefully curated his ordinary Aussie dad routine. To quote another ordinary Aussie dad, The Castles Darryl Kerrigan, they must have been dreaming. Despite obviously being pie-in-the-sky stuff, that population growth dream underpinned the 2019 budget. The only reason that budget was able to forecast real economic growth climbing to 3 per cent a year for 10 years was because of the supporting projected population growth and the fantasy of productivity growth returning to 1.5 per cent a year. The only reason it could forecast the creation of 250,000 jobs a year for five years was because of the projected increase in net migration. The only reason it could forecast its headline-grabbing series of surpluses for the following 10 years was, again, because of the projected population growth. The 2019 budget was a duplicitous election document that Treasury should never have signed off on. It will forever be a stain on the departments reputation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg at post-budget interviews after the release of the 2019 budget. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

We will never know how the Australian electorate might have voted in the election, held weeks later, had they been aware of the record population growth the government was projecting. Morrison spoke publicly, loudly and repeatedly about his decision to cut immigration and bust congestion during the election campaign. But he never mentioned the record levels of net migration and projected baby boom that his budget relied on.

In retrospect, the government may be able to explain away its valiant assumptions as a casualty of the COVID-19 recession. But that would be another falsehood. The population growth forecasts were a fantasy well before the pandemic. They were never going to eventuate. In 2019 itself, the forecast growth fell short by more than 80,000 people. [Australias population as of March 2021 is 25.7 million, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.]
Five people have been taken to hospital, at least four of them with alleged stab wounds, after a street brawl outside an Ipswich home on Friday night.

Police and nine paramedic units were called to the street disturbance on Wright Avenue in Redbank Plains about 8.40pm.

Police have a declared a home on Wright Avenue in Redbank Plains a crime scene. Credit:Queensland Police Service

A 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged on Saturday afternoon with four counts of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police believe a number of people left the address before they arrived.
The future of Oxford Street is set to become a political hot potato ahead of council elections in December, with a Liberal candidate criticising lord mayor Clover Moore for years of inaction and lack of vision.

Liberal candidate for the City of Sydney Lyndon Gannon unveiled ambitious plans to revitalise the area by removing a heritage-listed public toilet in Taylor Square or repurposing it into a cafe, and opening the lawns outside Darlinghurst Supreme Court to the public on weekends and holidays.

Liberal council candidate Lyndon Gannon said he wanted Taylor Square and Oxford Street to become Sydneys version of Londons Camden Markets. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Mr Gannon said pedestrianising parts of Forbes and Bourke streets, repurposing the derelict toilet block into a cafe or gallery and opening up the lawns and forecourt of the Supreme Court were the first steps in bringing life back into the neighbourhood.

This really should have been done years ago, but requests for improvements have been stymied by council, he said.
A decline in charity work and formal volunteering has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, which prevented acts of help worth an estimated $13.5 billion, a new report has found.

The Help Economy report compiled by NRMA Insurance and PwC Australia estimated Australians performed $30 billion worth of unpaid work outside their home.

However, it found the pandemic made it harder for Australians to help in 2020, with 42 per cent of people stating they were unable to perform some of their usual activities.

Jessica Butt used to volunteer for Delta Pet Therapy. She now volunteers for veterans mental health charity Swiss8 with Barry Zworestine. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Sport and physical recreation saw a 16 per cent decline in formal help, with lockdown restrictions forcing people inside and shutting down community sport. Restrictions in movement also led to 7 per cent falls in running errands and emotional support.
Victorias purpose-built $200 million quarantine facility still has a role to play in the pandemic, experts say, however it wont be as crucial as anticipated due to high case numbers and vaccination rates.

The Mickleham centre for national resilience for incoming travellers wont be ready until the end of the year, however there is a risk it may become a white elephant if Victoria relaxes quarantine rules.

NSWs move to effectively end quarantine for most travellers by opening international borders to those who are vaccinated from November 1 has raised questions over the purpose of the facility being built in Melbournes north.

Construction on the Mickleham quarantine facility on Thursday. Credit:Joe Armao

The state government has committed to finish building the centre, which could be used to house people fleeing disasters once the pandemic is over. It is being funded by the federal government.
NASA launched a first-of-its kind mission on Saturday to study Jupiters Trojan asteroids, two large clusters of space rocks that scientists believe are remnants of primordial material that formed the solar systems outer planets.

The space probe, dubbed Lucy and packed inside a special cargo capsule, lifted off on schedule from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 5:34am, NASA said. It was carried aloft by an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance (UAL), a joint venture of Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Lucys mission is a 12-year expedition to study a record number of asteroids. It will be the first to explore the Trojans, thousands of rocky objects orbiting the sun in two swarms - one ahead of the path of giant gas planet Jupiter and one behind it.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Lucy spacecraft stands ready for launch at Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Cape Canaveral. Credit:

The largest known Trojan asteroids, named for the warriors of Greek mythology, are believed to measure as much as 225 kilometres in diameter.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 71st COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Minister Ottley wishes the family strength during this time.

As of October 15th, there was one (1) person who tested positive for COVID-19; however, five (5) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to seventy-six (76). The total number of confirmed cases is now four thousand four hundred thirty-nine (4439).

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring seventy-three (73) people in home isolation. Three (3) patients are hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 has increased to at seventy-one (71).

The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to four thousand two hundred ninety-two (4292). Fifty-nine (59) people are in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS.



The total number of persons tested is 53,236.

As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures.

Minister Ottley urges everyone to remain cautious when in public places; for your safety reduce social contacts, and sanitize or wash your hands frequently.
Robert Syphax, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021 in Somerset, Kentucky. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Pulaski Funeral Home. Pulaski Funeral Home is Honored to assist the family with arrangements.
Today I want to put on the table a reflection on a crossroads in which all businesses will find themselves sooner or later: diversification. It is so important, that on many occasions financial success and business continuity depend on it, my conclusion to diversify is good and necessary, the only constant in business should be change.

Diversify is defined by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) as "Making what was uniform and unique into multiple and diverse ", and although the definition speaks for itself, I think it lacks a vital ingredient: Do it with intelligence, as it says the saying: he who covers a lot, little squeezes .

There are two different ways to approach the decision to diversify: from the Financial perspective and for Diversification in the business world. Let's start with the financial one:

Speaking of money "putting your eggs in the same basket" can be a fatal decision for your pocket. That is why speaking of finances, clearly the bet should be to diversify. Putting some money in the short term (such as an emergency fund) and another portion in the long term, such as savings for retirement or any other savings objective for more than 10 years makes all the sense and within Long-term savings you put something in fixed income, another in variable income and perhaps another part in passive investments such as real estate (here you will get a mix of rates, because you will have the capital gain rate and the rate associated with an income) .

As far as investments are concerned, the diversification objective should be based on two basic principles: reduce risk and increase the rate of return, finding a balance adequate for your investor profile.

Now, diversification in the business world is different and much more complex than the financial one, and I say this because finally, when diversifying in your business, the first thing you should take care of is that you do not lose your essence or your specialty. You must be very jealous of the business where you are clearly a successful, consolidated and different person.

This reflection on what to do - and what not to do - when deciding to diversify in your business, stems from a conversation I recently had with a good client and best friend about what he wants to do to diversify; and his position led me to suggest these 3 tips that now I want to share with you.

1. Only diversify into businesses COMPATIBLE with your CORE BUSINESS (in marketing that is called Extended Core ): Expand your portfolio of products and services only in things in which you already know that you are different from others, and in what you genuinely already are a crack!

Let me explain: imagine that you have a consolidated Mexican food restaurant and for diversifying and reaching another audience in the same place you offer sushi. INCOMPATIBLE!!! Following the restaurant's example, you can consider other diversification alternatives, such as prepackaging your star sauce for sale in other consumption centers, or setting up event service, or opening small branches with reduced menus similar to a food court .

Do not mix unknown things, with things in which your performance is already clearly SUPERIOR. And if you were determined to open a line of business completely different from your experience. Don't skimp on delegating and hiring someone who does.

Some success stories that better explain this "Shoemaker to your shoe" theory are those of Coca-Cola and Pepsi; Coca has a strategy of diversification in Beverages (they are market leaders) soft drinks, water, milk, coffee, yogurt, etc. On the contrary, Pepsi apparently violates this logic by diversifying with foods such as Quacker or Sabritas, but in reality the Core Pepsi Business is distribution logistics. So much so that they provide share services to brands such as Jumex, Hershey's or Sonrics. They diversified in what they know how to do; Coca in drinks and Pepsi in distribution.

2. Take care of the time to invest jealously. Exploring new businesses can result in you spending your valuable time and money outside of your core business. Before deciding to undertake something that you do not know, think that the time dedicated to the new venture you will be taking away from the one that already "makes a profit."

This premise is reinforced by the history of General Electric. Over the years, he started making lights, turbines and engines, medical equipment and, in general, everything in industrial and consumer manufacturing; Imagine that he had in his portfolio even television networks and a financial division for mortgages and consumer credit. One of the great successes of the multi-named CEO Jack Welch was precisely the sale of the unprofitable divisions or that were not in the top three of their sector, they contracted and concentrated in their core business, manufacturing.

I would like to suggest you a metric. If it is going to take more than a third of the time, I would recommend that instead of taking the reins of the new business, you consider simply investing in a similar one as a shareholder, and thus you will give it the sense of a financial diversification strategy Vs. a diversification strategy in business.

3. Seriously consider those diversifications that, although what you know how to do are totally different, add commercially to your main business . To give you an example, supermarket chains such as Whole Foods or Walmart in the US and Mercadona in Spain buy suppliers to exclusively manufacture their own brands, this helps them to have diversity on the shelf and also to use those shelves to sell their own products. Clearly their business is not manufacturing but sales, but they are using their brands to generate more profitability per square meter in their sales floors, not counting the natural utility of that product.

Another very current example of how it is possible to diversify into things that have NOTHING to do with the main business would be the influencers. Their main business is sponsorship ( views , clicks or mentions), but prominent "influencers" are evolving to give conferences, make books, release records, do merchandising (from selling their mugs and jackets, passing through their own brand of wine or tequila) or collect royalties "brand" products related to their field of influence, absolutely nothing to do with the main business. However, although they are different, they all nurture the influencer's positioning and reinforce their essence.

We will surely agree that any diversification effort will have to do with an objective of generating more profitability, a bit my point of view is that you can put your money to work in other ways that do not necessarily mean that you work more and worse still in something that perhaps not you know how to do just as well as your competition.

The key in diversification is that the new venture does not absorb your agenda, or your main business. Do not lose sight of the fact that the principal is the one who pays the expenses!

The day only has 24 hours, use them to the fullest and do not waste them in an undertaking that does not "commune" with what you already do wonderfully well.

Thank you for reading me and sharing my opinions, I will love to discuss them with you on my Instagram @Federico_Brunet and you can also find my Podcast on Spotify or Apple as A date with your wool.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
STAMFORD  Kathleen Patricia Thrane has a small arsenal of books about the Indigenous people of Southwestern Connecticut in the back of her car.

When she opens up one tome to find information on sacred figures in Indigenous art, almost all the pages are littered with notes and underlining. Sticky notes  some with annotations and at least one with a detailed doodle  fall out of one book while she searches for the entry on Mesingw, a spirit from the Lenape tradition.

For much of the past year, she has been on an archaeological mission.

Thrane, who lives in Greenwich, wants to prove that the cliff behind a pending development site across from Mill River Park is home to prehistoric Native American art unlike anything found in Connecticut before.

Theres a laundry list of organizations she has to convince, including the city, the State Historic Preservation Office and the tribal organizations of the Native American traditions she wants to save.

All have approached her claims with extreme caution.

Im open to the idea that there could be sites Im not familiar with, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Catherine Labadia told The Stamford Advocate. However, there are steep obstacles to proving that hypothesis, she said.

There are examples of Indigenous rock art throughout the region, but they are not done in this style, nor do they represent the same iconography, she added.

Thranes colleague Johnna Paradis was the person who initially identified the cliff in question. She claims that she noticed the wall while walking through the West Side and immediately started to explore. Paradis had seen the gray and copper wall of rock before  shes lived in Stamford her whole life but said the site felt different this time.

Immediately, she called in Thrane, who she knew as a friend and hobby archaeologist. The pair threw themselves straight into getting the site acknowledged and preserve the upper half of a craggy stone wall that they say contains depictions of sacred figures from local Native traditions.

At first, their efforts focused on researching the location. Thrane calls herself an avocational archaeologist freely, and has a certificate in the field she earned from Norwalk Community College in the early 2000s.

In 2001, while completing the certificate course, Thrane helped spearhead another campaign to save Indigenous history in Stamford, an effort that was supported by the Connecticut Historic Preservation Office and a local Algonquin tribal association.

Those skills helped the two draft a 37-page paper on the new location, dubbing it Mataubaun, a name that pops up in a 19th-century history of Stamford written by the Rev. Elijah Baldwin Huntington. According to the Institute for American Indian Studies museum in Washington, Conn., the name also means it is day to the Delaware people in the region.

Thrane, in her paper, writes that the name means standing rock, and said she thinks the rock along Mill River Park has celestial value.

The Light and Shadow art on the cliff is a visual performance, a narrative of Sacred Beings mentioned in Oral Histories, she wrote in her paper. The shapes in the wall cast shadows across the cliffside and transform shape over 6 hours on sunny days.

To help further identify the shapes, Thrane has enlisted Yale-educated archaeologist Vance Tiede, whose work covers everything from astro-archaeology at Stonehenge to Babylonian ziggurats and Chinese pyramid tombs.

The research paper, sent out en mass, has reached desks and inboxes as far as Washington, D.C., as part of Thranes next phase of work: getting it officially recognized.

While Thrane said the research was grueling, persuasion has proven to be more challenging.

The city and SHPO have stated they believe that the indentations and cracks in the rock come from blasting, construction work and natural erosion over the years, not from Indigenous artists.

And Thrane has reached out to state and local officials and preservationists about the site; shes tried to get hold of Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and scores of academics to help bring attention to her claims with little luck.

Along with proving the potential historical significance of the site, Thrane and Paradis said they want to stop a construction project approved in 2016 and scheduled for the parcel. A developer plans to put 110 residential units and some retail space in front of the rock wall. As per Stamfords affordable housing requirement, 10 percent of the units will be set aside for people earning 50 percent of Stamfords median income.

The only thing that should be built there is a museum, Thrane has said repeatedly.

The affordable housing requirement is at the crux of Thranes strategy for saving the site. She claims that the affordable housing requirement is linked to federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development since residents pay for their affordable housing with HUD-funded housing vouchers. Federal money means that the federal government has the power to intervene, she said.

Because of that, Thrane wants the government to conduct an impact study through a federal process called a Section 106 Review that requires federal agencies to consider the effects of projects they carry out, approve, or fund on historic properties, according to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

But housing vouchers dont mean that a project is getting federal money, according to Stamford Land Use Chief Ralph Blessing.

Section 8 vouchers, theyre given to people, not to households, Blessing said. And people with below-market-rate apartments do not necessarily pay through vouchers. Instead, individual buildings administer their affordable housing programs and must make sure that residents meet the income requirements for their buildings.

But beyond the question of whether the federal government is or should be involved in Thranes preservation efforts, Susan Bachor, acting director of the Delaware Tribe Historic Preservation Office, has more specific concerns over Thranes efforts.

The Delaware nation has no record of this kind of light and shadow art, a hurdle that Thrane wants to overcome by having the site studied further. But Bachor  who has worked for the Delaware people for seven years, though she is not native  says most of the rock art documented by the Delaware people are petroglyphs: images pegged directly into the stone.

But there does remain more to discover of the Delaware peoples back story, she said, in part because of the painful history of genocide and displacement for the Delaware tribe.

We were one of the first, if not the first one of the first tribes, to be forcibly removed, she said. And that early removal, and the amount of deaths that happened because of disease and the forced migration really caused a breach in knowledge.

Because of the violent past, Delaware peoples are still learning their history and examining already-verified artifacts. The Delaware Tribe Historic Preservation Office is called upon constantly to review other cases of its culture being erased through the same federal review process that Thrane wants to trigger in Stamford. To an extent, Bachor said theres so much work to be done that the tribe she represents cannot throw its weight behind projects like Thranes.

We have so many fires that are burning in our homelands of known significance, of known importance, that sometimes these projects that are just on the outskirts of our territories that are a little sketchy will be put aside until they can be revisited, she said.

However, as the matter stands currently, the tribe has no intention of intervening in Thranes work. According to Bachor, the issue is still investigative, and the origins of the site cannot be validated.

Even with a federally recognized tribal organization expressing doubts, Thrane refuses to give up. She said she believes in the site, believes in what shes found.

We have so little left, Thrane said over the phone. We cannot lose any more.

veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com
HARTFORD  Natalie Wallace was walking to work when she stumbled upon a crowd on Broad Street on Friday.

Restrained by barriers and police tape, the Hartford resident saw roughly 75 people brandishing signs for President Joe Biden, some in support, others against and some asking for changes in policy.

Biden visited Hartford's Capitol Child Development Center Friday to advocate for his Build Back Better Agenda, which includes more affordable child care for working families. As his motorcade stormed along the street, Wallace clapped and cheered, along with others, while dozens of critics waved flags supporting former President Donald Trump.

I was hoping there would be more people out here to cheer the president on, she said.

She stayed in the area to make sure the president had some support.

I didnt want the president to think only Trump supporters are here, she said. I dont want him to think this is Hartford.

Wallace was not the only Biden supporter, though. Many residents took out their phones to document the experience.

Before the motorcade arrived, the two opposing groups chanted in sync. After one group screamed, Lets go Biden, the other countered with, F--- Joe Biden.

Despite some criticism faced in Hartford on Friday, the state overwhelmingly voted last year for Biden, who defeated Trump by 20 percentage points in the November 2020 election.

Ahead of the presidents arrival, about a dozen people gathered Friday morning near Hartford-Brainard Airport, where Bidens helicopter landed. There, Biden met with Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and other members of the states Democratic delegation.

On the corner of Maxim and Murphy roads, the group, which said they were part of a Facebook group called Debbies Deplorables, waved Trump flags, along with large banners displaying profanity with Bidens name.

When asked for an interview, one man got on a bull horn and asked why the fake news wouldnt talk to him. Afterward, he agreed to an interview, but did not give his name. He called Biden a disgrace.

The group said theyd been there since 7 a.m. and planned to follow the president throughout the day to exercise their First Amendment rights.

As Bidens motorcade drove by, they continued to scream, Trump won, and profanities at the numerous vehicles traveling down Murphy Road.

Near the Child Development Center on Broad Street, Teresa Quintana was with about 20 members of the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, holding signs to demand citizenship and rights for her immigrant neighbors.

Quintana said immigrants are exploited in our community and suffered immensely during the pandemic.

The path of citizenship is overdue, Quintana said, adding that Dreamers and others are waiting for immigration reform. We need to do something about it.

Waterbury resident Bill Vitale waved a Gadsden flag that stated, Dont Tread on Me and wore a Soldier Solution shirt, which supports veterans. He said he wanted to show the president that he didnt approve of mask or vaccine mandates.

They should leave it up to us, said Vitale, who said hes not vaccinated. I dont believe its up to the government.

As for Bidens proposed expansion of child care, Vitale thinks government should stay out of that as well, even if it is expensive.

After the president and the numerous vehicles drove away, the crowd dispersed in the afternoon. Wallace observed the crowd had been a demonstration of free speech.

The thing thats great about this country is people can come out and say what they want to say, Wallace said. Im not a believer in some of the messaging. My values dont click with some of the people here, but I think they have a right to come and say what they want.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
The Rev. Walter Williams has been serving the Lord since he graduated from seminary in 1966. He currently resides in McAlisterville. To comment on his column, send a letter to Standard Journal, 21 N. Arch St., Milton, Pa. 17847 or e-mail newsroom@standard-journal.com.
Ashtabula, OH (44004)

Today

Flurries or snow showers possible early. Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 41F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low around 30F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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NEW HAVEN  For the past decade, a gin renaissance has unfolded in this old German town near the banks of the Missouri River.

Pinckney Bend Distillery opened in New Havens historic downtown in 2011 and has grown every year since. Its gin, vodka and whiskey are now distributed in five states.

Then, this summer, the distillery approached the city of New Haven with a $10,000 offer to buy a 19th century building at Main and Miller streets, the last structure on the block the distillery didnt own. But the white gabled building now houses the citys chamber of commerce and a museum of the towns patron saint, John Colter, a member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. And Pinckney Bend said then it wanted, eventually, to demolish the structure to make way for the distillerys growth.

And that didnt sit well with everyone here.

New Havens downtown is embarking on its own renaissance. Momentum is underway to draw more tourism to town. New business has flocked here, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Many hope to catch the tailwinds of development happening in nearby Augusta, where an investor aims to turn it into the Napa Valley of Missouri. But like other small towns across the region, sometimes growth and change dont always see eye to eye.

In New Haven, the sale between the city and the distillery did not go down smoothly with some residents, who were angry at the board of aldermen for making the deal behind closed doors. They said officials were making big decisions on the towns future without input from residents and that change could inadvertently come at the expense what makes New Haven so special.

That stuck in peoples craw that something like that happened, said resident Steve Bertrand, who lives across the street from the building. Its the destruction of something that adds to the character of the whole downtown.

On the cusp

New Haven sits on the southern banks of the Missouri River in Franklin County, between Washington and Hermann, the seat of Missouri wine country.

Downtown consists of one city block, buttressed by the river on one side and railroad tracks on the other. But Amtrak hasnt stopped in this town of 2,414 in decades, and the two blocks have struggled for decades  growth largely came uptown, on the hilly blufftop along Highway 100.

Town leaders made a concerted effort to turn downtown into an artists destination, but it didnt work.

I came here when the town was dead, said Astral Glass Studio co-owner Gary Rice, who moved from Clarksville around 2008. The block then consisted of his glass-blowing shop, a used appliance store and an art gallery.

Now downtown New Haven is on the cusp of a transformation.

Its so interesting because sometimes you look around and it seems like nothing has changed, said Tara Steffens, Pinckney Bend Distillerys chief operating officer.

But on the other hand, she said, everything has changed.

New businesses, such as NorthStar CoffeeHouse and Lang-A-Tang Deli, opened in 2020; a wine bar is set to open sometime over the next few months. The city received a federal grant to redo the streetscape in 2022. The Paddle Stop board shop, which offers Missouri River excursions, is adding a brewery that owner Shane Camden and his partners aim to open by early December, around the anniversary of the end of Prohibition.

New Haven worked out great for us, said Camden, a Webster Groves resident. Im hopeful of where things are going.

A new half-cent sales tax recently went into effect.

Pinckney Bend Distillery has been growing production at least 5% and sometimes more than 10% each year since it opened. It owns four buildings on Miller Street and is changing the facade of one of its buildings to match the historic charm. Over the next few years, it will build a dunnage house to store spirits, Steffens said.

After that, Pinckney Bend will demolish the visitor center building it bought earlier this year. Plans arent settled yet, she said, but the microdistillery could build an event space or tasting room to capitalize on the views of the river.

People like (New Haven) because it is quaint and you can go walk on the river, Steffens said. Theres a way to grow that without losing that identity.

Sleepy town

Bertrand, the riverfront resident, knows how special the area is. Hes spent time and pride fixing up his 1881 home that sits between the distillery and the river. Tourists often knock on his door asking to buy his house.

Pinckney Bend has been a major reason for downtowns revitalization, he said. But how the city negotiated the sale  behind closed doors without the knowledge of the chamber of commerce, which runs the museum  made him and others question whether the city is gambling with New Havens best draw: its historic charm.

We dont want things done in secret, Bertrand said. The sale is legal, sure, but is it ethical or moral?

Mayor George Panhorst Jr. did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Anger boiled over at a September Board of Aldermen meeting when officials aired a 17-question letter from chamber president Rachel Terbrock, who expressed frustration over being kept out of the deal. In turn, city officials became angry over what they thought was an ungrateful chamber who had paid little into the building over the years, according to a recording of the meeting posted online by the New Haven Independent News.

Terbrock now calls the meeting productive. The chamber and board of aldermen will meet at some point to discuss the chamber and museums future. Pinckney Bend will let the agency stay through the end of its lease on June 30.

We understand any business wishing to expand, Terbrock said. Still, Chamber members and residents were upset at how it was handled. We were really surprised.

Downtown New Haven is gearing up for the Scarecrow Festival and Pumpkin Glow next weekend. Its one of the new events Downtown New Haven Inc., a civic organization, is hosting to raise funds for a new playground, to bring tourism and to foster community pride, said Vice President Fred Lee.

Businesses and residents alike are excited about changes happening in Augusta, and believe that New Haven could finally become a destination instead of a pit stop.

Were a sleepy little town. We dont want to lose that ... (but) our job is to make it attractive for people to come down and visit us, said Lee. Change is hard.

Uptown, longtime resident Bill Stallmann worked in his yard before a rainstorm hit. He and his wife, Jill, have lived here for decades after moving from Union in the 1970s. The town, where everyone knows everyone, has long been quiet. They called it New Heaven, he said.

But with downtown beginning to bustle, the town is on the edge of change.

A little tourism wont hurt, Stallmann said.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY  More than a dozen raids Thursday on homes and businesses in the Castle Point area of St. Louis County and elsewhere were related to a nearly yearlong investigation of a violent drug gang there, federal prosecutors said Friday.

Three alleged members of the ring were indicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis: Christile Cartier Hughes-Dillon, 23, Tajuan Wilson, 43, and Larenzo Smith, 22. All face a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute drugs. Hughes-Dillon also faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. All pleaded not guilty Friday.

Their lawyers either could not be reached for comment or declined comment Friday.

In court Friday and in filings seeking to keep all three in jail until trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoff Ogden said an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into fentanyl and crack cocaine dealing and gun violence in the Castle Point area began in November and grew to include wiretaps, GPS tracking devices, hidden cameras and drug buys using confidential sources.

The Hughes drug trafficking organization includes Hughes-Dillon and relatives, prosecutors say, with Wilson as the primary supplier of drugs.
Right now, Im having a little trouble seeing what red-state America has done for us lately, other than fill our national discourse with lies and our hospital beds with coronavirus victims.

As a liberal, I get why those in blue areas might suggest their red-state neighbors take a hike. The last president they saddled us with spent three years tearing down political norms and constitutional guardrails, spent his fourth year in catastrophic denial of a deadly pandemic, and then for good measure incited the violent attempted overthrow of a valid election. And they still support him.

Today, red-state legislatures are busily revamping their laws to make stealing future elections easier. And their rural constituents are still refusing to take the virus seriously  until they end up in our city hospitals, having filled their rural ones to capacity.

So, yeah, the blue-state motivation for a national split is no mystery. When your copilot keeps trying to steer the plane into the nearest mountain, its time to get him out of the plane.

But what, exactly, is the red-state beef? Other than not being allowed (yet) to steal an election, I mean.
Californians have been concerned about wildfires for a long time, but the past two years have left many of them fearful and questioning whether any solutions to the fire crisis truly exist.

The Dixie Fire in the Sierra Nevada burned nearly 1 million acres in 2021, including almost the entire community of Greenville. Then strong winds near Lake Tahoe sent the Caldor Fire racing through the community of Grizzly Flats and to the edges of urban neighborhoods, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people  including one of us. Those were only the biggest of the 2021 fires, and the risk isnt over. A wind-blown fire that started Oct. 11 was spreading quickly near Santa Barbara on the Southern California coast.

As foresters who have been working on wildfire and forest restoration issues in the Sierra Nevada for over a quarter of a century, we have found it painful to watch communities destroyed and forests continuing to burn to a crisp.
TORONTO, Ontario, Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire -- Clearmind Medicine Inc. (CSE: CMND) (FSE: CWY0) (Clearmind or the "Company"), a psychedelic medicine biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and undertreated health problems, today announces that professors Wim van den Brink and Gabriele Fischer have joined the Companys scientific advisory board.

Professor van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of addiction psychiatry at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam and a recognized expert in the neurobiology and pharmacological treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. His work has garnered several prestigious awards, and his influence extends across policy and academics. He holds leadership positions on a myriad of professional committees and organizations, is a sought-after keynote speaker, has co-authored close to 800 peer-reviewed papers, and currently serves on the editorial boards of seven scientific journals in the fields of psychiatry and addiction.

Professor Gabriele Fischer, M.D., is a professor of addiction research and treatment, medical director of the Addiction Clinic at the Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy at the Medical University of Vienna, and has acted as principle or cooperating investigator on international epidemiological clinical and psychopharmacological studies in the field of substance use disorder and nonsubstance-related addictions. She is an influential thought leader in the treatment of addiction and is a long-standing consultant for many global organizations, including the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODOC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Parliament. A prominent author and speaker, Fischer has given over 400 scientific presentations, authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications, and is involved in editorial and reviewing work for many international medical journals.

Adi Zuloff-Shani, Ph.D., CEO of Clearmind, commented on the appointments: Professor van den Brink and professor Fischer have both made substantial contributions to the field of substance abuse and related behaviors, advancing the way we understand and treat addiction. There are few scientists in the world with their breadth of knowledge and experience, and we are delighted to welcome them to our scientific advisory board.

About Professor Wim van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor van den Brink is professor of addiction psychiatry at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam and a recognized expert in the neurobiology and pharmacological treatment of substance use disorders and related comorbidities and behavioral addictions. He is president of the International Collaboration on ADHD and Substance Abuse, a member of the scientific advisory board Swiss Research Institute Public Health & Addiction and chair of the ZonMW program on mental health research.

His work has garnered numerous awards, including the Marie Curie Award for Neuroimaging of the Neurotoxicity of Ecstasy; Lifetime Achievement Award for Science from the Netherlands Association of Psychiatry; Honorable Member of the Spanish Society for Dual disorders; European Addiction Research Award from the European Federation of Addiction Societies (EUFAS); and, most recently, Doctor et Professor Honoris Causa at the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest.

His influence extends across policy and academics and includes chairing the workgroups that developed the Dutch treatment guidelines for alcohol use disorders, opiate addiction and drugs other than opioids; the Scientific Program Committee of European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP); the advisory board Netherland Dialectical Behavioral Treatment; Netherlands National Quality Committee on Mental Health; and executive board Mainline Harm-Reduction.

A prolific writer, he is the co-author of more than 600 international peer-reviewed scientific papers. Until recently, he was an associate editor of Drug and Alcohol Dependence and chief editor of European Addiction Research and remains a member of the editorial boards of seven other psychiatric/addiction scientific journals.

Professor van den Brink received his medical degree from the Free University in Amsterdam and earned his Ph.D. at The State University of Groningen. During his tenure at the University of Amsterdam, he served as senior researcher, Dept. of Psychiatry; assistant professor of psychiatry; and professor of addiction psychiatry. He was also a Fellow Psychiatric Epidemiology at Columbia University in New York.

About Professor Gabriele Fischer

Professor Gabriele Fischer is a professor for psychiatry  addiction research and treatment; medical director of the Addiction Clinic, Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy at the Medical University of Vienna, a research facility and treatment center for patients with substance use disorders and nonsubstance dependence (e.g., pathological gamblers); and leader of the Universitys Center for Public Health Addiction in Public Health project.

Professor Fischer has acted as principle or cooperating investigator on projects in the EU, the U.S. and Afghanistan regarding investigations on alternatives to coercive sanctions in patients with substance use disorders. Her work is typically focused on eliciting the views of key stakeholders from both health/welfare and justice sectors and advocates for early intervention, with an eye to not only increase the patients quality of life but also reduce societal costs.

Professor Fischer is a prominent author and speaker with more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and 400 presentations and is a member of multiple international scientific associations. Most noteworthy, she is a long-standing consultant for several international and national groups, including the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODOC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Parliament. She is a member of the Scientific Board for Quality Control and Quality Management in Medicine and of the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug addiction (EMCDDA), member of the General Medical Council in Austria, founding board member of Women for Women: Health Policy in Focus, and commission director of the Austrian Ombudsman Board dedicated to improving human rights in vulnerable populations.

About Clearmind Medicine Inc.

Clearmind is a psychedelic pharmaceutical biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and underserved health problems, including alcohol use disorder. Its primary objective is to research and develop psychedelic-based compounds and attempt to commercialize them as regulated medicines, foods or supplements.

The Companys intellectual portfolio currently consists of two patent families. The first, "Binge Behavior Regulators," has been granted in the U.S., Europe, China and India, with pending divisional applications in Europe and the U.S. The second, Alcohol Beverage Substitute, has been approved for a European patent, with pending applications in the U.S., China and India. The Company intends to seek additional patents for its compounds whenever warranted and will remain opportunistic regarding the acquisition of additional intellectual property to build its portfolio.

Shares of Clearmind are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CMND" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol CWY0.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations,Email: invest@clearmindmedicine.comTelephone: (778) 400-5347

General Inquiries,Info@Clearmindmedicine.comwww.Clearmindmedicine.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Investing into early-stage companies inherently carries a high degree of risk, and investment into securities of the Company shall be considered highly speculative.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the securities in any province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities issued, or to be issued, under the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Wire Service Contact InvestorWire (IW) Los Angeles, California www.InvestorWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@InvestorWire.com

Source: Clearmind Medicine
DALLAS, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten announced today that Eli Burriss has joined the Dallas office as a partner in the Commercial Litigation practice, deepening the bench of attorneys with a particular focus on health care-related litigation.

"Eli's business-minded, entrepreneurial spirit matches the energy in our Dallas office and we are delighted to welcome him," said Mark S. Solomon, managing partner of the Dallas office.

Throughout his legal career, Burriss has concentrated his practice on high-stakes litigation in a variety of matters with a scope that includes derivative actions, mergers and acquisitions disputes, software license and data breach litigation, antitrust litigation, and trade secret litigation. He has represented some of the world's largest health plan administrators and insurers, advising on a variety of litigation matters, including anti-fraud litigation, provider disputes and regulatory issues.

Burriss also has extensive experience litigating matters that arise under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including 401(k) and employee stock ownership plans, and has helped numerous parties navigate qui tam litigation.

"As a highly regarded, skilled litigator, Eli brings a rare mix of substantive experience from health care and ERISA litigation to commercial and antitrust litigation in state and federal courts," said David A. Crichlow, national chair of the Commercial Litigation group. "Eli joining adds to Katten's reputation as a preeminent firm for pursuing litigation strategies, defending against high-value claims and finding resolutions that best align with client business objectives."

Burriss has served as lead counsel before numerous trial courts as well as state and federal courts of appeals and represented clients in state regulatory and licensing inquiries, arbitrations, Federal Trade Commission and US Department of Justice antitrust investigations, and Department of Labor investigations and enforcement proceedings.

"Eli's extensive experience and success in representing several of the country's largest health plan administrators and insurers in litigation involving the treatment and billing practices of health care providers will be an excellent complement to Katten's nationwide anti-fraud insurance litigation team," said Ross O. Silverman, chair of the Insurance and Health Care Fraud Litigation practice.

Burriss, who has counseled Fortune 100 companies, will work closely with Katten's insurance and health care fraud litigators, who work with major health, workers' compensation, and property and casualty insurers nationwide in developing investigations, claims handling and litigation strategies to detect, prevent and deter systemic claims fraud, as well as to recover money from the perpetrators of the fraud.

He has a strong commitment to pro bono service, frequently assisting members of the military, veterans and their families in his community.

Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit katten.com.

Contact: Jackie Heard +1.312.902.5450 jackie.heard@katten.com Leonor Vivanco-Prengaman +1.312.577.8371 leonor.vivanco-prengaman@katten.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/katten-adds-seasoned-litigator-as-partner-in-dallas-301401497.html

SOURCE Katten
Then-U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Vincent Brooks greets South Korean President Moon Jae-in at Yongsan Garrison, South Korea, June 13, 2017. (Sean Harp/U.S. Army)

A retired Army general who oversaw all U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula said he believed nuclear weapons would not give South Korea a strategic advantage and may instead escalate tensions to an unnecessary degree of danger.

Vincent Brooks, the former commander of U.S. Forces Korea and United Nations Command, spoke during a virtual roundtable discussion hosted by the Korea Defense Veterans Association on Tuesday.

He described South Korea as a mature democracy that had withstood great pressures and tests, but possessing a nuclear weapon would not help it deter threats from North Korea. In light of North Koreas ongoing nuclear program, the subject of Seoul possessing nuclear weapons has been raised by many South Korean politicians in recent years, including primary candidates in the upcoming presidential election.

President Moon Jae-in has ruled out the deployment of nuclear weapons in South Korea, warning during a television interview in 2017 that it may lead to a nuclear arms race in the region.

Im of the view that South Korea and the alliance have the advantage, Brooks said. They have the military advantage and the addition of nuclear weapons  does not help that.

The U.S. withdrew its nuclear weapons from the peninsula in 1991 and signed a bilateral defense treaty to protect South Korea from external attacks.

South Korea does not possess nuclear weapons but has made advances in developing its missile program. On Wednesday, it became one of the few nations to successfully test-fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile, an accomplishment Moon described as a deterrent to North Korea's continued provocations.

In addition to its technological advances, decades-old guidelines limiting the range of South Korean-developed ballistic missiles to a maximum range of roughly 500 miles were scrapped by the U.S. and Seoul in May.

Given these advances, Brooks said, he believed the idea of South Korea possessing nuclear weapons escalates the threshold to one that is an unnecessary degree of danger.

Its going to be debated and must be debated by the sovereign nation of [South Korea], to decide for itself, Brooks said. But there are a lot of things that come with the possession of nuclear weapons and its not all good.

The 42-year Army veteran said Seoul should be very careful not to open the door to these types of things when they have strength already; and not to do it just to be equalizing against Pyongyang.

North Korea is imitating South Korea, Brooks said. South Korea does not need to imitate North Korea.

North Korea on Wednesday announced it had fired two ballistic missiles across its eastern coast. The missiles flew about 500 miles at a maximum altitude of 37 miles, according to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff.

North Koreas Wednesday test happened just two days after it fired long-range cruise missiles that flew 932 miles for over two hours, according to the countrys state-run news agency.

Brooks said that despite North Korea having numerical superiority, its military lacks technical capabilities and a will to fight.

North Korea is estimated to have roughly 1.2 million troops, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, compared to South Koreas active-duty force of around 550,000. Roughly 28,500 U.S. troops are also stationed in South Korea.

David Choi
Lance Cpl. Jonothan Franklin Barnette, shown here in an undated photo, died after sustaining a small arms gunshot wound, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, while conducting training, according to 1st Lt. Sydney E. Murkins, engagements officer with Communications & Strategy Operations with the 2nd Marine Division. (KESQ)

DALTON, Ga. (Tribune News Service)  A Georgia native serving in the U.S. Marine Corps was killed in a training incident earlier this month.

Lance Cpl. Jonothan Franklin Barnette died after sustaining a small arms gunshot wound, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, while conducting training according to 1st Lt. Sydney E. Murkins, engagements officer with the 2nd Marine Divisions Communications and Strategy Operations. He was 24.

Barnette, a rifleman with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, was pronounced dead at approximately 6:30 p.m. at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., according to Murkins.

Lance Cpl. Barnette was an invaluable member of our team, and our deepest condolences go out to Jonothans family, friends and loved ones, said Lt. Col. Charles Nash, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. We extend our full support during this very difficult time.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation and the Marine Corps is cooperating with appropriate authorities as they conduct their investigation, Murkins said.

According to WRCBtv in Chattanooga, Barnettes family said documents provided by the military indicated the Marine was shot in the chest during dry fire training. Barnette was not wearing personal protective equipment at the time of the incident, his family told the television station.

Theres an hour and 13 minutes that are unexplained to us  unexplained what happened, unexplained whether or not he had last words, unexplained if he was dead and they were trying to bring him back, said Robin Hayes, Barnettes mother. My kid was a human being. He was somebody. And to me, it just feels like the Marines are just saying, Hes just another Marine.

Barnettes wife, Savannah, is expecting a child. She recently found out her unborn child is a boy and decided to name the child after his father, television station WRCB reported.

We plan on doing everything we can to make sure the baby knows him as well as he could have, she told the station.

In addition to his wife, Barnette is survived by a daughter, Kenleigh; and parents Robin Hayes of Chatsworth, Tenn., and Frank Barnette of Mississippi.

He will not be here to watch our daughter grow up or to be here to experience our baby being born, Savannah Barnette told Palm Springs television station KESQ. It kills me every day. Every day, it kills me.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Jonothan Barnettes family .

Barnette enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2018 and attended recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, in June 2019, according to Murkins.

Barnettes awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

___

(c)2021 The Daily Citizen (Dalton, Ga.)

Visit The Daily Citizen (Dalton, Ga.) at daltondailycitizen.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In a screenshot from a video posted to Facebook, Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, a Marine battalion commander, calls for accountability for senior military and civilian leaders for failures in Afghanistan, hours after a blast in Kabul killed 13 U.S. troops. (Facebook/Stuart Scheller)

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.  When a Marine officer who repeatedly disrespected senior officials in videos he posted online about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan took the stand in a military courtroom here Thursday, there were two versions of the man on trial.

First, there was Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, a combat veteran who, in defiance of tradition and direct orders, took to social media repeatedly to call out senior U.S. officials for their handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. This Scheller acknowledged that if he was going to call out others, he had to be held accountable for his own actions  willfully flouting military discipline.

"We have a lieutenant colonel who decided on his own it was appropriate to become the voice of change," said Lt. Col. Troy Campbell, a Marine Corps prosecutor. In repeatedly escalating his rhetoric, Scheller "quit on his command," Campbell alleged.

Then there was Scheller the conservative cause  a political vehicle for some lawmakers to attack the Biden administration and its handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The fact that Scheller disobeyed lawful orders and leveled his criticism at civilian and military leaders while he was in uniform, actions that any administration would find intolerable, mostly went unaddressed.

Testifying on his behalf were some of the most controversial members of Congress, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R.-Ga., who has no military experience. She told the military court that President Joe Biden should be impeached for his management of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and questioned why Scheller was on trial.

The court-martial highlighted the strains on the military as it attempts to uphold a nonpartisan tradition at a time when national politics are deeply polarized and many Americans are questioning how U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan ended in defeat after 20 years of war.

Jason Dempsey, a retired Army officer who studies civil-military relations, said that there are many reasons to be angry with generals about how the war was prosecuted. But cases like Scheller's, he said, inject partisanship into how the military and civilians interact in a way that is unhealthy for the country.

"What you're seeing is everybody trying to get a piece of this last respected institution for their own purposes," said Dempsey, who is now an adjunct fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "People are going after and using these members of the military to advance their own political arguments."

Scheller, a 17-year infantry officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to contempt toward officials, disrespect toward superior commissioned officers, willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, dereliction in the performance of duties and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. As part of his plea deal, Scheller signed an 11-page stipulation of facts in which Marine prosecutors detailed 27 instances in which Scheller violated laws or regulations as a military officer.

On Friday, Scheller was sentenced to a letter of reprimand and $5,000 in forfeited pay. The Marine Corps sought a stiffer docking of pay but did not attempt to reduce his rank or force him out with a negative discharge that would mean a loss in benefits. Instead, he'll resign his commission.

Scheller burst into public view on Aug. 26, hours after a suicide bomber from an Islamic State affiliate detonated in Kabul, killing 13 U.S. services members and more than 170 Afghans as U.S. troops carried out a chaotic and dangerous evacuation effort.

Sitting in his office in uniform at Camp Lejeune, Scheller recorded a video in which he identified himself by rank and as the commander of the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion. He said he felt a "growing discontent and contempt" for what he saw as "ineptitude" by senior U.S. officials overseeing the war and its end.

"The reason that people are so upset on social media right now is not because the Marine on the battlefield let someone down," Scheller said in the video, which he posted to Facebook and LinkedIn. "That service member has always rose to the occasion and done extraordinary things. People are upset because their senior leaders let them down, and none of them are raising their hands and saying, 'We messed this up.'"

Scheller was quickly removed from his job, and he testified that his wife left him after the first video appeared. But, despite orders to stop, he continued to post his criticisms on social media for weeks, taking aim at officials that included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin; Gen. David H. Berger, the commandant of the Marine Corps; and Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the chief of U.S. Central Command.

At the same time, Scheller said, he received support from the families of some U.S. troops killed in combat, junior enlisted Marines and lawmakers.

On Thursday, Scheller said that he knew he was breaking the law and wanted to take responsibility for doing so. But in a fiery, 20-minute statement, he also doubled down on his comments, saying that his criticism was not about politics and that he came to the conclusion that senior leaders were unwilling to have an honest discussion about their shortcomings.

"This whole process, in my opinion, should be a case study on how the system can turn on someone who speaks out," he said. "I truly hope going forward that Marine Corps leaders can better tolerate challenges to the system."

Campbell challenged the implication that the Marine Corps had immediately cast him out. Scheller's commanders sought several times to intervene and correct Scheller's behavior before throwing him in the brig for nine days in pretrial confinement, the prosecutor said.

In court, Greene and two other Republican members of Congress  Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina  were called by the defense to testify after Scheller already had pleaded guilty. They sought to reframe the debate as not about Scheller's actions as an officer, but about the failures and political motives of senior U.S. officials, raising some incidents that had nothing to do with Afghanistan or Scheller.

Gohmert said that Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, distanced himself from President Donald Trump after appearing alongside him in Lafayette Square in June 2020 following a clearing of racial justice protesters by federal security forces. Gohmert said that Milley "read the writing on the wall" and did so for his own political benefit. But the congressman left out that there was broad outcry against Milley at the time, and that the general later apologized for creating "the perception of the military involved in domestic politics."

Gohmert, appearing outside the courthouse Thursday evening, insisted that he was not politicizing the case by appearing.

"I'm not here for politics," Gohmert said. "I'm here to help Stu Scheller."

One of Scheller's attorneys, Tim Parlatore, said they had Greene testify after she offered to help. Parlatore said that the defense team would have been "glad to have both parties" assist if someone had offered.

Scheller has previously distanced himself from Trump, saying in a Facebook post last month that while others told him to "kiss the ring" and seek the former president's help, he didn't want to and that "I hate" how Trump "divided the country."

In court, prosecutors objected several times to testimony from Greene and Anthony Shaffer, a retired Army officer who testified on Scheller's behalf and previously advised the Trump presidential campaign. Shaffer likened Scheller to a whistleblower and claimed that he had no choice but to express his opinion.

The judge overseeing the case, Col. Glen Hines, sustained several objections by the prosecution and said that it appeared the defense team was raising political issues rather than focusing on Scheller's case.

"I'm kind of at a loss for what I'm supposed to do with this testimony," Hines said while Shaffer was on the stand.

Dempsey said that general officers should consider how to avoid politicization of the military as they handle sensitive cases like Scheller's. Considering the moderate sentence, Dempsey said, Scheller could have been reprimanded without holding a court-martial that brought in lawmakers.

"It was opening up the military justice system for arguments that either should have taken place on campaign stops or on the floor of the House of Representatives," he said. "It just goes to indicate how much partisanship could seep into the military."
Buy Photo A sailor aboard the USS Ronald Reagan greets his spouse after the ship returned to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Daniel Betancourt/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan steamed into Tokyo Bay and its homeport on Saturday, ending a five-month deployment, during which it covered U.S. troops withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Despite a spattering of rain, the Reagans crew arrived to find live music, food and hundreds of sailors and family members  fanfare that was largely missing from warship homecomings since the pandemic began in March 2020.

However, with cases of COVID-19 dropping and pandemic restrictions loosened, the Reagan was once again met by loved ones at the pier holding signs that sported messages such as We missed you! and Youre my superhero!

The crew lined the rails as the Reagan approached its berth. The approximately 4,500 crew members began to disembark within two hours.

The Reagan left Yokosuka in May and headed to the Arabian Sea to relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The carriers supported the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which concluded Aug. 31 and ended the longest war in U.S. history.

Longer than the typical three-month deployment by U.S. aircraft carriers, the Reagans absence proved a challenge for some at home, several family members told Stars and Stripes.

Im excited to have him home, said Zayra Garcia, wife to Reagan sailor Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Garcia.

Buy Photo The USS Ronald Reagan arrived at its homeport, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Oct. 16, 2021, after five months on deployment. (Daniel Betancourt/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrives at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, its homeport, on Oct. 16, 2021, after five months at sea. (Daniel Betancourt/Stars and Stripes)

During the Reagans deployment the ship and its strike group covered more than 49,000 miles over 150 days, according to Capt. Fred Goldhammer, the Reagans skipper. In that time, the Reagans F/A-18 Super Hornets flew missions over Kabul to protect U.S. and allied assets during the withdrawal.

We were there just in case as an emergency measure if things didnt go according to plan or if there were additional combat actions that were required to support the evacuation, Goldhammer said at a news conference.

Outside of flight missions, the Reagans sailors also provided logistics support to the U.S. withdrawal and offered humanitarian aid to civilians.

As people were flown out of Afghanistan through Bagram [airfield] - they were going to all sorts of different places - so we were just making sure they had all their health care needs, food, that kind of thing, Goldhammer told Stars and Stripes. U.S. forces pulled out of Bagram airfield on July 1.

Goldhammer said the Reagan also work with a variety of other nations militaries during the deployment, including the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, France and Germany.

It was pretty amazing to see how many other different nations vessels were out there, he said.

The Reagan was preceded into the naval base by the cruiser USS Shiloh, which returned to Yokosuka on Wednesday. Another member of the Reagans strike group, the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey, returned to its homeport in Pearl Harbor on Oct. 4.
A train passes over the C&O Canal towpath in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Md., on June 23, 2020. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

A provision in the bipartisan congressional infrastructure bill earmarks $1 billion for "reconnecting neighborhoods" torn apart by interstate highways. If passed, it will be the federal government's first effort to address inequities in urban infrastructure dating to the mid-20th century. In that era, freeways were often built through Black and brown enclaves, creating literal barriers to economic opportunity. The bill aims to fund the demolition of obstructive highways and mend communities.

The effort would expand on existing efforts undertaken by some cities  among them Rochester, N.Y., New Orleans, Baltimore, Duluth, Minn., and Tulsa  to convert highways to neighborhood spaces and correct the mistakes of the past.

But, in the 1950s, one of those mistakes was narrowly averted, not because of any help from Congress but despite the legislature.

If lawmakers had had their way, Washington's popular Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park  which attains its 50th anniversary as a national park this year  would have become a 60 mph highway. Then a Supreme Court justice stepped into the fray, embarking on a nearly 200-mile "protest hike" along the canal's towpath that ultimately helped to convince President Dwight D. Eisenhower to preserve the canal.

Before the hike, a highway seemed a logical use for the path of the old, neglected C&O Canal.

The waterway had seemed cursed from the start. President John Quincy Adams lifted the first shovelful of dirt in 1828 for what investors envisioned as a liquid highway transporting goods between Washington and the Ohio River. But numerous setbacks delayed completion at Cumberland, Md., until 1850. By then, railroads had rendered the canal obsolete. The government bought the property in 1938, and most of it quietly went to seed.

As highway building boomed across the country, Maryland lawmakers proposed converting the canal site into a parkway by filling in some sections of the waterway and building alongside it elsewhere. Proponents said it would boost the state's economy and allow people to drive to an adjacent recreation area for picnics. A Washington Post editorial argued that it would "enable more people to enjoy beauties now seen by very few," similar to Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway.

Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas disagreed. Douglas had grown up in Yakima, Wash., and often explored the untrammeled Cascades, climbing the peaks and fly-fishing for trout. "I learned early that the richness of life is found in adventure," he wrote in his 1950 memoir "Of Men and Mountains," and he managed to find a bit of wilderness along the C&O Canal while serving on the court.

Douglas responded to The Post's editorial with a letter to the editor. The disused canal was "a refuge, a place of retreat, a long stretch of quiet and peace at the Capitol's back door ... a place not yet marred by the roar of wheels and the sound of horns," he wrote.

Douglas challenged The Post's editors to walk the towpath's 184.5 miles with him. They would see the river blanketed in mist, hear the "whistling wings of ducks" and observe spring's first blooms  gaining a deep understanding they could never obtain from the window of a speeding car.

The C&O Canal troupe, pushing on through a blinding snowstorm, passes beneath a Western Maryland Railroad trestle on March 21, 1954. Justice William O. Douglas is on the right. (Douglas Chevalier/The Washington Post)

"I suspect that the magnitude of the walk was to help [lawmakers] understand the magnitude of the decision" over the canal's future, said Robin Zanotti, president of the C&O Canal Trust, a nonprofit stewardship organization.

Editorial page editors Merlo Pusey and Robert Estabrook accepted Douglas's challenge. As word spread, the group swelled to 34 people  "a little larger than the Lewis and Clark expedition," Douglas said  including leading conservationists like Olaus J. Murie and Sigurd Olson. Journalists covered the event for The Post and the Associated Press. The Wilderness Society took care of logistics.

The hike kicked off on March 20, 1954. Despite starting out from Cumberland after a drenching rain and then encountering a snowstorm, the group averaged a brisk 23 miles a day. The ornithologists among them identified waterfowl, foresters pointed out types of trees and geologists marveled at the Potomac's cliffs.

Even if the journey was long, the hikers weren't exactly roughing it. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club carried their gear and prepared meals on the trail, and sporting clubs hosted them in their private lodges at night, where they dined on steak, salmon and champagne. All along the trail, local residents provided lunch  and their thoughts for and against the parkway proposal.

Eight days later, the hikers neared the finish line. Douglas and his comrades boarded a historic canal barge and were towed by mules the final few miles into Georgetown, waving to thousands of spectators.

The hike made an impression on The Post's editors. They admitted that they had underestimated the proposed parkway's potential to destroy historical structures. "We also believe that many semi-wilderness stretches along the old canal ought not to be disturbed," they wrote.

Several more years of negotiations went by before Eisenhower protected the canal as a national monument under the Antiquities Act in 1961, and another decade before President Richard M. Nixon signed the act designating the canal and towpath a national historical park. Zanotti said Douglas's prominence was a big part of the C&O's preservation. "We won the battle," she said, "but other communities lost."

Tulsa's Greenwood neighborhood, for example, known as "Black Wall Street," was recovering from the 1921 anti-Black riot that nearly destroyed it when it was bisected by Interstate 244 in the 1960s. The Scajaquada Expressway runs through the middle of Buffalo's Delaware Park, a green oasis designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The elevated Brooklyn-Queen Expressway isolates Brooklyn's waterfront and casts a shadow over its Red Hook neighborhood.

In comparison with the rest of the country, Washington, D.C., was relatively successful in fighting off destructive freeways, even when opponents didn't have Supreme Court justices in their corner. A highway building boom followed the passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956, and activists concerned about the impact on urban neighborhoods launched a movement dubbed the "Freeway Revolt." Black residents of Northeast Washington succeeded in blocking the controversial North-Central Freeway that would have demolished thousands of homes. A coalition of university students and activists occupied the site of the proposed Three Sisters Bridge to preserve part of Georgetown's Potomac River shoreline.

"People ask, 'Why aren't the outdoors diverse?'" said Tykee James, the government affairs coordinator for the National Audubon Society. "Look at the history that shows, by design, brick by brick, highway by highway, things physically became inaccessible."

In the spirit of Justice Douglas, James leads birding walks for congressional staffers on Capitol Hill. The goal is to show them  in a "low-key" way, he said  that urban natural areas are worth protecting.

"The story of how these things became where they are today is important for us to understand," he said. "If we know how we got here, we're in a better position to know what to do next."
Commander-in-Chief of Myanmars armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers his speech at the IX Moscow conference on international security in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via AP)

Southeast Asian countries have agreed to exclude the Myanmar's junta leader from a big ticket summit later this month, a rare and decisive move to hold the regime accountable for worsening civil strife in the country and refusing to engage with its political opponents.

Myanmar, controlled by a military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing since a February coup, made insufficient progress on an agreement struck with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that included stopping violence, the bloc said on Saturday.

ASEAN said it couldn't reach a consensus to allow for a political representative from Myanmar to attend a summit on Oct. 26-28 in Brunei, as a shadow government comprised of ousted lawmakers aligned to Myanmar's detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi also reached out, asking to be invited.

"Therefore, in the view of competing claims" to attend the summit and to "allow Myanmar the space to restore its internal affairs," a decision was made to invite a non-political representative, ASEAN said in statement after a Friday emergency meeting of foreign ministers was held to discuss the country.

"The situation in Myanmar was having an impact on regional security as well as the unity, credibility and centrality of ASEAN, as a rules-based organization," the bloc added.

Myanmar is "extremely disappointed and strongly objected the outcomes of the meeting," the country's foreign ministry said hours later. It warned that the decision would affect the unity of the bloc at this "juncture of emerging strategic competition in the region."

This is the most decisive that ASEAN has been on Myanmar given its policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member states and its focus on decision-making by consensus. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan called the decision to invite a non-political Myanmar representative "a difficult and necessary one" to uphold ASEAN's credibility.

It wasn't immediately clear who would be named as the non-political representative, which could get complicated if the junta and the shadow government put forward their own recommendations.

As it is, it took months for ASEAN to appoint a special envoy to Myanmar  which was part of the "five-point consensus" agreed with the country during a special summit in April.

The envoy, Brunei's second foreign minister Erywan Yusof, delayed what would have been his first visit to Myanmar since his appointment in August as the junta stopped him from meeting with Suu Kyi. Myanmar has said it still wants to cooperate with the diplomat.

Several Southeast Asian countries were getting frustrated with the lack of progress from Myanmar. Underpinning this is a fear of instability and refugees spilling over from Myanmar as economies in the region look to reopen after a deadly wave of virus cases.

It also stems from the bloc's reluctance to recognize a military leader who declared himself prime minister in August and has extended emergency rule for another two years before elections can be held. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Twitter after the Friday meeting that Myanmar "should not be represented at the political level" at the summit until democracy is restored through an "inclusive process."

Her Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah earlier said there should be "no compromise" on letting the general take part in the virtual summit that could see world leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden and China's leader Xi Jinping attend.

A delegation of U.S. State Department officials will travel to Southeast Asia from Sunday to Oct. 22 to discuss several issues, including the "urgent responsibility" to pressure Myanmar's military regime to cease violence and release political prisoners.

The U.S. and its Western allies have leveled several sanctions against members of Myanmar's military junta as well as state-owned enterprises following the February coup, a step that ASEAN is unlikely to follow through with. Some of these Western governments released a statement urging Myanmar's military to let the ASEAN special envoy visit the country regularly.

Myanmar, which joined the bloc in 1997 under a military government, has stressed that it is committed to cooperating on the agreement with ASEAN, especially in distributing humanitarian aid.

But since overthrowing the civilian-led administration, the junta has killed more than 1,170 protesters throughout the country with nearly 9,000 others arrested, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Suu Kyi remains in prison and has gone on trial for a string of charges including breaking COVID-19 restrictions during last year's elections, as well as incitement and possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies. Her supporters said these allegations are groundless and serve as a justification for the military to launch a coup.

Ousted lawmakers loyal to Suu Kyi have formed the National Unity Government, which declared war on the junta last month that marks an escalation in the military's conflict with various political groups.

Myanmar said its representative explained during the emergency meeting on Friday that the government had coordinated with the special envoy Erywan on his first trip to the country, "while considering the rule of law and internal stability." It was important for Erywan to "build trust and confidence" with the country.

"Linking the matter of Myanmar's representation at the ASEAN summit with the visit of the special envoy would be counterproductive as it is merely putting pressure on Myanmar," the foreign ministry said.

Bloomberg's Anisah Shukry contributed to this report.
Supporters of the Shiite Amal group fire weapons in the air during the funeral processions of Hassan Jamil Nehmeh, who was killed during yesterday clashes, in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Dozens of gunmen opened fire in the air Friday south of Beirut during the funeral of persons killed in hours of gun battles between heavily armed gunmen the day before that left several people dead and terrorized the residents of Beirut. (Bilal Hussein/AP)

BEIRUT  The most powerful men in Lebanese politics have been in charge for decades, some since the early 1970s. They've survived civil war, assassinations, uprisings and other turmoil, hanging on to power for decades in a turbulent, unforgiving region.

Now, they're in a desperate fight to cling to positions and wealth as Lebanon takes hit after hit, grappling with one of the world's worst economic meltdowns in decades and the aftermath of an explosion that ripped through the capital a year ago, killing more than 215 people.

The gunbattles that raged for hours on the streets of Beirut this week were the latest manifestation of the willingness by members of the country's ruling class to fight for political survival at any cost.

Unhappy with where the investigation into last year's port explosion is going, they have closed ranks to make sure they are untouched by the fallout.

On Thursday, the militant Hezbollah group and the Amal Movement organized a protest demanding the removal of the judge leading the probe. Armed, they marched into predominantly Christian neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital, some shouting "Shiite, Shiite!"

Hezbollah and Amal, two Shiite parties that fought pitched battles against each other in the '80s but are now close allies, accused the Lebanese Forces  a Christian party that had a powerful militia during the 1975-90 civil war  of opening fire first. The Lebanese Forces denied it, blaming the violence on Hezbollah's incitement of its supporters against Judge Tarek Bitar, who is leading the port investigation.

The two sides clashed for hours, demonstrating to the nation once again that the Lebanese must choose: justice and accountability, or civil peace.

For many, it exemplified why Lebanon is trapped in today's quagmire.

"They instigate the people against one another, then they sit at a table together to make deals," said Hanan Raad, whose sister-in-law was killed in Thursday's fighting. A mother of five, Mariam Farhat was shot by a sniper bullet as she sat near the balcony of her second floor apartment, her family said Friday.

The probe into the port explosion is at the heart of the current tensions  as is Lebanon's culture of impunity, one in which the judiciary has never gone after those in power, despite widespread corruption and crimes.

That is until the August 2020 explosion at Beirut's port drew international attention to the massive corruption and negligence behind it. Within a few days of the explosion, it emerged from documents that several senior politicians and security chiefs knew of the hundreds of tons of highly combustible ammonium nitrate stored haphazardly in a port warehouse and did nothing about it.

Entrenched politicians who lock horns and bicker over just about everything else, closed ranks to undermine the investigation.

Rival politicians, including former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and several religious figures launched a campaign to discredit Bitar, accusing him of bias.

When the judge began summoning officials, they used parliamentary immunity and various legal challenges to avoid having to show up for questioning.

Defiantly, the 46-year-old judge issued arrest warrants, including for former ministers of finance and public works, both Amal members and close Hezbollah allies.

Now Thursday's street clashes have further thrown into doubt both the future of the investigation and whether Bitar can continue leading it.

"We are dealing with a new equation: either Tarek Bitar leaves, or the country will be ruined," said Youssef Diab, a political analyst. "We are in front of this new and dangerous equation."

The establishment parties have collectively worked to block any serious opposition and attempts at reform that might harm them, observers say. They have hampered a forensic audit of the country's central bank, a key demand of the international community to restore confidence in the crisis-struck Mideast nation, protecting the bank's longtime governor even as he faces corruption charges in Switzerland and France and accusations of gross mismanagement at home.

Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system has proved impossible to bring down. Protests have been quashed. Warlords have cast themselves as their sect's protectors, granting favors to their followers.

A revolt against the status quo would mean breaking up the sectarian patronage network, cultivated by the ruling elite and one that many in the divided population benefit from. Many Lebanese politicians have a large  even blind  following. They are quick to blame other factions for the country's myriad problems and eagerly stoke fears among their supporters that another sect could gain power over them.

Hundreds of thousands thronged streets in Beirut and across Lebanon in late 2019 in some of the largest protests the country has seen. For a few months, the demonstrations unified an often-divided public in revolt against entrenched leaders who have brought the economy to the brink of bankruptcy.

The protests were met with violence, arrests and intimidation, and eventually fizzled out.

Some are banking that elections next spring will bring a degree of change. But the opposition has no viable political program or candidates who can challenge the political elite. And as the economic crisis has thrown three quarters of the population into poverty, vote-buying will be much cheaper.

With pent-up anger among many Lebanese, growing sectarian tensions and a political class desperate to cling to its privileged role, a descent into further violence becomes even more possible.

Michael Young, a senior editor at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, says there could be serious consequences if Hezbollah and Amal manage to derail the port investigation.

"The sudden escalation in violence could provoke new developments in Lebanon that lead to a cancellation of elections, and take the country into a much darker period than the one that exists today," Young wrote Friday in Diwan, Carnegie's Mideast blog.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Zeina Karam, the news director for Lebanon, Syria and Iraq for The Associated Press, has covered the Middle East since 1996. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zkaram.
Lorain County native Jane Horton, a former senior Department of Defense official and Gold Star wife whose husband, U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Horton, was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, has a conversation with an Afghan refugee living in their home, October 14, 2021. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com/TNS)

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  Mursal leaned on the wooden fence at HideOut Pines Ranch in Sheffield, silently studying each horse, as staff prepared one for her to ride, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

As a young girl in Afghanistan, she would lie in bed at night, lost in an imaginary world so vivid that when she finally climbed on the horse that October day, the experience felt familiar to her.

Almost nothing else has, lately.

Mursal, 25, recently fled the oppressive and misogynistic Taliban regime that assumed control of Afghanistan this summer. Her harrowing escape, with the help of American allies, forced her to uproot from the life she knew and leave behind loved ones in search of safe harbor.

So much is unknown for Mursal, now  where she will settle, how she will support herself and when she will ever get to see her family again.

But for one moment  one week in Ohio  Mursal took a breath and enjoyed some of the simple pleasures that were out of reach for her in her homeland. In addition to riding horseback, Mursal went fishing off the side of a boat on Lake Erie, picked apples in an orchard and made time for other creature comforts often taken for granted as part of Western self-care rituals.

Mursals name has been changed for this story, to protect her identity and family members who remain in danger in Kabul, where Mursals journey to freedom began.

Mursal goes boating Oct. 13, 2021. (Hannah Drown, cleveland.com/TNS) Mursal rides a horse at HideOut Pines Ranch in Sheffield, Ohio. (Hannah Drown, cleveland.com/TNS)

The fall of Kabul

On Aug.15, Mursal was at work in the city when she heard gunshots on the street. The security guards told her to hurry. The Taliban was in the city and she needed to go home.

When I came out of the office, I couldnt tell who was Taliban and who wasnt. I saw that they removed our flag. It was heartbreaking for me, Mursal said. The streets were full of people who were in shock. Everyone was scared about what was next. Many people have experienced the Taliban government before and know how they treat people.

Over the next few days, she and her family stayed inside their home while they waited to see if they would be granted visas to leave the country. The Taliban began canvassing the neighborhoods, going door to door, searching homes. When they came across one with a government car, theyd stop and interrogate the residents.

Mursal, who worked for a high-ranking government official, had fled her office so quickly she had no chance to destroy identifying documents. So when the Taliban called to confirm her government position and locate her, she knew she and her family were in danger.

Through her government job, Mursal had forged a relationship with Lorain County native Jane Horton, a former senior Department of Defense official and Gold Star wife, whose husband was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. The two kept in contact as the situation unfolded and the Taliban gained more power.

When Mursal decided she needed to flee, she turned to Horton for help because of her influential network and vast experience in Afghanistan.

Talking to her, hearing the fear in her voice, was horrific, Horton said. I knew we had to get her out. Her life was in my hands, which was an honor, but also a deep responsibility.

Getting out

Eventually, Mursal got the call from Horton she was waiting for. Horton had arranged a flight for Mursal. But she had one hour to pack a bag, and there was only one spot on the plane.

Mursal agonized over leaving her family behind. But they convinced her it was OK to leave and she took off, alone, for the Kabul airport. There, she experienced firsthand a situation that was dominating news cycles around the globe.

Desperate Afghans flooded the airport, putting their lives in danger for the small chance of getting out. With the airport full, people spent as much as a week outside, lying in the street as the Taliban gained more control of the airport. And that was where she spent the first night of her escape.

The following morning Mursal flew to Qatar on a military aircraft, where she and the other refugees waited on the hot plane for hours. The heat was stifling. It was almost impossible to breathe. Some of the women and children fainted and were taken by ambulance to hospitals.

She eventually made it to Ramstein Air Base in Germany where she spent the next eight days.

Mursal said it was six days before she had access to a shower, and there wasnt enough food for the thousands of refugees who were brought there. She recounted stories of waiting in line for up to four hours for food, and by the time she reached the front of the line, there was none left.

Photos of U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Horton are cherished memories for Lorain County native Jane Horton, who lost her husband in Afghanistan in 2011. Photographed October 14, 2021. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com/TNS) Photos of U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Horton are cherished memories for Lorain County native Jane Horton, who lost her husband in Afghanistan in 2011. Photographed October 14, 2021. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

Whats next

From Germany, Mursal boarded her flight to Virginia, where she first set foot on American soil and finally felt safe.

But with her family still in danger, any joy she felt was tempered with fear.

Theyre still there, and Im here, Mursal said. Theyre still unsafe, theyre still in the war. And even though physically I am not, a part of me is in my family and my homeland. Some of me will always be in Afghanistan.

Back home, her family is taking it day by day. Theyre working to get out of the country and adjusting to the new normal since the Taliban takeover, which is disproportionately impacting Afghan women.

Women are not allowed to have jobs, to drive, to study, to be in decision-making positions. How do you even list things? Its everything. Everything is finished for women since Kabul fell, Mursal said. A lot of opportunities were taken from us, but the biggest were security and peace. If you dont have those, what else do you have?

Since arriving in the U.S., Mursal has visited with family members, who worked as translators for American troops, and she has spent time in Washington, D.C., where Horton lives.

What Mursal will do with this next chapter of her life is still uncertain, but shes grateful to be in a position where that decision is her own. And this week, shes exercising that autonomy on easier decisions  choosing from all the simple joys she was never permitted to experience in her native land.

At the HideOut Pines Ranch, Mursals ride started out slow, deliberate and cautious, but it didnt take long for her to ask if the horse could run faster. And once she learned how to trot, she and the horse took off.

I could guide the horse and choose the path. Wherever I wanted her to go, we went, Mursal said after her ride. There was no one telling me where to go, no one deciding what I would do. I felt independent, strong and powerful.

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Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view.
Almost all motorcycles over 125cc entering New Zealand will need Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) from November 1, as the final steps of an amendment to light vehicle braking rules take effect.

This Rule is part of New Zealands Road to Zero strategy that guides improvements in road safety.

"It sets us on a path to achieve Vision Zero, a New Zealand where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads," says a spokesperson for Waka Kotahi Transport Agency.

"International studies show ABS can reduce crashes by more than a third. As crashes involving motorcyclists often result in death or serious injury this will have an immediate and significant safety benefits for Aotearoa."

Current-model new motorcycles and imported used motorcycles over 125cc registered for the first time in New Zealand will be required to have ABS from November 1.

This completes the implementation of an amendment to the Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle brakes 2002.

From November 1, current-model new motorcycles and imported used motorcycles join new-model new motorcycles in requiring ABS.

Changes took effect for new-model new motorcycles from April 1, 2020.

"The risk of being killed or injured in road crashes is 21 times higher for motorcyclists than for car drivers over the same distance.

"In 2019 alone, 56 people motorcycling were killed (10 more than in 2017), 470 were seriously injured, and 972 suffered minor injuries.

"ABS works to prevent a motorcycle's wheel, or wheels, from locking during braking. It uses speed sensors on both wheels to accurately determine the wheel speed, as well as when a wheel locks. ABS adjusts the braking pressure to prevent the wheel from remaining locked and assists with maintaining the motorcycles stability.

"Previous and currently registered motorcycles are not required to be retrofitted with ABS. Trial or Enduro motorcycles used for the purpose of a sanctioned competition are exempt and there are some exemptions for classic or collectible motorcycles."

For more information visit  www.nzta.govt.nz/abs-changes

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:


In addition to the scheduled round-robin matches, there will be a non-competition match played each week. Teams who would have otherwise played Auckland region teams will instead play the non-competition game to ensure they dont go two weeks without a match.



Non-competition and non-round robin fixtures do not count towards the 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition. In other words, no points are awarded from these fixtures.



The non-competition games are a great solution given the unfortunate news of the Auckland teams withdrawals, says Steamers Head Coach Daryl Gibson.



One, it allows our boys to play rugby rather than potentially having to go two bye weeks in a row. And two, the non-competition format allows us to give opportunities to some of our promising up-and-comers to wear the jersey for the first time.



As fore-mentioned, the playing squad for this weekend will include eight debutants, including cousins Peni and Veveni Lasaqa who will both start on Sunday.



Its a proud moment for both Veveni, myself, and our families, says Peni.



When we heard that we had both got the call-up, we were excited as it was unexpected for sure!



For me, its been a dream of mine to wear the Bay colours, and the fact I get to do it for the first time alongside my cousin makes it all the more special.



The game also marks a big occasion for halfback Leroy Carter who will Captain the Steamers for the first time.



The news may have come as a welcome surprise for Carter. However, according to Backs Coach Mike Delany, the talented halfback has shown leadership qualities all season.



Leroy not only has leadership experience having Captained the Tauranga Sports Premiers, but we love how he goes about the game of rugby, says Delany.



Hes got a great work ethic and carries a real lead from example approach to the game. There will be a lot of youth taking the field for the game on Sunday, and we believe Leroy has the right qualities to lead these boys from the front.



Trael OFlaherty-Joass returns from the All Black Sevens programme for his first game back in the Blue and Gold since 2018 where he played 7 games for the side. Te Aihe Toma, who is currently on 37 caps, also makes his return to the Steamers side after last featuring in 2019.



The game v Tasman is scheduled for this Sunday, October 17, at 4.05pm and will be broadcast on Sky Sport.



For any Bay supporters down in Nelson, the match will be free entry for the public with COVID Level 2 measures in place: scan in, wear face coverings and keep 1m social distance from those you dont know.



Bay of Plenty Steamers vs Tasman Mako

1. Benet Kumeroa

2. Te Ariki Te Puni

3. Tevita Mafileo

4. Semesi Paea

5. Stan van den Hoven

6. Veveni Lasaqa*

7. Kohan Herbert

8. Nikora Broughton

9. Leroy Carter (C)

10. Te Aihe Toma

11. Lalomilo Lalomilo

12. Cassius Misa

13. Trael OFlaherty-Joass

14. Peni Lasaqa*

15. Sekuini Tanimo



16. Bernie Hati*

17. Haereiti Hetet

18. Pasilio Tosi

19. Josh Bartlett*

20. Tuukalikali Vaipulu*

21. Jeriah Mua*

22. Kane OConnor*

23. Junior Matautia*



*Denotes Steamers Debut
Organised by the Freedoms & Rights Coalition, the purpose of the gathering was to provide opportunity for people to make a stand for their rights to choose and for the freedom of choice.

Organisers promoted the event, held at Alert Level 2, as a picnic encouraging people to bring refreshments and enjoy the day with friends and family.

"We want the freedom to enjoy food and festivities with our families and friends, and to go on long summer roadtrips across New Zealand. No more lockdowns. No more restrictions. No more mandates. No more regional borders. No more control."

Many brought blankets and spread out across the grass with some holding large signs.

'Coercion is not consent', 'taking things away from people until they say yes is not a choice', 'vaccine passport = apartheid', 'free to choose', 'free to parent' and 'tanked economies ruin lives' were some of the messages written on placards.

"We are standing for our nation," says one of the speakers. "I'm standing because of my rights, I'm standing because of the freedoms, I'm standing for the future, I'm standing for my family, I'm standing for every business,"

Keynote speakers at the event also included Nelson lawyer Sue Grey, who was a drawcard for many attending.

"The starting point is that the Government has forgotten that their job is to represent us," says Sue. "Their job is not to introduce an agenda that they want to introduce. They have one duty and it is to us.

"We are not their slaves. We have our own values, our own choices and our own freedoms. We are being told that there is only one source of truth. There is never only once source of truth It is up to us to stand up for what we believe in and be heard.

"It is only people like you turning up today that is sending a massive message to our Government and good on you and I hope they listen."

Sue spoke about speaking to the Government's Select Committee on the Covid Health Response bill.

"And what a disrespectful group they were," says Sue. "Their job is to listen to our submissions. They gave us two days to prepare.....clearly they didn't want too many submissions.

"We have to keep having our voice, and making our voice louder and louder until they start to listen to us.

"We're in the High Court this coming Thursday and Friday challenging this 'no jab no job' law. "

Sue says the 'no jab no job' challenge, initially started because of port workers, will also apply to teachers and health workers.

"And to students who are being told after two and a half years of courses they can't complete their courses unless they get jabbed. What a load of nonsense that is."

The event organisers had previously stipulated on their Facebook page that at all the Freedoms & Rights Coalition events around NZ, they would "repeatedly encourage" the wearing of masks, social distancing and "remaining in your bubble", as well as saying they would make hand sanitising stations available

"If youre wondering why we as a Freedoms movement are advocating for these protocols  please understand that this is about your safety, and to help you avoid unwanted police and/or media attention. Again, we dont advocate this for control, but to help you avoid unnecessary problems for yourselves. This is a peaceful family event to express our freedoms and rights.

At Coronation Park most people present were not wearing masks, however attendees spaced out across the park.

The crowd was encouraged to shout "I am hoha'"---which means "I am frustrated'.

The NZ National Anthem was sung and the event ended with a group performing an impromptu haka.

Aerial view of the protest at Coronation Park. Photo: Supplied.

These nationwide protests took part on Super Saturday, a day set aside to encourage increased Covid-19 vaccinations amongst New Zealand's eligible population as a defence against the virus.

The Ministry of Health reported 41 new cases of the Delta variant in the community on Satuday. Read more here.

Click here for more information about Super Saturday.

People who want to recieve their vaccine, but are unsure how, can follow the below information:

To book a vaccination, go to Bookmyvaccine.nz, or call the Covid Vaccine Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

For more information about Super Saturday events, go to the Unite Against Covid website.
A very special service memorial service for those impacted by loss to suicide will be held on Sunday morning.

The loss of a loved one to suicide can have a devastating impact on family and friends.

That loss can often spread wider into the community.

Acknowledging this ripple effect is a focus for a memorial service being held on Sunday for anyone impacted by loss to suicide.

We extend the invitation and encourage those impacted in the ripple that occurs after such a loss, to join us, says Grief Supports suicide bereavement support coordinator Amy Colonna.

We know that for each death there are many people who suffer the shock, uncertainty, disbelief, trauma and grief that ripples out from this loss.

One example of just how large and widespread this would be is death by suicide for a young person.

We would naturally see the school community directly affected, from class mates to teachers and parents and families of students school-wide, says Amy.

Social media also extends the reach of the ripple. The death of a young person has multiple ripples into the community, and these can last a long time.

The death of an adult is also far-reaching.

Sometimes the person may not have shown prior signs. They may have looked to have been fine, and had what everyone assumes would make someone content with purpose and reasons to live.

When an adult dies we have ripples that reach co-workers, extended family, children and young people, friends, neighbours and members of various parts of the community.

The range of sadness, unanswered questions and feelings of helplessness that can follow are very real, and take time to work through.

We believe that no one should have to grieve alone, that with the right information and care, grief and effects from suicide bereavement can be supported and healing can begin, says Amy

The service is a precious time for all to come together to share stories of hope and courage through loss, and to honour the memories of those we carry with us.

There will be guest speakers, tributes, shared food and support information at the memorial service, which will take place from 11am-1pm on Sunday, October 17, at Daniels in the Park, 53 Eleventh Avenue, Tauranga. For more information visit: www.griefsupport.org.nz/talk-to-grief-support
Garrison Library issues a call for information The library hopes someone with local knowledge will know more about the Gibraltar Socorro Rojo committee during the Spanish Civil War

Do you have any information about the work of the Socorro Rojo Internacional Gibraltar Committee during the Spanish Civil War? If so, the Garrison Library would love to hear from you.

The Socorro Rojo Internacional was established in 1922 by Communist International as an NGO that functioned along the same lines as the Red Cross, albeit as an independent and secular organisation.

The Spanish Socorro Rojo was established some years later, in 1934, following the October Revolution in Asturias, which occurred that same year and was part of the general strike sweeping Spain at that time. However, it was during the Civil War that we see the Spanish Socorro Rojo providing food and clothing for children in Republican zones as well as supporting soldiers with libraries and hospitals.

The Gibraltar committee of the Socorro Rojo followed similar initiatives by collecting donations of food and clothing from the local community to provide aid to Republican children and families in the immediate Spanish hinterland. Donors would receive a small postcard with the headshot of Manuel Azana, the President of the Republic, in return.

Women were mostly involved in taking any supplies donated across the border into Spain, as their likelihood of being searched was less than for their male counterparts.

A local man who is researching aspects of the Spanish Civil War recently took some photographs of the Socorro Rojo Gibraltar Committee to the Garrison Library, in the hope that it held some further details on the work carried out by this committee.

There is some suggestion that the Gibraltar committee had a collection office close to the Garrison Library, possibly by the printworks and, therefore, not immediately visible from Town Range. Still, there is no clear indication of the actual location of their office, and details on the work of the Socorro Rojo at Gibraltar remain very limited.

It may be that someone who knows Gibraltar can assist in filling in the remaining gaps, which include helping to identify the names of the committee members.

Please contact the library on (00350) 200 77418 or at chris.tavares@gibraltargarrisonlibrary.gi with any information that might help.
Hermitage Museum looks to Malaga to open Spanish branch The city's mayor has welcomed the idea of the Russian gallery moving into the port, saying it will cost the city "nothing"

The Barcelona project that was rejected by the city council. / SUR

Malaga's list of cultural attractions could increase even further following contact with the world-famous Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg about a possible branch in the city.

Representatives met with the mayor, Francisco de la Torre, recently to discuss the idea after Barcelona city council rejected the museum's plans to set up a Spanish branch in the port there, despite an initial agreement.

Speaking about the project this week, De la Torre stated that the museum would "not cost the city a single euro".

He said that, just as with the Barcelona project, the investment and maintenance would be funded by the promoters.

"It would cost nothing so there would be no incompatibility with other cultural issues," said the mayor, referring to the existing branches of international museums in Malaga: the Centre Pompidou and the Saint Petersburg State Museum of Russian Art.

The mayor said that he did not know yet to what extent the Barcelona project could be transferred to Malaga. The building had been designed by award-winning architect, Toyo Ito, with an estimated cost of 52 million euros.

According to the Barcelona plans, this would be funded by the group behind the scheme, which is owned 80% by investment fund Varia and 20% by Cultural Development Barcelona. At its helm is architect Ujo Pallares, who has a 50-year agreement with the Hermitage for the use of its brand.

The location initially favoured for the project in Malaga is the San Andres esplanade of the port (west of the city centre).

The Hermitage Museum is located in Saint Petersburg and boasts three million works of art.
Atlantic, IA (50022)

Today

Windy and becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 49F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 31F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
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A new iOS scam ring is targeting various dating app users across the globe. Involved security experts confirmed that their victims usually reside in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Hungary.

Related Article: OpenSea Fixes Vulnerabilities That Hackers Could Use to Steal Crypto

As of the moment, the new international hacking group is being observed by Sophos, a cybersecurity firm that named these scammers the "CryptoRom" gang.

"In May, we published a report about scammers using dating sites and apps to social-engineer victims into installing fake cryptocurrency apps on iPhone and Android," said the security agency via its official blog post.

Researchers at Sophos added that they later discovered that the scammers were not only targeting dating app users in Asia. They were discovering a rising number of victims in other parts of the globe, such as Europe.

New iOS CryptoRom Scammers

According to ZDNet's latest report, the new international malicious group is specifically targeting iOS users that are relying on dating apps to connect with other individuals.

Also Read: Olympus Hit by Cyberattack Forcing Company to Shut Down IT Systems in US, Canada, and Latin America

Right now, this is a serious matter since people across the world can't quickly meet their potential dates due to the safety restrictions implemented by different governments.

When it comes to severity, Sophos' cybersecurity professionals claimed that the CryptoRom hacking group can even control their victims' devices.

This is why they are now warning those who are using Bumble, Grindr, Facebook Dating, and other similar apps to be more careful when communicating with total strangers.

The new CryptoRom scam ring is just one of the malicious groups targeting iOS and Android users. Recently, it was reported that a Google Play Store app steals sensitive Facebook credentials.

On the other hand, Russian cybercriminals are now accused of the most devastating security attacks in the United Kingdom.

How CryptoRom Scammers Target iOS Users

Sophos explained that the new CryptoRom scam group was able to abuse Apple's Enterprise Signature platform, which is specifically designed for app and software developers.

As of the moment, the giant iPhone maker hasn't confirmed it yet if they are already fixing the issue. If you are using Tinder or other dating apps, the best thing you can do right now is to avoid providing your sensitive details, such as banking information.

For more news updates about CryptoRom and other new scamming groups, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Screenshot taken from NASA's Twitter account)

The Lucy spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched to space to begin its 12-year mission to study Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids.

An Atlas V rocket launched the spacecraft to space at 5:34 a.m. EDT. The rocket carrying Lucy launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

It might be a surprise to many, but the Lucy spacecraft actually has a connection to the legendary group, The Beatles. Beatles fans probably know that the band has a song called "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." That song plays a part in the name given to the spacecraft as well as the disc it is carrying with it for its mission.

NASA's Lucy Mission Launches to Space

 Lucys got some exploring to do.



At 5:34am ET (9:34 UTC) on Oct. 16, our #LucyMission lifted off aboard a @ULALaunch Atlas V rocket. Now begins a 12-year journey to visit more asteroids than any other mission: https://t.co/iRKKvRs28J pic.twitter.com/85xb8aG3u6  NASA (@NASA) October 16, 2021

NASA's Lucy spacecraft was launched to space at 5:34 a.m. EDT to begin its 12-year mission that will help scientists understand how the solar system came to be. The Atlas V rocket carrying the spacecraft launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

According to a report by Space, Lucy was able to deploy its solar arrays two hours after launch and "successfully phoned home."

Per a report by KSAT, the spacecraft is named after the 3.2 million-year-old skeletal remains of a human ancestor found in Ethiopia nearly a half-century ago."

Related Article: Lucy And 'Little Foot' Co-Existed, Fossil Discovery In South Africa Suggests

The Beatles Connection

The KSAT report further states that "That discovery got its name from the 1967 Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," prompting NASA to send the spacecraft soaring with band members' lyrics and other luminaries' words of wisdom imprinted on a plaque."

Lucy is actually carrying a disc made of diamonds grown in the lab.

Beatles legend Ringo Starr actually recorded a message for NASA in relation to his group's connection with the spacecraft.

"I'm so excited - Lucy is going back in the sky with diamonds. Johnny will love that," Starr said in the video, as quoted by the KSAT report. The "Johnny" the Beatles drummer is referring to is the late John Lennon, who wrote, "Lucky in the Sky with Diamonds."

"Anyway, if you meet anyone up there, Lucy, give them peace and love from me," Starr added.

What is the Lucy Spacecraft's Mission?

With its launch, the Lucy spacecraft has started its 12-year mission that involves studying asteroids that orbit ahead of the planet Jupiter or after it.

Lucy, which the Space report describes as a "robotic archeologist," will be studying a total of eight asteroids. Seven of these asteroids are known as Trojan asteroids. The spacecraft will look into the geology, composition, structure, and even the density of these Trojans.

Before studying the eight asteroids, Lucy will have to do two Earth flybys to build up its momentum. The spacecraft's first asteroid flyby is scheduled to take place in April 2025.

However, the first Trojan asteroid flyby will only take place in August 2027, which is six years after Lucy's launch. The last flyby for Lucy will happen in March 2033.

Also Read: NASA Lucy Mission's Saturday Launch: Facts That You Might Not Know About the Space Activity

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isabella James

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bosch China said the ongoing global chip shortage would continue to hit more Chinese car manufacturers in 2022. The statement came from its head on Wednesday, Oct. 13

Bosch China Sees Impending Shortage in Chip Supply

According to a report by Bloomberg, the Bosch China president Chen Yudong pointed out that there will be a chip crisis in 2022. In July, only about 20% of clients' orders were accomplished by several chipmakers.

During the China Auto Supply Chain Conference, Jiang Jian, the German auto supplier's Chinese vice president, saw some improvement in the state of chip manufacturing in August. However, it's still not enough to cope up with the situation.

The Chinese automakers experienced a huge drop in their sales this year. Last month, the total sales of the vehicles plunged to 19.6% year-on-year.

To adjust to the chip problem, some China-based EV manufacturers such as Li Auto and Nio decided to lower their forecasts for the quarterly production.

According to Chen, the continuous global semiconductor shortage would still remain "very low" in numbers in China. The Bosch China head estimated that it would take place for the remainder of this year.

While the problem persists in impacting many tech giants, Chen said that he could see developments that would happen over time. At the end of 2022, the firm anticipated that the chip supply would still fall 10% to 20% lower than the previous demand.

Bosch China head added that the problem began during the second half of 2020. At that time, the automotive brand aimed to mitigate its impact by improving the local chip production.

Yicai, a Chinese publication, reported in September that Bosch is the world's largest supplier of car parts. In China, the company takes over 70% of its supplies.

Chinese Automakers Cut Delivery Forecast Amid Chip Shortage

From another report by Tech Node, the Chinese auto manufacturer Li Auto has slashed its delivery forecast. Before, the company could make 26,000 vehicles. Now, they limited the units to 24,500 in the third quarter of 2021.

On the other hand, another China-based firm Nio concluded to cut 1,500 units from its standard number of 23,500 vehicles.

Read Also: Global Semiconductor Shortage Won't be 'Resolved' For a Few More Years, Intel CEO Says--How Pandemic Impacts it?

Experts Predict Chip Shortage to Extend Until 2023

Back in March, the chip shortage hit huge companies, including Apple, Sony, Samsung, and other firms which rely on semiconductor supplies.

At the time of writing, the alarming problem was reported to cause price increases in different tech products such as smartphones and electric cars. Since the supply could not catch up with the demand, many analysts thought that the lack of supply was already at its "critical point."

In May, Tech Times reported that Glenn O'Donnell, the VP Research Director of Forrester, said that the semiconductor crisis or the "chippagedon" would push through until 2023.

Related Article: Global Chip Shortage to Be Answered by Sony and TSMC's New Plant in Japan? Would This Affect Relationship with Apple?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Dbrand, a Candian-based company that launched replacement PlayStation 5 plates dubbed as "Darkplates" and told Sony to "Go ahead, sue us," has pulled out its products from sale. This occurred after Sony threatened them with legal action against them over the replacement plates.

Dbrand revealed a cease and desist letter it received from lawyers representing Sony. The Canadian-based company was accused of trademark and copyright infringement as well as counterfeiting by Sony's lawyers.

Now, they complied with Sony's demands by declaring that their replacement PS5 plates were dead. However, they hinted that their compliance is only for the meantime.

"Go Ahead, Sue Us," Said Dbrand to Sony

"Go ahead, sue us," were the four words that were once seen at the top of the website of Dbrand, a device customization company from Canada. Those words were directed at Sony, the maker of the PlayStation 5. This feud started after Dbrand launched replacement PlayStation 5 plates called Darkplates at that time.

According to a report by Eurogamer, Dbrand said, "We've taken Sony's monumental achievement in bad design... and fixed it. We can only assume that our prizes are in the mail."

Eurogamer's report said that the Darkplates are "slightly different" from Sony's design as far as the face buttons are concerned. Other than that, the Darkplates also have a microscopic texture similar to actual PS5 plates.

Related Article: Dbrand Matte Black PS5 Skin 'Darkplates' Up for Sale After the SUP3R5 PS5 Crash

Sony Has Threatened to Sue

Dbrand has revealed in a Reddit post that the company literally got what it asked for because Sony did threaten to sue them over the Darkplates after all.

The post, titled "Darkplates are dead. Thanks, Sony," revealed that Dbrand was served a cease and desist letter by lawyers representing Sony. Per the Eurogamer report, "lawyers representing Sony accuses the company of trademark and copyright infringement as well as counterfeiting."

The cease and desist letter has demanded that Dbrand stop the sale, marketing, and promotions of the Darkplates.

Per the cease and desist letter, which has been included in the Reddit post, Sony will pursue legal action should Dbrand not cooperate or respond in time.

Dbrand has also revealed in its Reddit post that the company is giving in to Sony's demands. The post reads, "we've elected to submit to the terrorists' demands... for now."

The company has added that it firmly believes that consumers have the right to customize and even modify the hardware.

Sony Threatened to Sue Third-Party Seller Offering Customization

This is not the first time that Sony has threatened legal action against companies and sellers over the PlayStation 5.

In 2020, Sony threatened legal action against a third-party seller that offered customization services for the PS5's faceplates. The third-party seller was initially known as PlateStation5.com before it rebranded and changed its name to CustomizeMyPlates.com

Also Read: PS5 Custom Faceplate Seller Back After Alleged 'Threat' by Sony, Launches 'God of War'-Inspired Black Shells

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isabella James

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
GUTHRIE [ndash] Darris Dean Flowers passed away on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. He was born Jan. 26, 1942, to Denman Marion Flowers and Margie Gray Flowers. A Celebration of his life occurred on Oct. 9 with family and friends at his home in Guthrie, OK. Darris was especially proud to donate his bod
Hundreds of asylum seekers at the ICE detention centers in Louisiana are being forced to pay for private transportation options to get to an airport or bus station once they are released, a move that does not comply with the ICE release protocols, according to immigration advocates and nonprofit organizations.

According to the 2011 ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards (revised in 2016), the detention facilities that are more than one mile from public transportation shall transport detainees to local bus/train/subway stations prior to the time the last bus/train leaves such stations for the day.

None of the ICE detention facilities in Louisiana are within walking distance of public transportation. However, asylum seekers often are typically offered a list of taxi providers that can take them to the nearest transportation at a cost of up to $250 a ride per immigrant, according to documents obtained by The Acadiana Advocate.

+11 Lafayette volunteers facilitate release of asylum-seekers in Louisiana detention centers Lidiane De Souza trembled with joy at the Lafayette Regional Airport when she realized that her nightmare was almost over. A U.S. Immigration 

The simple lists of providers printed on white paper and handed out by detention center staff include up to seven taxi companies that detainees and their families or sponsors are encouraged to contact to make travel arrangements.

"Despite the fact that immigrants being released from detention have a strong network of loved ones who are ready to assist them with their travel, ICE is not allowing people to adequately communicate with their support networks, nor is providing people safe and efficient public transportation options, said Jeff Migliozzi, Communications Manager for Freedom for Immigrants, a nonprofit that in July filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security over the release practices.

Immigrants and their families have to pay hundreds of dollars on private taxis or miss their scheduled flights, he said.

According to the U.S. Immigration Detention Interactive Map by Freedom For Immigrants, there are 11 ICE detention facilities statewide, and nine of them are run by private companies. The main ICE partner in Louisiana is the GEO Group, a for-profit prison company that runs 57 facilities across the United States, including four detention facilities in Louisiana  La Salle ICE Processing Center, Alexandria Staging Facility, Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center and South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.

+8 Beloved French teacher on brink of deportation gets to stay after 'out of the blue' reprieve On Thursday, French teacher Djibril Coulibaly, 50, walked quietly out of the Pine Prairie Correctional Center and into an SUV driven by his co

In the 2017 fiscal year, GEO Group received $184 million from the federal government, more than any other ICE contractor, followed by Corrections Corporation of America/CoreCivic that received $135 million for immigration detention-related services, data shows.

Asked if the four GEO facilities in Louisiana are complying with the 2011 ICE release protocols and if the company has any existing contracts or agreements with taxi providers in Louisiana, the GEO Group declined to provide a comment on the record.

According to federal government data, Louisiana has the second-highest number of people in U.S. immigration detention per day, with 4,415 people detained a day as of April 2019.

A U.S. House investigation by the Committee on Homeland Security found "a concerning pattern of ICE contracting with Louisiana facilities that are poorly equipped to meet ICEs own detention standards. The report, published in September 2020, also highlighted that the oversight failures include facilities, particularly in Louisiana, that had a well-publicized history of abuses prior to contracting with ICE.

When asked if ICE facilities in Louisiana were following the agency's guidelines for release procedures, an ICE offcial said: "ICE makes custody determinations every day on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with U.S. law and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy, considering the merits and factors of each individual case while adhering to current agency priorities, guidelines, and legal mandates."

+4 Volunteers live faith, Cajun values as they provide a lifeline to immigrants released from detention One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 13:2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. The v

A few weeks ago, the federal agency began dropping off asylum seekers at the Lafayette Regional Airport weekly, a move that local immigration activists saw as an encouraging effort to comply with the release protocols. Daniela Faries, a 28-year-old asylum seeker from Venezuela, was one of the dozens of immigrants who were offered a free ride on a van by detention officials.

I did not know I had this option when I was waiting for my papers, said Faries, who spent three months at the ICE detention facility run by GEO Group in Basile after she crossed the U.S./Mexico border in Texas. Usually this is not how it happens. I know that many are still paying for being transported.

Advocates in Louisiana pointed to the fact that private taxis are not considered public transportation, and the related costs create logistic challenges to those who are released. But the taxi providers defended their service.

Our reputation speaks for itself both with the detainees and the staff, and our name is well known for this reason, said David Jr. Hernandez, the son of David Hernandez, the owner of a taxi company by the same name, which operates in central Louisiana. Our service goes above the ride. We provide the immigrants with a free meal, free backpacks if needed, toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and other necessities, said Hernandez Jr., who is a retired federal officer agent. We are also fluent in Spanish, Creole French, and some Portuguese. We are here to help, too.

In a phone interview with The Advocate, the senior David Hernandez confirmed that the flat rate for a single ride from the South Louisiana Detention Center in Basile to the Lafayette Regional Airport is $200 per immigrant.

We dont have any agreement with any detention center, Hernandez said. They just know us because we have been operating in Louisiana for years. Everyone can trust us.

More recent federal guidelines over the release process made the language less clear about the responsibilities of each detention facility compared to the 2011 ICE protocols. The National Detention Standards Revised in 2019 stated that as appropriate and necessary, facilities shall transport detainees to local public transportation stations at a time when such public transportation is running. But the ICE detention facilities in Louisiana, with the exemption of the River Correctional Center in Ferriday, are not required to follow these more recent guidelines at the moment, and are expected to follow the 2011 standards, according to Freedom For Immigrants.

This is a humanitarian failure of the governments own making, said Jeff Migliozzi of Freedom For Immigrants. If ICE officials followed their own protocols, many of these situations could be avoided.

A earlier version of the story incorrectly described David Jr. Hernandez as a retired ICE agent. Mr. Hernandez is a retired federal officer.
Hundreds gathered at St. George Catholic Church Saturday to mourn the loss of Louisiana State Police Master Trooper Adam Gaubert, who was killed in an ambush last weekend in Ascension Parish.

Somber law enforcement officers filed into the sanctuary where Father Paul Yi addressed Gauberts family directly during his opening prayer in which he described the slain 19-year LSP veteran as a caring and loving father and a source of strength and comfort for all who knew him.

New charges filed against Matthew Mire; new details released about shooting rampage, manhunt Matthew Mire faces additional criminal charges in East Baton Rouge Parish after detectives filed a new arrest warrant Wednesday detailing more

We gather here today as the result of an evil act, Yi said. But evil will not win.

Gaubert, a father of two, was killed on Oct. 9 in a bank parking lot in Prairieville while filing a police report inside his patrol car.

Prosecutors say Matthew Mire, 31, likely killed Gaubert shortly before attacking his own cousin, Joseph Schexnayder, and Schexnayders longtime girlfriend, Pamela Adair, who also died from her injuries.

In addition to shooting Gaubert, Schexnayder and Adair, Mire is accused of wounding two of his neighbors in the Livingston Parish town of French Settlement before he was finally arrested.

+10 Fallen trooper Adam Gaubert honored in procession, memorial: live updates Hundreds of law enforcement officers gathered in Baton Rouge Saturday morning for a procession to honor Louisiana State Police Master Trooper 

Police have not yet released a possible motive for the crime.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis delivered a eulogy for Gaubert Saturday, describing him as a joyful presence. He was a jokester, Davis said, with the ability to make people around him laugh so hard it would make your body hurt.

Gaubert joined State Police in 2002 after serving in the U.S. Army and Louisiana National Guard.

Upon his graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to patrol at Troop A in Baton Rouge, where he worked for six years before transferring to the Criminal Investigative Division in 2009.

Gaubert received numerous accolades for his service, and he continued to work with the Criminal Investigative Division until he returned to Troop A in 2012.

During Saturdays packed ceremony, Davis described Gaubert as a free spirit whose personality sometimes clashed with his own  often with amusing results.

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Hed come as the day comes and go as the day goes, Davis said with a laugh. Putting me and Adam together was like putting a tropical storm over warm water  it was the brewing of a perfect storm.

+9 Photos: Procession to funeral honors fallen La. State Police Master Trooper Adam Gaubert Law enforcement and other first responders were joined by members of the public lining Jefferson Highway, Airline Highway and Siegen Lane, as 

He recalled one instance during which he and Gaubert were conducting inventory when they discovered a missing shield. Seeing Gaubert was the last one to have signed the shield out, Davis said he confronted the trooper, and the two argued for more than an hour about whether Gaubert still had the expensive piece of equipment.

Frustrated, Davis reported the shield missing, facing criticism from his own supervisor.

As fate would have it, a couple days after the end of the inventory cycle, Adam came strolling up with the shield, he said. Hey Lu, found that shield you were looking for. Of course, all of the frustration and anger immediately started to erupt and I began to yell.

Davis said he asked Gaubert where he found it, and the trooper said it was left behind his bathroom door.

I said Adam, why would that shield be behind your door in your bathroom? Davis said. As only Adam could say, (he responded), Lu, you never know who might come busting through that door while youre doing your business.

The crowd laughed.

Gauberts humor belied the risk he faced each time he donned his crisp blue uniform, Davis went on to say.

We know our role as public servants is inherently dangerous  but when a tragedy occurs, it serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices of Louisiana State Troopers, Davis continued. In a society of seemingly everyday tragedy, the loss of one of these brave souls will forever be impactful and hurtful.

In death, Gaubert joins the ranks of 33 other Louisiana State Police officers killed in the line of duty.

Trooper Gaubert fulfilled his devotion to service; it is now our duty to carry on his legacy, Davis tearfully concluded. Well done, trooper. We have it from here.
The St. Helena Parish Police Jury president wants to cancel the parishs contract with Amwaste, the local residential waste-pickup utility, if the company cant fix a slew of problems that became worse when Hurricane Ida swept through the parish on Aug. 30.

A shortage of truck drivers, a four-fold increase in trash put out after the storm and countless felled trees that snarled roads in the rural parish left some people without garbage pickup for weeks, an Amwaste manager acknowledged at a recent police jury meeting. Along La. 16, in the southwest pocket of the parish, trash built up for days, said police jury President Frank E. Johnson.

But the problems existed before the hurricane.

The storms one thing, but weve stood up here and struggled with staffing for the last year and a half, Amwaste Gulf Coast District Manager Dustin Fortenberry admitted to the police jury at its Sept. 29 meeting.

Much of Louisiana is pushing back against big solar plants. St. Helena Parish might welcome them. From rural Louisiana towns to the State Capitol, officials and residents have often met a budding solar energy boom with concern or outrage.

To correct the pickup issues, Amwaste added more drivers in St. Helena and switched from running routes there solely on Thursday and Friday to operating five days each week. It's now running two routes parish-wide Monday through Friday.

So far, the new five-day-a-week schedule isnt yielding the results everyone hoped.

I was here one day, and (the new crew) drove right on through and didnt pick up anything, said Virginia Hughes, who lives on a parish road off La. 16, north of the Livingston-St. Helena line.

+4 Two weeks after Hurricane Ida, nearly half of St. Helena Parish remains without power Two weeks after Hurricane Ida felled countless trees and electrical lines, nearly half of St. Helena Parish still lacked power. And the outage

Police Jury president Frank E. Johnson isnt convinced the new schedule will fix the long-standing pickup issues. If the problems dont improve soon, he said Thursday, hes prepared to ask the police jury to nix Amwastes contract.

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Right now, they havent sold me on it, Johnson said. I still see a lot of garbage being left. If it doesnt work this go-around, theyve got to go.

Fortenberry did not return a message Friday.

St. Helena's current contract with Amwaste pays the company about $67,500 per month to pick up residential trash, said police jury clerk Sharonda Brown.

The company has 2 more years before that deal expires, but the police jury has the power to cancel the contract if the panel were to find that Amwaste hasn't met the agreement, Brown said.

The lags in garbage pickup are one of the longest-lingering effects of Hurricane Idas tear through the heavily forested parish sandwiched between Baton Rouge and the Mississippi state line.

Few residents expected the storm to drive this far north. But Idas winds persisted until it hit Mississippi, decimating St. Helenas power grid, stalling mail and leaving some residents of the impoverished rural area without running water for several days.

Amwaste, which has a presence across the Deep South, has struggled recently in other parts of the Baton Rouge region.

In January, the company lost a five-year contract with the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury to a rival bidder. And officials in Tangipahoa Parish blasted the company for slow and missed pickups in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this file incorrectly reported that frustrations over slowed garbage pickup in Jefferson Parish involved Amwaste. That dispute involved a different contractor.
Hundreds of asylum seekers at the ICE detention centers in Louisiana are being forced to pay for private transportation options to get to an airport or bus station once they are released, a move that does not comply with the ICE release protocols, according to immigration advocates and nonprofit organizations.

According to the 2011 ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards (revised in 2016), the detention facilities that are more than one mile from public transportation shall transport detainees to local bus/train/subway stations prior to the time the last bus/train leaves such stations for the day.

None of the ICE detention facilities in Louisiana are within walking distance of public transportation. However, asylum seekers often are typically offered a list of taxi providers that can take them to the nearest transportation at a cost of up to $250 a ride per immigrant, according to documents obtained by The Acadiana Advocate.

+11 Lafayette volunteers facilitate release of asylum-seekers in Louisiana detention centers Lidiane De Souza trembled with joy at the Lafayette Regional Airport when she realized that her nightmare was almost over. A U.S. Immigration 

The simple lists of providers printed on white paper and handed out by detention center staff include up to seven taxi companies that detainees and their families or sponsors are encouraged to contact to make travel arrangements.

"Despite the fact that immigrants being released from detention have a strong network of loved ones who are ready to assist them with their travel, ICE is not allowing people to adequately communicate with their support networks, nor is providing people safe and efficient public transportation options, said Jeff Migliozzi, Communications Manager for Freedom for Immigrants, a nonprofit that in July filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security over the release practices.

Immigrants and their families have to pay hundreds of dollars on private taxis or miss their scheduled flights, he said.

According to the U.S. Immigration Detention Interactive Map by Freedom For Immigrants, there are 11 ICE detention facilities statewide, and nine of them are run by private companies. The main ICE partner in Louisiana is the GEO Group, a for-profit prison company that runs 57 facilities across the United States, including four detention facilities in Louisiana  La Salle ICE Processing Center, Alexandria Staging Facility, Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center and South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.

+8 Beloved French teacher on brink of deportation gets to stay after 'out of the blue' reprieve On Thursday, French teacher Djibril Coulibaly, 50, walked quietly out of the Pine Prairie Correctional Center and into an SUV driven by his co

In the 2017 fiscal year, GEO Group received $184 million from the federal government, more than any other ICE contractor, followed by Corrections Corporation of America/CoreCivic that received $135 million for immigration detention-related services, data shows.

Asked if the four GEO facilities in Louisiana are complying with the 2011 ICE release protocols and if the company has any existing contracts or agreements with taxi providers in Louisiana, the GEO Group declined to provide a comment on the record.

According to federal government data, Louisiana has the second-highest number of people in U.S. immigration detention per day, with 4,415 people detained a day as of April 2019.

A U.S. House investigation by the Committee on Homeland Security found "a concerning pattern of ICE contracting with Louisiana facilities that are poorly equipped to meet ICEs own detention standards. The report, published in September 2020, also highlighted that the oversight failures include facilities, particularly in Louisiana, that had a well-publicized history of abuses prior to contracting with ICE.

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

When asked if ICE facilities in Louisiana were following the agency's guidelines for release procedures, an ICE offcial said: "ICE makes custody determinations every day on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with U.S. law and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy, considering the merits and factors of each individual case while adhering to current agency priorities, guidelines, and legal mandates."

+4 Volunteers live faith, Cajun values as they provide a lifeline to immigrants released from detention One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 13:2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. The v

A few weeks ago, the federal agency began dropping off asylum seekers at the Lafayette Regional Airport weekly, a move that local immigration activists saw as an encouraging effort to comply with the release protocols. Daniela Faries, a 28-year-old asylum seeker from Venezuela, was one of the dozens of immigrants who were offered a free ride on a van by detention officials.

I did not know I had this option when I was waiting for my papers, said Faries, who spent three months at the ICE detention facility run by GEO Group in Basile after she crossed the U.S./Mexico border in Texas. Usually this is not how it happens. I know that many are still paying for being transported.

Advocates in Louisiana pointed to the fact that private taxis are not considered public transportation, and the related costs create logistic challenges to those who are released. But the taxi providers defended their service.

Our reputation speaks for itself both with the detainees and the staff, and our name is well known for this reason, said David Jr. Hernandez, the son of David Hernandez, the owner of a taxi company by the same name, which operates in central Louisiana. Our service goes above the ride. We provide the immigrants with a free meal, free backpacks if needed, toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and other necessities, said Hernandez Jr., who is a retired federal officer agent. We are also fluent in Spanish, Creole French, and some Portuguese. We are here to help, too.

In a phone interview with The Advocate, the senior David Hernandez confirmed that the flat rate for a single ride from the South Louisiana Detention Center in Basile to the Lafayette Regional Airport is $200 per immigrant.

We dont have any agreement with any detention center, Hernandez said. They just know us because we have been operating in Louisiana for years. Everyone can trust us.

More recent federal guidelines over the release process made the language less clear about the responsibilities of each detention facility compared to the 2011 ICE protocols. The National Detention Standards Revised in 2019 stated that as appropriate and necessary, facilities shall transport detainees to local public transportation stations at a time when such public transportation is running. But the ICE detention facilities in Louisiana, with the exemption of the River Correctional Center in Ferriday, are not required to follow these more recent guidelines at the moment, and are expected to follow the 2011 standards, according to Freedom For Immigrants.

This is a humanitarian failure of the governments own making, said Jeff Migliozzi of Freedom For Immigrants. If ICE officials followed their own protocols, many of these situations could be avoided.

A earlier version of the story incorrectly described David Jr. Hernandez as a retired ICE agent. Mr. Hernandez is a retired federal officer.
Or should we acknowledge our female-ness (with all the risks that entails) and encourage, cajole or demand the workplace to bend to us? The challenges change throughout the life cycle of working women. First, there are barriers to entry (only 9 per cent of women in tertiary education are studying STEM subjects, compared with a third of male students, Foley laments). Then, there is the mid-career difficulty of what Foley calls ensuring careers dont get stuck in quicksand once children come along. Both those challenges are well documented and at least acknowledged, if not fixed.

But the later-life difficulties of working women are mostly ignored. Women themselves are coy about them. Men are probably largely oblivious, or perhaps too chivalrous to speak of them. For women, there is an added layer, and that is the issue of menopause, Foley told her audience. Yes you heard me right! Foley said that despite the fact that half the population went through menopause, it was not discussed enough.

There is almost no research on how it affects womens careers in Australia, which probably reflects the fact that it has not had enough focus or visibility. Loading But in Britain, menopause is coming out of the closet. The British Parliament began an inquiry this year on menopause and the workplace. It has heard that more than a million women in Britain have left their jobs because of menopause symptoms, at the very point when they should be moving into senior positions, and younger employees should be sponging up their experience.

More and more women in Britain are launching employment discrimination cases to do with menopause. Women report being reluctant to speak to their managers about their (sometimes debilitating) menopause symptoms because the managers are men and/or younger than them. The taboo is so strong that the British Medical Association reports even female doctors  experts on the body  are reluctant to speak about their own menopause experiences. They fear doing so will damage their career, or that they will be ridiculed. We can be sure these same things are happening in Australia, and women are leaving work because of it, Foley concluded.

The reluctant acknowledgement of menopause is bizarre when you consider it as a huge biological change that affects half the population. Not so bizarre when you consider that women have always had to choose between acknowledging their biology, or trying to fit into workplaces created with a different norm in mind. If you think this is overblown, consider the skewing of medical studies to male bodies. A study reported this week in the medical journal, Neurology, was just the latest example of this. It looked at 281 medical trials on stroke, conducted between 1990 and 2020. Just over 37 per cent of the participants were women, but the average prevalence of stroke in women across the countries included in the trials was 48 per cent. The famous Harvard Study of Adult Development, a longitudinal research project started in 1938, tracked 268 Harvard Sophomores over their lives.

It is a monumental piece of work that has shed light on human happiness, relationships, and the building blocks of what makes a good life. But only in men because there were no women in the college when it began (very recently, some female cohorts have been included). The push for recognition of menopause, and other biological events like menstruation, is interesting because there is something of a generational clash at play. Some older feminists are reluctant to talk about hormones and hot flashes because they fear women, and female workers, will be stereotyped as at the mercy of their hormones. Hysteria comes from the Greek word for womb.

But younger feminists are less timid, and theyre tired of pretending. They demand an end to period poverty, and some agitate for menstrual leave. Loading Leave for pregnancy loss was recently added to the grounds for compassionate leave under federal legislation. The biological travails of femininity are a personal matter, and difficult to legislate for. One suspects male legislators, and bosses, tread delicately on this territory, mostly for the right reasons. But when it comes to menopause, womens embarrassment, and even shame, surely come from a place of self-protection. In a world where women are still valued for their youth and sexual appeal, there is risk in women acknowledging they are ageing. In a workplace context, it could cost them. Quite literally.
The new powered vehicles exist within a policy grey zone, with Victoria Police warning it is being inundated with complaints and waging a crackdown, while the state government moves to trial the vehicles in an attempt to update its laws to allow for the new technology.

Vision Australia has warned that those who are blind or have low vision are especially at risk, with a new survey revealing 50 per cent of vision impaired people have been involved in an accident or near-miss with an e-scooter.

Imagine how frightening it is knowing this could knock you over at any time youre walking down the street, Chris Edwards, Vision Australias manager of government relations and advocacy said.

Of the 120 people who completed the survey, 82 per cent said they did not feel safe walking on footpaths and about 40 per use now use footpaths less often.

The small, unregistered vehicles are causing headaches for Victoria Police, which is carrying out crackdowns and education campaigns in regional areas amid an increase in complaints and injuries.
It may not be the city that never sleeps but Melbourne has long prided itself on being a place that stays open well after dark.

From bastion of the 6 oclock swill, when workers would binge and purge in a mad hour of drinking before pubs closed, Melbourne transformed itself into a night-time city that buzzed at all hours.

Then COVID-19 came along. For long stretches of the past two years, many of us havent dared to step outside our houses at night. Millions have been locked inside by a restrictive curfew not even used during wartime.

Melbourne under curfew on October 15. Credit:Eddie Jim

Before the pandemic, curfews were considered the stuff of authoritarian regimes with machine-gun toting troops grunting papers, please. It was hard to imagine anything like that would ever come to Melbourne.
The Morrison government is in chaotic last-minute preparations for COP26 although the date was set several years ago. Downplaying the prospects of jobs in renewables, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, said the promise of jobs in the sector was a mirage ( UN pressure on emissions rising as key Nats resist , The Age, 14/10) and used the example of a solar farm employing only five people, most of whom just cut the grass under the solar panels, to make her case.

Peoples preparedness for any challenge is revealed by two important indicators  the pace at which they respond and the examples they use to justify their position.

Both demonstrate the mind-set of a government that is hopelessly inadequate for tackling the challenges of climate change. A response we are all vitally dependent on.

Howard Tankey, Box Hill North

The arts lead the way

How refreshing and exciting to see a story about Alexander Rodrigues conducting for The Australian Ballet in The Sunday Age (Rocket science? Try conducting a ballet, 10/10).

And as one of the orchestra musicians who may soon be heading back to rehearsing together in the studio and performing on stage, my heart is singing. Once again, the arts lead the way in lifting ones spirits.

Tania Hardy-Smith, Mitcham

A joyful time awaits

The announcement by Victorias Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson, has brought me to tears (Cartwheels on the cards over return of rehearsing together, The Sunday Age, 10/10).

After long COVID lockdowns, uncertainty, fear, disappointments and stress Im excited and longing to once again sit in a Melbourne theatre to nourish my worn-out soul.
Ma Chaoxiang was farming in the vineyard on the Tibetan plateau when he heard the Australians were coming. It was May and Chinas borders were closed, but the 47-year-old was suddenly asked to tidy up the workshop and clear the roads coming up to the winery.

The winemakers that travelled to Qinghai were on a mission. They had become collateral damage in a bitter 18-month dispute between Canberra and Beijing culiminating in Canberras call for an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Australias winemakers needed to find a path through the diplomatic mess.

Oak barrels at the fermentation workshop of the Xige Estate. Credit:Sanghee Liu

In December, thousands of litres of Australian wine were stopped from entering Chinese ports over cork mildew. In January more than 23,000 litres of wine was blocked over labelling issues. By March, Chinas Commerce Ministry said it would impose anti-dumping tariffs of up to 218 per cent on Australian wines for five years.

The message from Beijing was clear: Australian wine was not coming back into its biggest market for the foreseeable future.
The Texas A&M Swimming & Diving team took on the University of Texas for the first home swim meet of the fall season. Both the men's and women's teams had strong outings but ultimately finished second. The men's team finished 107-185 and the women's team finished 112-180. The Aggies will return to the Rec Center Natatorium to face TCU on Nov. 5.

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Hello everyone, God is love. John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but they shall have everlasting life. John 15:13-14 states: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for hi
Associate Editor

Brent Addleman is an Associate Editor and a veteran journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He has served as editor of newspapers in Pennsylvania and Texas, and has also worked at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Kentucky.
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Batavia, NY (14020)

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Scattered snow flurries and snow showers this morning. Becoming partly cloudy later. High near 40F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 30%. Higher wind gusts possible..

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Snow showers in the morning will give way to a mixture of rain and snow for the afternoon. High 39F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 40%..

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A Harris County Pct. 4 deputy covers his face after participating in a procession as the body of a fellow Harris County Pct. 4 deputy who was shot and killed in north Houston was transported to the facility, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP)

1 Deputy Killed, 2 Wounded in Ambush Shooting at Texas Bar

A suspect ambushed and shot three constable deputies outside a bar in Houston, Texas, early on Saturday, local authorities said, leaving one deputy killed and two others wounded.

Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief James Jones said during a news conference that a person of interest was taken into custody, but it wasnt clear if the person was a witness or a suspect. Officials noted that they are still looking for the suspect believed to be the shooter.

Jones explained that the deputies were working for a police-related extra job at 45 Norte Sports Bar and Lounge when a disturbance, likely a robbery, happened around 2:00 a.m. local time, leading to the deadly shooting.

[The deputies] went outside to address a disturbance  it turns out it may have been a robbery, Jones said, according to preliminary information from the scene.

They were trying to arrest a suspect, or detain a suspect, and they were wrestling with him when they were ambushed  we believe that they were ambushedshot from behind by a suspect with a rifle, the assistant police chief said.

Jones added that it is unclear whether deputies were able to return fire. He said police were still investigating.

Harris County Medical Examiner van exits the Memorial Hermann Hospital transporting a Harris County Pct. 4 deputy who was shot and killed to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Harris County Pct. 4 deputies provide to support to each other at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences after the body of a deputy who was shot and killed was transported to the building from Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP)

One deputy was shot in the back and another was shot in the foot, said Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4. The third deputy was pronounced dead at the hospital.

I left my third deputy, who is deceased, here in the hospital, Herman said during the same briefing on Saturday. Its probably one of the toughest things Ive done in my career.

The prime suspect has been described by authorities as a Hispanic male in his early 20s. Herman said he hope to have the suspect in custody soon.

I hope for swift and quick justice for that individual because he ambushed my deputies, he explainedas he also asked for thoughts and prayers from everyone in the community for the families involved.

People exit the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences area mourning the death of a Harris County Pct. 4 deputy in north Houston, Texas, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP)

What happened tonight was evil, he told reporters. This incident is going to affect them for the rest of their lives, he added, referring to the victims families.

According to the Texas Association of Counties, a constable is a licensed peace officer who performs various law enforcement functions. They also serve legal documents and perform other duties.

The deputy killed in the line of duty has not yet been identified. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, the officer is the 49th law enforcement officer to die from gunfire in the line of duty this year, Breitbart reported.

From NTD News
Front-line workers and first responders gather in front of Chateau Frontenac to protest Quebec's vaccine mandate, in Quebec City on Oct. 15, 2021. (Sonia Rouleau/The Epoch Times)

1,000 Quebec Front-Line Workers, First Responders Hold Silent Rally to Protest Vaccine Mandates

About 1,000 workers from a variety of professions held a silent rally in Quebec City on Oct. 15 to protest against the provinces COVID-19 vaccination mandates.

Using the rallying cry Code White, an emergency colour code send out by health-care staff when they face a violent situation and need backup, the event called on front-line workers and first responders to stand together in solidarity and reject the Quebec governments vaccine passport.

Attendees including nurses, policemen, teachers, and military veterans locked arms and stood solemnly in silence for 10 minutes on Dufferin Terrace, a long wooden sidewalk next to the Chateau Frontenac hotel on the St. Lawrence River.

Frontline workers and first responders standing in front of Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City on Oct. 15, 2021. (Sonia Rouleau/The Epoch Times)

So the goal for the Dufferin Terrace is to form a human chain of professionals, a doctor, a firefighter, a nurse, a policeman, all in a column to make a line of protection for the people who are going to lose their jobs on October 15 who are targeted by the mandatory vaccination, rally organizer Maxime Ouimet said in a Facebook post on Oct. 11.



This call is not only for the people who are going to lose their jobs but also for their colleagues. It is a request for a Code White, a request for backup.

The Quebec government announced recently that all health and social services workers were required be fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. Workers failing to comply would be reassigned to other duties if possible. Those who refuse to be vaccinated wont be allowed to work and will not be paid.



The deadline has since been extended to Nov. 15 as the provinces overstretched health system cant withstand losing an estimated 22,000 workers who are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

College des medecins du Quebec, the college that oversees medical practice and physicians in Quebec, went a step further by mandating vaccination for all physicians. Doctors who dont comply will see their licences suspended and wont be allowed to perform remote consultations or do follow-ups on exam or lab results. The initial deadline of Oct. 15 has also been extended to align with the governments date of Nov. 15.

We unite together to tell the government and people of Quebec that no front-line or educational worker has ever discriminated against any student or patient infected with COVID-19 when they entered our emergency services, vehicles, and schools, says a posting on the website of rally co-organizer Refus Global QC.

Why is the government of Quebec, who are our elected officials, discriminating against us now?

About 1,000 front-line workers and first responders gather in front of Chateau Frontenac to protest the provinces vaccine passport, in Quebec City on Oct. 15, 2021. (Sonia Rouleau/The Epoch Times)

Protests have been taking place in a number of cities in recent months, as several provinces rolled out vaccination passport systems.

On Sept. 5, thousands of people took to the streets in downtown Montreal to denounce Quebecs COVID-19 restrictions, including the vaccine passport when it was implemented on Sept. 1

In Toronto, several hundred people have been rallying in the downtown area on Saturdays to voice their opposition to Ontarios vaccine mandates.

In front of Calgary City Hall on Sept. 7, roughly 55 police officers and firefighters stood in silent protest against mandatory vaccinations.



The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms wrote to the Ontario government in September urging it to rescind its mandate, citing deep concerns about the constitutionality of the measure.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Constitution Foundation has launched a legal challenge against the B.C. governments vaccine passport system for failing to allow exemptions for individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Aaron Gunns Leadership Bid Fires Up Ideological Battle Within BC Liberal Party

Commentary

As the BC Liberals mull over whether to allow conservative activist Aaron Gunn to enter its party leadership race, one has to wonder if there is a home for true blue conservatives in any mainstream parties anymore.

For those unfamiliar with B.C. politics, the British Columbia Liberal Party is not affiliated with the federal Liberal Party in any way. The Social Credit Party of B.C. represented conservatives until it collapsed in a scandal-plagued wreck at the beginning of the 1990s. This led to an NDP majority government in 1991.

The Conservative Party of B.C. has been insignificant since the 1970s and was unable to capitalize on the Social Credit implosion. The B.C. Liberals took a turn to the right under Gordon Campbells leadership in 1994 and became a big-tent party. It took two elections, but the party won in a landslide under Campbell in 2001, taking 77 out of 79 seats in B.C.

The marriage between small-c conservatives and centre-right conservatives paid off until Christy Clark took the leadership of the BC Liberals in 2011 with a mandate to pull the party to the left. Liberal support continually declined until 2017 when the NDP won a minority government. Clark resigned her leadership and was replaced by Andrew Wilkinson, who led the Liberals to a disappointing loss in a 2020 snap election. The NDP now has a majority government in B.C. and Wilkinson has resigned, triggering the current BC Liberal leadership race.

The Liberal Party of B.C. needs to chart its course in this race. It can choose between returning to the inclusive, big-tent approach that had served it so well in the past, or it can narrow its reach and shut out differing views. Prospective leadership candidate Aaron Gunn has become the focus of an ideological battle taking place within the party. I have to say prospective because his candidacy has yet to be approved by the partys Leadership Election Organizing Committee. There is pressure being applied to prevent Gunn from even entering the race, and the party is divided on the issue.

Gunn is a young conservative activist who makes no bones about his small-c conservative values. He has a formidable social media following, with hundreds of thousands subscribing to his YouTube channel along with other social media platforms. He was active with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and with the group BC Proud. With such a prolific online presence, it shouldnt be hard to find signs of extremism on Gunns part in his internet history. I couldnt find anything significant.

Gunns detractors are making claims that are all too familiar these days. They have called him a homophobe and a racist, but their evidence is rather thin. We have to look at the motivations of Gunns opponents in order to get to the true root of what is happening.

One NDP MLA tweeted what he felt was a smoking gun when he found that Gunn had dared to retweet an article by Jordan Peterson. Rather weak. The NDP of course wants to foster division among the Liberals any way it can, and it is using this race for that purpose.

BC Liberal leadership candidate Michael Lee wants Gunn banned from the race. Is this because Lee thinks that Gunn is wrong for the role or that he simply wants the party to shut out a competitor on his behalf?

MLA Ellis Ross is another BC Liberal leadership candidate but is standing up for Gunns right to run. Ross is a man of First Nations background, and I suspect he wouldnt be standing up for Gunn if he thought Gunn was a frothing racist. Ross is principled and wants to defeat Gunn democratically.

Having a big-tent party means sharing space with views and voices that you dont agree with. Its not easy to do but it has to be done. If Gunns views are truly on the fringe, they will only garner a small percentage of the vote in the leadership race. The party can then confidently say that the members dont support those views. If Gunns views do resonate with a significant portion of the members, the party will know that they need to respectfully accommodate that wing of the party.

If the BC Liberal Party refuses Gunns leadership bid, it will divide the party. The messaging will be that there is no longer any room for traditional conservatism within the party. If this sounds familiar, its because it is much like the approach the Conservative Party of Canada took upon Erin OTooles assumption of the leadership. How well did that all turn out?

The Liberal Party of B.C. is at a crossroads. If it wont even allow Gunn to run, we can rest assured that the B.C. Conservative Party will grow while the B.C. NDP enjoys a comfortable lead among a split electorate. Driving conservatives out of parties has proven to be a poor electoral strategy over and over again.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
United Airlines flight attendants receive COVID-19 vaccines at United's onsite clinic at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on March 9, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Appeals Court Refuses to Stop Maine Vaccine Mandate, Organization Mulls Turning to Supreme Court

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday refused to issue an emergency injunction to stop Maines COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The three-judge panel of the Boston-based court issued a one-sentence statement saying the request was denied without an explanation, The Bangor Daily News reported.

A final ruling will likely be issued next week, according to Liberty Counsel, an organization representing more than 2,000 health care workers across the state in the lawsuit.

We look forward to a decision from the Court of Appeals. If that decision is not favorable, we will request emergency relief from the Supreme Court, Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said in a statement.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey applauded the decision.

We are pleased with the decision and will continue to vigorously defend the requirement that health care workers in Maine be vaccinated against COVID-19, he said in a statement obtained by The Hill.

The Epoch Times reached out to Freys office for comments.

Maine Governor Janet Mills attends the Climate Action Summit 2019 in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, N.Y., on Sept. 23, 2019. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, announced her states mandate on Aug. 12 that workers have until Oct. 29 to comply.

Exemptions were allowed for medical reasons. Unlike most states, Maine does not allow for religious or philosophical exemptions to vaccine requirements.

The plan was challenged by a group of healthcare workers who said they opposed COVID-19 vaccines because some vaccines were developed from cell lines of aborted fetuses. The workers also sued several healthcare companies where they work.

U.S. district judge Jon Levy ruled on Wednesday that Maine can bar religious exemptions to its requirement that healthcare workers in the state get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Levy, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama, said the healthcare workers who brought the case have not been prevented from staying true to their religious beliefs, although refusing the vaccine will cost them their jobs.

Maine removed religious exemptions from mandated vaccines in 2019 and voters overwhelmingly rejected a referendum challenging the law last year. As a result, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is consistent with state law and does not single out religion, Levy said.

The Liberty Counsel and health care workers appealed to the 1st circuit after Levys ruling.

Reuters contributed to the report.
Assistant to US House Sergeant at Arms Charged With 10 Child Pornography Felonies

An assistant to the U.S. House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.

Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, announced Thursday that Stefan Bieret, of Burke, faces 10 felony charges related to the possession of child porn. The 41-year-old was arrested on Wednesday.

According to a release from Fairfax County Police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was alerted to a potentially illicit image being uploaded to a Dropbox account, after which it notified the Northern Virginia-Washington, D.C., Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Dropbox is an online file-hosting service. The owner of the Dropbox account was determined to be living in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Police Department said that its detectives started investigating in August and found more images of child sexual abuse material on the Dropbox account. Further search warrants helped the detectives identify Bieret.

Bieret was arrested at his home after detectives executed a search warrant there on Wednesday and recovered multiple electronics, according to the release. Following the arrest and charges, Bieret was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and is being held without bond.

Detectives will continue to examine the digital evidence that was recovered from the scene and consult with the Office of the Fairfax Commonwealths Attorney for any additional charges, the Fairfax County police announced.

It is unclear whether Bieret has an attorney.

Legistorm, a platform that identifies congressional staff, showed that as of April, Bieret was employed by the House Sergeant at Arms, who is responsible for maintaining order on the House side of the U.S. Capitol complex. Bierets current employment status is unclear.

Capitol insiders will know Stefan very well, journalist and political analyst Jake Sherman wrote on Twitter. A longtime employee of the House Sergeant at Arms. If youre in the Capitol on a regular basis, you will have seen this face.

Police are urging anyone with information on cases related to the exploitation of children to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6. They can also submit anonymous tips through Fairfax County Crime Solvers online or at 1-866-411-8477.
Two passengers walk past a Qantas jet at the International terminal at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, on March 10, 2020. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Australia to End Quarantine for Citizens Returning From Overseas

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) will cease all quarantine for international arrivals into that state from Nov. 1, but at first limit the new arrangements to citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members.

The NSW government on Friday announced the decision that isolation requirements would be scrapped from Nov. 1.

Arrivals will need to be fully vaccinated against the CCP virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, and return a negative test result for the COVID-19 disease before and after their flight.

Following the NSW governments announcement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision would apply to Australians first, with a backlog of people stranded overseas.

I want to stress that for the other states and territories, and I have advised the premiers and chief ministers to this end, that this is about Australian residents and citizens first, Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

The Commonwealth Government has made no decision to allow other visa holdersskilled visa holders, student visa holders, international visitors travelling under an ETA or other international visa arrangement, visa, visiting visa arrangementto come into Australia under these arrangements, he said.

The prime minister also confirmed that there would be a cap of 210 for unvaccinated travellers to return to NSW.

In this photo illustration a man holds a phone displaying a valid Australian digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The decision comes as home quarantine is being trialled across Australia using facial recognition and geolocation technology.

Morrison confirmed that NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet consulted with him about the decision to scrap all quarantine, including home quarantine, prior to making the announcement on Friday, saying it had been discussed even before Perrottet became premier.

I welcome the announcement today. It is consistent with the advice I have from my own Chief Medical Officer, the prime minister said.

The definition of immediate family will be expanded to include parents, rather than just partners and children.

All Australians will also be allowed to leave the country from the start of next month without having to receive special permission.

Qantas will bring forward the resumption of international flights two weeks to Nov. 1 because of the NSW announcement.

The national carrier will operate five return flights a week from Sydney to London and up to four return flights a week from Sydney to Los Angeles.

Australia has fully vaccinated 66.3 percent of its eligible population aged 16 and over, while 84 percent have received their first dose.

AAP contributed to this report.
Patrons enjoy sitting down and eating in at a cafe in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 15, 2021.(mson/Getty Images)

Australias Capital Territory Allows Travel to More Regions

Residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the nations capital city, have been given the green light to visit a further 26 New South Wales (NSW) postcode areas after a relaxing of coronavirus quarantine requirements.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has announced the changes, which include Batemans Bay and Perisher Valley, will come into effect from midday on Saturday.

Travel without the need to quarantine for 14 days on return is now permitted across 53 NSW postcodes.

As more people get fully vaccinated in regional NSW and the ACT, Canberrans can expect that travel restrictions will be relaxed further, Chief Minister Barr said.

This is a balancing act. Canberrans didnt go through nine weeks of lockdown only to see a spike in cases.

The ACT, however, has flagged it could still impose restrictions on Canberrans travelling to localised COVID-19 hotspots, even when state borders are fully open to the national capital.

While its likely that travel to all of NSW will be possible by Nov. 1, Barr has said localised travel restrictions could still be imposed, should an area get a high number of cases.

We reserve that right, as we did prior to our lockdown, to identify an area in NSW that is high risk and have specific arrangements for that area, Barr said.

But he said his expectation, given high vaccination rates, was that travel would be a lot freer after Nov. 1.

The ACT marked its first full day out of lockdown on Friday, after more than two months of residents being subject to stay at home orders.

Long lines were seen outside Canberras hairdressers, while cafes, restaurants, and pubs were packed.

However, retail will have to wait for another two weeks to be able to welcome customers back in store, with only click and collect options or booked visits available.

A further easing of restrictions will be made on Oct. 29, when the ACT is expected to be above 80 percent of its eligible residents being fully vaccinated.

It will be shortly after that on Nov. 1 that free travel between the ACT and NSW is expected to take place.

Barr said talks would also take place between the ACT and NSW governments on how people coming into Sydney from overseas would be able to return to Canberra.

We need to resolve with NSW what transit arrangements are, once they have landed in Sydney, he said.

The resumption of international travel into Sydney from November is only expected to be for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

The first full day out of lockdown for the ACT saw 35 new cases of COVID in Canberra, along with the death of a woman in her 70s at an aged care facility in the citys north.

Vaccination rates in the ACT have reached more than 99 per cent for first doses and about 75 percent for second doses.

By Andrew Brown
Beijing Investigates Chinas Financial Industry as Xi Solidifies His Power

Debt crisis and corruptionpretenses for power grab

News Analysis

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is launching investigations into the financial industry, triggered by a looming debt crisis and under the guise of anti-corruption. These investigations appear to be an indication that China is moving further from a market economy, while they also serve Xi Jinpings personal goal of solidifying his power.

Chinas top anti-corruption agency is conducting an investigation into 25 financial institutions, examining ties between state-owned banks and big companies. In particular, Chinese regulators are scrutinizing the relationship that financial institutions have with high-profile companies with massive debt, like Evergrande, and those that have fallen out of favor with the CCP such as Ant Group.

Along with intensifying the Partys control over the financial industry, Xi is cracking down on tech companies and billionaires. Additionally, he is spearheading wealth redistribution and common prosperity programs, all of which seem to be part of a larger movement away from capitalism.

Anti-corruption investigators are examining bank lending, investment, and regulatory records to see if any malfeasance has taken place. According to regulators, violators will be sanctioned and decisions will be taken regarding cutting the salaries of executives at state banks. Officials in the Ministry of Finance have been pushing, for some time, for salary cuts in banks because the banking sector pays higher wages than other sectors. As the banks are state owned, salaries are regulated by the government, rather than by market forces. Forcibly cutting salaries is one more indicator that the CCP is moving toward a future of stricter socialism.

The Evergrande crisis has been highly publicized, but it is actually only a small part of Chinas $5 trillion dollar real estate debt bubble, which seems poised to burst. Another large developer, Fantasia Holdings Group Co., has defaulted on $206 million in dollar-denominated bonds. In total, Chinese banks are holding 2.7 trillion of non-performing loans (NPL), as well as $3.8 trillion of special mention loans. It could be argued that this level of potential defaults is the result of poor decision making in financial institutions, which the CCP claims is one of the justifications for the investigations.

The company logo is seen on the headquarters of China Evergrande Group in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, on Sept. 26, 2021. (Aly Song/Reuters)

The question that must be answered, however, is why would bankers make decisions that do not maximize the banks return on capital? Xi claims that these decisions are the result of corruption and that bankers are receiving kickbacks from developers, which is certainly a possibility. Another possible reason, however, is that bankers were told by central authorities to make liberal loans to real estate developers in order to fuel Chinas economic growth.

The real estate sector accounts for 29 percent of the Chinese economy. A dip in property development could cause Beijing to miss its GDP growth target in a given year. Consequently, banks were incentivized to lend to developers. Citigroup Inc. estimated that about 41 percent of the entire banking systems assets, totaling $7.9 trillion, are either directly or indirectly associated with the property sector.

In spite of being faced with a looming economic crisis, due to defaults in the property market, central authorities have told smaller banks and local governments to increase lending in the mortgage and real estate sectors. The Peoples Bank of China claimed this would maintain a healthy property market.

If the debt crisis was largely the result of non-market forcesthe government encouraging banks to ignore credit risk when lending to developersthen what are regulators actually looking for? An implication that these investigations are politically or ideologically motivated, rather than motivated by economic factors, is that Zhao Leji, head of the anti-corruption body, stated that the investigators will thoroughly search for any political deviations.

Anti-corruption campaigns have historically been used by authoritarian leaders to eliminate opposition, take down political rivals, and solidify their power. Since Xi took power in 2012, he has used anti-corruption investigations to purge or punish over 1 million CCP members.

Until now, the anti-corruption campaigns have investigated numerous sectors of the economy, but not banks. Wang Qishan, former head of Chinas top anti-corruption agency, was once a trusted supporter of Xi. Wang has since lost favor, however, because one of his aides has been charged with taking $71 million in bribes. Wang has also been found to have close ties to some of the banks now being investigated.

The scrutiny of banks, cutting executive salaries, and anti-corruption purges all increase the amount of control the CCP has over the economy. These moves are clearly part of a larger program, which includes the crackdowns on the tech industry and billionaires, and the state-led wealth redistribution and common prosperity programs. It looks as if Xi does not want any person or entity, particularly in the private sector, to become so wealthy that they feel they can exert influence over the economy or undermine the control of the CCP and himself.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Biden Concedes That Budget Must Be Lower Than $3.5 Trillion to Pass

President Joe Biden admitted during a Friday speech in Hartford, Connecticut that a $3.5 trillion price tag on his hallmark Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill will be unable to pass the Senate, where moderate members of his party have put up resistance to the bill for months.

Most prominently, Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) have been firm in their refusal to support a $3.5 trillion budget bill, viewing such a large bill as too costly.

When I hear people say it costs $3.5 trillion, Ill be honest with you, were probably not going to get $3.5 trillion this year, Biden said.

Were gonna get something less than that, but Im going to negotiate, he added. Im going to get it done.

Biden has been in negotiations with the moderates for months. Aside from a one-off visit to the House of Representatives, Bidens legislative efforts have almost entirely focused on the Senate, where a single vote can make or break Bidens agenda.

Manchin came out against the bill in a Sept. 2 op-ed, where he flatly refused to vote for any $3.5 trillion bill. Sinema has been far less open, but has made clear through spokesmen that she is and remains in the same camp with Manchin.

While Manchin expressed confidence that some agreement could be reached, deadline after deadline passed by with no vote on the bill in the House. After months of being tight-lipped about his desired price tag, Manchin finally revealed to reporters that his price cap would be $1.5 trillion, which would slash nearly tw0-thirds of the bills spending.

Despite negotiations with the president, Manchin made clear that he was unmoved, saying that he still considers the budget bill fiscal insanity.

At the same time, House progressives re-upped their opposition to moderates in both chambers, threatening to tank the moderates preferred infrastructure legislation without passage of a $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the author of the budgets framework, encouraged his colleagues in the lower House to maintain their position.

After weeks of harried negotiations with the two factions in order to meet an end-of-September deadline, it became clear to leadership that division in the party remains stark, forcing the deadline to be pushed to the end of October. Neither side has yet given any indication that they are relenting in their demands.

Still, Biden insisted in Hartford that he remains confident, saying, Im convinced were going to get it done, though, he admitted, Were not going to get $3.5 trillion. Well get less than that, but were going to get it, and were going to come back and get the rest.

But Biden did take a shot at moderate opponents of his bills, saying, Too many folks in Washington still dont realize it isnt enough just to invest in our physical infrastructure. We also have to invest in our people.

Bidens admission that $3.5 trillion is impossible comes as no surprise, as the same has been hesitantly admitted or hinted at by leaders over the past several weeks.

In a statement to fellow Democrats, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) dismissed the bills earlier failures.

Doing big things in Congress is hard. Doing really big things all at once is really hard, he wrote, adding that leadership knew from the very beginning that passing the two bills would be difficult and, at times, messy.

But, he said, [Democrats] can get this done, together, if we put aside our differences and find the common ground within our party.

Here, Schumer turned to both wings of the party playing hardball, saying that getting either piece of legislation done will require sacrifice. Not every member will get what he or she wanted.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who had previously called it self-evident that a $3.5 trillion bill would not happen, indicated at an Oct. 12 press conference that she was open to making cuts despite avidly supporting the full price tag.

She noted the new strain this puts on crafting the law for Democrats, who have ambitious and often contradictory visions for the legislation. Even at $3.5 you have to make decisions, so we have to make even tighter decisions now.
Big Tech to Face Another Bipartisan US Antitrust Bill

WASHINGTONA bipartisan group of lawmakers, headed by Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), plan to introduce a bill that would bar Big Tech platforms, like Amazon and Alphabets Google, from favoring their products and services.

Amazon, for example, has been accused of using data from third-party sellers to determine what products it would create.

Reuters reported on Wednesday, after reviewing thousands of internal Amazon documents, that the U.S. companys India operations ran a systematic campaign of creating knockoffs and manipulating search results to boost its own private brands in the country, one of the companys largest growth markets.

The latest bill is one of a slew introduced in this Congress aimed at reining in tech firms, including industry leaders Facebook and Apple. Thus far none have become law, although one, a broader measure to increase resources for antitrust enforcers, has passed the Senate.

This bill, which Klobuchars office said would be introduced early next week, would be a companion to a measure that has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It must pass both houses of Congress to become law.

Klobuchar and Grassleys bill would specifically prohibit platforms from requiring companies operating on their sites to purchase the platforms goods or services and ban them from biasing search results to favor the platform.

As dominant digital platformssome of the biggest companies our world has ever seenincreasingly give preference to their own products and services, we must put policies in place to ensure small businesses and entrepreneurs still have the opportunity to succeed in the digital marketplace, Klobuchar said in a statement.

Klobuchar is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committees antitrust subcommittee while Grassley is the top Republican on the full committee. Co-sponsors include Democrats like Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chair of the full Judiciary Committee, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) as well as Republicans Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

Antitrust advocate Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project, praised the planned bill as an effort to turn the page on a failed era of antitrust enforcement.

By Diane Bartz
Boeing employees and others wave to passing traffic in the rain as they protest the company's coronavirus disease vaccine mandate, outside the Boeing facility in Everett, Wash., on Oct. 15, 2021. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters)

Boeing Workers Stage Protest Near Seattle Over US Vaccine Mandate

EVERETT, Wash.Waving signs like coercion is not consent, and stop the mandate, some 200 Boeing Co employees and others staged a protest on Friday over the planemakers COVID-19 vaccine requirement for U.S. workers.

Boeing said on Tuesday it will require U.S. employees to be vaccinated by Dec. 8 under an executive order issued by President Joe Biden for federal contractors.

Its my choice and its my body, one avionics engineer said, his voice nearly drowned out by anti-Biden chants and trucks honking to show support along the busy street outside Boeings factory in Everett, north of Seattle.

Its an experimental drug given under a pseudo-emergency, he added.

Another worker, an assembly mechanic, said: This is America. We dont just do what were told because one person says to.

Boeing employees and others line the street to wave signs and American flags to protest the companys coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandate, outside the Boeing facility in Everett, Washi., on Oct. 15, 2021. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters)

Earlier this week, Boeing said employees must either show proof of vaccination or have an approved reasonable accommodation based on a disability or sincerely held religious belief by Dec. 8.

Boeing is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for our employees, a spokesperson said. Advancing the health and safety of our global workforce is fundamental to our values and a core priority every day.

Major U.S. airlines including American Airlines have said they will also meet the deadline imposed on federal contractors, as has aircraft parts manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems.

Now that he has issued the Executive Order, it is our responsibility to comply with that order, Spirit Chief Executive Officer Tom Gentile wrote in a memo to employees and seen by Reuters on Friday.

Spirit was calling back former employees as it prepares for what Gentile characterized as one of the fastest increases in production rates in the history of our industry.

Boeing has said its mandate does not apply immediately to its sites in Texas, where Republican Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Monday barring COVID-19 vaccine mandates by any entity, including private employers.

By Eric M. Johnson
Border Patrol agents look for illegal aliens around a riverbed from a railway bridge near Uvalde, Texas, on Aug. 25, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Border Agent Morale Tanks: Were Not Making Any Difference

Morale among Border Patrol agents has plummeted to an all-time low as they struggle to process unprecedented volumes of illegal immigrants, while knowing theyre unable to secure the border against cartel activity. Many blame their own leadership for enabling it.

Day after day, they just look like they want to eat their gun, an agent told The Epoch Times, referring to some local agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, who he says are bearing the brunt of it. They just look like hell. Its hard to put ityou just start seeing the life leaving peoples faces.

The agent, Jose (not his real name), spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions.

U.S. authorities have apprehended more than 1.5 million illegal immigrants since January, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

Its a very, very hopeless feeling for the Border Patrol, Jose said. Of course, were all still doing our jobs as best we can. Nobody is giving up, but its definitely more of a hopeless feeling just in general.

During August, the average daily number of illegal immigrants in Border Patrol custody along the southwest border was just shy of 10,000, according to CBP. Agents are spending most of their time processing illegal immigrants rather than being on the front line along the border.

None of us signed up to be secretaries for these family units coming in, Jose said.

Border Patrol agents have been especially overwhelmed in the two busiest sectorsthe Rio Grande Valley and Del Rio in Texas.

In one week in September, border agents scrambled to deal with an influx of nearly 15,000 mostly Haitian illegal aliens in Del Rio alone. The effort left highway checkpoints closed and hundreds of miles of the U.S.Mexico border unpatrolled.

If we went back to actually doing our jobs, it would be amazing, Jose said. But right now, the common thought on this is that were just aiding and abetting illegal aliensfurthering their illegal activity. Many border agents are spending the majority of their time taking care of the humanitarian needs of illegal aliens rather than out on the border stopping criminal activity.

And thats not what any of us signed up for.

Leadership

The Biden administration has said its concentrating on the root causes of illegal immigration and views it as a race issue.

Immigration, we consider, is part of racial equitywhich is a broad issue, but thats how the president has spoken about that crisis over the past several months, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in the early days of the Biden presidency.

President Joe Biden was quick in January to dismantle many of former President Donald Trumps border security measures, which, along with his campaign rhetoric, has resulted in record surges of illegal crossings this year.

The president tapped Vice President Kamala Harris in March to address the growing border crisis, and she has since traveled to Central America and Mexico to discuss the issue with leaders from those nations.

Harris was outspoken against Border Patrol and ICE agents (comparing them to the KKK) in 2019 during the last surge of illegal immigrants, and again in 2020, when specialized border agents were deployed to Portland, Oregon, to defend a federal courthouse from Antifa and other rioters.

And Border Patrol agents havent forgotten.

We knew Kamala Harris didnt like us in the very beginning. She attacked us, called us storm troopers  in Portland, and she hated us and we knew it, another agent, Alex, told The Epoch Times, on condition of anonymity.

So then, she becomes our vice president and is now a border czar of the very agency she hates.

From top down, when you have complete leadership that fundamentally does not like you; when you have agents that you dont know if theyre working for the cartel; if you have half of America that thinks youre the enemy and you put kids in cages and kill them, all because of propaganda, it weighs on you.

Alex said his children are bullied at school because hes a Border Patrol agent.

Theyre asked if I kill kids, put kids in cages, he said. The border encompasses everything. So thats why it weighs down. Because I have to think my choice to be a Border Patrol agent is negatively impacting my familys emotional state and well-being as well. So thats also a pretty heavy weight.

He said its not a simple fix to find another job. Hes not prepared to get the COVID-19 vaccine at this stage and federal agencies are mandating it. Border Patrol agents have until Nov. 22 to be fully vaccinated or else face being fired. Several agents The Epoch Times has spoken to fall into that category. Some are submitting their retirement paperwork, while others are counting the days until theyre eligible. Agents can retire at age 50, but often stay on until mandatory retirement at 57.

Were not making any difference. Zero, nothing. I always say, todays turnback is tomorrows gotaway, Alex said, referring to illegal aliens that turn back to Mexico before being apprehended and those who get away from Border Patrol and enter the United States.

Then-head of the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector Austin Skero said on June 24, as illegal immigration continued to escalate: None of us really feel good about the current situation were in. So it has taken a toll on morale. Our agents are frustrated. Theyre frustrated, but theyre highly motivated.

Focus

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkass three-part plan to address illegal immigration is to invest in the countries that people are leaving, to build safe, orderly, and humane pathways for migration, and to rebuild the asylum system and refugee program. So far this year, illegal immigrants have hailed from more than 160 countries.

Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz said in a June 24 community meeting in Del Rio that the agencys focus is to streamline the processing of illegal immigrants.

This year, the administration released hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants into the United States with a notice to appear, which indicates the scheduled date of their immigration court case.

However, the border agencies got so swamped that agents were directed to speed things up by handing out a notice to report, which is a request for the illegal immigrants to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within 60 days.

Its unclear how many subsequently reported to ICE. The Epoch Times has submitted a freedom of information request for that data, but hasnt received a response.

On Oct. 8, the Biden administration announced its intention to cancel existing border fence contracts in the Rio Grande Valley and Del Rio border sectors. Harris, in 2019, had called Trumps border wall project his vanity project and the surge of illegal aliens an emergency of his own creation.

During the last crisis in 2019, Border Patrol agents were accused of running state-sanctioned concentration camps and putting kids in cages at the overwhelmed facilities along the border.

The Border Patrol agency took a hit in morale at the time, but this year is much worse, agents say.

Its definitely much more profound, Jose said.

Were not securing the border anymore. Were not fighting the incursion, were just rolling over and taking it. Its just being a secretary. Its not fixing anything, its not helping America.
An image of murdered British Conservative lawmaker David Amess is displayed near the altar in St Peters Catholic Church before a vigil in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Alberto Pezzali/AP Photo)

Police Declare Murder of UK Lawmaker a Terrorist Act

British police said that the fatal stabbing of UK lawmaker David Amess on Friday was a terrorist attack.

The 69-year-old was stabbed repeatedly to death around midday at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, an English town about 40 miles (62 kilometers) east of London.

Amess, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative Party, was meeting with his constituents at the church. He had posted the details of the public meeting ahead of time on his website.

Efforts to save him by paramedics were in vain and he died at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police early Saturday said in a statement that early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism, and described the attack as an act of terrorism.

Amess had been a member of Parliament for Southend West, which includes Leigh-on-Sea, since 1997, and had been a lawmaker since 1983, making him one of the longest-serving politicians in the House of Commons.

The longtime lawmaker was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 for his service, becoming Sir David Amess. He is survived by his wife and five children.

A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the attack. Special counterterrorism officers were leading the investigation into the lawmakers slaying. Police have not identified the suspect but said they were not seeking anyone else in connection with Amesss death, and believe the suspect acted alone.

Broadcaster Sky News said the arrested man was understood to be a British national of Somali heritage.

Johnson said he and his Cabinet were deeply shocked and heart-stricken upon hearing the news. The Conservative prime minister added that Amess was a man who believed passionately in this country and in the future.

Weve lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague, he said.

According to Amesss website, his main interests were animal welfare and pro-life issues. He was a well-liked figure with a reputation for working hard for his constituents.

Residents paid tribute to him at a vigil at a church in Leigh-on-Sea. Meanwhile, flags at Parliament were lowered to half staff.

He carried that great East London spirit of having no fear and being able to talk to people and the level theyre at, Rev. Jeffrey Woolnaugh said at the vigil, attended by about 80 people. Not all politicians, I would say, are good at that.

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said that the killing prompts a need to discuss and examine MPs security and any measures to be taken.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she has asked police to review lawmakers security. British lawmakers are protected by armed police when they are inside Parliament.

The security has heightened after an attacker inspired by the ISIS terrorist group stabbed a police officer to death at the Parliament gates in 2017.

But lawmakers are generally not provided with security or police protection when they meet with their constituents.

This marked the second fatal attack on a sitting British lawmaker in their constituency in the last five years. In 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in her small-town constituency in a fatal shooting.

Before that, another Labour MP Stephen Timms survived a stabbing in his constituency office in 2010.

The Conservative Party has suspended all campaigning activities until further notice.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
A still from an animation of the Artemis 1 mission, of a spacecraft leaving Earth and traveling to the Moon. (European Space Agency via AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Building Moonships for NASA Lunar Mission

The Orion spacecraft is a vital element of NASAs Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024.

The European Space Agency is overseeing the development of the European Service Module (ESM), the part of the Orion spacecraft that provides air, electricity, and propulsion.

In November 2018, ESA delivered the first moduleknown as ESM-1to NASAs Cape Canaveral in Florida.

In a launch expected early 2022, Orion and its attached ESM-1 are expected to fly near the Moon, but not land, as part of an uncrewed test.

ESM-1s main engine and 32 thrusters will propel Orion into orbit around the Moon and then back to Earth.

The first mission will bring us uncrewed to the Moon, and the second vehicle is then a vehicle which will bring, NASA is planning four astronauts to the Moon, just circling around the Moon, explains ESM chief engineer Matthias Gronowski.

And then the third onethats the one which is bringing the first astronaut and the first man and woman back and again, after Apollo, to the Moon.

ESA says ESM-2 is nearing completion and will soon be transferred to the United States.

While ESM-2 will take four astronauts on a flyby around the Moon in late 2022 or early 2023, ESM-3 is expected to land the first humans on the Moon since 1972.

Aerospace firm Airbus has developed and built the high-tech propulsion modules on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Bremen, northern Germany.

Engineers are building on experience of developing the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which was used to ferry supplies to the International Space Station.

Its not the first time that we are assembling a big spacecraft for human-rated flights. So, we know the processes how to do that, says Airbus project manager Rachid Amekrane.

In February, earlier this year, ESA said it had signed a contract with Airbus for a further three more European Space Modules at a cost of around 650 million euros ($754 million). Theyll be built in Bremen.

Future missions will carry astronauts, with the goal of building an outpost just beyond the Moon that could enable lunar landings and Mars expeditions.

ESAs collaboration with NASA also means seats for European astronauts on future Artemis missions.

The service module is really key for the Orion vehicle and for NASA achieving the Artemis mission, says ESM program manager Philipp Deloo.

NASA named its Moon program Artemis after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, who is the Greek goddess of the moon.
People do the Falun Gong exercises at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Oct. 3, 2021. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

California Falun Gong Practitioners Celebrate Anniversary of First US Teaching

SUNNYVALE, Calif.Practitioners of the Chinese meditation discipline Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) gathered in Ortega Park in Sunnyvale on Oct. 3 to commemorate the day Falun Gong was first taught in the United States.

Dozens of practitioners from around the Bay Area met at the pavilion near the center of the public park. Surrounded by a grassy field, trees, and passersby, they did the Falun Gong exercises together to peaceful music.

Falun Gong includes five meditative exercises as well as moral teachings centered on practicing truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance in daily life. It was publicly introduced in China in 1992 by its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi.

By 1999, tens of millions of people in China were practicing it, and it had also spread to many other countries around the world. The first time Mr. Li taught Falun Gong in the United States was on Oct. 5, 1996, at the pavilion in Ortega Park.

People do the Falun Gong exercises under the pavilion at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Oct. 3, 2021. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

Today, practitioners still go there for daily group exercises.

Its a very good feeling, Kevin Snead, a Falun Gong practitioner from Sunnyvale, told The Epoch Times. I come here very early in the morning every day. Im a person that used to not get up in the morning, but I come here, and afterwards my day is set; I feel so good.

People who practice Falun Gong have reported improved physical and mental health, reduced stress, and better interpersonal relationships.

In my job I have to deal with a lot of people, said Snead. And when Im out in traffic, and someones cutting in front of me, or something else is happening, all those things can create instant reactions.

After taking up meditation and reflecting on himself, Snead handles those things much differently now, he said.

Matthew Kang, a practitioner from Sonoma County, told The Epoch Times he has been practicing Falun Gong for 20 years. He said a friend told him about Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Gong, and after a while Kang learned the exercises from someone in San Francisco.

I think [Ortega Park] is a really special site, Kang said.

He feels its special because it was Mr. Lis first stop in the United States.

Kang commutes throughout the Bay Area to do the exercises with other people. He made a 2-hour drive to Ortega Park for that purpose earlier this month.

Falun Gong practitioner Matthew Kang does one of the Falun Gong exercises at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Oct. 3, 2021. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

Practitioner George Lee told The Epoch Times that he started going to Ortega Park 20 years ago. He said that since he knows how beneficial the practice is, he resolved to attend the daily group exercises.

Because I notice if you dont come every day, if you miss a single day, you get an excuse to miss another day, he said.

Lee said there are usually at least 5 people there in the early mornings, but sometimes on weekends there are 20 people.

He said any newcomers are welcome to stop by to learn for free.

NTD Televisions Nancy Han contributed to this report.
Key Chicago police union president John Catanzara says half the force is likely to be sent home on no pay over the vaccine mandate. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Chicago Mayor and Police Unions Wage Legal Fight Over Vaccine Mandate

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot resorted to the courts Oct. 14 to force her vaccine mandate upon rank-and-file Chicago police officers.

Lightfoots move came after she ended month-long negotiations with police unions. In response, four Chicago law enforcement unions sued Lightfoot to force her to come back to the negotiation table.

According to the citys vaccine mandate, all city workers had to report their vaccination status by Oct. 15, and get fully vaccinated by Dec. 31 (except for those who obtained medical, or religious, exemptions.)

Any city employee that fails to meet those two deadlines will be put on a non-disciplinary, no-pay status.

The citys lawsuit alleges Chicagos largest police union encouraged members to ignore the Oct. 15 deadline, and threatened an unlawful strike at a time when Chicagoans need every police officer on duty to combat rising crime. Chicago police are not allowed to strike under Illinois law.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 (FOP) refuted the allegation on Twitter.

President John Catanzara has never engaged in, supported, or encouraged a work stoppage. Lori Lightfoot is the only one who has said she will send our dedicated officers home without pay if they choose to reject her unlawful orders.

Days before the Oct. 15 deadline, FOP president Catanzara encouraged members to disobey the order in his weekly videos on YouTube. He claimed half the police force would follow his advice and be sent home on no pay that day.

FOP represents around 11,000 active rank-and-file Chicago police officers, of which 9,000 are patrol officers. The members count for a third of the citys total employees.

Catanzara said to members in a video: I can guarantee you, the no-pay status will never last 30 days. There is no way they are going to be able to sustain a police department workforce at 50 percent capacity, or less, for more than seven days without some budging.

Lightfoot did budge at the last minute, allowing disobedient police officers to report to paid work on Oct. 15. Within hours, she took the fight to court.

The citys lawsuit asks the court to order FOP members to fully obey the vaccine mandate; it also asks to prohibit Catanzara from encouraging any further disobedience.

On Aug. 25, Lightfoot announced her vaccine mandate for city workers. It was simple and clear: all employees must get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15.

Since then, FOP has led the vaccine negotiations with the city, joined by three other Chicago law enforcement unions: that of Chicago police sergeants, lieutenants, and captains. Chicagos firefighter union and others declined to join.

FOP put a number of options on the table: consideration of natural immunity, incentives for voluntary vaccination, honoring exemption requests based on conscience, and weekly testing options for those who refuse vaccination.

The city only took the last one, changed it into two-week testing, and attached a sunset clause to it. So the final official vaccine mandate says city workers can opt for bi-weekly tests until Dec.31. The mandate was published on Oct. 8.

Lightfoot then unilaterally closed the door for negotiation, according to Catanzaras weekly video addresses.

On Oct. 11, four law enforcement unions threatened to file a lawsuit to protect their collective bargaining rights. They did that on Oct.14, within hours of the citys action against the FOP.

Mayor Lightfoot has had a rocky relationship with FOP since she assumed office in May, 2019. Lightfoot and Catanzara often publicly point fingers at each other over contract negotiations or the treatment of police officers. In May, 2021, FOP issued a no-confidence vote in Lightfoot.
The video screenshot shows a household in Tongzhou District, Beijing, who brought a lithium battery into the home to recharge on Sept. 20, 2021. The battery exploded and caught fire, killing the upstairs neighbors family of five (Shawn Lin/The Epoch Times)

Chinas 300 Million E-Bikes Cause Alarming Number of Fires

China has the largest number of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in the world. However, the number of fire incidents caused by the e-bike batteries is alarming.

In recent years, e-bikes have become an important means of transportation in China due to their affordability and convenience. Chinas CCTV, a Chinese state-owned media, reported that the annual sales volume of e-bikes exceeds 30 million, and the current number owned is close to 300 million.

CCTV data show that as many as 6,462 fires were caused by the bicycle batteries in China from January to July of this year alone.

At 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 20, a fire broke out in a residence in Tongzhou District, Beijing, killing the upstairs neighbors entire family of five. The cause of the fire was the lithium-ion battery from the familys e-bike, which exploded and caught fire while it was being recharged in their apartment.

According to state media Dazhong Daily, since 2009, there have been more than 70 e-bike fire incidents in China that resulted in at least three deaths, combining to a total of nearly 400 deaths. On Apr. 24, 2018, a fire in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province, killed 18 people, and on Sept. 25, 2017, a fire in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, killed 11.

The latest data from Chinas Ministry of Emergency Management suggested that the leading causes of fires were electrical failure and spontaneous combustion from e-bike batteries, which accounted for 62.1 percent and 23.5 percent of the total number of e-bike fire incidents respectively. Overcharging, over-discharging, and short-circuiting are some of the primary causes of electrical failures in batteries.

According to public information, the two primary types of batteries used in electric bicycles in China are lead-acid and lithium-ion (Li-ion). Both types of battery are quite safe when manufacturing quality conforms to specifications and safety features are implemented.

Lead-acid batteries use sulfuric acid as the electrolyte, which is not easily flammable or combustible. Lithium-ion batteries are more widely used as they are light, hold more energy, last longer, and charge quickly. However, lithium batteries are also the cause of most e-bike fire incidents as they are sensitive to high temperatures and can burst into flames when their separators are damaged.

Liu Yanlong, Secretary of China Chemical and Physical Power Industry Association, told CCTV that most e-bike batteries manufactured in China might be substandard in terms of quality. Liu suggested that some refurbished batteries may have internal swelling and short-circuit problems, and long-term use of a battery can lead to aging and external short circuit. In addition, batteries with a malfunctioned or failed battery management system (BMS) may lead to overcharging and overheating.

Liu also pointed out that Chinas Lithium-ion Battery Specification for Electric Bicycles is currently listed as recommended and not mandatory. In other words, e-bike companies can choose not to implement this safety standard.

Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology formulated a Safety Technical Specification for Electric Bicycle in 2019, but its standard is still low in the eyes of professionals. Zhang Yingzong, Emergency Management Department director of the Shenyang Fire Station, told Caixin Global, a Chinese state-owned media, that [the Chinese authorities] didnt adopt many expert suggestions when creating the regulations due to the concerns of cost.

Starting Sept. 28, Beijing banned electric mobility tools from the subway. Beijings transportation department explained that bringing electric bicycles and other electric mobility tools on its subways could hinder its fire protection measures. In the case of a fire, the use of e-bikes and other e-mobility tools may block the passageways and affect evacuation, delaying the fire extinguishing efforts.

Chinas Fire Safety Regulations in High-Rise Buildings, implemented on Aug. 1, banned parking or charging e-bikes in public hallways, evacuation walkways, stairwells, and safety exits of high-rise buildings.

Behind all these regulations, the fact is, the quality of the batteries is not reassuring, said CCTV host Bai Yansong on his program in late September.
Used vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines are pictured at the Skane University Hospital vaccination centre in Malmo, Sweden, on Feb. 17, 2021. (Sweden Out via Reuters)

Colorado State University Threatened to Arrest Unvaccinated Students

Colorado State University says it is not arresting students who are unvaccinated, but those that come onto university property without disclosing their vaccine status will be trespassing.

Claims that students have been threatened with arrest are a misrepresentation of the universitys communication to students, CSU said in a statement posted Oct. 11.

On Sept. 27, the universitys Student Conduct Services began sending out letters to 1,325 students who had not yet provided information about their vaccine status or claimed an exemption.

This represents about 5 percent of more than 27,000 students with on-campus classes or activities, according to CSU.

The university said more than 900 of the 1,325 students have responded to the message since it went out.

A Sept. 30 letter to one student, sent electronically, stated that non-compliant students on campus property were trespassing and could be cited, or arrested.

The letter said non-compliance poses a threat to the safety and well-being of the university community.

Effective immediately, you are trespassed from all University property until May 14, 2022, the letter said.

This means you are not permitted to be on any university property or in any university buildings, this includesbut is not limited toresidence halls, university apartments, dining halls, in-person classes, and other facilities on campus.

If you are found on university property, or in any university building, you may be cited, or arrested, for trespassing and face further disciplinary action.

The quickest way to have the order removed is by complying with the university vaccination and screening mandate, the letter added.

The letter was signed by Michael Katz, Director of the Student Resolution Center, on university letterhead.

An email to CSU spokeswoman DellRae Ciaravola seeking to confirm, or deny, the authenticity of the letter was not returned.

An email to Katz was not returned.

Instead, the university responded with a link to the official statement denying CSU was arresting students who are unvaccinated on campus.

The CSU statement, however, said students who do not provide their vaccine information or declare an exemption are not allowed campuses until they provide their information, and that coming onto a campus before they provide their information will be considered trespassing by the university.

The university said students were required to submit their vaccine status, or ask for an exemption, by Aug. 18.

After the deadline, non-compliant students received two personal emails alerting that their names would be submitted to Student Conduct Services.

The message did not indicate that students were required to be vaccinated or they would face consequences; the university has consistently said that students or employees could declare an exemption and that has not changed, CSU said.
Councilman Ridley-Thomas Has No Intention of Resigning Following Indictment

LOS ANGELESIn his first public statement following his indictment on federal corruption charges, Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas said he has no intention of resigning his seat and is focused on fighting the allegations.

When I ran for City Council, I made it clear that my highest priority would be addressing the citys homeless and housing crises, and that remains the case. There is no issue that matters more to Angelenos and to me, Ridley-Thomas said in a prepared statement.

That said, I have no intention of resigning my seat on the City Council or neglecting my duties. Doing so would be to the detriment of the people I serve, and I have no intention of leaving my constituents without a voice on matters that directly affect their well-being.

Going forward, I intend to do two things: disprove the allegations leveled at me and continue the work I was elected to do most importantly, addressing the homeless and housing crisis.

The 66-year-old Ridley-Thomas is a giant figure in local politics, previously serving on the Los Angeles City Council from 1991-2002, then serving in the state Assembly and state Senate before he was elected to the powerful county Board of Supervisors in 2008, serving until 2020 when he returned to the city council.

The 20-count indictment filed in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday alleges that Ridley-Thomas conspired with Marilyn Louise Flynn, 83, former dean of USCs School of Social Work, who prosecutors claim agreed to provide Ridley-Thomass son with graduate school admission, a full-tuition scholarship and a paid professorship at the university.

She also allegedly arranged to funnel a $100,000 donation from Ridley-Thomass campaign funds through the university to a nonprofit to be operated by his son.

In exchange, the indictment alleges, Ridley-Thomas, who was at the time a Los Angeles County Supervisor, supported contracts involving the School of Social Work, including contracts to provide services to the county Department of Children and Family Services and Probation Department, as well as an amendment to a contract with the Department of Mental Health that would bring the school millions of dollars in new revenue.

Ridley-Thomas is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles. Flynns arraignment was set for Oct. 25. Attorneys for both have denied any wrongdoing.

Ridley-Thomass attorney, Michael J. Proctor, said Thursday the councilman was shocked by the federal allegations leveled against him, and with good reason. They are wrong, and we look forward to disproving them.

Proctor said that at no point in Ridley-Thomass political career, not as a member of the city council, the state Legislature, or the Board of Supervisors has he abused his position for personal gain. Mark Ridley-Thomas has been in public service for 30 years, and his actions have been open to public scrutiny for a full three decades. Over those 30 years, he has demonstrated the quality of his character.

We ask you to allow due process to take its course, the attorney said.

Flynns attorney, Vicki I. Podberesky, said, Marilyn Flynn has devoted her entire professional life to the field of social work. She has spent over 45 years in academia and has worked tirelessly for the improvement and betterment of the social welfare network in Los Angeles and around the country. Ms. Flynn has not committed any crime and we believe that the evidence in this case will ultimately support this conclusion.

Ridley-Thomas is the third LA city councilman to be indicted in the past couple of years.

Jose Huizar pleaded not guilty in December to bribery and other federal charges in a racketeering indictment, and Mitchell Englander was sentenced in January to 14 months behind bars for lying to federal authorities about his dealings with a businessman who provided him $15,000 in secret cash payments and a night in Las Vegas.

On Friday, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson raised concerns about the overall issue of corruption within municipal government.

Ive been on the council six years, theres not been one year Ive been on the council where one of my colleagues or more have not been either under investigation, indicted, or in the case of one member last year actually incarcerated and sits in jail at this moment, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson told KCRW. I think there needs to be greater transparency about what all of us are doing.

Harris-Dawson noted the shock of the allegations against Ridley-Thomas, someone who has been a leader in LA politics for nearly Harris-Dawsons entire adult life.

To see these charges come forward against someone who holds a Ph.D. in social ethics is quite jarring, Harris-Dawson added.

Civil rights activists who have long lauded Ridley-Thomass service to the community have urged against a rush to judgment in the case. Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, said the handling of the case could have long-term consequences for Ridley-Thomass 10th Council District, which includes areas such as Arlington Heights, Koreatown, Leimert Park, Gramercy Park, Mid-City, Wilshire Center, and Baldwin Village.

The federal charges against Thomas are serious, Hutchinson said.

However, Thomass constituents must be the ones to decide his fate. There must be no rush to judgment on his future on the council and in the district he represents. This would be a gross disservice to his constituents.

Hutchinsons comments followed Councilman Joe Buscainos call for Ridley-Thomas to surrender his council seat.

City Council President Nury Martinez, meanwhile, said the council will need to take appropriate action against Ridley-Thomas, although she did not provide specifics.

When Huizar was arrested last year in connection with his corruption case, the council voted to suspend him, leaving his staff to serve as caretakers for the district.

Such a move against Ridley-Thomas could have longer-range consequences, leaving the 10th District without an elected representative at a time when the city is in the midst of redrawing council district lines.

Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who sits on the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, called on Ridley-Thomas to at least step down as chairman of the committee and be stripped of other committee assignments in the short term.

I have great respect for council member Ridley-Thomas both as a person and as a warrior against homelessness, and Ive treasured the time weve spent working together on the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, Raman said.

But this committees work is of extraordinary importance and involves massive city investments, which require the publics trust. It cannot be conducted under the shadow of a federal indictment. In the short term, council member Ridley-Thomas should step down from his committee assignments, Raman said.

The indictment outlines an alleged scheme in 2017 and 2018 in which then-Supervisor Ridley-Thomas sought benefits from Flynn and university officials to benefit an unnamed relative, who was the subject of an internal sexual harassment investigation in the Assembly, likely to resign from elected office and significantly in debt.

While the indictment did not name the relative, Ridley-Thomass son, Sebastian, resigned from the Assembly in 2017 amid investigations into sexual harassment complaints. He insisted at the time that his resignation was due to health reasons, not a sexual harassment probe.

Sebastian Ridley-Thomas later became a professor of social work and public policy at the University of Southern California, despite lacking a graduate degree.

He was later terminated over questions about his original appointment and university concerns about the $100,000 that was donated from his fathers campaign funds to the School of Social Work, then directed to a nonprofit run by Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.
Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen in an undated photograph handed out by her family. (Ratcliffe Family Handout via Reuters)

Court Upholds New 1-year Sentence for Iranian-British Woman

TEHRAN, IranAn Iranian appeals court has upheld a verdict sentencing an Iranian-British woman long-held in Tehran to another year in prison, her lawyer said on Saturday.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has already served a five-year prison sentence in the Islamic Republic. Her lawyer Hojjat Kermani told The Associated Press that the appeals court upheld a verdict issued earlier this year sentencing her to another year.

The verdict additionally includes a one-year travel ban abroad, meaning she cannot leave Iran to join her family for nearly two years.

In April, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced for allegedly spreading propaganda against the system when she participated in a protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in London in 2009.

Kermani said Zaghari-Ratcliffe was concerned when he informed her about the appeals court decision. He said his client is in touch with her family.

State media in Iran did not immediately acknowledge the ruling, apparently issued after a closed-door hearing.

Richard Ratcliffe, husband of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe jailed in Tehran since 2016, and his daughter Gabriella, attend a protest outside of the Iranian Embassy in London on March 8, 2021. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)

Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of plotting the overthrow of Irans government, a charge that she, her supporters, and rights groups deny. While employed at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the news agency, she was taken into custody at the Tehran airport in April 2016 as she was returning home to Britain after visiting her family.

Rights groups accuse the Iranian regime of holding dual-nationals as bargaining chips for money or influence in negotiations with the West, something Tehran denies. Iran does not recognize dual nationalities, so detainees like Zaghari-Ratcliffe cannot receive consular assistance.

Authorities furloughed Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison because of the surging coronavirus pandemic and she has been restricted to her parents Tehran home since.
A computer keyboard lit by a displayed cyber code in this illustration picture taken on March 1, 2017. (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)

Cyberattack Disrupts Services at Ecuadors Largest Bank

QUITO, EcuadorCustomers of Ecuadors largest bank continued to experience service disruptions on Friday following a cyberattack on the institution several days earlier.

Long lines formed outside Pichincha bank branches and thousands of customers took their complaints to social media. People reported being unable to access services offered by the banks online and mobile app. ATMs worked somewhat regularly and branches remained open.

The bank in a statement Monday acknowledged that it had identified a cybersecurity incident in our systems that has partially disabled our services.

Its largest shareholder, Fidel Egas, wrote on Twitter that We are doing the impossible. They want to blame us for something in which we are the victims.

The governments Superintendency of Banks sent a delegation to the banks headquarters to monitor the problems and solutions.

That bank has about 1.5 million clients and some $1.5 billion in its portfolio.
Canada's Ambassador to China Dominic Barton waits to appear before the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations, in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Did Canadas Elites Learn Nothing From the Two Michaels Fiasco?

Commentary

If theres anything for which members of Canadas elite deserve any sort of distinction, it is their phenomenal inability to learn from experience and see reality as it is. In our relationship with China, this is displayed to a degree thatd be comical if it wasnt so dangerous.

A poll done by Nanos following the dramatic release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor concluded that 76 percent of Canadians want Chinese tech giant Huawei banned from participating in Canadas 5G infrastructure. Regarding a free trade agreement, once the main focus of the Trudeau governments foreign policy, 69 percent of Canadians think Ottawa should delay negotiations with Beijing due to the current state of affairs.

When it comes to China-related policies going forward, 56 percent support and 31 percent somewhat support joining with our democratic partners the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to contain Beijing. In addition, 43 percent said the release of the two Michaels notwithstanding, relations with the communist regime should not be friendly, while only 12 percent said it should be friendly.

Anyone who has been paying attention to the developments in Canadian public opinion toward China would see this as a new norm rather than a radical shift. The ability of regular Canadians to grasp the complexity of foreign affairs shouldnt be underestimated; they continually prove to be much more principled and attuned to the reality of global trends than those in a position to address these matters.

Recent utterances by Canadas Ambassador to China Dominic Barton, a man tasked with advocating on behalf of our security and interests in Beijing, showcases truly how incapable our elite class is of ever analyzing the China problem outside the narrow confines of the economic bottom line. During his remarks at a Sept. 28 meeting with members of the Canada China Business Council, Barton urged Canadian businesses to seize opportunities where they exist and take advantage of the continuing economic rise of Asia and China.

Regardless of ones outlook on it, China really cant be ignored, he said. Where trade is concerned, our companies need to engage in support of our economic interest while being true to our values.

Consider this a tacit confirmation, despite any claims to the contrary, that the Trudeau government was never going to come up with a new, comprehensive China strategy, and that it perceived the two Michaels affair as only a temporary roadblock in the effort to rekindle a glorious economic relationship with China.

This approach renders the array of geopolitical and national security factors almost completely irrelevant even though they are inextricably linked. But Beijing understands and makes it known that these issues cant be divorced from each other, and that gives it an edge over Canada. Every move it makes in all areas is focused on the broader ideological goal of national rejuvenation. Moves made in the areas of trade or investment have always served the purpose of establishing leverage over countries that can be taken advantage of in disputes on other issues.

One of the primary defences of the engagement policy is the need for Canada to have strategic autonomy from Washington when it comes to China. Its an idea that also always curiously arrives at the conclusion that, on behalf of Canadian interests, we should uncritically embrace China and accommodate it on consequential issues. What those favouring this approach dont seem to grasp is that in order to have the sort of relations for which Barton and the Trudeau government advocate, it means ceding Canadas foreign policy decisions to the whims of the Chinese Communist Partys unpredictable temper tantrums. If this accomplishes anything, it is not strategic autonomy.

Which is why, for example, we continually fail to take any concrete stance on issues as crucial and simple as supporting Taiwans membership over that of China in the Trans-Pacific trade agreement. This is despite the fact that Chinas membership would of course defeat the entire purpose of the trade deal, which is to participate with our Pacific partners in constructing a bulwark against Beijings influence.

Chinas Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu wrote in a recent article: There is a global reset going on, with shifting priorities, new relationships, and great opportunities. And while many have decried Chinas economic development as a threat, I would rather present it to all Canadians for what I truly believe it is, the strengthening of an important relationship.

Canadas elites appear to agree, despite everything that has transpired that should make any rational person wince at the prospect of closer ties with China. With their blinkers remaining firmly in place, business as usual seems to be what theyve chosen in the aftermath of the two Michaels debacle. Our security and international standing will continually suffer for it.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
President Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 15, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

DOJ Says Its Independent After Biden Calls for Prosecution of People Who Defy Jan. 6 Subpoenas

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Oct. 15 that it will decide whether to take action against people who defy subpoenas from a congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop, a DOJ spokesperson told news outlets in a statement.

President Joe Biden told reporters earlier in the day that he would like the congressional panel and the DOJ to act against the people who are ducking subpoenas.

I hope that the committee goes after them and holds them accountable, Biden said, before being asked if he thinks the DOJ should initiate prosecution in such cases. I do, yes.

Biden has previously said the DOJ would act independently during his administration.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki later sought to clarify Bidens remarks, writing on Twitter that he supports the work of the committee and the independent role of the Department of Justice to make any decisions about prosecutions.

The post drew pushback from Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), who responded by wondering if the DOJ would be charging Bidens son, Hunter Biden, whos under investigation for alleged tax fraud.

How about the millions of illegals crossing our southern border? There is nothing independent about this DOJ. They serve the far left and only care about investigating conservatives, Steube said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) convened a panel to probe the Capitol breach after Senate Republicans rejected a measure to establish a Jan. 6 commission. The panel, which includes only two Republicansboth of whom voted to impeach former President Donald Trumphas issued a flurry of subpoenas in recent weeks, including to former Trump administration officials Kash Patel, Mark Meadows, and Steve Bannon.

Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, speaks in New York on Oct. 18, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Patel and Meadows are engaging with the committee, but Bannon has indicated that he will try to hide behind vague references to privileges of the former President, panel Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said in a recent joint statement.

They also said they would not allow any witness to defy a lawful subpoena or attempt to run out the clock, according to the statement. We will swiftly consider advancing a criminal contempt of Congress referral.

Robert Costello, a lawyer for Bannon, said in a recent letter to the committee that Bannon refuses to comply because of Trumps argument that he can invoke executive privilege to block Bannons testimony.

Trump sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration on Oct. 8 asserting executive privilege over some of the records the panel is seeking.

The same day, White House counsel Dana Remus told the archives that Trump using the privilege is not in the best interests of the United States and that Biden was waiving the privilege.

The committee is scheduled to vote on holding Bannon in contempt of Congress on Oct. 19. If approved, the measure would then go to the full House, where Democrats hold a slim majority, for a vote. If the House holds Bannon in contempt, the matter would be referred to the DOJ.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Full shelves at My Patriot Supply in Salt Lake City, Utah., on Oct. 14, 2021. (My Patriot Supply)

Emergency Food Suppliers Ready to Meet Huge Spike in Demand

Like scattered icebergs bearing down on the Titanic is how My Patriot Supply saw the looming global supply chain disruptions, said its president Keith Bansemer. Rather than wait for the eventual collision and proverbial sinking the company, in Salt Lake City, Utah, chose a year ago to be prepared for the material shortages that are hitting now.

Bansemer said while other companies were struggling with the nationwide truck driver shortage, My Patriot Supply started its own trucking company last year to ensure timely deliveries.

Then, anticipating a huge spike in demand, the company procured essential ingredients ahead of time and quadrupled production capacity with a new 500,000-square-foot facility.

So, now, we control our own destiny, Bansemer told The Epoch Times. We make it, we store it, we ship it. Its incredibly busyat least 10

to 12 times busier than a year agoeven with the COVID craziness.

Empty supermarket shelves at Safeway in Williams, Arizona, in late September were partly due to delayed shipments, according to a store employee. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Bansemer said the feedback from customers hes gotten shows widespread fear of not being prepared for these uncertain times.

Scared, one customer said.

The fear of missing out, another wrote.

Some customers expressed concern about running out of time with the world breaking down, while others said the shortages are becoming

really obvious, and they feel they are reacting too late.

Still more said they are scared the COVID-19 vaccine mandates will mean they will not be able to afford food soon since they will lose

their jobs, Bansemer said.

The sum of all these fears has been a driving factor in consumer demand on My Patriot Supply for long-term storage emergency food.

In the past week alone the company has had 10,000 orders.

It has to be an eye-opener for people to see how fragile the supply chain is. We ended up, a year ago, adding to our food production capacity, he said.

Full shelves at My Patriot Supply in Salt Lake City, Utah., on Oct. 14, 2021. (My Patriot Supply)

However, not all emergency food supply companies have fared well during the pandemic.

On Oct. 7, another Salt Lake City company, Augason Farms, suspended operations for 90 days.

Due to an extremely high order volume through all sales channels, we are currently not able to receive any orders through our website, the company announced on Facebook.

Augason Farms products are still available through other national sales channels, both online and in-store, and also through other reputable online vendors. As a manufacturer, we are intent on making sure our vendors inventory is top priority.

The company added: We are in the same boat as a lot of businesses out there these days. Supply for raw materials are hard to find and even

harder to obtain.

We have a responsibility to our customers for quality, as well as pricing, and this poses an issue when times are tight.

Salt Lake City-based ReadyWise said in a statement that emergency-survival-food companies have to be ready for anythingespecially as

North American consumers face food-supply shortages, price increases, and power-grid blackouts.

ReadyWise CEO Morten Steen-Jorgensen attributed the enormous increase in demand at his company to such factors as political instability, social unrest, natural disasters, and the global pandemic that created supply-chain instability.

When you put all these things in the index of people being concerned, its at an all-time high, Steen-Jorgensen told The Epoch Times. Weve

been noticing a very high demand not only now, but in the past two years.

Its something we see across the countrya lot of retailers are struggling with supply. We made a conscious decision to be prepared.

Bansemer said My Patriot Supply noticed the shortage issue developing about a year ago. The company works with more than 120 suppliers.

Shipments of products, or the ingredients to produce our long-term emergency food storage meals, were increasingly delayed, he said.

Some of it was due to a shortage of truck drivers. So we started our own trucking company to ship raw materials and finished food products

across the country to our other distribution warehouses.

We now own and manage a fleet of rigs that keep our products moving quickly across the U.S. to customers, Bansemer added.

Unfortunately, he does not see an end to the supply shortages any time soon.

This is not going to fix itself this year. I hate the phrase new normal, but its not coming back. Its (either) going to unwind, or were entering a shortage economy.
Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team fly over the President's Office during the National Day celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan on Oct. 10, 2021. (Chiang Ying-ying/AP Photo)

Expert Rebuttal to CCP Advisors Claim That Conquering Taiwan Will Benefit CCP

A Chinese professor of international studies recently said that by taking back Taiwan, the Chinese regime could benefit on the economic, political, territorial, and military front. A Taiwan military expert provided a rebuttal to the claim.

Chinese Professor Jin Canrong, known for his fiery anti-U.S. stance, posted a speech titled ten benefits if China conquers Taiwan on his Youtube channel on Sept. 23. It is unclear when and where this speech took place. Jin said that once the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) solves the Taiwan issue, it could convert Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the worlds largest chip maker, into a state-owned enterprise, that the CCP could save a fortune by no longer paying other countries to obey the One-China policy, that the CCPs military would become worlds number one powerhouse, etc.

Dubbed teacher of the state by Chinese netizens, Jin is an adviser to several CCP organizations, although its unclear how close Jin is to Xi Jinping, the head of the CCP.

Li Zhengxiu, a military expert at Taiwans National Policy Research Foundation, told The Epoch Times that if the CCP leadership takes Jins advice, which is completely divorced from reality, it will lead to a gross error in judgment and deepened conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

Difficult to Turn TSMC into State-owned Enterprise

Located in Taiwan, TSMC is the largest semiconductor foundry in the world, controlling over 50 percent of the global market share, while the largest foundry in mainland China, the state-owned Shanghai-based SMIC has about 5 percent of the global market share.

Jin said the CCP should immediately turn TSMC into state-owned after the regime conquers Taiwan. This is a very practical benefit.

But dont forget that the majority of TSMC is owned by foreign companies, said Li. Taiwans government and local investors own a very small percentage of TSMC. Even if the CCP takes control of Taiwan, will the foreign investors hand over TSMC with all the proprietary technology to the CCP?

Moreover, Li predicts that TSMCs facilities could be badly damaged if the CCP invades. It will be very difficult to restore TSMC.

Respect Taiwans Independence for a Unified China

The CCP advisor considers the Taiwan issue, the center of the one-China policy, the biggest weakness of the regimes diplomacy. Not only the U.S. keeps pushing our button about Taiwan, but other countries also bully us.

Jin revealed that the CCP spends more than $4.6 billion each year to maintain the consensus on the one-China policy internationally.

Jin described how some African countries demand money from the CCP over the one-China policy. Many heads of state of African countries go to Beijing for nothing but to have a good meal; they meet with Xi Jinping only to say we resolutely support the one-China policy. Then they ask for money.

Li thinks that the money oftentimes went to the pockets of the individual politicians. But the CCP would do anything to diminish Taiwan in the international community, so they keep spending money on it.

If the CCP truly wants a unified China, then it should first respect Taiwan in the international community, show the people in Taiwan that the CCP is sincere, then we could work together, said Li. However, CCPs behavior is pushing Taiwan further and further away.

Taiwan is Not Anti-China; It is Anti-CCP

China will finally gain political stability after taking over Taiwan, because Taiwan is the base and financial source of anti-China forces, including HK, Xinjiang, and Tibet independence, said the CCP advisor.

Once weve conquered Taiwan, we should build up our military encampment on the east side of the island, Jin said. This way, we can face directly the Pacific Ocean, and show our military might to Japan and the United States.

Taiwans military expert, Li considers this idea ridiculous. Taiwan is not anti-China, but anti-CCP, Li said, Taiwan and the western countries share the same value system, which is the opposite of that of the CCP. Taiwan is not an anti-China base, but the world is against CCPs dictatorship in China.

Conquering Taiwan Wont Prove Communist Theory

The CCP advisor said that resolving the Taiwan issue will thoroughly establish Xi Jinpings new socialism with Chinese characteristics theory.

Xi always considers his democratic centralism superior to the western democracy. To the CCP, Taiwans returning to the mainland signifies the success of Xis democratic centralism, Li said.

Democracy is multifaceted. It builds a diverse society in which people have the freedom to decide how they want to live their lives. But in mainland China, 1.4 billion peoples decision-making is centralized to the seven members at the top of the CCP, he said.

Li concluded that Jins advice can only incite stronger nationalist sentiment among some people in the mainland.
The Facebook logo is displayed on their website in an illustration photo taken in Bordeaux, France, on Feb. 1, 2017. (Regis Duvignau/Reuters)

Facebook Updates Harassment Policy to Protect Public Figures, Journalists, and Activists

Facebook announced updates to its harassment policy on Wednesday to protect public figures, journalists, and activists from harmful content and attacks, according to a new statement from the social media giant.

The changes follow the recent congressional testimony of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who shared concerns about the companys practices.

Haugen, a former product manager on Facebooks civic misinformation team, on Oct. 3 revealed that she was the individual who provided the internal documents for a Sept. 14 expose by The Wall Street Journal that claims Instagram has a toxic impact on the self-esteem of young girls.

She has accused Facebook of repeatedly putting profit before doing what was good for the public, including clamping down on hate speech.

Now Facebook has announced its new policy to better protect users concerned about bullying and harassment on the platform.

Its important that everyone on our apps feels safe to engage and connect with their communities. We do not allow bullying and harassment on our platform, but when it does happen, we act, Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis said in the statement.

We remove content that violates our policies and disable the accounts of people who repeatedly break our rules, Davis added.

The announcement was coordinated with National Bullying and Awareness Day in the United States. The actions seek to offer additional protections to anyone who feels threatened on the platform, especially through the large-scale harassment sometimes experienced by leading influencers.

The statement focused on two areas of change. First, Facebooks new policy will remove coordinated efforts of mass harassment. This change could include comments, direct messages, and other targeted attempts to harass users in a coordinated manner.

The second change includes more protections for public figures. Defined to include celebrities, creators, journalists, and politicians, the new policy will remove:

Severe sexualizing content

Profiles, pages, groups, or events dedicated to sexualizing the public figure

Derogatory, sexualized photoshopped images and drawings

Attacks through negative physical descriptions that are tagged to, mention, or posted on the public figures account

Degrading content depicting individuals in the process of bodily functions

The protections will also specifically protect influencers in the underrepresented community, including women, people of color, or the LGBTQ community.

In addition to Facebook, the policy changes will include interactions on the Facebook-owned app Instagram.

Not everyone is in favor of the updated policies. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) posted a controversial YouTube video Monday calling the Facebook whistleblower a Trojan horse.

He said in the videos description that contrary to the medias casual assertions that Republicans and Democrats see eye to eye on this issue, let me assure you we do not.
Gary Paulsen, Celebrated Childrens Author, Dies at 82

NEW YORKGary Paulsen, the acclaimed and prolific childrens author who often drew upon his rural affinities and wide-ranging adventures for tales that included Hatchet, Brians Winter and Dogsong, has died at age 82.

Random House Childrens Books announced that Paulsen died suddenly Wednesday but did not immediately provide further details. Literary agent Jennifer Flannery told The Associated Press that he died at his home in New Mexico, where he lived with his third wife, Ruth Wright Paulsen, an artist who illustrated some of his work.

Author of more than 100 books, with sales topping 35 million, Paulsen was a three-time finalist for the John Newbery Medal for the years best childrens book and recipient in 1997 of the American Library Associations Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement.

He was a Minnesota native who deeply identified with the outdoors, whether sailing on the Pacific Ocean, hiking in New Mexico, or braving the cold of the Alaskan dogsled race, the Iditarod. For a time he lived in a cabin in rural Minnesota, where he finished his first novel The Special War, and on a houseboat in the Pacific Ocean. He spent his latter years on a remote ranch in New Mexico, a bearded outdoorsman sometimes likened to Ernest Hemingway.

I cant live in towns anymore, he told The New York Times in 2006. The last time I was up in Santa Fe, I wasnt there 20 minutes before I brewed up, almost slugged a tourist on the steps of my wifes gallery.

Paulsen received the Newbery Honor prize for Hatchet, The Winter Room and Dogsong, about a young native Alaskan in search of a simpler past and the old ways. He also wrote hundreds of articles, poetry, historical fiction and such nonfiction works as the memoir Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood, which came out earlier this year. His final novel, Northwind, will be published in January by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux Books for Younger Readers.

Many readers knew him best for his Hatchet novels, beginning with the eponymous 1986 release, in which 13-year-old Brian Robeson survives a plane crash and lives for weeks in the wilderness, relying in part on the hatchet his mother had given him. In an introduction for the books 30th anniversary edition, Paulsen wrote that the novel came from the darkest part of his childhood, when books and the woods were his escapes from the pain of his parents miserable marriage and his own social isolation.

On my own, under the trees or on the lake or next to the river, I was protected and as far from danger as Id ever been, he wrote. In the wilderness, I was at ease. I learned the rules and I not only survived, I thrived. The woods and books are the only reason I got through my childhood in one piece.

The Hatchet series continued with The River, Brians Winter, in which Paulsen imagined an alternate ending for the first novel, Brians Return and Brians Hunt. He also turned out such series as the Francis Tucket adventure books and Murphy Westerns.

Paulsen, who grew up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, had all too much personal experience to draw from for his work. He would recall his parents becoming so debilitated by rage and alcohol that he was essentially taking care of himself by his early teens, even hunting for his own food with a makeshift bow and arrow. He graduated from high school, raised his own tuition money to attend Bemidji State University, and in his early 20s, served in the U.S. Army. He had been a devoted reader since his teens, when he stopped into a local library on a freezing day, and in his mid-20s felt such a compulsion to write that he abruptly left his job as an aerospace engineer in California.

The need to write hit me like a brick. I had a career and a family and a house and a retirement plan and I did all the things that responsible grown-ups do until suddenly, irrevocably, I knew had to write, he explained in the introduction to the Hatchet anniversary edition. I edited a grubby mens magazine and, every night, I slaved over short stories and articles for two editors who ripped me to shreds every morning.

They didnt leave a single sentence unscathed, but they taught me to write clean and fast. And the dance with words gave me a joy and a purpose I had been looking for my entire life.

By Hillel Italie
An airport worker in support of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) leaves a flower at an altar as they protest and call on California Governor Gavin Newsom to support vaccine priority for essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 4, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Head of Largest California Union Arrested on Charges of Grand Theft, Tax Fraud

SAN FRANCISCOThe head of Californias largest union was arrested on Friday, a day after the well-known activist was charged with grand theft and tax fraud.

Alma Hernandez, the executive director of SEIU California, and her husband Jose Moscoso were charged on Thursday with allegedly underreporting some $1.4 million of income between the 2014 and 2018 tax years.

Another complaint alleged that Hernandez, while working on a political action committee for a Democratic state senate candidate in 2014, approved a $11,700 payment to her husband for services he did not provide.

Moscoso also allegedly did not disclose that his air duct-cleaning business had multiple employees, resulting in over $300,000 in unreported wages.

Hernandez was being held at The Sacramento County Main Jail was and was ineligible for bail, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Offices website.

SEIU California said that Hernandez, a 42-year old who had led the union for 11 years, had resigned.

We are deeply concerned about the allegations against Alma Hernandez, wrote Bob Schoonover, the president of SEIU California State Council, in a statement. We have accepted Ms. Hernandezs resignation, and we have cooperated fully with authorities on this matter and will continue to do so.

Reuters was not immediately able to contact Hernandez, Moscoso, or their lawyers.

Hernandez faces two counts of grand theft, one count of perjury, and five counts of filing a false income tax return with intent to evade. The Sacramento County Sheriffs Offices website did not immediately list Moscoso as an inmate and a call requesting information went unanswered.

The SEIU in California has over 700,000 members, who work in a broad range of fields and include social workers, janitors, and doctors.

By Alexandra Ulmer
Marconi Plaza's iconic Christopher Columbus statue is still covered by a wooden box and cant be displayed during the parade and celebration in South Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 10, 2021. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Iconic Philadelphia Columbus Statue Still Covered by Wooden Box

PHILADELPHIAThe Philadelphia parade celebrating Columbus Day ended at Marconi Plaza in South Philadelphia on Oct. 10. Marconi Plazas iconic Christopher Columbus statue was still covered by a wooden box and could not be displayed during the parade and celebration.

In addition to the active participation of different Italian American organizations, marchers include Mummers String Bands, and high school and elementary school marching bands. Hundreds of people watched the parade on-site and celebrated the Italian American heritage together.

Columbus Day parade is held in South Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 10, 2021. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Were honoring Christopher Columbus and the many contributions that Italian Americans have made to America in our history, and this is a great day, Lou Barletta, a former congressman who is running for Pennsylvania governor, told The Epoch Times.

Screenshot of Lou Barletta, former Congressman and Pa. governor candidate, affirms that that box needs to come down, in South Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 10, 2021. (Screenshot via NTD)

This year, the official name of the parade has been changed to Italian American Day Parade. While in many peoples eyes, its still the Columbus Day Parade.

Stephen DEmilio, who grew up in South Philadelphia and is now the Commissioner of Haverford Township, told The Epoch Times: Im celebrating Columbus Day. Thats how I look at it. Im not celebrating Italian Heritage Day. I came back to be here with my family and friends.

The Wooden Box Covering Philadelphia Columbus Statue

Last summer, the 145-year-old Christopher Columbus statue was encased in a wooden box after it became a focal point for people who protested the death of George Floyd. The City of Philadelphia said the decision to cover the statue was based on public safety concerns and past violence.

But on Oct. 8, Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick ruled that the city of Philadelphia must remove the box around the statue and issued an order allowing contractors to do the work immediately. However, the City of Philadelphia filed an emergency petition in Commonwealth Court and appealed the decision. Consequently, the Commonwealth Court reversed Judge Patricks ruling and ordered the boxes covering the statue to remain in place.

Many parade-goers argued that the city of Philadelphia should remove the box around the statue.

Its a disgrace that they have covered up the Columbus statue. It is an insult not only to the great Christopher Columbus, but its an insult to Italian Americans who are so proud of their heritage. And that box needs to come down, said Barletta.

Louis Lanni, a candidate for Congress in the fifth district, also agrees that the wood box around the statue needs to come down: its time to understand that we are one people of many different cultures. And among them are Italian people who appreciate the heritage and culture that Christopher Columbus brought to the American experience.

The box could remain in place until appeals are heard. This case could go all the way up to the Supreme Court. As an Italian American, the Philadelphia city councilmember Mark Squilla feels a little frustrated because it takes away from everything were talking about, the contributions of Italians and what theyre doing.

Screenshot of Philadelphia city councilman Mark Squilla, who sued Mayor Jim Kenneys administration in federal court after the decision of renaming Columbus Day earlier this year, talks with the NTD reporter just before the Columbus Day parade in South Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 10, 2021. (Screenshot via NTD)

George Bochetto, a nationally acclaimed trial attorney in Philadelphia, represents the appeal. He prefers to wait a few days to see the outcome of the appeal, the box is going to stay for the time being. But were eventually going to get the box removed.

History Cant Be Changed: Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples Day

The Philadelphia city officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 11, effectively erasing Columbus Day. The actions were considered part of Mayor Jim Kenneys response to the 2020 protests after the death of George Floyd. The Mayors order triggered a federal lawsuit seeking to reverse it and maintain Columbus Day as an officially recognized holiday. The citys request to dismiss the federal case is still pending.

On Oct. 8, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to issue an official proclamation commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day. So far, there are 130 cities across the country that have ditched Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples Day, and the list grows each year.

Many of the parade-goers opposed Philadelphias decision to rename Columbus Day.

Thats the day that we, again, celebrate the contributions of Christopher Columbus and discovering America. And that name will never change in my eyes and many other millions of Americans, said Barletta, who thinks the renaming of Columbus Day is an insult. Columbus Day is for all of Italian Americans and should be for all Americans.

It wont change. They cant change history; they cant rewrite history. And I can tell you these Italian Americans will not allow it to happen, Barletta added.

Squilla and dozens of Italian American groups sued Kenneys administration in federal court after his order to rename Columbus Day earlier this year: Were going through this controversy. What we want to do is to continue to celebrate Italian Americans contributions and make sure that people know that we will be proud of who we are, proud of our heritage, and proud of where we came from.

Bochetto doesnt think celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day should be at the expense of Columbus Day, of course, our position is were happy to have an Indigenous Peoples Day. We want people to celebrate their ethnicity but dont take ours away in the process. Lets all have our holidays.

Part of Cancel Culture Across the Country

Last year Philadelphia took down the statute of law-and-order Mayor Frank Rizzo, the first and only Italian-American to hold the citys highest office.

From statues to monuments, symbols of the past are being torn down and renamed across the country. Some say this is righting the wrongs committed in the past, but others say its going too far.

Commenting on the covering up of the Columbus statue and renaming the holiday, Barletta said: Theres no question they want to rewrite history; they want to change history. They want to keep the history that they like and then somehow try to erase the other history. It doesnt work like that.

He said he is glad that people are getting more aware of what is going on: Eventually, people are going to see through whats happening, and Im glad that not only Italian Americans, but others should also rise up because their history can be wiped out as well.

Its part of the cancel culture, Bochetto said. Not everything that happened in the past was so pleasant or wonderful, but were supposed to learn from it. And this is how we become a better society with a better outlook on life. We dont just forget about it. We learn from it.

Pharmacist Vincent Dibacco participated in the days celebration. He said: If you oppose something that the minority wants, youre no good, youre nefarious, youre wicked, but thats not the way it is.

He called on people to respect each others traditions and live in harmony: This is a melting pot. Everyones going to have different opinions. Were a little bit too sensitive. With things going on today, [we need] to be a little more tolerant of other people.

Diane Pelosi, another parade participant, who works in a school said: Its our American history, and theyre trying to take it out of our schools. You can never wipe out history. And this is our Italian heritage. 
Investors Will Continue to Favour US Oil and Gas Sector Over Canadas: Study

The Canadian oil and gas sector will likely see investors continue to head south to the United States due to Canadas higher taxes, more restrictive regulatory regime, and lack of pipeline capacity, a new study suggests.

Financial capital is mobile, so policy-makers in Canada must understand that government policies have helped facilitate the flight of oil and gas investment from Canada to the U.S., study co-author Steven Globerman, a professor emeritus at Western Washington University and a Fraser Institute resident scholar, said in a press release.

The Fraser Institute study, titled The Investment Outlook for the Canadian and US Oil and Gas Sectors, noted that despite a recent recovery in crude oil prices in both countries, Canadas economic activity in the upstream segmentexploration and productioncontinued to decline while U.S. activity in that segment increased with a modest recovery in crude oil prices in 2017 and 2018.

Survey results and reports prepared by investment analysts and portfolio managers suggest that the decline was mainly due to an unfavourable business environment in Canada relative to the United States, the study said. One report pointed to a survey that identified Canadas onerous and uncertain regulatory environment, along with a lack of pipeline capacity as major contributing factors.

The outlook for the sectors future profitability is an important determinant of capital investment rates and employment trends for the industry and Canada as a whole, wrote the authors, as the oil and gas industry has historically been a driver of Canadas economic growth.

Comparing Key Financial Metrics

Using financial valuation metrics, the study compared recent and historical datafrom 2011 to 2021of Canadian and U.S. oil and gas companies listed on each countrys main stock exchanges.

The main metrics used include the ratios of price to earnings, price to sales, price to book value, and enterprise value (EV) to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).

As the metrics measure how the market evaluates companies based on their current performance, higher metric values can be interpreted as more optimistic expectations of future economic performance by investors, the authors wrote.

The study observed a general decline in both countries ratios from 2019 to 2020 before they increased from 2020 to 2021, with the Canadian metrics being mixed relative to the U.S. metrics.

For example, the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio for Canadian oil and gas companies worsened relative to that of U.S. companies between 2019 and 2021. The PE ratio indicates how much investors are currently willing to pay per share based on a companys earnings and future growth expectations. The Canadian ratio fell from 12.8 to 12.65 while the U.S. ratio rose from 14.93 to 17.24, resulting in the Canada-to-U.S. ratio for the PE metric falling from 0.86 in 2019 to 0.73 in 2021.

But the price-to-sales (PS) ratio, which compares a companys share price to its revenue per share, fared better for the Canadian companies relative to their U.S. counterparts when compared between 2019 and 2020 and between 2020 and 2021.

The price-to-book (PB) ratio comparison between the Canadian and U.S. companies displays a pattern similar to that of the PS ratio. PB evaluates a companys current price per share relative to its book value per share, where book value is the value of the companys asset on its balance sheet.

However, the EV-to-EBITDA ratio for Canadian firms relative to U.S. firms decreased from 2019 to 2020 and then increased from 2020 to 2021.

In short, the valuation metrics, on balance, show some relative improvement for Canadian oil and gas companies compared to their U.S. counterparts from 2019 to 2021, the study said.

The four metrics present a different outlook when viewed over a longer period, however.

The metrics for different time periods from 2011 to 2020 show a consistent decline in values for the Canadian companies relative to those south of the border, suggesting that investors continue to expect a deteriorating investment environment in Canada relative to the United States.

This is despite the evidence being less compelling for the most recent set of metrics, from July 2021. Only in one of the four metrics, the PE ratio, is the Canada-to-U.S. ratio lower in 2021 than in 2019. The other metrics suggest that investors became somewhat more optimistic about earning prospects for Canadian firms relative to their U.S. counterparts in 2021 than in the two prior years, the study noted.

Viewing Recent Trends in Context

Globerman attributed the trend to the 2020 U.S. election results and not any policy change in Canada.

The study said that while the relative competitive positions of the industries possibly shifted to be more favourable for Canada due to the Biden administrations more restrictive regulations on oil and gas exploration and production, particularly regarding fracking, the trend must be viewed in context.

One must be cautious, however, in drawing strong conclusions from a single years (2021) divergence from a decade-long pattern of valuation declines for Canadian oil and gas companies relative to their U.S. counterparts, the authors wrote.

Capital investment in the Canadian oil and gas industry will likely continue to be sluggish over the foreseeable future, both because of growing opposition to fossil fuels in Canada and the United States, as well as the particular opposition to the mining and production of heavy crude oil in Alberta.
Irvine Deliberates $56M in Federal Funding

The city of Irvine began deliberating Oct. 12 on how to allocate the $56 million it received through the federally funded American Rescue Plan Act.

The $56 million in federal funding is split into five categories: $28 million for quality of life, $5.2 million for the natural environment, $6 million into traffic and mobility, $14.5 million for fiscal strength, and $2.7 million for organizational excellence.

Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan proposed shifting funding from traffic and mobility itemstotaling $8 millionand using those funds toward quality of life.

Khan proposed spending $365,000 on ending food insecurity, $1 million for the implementation of a climate action plan, $200,000 to implement a diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan, and $200,000 to install air quality devices near the All American Asphalt plant.

Former Irvine Mayor Christina Shea said she was concerned the council wouldnt allocate enough money going toward pandemic-related losses, which was the purpose of the rescue plan.

When it comes to these dollars, I understand that they can be used for infrastructure in the city; but in my opinion, these dollars should be set aside for businesses, for our nonprofit groups. This money should go towards those that really suffered and were going through very difficult times during the pandemic, Shea told The Epoch Times.

I just dont think it should be coming into the city and being used just for general fund expenditures for certain infrastructure plans that really did not relate to the pandemic at all, she said, citing child care, hospitals, and schools needing more money than general city upgrades.

Shea thought that much more than $360,000 should be going toward food insecurity, especially as the holidays and winter months are approaching.

During the Oct. 12 council meeting, Councilman Anthony Kuo seemed to note similar points.

These are one-time extraordinary dollars that ought to have a fairly targeted purpose; there are four different opinions here that some of these are really a stretch when it comes to responding to the pandemic, Kuo said.

When asked about the nexus between the pandemic and employee premium pay, Interim City Manager Marianna Marysheva said employees really stepped up during the pandemic.

There were a lot of employees who contributed greatly to providing services to the community behind the scenes, so we wanted to reward every single employee for those efforts, she said.

For the quality of life, the city is considering assisting the individuals, families, children, and small businesses most affected by the pandemic; a behavioral health mobile clinic; support for the One Irvine program, which helps support local communities; community events; youth senior study and survey; playground disinfection program; and more.

Under the natural environment section, the original plan touted citywide tree plantings, field and drainage improvements, and clean water energy conservation drip irrigation installation.

For fiscal strength, the city plans to use the $14.5 million on broadband infrastructure as well as housing costs, and for organizational excellence, the city wants to spend $500,000 on COVID-19 testing and $2.2 million on one-time employee premium pay for city workers.

The mayor also proposed spending $5 million on closing the road repair backlog, as well as $1.5 million for a complete streets plan in conjunction with the citys active transportation plan in order to prioritize increased transportation choices.

The council didnt approve any funding yet, but will instead make a decision during its next council meeting.
A Taliban fighter stands guard on the top of a mosque following a suicide bomber attack in the city of Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Sidiqullah Khan/AP Photo)

ISIS Claims Deadly Mosque Bombing That Killed 47 Afghans During Prayers

The ISIS terrorist group claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bomb attack at a Shiite mosque in southern Afghanistan on Oct. 15 that killed 47 people and injured dozens more.

The blast happened during Friday prayers in Kandahar city and involved two ISIS members who shot and killed security guards manning the entrance of the Fatimiya mosque. One of the terrorists detonated his explosive belt at the entrance of the mosque, while the other bomber walked inside the building before blowing himself up.

It was the second mass-casualty incident in the country targeting worshippers in one week.

On Oct. 8, a large explosion at a mosque in the city of Kunduz killed dozens of people and wounded at least 100. While the death toll from that attack has been estimated as high as 80, no official number has been released yet. That attack also was claimed by ISIS-K.

After a suicide bomb attack, Afghan men inspect the damage inside a Shiite mosque in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Javed Tanveer/AFP via Getty Images)

In a statement, ISIS news agency Amaq identified the attackers as two Afghan nationals named Anas al-Khurasani and Abu Ali al-Baluchi.

Murtaza, a witness identified by only his first name, was in charge of security at the mosque at the time of the incident and said he saw the two bombers. Another suspect was reportedly shot by security personnel outside the building, Sky News reported.

Pictures shared by news agencies on social media showed many people apparently dead or seriously wounded on a bloody floor of the Imam Bargah mosque.

Hajji Farhad, a regional community elder, told The Associated Press its likely that more numbers will be added to the death toll as many victims of the bombing remain in serious condition.

There are so many who have lost body parts, and among those in hospital in serious condition, he told the network.

Shiite leader Sayed Mohammed Agha called on the Taliban to take serious measures to protect the Shiite minority, because our enemies will harm our society by any means they can.

The damaged wall of a mosque following a suicide bomber attack in the city of Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Sidiqullah Khan/AP Photo)

ISIS has declared war on Afghanistans minority Shiites and has taken responsibility for some of the worst attacks targeting the community, including attacks on their mosques in Kabul and the western province of Herat.

The terrorist group carries out frequent attacks in its eastern stronghold, but recently has shown signs of expansion, with attacks in the north and in Kabul.

The attacks have called into question the Talibans ability to counter the growing ISIS threat.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Bottles of Johnson & Johnson baby powder line a drugstore shelf in New York on Oct. 15, 2015. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Johnson & Johnson Puts Talc Liabilities Into Bankruptcy

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) on Thursday put into bankruptcy tens of thousands of legal claims alleging its Baby Powder and other talc-based products caused cancer, offloading the potential liabilities into a newly created subsidiary.

J&J put the talc claims into an entity called LTL Management LLC, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Thursday in North Carolina, according to the company and court records. J&J and its affiliates were not part of the bankruptcy filing.

Tens of thousands of plaintiffs have alleged J&Js Baby Powder and other talc products contained asbestos and caused cancer, which the company denies. The plaintiffs include women suffering from ovarian cancer and others battling mesothelioma.

J&J executed Thursdays corporate reshuffling through a contentious legal maneuver known as a Texas two-step bankruptcy, a strategy other companies facing asbestos litigation have used.

In that process, a J&J business split in two through a so-called divisional merger under Texas law. That transaction created LTL, the new entity saddled with J&Js talc liabilities, according to court papers filed Thursday.

J&J, with a market value exceeding $400 billion, said the talc cases would be halted while LTL navigates bankruptcy proceedings.

The companys costs defending nearly 40,000 cases have approached $1 billion, according to bankruptcy-court filings Thursday. Settlements and verdicts have cost J&J about $3.5 billion more.

We are taking these actions to bring certainty to all parties involved in the cosmetic talc cases, J&J General Counsel Michael Ullmann said in a statement.

While we continue to stand firmly behind the safety of our cosmetic talc products, we believe resolving this matter as quickly and efficiently as possible is in the best interests of the (company) and all stakeholders, Ullmann added.

Plaintiffs lawyers decried the bankruptcy filing. J&Js bankruptcy gimmick is as despicable as it is brazen and an unconscionable abuse of the legal system, said Linda Lipsen, chief executive of the American Association for Justice, a trial lawyers group, in a statement.

J&J said it would fund LTLs legal costs for talc cases in an amount later determined by a bankruptcy judge, with an initial advance of $2 billion. LTL has also received certain royalty revenue streams with a present value of more than $350 million to contribute to potential legal costs, J&J said.

High-Stakes Litigation

Reuters first reported in July that J&J was exploring offloading its talc liabilities and placing them into bankruptcy.

Thursdays move shifted high-stakes litigation over the safety of J&Js talc from courtrooms across the United States to one legal proceeding before a federal bankruptcy judge who could potentially force a settlement among the blue-chip company and plaintiffs.

During earlier settlement discussions, a J&J attorney told plaintiffs lawyers that the company could pursue the bankruptcy plan, which might result in lower payouts for cases that do not settle beforehand, Reuters previously reported.

In the weeks leading up to Thursdays bankruptcy filing, lawyers representing women with cancer claims asked multiple judges to forbid J&J from executing such a maneuver, only to be turned down.

The company maintained in statements and in court proceedings over the summer that it had not decided whether to pursue the maneuver.

A 2018 Reuters investigation found J&J knew for decades that asbestos, a known carcinogen, lurked in its Baby Powder and other cosmetic talc products. The company stopped selling Baby Powder in the United States and Canada in May 2020, in part due to what it called misinformation and unfounded allegations about the talc-based product.

J&J maintains its consumer talc products are safe and confirmed through thousands of tests to be asbestos-free.

In bankruptcy-court papers, lawyers for the newly created J&J subsidiary said the Chapter 11 filing was necessitated by an unrelenting assault by the plaintiff trial bar, premised on the false allegations that the  talc products contain asbestos and cause cancer.

In June, the Supreme Court declined to hear J&Js appeal of a Missouri court ruling that resulted in $2 billion of damages awarded to women alleging the companys talc caused their ovarian cancer.

J&J has prevailed in other recent talc cases.

By Mike Spector and Dan Levine
Police union President John Catanzara says half the force is likely to be sent home on no pay over the vaccine mandate. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Judge Orders Chicago Police Union President Not to Discourage Members From Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

A judge in Illinois has ordered the head of the Chicago police union to stop encouraging members not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, just hours before the citys deadline for officers to report their vaccination status to the city took effect.

Cook County Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan issued the ruling on Oct. 15 after a lengthy emergency hearing on a request for injunctive relief that the city filed earlier in the day, local news outlets reported.

John Catanzara, the president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, urged officers last week not to comply with the citys requirement for them to reveal whether theyve gotten the vaccine.

Ive made my status very clear as far as the vaccine, but I do not believe the city has the authority to mandate that to anybodylet alone that information about your medical history, he said in a video posted on the unions YouTube page.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot accused union leaders of trying to foment an illegal work stoppage, a strike, and the city launched a lawsuit leading to the judges order. The union filed a motion to dismiss in return and a separate lawsuit that asked a judge to order arbitration.

All city workers, including officers, were required to report their vaccination status by Oct. 15. Unvaccinated workers would have to undergo twice-weekly COVID-19 testing and pay for the tests out of their own pocket. Workers who dont share their vaccination status face suspension. Additionally, a Dec. 31 deadline is in place for all employees to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, unless approved for a religious or medical exemption.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a press conference outside of Wrigley Field in Chicago, on April 16, 2020. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The restraining order on Catanzara is in place until Oct. 25, when another hearing is scheduled.

In a brief statement, the Chicago Department of Law described the ruling but offered no further comment.

Catanzara released a one-minute video shortly after the judges order, telling members that the judge granted a restraining order.

With that being said, everybody has to do whats in their hearts and minds, whatever that is, he said, before holding a sign suggesting he was running for mayor in 2023.

A lawyer for the city said in court that the mandate wouldnt be enforced over the weekend, NBC Chicago reported. But he indicated that once the number of officers who refuse to comply is calculated, there would be punishment levied.

At some point for individuals and officers who still have not reported their status in the portal, when that information is tabulated, for those who are still not in compliance, there will be enforcement, he said. They could be disciplined, or they could be sent home and put in a no-pay status.
Law Firm Representing United Airline Employees Now Challenges Oak Ridge National Laboratorys Vaccine Mandate Policy

The law firm that is representing United Airline plaintiffs is now representing employees at Oak Ridge National Laboratory who were put on unpaid leave after filing for religious exemption.

The research laboratory is managed by the University of Tennessee-Battelle (UT-Battelle), a not-for-profit company established to operate the U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored center comprised of 5,500 staff members.

Attorneys from Schaerr Jaffee LLP, a firm based in the District of Columbia, filed a class-action lawsuit Oct. 12 challenging what it said were UT-Battelles discriminatory actions stemming from the companys refusal to grant any reasonable religious or medical accommodation for its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

In August, UT-Battelle initiated its vaccine mandate.

Though the company allows for employees to submit requests for exemptions under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, it later told about 140 employees they will be put on unpaid leave as of Oct. 15, despite their approval for exemption.

Undue Hardship

Leon Workman, a Linux systems engineer with UT-Battelle, had previously disclosed a Sept. 22 email in which the companys human resource director said that the accommodations for the exemptions would cause undue hardship for the company.

In evaluating your request, UT-Battelle has concluded that the only reasonable accommodation that we can provide to you, without presenting an undue hardship, is to allow you to remain a UT-Battelle employee, but without access to campus, by providing you with an unpaid leave of absence, Zahn said in the email.

You may elect to designate vacation time use prior to beginning your unpaid leave, but if you do not do so, your unpaid leave of absence will begin on Oct. 16 if you choose to remain unvaccinated.

A Lose-Lose Scenario

According to the firm in a press release, this was a choice between losing ones career or forsaking ones religious beliefs and health.

Those options are neither lawful nor reasonable, and the plaintiffs represent a larger class of employees bringing a civil rights lawsuit to challenge UT-Battelles failure to engage in a reasonable accommodation process, the firm stated.

The companys vaccination-or-else policy goes against medical science, the law firm said.

This is especially true for employees who can work remotely and have done so successfully to date, as those individuals are not physically in the same spaces as other employees, and thus pose zero risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 when it comes to their coworkers.

Mark Paoletta, a partner in the firm who is lead counsel on the case, said in the press release that the case is about protecting the rights of hardworking and sincere employees at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who are being victimized by their companys oppressive mandate by forcing them to either violate their religious faith, or lose their job. No one should have to make that terrible choice in America.

United Airlines

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered United Airlines not to place workers seeking an exemption to the companys COVID-19 vaccine mandate on unpaid leave.

The temporary ruling was issued by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman so workers who filed for an exemption arent unduly harmed before he can hear oral arguments in the case.

In September, under threat of a temporary restraining order, the firm said United Airlines agreed to temporarily pause its vaccine mandate until Oct. 15 for employees who submitted religious or medical exemptions.

We are pleased that under a threat of a temporary restraining order, United Airlines postponed its heartless and unlawful vaccine mandate that would impose on approximately 2,000 employees the unconscionable choice of violating their religious faith, violating their doctors orders, or essentially losing their job, said Paoletta.

On behalf of the UT-Battelle plaintiffs, the firm asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee to prevent the company from effectively terminating them and for UT-Battelle to grant reasonable accommodations by affording them the right to exercise their faith and preserve their health concerns while employed.

UT-Battelle did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Zachary Strieber, Mimi Nguyen Ly, and Jack Philips contributed to this report.
Loudoun County Superintendent Scott Ziegler is seen during a school board meeting in Ashburg, Va., on June 22, 2021. (LCPS/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Loudoun County Superintendent Appears to Admit District Violated State Law by Not Reporting Sexual Assault

The superintendent of a Virginia school district appeared to admit on Oct. 15 that the district violated state law in failing to properly report alleged sexual assaults, as a state official confirmed that the matter is under review.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Scott Ziegler made the admission during a brief appearance before reporters, where he read a prepared statement and took no questions.

Ziegler said the district made errors in our state reporting regarding disciplinary incidents in schools, stating that it had inadvertently omitted some information in the past.

That is extremely concerning, and we are taking steps to make sure that process is improved. I will say that I have no reason to believe at this time that any missing reports were due to an intent to hide any information from the Virginia Department of Education, he said, blaming an alleged lack of oversight that was in place before he was appointed in June, even though he had served as interim superintendent starting on Jan. 1.

Ziegler appeared to be responding to a report by The Daily Wire that the district failed to record multiple instances of alleged sexual assault, even though its required by state law that they do so.

Ziegler said during a June 22 school board meeting that he was unaware of any record of assaults happening in the districts restrooms, nearly a month after a girl was allegedly raped by a male in a bathroom at Stone Bridge High School.

State law states that reports shall be made to school and district authorities regarding all assaults on school buses, on school grounds, or at a school-sponsored activity.

State law also directs district superintendents to annually report such incidents to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). But a public database of reports shows at least one assault that wasnt reported to state authorities.

A Loudoun County Public Schools spokesperson declined to comment on Zieglers Oct. 15 remarks but didnt dispute the characterization that Ziegler acknowledged state law wasnt complied with.

Superintendents who fail to comply or secure compliance with the reporting requirements are subject to sanctions.

A VDOE spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email that the agency has reviewed the submissions made by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) concerning discipline, crime, and violation and is in communication with LCPS regarding the accuracy of their reports and whether the division is in compliance with state reporting requirements.

The spokesman confirmed that the submissions are required annually and that superintendents are required to certify their accuracy.

This is a matter that VDOE takes very seriously and is actively investigating discrepancies in the LCPS reports, he said.

Attendees are seen during a school board meeting in Loudoun County, Va., on June 22, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

In his statement, Ziegler said he made misleading comments during the June meeting. He said his remarks came after wrongly interpreting a question about incidents in the bathrooms as only involving transgender or gender-fluid students.

I regret that my comments were misleading, and I apologize for the distress that error caused families. I should have asked Board Member [Beth] Barts clarifying questions to get to the root of her question, rather than assuming what she meant. I will do better in the future, he said.

Ziegler also apologized for how the district handled two recent alleged assaults.

Let me say to the families and students involved: My heart aches for you, and I am sorry that we failed to provide the safe, welcoming, and affirming environment that we aspire to provide, he said.

A spokeswoman for father Scott Smith said in a statement to news outlets that Zieglers statement on behalf of LCPS is the first acknowledgment that we have had that they are in fact responsible for their bad decision-making and policies that resulted in the two sexual assaults that happened in our high schools.

Today, Superintendent Ziegler said what we already knew: that the actions of the Loudoun County School Board and Administration failed to provide the safe environment for the Smiths daughter, an attorney for the family said, before accusing LCPS of prioritizing misguided policies of political correctness over student safety.

Zieglers statement came as the districts education leadership is under heightened scrutiny, in part because the board approved a policy that forces LCPS staffers to address students by any pronoun that each individual student chooses and lets students who claim to be another gender use that genders facilities.

The policy drew a fiery response at the June meeting, which was disbanded after Smith and another parent were arrested.

Smith recently revealed that his daughter was allegedly raped by a male inside a girls bathroom in her high school. He has described the male as utilizing the softness toward transgenderism to get inside the facility.

Smith has accused district leadership of covering up the assault.

The Loudon County Sheriffs Office confirmed to The Epoch Times that an incident took place in May at Stone Bridge High School, but declined to provide more details, citing an ongoing investigation. It also declined to confirm reports that the same male was behind a sexual assault that took place at a different LCPS high school in October.

A Freedom of Information Act request seeking more details on the incidents and the arrest of Smith was sent to the district.

LCPS told The Epoch Times via email that school board members are typically not given details of disciplinary matters and werent aware of the alleged rape until it was reported by media outlets.

A member of the school board facing a recall petition resigned from the board on Oct. 15, and attorneys for the Smith family recently filed a lawsuit against the district.

Allen Zhong contributed to this report.
Yi Liufei in an interview with the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times on Oct. 5, 2021. (Xu Xiuhui/The Epoch Times)

Man Severs Ties With Family in China Hoping to Protect Them

A young businessman said he had to cut ties with his family in China in hopes of protecting them from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) harassment. The intimidation began after he publicized photos and videos during the early days of the Wuhan lockdown in January 2020.

Yi Liufei, now residing in the United States, wrote a letter to his father announcing the end of their family relationship. He said he was hoping the family will be safe in an interview with the Chinese edition of the Epoch Times on Oct. 5.

Police have harassed Yis family since July, after he spoke out against the CCP at a rally in Los Angeles.

Yi comes from Gongan County, Hubei Province, in central China, which is 160 miles south of Wuhan.

Yi visited his hometown in late January for the Chinese New Year festival. As lockdowns began in January, Yi saw the provincial border with the neighboring province of Hunan in the south, was shuttered with wood boards, boxes, and metal sheets.

The provincial border between Hubei and Hunan provinces was shut down in January 2020. (Courtesy of Yi Liufei))

Residents living near the provincial border, who were out shopping, found it difficult to get back home. Roads were blocked, and small lanes were closed with metal plates.

Yi took photos and videos of the situation, and uploaded them to a messaging app, alerting his friends to the severity of the pandemic.

The provincial border of Hubei and Hunan provinces was shut down in January 2020. (Courtesy of Yi Liufei)

The following day, security police from Guangzhou, where Yis business is located, contacted him. They demanded he come to the police station for an explanation, an expression used by Chinese police that means for interrogation. Yi couldnt get there because of the lockdown.

Police in his hometown also summoned Yi for an explanation, to which he complied.

He later went to the police station in Guangzhou after he came back from his hometown. The police blasted Yi for disseminating false statements, and said that Yis videos were a threat to the Party and the state. They told Yi to delete his WeChat account.

The police know all your personal detailsyour familys address, your phone number, everything. In mainland China, people have no privacy at all, Yi said.

Although he was not arrested, Yi felt increasingly worried. He left China for the United States in June this year.

Police Intimidation of Yis Family

The CCP celebrates its founding on July 1 every year. Yi joined other CCP dissidents this year in a protest against the communist regime, on the anniversary date, outside the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles.

Local police went to see Yis father, who still lives in Hubei province. They ordered him to persuade his son to stop his anti-China activities in the United States. The police also threatened Yis father saying, if Yi doesnt quit such activities, they will freeze Yis assets in China.

I felt very pained, but I can understand my father, Yi said sadly. He explained to his father that he isnt anti-Chinahe is anti-CCP.

People of his age have experienced many political campaigns, said Yi. They dont know the difference between China and the CCP. They are scared and are severely brainwashed by the CCP.

Yi had to announce that he cut all ties with his family in a letter to his father. I will do anything to keep my family in China safe, Yi said.

Yi still feels the lingering pain when he recalls the lockdowns of Wuhan and other areas of Hubei.

The CCP does not care about the life and death of the people, Yi said. The local authorities imposed a sudden and complete lockdown of the province, turning it into a huge prison.

There is a family in a neighboring city whose parents were taken away and isolated, which left their child at home alone. No one came to help the child, who was starved to death.

Yi said state news channels were full of propaganda songs praising Wuhan city and Hubei province.

An undated photo of a city in Jiangxi Province. The red banner says People coming back from Hubei Province are all time bombs. (Courtesy of Yi Liufei)

What residents in other areas of China said was Catch Wuhan residents! Lock up Hubei residents! Yi added.

[There are] a lot of lies in China.

He wanted to give the world a true picture, despite the tight censorship of the CCP because, someone must keep a record of the evils of the CCP.

Yi encouraged Chinese people to speak up against the CCP, because for most people in China, fear silences them, he said. As time passes by, peoples memory will blur, just like people gradually forgot the CCPs massacre of students on Tiananmen Square in 1989 and its persecution of Falun Gong since 1999.

However, many Chinese people are waking up, Yi said with a smile.

He learned that nearly 400 million Chinese have quit the CCP Party, Youth League, or Young Pioneers. Yi was a member of the Young Pioneers as a young boy, so he declared he quit the organization after he moved to the United States.

I hope that one day, all Chinese people are able to get rid of the cruel and authoritarian regime, Yi said.

Daniel Holl and Sophia Lam contributed to the article.
Three seminarians at the St. Albert the Great Catholic Institute and Seminary in Kaduna, Nigeria, just after their release by kidnappers on Oct. 14, 2021. (Screenshot from video posted by St. Albert the Great Institute/The Epoch Times)

Mass Kidnappings Bankrupting Nigerian Churches; Catholic Seminary Is Latest Target

KADUNA, NigeriaNigerias pandemic of kidnapping for ransom is bankrupting church communities in the nations northern states, and despite vows from police to remedy the problem, theres no end in sight.

In the most recent kidnapping, a gang believed to be Fulani militants struck a Catholic seminary on Oct. 11.

The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) estimates that Nigeria has recorded more than 4,500 kidnappings this year, according to Kyle Abts, ICON executive director.

ICON estimates that the average ransom is about US$10,000 each and that of the 4,500 kidnappings, more than 2,500 have been perpetrated this year specifically targeting Christians, Abts told The Epoch Times.

That means there has been over $25 million paid, Abts said. This leaves the Christian community suffering both financially, physically, but also spiritually. The impact of kidnappings and ransom payments is impoverishing these local communities so that they are unable to pay local pastors, conduct benevolence projects, invest in local farming, and, consequently, it prevents the sustainability of local communities.

Over 162 churches have been shuttered due to banditry and ransom payments in the State of Kaduna alone in recent years, the Rev. Joseph Hayab, head of the Christian Association of Nigerias Kaduna chapter, stated in a text message to The Epoch Times.

No longer are these kidnappings only perpetrated by Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa terrorists, but increasingly, it is the Fulani militants who are overtaking the kidnapping industry, Abts says. Ransoms range from a few thousand U.S. dollars to over hundreds of thousands of dollars, and one state reported that there has been over $5 million paid this year alone.

Gunmen struck an isolated Catholic seminary in southern Kaduna on the evening of Oct. 11, abducting three faculty members and four seminarians. The armed gang, believed to be Fulani Muslim militia, stormed the St. Alberts Catholic Institute and Seminary at Fayit, Fadan Kagoma, Jemaa Local Government Area (LGA).

Three of the seminarians were released by their abductors early on Oct. 14, according to a statement that day by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uche Okolo, chancellor of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese. Four others remain in the bush.

A video posted on the St. Alberts Institute Facebook page showed three exhausted and shaken men welcomed at the seminary chapel by a jubilant congregation of priests. The attack was the second recent attack on a Catholic seminary in southern Kaduna.

In February last year, armed Fulani Muslim militia attacked the Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Buwaya, in Chikun LGA, abducting four students. Even though a ransom was paid, the kidnappers killed Michael Nnadi, 18, who was a freshman.

With hearts filled with joy, we raise our voices in a symphony of praise as we announce the return of our Three Major Seminarians, who were abducted by armed persons from the Chapel, according to a statement by Okolo. The event [abduction] took place on Monday, 11th October, 2021 at about 7:26 pm, in the chapel of the seminary in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma in Jemaa Local Government Area in southern part of Kaduna state.

As at the time of the attack, 10 formators [trainers] including the Rector of the Seminary and the Institute, 132 seminarians, 6-non seminarians, one female nonacademic staff, and one steward were on ground [safe].

Six seminarians sustained various degrees of injuries. A dispatch of soldiers of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) was on ground to accompany some formators and the injured seminarians to Salem Hospital, Kafanchan. There, they were treated and discharged after being confirmed stable.

From the narrative of the seminary security agents, the law enforcement personnel, and the headcount conducted after Mass on the 12th of October, 2021, it was confirmed that three theologians [and] four seminarians were abducted. These seminarians belong to the Apostle of Devines Charity and Little Sons of the Eucharist Congregation.

The Rev. Williams Abba Kaura, former head of academics of the institute said: The attackers are Fulani armed men, as many of the students have confirmed.

They came with the sole aim of kidnapping for ransom. They waited until there was an evening meeting session at the chapel, then they stormed. They shot bullets all over the place, and everyone was running in different directions for his life.

Help came very late. Thankfully, no one was killed. Most of the injuries sustained were from the stampede. No gunshot wounds.

They have contacted the families of the abducted students, because as a policy, our Diocese does not negotiate with kidnappers because we dont pay ransom, for many reasons.

They are talking directly with the parents of the hostages, and I hear that they are asking for US$107,000 dollars (60 million Naira).

Kaduna State Police Command spokesman Mohammed Jalige confirmed to The Epoch Times that there was a kidnapping incident in the Catholic Institute, but that a rescue mission had been dispatched to liberate those abducted and arrest the culprits.

It is true that such an incident occurred. It is very unfortunate why these criminals are targeting schools, he said. I want to assure you that we have dispatched a special rescue team since last night. I am sure we shall get back the victims and apprehend the criminals, he said.

The abduction is the most recent of more than 10 mass abductions of college students that began in November 2020. As reported by The Epoch Times, 121 students of Bethel Baptist Academy were kidnapped at gunpoint by armed Muslim Fulani militia on July 5, 2021, and an undisclosed ransom was paid before 117 were released in batches. Four of those students remain in captivity.
Most Populous Australian State Reaches 80 Percent Fully Vaccinated

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has reached the 80 percent COVID-19 vaccination threshold that the government required to further ease restrictions for the fully vaccinated.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet took to Twitter on Saturday afternoon to announce it: 80 [percent] in NSW! Been a long wait but weve done it.

Feels great to break this news. Huge thanks to all the nurses and vaccination hub staff at (NSW Health), the GPs, the pharmacists, and each and every person who rolled up their sleeve to get us here.

He added: Restrictions ease further on Monday, so keep up to date with [NSW Health] and [Service NSW]. Summer in NSW is looking good.

1/2

80% in NSW! Been a long wait but weve done it.

Feels great to break this news. Huge thanks to all the nurses and vaccination hub staff at @NSWHealth, the GPs, the pharmacists, and each and every person who rolled up their sleeve to get us here.  Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) October 16, 2021

The promise to further ease restrictions on Monday comes one week after fully vaccinated people in NSW exited lockdown.

The residents of NSW have been subjected to some of the harshest and longest health measures and restrictions in Australia as the country has pushed to achieve an 80 percent vaccination target for people aged over 16. That figure triggers what the state government called phase two of its four-phase plan to reopen the country.

Meanwhile, protests against the health measures in NSW has been met with a heavy police response, resulting in some violent clashes, multiple arrests, and civil pushback.

Now that 80 percent vaccination has been achieved, community sport will be back on the table, as will house parties with 20 guests and outdoor gatherings of up to 50 for the vaccinated.

Masks will no longer be mandatory in office buildings. Caps will be lifted on weddings, funerals, and hospital bookings as well.

The confirmation that the state would be able to move to the next phase of reopening next week came after the government announced the next stage of its economic recovery plan.

NSW recorded its lowest daily COVID-19 case numbers in two months, with 319 news cases, which is 80 fewer cases than Friday.

Two more people died of the virusa woman in her 90s who was unvaccinated, and a man in his 60s whod received one dose. They take the death toll of the current outbreak to 460.

The number of people in hospital also continues to fall, standing now at 652, which is 25 fewer than reported on Friday. Some 138 of those are in intensive care, seven fewer than the previous day.

NSW Healths Jeremy McAnulty urged NSW residents to get tested as testing numbers dropped by nearly 20,000 to 66,311.

High testing numbers are still vital in finding cases so that we can suppress the spread as much as possible to keep the community safe, he said in a video update.

AAP contributed to this report.
Navy personnel prepare doses of the COVID-19 vaccine before the opening of a mass vaccination site in Queens on Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Seth Wenig / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SETH WENIG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

New Navy Order: Unvaccinated Sailors to Be Discharged, Could Face Financial Penalties

A new U.S. Navy order says all active-duty personnel who dont get a COVID-19 vaccine by an upcoming deadline will be dischargedwith possible financial repercussions as well.

The order, which was issued last week, applies to any sailors who arent fully vaccinated against the CCP virus by Nov. 28, unless theyve received a religious or medical exemption or have an application for an exemption pending.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after getting two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The Nov. 28 deadline was already known, as is a Dec. 28 date for reserve personnel, but the new order (pdf) contained fresh details about what unvaccinated sailors face.

Those who havent complied could be separated as soon as the deadline arrives, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William Lescher and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John Nowell wrote in the joint order. The discharge process will be overseen by the COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority, which includes Nowell.

In the weeks before the deadline arrived, commanders were told not to allow any sailors refusing a COVID-19 vaccine to be promoted, reenlist, or execute orders, with the exception of separation orders.

Additionally, the sailors can be temporarily reassigned, regardless of whether theyve received or are seeking an exemption.

Officers and enlisted members serving in leadership roles who hadnt gotten a shot were informed in writing that they had five days to initiate a vaccination series or request an exemption. If they did neither, they would be relieved of duty and have whats known as detachment for cause, or administrative removal of a member from a current duty for unsatisfactory performance of duty or misconduct.

Any Navy personnel separated because of vaccine refusal will get a general discharge under honorable conditions or a higher level of discharge. Depending on the level, they could lose some veterans benefits.

Thats not all they could lose.

Officers may be subject to recoupment of unearned special or incentive pays in select cases. The COVID authority also may seek recoupment of applicable bonuses, special and incentive pays, and the cost of training and education for service members refusing the vaccine from sailors, the order also says.

Unvaccinated personnel could also face a court-martial.

The order drew criticism from several lawyers who are representing military personnel seeking religious or medical exemptions.

This is nothing more than pure vindictiveness. Theres no legitimate reason to threaten our brave service members with court-martial or involuntary separation. And now, the Navy is threatening to hurt them financially?!? You might expect a country like China or North Korea to force its people to choose between faith and country. But this is America. What the Navy is doing goes against the very fabric of our nation, Mike Berry, general counsel for First Liberty Institute, told The Epoch Times in an email.

R. Davis Younts, another attorney, said the order is deeply concerning and appears to be targeting military members based on their faith.

My clients are being threatened with this simply for exercising their legal and constitutional right to submit a religious accommodation request. It appears as if the Navy may be signaling a plan to deny all religious accommodation requests without any consideration of individual cases, medical concerns, or natural immunity, he said.

My clients fear political motivations are the priority and the law and military readiness are being ignored. My clients believe it is as important as ever to stand strong against this mandate and continue to exercise all of their legal rights despite any threats they receive.

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate, outlined by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, was announced on Aug. 30, five days after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered branch heads to develop mandates.

A Navy spokeswoman declined to comment when asked if any religious or medical exemptions had been approved.

As of Oct. 13, over 98 percent of active-duty Navy personnel are fully vaccinated or will be before the deadline arrives. Ninety-four percent of the total force have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
NYC Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams Pledges to Preserve the Gifted and Talented Program

The front-running New York mayoral candidate said in an interview with CCN that he would preserve the Gifted and Talented (G&T) program should he become the next mayor.

We need to expand the Gifted and Talented program, [it] was isolated to certain communities. That created segregation in our classroom, Adams said.

Current New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week his plans to cancel the G&T accelerated learning program for schoolchildren, drawing criticism from New York State Assemblyman William Colton and New York City Councilmember Robert Holden, both Democrats, who rallied with parents outside the headquarters of the Department of Education on Thursday for the second time to demand that the program be kept.

New York City Councilmember Robert Holden (R) and New York State Assemblyman William Colton (L) speak at a rally outside the Department of Education headquarters to demand the preservation and expansion of the Gifted and Talented program, Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Sarah Lu/The Epoch Times)

De Blasios move, however, was lauded by another group that claimed that the program is racist and excludes Latino and black children, who constitute the majority of the school system, while the students enrolled in the G&T program are largely white and Asian-American children.

We need to test out children throughout the educational experience, not only at age 4, age 6, age 10, lets continue to test them, Adams said.

Adams noted that children should be able to opt out of the program, and furthermore children with disabilities and disadvantages should be focused on as well, noting that 55 percent of Rikers inmates have learning disabilities.

When the CNN host asked Adams if he would put back in place the G&T program if de Blasio takes it out, Adams responded: He cant get rid of it until next year, theres a new mayor next year, that mayor must evaluate how hes going to deal with the gifted and talented program, theres nothing to put back in place.

He then reasserted that he would not get rid of the program, instead, he would opt to expand it.

New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio presents a proclamation at the 46th Precincts National Night Out in the Bronx borough of New York City, on Aug. 3, 2021. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

The era of judging 4-year-olds based on a single test is over, de Blasio said in an Oct. 8 statement. Every New York City child deserves to reach their full potential, and this new, equitable model gives them that chance.
New York City Councilmember Robert Holden (R) and New York State Assemblyman William Colton (L) speak at a rally outside the Department of Education headquarters to demand the preservation and expansion of the Gifted and Talented program, Manhattan, New York, Oct. 14, 2021, (Sarah Lu/The Epoch Times)

NYC Parents and Officials Rally to Preserve Gifted and Talented Program

Parents of diverse ethnic backgrounds gathered outside the Department of Education on Thursday to demand that NYCs Gifted and Talented (G&T) program be preserved.

Several city officials accompanied the more than 200 parents and supporters from all five administrative districts and condemned the mayors leftist political education agenda.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has less than 3 months in office, announced last week that the G&T program would be phased out and replaced with his own progressive program.

Black and Hispanic parents took to microphones and rebutted de Blasios claim that his new model is more equitable.

Protesters rally outside the Department of Education headquarters to demand the preservation and expansion of the Gifted and Talented program, Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Sarah Lu/The Epoch Times)

Opposers of the G&T program say that it is racist in that it foments racial polarity since it enrolls a low number of black and Hispanic students.

The most vociferous supporters of the G&T class and special high school examination system were the New York State Assemblyman William Colton and New York City Councilmember Robert Holden, both Democrats.

Colton said that he was a teacher for 11 years and taught in the public school system.

In 2 of those 11 years, he said he had the opportunity to teach children that were years above their grade level.

And the children in my class were all African American students, and they were great! Colton exclaimed, they were great! they were doing so well in the gifted and talented class, these were the students who were getting admitted into specialized high schools, [such as Brooklyn Tech] our own Brooklyn tech these were the students that constituted our majority of Brooklyn Tech in those days.

He then chanted along with the parents Save G&T and expand G&T!

Holden introduced a resolution in 2018 to expand the G&T program.

It had a hearing, overwhelming support, Holden said, so what happened? Nothing. No message from the city council. Theyre not advancing the resolution. Theyre not really promoting G&T because this mayor doesnt believe in excellence.

Mayoral candidate Eric Adams said on Wednesday that he supports the G&T program and that it is part of the conversation.

Were going to sit down with parents, teachers, educators. I have a great team that Im meeting with and I see that the test should be still in place. Even if it means expanding or having children opt-out. Let everyone take it, Adams said.

Four years old should not determine the rest of your educational career, Adams added. It should be ensuring that we can do beyond four and continue to assess students for their needs.

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa has also voiced support to expand the G&T program.

The Epoch Times reached out to the mayors office for comment.

Protester outside the Department of Education headquarters to demand the preservation and expansion of the Gifted and Talented program, Manhattan, New York, Oct. 14, 2021, (Sarah Lu/The Epoch Times)
Dr. Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, in a file photograph. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Pentagon Offers Money to Relatives of Afghans Killed in Botched US Drone Strike

A top U.S. military official offered payments to relatives of Afghans who were killed in an errant Aug. 29 U.S. drone strike in Kabul, the Department of Defense said on Oct. 16.

Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, conveyed the offer to Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of Nutrition and Education International (NEI), a Pentagon spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email.

The spokesman declined to say how much money was offered and whether the offers were accepted.

NEI is a nonprofit based in California aimed at improving the lives of women and children in Afghanistan.

Zemari Ahmadi, one of 10 Afghans killed by the strike, worked for the nonprofit. The nine others who died were all related to Ahmadi.

The strike hit a home belonging to the family in Kabul in the wake of a suicide bombing attack on the airport in the city, which U.S. troops were holding at the time to help evacuate Americans, Afghans, and others before fully withdrawing from the country.

U.S. military leaders initially said the strike was successful and took out a member of ISIS, a terrorist group that took credit for the attack. But officials later said no ISIS members appeared to have been killed and the strike wasnt successful.

Our investigation now concludes that the strike was a tragic mistake, Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. told reporters during a briefing in mid-September.

Afghan residents and family members of the victims gather next to a damaged vehicle inside a house, day after a U.S. drone airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images)

He said that among the civilians killed by the strike were up to seven children and that we now assess that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to U.S. forces.

NEI said at the time that it was appreciative that McKenzie cleared Ahmadi and his family of false accusations linking them to ISIS and that the Department of Defense was exploring ex gratis payments to Zemaris remaining relatives and others involved in this unfortunate incident.

Since the United States no longer has a presence in Afghanistan, NEI is serving as the main point of contact for American officials with Zemaris family.

NEI said it was hoping lifetime financial support would be provided to Zemaris wife and daughter and that U.S. officials would expedite special visas for Zemaris relatives as well as his NEI colleagues.

During the talks between Kahl and Kwon, Kahl noted that the strike was a tragic mistake and that Mr. Zemari Ahmadi and others who were killed were innocent victims who bore no blame and were not affiliated with ISIS-K or threats to U.S. forces, the Pentagon spokesman said.

Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austins commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments, in addition to working with the State Department in support of Mr. Ahmadis family members who are interested in relocation to the United States.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser Robert C. OBrien were honored for their contributions toward world peace at the Richard Nixon Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, Calif., on Oct. 14. (Vanessa Serna/The Epoch Times)

Pompeo and OBrien Awarded for Contributing to World Peace

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser Robert C. OBrien were honored on Oct. 14 for their contributions toward world peace at the Richard Nixon Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.

I was blessed to have such an amazing partner to work on these complicated difficult problems all across the world to help deliver on the very thing were talking about tonight, to keep our young men and women safe, Pompeo said. To build a model for peace across the world.

Pompeo and OBrien were surrounded by over 200 supporters who applauded their work of peace.

They each accepted the Richard Nixon Foundations 2021 Architect of Peace Award on Oct. 15 for their work in developing the 2020 Abraham Accords and the 2020 SerbiaKosovo economic normalization agreements.

The Architect of Peace Award was first created in 1995 after the passing of President Richard Nixon to highlight individuals who strive toward the goal of creating a peaceful world.

The former secretary of state and national security adviser played an integrative role in the Abraham Accords, which was a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

The agreement outlines the efforts to pursue peace in the Middle East by normalizing relations about shared interests.

Pompeo and OBrien assisted in the 2020 SerbiaKosovo agreement, which helped implement peaceful economic relations between the countries. It led Serbia to agree to move the embassy to Jerusalem and Kosovo recognizing Israel.

Additionally, their oversight of assisting the return of 50 American hostages detained abroad was highlighted.

It was a great experience being here, an attendee told The Epoch Times. Pompeo is a very impressive guy and has done a lot for our country.

Former recipients of the Architect of Peace include Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.
Cakes are immaculately decorated and sold for every occasion.

Portos Bakery to Open in Northridge

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.Portos Bakery, one of the most popular bakeries in Southern California, is ready to launch its new store at the Northridge Fashion Center.

The new Portos is now under construction and is expected to be open in January, according to the a company representative.

While preparing for the new store, Portos Bakery has been joining the Northridge Farmers Market every Wednesday from 47 p.m.

The Northridge store will become Portos sixth location in Southern California.

Currently, Portos Barkery has locations in Glendale, West Covina, Burbank, Buena Park, and Downey.

Portos is known for its signature cheese rolls, refugiados, and potato balls. The bakery also provides nationwide shipping services for their unbaked frozen pastries, so customers can bake them fresh at home.

Portos Bakery was first opened in 1976 on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, California.

Rosa Porto, the owner of Portos bakery, grew up in Cuba and ran an at-home bakery for years before she immigrated to the United States.

After Rosa and her family arrived in California, she utilized her exceptional baking skills and continued to sell cakes and pastries from home until she opened her first storefront.

Rosas motto, Quality is the number one ingredient in everything we do, helped the bakery build up a great reputation and countless loyal customers.

After Rosa passed away in 2019, her three children and grandchildren have carried on Rosas legacy and continue to grow the business.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 21, 2021. (Graeme Jennings/AFP via Getty Images)

Rubio Calls on Biden Administration to Blacklist Huawei Spin-Off Honor

WASHINGTONRepublican U.S. senators led by Marco Rubio on Thursday called on the Biden administration to blacklist Honor, a former unit of embattled Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, describing the firm as a threat to national security.

In a letter dated Thursday, seen by Reuters, Rubio described Honor as essentially an arm of the Chinese government with newly unfettered access to the same prized U.S. technology currently denied to Huawei. The letter adds to a growing chorus of China hawks calling for the blacklisting.

By spinning off the Chinese telecom giants budget smartphone brand in November 2020, Beijing has effectively dodged a critical American export control, Rubio wrote in the letter also signed by Senators John Cornyn and Rick Scott.

By failing to act in response, the Department of Commerce risks setting a dangerous precedent and communicating to adversaries that we lack the capacity or willpower to punish blatant financial engineering by an authoritarian regime.

Honor and the Department of Commerce in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Huawei declined to comment beyond noting a prior statement that said it would not hold any shares or be involved in managing Honor following the spinoff. The Chinese Embassy in Washington said the U.S. had kept smearing Huawei without presenting solid evidence to support its accusations.

The Trump administration placed Huawei on a trade blacklist in 2019, arguing the company posed a national security threat, which Huawei denies. Putting the company on the so-called entity list has meant its U.S. suppliers have had to obtain special licenses to sell key items like semiconductors to the firm.

Google was also barred from providing technical support to new Huawei phone models and access to Google Mobile Services, the bundle of developer services upon which most Android apps are based.

As sanctions against the company began to bite amid tighter controls, Huawei announced the Honor sale to a consortium of over 30 agents and dealers.

In August a group of 14 Republican Congressmen led by Michael McCaul, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also called on the Commerce Department to blacklist Honor, alleging the company was spun off to evade U.S. export controls and to give Huawei access to blocked semiconductor chips and software.

On Monday, Honor said on Twitter it had succeeded in confirming cooperation with a number of supplier partners in the early stage and that its Honor 50 smartphones would be equipped with Google Mobile Services.

By Alexandra Alper
The western span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge and San Francisco skyline seen on Nov. 2, 2001. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

San Francisco Puts More Than 180 Unvaccinated First Responders on Leave Amid Rising Crime

More than 180 first responders in the fire, police, and sheriffs departments in San Francisco have been put on leave amid a rise in crime in the city.

San Francisco set a deadline of midnight on Oct. 13 for first responders and other city employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Oct. 14 that more than 180 city employees, including firefighters, police officers, and sheriffs deputies, remained unvaccinated as the deadline passed and the city was going to put them on paid leave before they possibly have their employment terminated.

Specifically, 76 sworn police officers and 32 non-sworn employees of the police department remain unvaccinated out of 2,832 employees, 2,113 of which are officers. The Sheriffs Department stated that 39 sheriffs deputies out of 1,014 staff members arent fully vaccinated. The Fire Department has 35 employees out of 1,738 who have opted to not yet take the vaccine.

City officials have said they were prepared to shift staffing and continue to provide critical services.

A spokesperson for the citys Department of Human Resources told the Chronicle that the city issued its vaccination policy to protect the health and safety of members of the public as well as employees, noting that COVID-19 deaths include employees of the city and county of San Francisco.

The spokesperson said those who still arent vaccinated will be sent notices that they can no longer report to work. The unvaccinated employees will be on unpaid leave before they each face a hearing where they have a chance to appeal, after which theyll be fired if their appeal is denied.

The city has received about 800 requests for medical or religious exemptions from city workers, which its still reviewing.

Crime data from the San Francisco Police Department show an overall increase in total crime of 4.6 percent. While some categories of crime such as rape and robbery have reduced from the previous yearby 13.9 and 4.7 percent, respectivelyother categories have seen a marked increase, including homicide and human trafficking.

Homicide has risen by 12.8 percent, and human trafficking has risen by 20 percent. Arson and assault have increased by 9.3 and 9.2 percent, respectively, and larceny-theft has increased by 7.8 percent.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) speaks during a hearing to examine United States Special Operations Command and United States Cyber Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2022 and the Future Years Defense Program, on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 25, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images)

Senator Cotton Delays Vote on Bidens Pick for Powerful China Job at Commerce

WASHINGTONRepublican Senator Tom Cotton is holding up a vote to confirm Alan Estevez as the U.S. Commerce Departments undersecretary for industry and security until he gets answers to difficult questions about technology exports to China.

In a letter dated Oct. 14 and seen by Reuters, Cotton asks Estevez to commit to strengthening U.S. restrictions on exporting semiconductor software and technology to China and to accelerating the roll-out of new rules to tighten export controls for advanced technologies.

The letter, also signed by Republican senator Bill Hagerty, asks Estevez to consider extending a Trump administration rule, that currently only applies to Huawei, to include blacklisted Chinese firms with links to the military or human rights violations. That rule further restricted access of the Chinese telecom giant to advanced semiconductor chips.

The job at the Commerce Department oversees exports to all countries; but decisions over cutting-edge technology exports to China have given the position tremendous power over Chinese companies dependent on U.S. technology in recent years.

The Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Many industry watchers saw the choice of Estevez, a former Defense Department official with a limited track record on China, as a safe bet.

But Cotton, or any other senator, can hold up a fast-track confirmation process that requires consent by all 100 senators.

Since the Republican has not had the chance to question the nominee, he is pausing the confirmation process until he receives answers to the questions posed in the letter, a Cotton staffer said.

Republicans are not the only ones holding up Estevezs nomination. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez came out against Estevez when the Senate Banking Committee took up his confirmation, and also opposes expediting a final full Senate vote.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 12, 2018. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

His opposition stems from the former Pentagon officials response to questions regarding returning oversight of U.S. firearms exports to the State Department.

I was not satisfied with Mr. Estevezs non-answers as to whether the Biden administration was planning to fulfill President Bidens campaign promise and finally reverse the Trump administrations dangerous stripping of oversight authority of U.S. firearm sales from the State Departments Munitions List to the Commerce Department, Menendez said in a statement.

The Trump administration transferred jurisdiction on exports of semiautomatic pistols, assault rifles, and related firearms from State to the less-restrictive Commerce Control List, which also eliminated congressional review of such sales.

Estevez will be in good company. Other Biden nominees are being held up by Senator Ted Cruz, who is using the process to halt a Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline, White House officials and Democrats in Congress say.

Estevez testified last month before the Senate banking committee, which later voted in favor of advancing his bid to the full Senate.

During the hearing and under questioning from Hagerty, Estevez said he expected to keep Huawei on a blacklist unless things change and pledged to look at Honor, a former unit of Huawei, to see whether the Chinese telecom giant was using the spun-off company to minimize or circumvent its own blacklist designation. Republican senators have called on the Biden administration to blacklist Honor.

In the letter on Thursday, the senators also asked for Estevez to say whether he thought the global spread of Huawei Cloud Services posed a data security and privacy concern for the United States, and whether Honor should be placed on the Commerce Departments trade blacklist.

By Alexandra Alper and Karen Freifeld
A convoy of armoured vehicles travels between camp locations during the UK Task Group Mission Rehearsal Exercise ahead of their deployment to Mali, on the Ministry of Defence training area on Salisbury Plain in England on Oct. 14, 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Soldier Dies in UK Training Accident

A soldier has died during a military training exercise in England on Friday, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of a soldier on Salisbury Plain Training Area, the MoD said in a statement.

The MoD said it would be inappropriate to comment further as Wiltshire Police are investigating the incident.

According to Wiltshire Today, emergency services including an air ambulance were at the scene on a public byway in Enford shortly before midday on Friday.

The local news outlet said it understood a tank rolled over, fatally injuring the soldier.

The Epoch Times couldnt independently verify the information.
Shipping containers wait to be transferred from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Oct. 14, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

South Bay Residents Express Worries Over Supply Chain Backlog

South Bay residents voiced concerns about the backlog of goods off the Southern California coast and their opinions on President Joe Bidens order, announced Oct. 13, that the Port of Los Angeles work around the clock to help ease the current supply chain crisis, brought on, in part, by measures taken amid the pandemic.

Dave, a resident of Carson, who didnt want to provide his last name, said he has noticed more trucks stuck on freeways due to the backlog.

Its all trucks, one truck after another, he said. In fact, theyre so thick that sometimes you cant even change lanes because its bumper to bumper.

Anthony Zepeda, from Long Beach, agreed and said hes worried about the backlogs effect on the environment.

People are complaining because of the quality of the air from all of the truckers and freighters that are spewing gas because they run off diesel, he said.

Zepeda also pointed to a shortage of workers due to an excess of unemployment benefits, he said, that have, some say, kept workers at home.

A friend of mine said, Why should I work if I can get unemployment? he said. Its messed up.

A woman shopping at the Costco in Torrance, who asked to remain anonymous, said she thinks the current backlog will produce even more shortages at stores like shes seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

Ive seen this for the last year and a half of COVID. My girls drink these fruit drinks at Starbucks and theyre always out of them, she said.

The woman said she was equally exasperated that another item she was looking to buy at Costco wasnt available for a second time this week.

Angelo and his wife Jamie Martian, who were also shopping at Costco, said theyre planning to stockpile food and necessities for their family of four. Angelo mentioned the recent decline in COVID numbers and wondered why the port is clogged.

I just dont understand why there is a backlog, he said.
Merck's antiviral against COVID-19 is seen in an undated image. (Merck & Co. via AP)

US Set to Pay $712 per Patient for Mercks COVID-19 Pill

Merck & Co. is set to receive $712 per treatment course for its COVID-19 antiviral pill from the U.S. governmenteven as it costs a fraction of that amount to produce and is reportedly on track for a price of $12 in India.

The gap between production costs and the price for molnupiravir is wide and emblematic of a problem that some say requires Congress or the U.S. government to intervene by implementing price caps, or utilizing so-called march-in rights. Others, though, warn that such measures would curb innovation and lead to fewer drugs coming onto the market.

Merck filed for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for the oral drug last week, after it said an interim analysis of trial data shows it cut hospitalizations in COVID-19 patients. An FDA advisory panel will consider the drug in November.

The treatment, a collection of pills given over five days, would be the first of its kind since the pandemic started.

Originally developed by Emory University with U.S. government funding, the drug was licensed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics last year. Efforts to win authorization during the Trump administration were stymied, leading Ridgeback to turn to Merck.

Researchers this month pegged the cost of production for the five-day treatment course at $17.74 (pdf) and estimated that Merck could make a sustainable amount even if it priced a course as low as $19.99.

Melissa Barber of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Dzintars Gotham of the Kings College Hospital used the cost of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and other numbers to calculate the estimate.

The U.S. government committed last year to obtain 1.2 billion treatment courses if the drug received regulatory clearance. According to a contract (pdf) obtained by Knowledge Ecology International, the cost of each treatment would be $712.

This price is equal to about 35 times the estimated sustainable generic price, Barber and Gotham said.

Its also 46 times as much as Indian manufacturers plan to charge for a generic version, according to Leena Menghaney, the South Asia head of Medecins Sans Frontieres Access Campaign.

The molnupiravir case illustrates why the TRIPS Waiver is so urgently needed, which would waive intellectual property for COVID-19 medical tools during the pandemic and would remove legal barriers so that countries the world over could produce versions of these medicines and more lives could be saved, she said in a statement, referring to a proposal to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Merck officials didnt respond to requests for comment. After public criticism of the cost of the companys antiviral, an executive, Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis, said the price it charged the U.S. government isnt the final figure.

We set that price before we had any data, so thats just one contract, Kartsonis told the Associated Press. Obviously were going to be responsible about this and make this drug as accessible to as many people around the world as we can.

Merck in a statement on Oct. 11 said its committed to providing timely access to molnupiravir globally, if it is authorized or approved, and plans to implement a tiered pricing approach based on World Bank country income criteria to reflect countries relative ability to finance their health response to the pandemic.

A logo of drugs and chemicals group Merck is pictured in Darmstadt, Germany, in a file photograph. (Ralph Orlowski/Reuters)

Cheaper Than Other Treatments

While hydroxychloroquine and other drugs approved for various afflictions but used as off-label COVID-19 treatments cost much less, they arent recommended by federal authorities to treat COVID-19. The few cleared as COVID-19 treatments cost more than Mercks drug.

Remdesivir, the only approved treatment for hospitalized patients, costs an estimated $5 (pdf) to produce and was sold to the U.S. government for $2,340 a coursea price now pegged as too high for many patients. Monoclonal antibody courses, used to treat mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, cost around $2,100 per course. The cost of production for the monoclonals isnt clear.

Mercks drug is lower than a lot of the other treatments right now for COVID and certainly a lot cheaper in the United States of ending up in a hospital, James Love, director of Knowledge Ecology International, told The Epoch Times.

On the face of it, that doesnt seem to be, initially, an irresponsible pricing decision for Merck, he said.

The average COVID-19 hospitalization costs $34,662 to $45,683, according to data crunched by FAIR Health (pdf).

If regulators do find the drug safethere are concerns it could lead to the development of cancerand authorize it in the United States, the calculus could change.

Suppose that a new variant ended up infecting a significant percentage of the U.S. population and the drug was needed for 1 million, 10 million, or 50 million persons. At some point, the price just isnt reasonable, Love said in an email.

Dr. Roger Klein, a health policy expert who currently advises The Heartland Institute, doesnt see the gap as a big deal, given that developing treatments are really high-risk endeavors that cost a lot of money, including millions of dollars just to run clinical trials.

We dont know how long these drugs are going to have a market within the United States, which is the worlds most important drug market in many ways, he told The Epoch Times, adding that he believes the public health crisis from the pandemic is close to being over because of an increasing number of people gaining immunity through vaccination or prior infection.

Every treatment costs much more than vaccines. The shots have all been priced under $20 a dose, according to contracts between vaccine makers and the U.S. government.

A sign is posted in front of Gilead Sciences headquarters in Foster City, Calif., on April 29, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

March-in Rights

One possible approach to lowering drug prices is utilizing various provisions of the BayhDole Act of 1980, some experts say.

The act let the federal government retain some rights for inventions produced with government funding. It also enables federal agencies to use known as march-in rights, through which the government in certain circumstances can require a company to grant a license for a drug to an applicant. The government can grant the license itself if the patent owner refuses.

Some experts and advocates say march-in rights can be used to ease drug prices or provide leverage in negotiations on prices.

Thirty-one state attorneys general called last year on the federal government to exercise march-in rights on remdesivir to boost supply and lower its price.

Here, we think it is clear that Gilead has not established a reasonable price, nor has it met the health and safety needs of the public given the COVID-19 pandemic, they wrote (pdf).

However, no federal agency has ever exercised the power, according to the Congressional Research Service and opponents say the law has only narrow application.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has said multiple times the act doesnt authorize it to set prices, Dr. Mark Rohrbaugh, special adviser for technology transfer at the NIH, said during a panel discussion last year held by the BayhDole 40 Coalition and Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. No other federal agency has disagreed with this position, he said.

Both the Trump and Biden administrations have rebuffed those calls and other efforts to cap prices during the pandemic.

We cant control that price because we need the private sector to invest, Alex Azar, the health secretary at the time, said during a congressional hearing in February 2020.

Even if march-in rights cant be used, the government can negotiate prices, others say.

The governments funding and involvement with setting contracts with hospitals for remdesivir should have led to price concessions, Dr. Peter Bach, director of the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said during an Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) panel discussion last year.

Public Citizen, an advocacy group, has urged the Biden administration to use executive authority to impose a reasonable pricing requirement so that taxpayers dont pay twice for medicine developed with public fundsfirst funding research and development, and again through excessive prices.

Gilead and Eli Lilly, which produces monoclonals, did not respond to requests for comment. A GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman declined to provide information on the cost of production for the antibodies. A Regeneron spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email that monoclonals are complex to develop and manufacture, requiring time, specialized facilities and expertise, hence the higher cost of this class vs. vaccines.

Monoclonal antibodies are intended primarily as treatment, and so also have cost-effectiveness in being administered only to high-risk patients who are otherwise likely to be hospitalized, as opposed to vaccines which are intended to be administered to all, he added.

A Regeneron monoclonal antibody infusion bag is seen during a news conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Aug. 19, 2021. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Quest to Revamp Pricing

Prices can vary based on a number of factors, Merck says in a fact sheet, including value to patients and health care systems and the investment into research and development.

Other factors include what the market is willing to pay and the number of alternatives, according to Joey Mattingly, associate professor and vice chair of academic affairs at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacys Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research. The volume of sales also plays a role, as do getting large contracts from governments.

Drugmakers have long been accused of charging too much for products, especially drugs for rare diseases. Some experts and lawmakers have pushed to revamp the drug pricing system, but the issue has bedeviled Congress since the 1950s.

An agreement was close in the 1960s on a proposal by then-Sen. Estes Kefauver (D-Tenn.) to implement pricing caps and other ideas currently supported among some members of both parties. But Kefauver couldnt ultimately secure enough votes, and the KefauverHarris Amendment that eventually passed focused primarily on drug safety and efficacy.

Theres a lot of proposals out there, good or bad, and well just see if it has the votes and the things that dont have the votes will fall out and well keep talking about it and then depending on how elections go over the next 10 years, maybe there will [be a change], but Im not holding my breath, just because I know weve been on this journey for 60 years, Mattingly said.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily briefing at the White House on Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

White House Press Secretary Says Shell Be More Careful After Being Accused of Violating Hatch Act

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Oct. 15 that shell be more careful with her words after a watchdog group accused her of violating the Hatch Act during a press briefing.

While the president has publicly expressed his support for McAuliffe, well leave it to the press and the campaign to provide commentary on the race, Psaki said in a statement to news outlets. I take ethics very seriously and will choose my words more carefully moving forward.

The apparent violation came when Psaki spoke about Terry McAuliffes Virginia gubernatorial campaign.

Were going to do everything we can to help former Gov. McAuliffe, and we believe in the agenda hes representing, Psaki told reporters in Washington this week.

Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint to the Office of Special Counsel over the comment, alleging that it appeared to endorse McAuliffes candidacy and run counter to the Hatch Act.

The act bars any employee of the Executive Branch from using their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or influencing an election result.

There is also little doubt that Ms. Psakis statements were aimed at the success or failure of a candidate in a partisan election, the complaint says.

We hope the Biden administration will give renewed attention to staying on the right side of this law, CREW President Noah Bookbinder said in a statement.

Trump administration White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, now a Fox News host, also said that Psaki appeared to violate the Hatch Act.

CREW typically targets Republicans and filed a series of Hatch Act complaints against officials during the Trump administration, including McEnany.

The Office of Special Counsel found that Kellyanne Conway and Peter Navarro, two Trump administration officials, violated the act in comments they made.

Another Biden administration official, Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge, was accused of violating the act earlier this year when she talked about two Democrats running for a U.S. Senate seat representing Ohio.
Chris Hickey is planning to open a restaurant in Norwalk in about a month, but he has no idea how hes going to staff it.

We see the battle ahead of us, he said. We already know from the loss of staff and trying to bring people back who have gone other avenues, we just know we have a hill to climb ahead of us.

Hickey is co-owner of several area restaurants, The Spread in Norwalk, El Segundo in Norwalk and New Haven and, in a few weeks, a pizza place theyre calling the Magic Five Pie Company.

In all of those restaurants, staff both in and out of the kitchen have been difficult to find since indoor dining reopened in Connecticut.

Its not that I can blame them. If they finally had the time on their hands to pursue something that was a dream in their head before, then God bless them, Hickey said. I really hope that some of them found something they just didn't have the time to pursue beforehand.

Hickey isnt alone. Restaurants across Connecticut are finding it nearly impossible to hire employees. Vincent Cappelletti called the situation absolutely disastrous.

Cappelletti, who owns Lucas Local Oyster Bar and Mission Salad in Southbury, and Centrico in Bethel, said they had to shut down for about six weeks starting on March 16, 2020. After that, staff became hard to find.

I think there were a lot of restaurant employees that just said, Maybe this is a good time to change my career, Cappelletti said. We lost a lot of people in the industry simply because of the pause.

Restaurants, Cappelletti said, are not always easy places to work, though he said every kitchen is different.

The pause gave people a chance to think about it, he said. Maybe I want to drive for Amazon. Maybe I want to work at the hardware store. Totally understandable.

According to Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, staffing problems are industry-wide. He said its the No. 1 challenge facing our industry, and its not going away.

Our average restaurant is between 65 and 70 percent of the staffing levels where theyd like to be, he said. Any restaurant you go into would hire a minimum of two to three people.

Staffing issues have forced restaurant owners to shift business models. Cappelletti, for example, is also opening another restaurant in November  a New Orleans-style place called The Quarter in Newtown  though he said that expansion is deceiving.

I decided I was going to renovate our old space, which gave us some more time to find some staff, he said. The restaurants are only open Wednesday through Sunday because we can't find enough staff to open for lunch Monday and Tuesday.

Hickey has also had to cut back on the number of hours and days his restaurants are open.

We don't even offer lunch anymore, he said. Weve cut it down so that were open late afternoon now. Thats an entire shift that we dont open, because we simply dont have the hands that we need to run a lunch shift.

Cappelletti said its not just the obvious  the hours and days theyre open  but every aspect of the business that has changed. Staffing has become more difficult to find, as costs have risen precipitously.

Hes looked at trimming the menu down, adjusting the way they take reservations, figured out how to make due with three servers instead of five.

Going though this terrible time that we've all been through has made people rethink how we operate, he said. Every little thing.

And much more resources, both time and money, are spent on finding staff. Hickey said their social media posts used to focus on the quality of the food, whereas now, weve had to add into the cycle of posts the need for employees.

Im spending $1,500 to $2,000 a month just for ads to find people who are barely responding and not even showing up for interviews, Cappelletti said.

If those employees never come back, Dolch said he tells restaurants theres no light switch, that it might take six months to a year of being understaffed.

Neither Hickey nor Cappelletti were optimistic.

Im not seeing any upticks, Cappelletti said. Where he used to leave hiring primarily to his lower-level managers, hes gotten much more directly involved.

Ive been pretty much calling every kitchen applicant from my cellphone, he said.
NORWALK  Celebration returned to Fox Run Elementary School on Friday to appreciate the Hispanic heritage of its students.

The annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration returned for an in-person event at the school after going virtual last year due to COVID-19. The school reduced the scale of this years event to limit the crowd size, moving the celebration right after school instead of in the evening and keeping it to an hour.

Its exciting to say the least, said Carla Monteiro-Walsh, principal at Fox Run Elementary, about bring the event back. It allows for a sense of normalcy and community belonging that all schools long for. Its another opportunity to re-establish a new normal.

The schools Hispanic celebration began in 2010 as a way to celebrate the many Latin American cultures represented among the student body. About 45% of the student body is of Hispanic descent, and those students represent about a dozen different countries.

Families are asked to participate in the event to share their culture. Because of COVID restrictions, the school couldnt allow any outside parties to bring in cooked food, so Chartwells provided a spread that included beef empanadas, pupusas, elote (Mexican street corn) and quesadillas.

The celebration also included the Spanish tradition of flamenco dance, put on display by third-grader Paloma Arango and her mother Barbara. Palomas dance included the use of castanets and fans.

I felt a little bit nervous. By the end, I felt confident, Paloma Arango said. My favorite part was my solo. Ive been working on it for about a year. I learned it virtually.

Monteiro-Walsh and Lynn Sadlon, the family resource director for Norwalk Public Schools, hope to continue spotlighting more of the schools families with an international festival in the spring.

We look in the family resource center the opportunity to engage families. Families love to share food, music, dance, recipes. We found that when we ask parents to share in this way, theyre more engaged with the school. School is looked at as friendly place, a place to celebrate everyone, Sadlon said.

emily.morgan@hearstmediact.com
NORWALK  The sounds of children playing in and around Jefferson Elementary School will return next fall as renovations to the building remain on schedule.

Construction is expected to be completed by June 15 on the $33 million project, according to Newfield Construction. The district will then be able to move in new furniture, and teachers can come set up their new classroom spaces. The school should be ready to welcome back students to start the 2022-23 academic year.
Lincoln County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority reported two additional COVID-19 related deaths in the county, bringing the total to 38, as of Friday, Oct. 15.

There were 15 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday for a total of 153 cases in October. Currently there is just one person hospitalized at an intensive care unit with COVID-19, according to Lincoln County Public Health.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the Lincoln County Website under Whats New or call the Lincoln County Call Center at 541-265-0621. The call center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mobile Vaccination Bus

Lincoln County Public Health and Oregon Health Authority are bringing a Mobile Vaccination Bus to Lincoln County October 24 through November 5.

The bus will be stationed in four cities and will be the base for several mobile clinics in other locations of the county.

Eligibility

The clinics offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to any eligible person. This includes Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Third doses of Moderna or Pfizer will be available for those who are immunocompromised and Pfizer boosters for those at high risk of severe COVID, according to a release from Lincoln County Public Health.

Third doses and boosters have eligibility requirements. Only those who are currently immunocompromised can receive a third dose at least 28 days after the second dose. Pfizer boosters are approved six months after the second dose, but only under certain conditions.

Eligible people include those with certain underlying medical conditions or who are at higher risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus due to where they live or work. In Oregon that includes everyone who was in Phase 1A of the initial vaccine rollout earlier this year.

Clinic locations clinics at the mobile vaccination bus are open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day during the visit to Lincoln County.

The clinic locations

Yachats: October 24  25 at the Yachats Commons

Waldport: October 26  27 at the Waldport Community Center

Toledo: October 28  30 at the Toledo Library

Lincoln City: October 31  November 5 at Chinook Winds Casino Resort In addition to the main clinics, smaller pop-up clinics will also be available

Tidewater  October 27 at Alsea Dog & Animal Kennel from 2 p.m.  6 p.m.

Siletz  October 28 at Siletz City Hall from 1 p.m.  5 p.m.

Otis - November 4 at Salmon River Grange from 2 p.m.  6 p.m.

Newport  November 5 at La Juquilita from 2 p.m.  7 p.m.

To assist with questions and scheduling, the Lincoln County Call Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To reach the call center, please call 541-265-0621, or email LincolnCoCallCenter@co.lincoln.or.us. You may also schedule online on the county website www.co.lincoln.or.us/COVID.

For more information, visit the Lincoln County website at www.co.lincoln.or.us/COVID
Phuket SMEs urge support to reopen to serve tourists

PHUKET: Representatives from small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Phuket have called on the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion board (OSMEP) to provide support by providing access to low-interest loans without the onerous requirements currently required by government agencies and to set up a fund so they can reopen to serve tourists.

tourismeconomics

By The Phuket News

Saturday 16 October 2021, 02:18PM

Phuket SME operators called for better support from the government at a meeting held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday (Oct 15). Photo: PR Phuket

Phuket SME operators called for better support from the government at a meeting held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday (Oct 15). Photo: PR Phuket

Phuket SME operators called for better support from the government at a meeting held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday (Oct 15). Photo: PR Phuket

Phuket SME operators called for better support from the government at a meeting held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday (Oct 15). Photo: PR Phuket

Phuket SME operators called for better support from the government at a meeting held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday (Oct 15). Photo: PR Phuket

The call came at a meeting at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday (Oct 15), chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong.

Present to hear the plea in person was Mongkol Leelatham, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion board (OSMEP).

Mr Mongkol, a former senior banker, has previously served as the President Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) and as President of Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM).

At the meeting, OSMEP Director Weerapong Malai described the meeting as important in order to hear the opinions of entrepreneurs in the Phuket area, including the problems they are facing, obstacles to successfully reopening and recommendations from the local SMEs in order for the OSMEP to do what it can redress the problems.

Mr Weerapong noted the importance of Phuket through the Phuket Sandbox scheme as the pilot province in the countrys tourism revitalization plan to allow foreign tourists to travel to Phuket to travel without quarantine.

There are approximately 43,000 entrepreneurs throughout the country, and the number of SME operators in Phuket comprises 1.35% of the total number of SMEs in the country, he said.

He also touted the many projects launched by the OSMEP available to Phuket SME operators to promote and develop entrepreneurs in Phuket, such as the SME Restart project, as well as SME cluster potential development projects and in-depth marketing channels for SME entrepreneurs.

The OSMEP also conducts an SME National Awards contest, SME Regular Level business promotion and development activities, activities to increase the potential of online entrepreneurs with digital marketing and activities to develop to the best of SME Provincial Champions, he said.

Regardless, despite all the business support schemes announced by government agencies, including the projects launched by the OSMEP, the Phuket SME representatives yesterday called on the OSMEP to launch a fund so they can rebuild their businesses in order to functionally reopen and serve tourists.

Key business and industry leaders in Phuket over the past year have repeatedly warned the national government of the long-term damage to Phukets tourism industry infrastructure, and called on the national government to do more to help business struggling to stay alive so that when the country finally does reopen to tourists there will be businesses open to serve them.

Of note, the Phuket Sandbox scheme began more than four months ago, on July 1. Yet yesterday (Oct 15), SME operators in Phuket, led by Wirintra Paphakityosapat, President of the Association of Phuket Tour Operators and SME entrepreneurs in Phuket, were calling on the OSMEP for help in order to reopen.

The Phuket SME operators called for support in terms of providing low-interest loans and reducing the process for requesting a loan, which has proved to be a major barrier for many small businesses in Phuket in acquiring much-needed funds for reopening.

The Phuket SME operators yesterday also called for a fund to be set up to assist tour operators to use as a source of capital for business rehabilitation to accommodate tourists who will come in the near future, following Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announcing that Thailand will reopen to receiving vaccinated international tourists from low-risk countries without quarantine from Nov 1.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival officially ends

PHUKET: This years Phuket Vegetarian Festival officially came to an end last night (Oct 15) as shrines across the island brought the curtain down on what has been a generally muted occasion.

CoronavirusCOVID-19Chineseculturetourism

By The Phuket News

Saturday 16 October 2021, 10:03AM

At around 4pm yesterday, over 30 shrines performed the Go Teng pole ceremony where the lowering of the pole signifies the end of the festival.

There was a significant gathering of people at the Jui Tui Shrine on Ranong Rd in Phuket Town to watch the official closing. Many took home bamboo branches and other items used in the nine-day festival as auspicious safekeeps.

Those present respected requests by the shrine to adhere to health and safety precautionary measures mandated by the provincial government by wearing facemasks and following disease prevention orders.

This years Vegetarian Festival has been very underwhelming compared to years gone by, predominantly due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Devastating nationwide flooding earlier this month also had a detrimental impact as prices of vegetables were hiked as a result.

People did take to the streets on Thursday (Oct 14) to celebrate the final evening of the festival by setting off firecrackers but even this was lacklustre compared to previous years.

It has been announced that next years Phuket Vegetarian Festival will take place between Sept 26  Oct 4.
Russell Crowe lauds Phuket, Thai experience

PHUKET: Hollywood actor Russell Crowes posts on Twitter showing him and his crew travelling in Phuket and Bangkok have created a much-needed buzz ahead of Thailands reopening to foreign visitors on Nov 1.

tourism

By Bangkok Post

Saturday 16 October 2021, 09:27AM

Photo: Russell Crowe Twitter

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his appreciation after being informed about the Academy Award winners tweet, prompting the premier to thank everyone involved in Phukets successful sandbox reopening model.

Crowe, 57, posted several photos, video clips and messages on Twitter from the tourist island and Bangkok, where he is believed to be shooting a movie called The Greatest Beer Run Ever, a drama directed by Peter Farrelly based on the book of the same name, reprots the Bangkok Post.

He posted pictures of several tourist attractions in Phuket, including the 25.45-metre tall seated Buddha statue at the Big Buddha Temple.

He also posted pictures of himself and his group biking in Bangkoks Thon Buri district, showing off Wat Kanlayanamit Woraviharn on Arun Amarin Road.

Crowe tweeted to his 2.7 million followers that he had never visited Thailand, although he had transited in Bangkok six times.

The Thai govt has this very cool thing in place. Its called Sandbox Quarantine. If you are fully vaccinated you can fly to Phuket and move around the island freely, Crowe tweeted.

We had an obligation to the production Im on to limit our movements but still managed to see the big Buddha and a waterfall or two. The weather in Sept was wet. But sooo warm. When the sun did come out it was beyond gorgeous. Thai people are so friendly, so welcoming and of course, the food is just amazing. So, if youve been locked down, if youre feeling that wanderlust stirring in you now that we have a date for open borders.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) appreciated the stories and photos Crowe shared on his social media pages while staying in Phuket and Bangkok, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

We would like to thank him for the message he posted on his Twitter and Facebook accounts. It is good news that we received a good response, said Mr Yuthasak, adding that it happened at the right time when the kingdom is ready to open for fully vaccinated visitors without quarantine on Nov 1.

It also shows the success of our standard operating procedures on Phuket Sandbox that it leads to an impressive customer experience, he said.
Column: Perhaps Macbeth Summed It Up Best When Weighing Afghanistan Departure
RIDGEFIELD  After 25 years as pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton and 50 years in the priesthood, Father Joseph Prince is hanging up his robe.

The parish will hold a celebration on Oct. 24 to commemorate Princes dual anniversaries and acknowledge his lifelong service to the church.

Princes decision to join the priesthood was inspired by having a number of uncles and cousins who were also priests. After losing his father at the age of 10, Prince was encouraged by his maternal grandfather to follow in his relatives footsteps.

He was ordained in Coimbatore, India in 1971 at the age of 27. After a few years as an associate he planned to travel to Manila to earn a degree in mass media communications.

Unfortunately at the time there were a lot of problems in the Philippines, so I couldnt get a visa, Prince recalled. Two weeks later, he was accepted to study abroad in America. I couldnt believe it.

Prince went to Fairfield University in September 1975 with $100 in his pocket but no place to work or stay. At the time, the dean of the school, Father Thomas Burke, arranged for Prince to live with a group of Jesuits until he found permanent housing.

They never charged me a penny, Prince said.

Prince was eventually accepted into St. Andrews Church in Bridgeport and served there for three months while attending school full time. He was then transferred to St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield, and regards the four years he spent there as the most happy time.

They had five priests in the rectory and all of us were really good friends  it was a nice home for the priests, Prince recalled. The people were extremely kind to me, and some of them are now here in my parish at St. Elizabeth Seton.

Prince served in many of Fairfield Countys Catholic churches, preaching from the pulpits of St. Peters in Danbury, St. Rosa Lima in Newtown and St. Leos and St. Gabriels in Stamford. In 1996 his focus returned to Ridgefield after he learned Father Francis Medynski was retiring.

Medynski founded St. Elizabeths in 1976 after parishioners from St. Marys showed interest in establishing another parish in the Ridgebury district. He also interviewed Prince before he transferred to St. Marys, as fate would have it.

Of the 13 priests who applied to succeed Medynski, Prince was chosen to lead the parish. I was thrilled, he said. It was just incredible joy for me to come back to Ridgefield.

Over the next 25 years Prince channeled the spirit of St. Elizabeths to inspire good inside and outside the parish. Neither wouldve been accomplished without the support of the congregation, he said.

In 2006 St. Elizabeths completed a $3.5 million renovation of its church building and added an addition for office space and classrooms. In 2015 it received donations from a widowed parishioner, which were used to install stained-glass windows. The project cost almost $250,000, Prince said.

Moreover, Princes tenure enabled him to officiate multiple sacraments for dozens of parishioners who grew up in St. Elizabeths. Just last week he blessed the marriage of two young parishioners; he had previously completed three sacraments with the bride.

I baptized her, gave her First Communion and confirmed her, he said. Its a family affair ... (and) I am profoundly grateful, honored and humbled by the love and affirmation of my ministry and priesthood in this parish.

Prince prays this generosity will continue in support of St. Elizabeths new pastor, who will take over the pulpit after Dec. 31.

Im going to miss being with my people and celebrating the sacraments, he said. I want to ask them to pray for me so I can continue (serving them) in one way or another, wherever I am going to be.

Princes anniversary celebration begins with a mass at 11:30 a.m. followed by a reception in McKeon Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. To make a reservation, call 203-730-6660.
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Jack C. Taylor, 86, formerly of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2021. Jack will always be known as a hardworking and caring family man. He was an exceptional athlete, receiving 1954, high school All-State Honors in both football and basketball by the Courier-J
Households are being urged to challenge their energy supplier if it decides to demand much higher payments in the winter months ahead.

The Mail on Sunday has seen evidence that some suppliers are asking customers to double or even triple their payments, only to back down when challenged and agree to a smaller increase.

Payment increases are normal at this time of year as winter approaches, cold snaps become the norm, and household energy usage soars.

Shock: We have seen evidence that some suppliers are asking customers to double or even triple their payments

But the size of some of the payment demands this time around suggests energy companies are keener than ever for customers to maintain healthy credit balances on their accounts.

This money can then be banked by the companies and earn interest, albeit at a pitiful rate.

Rising wholesale prices mean all energy companies are now struggling to make profits as their costs soar.

Since August, 13 suppliers have gone to the wall  Pure Planet, Daligas and Colorado Energy in the last few days  resulting in customers being transferred to larger, more financially robust competitors.

Although these remaining companies have the financial resilience to withstand record wholesale gas prices, they are desperately looking at ways to maintain margins.

They have stopped offering cheap fixed rate deals  previously the linchpin of the switching market  and pushed customers on to higher standard rate tariffs as soon as they come off a special deal.

They are also insisting that customers increase their direct debit payments.

'I challenged my supplier about a 215 increase  and they backed down'

One reader, Tom Runner from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, was recently told by his supplier EDF that his monthly gas and electricity bill would be jumping from 97 to 312 a month  an increase of more than 300 per cent. A result in part of the account being 250 in debit.

'I was a little flabbergasted,' says Tom, who is married and an empty nester. 'Back in July, I had anticipated rising energy costs by locking into a two-year fixed rate tariff and I was quite chuffed with myself.

So, to then be told my monthly payments would be shooting through the roof came as quite a shock.'

Shock: Tom Runner's EDF bill told him his monthly payment was rising by 215

Although many people accept higher payment demands without first challenging them, Tom (not his real name) decided to contact EDF by phone.

Undeterred by banks of automated menus and frequent requests not to be calling about an account query, he eventually managed to speak to someone at EDF.

Within minutes, he had managed to negotiate his new direct debit payment down to a more affordable 120  although still an increase of nearly 24 per cent.

Tom, 54, says: 'If I hadn't made the effort to challenge the new payment, I would now be scratching my head wondering how I would be able to find an extra 215 a month from our household budget.

'As with all matters of personal finance  be it mortgages, pensions or investments  you should never take your eye off the ball.'

Expensive: Customers have seen the price of heating their homes and running appliances surge, thanks to the increases in the wholesale price of gas

Justina Miltienyte, energy policy expert at comparison website Uswitch, says the best way for households to protect themselves from steep payment increases is to provide their supplier with regular meter readings.

She says: 'Suppliers will usually check your direct debit payments twice a year, comparing actual energy consumption against estimated usage. Up-to-date meter readings help with that process.'

If a direct debit payment is to be increased, the supplier must give at least ten days' notice. Failure to do this can result in compensation.

While an account credit balance ahead of the winter months is no bad thing, it makes no sense to build a big balance (100 plus).

Request a refund  most suppliers will act on it promptly. Miltienyte says the need for households to keep an eye on their energy usage as prices rise makes the case for smart meters stronger than ever.

Via a home display, usually in the kitchen, these allow households to check in real time how much energy they are using in pounds and pence. Miltienyte also urges people to adopt simple energy saving measures around the home.

Ensure appliances are turned off at the socket when not in use,' she says. 'Use low-energy LED [light emitting diode] bulbs and wash clothes at a lower temperature.' Those struggling to pay their energy bills should speak to their supplier urgently  and agree an affordable payment plan.

Some suppliers provide access to debt experts. For example, Bulb works with debt adviser Tully which is authorised by the City regulator. Citizens Advice and Advice Direct Scotland can also provide help.

Energy regulator Ofgem also provides useful consumer information.

Wrapped up: Rachel Rickard Straus keeps warm without putting the heating on
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.

Probe: Martin Vaughan ran Clear Capital Management, which was struck off by Companies House

G.J. writes: In 2018, I took 115,000 out of my Jaguar Land Rover pension fund and put the rest into a Sipp with wealth managers Huntsman Hawkes.

They asked the Ascentric platform firm to put just over 132,000 into a corporate bond. Huntsman Hawkes collapsed, and my replacement Sipp firm said they wanted nothing to do with the corporate bond as they felt it was toxic.

The bonds have since been delisted, and I may not get my money back.

Tony Hetherington replies: This has been one of my messiest enquiries for a long time, with a cast list that threatened to become as big as a telephone directory, so please excuse me if I compress some of the complicated details.

Switching away from a defined benefit pension scheme is hardly ever a good idea, but you wanted a lump sum for family reasons, and transferring to a Sipp let you draw this.

You consulted The Advisor Partnership Limited, a firm on the Financial Conduct Authority's public register, and it introduced you to Huntsman Hawkes Limited, also FCA-approved. However, in 2020, The Advisor Partnership was compulsorily struck off by Companies House.

Huntsman Hawkes reviewed your finances and recommended a Sipp administered by Ascentric Platform, but with investments managed by yet another company, Clear Capital Management LLP.

Oddly though, it was Huntsman Hawkes  not Clear Capital Management  that instructed Ascentric to put a huge slice of your pension money into loan notes issued by Corporate Finance Bonds Limited, listed at the time on the stock market in Dublin but since de-listed.

In August 2019, Huntsman Hawkes collapsed into administration, and in the same month Clear Capital Management was revealed to have been the target of an FCA investigation and it halted almost all activity before being compulsorily struck off by Companies House in June this year.

In fact, only Ascentric, which simply carried out administration work, has emerged unscathed.

So where does this leave your loan notes? These have been swallowed up into Recovery Notes from yet another firm, Heritage Corporate Finance, a specialist business that manages the orderly winding up of financial instruments that go wrong.

And its boss, Marc Ainscough, told me that your loan notes 'were not suitable for retail investors and were not made available to them'.

However, Martin Vaughan, who ran Clear Capital Management, explained that he only drew up 'model portfolios' containing a range of different investments.

He told me: 'The suitability of the model portfolios for each individual client was assessed and determined by the financial adviser.'

That financial adviser was Dean Foreman of Huntsman Hawkes. But he told me he believed the model portfolios held 'standard assets' suitable for ordinary investors, and what went into those portfolios was for Clear Capital Management to decide. In short, he seems to have looked at the headline label, and not at what went into the portfolio, heavily loaded with corporate IOUs.

The result is as if Clear Capital Management manufactured a gun, but it was Huntsman Hawkes that pulled the trigger; you were just the victim, trusting the professionals.

Your loan notes may still pay something, though this will not be known at least until next year, but it is likely you have lost more than the Financial Services Compensation Scheme ceiling of 85,000.

Your advice firm was Huntsman Hawkes, so I asked director Dean Foreman to say which insurer provided its professional indemnity cover, as this might benefit you. He replied: 'I'm afraid I do not recall who our PI insurance was with.' It all happened two years ago, he added.

It is likely that FCA records hold the answer for both Huntsman Hawkes and Clear Capital Management, so I asked the regulator for details. That was in May, five months ago. Answers were promised but have never arrived.

Your own next stop has to be the compensation scheme, which might pry open the FCA's records, failing which you have grounds for a complaint against the FCA itself.

Why does Mercer keep stonewalling over its payouts?

Ms A.G. writes: I retired in August after working at Morrisons for 16 years, and a month earlier I applied to Mercer, the company that administers the Morrisons pension scheme, to say that I wanted my small pension pot as a lump sum.

I expected the money when I retired, but I have received nothing.

Struggle: Getting information from Mercer was like extracting teeth from an unhappy crocodile

Tony Hetherington replies: You told me you emailed Mercer, but only got back an automated reply saying someone would contact you. And when you threatened to go to the Pensions Ombudsman, Mercer replied that it would pay you in a few weeks.

As you said to me: 'If I still worked for Morrisons and did not get paid on time, this would be unacceptable, so why should this conduct by Mercer be any different?'

It's a good question, but there is no answer. When I contacted Mercer, it replied a fortnight later, saying you had now been paid.

Why was there a delay? Mercer stonewalled: 'In line with company procedures, we do not comment on individual members.' Mercer then refused to comment on why it refused to comment. It had your signed consent, allowing it to speak to me, but opted to ignore it.

Despite being a major pensions company, Mercer has form for this. Last March, I reported that it withheld a widow's pension, demanding that she repay 208 it claimed it overpaid her late husband.

Getting information from Mercer was like extracting teeth from an unhappy crocodile, until the firm finally confessed the 208 had never been paid in the first place. If my work pension was in Mercer's hands, I think I would change jobs.

New home loan hit by furlough

S.A. writes: My daughter is buying a new-build house and asked Nationwide to 'port' her current mortgage to the new property.

However, as she is currently on flexible furlough, Nationwide has refused her request.

Tony Hetherington replies: Your daughter is no longer on furlough, but even when she was not working normally, her job as an air traffic controller was safe.

Nationwide told me that when she applied for the new mortgage, her existing home loan stood at 224,000 and she needed a further 35,000.

However, she was incorrectly told that she could port her mortgage online, and that Nationwide would accept furlough income.

In fact, Nationwide did not take furlough income into account in considering a fresh mortgage application. It has offered her 100 as an apology for this mistake.

Nationwide did reconsider after I contacted the society, and it indicated it would approve your daughter's loan after all and let her have the full 259,000.

By then though, you had provided your daughter with some of the funds she needed, and she had received a mortgage offer from Santander for the full amount.

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.
Climate change activists may be causing havoc across the country but a simple fact remains: the world depends on oil and gas and will almost certainly continue to do so for some time.

Boris Johnson is set on pursuing a green agenda but as recent spikes in oil and gas prices show, demand for these hydrocarbons persists and is expected only to increase over the coming years.

Advance Energy hopes to take advantage of the global reliance on oil. Founded in February 2020, the business targets oil fields that have already been discovered but are currently underdeveloped or underfunded.

As recent price spikes show, the world depends on oil and gas and will almost certainly continue to do so for some time. Advance Energy is poised to take advantage of this

Chief executive Leslie Peterkin then strives to use his experience and industry contacts to unlock the full potential of these assets and deliver substantial rewards to shareholders.

Peterkin, 67, has spent 40 years in the oil industry, including a decade at Shell, followed by senior positions at Australian majors Woodside and Santos.

He has also acted as a consultant for independent energy firms, each time charged with turning neglected assets into valuable and highly productive oil fields.

Now, he is determined to prove his mettle at Advance, supported by chairman Mark Rollins, another oil veteran.

Their first project is Buffalo-10, formerly owned by commodities giant BHP but lying fallow for more than 15 years.

Situated between Australia and East Timor, the Buffalo site produced oil for several years but no technology was available to assess and exploit its full potential.

Techniques have advanced significantly since then and independent analysis suggests that up to 34million barrels of oil are lying below the sea on the Buffalo site.

A drilling programme starts next month and, should the analysis prove correct, it will be a game-changer for Advance.

Confidence is high, so much so that discussions are under way with lenders and contractors to take this site to production by the end of 2023, producing around 30,000 barrels a day in year one and 40,000 thereafter.

From the start, Peterkin felt the company could best deliver shareholder rewards if it adopted a joint venture approach to each asset, where Advance provides expertise, industry contacts and funding, while the other party focuses on day-to-day operations.

Australian-listed Carnarvon is Peterkin's partner on Buffalo and revenues will be shared equally, but forecasters believe Advance will swiftly be able to recoup the expense of bringing the site to production and become highly cash generative thereafter.

In the meantime, Peterkin is in advanced talks on two more ventures, which should add to the Advance roster and create long-term value. There is even talk of dividends in the years to come.

Midas verdict: Investing in pre-revenue energy businesses is never risk-free but Peterkin's experience opens doors across the industry, while his focus on sites that have already been developed increases the chance of success.

Advance is an extremely low-cost business too and sector watchers believe Buffalo will prove a winner. At 3.3p, the company is definitely worth a punt for the adventurous oil lover.

Traded on: AIM Ticker: ADV Contact: advanceplc.com or 01624 681250

... or get a stake in green battery bounty

For investors who are in a more ecological frame of mind or want to hedge their bets in a climate-conscious world, Harmony Energy Income Trust might prove just the ticket.

Harmony specialises in battery storage plants, which allow electricity to be released on to the grid and sent to homes and businesses when it is most needed.

The company, based in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, expects to list on the stock market in early November and is hoping to raise 230million.

Shares will go on sale this week at 1 each, available on Primary Bid or via intermediaries such as AJ Bell and Hargreaves Lansdown.

Going green: Battery storage makes the transition to renewable energy much more viable and Harmony Energy Income Trust is an expert in the field

With an eye on income-seekers, Harmony boss Paul Mason is targeting an 8 per cent dividend yield from 2023, payable quarterly and rising from 2 per cent next year.

The group will make its money from buying electricity on the wholesale markets when it is cheap, usually overnight from renewable sources, and selling it when it is most in demand, mostly between 5pm and 7pm.

Harmony can do this by storing the energy in huge batteries, strategically located near local electricity distribution points.

Battery storage has only been around for a few years in the UK but Harmony was there from the start so it gains access to good projects early and at attractive prices.

As such, Mason will use the flotation proceeds to buy six projects, capable of storing 312.5MW of electricity, which will be enough to power 95,000 homes a year.

Harmony has exclusive rights to acquire further sites over the next five years, capable of storing another 687.5MW of power.

There is also a longstanding relationship with Tesla and the US giant has agreed to provide state-of-the-art battery systems for Harmony's initial portfolio of sites.

Midas verdict: The past few weeks have shown that when the wind does not blow and the sun does not shine, Britains entire electricity system buckles under the strain.

Battery storage makes the transition to renewable energy much more viable and Harmony is an expert in the field. The dividend yield is appealing too. When the shares go on sale at 1, they are worth a close look.

To be traded on: Main market Ticker: HEIT Contact: harmonyenergy.co.uk or 01423 799109
The Queen and senior Royals will this week roll out the red carpet to global business leaders in an unprecedented attempt to secure overseas investment into Britain.

Ministers hope Her Majesty's presence will help to seal a string of huge deals at the Global Investment Summit  and eclipse a similar event held by France.

As the gathering takes place, it is expected that billions of pounds of investment into green energy will be announced as a show of Britain's determination to hit net zero carbon by 2050.

In the pink: Ministers hope Her Majesty's presence will help to seal a string of huge deals at the Global Investment Summit, held at the Science Museum in Central London

The summit at the Science Museum in Central London will host more than 200 business titans, including Jamie Dimon, the JPMorgan chief seen as the world's most powerful banker, and Larry Fink, chairman of $9 trillion (6.6trillion) fund manager BlackRock, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and chief executive of Goldman Sachs David Solomon.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the guests and almost half the Cabinet will be on the charm offensive.

Those at the summit will later be whisked to Windsor Castle with a motorcade escort for a gala dinner hosted by the Queen, who is expected to stress the importance of tackling climate change.

The Queen's involvement is being seen as a landmark moment in using the Royals to attract international investment.

She will be joined by the Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent.

It is unusual for the Queen and the direct line to the throne all to attend functions.

The event rivals a foreign investment summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. One City source said: 'Macron was ahead of the UK on this  but the Queen's our trump card, it's textbook one-upmanship.'

On the guest list Attendees and speakers at the Global Climate Summit will include: Her Majesty the Queen The Prince of Wales The Duke of Cambridge The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester Prince Michael of Kent Boris Johnson Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan chief Larry Fink, chairman of BlackRock Bill Gates, Microsoft founder Alison Rose, NatWest chief executive David Solomon, chief executive of Goldman Sachs Emma Walmsley, GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Jes Staley, Barclays boss Kwasi Kwarteng, business secretary Amanda Blanc, chief executive, Aviva Warren East, chief executive, Rolls Royce

NatWest chief Alison Rose said the Queen's appearance would add weight to the event. 'She is a great ambassador for the country and a globally respected person  that's definitely a strength,' she said.

The Queen last week remarked that she was irritated by people who 'talk' but 'don't do', ahead of the COP26 UN climate change summit.

She will attend COP26 in Glasgow next month along with other Royals. Speakers at this week's summit include GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Emma Walmsley, Barclays boss Jes Staley and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

The MoS understands the summit will provide the backdrop to several significant steps to develop the UK's nuclear energy capabilities, including funding for mini nuclear reactors led by Rolls-Royce.

The Government is also expected to trigger the start of the legislative process to allow regulated asset base (RAB) funding for nuclear power plants.

This will reduce the financing risk of huge projects for investors and is among the options to fund the Sizewell C project in Suffolk.

It would pave the way for the Government to block China General Nuclear Power Group from the project and seek investment instead from pension funds.

Industry insiders are hoping to see the publication of the Government's Net Zero Strategy document, which was slated to be released before COP26.

The Government last week championed the 5.8 billion of foreign investment in green projects secured since the launch of the Prime Minister's Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution last year.

Major overseas investors are expected to attend the summit, including Abu Dhabi's $243billion sovereign wealth fund Mubadala.

There are mundane meetings and then there are really important summits. This week will fall into the second category Amanda Blanc, chief executive, Aviva

As part of a five-year deal struck in March, Abu Dhabi's state fund has already agreed to pump 800million into the UK's life sciences sector, plus similar sums into tech, green energy and infrastructure.

Amanda Blanc, chief executive of insurance giant Aviva, who is also attending, said: 'There are mundane meetings and then there are really important summits.

'This week will fall into the second category, bringing together investors and decision makers to ensure the UK is one of the world's most attractive and greenest investment destinations.'

Blanc called for the Government to 'mandate climate transition plans', requiring companies to outline their plan for decarbonising investments by the end of 2023.

Aviva is among the signatories to a letter urging Kwarteng and Chancellor Rishi Sunak to force corporate giants to disclose detailed plans to hit net zero carbon.

Staley said the UK had 'decisive competitive advantages' including 'world-class' research facilities. The Barclays boss added: 'Building on and leveraging these strengths will be critical to attract investment and deliver jobs and prosperity across the country.'

The Government is expected to confirm that 210million of funding has been released to fund the early stages of the UK SMR project to build mini nuclear power stations after 300million of match funding has been raised by private investors.

Bill Gates will be among the attendees of the Global Climate Summit in London, along with other business titans such as BlackRock's Larry Fink and Rolls-Royce's Warren East

Rolls-Royce chief Warren East will discuss the project at the summit. It has been led by Rolls-Royce through a consortium which includes Atkins and Laing O'Rourke.

The project will be rebranded as Rolls-Royce SMR to emphasise the respected brand.

However, it has emerged that executives are considering carrying out some tests in northern Italy. The SIET institute in Piacenza has been shortlisted as a testing site. UK options include the M-SParc science park in Anglesey, North Wales.

One industry source said: 'Having this facility based in the UK would ensure Britain remains at the forefront of nuclear technology.'
Bagging a deal: Selfridges was founded in 1908 by Harry Gordon Selfridge

Selfridges' billionaire owners are in talks with Qatar about a potential 4billion sale that would see the world-famous department store change hands for the first time in nearly two decades.

Sources with knowledge of the negotiations said funds linked to Qatar had taken the lead in the race to snap up Selfridges.

Such a deal would see the Middle Eastern state take ownership of a second, major London department store.

Qatar acquired Knightsbridge-based Harrods in 2010 through its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

The Weston family in July launched an auction for Selfridges after a difficult year during which it was forced to close for several months. The group operates four Selfridges stores in the UK  in London, Birmingham and Manchester where it has two.

Sources said the Qataris  who bought the iconic Printemps store in Paris in 2013 through Divine Investments  are not yet in exclusive talks and it is possible a rival bidder for Selfridges may yet be successful.

It is also understood that discussions with the Qataris had included the possibility of buying only the Selfridges department stores, possibly excluding the group's Irish shops Brown Thomas and Arnotts, Holt Renfrew in Canada and de Bijenkorf in the Netherlands which are also owned by the Westons.

A deal with Qatar would be a defining moment for one of Britain's most prized businesses.

Selfridges was founded in 1908 by Harry Gordon Selfridge, an American retail magnate who became known as the 'Earl of Oxford Street' and was the subject of the ITV period drama Mr Selfridge. He built it into a household name before stepping down as chairman in 1941.

The Oxford Street store is now a major London landmark. The nine-storey flagship has bucked the trend of declining high streets and helped the company maintain strong sales and footfall despite the rapid rise of online giants such as Net-a-Porter and Amazon.

There are four Selfridges stores in the UK. As well as its London flagship, Selfridges has two stores in Manchester (one of which is pictured) and one in Birmingham

Canadian billionaire Galen Weston bought Selfridges for 598million in 2003. He died aged 80 in April and his daughter Alannah Weston is now in charge of the business.

Other sovereign wealth funds rumoured to be interested in buying Selfridges include Saudi Arabia, which did not respond to invitations for comment.

Other possible buyers that have been rumoured to be interested include Chinese state-backed businesses, Hong Kong's Lane Crawford and Canada's Hudson's Bay Company, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue in the US.

Credit Suisse has been appointed to oversee the auction. QIA and Selfridges declined to comment.
Eye of storm: THG boss Matt Moulding

Online shopping mogul Matt Moulding is preparing to make sweeping changes to the way he runs his company after a torrid week that saw billions wiped off the value of his THG business.

The entrepreneur listed his company just over a year ago but has been battered in recent weeks by a stream of criticism over how the business is run and its failure to disclose information that investors say is now vital to lifting the share price.

In a desperate effort to calm investor jitters, Moulding is poised to scrap his 'golden share'  a powerful tool that allows him to exercise his influence over other shareholders and potentially block a hostile takeover.

It would also set THG  formerly known as The Hut and which operates a Beauty, Health and an online shopping technology division Ingenuity  on a trajectory to a premium listing on the London stock market from its current standard listing.

That would automatically give a broader range of funds access to the stock, theoretically supporting the share price.

The board is also considering appointing Andreas Hansson, a senior SoftBank executive, as a non-executive director, Sky News reported.

The Mail on Sunday also understands that Moulding is being pressed to accelerate plans to publish more detailed financial disclosures after Tuesday's disastrous presentation that wiped 417,000 per second from the company's value in just one nail-biting hour of trading.

One investor said providing more information on the firm's core beauty business, which operates as Lookfantastic, would help investors 'wrap their head around the biggest piece of the puzzle' and restore some faith.

Providing the market with more frequent, up-to-date group cashflow forecasts would also help erase 'question marks' through what is likely to be a turbulent few months, an investor said.

The company is expected to make a statement on the changes to governance as soon as this week.

It is also due to deliver a trading statement in just nine days time  another chance for executives to present an olive branch to investors already nursing humungous losses after the price hit a low of 2.48 on Wednesday morning last week.

Even after recovering marginally mid-week, the shares ended Friday at just 2.98  less than half the price a month before.

The market has become nervous that online retailers, often with tiny profit margins, will find it hard to cope with prolonged economic turbulence. Shortages and supply chain delays have hit every part of retail and industry this year.

But the complex nature of THG  whose valuation is as much built on faith in management as it is on profit  has come to the fore as the share price fall prompted investors to take a second look at the firm's prospects.

Last weekend, The Mail on Sunday published a highly critical note from secretive outfit The Analyst warning its shares could drop to 2.60. A week earlier, we had exposed a sudden retreat by several major shareholders.

THG's core beauty business is centered on cosmetics website, Lookfantastic

THG still has many many fans, including Powerful Japanese investor SoftBank which emerged as a key backer in May.

It acquired shares and signed an option to buy 20 per cent of THG's technology and delivery business Ingenuity when it splits from the main group next year and ascribing it a standalone value of 4.5billion. It is said to be a long-term supporter and almost certain to remain so.

But investors want to know what wriggle room SoftBank has to renegotiate its option if the share price fails to recover. There are also concerns that promises of closer commercial ties with corporations, including Nestle, have yet to materialise.

Moulding told investors on Tuesday the share price drop in the previous ten days was due to an 'attack' by short-sellers  investors who make money by betting on falling share prices.

But IHS Markit data indicates the number of short sellers peaked at less than 2 per cent on September 29  a fortnight before the presentation  and dropped steadily to just 1.24 per cent on the day.

The real rout arrived late on Tuesday as executives opened the online presentation to questions.

Apparently dissatisfied with the lack of visibility on Softbank's Ingenuity option, THG shares went into freefall wiping 1.6billion off the value in just one hour before the market closed.
Barre, VT (05641)

Today

Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 39F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.


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Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the murder on Friday of British lawmaker David Amess but officers are keeping an open mind as to his killers motive, the local police force said.

The investigation is in its very early stages and is being led by officers from the specialist counter-terrorism command, Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington told reporters.

It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident but as always they will keep an open mind, Harrington added.

UK PM Johnson visits church where lawmaker was stabbed to death

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday laid flowers at the church where a lawmaker was stabbed to death a day earlier, in what police say was a terrorist attack probably linked to Islamist extremism.

Amess, 69, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday on Friday in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London, during a meeting with constituents.

Police arrested a 25-year-old British man at the scene on suspicion of murder, adding it is believed he acted alone.

In a statement early on Saturday, police said the early investigation had revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.

Johnson, interior minister Priti Patel, and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer were among those to lay flowers in tribute to Amess at the scene of the murder.

Johnson and Starmer stood side by side in a moment of silence before leaving. On Friday, Johnson said Britain had lost a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague.

As tributes poured in for Amess, politicians described the attack as an assault on democracy. Patel has said she will review the safety of elected politicians.

In Westminster, where lawmakers, known as MPs, do much of their work in parliament, armed police are on patrol. But in their electoral districts, known as constituencies, more often than not there is no security.

Amess was stabbed while holding a surgery  one-to-one meetings with voters, open to whoever turns up.

Conservative lawmaker Tobias Ellwood said that while engagement with the public was a vital part of the job, there was now huge anxiety among MPs.

Until the Home Secretarys (Patel) review of MP security is complete I would recommend a temporary pause in face to face meetings, he said on Twitter.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The Historic Albany Foundation, along with Discover Albany and McGearys Irish Pub, are offering Eerie Albany Ghost Tours and The Dark Side of Downtown Albany, a series of tours about the citys spooky side.

According to Matt Malette, Historic Albany Foundation board president, the region has an appetite for true crime and the supernatural.

We found that people always like ghost stories, he said. Last year we found that when we were discussing a serial killer that used to walk around Center Square that kind of hit a little bit harder for people. So we kind of wanted to go that route this year as well.

Krysta Dennis, a professor at Siena College and Capital Region native, agrees with Malette. Dennis, who spent years working and studying in England and France and watching the way European history was preserved and discussed, was inspired on her return to the region to do something similar here.

She will be one of the guides on the tours, combining her work in theater with her love for history. Dennis believes that at the heart of these excursions is a well-told story that listeners can lose themselves in. What makes a story isnt just the beginning, middle and end, but also the setting, she says, and unlike traditional theater, it provides room for the audience to be a part of it. Her own little joy comes from using her skills to transport her audience to a bygone era.

You have to paint a picture of Albany in these different time periods, she said. What makes it a lot of fun is that you get to meet other people that are interested in hearing about the city's history and engage with them. It's not like traditional theater where you have the fourth wall and the actors don't interact with the audience. It's much more fun than that.

The Eerie Albany Ghost Tours will explore the regions history at specific locales, including the state Capitol building, the Olde English Pub, and the Ten Broeck Triangle with a focus on haunted pasts and old legends of Albany.

After last years successful tour in and around Center Square, this years The Dark Side of Downtown Albany tour will cover a specific area of the city, this time downtown. It discusses horrific events in the citys past like an elevator accident, a murder at the Ten Eyck Hotel and what used to be a curiosity museum, among others. These tours also include a stop at the Parish Public House.

There's been a lot of hours that went into research to make sure that this stuff is accurate, said Malette. We would go off of me saying There was a building collapse there. We started doing more research into that, looking up the newspapers of the day and books. Obviously, there wasn't really anyone to interview. That would be creepy.

Each tour has a maximum of 15 spots and advance booking is advised. There are special rates for groups of 10 or more. All The Dark Side of Downtown tours involve a stop at the Parish Public House, with the exception of the tours that start at 5:30 p.m.
BATTENVILLE  Everyone knows Susan B. Anthonys life work was passage  after her death  of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

But the leader of the women's suffrage movement had another wish, far less grand, but cherished nonetheless. Before she died in 1906, she wanted to engrave her brother Daniel's name on her grandfather and fathers monument in the Battenville Cemetery.



She spoke of the hope in a December 1905 letter to a family friend who still lived in the Washington County hamlet where she and Daniel Read Anthony, whom she called DR, grew up.



Now if I live until spring, I mean to go back there and see that it is inscribed on the other side of the stone, she wrote from Rochester to the Rev. J.D. Walsh in Battenville. I want my brothers name perpetuated as well as my grandfathers and fathers.



Three months later, she died. And along with her body, her intention was buried too.



Yet 116 years later, thanks to the Willard Mountain Daughters of the American Revolution, Anthonys hope will be realized. The group raised the $600 for a bronze plaque that will stand next to the monument, which Daniel purchased for his grandfather, a Revolutionary War veteran. Set to be publicly unveiled at 2 p.m. on Oct. 24, it will read exactly, as indicated in the letter, how Anthony wanted.
Catholic Funeral Liturgy for Mary Casuccio will be at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church on November 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Interment follows at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Domico Funeral Home.
(The Center Square)  The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will ask the Legislature for $550 million in funding next year as it continues its massive redesign amid dwindling enrollment.

PASSHE Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia Shapira said Thursday the request is vital the organizations future and mission.

It reflects what our data modeling shows will be needed for the PASSHE institutions to operate effectively while remaining affordable, one of our primary goals, she said.

PASSHE, which manages 14 universities that serve 93,000 students, began experiencing financial strain more than a decade ago as reduced state funding forced tuition spikes and declines in enrollment. Smaller schools in the states eastern and western regions experienced disproportionate amounts of loss, placing further strain on the systems more popular universities.

The systems enrollment peaked at 112,000 in 2010, and state funding at the time exceeded $503 million. In the decade since, enrollment declined 31% across 12 of the 14 universities, with about 95,000 students attending in 2019. State funding dipped more than $90 million through 2015, though it's since climbed back up to $477.5 million over the past six years.

Public higher education is the keystone of Pennsylvanias economy and one of the most reliable pathways for social mobility, said PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein. We have a responsibility to our students and the Commonwealth to open this pathway even further.

Thats why the PASSHE board approved the multi-year $100 million integration plan in July that combines California, Clarion, and Edinboro universities into one institution  called Pennsylvania Western University, according to PennLive  and Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield into another. The respective schools will keep their individual campuses and identities, the board said, while expanding academic offerings and supports.

The board said Thursday saving the system from financial ruin will keep more graduates in Pennsylvania  an ongoing challenge lawmakers have grappled with for decades.

Data parsed by PASSHE analysis shows that 71% of state system students remain in Pennsylvania three years after graduation, while 63% remain in state a decade later.

Fulfilling this request would send a clear signal that the Commonwealth wants to invest in every current and potential student  the future workforce that will drive Pennsylvanias economy, said Shapira.
[October 15, 2021] Ethos Asset Management Inc., USA Announces Deal With Terry Reilly Health Services (TRHS), Idaho

ETHOS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC USA, announced a new long-term financing partnership with TRHS., with a significant capital infusion amount of USD $8 Million, that will continue for several years. The funds will help TRHS, a non-profit health care provider, build a new clinic that makes medical, dental and behavioural health more accessible to residents in the rural Idaho communities it serves. The TRHS integrated model enables doctors, dentists and counsellors to work together under one roof providing the best coordinated care possible for patients. A series of capital disbursements to TRHS will occur over the next year. Ethos Asset Management has generously offered to sustain and increase funding for TRHS in the future. The company funds its ongoing commitment by setting aside 8% of its annual profits into a Philanthropic Financing Facility or PFF, being distributed globally by Ethos. Carlos Santos, President, and CEO of Ethos stated, "We are honoured to be a partner and investor in such a great organisation, cause and system that reaches many people, communities and vulnerable individuals in such a caring way. When I was first introduced to TRHS, I was so humbled to hear and see the work that they do and remained in awe that such an organisation exists with passion and belief in srving others. This is a great organisation and project with values and achievements that make us all feel proud and inspired that our fellow human beings can deliver this on a daily basis. This investment is made through our Philanthropic Financing Facility which converts to a grant based on certain conditions which I have absolutely no doubt will be met by TRHS in no time at all".



"This is truly an incredible investment in our organization. We are so thankful that Ethos sees the value of Terry Reilly's mission. This investment allows us to provide high quality, accessible care across Idaho's Treasure Valley. Terry Reilly Health Services is now in a better position to keep pace with the needs of the rapidly growing communities we serve," says Heidi Hart, Chief Executive Officer for Terry Reilly Health Services. About Ethos Asset Management:

Ethos Asset Management (Ethos) is an independent, US-based company with a global reach in resource mobilization and project financing. Providing financing to government and privately promoted projects in every continent and every sector, Ethos has developed a unique risk modulation model which allows them to provide financing in terms not available anywhere in traditional financial markets. Additionally, Ethos provides advice to structure projects and restructure debt. Ethos supports and develops their clients to navigate changing market environments to achieve their long-term goals with confidence. For more information about Ethos, please visit: https://www.ethosasset.com/ About Terry Reilly Health Services (TRHS): Terry Reilly Health Services is a non-profit community health center responding to unmet healthcare needs in Southwest Idaho. In its half century history, it has evolved from a single clinic providing medical care to agricultural workers, into Idaho's largest community health center offering medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services to people from every background to improve the health and wellness of our communities. For more information about Terry Reilly Health Services, please visit: www.trhs.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211015005652/en/

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[October 15, 2021] Bitcoin ATM Pros (BAP Token) Announces 2nd Pre-Sale Phase, Aims At Major Rewards

San Diego, CA, Oct. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For those that are unaware, BAP Token is a unique token that's built by Bitcoin ATM Pros. The central goal of BAP Token is simple - to build a community where every member will have easy access to cryptocurrencies to pay for goods and services and also generate passive income.

Bitcoin ATM Pros has a team that's dedicated and knowledgeable in the crypto, blockchain, and fintech space. The team intends to utilize their knowledge to help different countries and individuals in need of a financial revolution. To achieve this lofty vision, the team at BAP token is pleased to announce the commencement of the second phase of its pre-sale. Like the first phase, the second phase also promises to reward investors with massive offerings. BAP Token has achieved a lot in the short period of its existence. For instance, the team was able to roll out their first dividend payments to investors who invested during the first phase of the pre-sale. The payment took place on the 3rd of October, 2021. The dividend was higher than the project's expectation. Invest In The Pre-Sale 2nd Phase There are several reasons why you may consider investing your hard-earned money in the second phase of the token sale. Top among the reasons is that beginner investors will receive a share o 10% of the profits that the company intends to generate from their crypto ATMs. The profits will be credited to individual investors as BAP tokens every quarter.



Buying and holding the token means that, in the future, your investment portfolio will increase in value and also fetch you massive returns on your investment. What's more? The dividend payout will also increase in the future as the project builds momentum and gains traction. How To Buy BAP Tokens

The process of buying BAP tokens is simple and straightforward. You can purchase the token directly on the official website via www.baptoken.com or you visit Coinpros exchange to place your order. Coinpros is the native exchange of the project. For now, the exchange is still in its developmental stage. However, once it comes on stream, crypto enthusiasts would be able to exchange their cryptos on the platform. About BAP Token BAP Token is the native token of the Bitcoin ATM Pros ecosystem. BAP Token stands for financial freedom. It intends to revolutionize the financial landscape so that everyone can have access to decentralized banking services and cryptocurrencies. Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bitcoinatmprosSD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitcoinatmpros

Telegram: https://t.me/OFFICIALBAPTOKENCHANNEL

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baptoken/ Media Contact: Company: Bitcoin ATM Pros

Contact Name: Micheal Cuillard

Address: San Diego, CA

E-mail: info@bitcoinatmpros.com

Website: https://www.baptoken.com Source Link



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[October 16, 2021] NASA's Lucy Spacecraft, Built by Lockheed Martin, Starts Journey to Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla., Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Humankind is one step closer to unlocking new knowledge about the formation of our solar system, thanks to a spacecraft named Lucy built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). The NASA mission successfully launched from Florida at 5:34 a.m. ET this morning. "Seeing Lucy start her journey reinforces the strength of the 500 team members from NASA, Lockheed Martin, the Southwest Research Institute and many other teams who worked together to bring this mission to life," said Rich Lipe, Lockheed Martin Lucy program manager. "It's a tale centered on flexibility, collaboration and ingenuity, which is fitting for the voyage that lies ahead for this advanced spacecraft." The spacecraft was designed, built and tested in Lockheed Martin's Littleton facility, using transformative technology. The company's mission operations team is now in communications with the spacecraft and will operate it through the end of its mission. Lucy will be the farthest solar-powered mission from the Sun and will visit a record-breaking number of asteroids  all in the name of studying them for clues about our own origins. Engineering for an Epic Journey

Lucy's 4-billion-mile odyssey through the solar system will last 12 years and fly by eight objects: one Main Belt asteroid and seven Trojan asteroids that lead and trail Jupiter in its orbit. Scientists are keen for an up-close look at these ancient rocks, which are believed to be pristinely preserved leftovers from the formation of our outer solar system 4 billion years ago. With such a long, unforgiving journey through space, Lucy's engineers designed the spacecraft to be ready for anything. Lucy draws on heritage design elements from previous Lockheed Martin-built missions like OSIRIS-REx and MAVEN.



Key features of the Lucy spacecraft include: Some 430 unique components, brought together by more than 2 miles of wire, 170 square feet of composite structure and more than 12,800 electrical connections

Three powerful, primary instruments to study the geology, composition and structure of the Trojan asteroids

Two 24-foot diameter solar arrays built by Northrop Grumman, spanning more than a four-story building when unfurled

A robust thermal design that protects Lucy from extreme space temperatures ranging from -250F to +300F

Autonomous software that enables Lucy to track asteroid targets as it flies by at an average speed of 15,000 mph

Advanced production parts like 3D-printed brackets and harness clamps, made from three different materials The team also made use of the latest collaborative tools and digital engineering techniques on Lucy, including automated testing, digital test review capability and remote collaboration. These tactics helped the team continue production without missing a shift throughout the pandemic.

Seeking Science for the Next Generation

The long duration of Lucy's endeavor means that a student in 4th grade now could find themselves working on this mission when they graduate college. The spacecraft also draws its name from another scientific discovery that students may recognize from their history books. Much like the 3.2-million-year-old Lucy skeleton fundamentally changed our understanding of human evolution, this mission aims to change the way we understand how the planets  including Earth  formed. Donald Johanson, who discovered the famous fossil in 1974, is thrilled to see the spirit of scientific exploration live on through the Lucy mission. "The mission teaches us something about the interconnectedness of people over time and space," he remarked. "A poignant moment in the history of humanity that brings the past and the present together  and launches us into the future." More About the Mission Lockheed Martin Space designed, built, tested and operates Lucy out of its Littleton, Colorado, facility. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provides overall mission management, systems engineering and safety and mission assurance. The Boulder, Colorado branch of Southwest Research Institute, headquartered in San Antonio, TX, is the principal investigator institution. Instruments were contributed by NASA Goddard, Arizona State University and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Discovery Program for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C. Learn more about Lucy on LockheedMartin.com. For photos, check out Lockheed Martin's Flickr page. About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasas-lucy-spacecraft-built-by-lockheed-martin-starts-journey-to-jupiters-trojan-asteroids-301401704.html SOURCE Lockheed Martin

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First off . . .

OF COURSE Mayor Q is entitled to seek recourse if he feels he has been wronged by an alleged inappropriate police data search directed against him.

TKC also feels justified whilst mercilessly berating baristas for using too much foam in a 5 buck cappuccino.



However . . .



In this Internet information age, the Mayor launching a formal complaint against KCPD for an allegedly improper request for info that's probably not much more useful than a LexisNexis search only seems to further fuel the division and acrimony betwixt police and city hall.

It gets worse . . .

The mayor is quickly earning a rep for a leader who hides behind the veneer of legalese and semantics rather than dealing the reality of any given situation.



We're certain that the Mayor understands the alleged offense is minor and probably came out of politically charged frustration.

Moreover, Mayor Q pursing this crackdown against a cop isn't consistent with the same kind of restorative justice that this administration has offered to a convicted killer, weed stoners, double-parking d-bags, vandals and protesters who violently attacked law enforcement and trashed the Country Club Plaza.



Nevertheless, we must stipulate that the Mayor is well within his rights to pursue the complaint.

But it's not going to win him any friends as election time quickly approaches.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
Right now we share a quick peek at alleged misdeeds, court cases and ongoing outcry amid the rising level of violence on Kansas City streets.



Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com collection as we share news and attempt to mix in a few hopeful stories as well . . .



U.S. Marshals arrest 152, seize nearly $5,000 in crime operation in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The United States Marshals Service for the Western District of Missouri recently completed a crime operation called "Operation Triple Beam" in Kansas City. The marshals worked alongside local police departments to target crime in disproportionately affected neighborhoods, according to a release from the U.S. Marshal's Office.

Local men accused of buying small GPS trackers used to target murder victims KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Popular technology is getting into the hands of criminals using it to kill. Two local men have been indicted in federal court for buying small GPS trackers used to follow people for the purpose of having them murdered.

Trial date set for accused Indian Creek Trail murderer KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Accused Indian Creek Trail killer Fredrick Scott will stand trial next year. Thursday, a judge set a trial date of Sept. 6, 2022, for the man who allegedly terrorized the popular south Kansas City trail in 2017, killing six people.

Jackson County man gets life in prison after convicted of 30+ counts of child sex abuse charges JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) --- A Nevada, Mo., man will spend the rest of his life in prison for child sex abuse. Stephen D. Turner, 56, was sentenced Friday to life in prison, without parole, plus 107 years. Turner was convicted in July of over 30 counts of felonies related to sexual abuse.

Three Missourians indicted in COVID-19 aid fraud scheme Three Missourians indicted in coronavirus aid fraud scheme. A federal grand jury has indicted three Missourians in a fraud scheme that allegedly used the identities of deceased people to receive payments from federal coronavirus relief money.

'Senseless': The impact daily violence in Kansas City is having on non-deadly shooting victims KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's been a series of very violent days and nights in Kansas City, adding to the already alarming and heartbreaking trend of shootings. "Essentially, your non-fatal shootings are about three times the rate of your already extremely high homicide numbers," said Chief Operating Officer of ADHOC, Brandon Mims. "We just have a whole bunch of attempted homicides that essentially didn't occur.

Convicted child sex criminal sentenced to life in prison without parole for 107 years KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A convicted sex criminal will spend the rest of his life in prison for a series of child sex crimes that lasted more than a decade. A Jackson County judge Friday sentenced Stephen D.

Jackson County man gets life in prison after convicted of 30+ counts of child sex abuse charges JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) --- A Nevada, Mo., man will spend the rest of his life in prison for child sex abuse. Stephen D. Turner, 56, was sentenced Friday to life in prison, without parole, plus 107 years. Turner was convicted in July of over 30 counts of felonies related to sexual abuse.

Man arrested for shooting at Interstate 35 in Liberty KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 26-year-old Pleasant Valley, Missouri, man is in jail after he allegedly fired shots at Interstate 35 in Liberty, Missouri, ran across the interstate and refused orders to surrender. Liberty police told KSHB 41 News Christian Brown-Davis is charged with unlawful use of a weapon in an incident that began about 12:50 Friday morning.

Employee dragged during strong-armed carjacking at Kansas City dealership KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City police are investigating a strong-armed carjacking at a local dealership, but the stolen vehicle isn't the worst part. A potential sale turned into an employee being dragged across the Van Chevrolet, Cadillac and Subaru parking lot and a thief driving off in a Mustang.

Former KCK police chaplain, activist respond to federal investigation of Roger Golubski KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Rev. Rick Behrens was a police chaplain for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department from the late 90s to the early 2000s. He said his interaction with former detective Roger Golubski made him quit. Behrens responded to the recent news that the FBI is investigating Golubski for allegations of misconduct.

KCMO neighbors urge people to come forward to help solve homicides, shootings "That's been the whole problem in this community, and in this city, people do not come forward or speak out on what's going on or who is committing these crimes," Temple said. "That's why we need people to step up and speak out, and let's get these people off our streets."

Developing . . .


For better or worse, the suburbs will soon be a thing of the past as rising Northland population numbers in Kansas City will soon be counteracted with "transformative" change by way of progressive housing & infrastructure policy championed by the Biden administration.



Translation and TKC REALITY CHECK regarding an upcoming U.S. infrastructure bill along with municipal work on the so-called "housing trust" confronting city council . . .

SAY GOODBYE TO SINGLE-FAMILY ZONING RULES AS THE PREZ & HIS SUPPORTERS DECLARE WAR ON SUBURBAN 'EXCLUSIONARY & RESTRICTIVE' LAND USE POLICIES!!!



To be fair, Mayor Q has offered an optimistic MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING view of this seemingly benign yet radical change devised in the Beltway.

Check an uplifting quote from a somewhat recent housing chat . . .



When we think about economic development, it isnt just a strip mall, it isnt just a three-story building somewhere. Its about providing new affordable housing for families, he says. Its about providing jobs for people in our neighborhoods. Its about providing funds to help support rehabilitation of our significant single-family stock in Kansas City, which importantly we cannot forget. New multi-family housing is something we see all the time. Were talking about maintaining our neighborhoods and doing that in every part of Kansas City.

Earlier this Summer Mayor Q stood in lock step with the new HUD secretary when she revealed an EPIC plan that included incentivizing local governments to remove exclusionary zoning and restrictive land use policies. She also had a great line against so-called "haters" who would not deter her progress.



Accordingly, it's important to note this trend is taking hold across the metro and the nation.

New zoning rules in Overland Park have already had a "transformational" impact and helped to facilitate a more diverse community.

And whilst Mayor Q might have earned rebuke from KC Tenants this week . . . The strident protesters don't seem to comprehend how quickly federal dollars and incentives can create a vast array of affordable housing in places that were formerly nothing more than consumerist enclaves for the middle-class.



Of course the Northland has desperately fought against new "low-income" neighbors for years but a measly 2 to 3 votes on the Council are no match for federal legislation, municipal mandates and subsidy worth BILLIONS.



Northland leaders already know DRASTIC KANSAS CITY ZONING CHANGES ARE COMING and that's why de-annexation talk has grown even louder.

Moreover . . . The comedy about "police recruitment" and new legislation allowing cops to live outside of KCMO city limits also revealed that Missouri politicos at the top level know that cowtown ZONING REFORM is an inevitability which they're powerless to stop.

Let's get even more real . . . Ask around and notice a great many old school Northland residents moving even further out into the sticks as they're strangely willing to reside in desolate dumps like Smithville, Liberty and Platte City just to avoid playing a part in the great KCMO affordable housing experiment underway.

Face it . . .



THE SUBURBS ARE FADING INTO THE PAST AS THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND UNFOLDS BY WAY OF RAMPANT URBANIZATION RADICALLY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ON THE PLANET!!!

One of TKC's favorite bands from the 70s said it far better: The World Is A Ghetto.



Sorry, there is no fighting the future as feeble and ancient rules devised by long dead founders racists designers white dudes are finally starting to vanish.

On the bright side . . . Urban KC residents can reassure our Northland neighbors and advise that 12th & Oak zoning governance is always entertaining, confounding and for sale to the highest bidder.

And as the single-family suburb takes a long slide down the toilet bowl of history . . . Northland neighbors are now at the outset of a unique opportunity to meet refugees, travelers and new friends from throughout the world who are soon to get up close & personal with residents on the brighter side of the bridge.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Biden's Infrastructure Bill Aims to End Single-Family Zoning | National Review With the introduction of his massive, $2.3 trillion "infrastructure" bill, President Biden's campaign to end suburban single-family zoning has begun. If you think this issue was debated and resolved during the 2020 presidential campaign, you are mistaken. It's true that Biden's campaign platform openly and unmistakably pledged to abolish single-family zoning.

Biden seeks to ease housing shortage with $5 billion 'carrot, no stick' approach WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden is seeking to ease a national affordable housing shortage by pushing local governments to allow apartment buildings in neighborhoods that are currently restricted to single-family homes. The $5 billion plan could inject the White House into a debate pitting older homeowners against younger workers seeking to gain a foothold in the most expensive U.S.

Biden's 'infrastructure' plan wages war on the suburban dream If you saved your money and bought a house in the suburbs, your investment and lifestyle may soon come under attack. The single biggest item in President Biden's "infrastructure" bill, now being negotiated with Congress, is $213 billion he claims will be used to increase affordable housing.

Opinion | Why Democrats Would Be Fools to Slash Biden's Housing Plan But despite both the historic nature of the package and its size in relation to the total reconciliation bill, other provisions have attracted most of the headlines - overshadowing its impact, and even its existence. The Child Tax Credit, paid family leave and universal pre-K are, after all, long-overdue expansions of the welfare state.

Biden's housing diversity push: Promise, but peril Conservatives might not expect the Biden administration to adopt housing policy priorities once promoted by the late Jack Kemp, who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the George H.W. Bush administration, but it has happened.

Developing . . .
SubmittedIndiana Theatre brochure: A 1992 performance by Tajimi citizens commemorates the multi-cultural connection with Terre Haute. Created by local artist Jane Dusanic, the brochure provides a glimpse into the city of Tajimi, its culture and traditions. The cover features an image of a Shidekobushi, a rare magnolia flower native to Tajimi.
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Mark Bennett has reported and analyzed news from the Wabash Valley and beyond since Larry Bird wore Sycamore blue. That role with the Tribune-Star has taken him from Rome to Alaska and many points in between, but Terre Haute suits him best.

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BRIDGEPORT  The state Department of Labor on Friday announced that, as a result of widespread violations, a restaurant owned by John Vazzano will pay nearly $100,000 in back wages to dozens of employees and in civil penalties.

And that settlement only ends the states probe into the well-known restaurateurs Original Vazzys establishment on Broadbridge Road. The labor department said its wage and workplace standards units investigations into Vazzanos Four Seasons in Stratford, Vazzys Cucina in Shelton, Vazzys Osteria in Monroe and Vazzys 19th Hole at the Bridgeport-owned, Fairfield-based Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course are ongoing.

This was an expansive investigation, the restaurant cooperated, and the employees will be made whole, Thomas Wydra, director of wage and workplace standards, said in a statement. I also want to thank the Chief States Attorneys Office for their partnership and support throughout this process.

Vazzanos local dining and catering empire first came under Department of Labor scrutiny last winter, based on information contained in the February 17 arrest warrant affidavit for Vazzano. He was charged with allegedly interfering in a sexual assault investigation against two longtime staffers at the Original Vazzys.

Signed by an investigator from the Office of the Chief States Attorney, that affidavit included summaries of witness interviews and other information collected in the criminal investigation that stated Vazzano was paying some workers off the books in cash and keeping insufficient records.

Then in July the state confirmed that all five of Vazzanos businesses were being looked at for possible labor violations.

Vazzys is a family-owned business who has been fully cooperative with the Connecticut Department of Labor, said Edward Gavin, who is representing Vazzano in his criminal case but was not involved in the settlement with the labor department. We are in compliance with all current Department of Labor requirements and will continue to be. We have resolved any and all Department of Labor issues at the Original Vazzys in a fair, reasonable and prompt manner.

Fridays press release specified that the probe into the Original Vazzys found that the restaurant failed to maintain lawful payroll processes and employee time records; failed to pay employees the minimum wage or overtime; and failed to provide meal periods as required under the law.

Under the announced settlement, Vazzano will pay $78,900 in back wages to 48 staffers and a $20,000 civil penalty.

I commend the wage and workplace team on their commitment to Connecticuts workforce and bringing this investigation to resolution, Interim Department of Labor Commissioner Dante Bartolomeo said in a statement. Labor laws protect the very backbone of our economy  the workers who show up and do a fair days work for a fair days wage. Especially now, when the state needs full participation in the market to recover from the (coronavirus) pandemic, its vital that employees know they will be treated fairly in the workplace and compensated justly for their labor.

Meanwhile Vazzanos criminal case is ongoing. Soon after being charged in February with one count each of bribery of a witness, third-degree hindering prosecution and interfering with an officer, Vazzano applied for accelerated rehabilitation, a pretrial program in which a defendant does not plead guilty to the charges but is placed on up to two years of probation. If a defendant completes that probation successfully, the charges are dismissed.

This is the first step in getting the charges against Mr. Vazzano dismissed, which is the remedy that is appropriate, Vazzanos lawyer, Edward Gavin, said at that time. We look forward to returning to court for our hearing on the application.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 17.
The Tullahoma Wildcats will see another familiar face this Friday as they take on the 11-1 Pearl-Cohn Firebirds once again in a win-or-go-home rematch after topping their district foe 24-21 in their first meeting, accounting for Pearl-Cohns only loss this season.
Over the past day, October 15, eight ceasefire violations by the armed formations of the Russian Federation were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine, the JFO press center wrote on Facebook.

"Near Novozvanivka, the enemy fired twice, using 120mm mortars and an anti-tank missile system. Not far from Zolote-4, mercenaries fired twice, using 120mm mortars and small arms. In the Avdiivka area, occupiers fired from 82mm mortars at our positions. In the direction of Novotoshkivske, the enemy opened fire from an anti-tank missile system and easel anti-tank grenade launchers. Positions of Ukrainian soldiers near Krasnohorivka came under fire from large-caliber machine guns and anti-tank grenade launchers. Near Lebedynske, the enemy used 120mm mortars, the report says.

As a result of enemy shelling, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded. He was taken to a medical facility; his health status is satisfactory.

It is noted that Ukrainian defenders returned fire to the enemy's armed provocations, using weapons not banned by the Minsk agreements.

As of 7 a.m. on October 16, no ceasefire violation was recorded.

"The situation in the Joint Forces Operation area remains under control. Ukrainian units continue to perform assigned tasks, the JFO headquarters said.

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet with Ukraine's top political and military leadership as part of his visit to Kyiv next week, according to the website of the U.S. Department of Defense.

In Ukraine, the Secretary will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense Andrii Taran to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit will also serve as an opportunity to discuss Ukraines progress with the implementation of defense and defense industry reforms needed to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations as well as regional cooperation among Black Sea allies and partners, the report says.

It is noted that the U.S. Department of Defense steadfastly supports its European Allies and partners in the face of Russias destabilizing actions in the critical Black Sea region.

As Ukrinform reported, U.S. Department of Defense Spokesman John Kirby announced that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin would visit Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania next week, as well as participate in the NATO Defense Ministerial in Belgium.

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The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) imposed sanctions on 237 people that were involved in organizing and conducting elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and in Crimea.

NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said this at a briefing on October 15, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"[We have considered] the imposition of personal special economic and other restrictive measures. Today we have approved a decision regarding those people who took part in the voting and who ensured [the relevant] work in Crimea, in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Today sanctions have been applied against another 237 people, Danilov said.

According to him, the sanctions were imposed mostly against members of election commissions who were directly involved in the organization of the so-called election process in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

As Ukrinform reported, on September 17, the NSDC decided to apply personal restrictive sanctions against 33 candidates for members of Russias State Duma, who were involved in organizing Russian elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

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Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Serhiy Kyslytsia has presented his credentials to President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Paula-Mae Weekes.

Ukrinform reports this with a reference to the post of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN on its Facebook page.

At the meeting, Serhiy Kyslytsia and Paula-Mae Weekes exchanged views on promising directions for the development of bilateral cooperation, as well as on support for the initiatives of both countries within the UN.

On behalf of the President of Ukraine, the Ambassador wished the President and the friendly people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago peace, prosperity and prosperity.

Serhiy Kyslytsia also met with Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Amery Browne and presented copies of his credentials to him. The parties exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and investment spheres, discussed issues of cooperation within the UN, countering the COVID-19 pandemic and possible ways to liberalize the visa regime between Ukraine and Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, Kyslytsia met with Minister of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago Paula Gopee-Scoon to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. The parties noted a number of promising areas of cooperation, including in the field of digital technologies, food security, energy and culture. The interlocutors agreed on the need to deepen contacts between the business circles of both countries and agreed on certain practical steps in this direction.

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The United States has condemned Russia's decision to conduct a census in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv wrote this on its Facebook page, Ukrinform reports.

The United States condemns Russias census in occupied Crimea as yet another attempt to undermine Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, reads the report.

As Ukrinform reported, Ukraine condemned the Russian Federation's conduct of a population census in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The European Union also condemned Russia's decision to conduct a census in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol from October 15 to November 14 and the start of conscription campaign on October 1, EU Spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement.

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Dave Chappelle attends the Netflix FYSEE Kick-Off Event at Netflix FYSEE At Raleigh Studios on May 6, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images/TNS)
Six-year-old Layla sits with her father Shawn Mahoney on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 in Carlsbad, California. Layla is one of 60 children in San Diego to be part of the clinical trial for the Moderna vaccine. (Jarrod Valliere/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS) Six-year-old Layla sits with her father Shawn Mahoney on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 in Carlsbad, California. Layla is one of 60 children in San Diego to be part of the clinical trial for the Moderna vaccine. (Jarrod Valliere/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)
What homeowners can do

The number of U.S. homeowners exiting mortgage forbearance plans that allowed them to halt payments during the pandemic is expected to rise soon as those who signed up early on in the pandemic reach the 18-month limit for forbearance.

Here are some steps homeowners can take as they approach the end of their forbearance programs:

CONTACT YOUR MORTGAGE SERVICER

The first step for many will be to contact their mortgage servicer, which processes their payments and distributes the money to investors, tax authorities and insurers.

Servicers have simplified the processes and increased staffing levels for the surge in inquiries from borrowers reaching the end of forbearance, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

FIND OUT WHO GUARANTEES YOUR MORTGAGE

The payment plans available to borrowers with loans guaranteed by Fannie Mae may be somewhat different from loans backed by Freddie Mac or those held by private investors.

Borrowers can find out who owns their mortgage by contacting their servicer or looking it up online through tools on the websites for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

CHOOSE A PAYMENT PLAN

While options can vary, borrowers exiting forbearance should be able to choose between resuming their previous payments; receiving a loan modification that reduces their monthly payments; or paying what they owe by selling their home or refinancing, options now more feasible because of the strong housing market.

The changes should require little to no documentation from homeowners, and many borrowers should be able to request that missed mortgage payments be deferred to the end of their loans, housing counselors say.

FIND A HOUSING COUNSELOR

Homeowners struggling to find an affordable payment plan or confused about where their mortgage stands can seek help from a housing counselor who can help them navigate the process.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors housing counseling agencies across the country that can help people avoid foreclosure or homelessness. Counselors can help borrowers communicate with their lenders or mortgage servicers if they are having a hard time switching to another payment plan.

Homeowners can also turn to the agencies backing their mortgage, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, for more information about available assistance.

(Reporting by Jonnelle Marte in New York; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
Linda Layson White, 70, passed away Wednesday. Nov. 10, 2021. Services will be held at a later date. Interment will be at West View Cemetery. Mrs. White was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 16, 1951, to Howard Winkfield Layson and Toy Curry Layson. She grew up in Macon and graduated f
(@FahadShabbir)

New York, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2021 ) :Bitcoin breached the $60,000 mark for the first time since April on growing optimism that American regulators will greenlight the first US futures exchange-traded fund for the cryptocurrency.

The digital Currency was up more than 40 percent from a month ago, reaching $62,253 at 2050 GMT, according to Bloomberg News data, which reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission could allow the ETF to trade next week.

The SEC has rejected attempts to create a Bitcoin ETF since 2013.

"An SEC Bitcoin ETF approval is a watershed moment for the crypto industry as this could be the key driver for getting the next wave of crypto investors," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA.

An ETF is a financial instrument that can include different assets and be traded on an exchange like other securities. A futures ETF means the product will be bought or sold at set price at a later date.

The SEC fuelled speculation of the imminent approval after writing the following advice on one of its accounts on Twitter: "Before investing in a fund that holds Bitcoin futures contracts, make sure you carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits." The ETF would add to an eventful year for the world's leading cryptocurrency, which hit a record high at $64,870 in April and became a legal tender in El Salvador, the first country to adopt it officially.

China, meanwhile, has cracked down on trading and mining cryptocurrencies, which are created through solving complex equations -- an endeavour that consumes enormous amounts of energy.

- SEC U-turn - Bloomberg, which cited unidentified people familiar with the matter, reported that unlike past Bitcoin ETF applications that the SEC rejected before, the proposals made by financial firms ProShares and Invesco are based on futures contracts.

The proposals were filed under mutual fund rules that SEC Chairman Gary Gensler has said provide "significant investor protections", the news agency reported.

"This is a key development for the crypto space as it would allow many investors who were on the fence to enter the market in more traditional ways," said Walid Koudmani, analyst at XTB online trading.

An ETF would reassure investors "about previously associated risks such as lack of regulations and the possibility of having their wallet hacked", Koudmani said.

There are ETFs that include Bitcoin in other countries but getting one in the United States would take the cryptocurrency to another level.

"In America's case, it's the largest, most important market. To date, they (traditional investors) haven't had a simple vehicle in which to invest in Bitcoin," Charlie Erith, CEO of ByteTree Asset Management, which specialises in cryptocurrencies, told AFPErith cautioned that "the impact on the market might be overblown. You might see a short selloff but it won't be meaningful".

But, he added, "long term, it's an important development. It signals that authorities are getting more comfortable with people owning cryptoassets".
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MASVINGO, Zimbabwe,16 Ooct (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2021 ) -:Munodeyi Muhwandefa, 68, always comes once or twice a month to trade his livestock in return for bags of maize to feed his family in Maranda Township in Zimbabwe's Masvingo Province.

Muhwandefa said it is hard to get money because his four children, on whom he used to rely, were wiped out by AIDS.

He also has eight orphaned grandchildren to look to raise.

- Barter trade fighting hunger His wife, Maritha, 60, died from the coronavirus earlier this year, leaving him a widower and with the baggage of having to embark on errands to barter and trade the family's livestock for food.

"My grandchildren are too young and my remaining children are looking for opportunities in the city and I have to be here at the township to trade off one or two of our goats just to get bags of maize or mealie meal in order to have food at home," Muhwandefa told Anadolu Agency.

But it is not only hunger that has spurred Zimbabweans like Muhwandefa to switch to barter trade.

The southern African nation is currently experiencing serious liquidity challenges, especially in remote areas villagers have no access to cash because of joblessness.

Even if residents trade amongst themselves, cash is rarely circulated as very few or none have access to it.

"Personally, I have no money at all because my own children who used to support us with my late wife, were killed by AIDS, in fact leaving me with some burden to look after their orphans," said Muhwandefa.

- Barter trade resurrects Barter trade, which used be an ancient way of trading here, has resurfaced -- an alternative for many bankrupt residents like Muhwandefa.

In fact, pummeled by economic hardships, many like Muhwandefa are having to exchange goods for goods to surmount the liquidity challenges they face daily as they also avoid the defunct local Currency.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" at a mosque in Kandahar, resulting in loss of many precious lives and injuries to others

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2021 ) :Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" at a mosque in Kandahar, resulting in loss of many precious lives and injuries to others.

"The Government and people of Pakistan convey their support, and heartfelt condolences, to the people of Afghanistan and stand in solidarity with them in this hour of grief," the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

He said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including despicable attacks on places of worship.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) Former US President Bill Clinton will be staying overnight in the hospital to receive further treatment for sepsis, although health indicators are trending in the right direction, Bill Clinton Spokesperson Angel Urena said in a statement.

"President Clinton is continuing to receive treatment for an infection at UC Irvine Medical Center. All health indicators are trending in the right direction... In order to receive further IV antibiotics, he will remain in the hospital overnight," Urena said in a tweet on Friday.

Clinton was hospitalized on Friday with sepsis that is not linked to COVID-19, CNN reported.
TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper that the national security strategy should include the possibility to attack enemy bases for self-defense purposes.

According to the Japanese prime minister, this initiative is linked to the growing military capabilities of North Korea that carries out missile tests.

"The capabilities of (North Korean) missiles are being constantly boosted.

To protect people's lives, it is necessary to take a position that allows considering various options given the developments," Kishida said.

He added that the national security strategy should be revised as soon as possible.

The idea to include the possibility to attack enemy bases for self-defense purposes into the national security strategy was voiced by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe but his successor, Yoshihide Suga, delayed the decision on the issue.
LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) The murder of UK lawmaker David Amess was a terrorist attack, the Metropolitan Police said.

On Friday, UK Conservative lawmaker Amess, 69, died after the stabbing attack at his constituency surgery in the Belfairs Methodist Church in the town of Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

Police said they had detained the 25-year-old man suspected of the attack.

"The fatal stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea has tonight been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing," police said in a statement on late Friday.

According to police, the suspected attacker is a UK citizen with alleged links to Islamist extremism. He is believed to have acted alone.
A nationwide anti-fascist demonstration of trade unions is taking place in the San Giovanni square in the Italian capital of Rome on Saturday, as broadcast by the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) trade union

ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) A nationwide anti-fascist demonstration of trade unions is taking place in the San Giovanni square in the Italian capital of Rome on Saturday, as broadcast by the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) trade union.

The demonstration was initiated by the three largest trade unions of Italy CGIL, as well as the Italian Confederation of Workers' Trade Unions (CISL) and the Italian Labour Union (UIL) in the wake of violent developments after the protests against COVID-19 digital certificates last weekend.

According to preliminary estimates, some 50,000 activists from across the country came to Rome to partake in the demonstration. There are prominent leftist politicians and European Parliament members among those rallying.

"This is a manifestation in defense of democracy for all.

The attack against CGIL, the attacks on trade unions are actually directed against the dignity of labor and against the entire country. We gathered here to defend democracy and expand it," CGIL head Maurizio Landini said ahead of the demonstration.

After a massive demonstration against the mandatory green passes in Rome on October 9, far-right activists triggered unrest in downtown, encouraging masked protesters to break into the head office of CGIL, which backs the introduction of these passes. They crashed the front door but were driven out by police forces.

The Italian leadership denounced the violent actions of the activists, expressing solidarity with labor unions. Landini later demanded that all neo-fascist political organizations be dissolved in Italy.
Poland's governing party is considering ratcheting up national defense capabilities, its leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said in an interview to RMF FM radio on Saturday

WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) Poland's governing party is considering ratcheting up national defense capabilities, its leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said in an interview to RMF FM radio on Saturday.

"We must significantly bolster our military capabilities.

Initiatives to this effect will soon be presented to the Sejm and later to the Senate," he said, referring to the Polish bicameral parliament.

Kaczynski told the radio he meant giving the armed forces a "drastic boost" and hinted at "far-reaching changes" going forward. Poland has recently increased military personnel and secured new arms contracts.

Kaczynski, 72, has been Poland's de facto ruler. He said on Wednesday that he would step down as deputy prime minister in charge of national security to focus on leading his right-wing PiS party.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Presidential Special Envoy for the middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, discussed the situation in Syria in a telephone conversation with the head of the Syrian opposition Peace and Freedom Front, Ahmad Jarba, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"During the exchange of views on the development of the situation in and around Syria, special attention was paid to the issue of political settlement in the Syrian Arab Republic on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

The Russian side reaffirmed its fundamental support for the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, the ministry said.

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, in Moscow, during which he criticized the presence of Turkish and US forces in northern Syria as a violation of international law.

The war in Syria has been ongoing since 2011, with various insurgent groups, including terrorist organizations, fighting the Syrian military in order to topple the government of Assad. UN Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, reaffirms the UN's commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

Turkey has played a considerable role in the conflict by supporting various opposition groups fighting the Syrian government, attacking the Kurdish forces located in Syria, while hundreds of US troops are stationed in eastern Syria helping Kurdish-led fighters in a fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia).
(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW/DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) Two Turkish soldiers have been killed and five more injured as a convoy of military vehicles was hit by an explosion in the Syrian province of Idlib, a source from the site told Sputnik on Saturday.

On late Friday, the incident was reported by the Syrian state-run Al-Ikhbariya broadcaster which said that the explosion left several Turkish soldiers injured.

"Two soldiers have died and five have been injured as a result of the blast that his the Turkish military convoy in Maarrat Misrin, the province of Idlib," the source said.

Idlib remains one of the few remaining regions outside the control of Damascus. Turkey, as one of the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire, deployed its forces to the region to counter the Kurdish units in the area and protect multiple militant groups from the Syrian government troops. Damascus views the Turkish military presence in Idlib as a violation of its sovereignty.
(@FahadShabbir)

Washington has been secretly investigating possible cases of the so-called Havana Syndrome that allegedly affected some of the staff of the US Embassy in Colombia, El Tiempo newspaper reported on Saturday

BOGOTA/BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2021) Washington has been secretly investigating possible cases of the so-called Havana Syndrome that allegedly affected some of the staff of the US Embassy in Colombia, El Tiempo newspaper reported on Saturday.

The buildings in the districts of El Nogal and Rosales in northern Bogota are part of a clandestine investigation that the US government has been conducting in Colombia for four weeks, the newspaper has learned.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that the US Embassy in Colombia was investigating several cases of the so-called Havana Syndrome that had allegedly affected some of its staff. The first case was reportedly mentioned in the embassy's correspondence in mid-September.

The report said, citing emails sent to embassy personnel, that the State Department promised to address the issue while they work to determine how many staffers have been affected.

The White House, however, did not confirm later that its diplomats suffered the syndrome.

US diplomats first suffered a set of health problems, collectively described as the Havana syndrome, in Cuba in 2016 and 2017 and then in China in 2018 after allegedly experiencing strange loud piercing sounds. Diplomats in Moscow, Tajikistan and African countries were also reported to have Havana syndrome symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness, with the last case spotted in Vienna. Several hundreds of American diplomats, military personnel and intelligence officers were affected by the syndrome.

The incidents were blamed on Russian "acoustic attacks," an allegation dismissed by Moscow as "total absurd." Late in July, CIA Director William Burns stated that Russia may be responsible for the mysterious incidents, but lacks sufficient proof to make final decisions.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2021) The US State Department is calling on Houthi rebels to stop their offensive in Yemen's Marib province and to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid.

"The United States condemns the Houthi escalation around Marib, which demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the safety of civilians. The Houthis are obstructing movement of people and humanitarian aid, preventing essential services from reaching the 35,000 residents of Abdiya," US State Department Spokesperson Ned price said in a Saturday statement.

Price reiterated that the US is ready to provide the much-needed assistance to the people of Marib.

"The United States urges the Houthis to immediately permit safe passage for civilians, life-saving aid, and the wounded," the spokesperson said, adding "We call on the Houthis to stop their offensive on Marib, and listen to the urgent calls from across Yemen and the international community to bring this conflict to an end and support a UN-led inclusive peace process.

"

Yemen's conflict between government forces and the Houthi movement has been ongoing since August 2014. The situation in the country was further complicated after Saudi Arabia joined the conflict on the side of the Yemeni government in 2015 and began conducting air, land and sea operations against the Islamist rebel movement.

Since February 2020, the Houthi rebels have been conducting a large-scale military operation to seize the Marib province, which is an important political, military and economic center that hosts the defense ministry's headquarters.
Kansas City, MO  United States Marshal Mark S. James announced today the results of Operation Triple Beam, conducted in Kansas City during the summer of 2021.



The United States Marshals Service for the Western District of Missouri conducted a 60-day Operation Triple Beam from mid-July to September 2021 in support of the U.S. Department of Justices Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative (PSN). PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability. The Marshals Service supports PSN in the greater Kansas City area by engaging in focused and strategic enforcement priorities; Identifying persons with active felony warrants issued by local, state and federal prosecutors offices and having a propensity to engage in violence within the community. The Marshals Service then works with local law enforcement departments to seek out and arrest those persons, bringing them to justice before the court in which theyve already been charged.



During the summer of 2021, Operation Triple Beam was a USMS organized, collaborative effort with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Departments Fugitive Apprehension & Arraignment Section (FAAS) conducted in close partnership with the Independence, Missouri Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the United States Attorney's Office. The operation paid special attention to violence related crimes that occurred in the most disproportionately affected neighborhoods of Kansas City as identified by the local Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative and resulted in the following: Arrest of 150 state, local, and federal fugitives

2 gang members arrested

10 firearms seized

0.145 kilograms (kg) of narcotics seized

96 rounds of ammunition seized

$4,498 in U.S. Currency seized Of those arrested, 3 were for sexual offenses, 1 for burglary, 11 for sexual assault, 14 for assault, 4 for homicide, 27 for narcotics, 10 for robbery, 40 for weapons violations, and the remaining for a variety of other offenses such as failure to register as a sex offender, fraud, resisting or interfering with arrest, vehicle theft, etc. Over 93% of the arrests were for violence related crimes.



This Operation Triple Beam was the 5th in a series of targeted enforcement operations conducted by the U.S. Marshals that began in the summer of 2018 in support of Project Safe Neighborhoods and the DOJs Bureau of Justice Assistance- Public Safety Partnership (PSP). To date, these operations have resulted in the following: 2018- Operation Washout (10 days)- 56 arrests for felony warrants, 12 firearms and numerous narcotics seized.

2019- Operation Triple Beam (90 days)- 355 Arrests and the seizure of 69 firearms (43 handguns, 18 rifles, 8 shotguns), 4.4kg narcotics, 2,382 rounds of ammunition and $1,228 in currency.

2020- Operation Relentless Pursuit (60 days)- 176 arrests and the seizure of 12 firearms (9 handguns, 1 rifle, 2 shotguns), 1.034 kg narcotics, 141 rounds of ammunition and $3,581in currency.

2020- Operation LeGend (90 days)- 488 arrests, 76 firearms seized, 5.49kg narcotics and $33,757 in currency. KCPD Chief Rick Smith stated, Our department would like to thank the U.S. Marshals and all of the other participating agencies for their hard work and dedication to this operation. This collaborative effort had an impact on reducing violent crime in our city and we are grateful for the successful outcome of Project Safe Neighborhoods.



For more information on the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative in Kansas City, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/project-safe-neighborhoods-1.



The U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force-Kansas City Division, operates in conjunction with members of the Kansas City, Independence and St. Joseph Missouri Police Departments, Jackson, Cass, Clay, Buchanan and Nodaway County Sheriffs Offices, Missouri State Highway Patrol and other federal law enforcement partners. The task force objectives are to seek out and arrest fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug offenses, sex offenders and other serious felonies. It also provides direct support to law enforcement agencies in tracking down and recovering missing children. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 67 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.



Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers via the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477, on the internet at KCcrimestoppers.com or on the free mobile app available at P3Tips.com. Tips can also be submitted to the U.S. Marshals service directly by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. It can also be accessed online at https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.html. Follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Twitter: @USMarshalsHQ. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov. ####



Americas First Federal Law Enforcement Agency


Victoria, TX (77901)

Today

Mainly sunny. High near 70F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
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The United Nations is withdrawing 450 Gabonese peacekeepers from its mission in Central African Republic following allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, Gabon's government said Wednesday.

"Following the numerous cases of allegations of exploitation and sexual abuse being processed, the United Nations today decided to withdraw the Gabonese contingent from MINUSCA," the statement said, referring to the mission there.

Gabon's defense ministry said it had opened an investigation into the allegations.

"If they are proven, their perpetrators will be brought before military courts and tried with extreme rigor," Gabon's defense ministry warned.

The U.N mission in Central African Republic was deployed in 2014 to end insecurity stemming from inter-religious and intercommunal fighting that erupted in 2013. The mission still has more than 10,000 personnel in the country.

The U.N. mission there has faced allegations of sexual exploitation by peacekeepers from other countries in the past as well.
Music Time in Africa is VOAs longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on whats happening in African music with exclusive interviews, cultural information, and of course, great music -- including rare recordings from the Leo Sarkisian Library of African Music.
Recent studies indicate Canadas decision to extend the interval between the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines can actually lead to increased resistance to the virus. It also finds mixing the brand and type of doses gives better protection.

The decision by Canadian authorities to immunize as many people as possible with any available dose of COVID-19 vaccine, then extending the time until administering the second dose, appears to be paying off.

Recent data compiled by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and the Quebec National Institute of Public Health also show the strategy of using the first available vaccine for a second dose, even if not the same brand as the first, actually increased effectiveness and saved lives.

Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca all recommend 21-28 days between the two shots. Canadas experience suggests protection is even stronger after a six-week interval.

For the Pfizer vaccine, this effectiveness went from 82% after a three- to four-week interval, to 93% when the booster, or secondary dose was given after four months.

The study also finds two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine gave less protection than the mRNA vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna. However, those who received an mRNA as a booster dose have the same protection as if they had two of the same, even if their first dose was AstraZeneca.

All three vaccines were found to be more than 90% effective in keeping recipients out of the hospital for COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer for the Canadian province of British Columbia, has encouraged first doses to be administered as quickly as possible -- and not to worry whether the second dose is from a different vaccine.

Overall, she said, Canadas experience could provide insights for the rest of the world.

We don't want countries to have to hold doses back or wait for manufacturers to be able to give people the full protection they need when they're seeing outbreaks in other countries -- and we saw this in India, for example, she said. So it is really important globally that we're able to use whatever vaccines are available to support people to have good protection.

Joan Robinson, a pediatric infectious disease doctor and professor at the University of Alberta and Stollery Childrens Hospital in Edmonton, said increasing the time between the doses can be good for the long term in areas with stable or low coronavirus levels.

However, Robinson said, there is one downside for the short term, especially in areas where there are high concentrations of COVID-19 cases.

So the delay between the doses during the time between your first and second dose, you're much more likely to get COVID than if you had got this second dose earlier, she said. Certainly with the delta variant, one gets the impression that one dose may be less effective.

The findings of researchers in British Columbia and Quebec, which are thousands of kilometers apart, are almost identical.

This most recent Canadian data have not been widely published or peer reviewed, but researchers released the information early to make it available globally as soon as possible.
The World Health Organization said Ivory Coast received 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine Friday, the second nation to receive vaccines through the WHO-administered cooperative COVAX vaccine program.

The delivery of AstraZeneca vaccine to the west African nations capital, Abidjan, followed the first COVAX delivery to Ivory Coasts neighboring country, Ghana, Wednesday.

At the agencys regular news briefing at its headquarters in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Nigeria is expecting 4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine next week.

Tedros said, More doses will be shipped to more countries in the coming days and weeks as we move towards our target of starting vaccination in all countries within the first 100 days of the year. We now have 43 days left."

The WHO chief said the program had made great strides, but that the WHO needed to accelerate the supply and distribution of vaccines. Some countries continue to approach vaccine manufacturers to cut deals on the side, which Tedros said eliminates vaccines otherwise designated for the COVAX facility.

Tedros senior adviser, Bruce Aylward, told reporters the situation had improved, and that most countries had listened to the WHO director generals pleas to not hoard vaccines. But there are still those nations looking to stockpile vaccines that could compromise COVAX supplies.

The COVAX program is designed to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are shared equitably with all nations regardless of economic status and has a goal of delivering 2 billion doses of by the end of 2021.

Tedros stressed again that ending the pandemic requires access to treatments for everyone. He said, We can't beat COVID without vaccine equity. Our world will not recover fast enough without vaccine equity, this is clear. So, sharing the vaccine which is being produced is actually the best way to bring lives and livelihoods back to normal."
Prominent Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah is to appear in court on Monday after spending more than two years in pre-trial detention, a lawyer and family members said.

Abdel-Fattah, his lawyer Mohamed al-Baqer and blogger Mohamed Ibrahim will be tried in a State Security court whose verdicts cannot be appealed, lawyer Khaled Ali said Saturday on social media.

Abdel-Fattah's mother, Leila Soueif, said her son had been questioned in September about "spreading false news.

"We do not know exactly what the accusations are because the lawyers haven't been officially notified yet," she told AFP.

His sister Mona Seif visited him Saturday at Cairo's notorious Tora prison, where he told her the news, Soueif said.

Abdel-Fattah was a prominent figure in Egypt's 2011 uprising against autocratic President Hosni Mubarak and had already spent time in jail before his 2019 arrest.

He and lawyer Baqer were imprisoned after rare, small-scale protests in September that year against the government of current President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

They were both added to Cairo's "terror" list late last year, a move involving a travel ban and an assets freeze.

Ibrahim, founder of the "Oxygen Egypt" blog, was arrested in September 2019 for posting protest-related videos, according to Amnesty International.

El-Sissi, a former army chief, took power in 2014 and has launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent, with rights groups estimating that Egypt holds about 60,000 political prisoners.

Pre-trial detention can last up to two years under Egyptian law, but detainees are often kept waiting behind bars for longer.

Abdel-Fattah's sister said he was "behaving as if he was going to die in prison."

"I have never seen my brother in such a state, he is extremely angry, exhausted and jaded," Seif wrote on Twitter.

Soueif said the development came against the backdrop of an "international campaign to get rid of unlimited preventive detention.

She said her son had spent a total of seven years in prison.
Funeral services were held Saturday for victims of Fridays suicide bomb attack on a Shiite mosque in Afghanistans southern city of Kandahar that killed at least 47 people and wounded more than 70.

Islamic States Amaq news agency said late Friday that two of its members fatally shot security guards at the entrance to the mosque before blowing themselves up inside between two groups of hundreds of worshippers.

IS identified the attackers as Afghan nationals Anas al-Khurasani and Abu Ali al-Baluchi.

Taliban officials vowed to bolster security at Shiite mosques Saturday as hundreds gathered while the victims were buried by their families. Sixty-three graves were prepared, but a provincial Taliban official said the official death toll was 47.

United Nations Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric described the attack in a statement Friday as despicable and said the attackers must be brought to justice.

In a statement Friday, the U.N. Security Council stressed the need to hold everyone involved in these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

It is the second consecutive week an attack occurred at a Shiite mosque and was claimed by IS. Forty-six people were killed in an October 9 attack on a mosque in northern Afghanistan.



The attacks are fueling concerns that IS, an adversary of the Taliban and the West, is enlarging its base in Afghanistan since the withdrawal of U.S. and allied troops from the country in August.



Some in information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
To Charlotte Bennett, the new book that arrived at her Manhattan apartment this week  Anita Hill's "Believing"  was more than just a look at gender violence.

It was a dispatch from a fellow member of a very specific sisterhood  women who have come forward to describe misconduct they suffered at the hands of powerful men.

Bennett's story of harassment by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo helped lead to his resignation after an investigation found he'd harassed at least 11 women. And 30 years ago this month, Hill testified before a skeptical Senate Judiciary Committee that Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her.

"I can't imagine what it was like doing that in 1991," said Bennett, 26. "I've thought about that a lot."

Hill's history obviously predates the #MeToo movement, the broad social reckoning against sexual misconduct that reaches its four-year mark this week. But Bennett's moment is very much a part of it, and she believes #MeToo is largely responsible for a fundamental change in the landscape since 1991, when Hill came forward.

"I'd like to think that now, we are believed," Bennett said in an interview. "That the difference is, we are not convincing our audience that something happened and trying to persuade them that it impacted us. I would really like to think we're in a place now where it's not about believability  and that we don't have to apologize."

But for Bennett, a former health policy aide in the Cuomo administration, what emboldened her to come forward  and bolster the claims of an earlier accuser  was also the feeling that she was part of a community of survivors who had each other's back.

"I was really scared to come forward," Bennett said. "But something that reassured me even in that moment of fear was that there were women before me  (it wasn't) Charlotte versus the governor, but a movement, moving forward. And I am one small event and one small piece of reckoning with sexual misconduct, in workplaces and elsewhere."

There's evidence Bennett is not alone in feeling a shift. Four years after actor Alyssa Milano sent her viral tweet asking those who'd been harassed or assaulted to share stories or just reply "Me too," following the stunning revelations about mogul Harvey Weinstein, most Americans think the movement has inspired more people to speak out about misconduct, according to a new poll.

About half of Americans  54%  say they personally are more likely to speak out if they're a victim of sexual misconduct, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. And slightly more, 58%, say they would speak out if they witnessed it.

Sixty-two percent of women said they are more likely to speak out if they are a victim of sexual misconduct as a result of recent attention to the issue, compared to 44% of men. Women also are more likely than men to say they would speak out if they are a witness, 63% vs 53%.

Sonia Montoya, 65, of Albuquerque, used to take the sexist chatter in stride at the truck repair shop where she's worked as the office manager  the only woman  for 17 years. But as news broke in 2016 about the crude way presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke about women, she realized she'd had enough. She demanded respect, prompting changes from her colleagues that stuck as the #MeToo movement took hold.

"It used to be brutal, the way people talked (at work). It was raw," said Montoya, a poll participant who describes herself as an independent voter and political moderate. "Ever since this movement and awareness has come out, the guys are a lot more respectful and they think twice before they say certain things."

Justin Horton, a 20-year-old EMT in Colorado Springs who attends a local community college, said he saw attitudes start to change as the #MeToo movement exploded during his senior year of high school.

He thinks it's now easier for men like him to treat women with respect, despite a culture that too often objectifies them. And he hopes people realize that men can be sexually harassed as well.

"I feel like it's had a lasting impact," he said. "I feel like people have been more self-aware."

Close to half of Americans say the recent attention to sexual misconduct has had a positive impact on the country overall  roughly twice the number that say it's been negative, 45% vs. 24%, the poll shows. As recently as January 2020, Americans were roughly split over the impact of the movement on the country.

Still, there are signs the impact has been unequal, with fewer Americans seeing positive change for women of color than for women in general. That dovetails with frequent criticism that the #MeToo movement has been less inclusive of women of color.

"We haven't moved nearly enough" in that area, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke told The Associated Press in an interview last month.

The AP-NORC Poll also showed generational differences: More Americans under 30 said they're more likely to speak out if they are a victim, compared with older adults, 63% vs. 51%. And 67% of adults under 30 said they were they are more likely to speak out if they witness sexual misconduct, compared with 56% of those older.

There is a price for speaking out. Bennett said Cuomo, despite having resigned, is still not taking true responsibility for his actions, and so her struggle goes on.

"He's still willing to try and discredit us," she said. "And I am at a point where I'm exhausted. This has been a horrible experience."

Bennett has said the 63-year-old Cuomo, among other comments, asked if her experience with sexual assault in college had affected her sex life, asked about her sexual relationships, and said he was comfortable dating women in their 20s. Cuomo denies making sexual advances and says his questions were an attempt to be friendly and sympathetic to her background as a survivor. He's denied other women's allegations of inappropriate touching, including an aide who accused him of groping her breast.

How is Bennett doing, two months after the resignation? She replies haltingly: "I'm doing OK. Every day is hard. It's sad. It takes a piece of you a little bit. But ... I would make the same decision every single time. The reason I was in public service was to be a good citizen and give back and do the right thing and contribute. I didn't see my role like this, but that's what it turned into. And that's OK. I'm proud of myself for coming forward, and I will get through it."

She muses about where the country might be in three more decades.

"I think reflecting on Anita Hill's experience is a great way to understand how long 30 years is," she said.

"So what do I feel like the next big change will be? I think it's just not apologizing for being inconvenient. I could sit here and apologize. But I want to get to a place  where we're not apologizing, where it's our job to come forward if we have the means and ability to do so."

And the #MeToo movement, she said, should be not only a community, not only "a soft landing place" for women who come forward.

"It should it be where leaders come from," Bennett said. "We know how institutions act. We know the underbelly of these institutions better than anyone. We have a lot of solutions to fix it and we should be at the table.

"It should be OUR table."
The U.S. space agency, NASA, launched a craft Saturday to boldly go to a part of space never visited before  the asteroids of Jupiter.

The spacecraft Lucy took off before dawn Saturday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is embarking on a 12-year mission, during which it will travel more than 6 billion kilometers.

Lucy aims to fly near seven of Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. Thousands of asteroids surround the giant planet.

The asteroids are believed to be artifacts from when the solar system was formed, and scientists hope that by studying them, they can better understand how the solar system evolved.

Tom Statler, Lucy program scientist, told VOA in an email that the asteroids are "leftovers from the formation of our solar system's giant planets  Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune" and that "the formation and early evolution of the Earth was influenced by what was happening to the giant planets farther from the sun.

"The Trojan asteroids hold unique clues to this special era," he added.

NASA scientist Carly Howett told NASA TV that there are two main ideas of how the Trojan asteroids came to orbit near Jupiter: one, they formed deep in the solar system, and in a game of cosmic billiards were kicked back toward Jupiter; or two, they formed closer to Jupiter and are composed of substances similar to those of Jupiter's moons.

"We are going to learn a lot about the composition" of the asteroids, she said, which will help NASA learn how and where they were formed.

Wil Santiago, an engineer at Lockheed Martin Space, told NASA TV, "It's like going back in time. These asteroids are time capsules."

Lucy is named for the fossilized remains of an early human discovered in Ethiopia in 1974. NASA scientists say the spacecraft will hopefully provide clues about the solar system's evolution, just as the remains of the human ancestor Lucy were important in understanding how humans evolved.

The fossilized Lucy was in turn named for the 1967 Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Coming full circle, NASA says there are diamonds in the instrument that will measure the temperature of the asteroids.

On its mission to Jupiter, Lucy will perform three Earth flybys for a gravity boost to propel it farther into the solar system. It will also fly by an asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, in what scientists consider a test run before it approaches the Trojan asteroids.

The craft has two massive solar panels, 7 meters each, that will provide the power it needs to travel 850 million kilometers from the sun. Because of its large panels, the craft will not be nimble enough to make quick adjustments in its trajectory.

Howett said scientists will use the spacecraft's camera system to make sure there are no obstacles in its path, but added, "We're not going to be doing a U-turn  let's just put it like that."

To chart a safe course, she said, NASA has been using the world's best telescopes to study the region of space where Lucy will travel.

"We think we have an idea of what the risks are," Howett said; however, she added, "whenever you explore somewhere new, there are some hazards."

Lucy is not the only spacecraft exploring asteroids in the solar system. Next month, the spacecraft Dart is set to ram an asteroid 11 million kilometers from Earth in an attempt to change its course. The mission is a test of technologies that could be used one day to save Earth from a hazardous asteroid.

Also, next year, a craft will explore the asteroid Psyche, which is heavy with nickel and iron, and the following year, a space capsule will return to Earth with NASA's first samples from an asteroid, collected last year by the Osiris-Rex rover exploring the asteroid Bennu.

"It's going to be a great few years for asteroid science," Howett said.

With all the activity in space exploration right now, scientists are seeking to explore one of the few regions of the solar system that has yet to be visited.

The Trojan asteroids "are the last major population of objects in our solar system that have not yet been seen close-up by spacecraft," Statler said.
At least 2.5% of New Zealands population was vaccinated for COVID-19 in a single day Saturday, according to preliminary data.



The countrys health ministry reported a record 124,669 people were inoculated in the country of 4.9 million during an eight-hour national Vaxathon campaign featuring celebrities.



Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern first set a goal of 100,000 vaccinations but raised it to 150,000 after the first milestone was reached.



The event, which was televised and online, was launched after an outbreak of the delta variant in mid-August. The country had remained mostly virus-free until then. The country has only had 4,940 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and reported just 28 deaths related to the virus, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.



Also Saturday, Russia reported 1,002 COVID-19 deaths, the first-time daily fatalities topped 1,000 in the country since the pandemic began.



Record numbers of daily deaths have repeatedly been set over the past few weeks. But Russian government efforts to accelerate the pace of vaccinations with incentives such as bonuses and lotteries have been thwarted by widespread distrust of vaccines and conflicting information from officials.



The Russian government said earlier this week that about 29% of the countrys nearly 146 million people had been fully vaccinated.



Overall, Russia has reported 7.8 million cases of COVID-19 and 218,362 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.

Meanwhile, a panel of U.S. health advisers on Friday recommended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorize a second shot of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who has received the single-dose inoculation.



The panel expressed concerns that Americans who received the shot are not as protected as those who were given a two-dose vaccination from drugmakers Pfizer or Moderna.



Last month, the FDA authorized a third booster shot for the Pfizer vaccine for seniors as well as adults who are at high risk for COVID-19. On Thursday, the FDA advisory panel recommended a similar course of action for Moderna boosters, except using lower doses.



Johnson & Johnson is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved in the United States that is only one dose. Initially, it was hailed for its ability to take effect quickly, but soon ran into concerns that it led to a rare blood clot disorder and a neurological disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is now facing criticism that it is less effective than rival brands.



Only about 15 million Americans received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated.



In other developments Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would accept mixed-dose coronavirus vaccines from international travelers. It has said it would allow travelers to have received any vaccine authorized for use by the FDA or the World Health Organization.



Earlier in the day, the White House said it would lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for international travelers who are fully vaccinated on Nov. 8.



Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Pakistan has opened its air trade route for the first time to commercial cargo destined to landlocked Afghanistan to help its war-torn neighbors Taliban government deal with a deepening economic crisis.

Islamabad International Airport is now opened for high value Afghan transit trade, Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistans special representative for Afghanistan, tweeted Saturday.

Sadiq said a chartered aircraft brought various industrial inputs to Islamabad on Friday and the Afghan transit cargo was then loaded into containers before being transported by road to Kabul through the northwestern Torkham crossing on the Afghan border.

I congratulate Pakistan Customs for arranging first ever plane-to-truck transfer of international cargo via Pakistan. It shows Pakistan's commitment to a geo-economics led foreign policy, the envoy tweeted.

In a later tweet, Sadiq also rejected as propaganda reported allegations that trucks transporting Afghan exports to Pakistan, mainly fresh fruits, were being blocked by Pakistani authorities from crossing the border. The envoy tweeted what he said was a picture of the Torkham terminal showing no fruit trucks were waiting on the Afghan side.

Trade treaty

A bilateral transit treaty, enacted in 1965 and renegotiated in 2010 with the United States mediating, grants Kabul the right to conduct duty-free international trade through Pakistani airports, seaports and overland routes.

In turn, Islamabad is allowed to use the designated Afghan transit corridor to trade with Central Asian countries.

But strained political ties with the previous Kabul government had discouraged Islamabad from allowing the transit of any goods through its air trade route until now. Kabuls close security cooperation with Pakistans archrival India was also a source of mutual distrust.

The tensions largely stemmed from allegations by Afghanistan that the Taliban had been using sanctuaries in Pakistan from which to direct insurgent attacks against the Afghan government and U.S.-led coalition troops for almost 20 years, charges denied by Islamabad.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August prompted Washington to freeze nearly $10 billion in Afghan assets, mostly deposited in the U.S. Federal Reserve.

The restriction has raised the prospects of an economic meltdown in the poverty-stricken country where the United Nations says about 1 million Afghan children are at risk of starvation and at least 18 million more people need urgent humanitarian aid, citing years of conflict and a prolonged drought. U.N. officials warn the approaching winter is only going to make matters worse.

Humanitarian crisis

The U.S. and other countries have vowed to scale up humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. But they have refused to grant the Taliban government legitimacy until they see the Islamist group keep its promises to protect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, and fight international terrorism.

For its part, Pakistan has sent dozens of truckloads of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including food and medicines, nearly every day since the Taliban took over Kabul.

The Pakistani government last month eliminated the sales tax on fruits imported from Afghanistan to encourage Afghan traders and farmers. The move, officials say, has led to an increase in Afghan exports to Pakistan.

Islamabad has also withdrawn a ban on exports of poultry products to the neighboring country, hoping it would reduce the price of poultry there and ensure a supply of fresh chicken as well eggs to the general population.

Pakistani leaders, however, have withheld recognition of the Taliban government, saying they will wait for the global community to do so and the new rulers in Kabul to deliver on their pledges.

Refugee flood feared

Pakistan, which shares a roughly 2,600-kilometer border with Afghanistan, has been urging the U.S. and the world in general to engage with the Taliban to prevent the country from descending into chaos again.

Islamabad insists that continued Afghan instability will pose security challenges and trigger economic migration toward Afghanistans neighbors.

Pakistani officials have refused to accept more Afghan refugees, saying their country already hosts nearly 3 million Afghans and the international community should help in their repatriation.
The number of people in Puerto Rico who identified as "white" in the most recent census plummeted almost 80%, sparking a conversation about identity on an island breaking away from a past where race was not tracked and seldom debated in public.

The drastic drop surprised many, and theories abound as the U.S. territory's 3.3 million people begin to reckon with racial identity.

"Puerto Ricans themselves are understanding their whiteness comes with an asterisk," said Yarimar Bonilla, a political anthropologist and director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College in New York. "They know they're not white by U.S. standards, but they're not Black by Puerto Rico standards."

Nearly 50% of those represented in the 2020 census  1.6 million of 3.29 million  identified with "two races or more," a jump from 3%  or some 122,200 of 3.72 million  who chose that option in the 2000 census. Most of them selected "white and some other race."

Meanwhile, more than 838,000 people identified as "some other race alone," a nearly 190% jump compared with some 289,900 people a decade ago, although Bonilla said Census Bureau officials have yet to release what races they chose. Experts believe people likely wrote "Puerto Rican," "Hispanic" or "Latino," even though federal policy defines those categories as ethnicity, not race.

Among those who changed their response to race was 45-year-old Tamara Texidor, who selected "other" in 2010 and this time opted to identify herself as "Afrodescendent." She said she made the decision after talking to her brother, who was a census worker and told her how people he encountered when he went house to house often had trouble with the question about race.

Texidor began reflecting about her ancestry and wanted to honor it since she descended from slaves on her father's side.

"I'm not going to select other,'" she recalled thinking when filling out the census. "I feel I am something."

Experts are still debating what sparked the significant changes in the 2020 census. Some believe several factors are at play, including tweaks in wording and a change in how the Census Bureau processes and codes responses.

Bonilla also thinks a growing awareness of racial identity in Puerto Rico played a part, saying that "extra intense racialization" in the past decade might have contributed. She and other anthropologists argue that change stemmed from anger over what many consider a botched federal response to a U.S. territory struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria and a crippling economic crisis.

"They've finally understood that they're treated like second-class citizens," Barbara Abadia-Rexach, a sociocultural anthropologist, said of Puerto Ricans.

Another critical change in the 2020 census was that only a little over 228,700 identified solely as Black or African American, a nearly 50% drop compared with more than 461,000 who did so a decade ago. The decline occurred even as grass-roots organizations in Puerto Rico launched campaigns to urge people to embrace their African heritage and raised awareness about racial disparities, although they said they were encouraged by the increase in the "two or more races" category.

Bonilla noted Puerto Rico currently has no reliable data to determine whether such disparities have occurred during the pandemic, noting that there is no racial data on coronavirus testing, hospitalizations or fatalities.

The island's government also does not collect racial data on populations, including those who are homeless or incarcerated, Abadia-Rexach added.

"The denial of the existence of racism renders invisible, criminalizes and dehumanizes many Black people in Puerto Rico," she said.

The lack of such data could be rooted in Puerto Rico's history. From 1960 to 2000, the island conducted its own census and never asked about race.

"We were supposed to be all mixed and all equal, and race was supposed to be an American thing," Bonilla said.

Some argued at the time that Puerto Rico should be tracking racial data while others viewed it as a divisive move that would impose or harden racial differences, a view largely embraced in France, which does not collect official data on race or ethnicity.

For Isar Godreau, an anthropologist and professor at the University of Puerto Rico, that type of data is crucial.

"Skin color is an important marker that makes people vulnerable to more or less racial discrimination," she said.

The data helps people fight for racial justice and determines the allocation of resources, Godreau said.

The major shift in the 2020 census  especially how only 560,592 people identified as white versus more than 2.8 million in 2010  comes amid a growing interest in racial identity in Puerto Rico, where even recent surveys about race prompted responses ranging from "members of the human race" to "normal" to "I get along with everyone." Informally, people on the island use a wide range of words to describe someone's skin color, including "coffee with milk."

That interest is fueled largely by a younger generation: They have signed up for classes of bomba and plena  centuries-old, percussion-powered musical traditions  as well as workshops on how to make or wear headwraps.

More hair salons are specializing in curly hair, eschewing the blow-dried results that long dominated professional settings in the island. Some legislators have submitted a bill that cites the results of the 2020 census and that if approved would make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their hair style. Several U.S. states already have similar laws.

As debate continues on what sparked so many changes in the 2020 census, Bonilla said an important question is what the 2030 census results will look like. "Will we see an intensification of this pattern, or will 2020 have been kind of a blip moment?"
Greece is lauding a renewed defense pact with the United States as a resounding vote of confidence from Washington to Athens. The deal is seen by Greece as an added swipe against its age-old foe -- but NATO ally -- Turkey, in a long-running dispute over sea and air rights in the Aegean, eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

In a rare televised statement on national defense, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the deal raised strategic ties between Greece and the United States to a higher level.

The deal, signed in Washington earlier this week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, extends an existing defense pact between the two countries, enabling U.S. forces to train and operate in at least three more locations in Greece.

However, the details of the agreement that Blinken spelled out in a separate letter, quickly relayed to Mitsotakis after the signing, are spurring debate here.

In this letter, Mitsotakis said, the United States explicitly backs Greeces call for respect of its sovereignty, integrity and sovereign rights in line with international law.

That is diplomatic shorthand for what Greeks believe could be an assertive U.S. response in defense of Greek interests in case of a near-war crisis with its longtime foe, Turkey.

A copy of the two-page letter, obtained by VOA in Athens, said the deal displays Washington's "determination to mutually safeguard and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries against actions threatening peace, including armed attacks."

The letter, however, did not spell out what either side would do explicitly.

While both are NATO allies, Greece and Turkey have been at loggerheads for years over competing rights in the Aegean Sea that divides them. In the past year, the two came to the brink of war over drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Cyprus, which has been divided between Greece and Turkey since 1974.

Critics, such as Pavlos Tsimas, a political analyst, warn that the U.S. commitment should be read carefully.

Does it mean that we will see U.S. Navy SEALs or battleships fighting on our side in the case of a crisis with Turkey, definitely not, Tsimas said. But it does build a strong enough deterrent for Turkey to think twice if it does move to strike against Greece, in any way, he said.

Like other analysts here, Tsimas said the importance of the deal is in its timing: it comes about a week after Mitsotakis signed a landmark defense deal with French President Emmanuel Macron, in which Athens purchases at least three French-built frigates, and along with a similar commitment of military support for Greece.

Opposition parties have denounced the U.S. deal, saying Greece offered too much for too little  more bases for U.S. troops to use and train in the country, for an indefinite period of time. They say the Blinken letter offered nothing in return, which they say should have been pressure on Turkey to rescind its long-standing threat of war against Greece if Athens moved to assert its rights in the Aegean Sea.

Critics now are fearing Turkeys response, pointing to statements Defense Minister Hulusi Akar made shortly after the Greek-U.S. deal was renewed.

We are peace-loving and respect international law, but will not allow for any change in the status quo, he warned.

Analysts in Athens tell VOA the chances of Turkey moving to provoke an incident in disputed waters in the Aegean, look weak. But Ankara, they warn, may instead move to test the reflexes of both defense deals with the U.S. and France in areas in the Eastern Mediterranean, closer to Cyprus, or on a different front entirely.

Just hours after the signing, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country was preparing to take military action against a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia in northern Syria, if its relations with the U.S. do not improve.

Government officials in Athens told VOA they were watching the developments closely.
Singapores Parliament earlier this month passed legislation giving the government sweeping new powers to fend off foreign meddling in domestic affairs but which many fear the long-ruling Peoples Action Party will abuse to smother dissent at home.

Parliament passed the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act October 4 by a decisive 75-11 vote, thanks to the supermajority of the PAP, Singapores ruling party since the island split from Malaysia in 1965.

The new law lets authorities force social media platforms and internet service providers to hand over user data, block content and take down applications sharing information that might harm the states interests.

It also lets authorities designate nationals as politically significant persons, a label that requires targets to disclose any links to foreign entities and follow strict donation curbs.

Penalties for breaking the law include fines running up to about $741,000 and 14 years in jail.

Interference

The government says it needs the new powers to save Singapore, a culturally diverse city-state of 5.7 million, from a rising tide of cyber manipulation.

Our racial and religious mix is easily exploitable by different countries, Law and Home Affairs Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam said in a speech to Parliament just before its vote on the bill.

And we see a steady build-up of different narratives, which is being very cleverly done. It is not obvious propaganda, but it conditions people to think in certain ways, particularly on foreign policy issues, often appealing to a larger racial identity beyond the Singaporean identity, he added.

In my view, this is one of the most serious threats we face, Shanmugam said.

FICAs critics do not dispute that threats of foreign meddling in Singapores politics abound. In December, authorities arrested a Singapore national who reportedly admitted to spying for Chinese intelligence.

Their fear is that the government, with its reputation for authoritarian rule, could easily wield the new law to throttle a wide swath of legitimate activity it disapproves of.

Lawyers, reporters and rights groups have called it everything from a disaster and a brutal attack on freedom to a stealth coup by Shanmugam.

On Wednesday, 11 nongovernment organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, issued a statement urging Singapore to repeal the law.

Of course the government says that this is not going to apply to Singaporeans expressing political opinion critical of the government, but, they say, unless theyre acting on behalf of a foreign agent. And its how they define that acting on behalf of a foreign agent that is so troubling, Linda Lakhdhir, a legal adviser with Human Rights Watch and a former criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Justice Department, told VOA.

Definitions

Under FICA, that covers a wide range, from acting under an arrangement with, on the order or at the request of, with funding from or in collaboration with a foreign principal, which can include everything from another government to any foreigner.

The laws remit for interference directed towards a political end can mean seeking to sway government decisions and parliamentary proceedings or public opinion on any issue of public controversy.

Lakhdhir said all that could capture something as innocent as local academics discussing a piece of legislation with a foreigner as part of their work and then forming and sharing their own opinions about it.

Under this law, they could claim that you are an agent of foreign influence, which is absurd, she said.

Critics say the same could apply to an array of international interaction among businesses, civil society and the media.

This law simply makes all of it technically illegal because of the way the law is worded, said Thum Ping Tjin, a Singapore national and managing director of New Naratif, an online media platform and self-described movement for democracy, freedom of information and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia.

So whats at stake really is that the government will now be able to pick and choose any one of these collaborations as it wishes and prosecute people simply for collaborating with a foreigner whether its legitimate or not, and the government gets to decide whether these things are legitimate, he added.

Thum said even his interview with VOA over WhatsApp could fall within the broad scope of the law, if the government deems conversation over an encrypted application to be covert and the subject damaging to Singapores public interest.

So it totally meets the definition, he said.

Thum said he worries the government could now move to block New Naratif in Singapore and make it illegal for locals to advertise on the site or to subscribe if authorities decide the planforms content and conduct fall afoul of the new law. He said that would deal a heavy blow to New Naratif, which takes foreign grants but pulls about two-thirds of its subscribers from Singapore.

There may be cause for concern. In his October 4 speech to Parliament, Shanmugam called out New Naratif, Thum and fellow co-founder Kirsten Han over their critiques of Singapores government as prime examples of the foreign meddling threats the country faces.

Oversight

What also alarms FICAs critics is the way the law couples its broad language with limits on judicial oversight.

The courts are confined to ruling on FICA orders on procedural grounds only. Otherwise appeals head to a review tribunal comprising three people appointed by the president of Singapore on the cabinets advice and chaired by a Supreme Court judge. The tribunal can dismiss any appeal it deems frivolous or vexatious and its decisions are final. It can also hold back any information it believes may, if exposed, put Singapores national security or economy at risk.

FICA also gives the minister of home affairs the power to issue orders blocking online content under foreign influence at his or her own discretion and on mere suspicion.

In a virtual panel discussion on FICA hosted by New Naratif in the days leading up to Parliaments vote, opposition lawmaker Leong Mun Wai said the powers and appeals process the law lays out remove the checks and balances at the core of democracy.

If a minister has the power to actually implicate somebody by just suspecting, without any evidence, what kind of transparency are we talking about? In fact, what kind of justice are we talking about? What kind of rule of law are we talking about? he asked.

So the whole separation of powers principle behind democracy  independence of one branch of government vis a vis the other branch  the whole principle is being, in a way, thrown away in this bill, he said.

Asked for comment, the Home Affairs Ministry referred VOA back to Shanmugams October 4 speech, in which the minister insisted on the need for secret hearings and acting without evidence while rejecting claims he would abuse the powers.

Critics, though, say the government has proved ready to use a cascade of new laws over the years to muzzle dissent, and that FICA is the latest and perhaps most powerful addition.

It is another tool for the PAP to use against, essentially, content that is in any way controversial in Singapore, Lakhdhir said, and to use against the activists and the independent media and the others that are publishing or saying things that disagree with the government narrative.
Suicide bombers struck a Shiite mosque Friday in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, killing at least 47 people and wounding more than 70, according to a Taliban official.

Witnesses said two to four suicide bombers carried out the attack.

One witness said he was inside the mosque and heard two explosions inside the mosque and two outside. A second witness, Murtaza, who was in charge of mosque security, told The Associated Press he saw one attacker outside the gate and one inside the mosque. Murtaza, who like many Afghans uses only one name, said security personnel shot a third suspected attacker outside the mosque.

The mosques imam, Sardar Mohammad Zaidi, said there were four attackers, two outside and two inside, Reuters reported.

Islamic State Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack, saying on its Telegram channels that it was carried out by two suicide bombers.

The blasts went off during Friday prayers, usually attended by large crowds. Pictures and videos shared on social media showed a bloody scene inside the mosque, with bodies and body parts strewn about and worshippers trying to rescue the wounded.

"When I arrived at the mosque, I saw injured, dead bodies, and people who had fallen on top of each other," Haji Sarwar Hazara, a local construction contractor who arrived soon after the blast, told Reuters.

Hafiz Sayeed, the Taliban chief for Kandahar's department of culture and information, later told The Associated Press at least 47 people were killed and at least 70 wounded.

The attack came a week after a Friday-prayer bombing in another Afghan city, Kunduz, left more than 50 dead. That attack was also claimed by Islamic State Khorasan Province, the local branch of the Islamic State group. IS Khorasan had claimed a Uyghur carried out the Kunduz attack.

In an interview with VOA earlier this week, Taliban Deputy Information Minister Zabihulah Mujahid denied that IS was a serious threat, despite multiple attacks, including one on a gathering for the last rituals of Mujahids own mother in Kabul.

He said the only reason IS Khorasan had managed to carry out attacks in recent weeks was that the Taliban broke open many jails when it took over the country, allowing IS Khorasan facilitators to escape.

Our forces are trying to find its roots. In the last week-and-a-half we have arrested several people belonging to IS and have destroyed several of their safe houses. We have neutralized several of their attacks, Mujahid said.

IS Khorasan claimed a Uyghur had carried out the Kunduz attack, but Mujahid said China had not discussed the issue with the Taliban.

Fridays bombing was the fourth high-profile bombing claimed by IS Khorasan since Aug. 15, the day the Taliban took control of Kabul.

The group also claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on Kabul airport while thousands of Afghans who were fleeing from the Taliban were being evacuated. That attack killed nearly 100 Afghans and 13 American service personnel.

VOAs Ayaz Gul contributed to this report.

Some information came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
The United Nations is calling for a cease-fire in the key Yemeni city of Marib to allow civilians wounded in fighting to receive emergency medical care.

The battle for Marib reportedly is still raging between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and Houthi rebels supported by Iran. The Houthis have made major gains in seizing control of Marib, the governments last stronghold in northern Yemen.

U.N. officials say the intensity of the fighting is taking a severe toll on the civilian population. Spokesman for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Jens Laerke says about 35,000 people are essentially trapped in the battle zone. He says their movements in and out of the district are severely restricted.

This inability to move in and out has limited the delivery of lifesaving aid and prevented the sick and wounded from receiving medical care. The provision of basic commodities has become exceedingly difficult and dangerous," Laerke said. "The United Nations and its partners remain committed to working with all relevant authorities to ensure that assistance continues to reach people in need despite the clashes.

Laerke said the U.N. coordinator in Yemen is calling for a cease-fire in the Al Abdiyah District in Marib to allow safe passage of civilians and aid workers. He said it is critical that those wounded in the fighting be evacuated so they can receive medical care.

So, this is a very specific request for a localized cease-fire in this district in Marib because the situation is extremely critical, and peoples lives are in immediate danger. Those who have been wounded in the fighting, which has been going on for quite some time, do not have access to the health care that they need. They cannot get out and the aid that we need to get in cannot get in, Laerke said.

The OCHA says 235 civilians were killed or injured last month across Yemen, the second-highest monthly casualty figure in two years. Also last month, it says fighting near Marib displaced an estimated 10,000 people.

The United Nations calls Yemen, which is in its seventh year of war, the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. It says 80% of the population, 24 million people, depend on international aid for survival. It adds hunger is widespread, with nearly 5 million people on the verge of famine.
Claims from Nigeria that the leader of one of the fastest-growing Islamic State terror group affiliates is dead are being met with extreme caution in the United States.

Officials at the White House, Pentagon and State Department said Friday they were aware of accounts that Islamic State West Africa Province leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi had been killed, but some said it was too early to say anything for sure.

"We are aware of the reports but note that unconfirmed reports in the past have proven unfounded," one senior administration official told VOA on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.

"That said, ISIS-West Africa remains a threat to peace and stability in the region," the official added, using another acronym for the terror group.

Nigeria's chief of defense staff, General Lucky Irabor, first announced the death of al-Barnawi at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday."

I can authoritatively confirm to you that Abu Musab is dead," Irabor said, offering no other details.

Some media outlets suggested al-Barnawi had been killed in clashes with rival factions, but such claims could not be independently verified.

Al-Barnawi is the son of Mohammed Yusuf, who founded the rival terror group, Boko Haram. In 2016, when most of Boko Haram split with Islamic State, al-Barnawi was appointed the leader of the faction that remained loyal.

The U.S. named al-Barnawi a "specially designated global terrorist" in 2018, citing the risk he posed to U.S. national security.

For years, al-Barnawi's IS West Africa had been battling Boko Haram for supremacy in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. But al-Barnawi's group seemed to finally gain the upper hand in May when its forces surrounded Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau following a battle in the Sambisa Forest.

According to accounts posted online by IS and later confirmed by Nigerian and U.S. officials, Shekau, who, like al-Barnawi, was reported dead multiple times, eventually blew himself up rather than be taken alive.

According to U.S. military officials, Shekau's death has since led to a rapid expansion for IS West Africa.

"ISWA (IS West Africa) has pretty much consolidated the vast majority of Boko Haram fighters," one official told VOA, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.

As a result, IS West Africa's ranks have grown substantially, from about 2,500-3,000 fighters to about 5,000 fighters.

Intelligence from United Nations member states has also warned of IS West Africa's growing ambitions.

A report by a U.N. sanctions monitoring team in July said the group was "expected to seek to extend its area of operations towards Maiduguri, Nigeria."

The report further warned that IS West Africa was increasingly targeting "foreign interests" on the border with Niger.

More recent intelligence suggests that in some ways, al-Barnawi's group is succeeding.

IS West Africa "is now a large and very capable presence," the coordinator of the U.N. sanctions monitoring team, Edmund Fitton-Brown, told a security conference in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday.

"(It) also has a, as it were, a spoke or side affiliate known as IS Greater Sahara, which is active to the west broadly in the Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali border area," he said.
A panel of U.S. health advisers has recommended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorize a second shot of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who has received the single-dose inoculation.

The panel expressed concerns Friday that Americans who received the shot are not as protected as those who were given a two-dose vaccination from drugmakers Pfizer or Moderna.

Last month, the FDA authorized a third booster shot for the Pfizer vaccine for seniors as well as adults who are at high risk for COVID-19. On Thursday, the FDA advisory panel recommended a similar course of action for Moderna boosters, except using lower doses.

Johnson & Johnson is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved in the United States that is only one dose. Initially, it was hailed for its ability to take effect quickly, but soon ran into concerns that it led to a rare blood clot disorder and a neurological disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is now facing criticism that it is less effective than rival brands.

Only about 15 million Americans received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated.

In other developments Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would accept mixed-dose coronavirus vaccines from international travelers. It has said it would allow travelers to have received any vaccine authorized for use by the FDA or the World Health Organization.

Earlier in the day, the White House said it would lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for international travelers who are fully vaccinated on Nov. 8.

In France, health officials ended a policy Friday of allowing free COVID-19 tests for everyone in an effort to persuade people to get vaccinated. Now, only those who have been vaccinated, who have a prescription from a doctor, or minors will be allowed to take free tests while others will have to pay.

Health ministry data Friday showed COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the country, with 6,099 new cases up from last Friday's 4,470 cases.

South Africa said Friday it would start vaccinating children between the ages of 12 and 17 next week using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The government is trying to meet a goal of vaccinating 70% of the adult population by December.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said Friday they have submitted data to the European Unions regulatory agency to approve their coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5-11. The companies have already taken a similar step with U.S. regulators.

In Italy, officials made health passes mandatory for all workers Friday. The passes must show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection in order to work.

Scattered demonstrations were held across the country to protest the new rules, including 6,000 protesters in the northeastern port of Trieste.

And in Russia, the coronavirus task force said the daily number of new coronavirus infections and deaths surged to another record Friday. It reported 32,196 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 999 deaths in the previous 24 hours.
The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.

Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition & Education International.

"Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments," Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.

On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.

Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a "tragic mistake" and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.

During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, "providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan," according to Kirby.

The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group's "facilitator" and disrupted the militants' ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Discrepancies between the military's portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon's assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.

The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.

Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.
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Vaccine advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously Friday to recommend a booster dose of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine at least two months after people get the first dose.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted 19-0 to recommend the extra dose for all recipients of the J&J Janssen vaccine, which is authorized for people 18 and older. They asked to simplify the original question being posed by the FDA, which had asked the committee to say whether the data showed that waiting six months or longer after getting the first shot would provide an even stronger immune response.

Then they turned to the question of mix and match boosters -- not to decide whether a specific combination might be better, but to weigh in on whether it would be all right to give someone a booster that differs from the brand originally administered.

The FDA will consider the committee's advice. Then the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisers will be asked to consider it.

Johnson & Johnson says studies have shown boosting at two or six months can bring that effectiveness up to 94%, and it says its effectiveness does not wane over time in the same way that Pfizer's vaccine does.

But the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has not been shown to be as protective as either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, noted VRBPAC chair Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of public health and epidemiology at the University of Michigan. "So there is some urgency here to do something," he told the meeting.

And Dr. Amanda Cohn, a member of VRBPAC who is also chief medical officer for the CDC's National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, said various studies suggested real-world efficacy of J&J's vaccine was anywhere between 50% and 68%.

"Regardless of whether or not there been waning or this is the true effectiveness after a single dose, the effectiveness or protection of a single dose of the J&J vaccine is not equivalent to protection at this time with either two doses of an mRNA vaccine and certainly not in those groups who have now been authorized to receive a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine," Cohn said.

Members of the committee said while there was not much data to show whether the efficacy of the Janssen vaccine was waning -- or was strong to begin with -- they agreed people should be given the opportunity for a booster. "I would say I agree a second dose booster is needed to boost immunity back to the 90-plus range," Dr. Archana Chatterjee, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, said before the vote.

Several said they thought the J&J vaccine should have been considered a two-dose vaccine from the start. "It was always going to be necessary for a Johnson & Johnson recipient to get a second shot," said Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College.

"This does look like a second dose vaccine," agreed Dr. Michael Nelson of the University of Virginia school of medicine.

The FDA has already given EUA to a booster for Pfizer's vaccine for people who are six months out from their first two shots who are also either 65 or older or who are at least 18 and have a higher risk of severe disease because of pre-existing conditions or because of work or living conditions.

And Americans are already flocking to get those boosters. Data from the CDC show close to 5% of fully vaccinated people -- more than 9 million people -- have received booster shots.

On Thursday, VRBPAC members voted unanimously to recommend booster doses of Moderna's vaccine to the same groups.

If the FDA gives emergency use authorization to Moderna or Johnson & Johnson boosters, CDC vaccine advisers will meet to discuss which groups to recommend them to. Typically, shots can be administered once the CDC director signs off on the recommendation. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to discuss boosters on October 21.

The FDA asked the committee to discuss data showing that it's safe to mix the three authorized Covid-19 vaccines -- Moderna's, Pfizer's, and Johnson & Johnson's -- when giving booster shots. The National Institutes of Health presented early information from an ongoing study showing that it didn't matter which vaccine people got first and which booster they got -- it was safe to mix boosters and it revved up immune response. Mixing boosters also provided a good response to the Delta variant.

Cohn said it would help the CDC in guiding the use of boosters.

"I don't think there's any sort of need from a public health perspective to have a preference for mixing or matching," Cohn told the meeting.

"But I think from a public health perspective there's a clear need in some situations for individuals to receive a different vaccine. For example, J&J doses -- for those 14 million people who have been vaccinated -- many of those individuals may not have access to a second dose of J&J. So if there's not any allowable language in the FDA's fact sheets or EUA authorization, then those individuals are left behind," she said.

Plus, she noted, there's a rare blood clotting side effect known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome or TTS that is more common in young women and associated with the J&J vaccine.

"Additionally, the same goes for if an individual is a female who's 30 years of age who may feel like she's at risk now for a reaction after she receives a first dose of J&J before the TTS was recognized so that may allow, for example, for that woman to get a different type of vaccine," Cohn said. "And to the contrary, it allows, for example, in nursing homes where most residents received mRNA vaccines, it would allow a pharmacy to go into a nursing home and only have a single vaccine product to boost individuals who received either Moderna or Pfizer."

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A Louisiana state trooper who accused colleagues involved in the death of Ronald Greene of murder and an alleged internal coverup says he was notified he will be fired.

Carl Cavalier gave an interview in June to CNN affiliate WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge. During this interview, he describes what he believes was an internal coverup to protect the troopers involved in Greene's death.

On May 10, 2019, Greene died in the wake of a police chase with Louisiana State Police (LSP) near Monroe, Louisiana. Greene's family said they were told by LSP that Greene died in a car crash, but body camera and dash camera video released to the public two years later tell a different story of what happened.

The videos show Greene was tased, kicked and punched by LSP officers before he died in their custody.

Two troopers involved in the incident were reprimanded for their actions that night, including for not following procedures for body-worn cameras. A third was to be terminated for violations regarding body-worn camera and car camera systems, use of force, performance, lawful orders and for conduct unbecoming an officer. That trooper died in a car crash before he could be fired, according to LSP Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis.

Shortly after the release of the video, Cavalier spoke with WBRZ, saying he believes there needs to be arrests, including of the former agency head. Cavalier said the individuals went "unpunished" and are "still patrolling the streets."

"We still have murderers, in my eyes, on the job," he said.

Since then, Cavalier has made several media appearances in which he criticized the department's handling of the case. CNN has reached out to Louisiana State Police for comment.

"Trooper Cavalier received the decision of the appointing authority to move forward with termination based on an administrative investigation which revealed he violated several departmental policies," Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Melissa Matey said Thursday in an emailed statement to the Washington Post. "It should be noted that our disciplinary administrative process is not finalized and Cavalier remains an employee at this time."

Here's what the autopsy says about the death of Ronald Greene

Cavalier told CNN he received a termination letter last week from State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis. The letter, which he shared with CNN, says an investigation found Cavalier violated department policies and procedures.

The internal investigation, according to the letter, claims that Cavalier violated the department's policy on "Public Statement," "Lawful Orders," "Loyalty to the Department," "Dissemination of Information," "Seeking Publicity" and "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer."

Cavalier, who is Black, filed a lawsuit in September against LSP, where he alleges his complaints went ignored and several of his superiors racially discriminated against him for years.

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Local and federal investigators have been searching for Brian Laundrie -- the fiance of 22-year-old Gabby Petito -- for about a month in a Florida nature reserve that spans nearly 25,000 acres.

Petito's parents reported her missing last month following a cross-country road trip the couple began over the summer. Laundrie returned in Petito's van to the couple's North Port, Florida, home on September 1 and went hiking in the nearby Carlton Reserve roughly two weeks later, his parents later told police.

Petito's remains were discovered in Wyoming on September 19. The Teton County coroner determined her cause of death was strangulation. Authorities have not connected Laundrie to Petito's killing, but he is the subject of a federal arrest warrant for events following her death.

So far, investigators have found no sign of him in the vast reserve they've been combing through. Last week, North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor said there had been "nothing to suggest" whether Laundrie was alive or not. Police also said no one has seen Laundrie in the reserve, adding that the search was prompted by information from Laundrie's parents, who said he went there. Taylor said search teams have not found any physical evidence of Laundrie there but plan to continue the search until they have better information.

How the search unfolds from here largely depends on how many more tips investigators continue to get and how many resources they're able to allocate, experts who are not connected to the investigation told CNN.

What we know about the search

Investigators kicked off the search in the Carlton Reserve after speaking with Laundrie's parents on September 17, recruiting dozens of officers, drones and swamp buggies.

On Thursday, a human remains detection K-9 unit from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office was deployed to assist North Port police and the FBI in their search for Laundrie. These K-9s have assisted the search for Laundrie in the reserve several times in the past month, according to Amanda Hunter, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

CNN reached out to North Port police for more details on the search.

"We will not be providing daily updates and details on the search. If and when something of substance is found, we will be a part of that conversation at that time," Taylor said.

The FBI did not comment on CNN's questions about the search.

They could be searching the reserve for weeks

While a month may seem like a long time, an active, physical search for Laundrie could carry on for weeks if more information continues to come in, according to Paul Belli, a retired lieutenant of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office and president of the International Homicide Investigators Association.

In searches like this, investigators may start by focusing on sections of the reserve they believe that Laundrie could most likely be in, followed by areas they believe are second and third most probable for him to be in, Belli said.

"I certainly think that if you actually had the resources to do a very thorough search of 25,000 acres, I would guess that's many months," he said.

Those initial areas of focus would likely include the dry areas, as parts of the reserve tend to be swamp-like, according to Chris Boyer, executive director for the nonprofit National Association for Search and Rescue. Other areas of focus could include places that are away from hiking paths or trails, in case Laundrie wanted to evade authorities and avoid being found.

And then, perhaps, authorities may conduct "grid searches," Boyer said, although those require a lot of resources, including a large number of personnel walking closely together to thoroughly search though a specific area.

"That (search) happens when you don't have any other clues to go on," Boyer added. "You've looked at this person's behavior, you've tried to profile their skill set and what they may have available to them in the way of resources, and you've tried to look at the most probable places they would be based on that."

Boyer added that he believes if Laundrie was in the reserve authorities would have found him by now or would have found clues from him.

A big part of how investigators search and what areas they focus on usually has to do with the kinds of tips they're receiving. At this point in the investigation, many tips are still likely coming in, Belli said.

"I'm sure they're getting many, many tips. So continuing the search, it seems perfectly appropriate to me, even though it has been a while," he said. "In (2006) we had the murder of one of our police officers and there were over 6,500 tips in that particular case over the years, and a good 4,000 of those came in the very beginning months of that investigation."

A transition into a less active search

Once authorities have no reason to believe Laundrie is still in the reserve and the number of tips coming in dwindles, they may have to pull some of those search resources and focus on other parts of the investigation, Belli said. But that could be weeks or months away.

"If you only have so much available to you, there is a point where you have to make that tough decision ... and actually look at that objectively and say, 'We've done what we can currently, let's move into another mode,'" he said. "There just comes a point where you just don't have the manpower and resources to continue that type of a search."

At that point, Boyer said, investigators may go back through all the clues in the case and reassess what led them to the reserve, as well as focus on Laundrie's electronic footprints -- something they're likely already doing.

A source close to the Laundrie family told CNN last month that Laundrie left home without his wallet and without a cell phone he had purchased earlier in September.

CNN has also confirmed police do not have the phone Laundrie had with him during the couple's trip, nor Petito's phone.

Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino told CNN earlier this month that Laundrie's parents now believe he left home to go hiking on September 13 -- a day earlier than they initially reported to police. That could mean investigators may have to go back through all the places they suspect Laundrie could have been spotted and ask for footage from a day earlier, according to Boyer.

"You look at this and you go back to the day that he actually was reported missing and you go, 'Okay, even if the guy was only walking at three miles an hour, and he only walked eight hours a day, that's 24 miles a day that he could go in any one direction, times X number of days,'" Boyer said. "He could have walked out of the state of Florida, probably. If he was in a car, driving at 35 or 40 or 60 miles an hour, he could be anywhere in the United States."

Aside from the active physical search, authorities in a case like this would also want to get Laundrie's information on the global network Crime Stoppers or an FBI most wanted list, or put information about the search in billboards in certain areas, Belli said. His information could also be entered into the National Crime Information Center, which could help police officers identify him if Laundrie encounters the police, Belli added.

"There's a lot of technology resources that they may be able to leverage," Belli said. "Quite frankly, it's just having the information out there because when people call in, 'Hey, I saw him,' those are all tips you're going to be investigating."

Both experts agreed the media attention the case has received could play a significant role in helping to locate Laundrie if he's in the US and evading authorities.

"Every person that sees the newscast or reads about this becomes an unknowing searcher," Boyer said. "They will at least subconsciously have some knowledge about what's going on and if they see something that looks out of place or pings that memory of what's going on here, they might call 911."

Added Belli: "They've made it very difficult for him to just be out, walking around."

Years away from the case going cold

In an exclusive interview with Dr. Phil that aired earlier this month, Petito's father, Joe Petito, said he wants Laundrie found alive.

But even if Laundrie isn't found any time soon, experts told CNN that the case is likely years away from going cold.

"As far as this being a cold case... it's a department by department definition, but across the board, typically people will accept three to five years with absolutely no new leads, no new evidence, no new nothing (until it goes cold), and that is so far from where we are," said Sheryl McCollum, director of the nonprofit Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. "That's not the case here at all."

"Local departments, where they may believe there's been a sighting, they will typically for years have that person at the forefront of their minds," McCollum added.

While active search efforts may not look the same in the coming months or years if Laundrie isn't found, there will likely be investigators assigned to the case that will continue to work on it, according to Belli.

The-CNN-Wire

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You could soon have your choice for COVID booster shots.

A health advisory panel on Friday endorsed a booster dose of Johnson & Johnsons single-shot vaccine, and its similar to the recommendation for Modernas vaccine. Booster doses of Pfizer began last month for people at high risk of complications from Covid-19.

The third dose of the Covid vaccine is for those who are immunocompromised, while the booster shot is for those who are fully vaccinated to help keep their immunity up.

WAAY-31 caught up with one man getting his third dose of the vaccine, who said he felt great just knowing he would have protection from the virus during one of the busiest times of the year.

He said he understands Alabama is not where it needs to be in terms of folks getting vaccinated, and he hopes more people understand the risks are far greater without it.

"With the way it is now, you don't know what, when or where that you can come in contact with somebody who never was vaccinated," he said. "So, it's great to have it. Nothing wrong with it, to me."

More than 2 million people in Alabama have completed their vaccination, and so far, the state has administered nearly 4.4 million doses of the vaccine.

A study by the National Institutes of Health has found that getting one manufacturer's vaccine, like Moderna's, and a different manufacturer's for the booster shot gave study participants the same or even higher amount of antibodies than getting the vaccine and booster from the same manufacturer.

But the Alabama Department of Public Health is warning residents to wait before jumping from Moderna to Pfizer or vice versa. Right now, the ADPH recommends staying with whichever brand you got first.

The NIH study was conducted with nearly 500 people and involved combinations of all three vaccines. State health officials said there needs to be additional data pulled from the study.

"There's really more information to come that has been studied and is being looked at, and further recommendations will be made as this data continues to be reviewed, but no recommendations to mix and match at the moment," said Dr. Karen Landers of ADPH.

Landers said she knows there's a lot of misinformation out there, which is why it's important to not react to everything one sees. She said she and other health leaders are meeting next week to learn more about NIH's findings.

State health officials say it's important people in Alabama stay vigilant in the fight against Covid-19, even as about half the state is now vaccinated. There are fewer than six weeks from the next major U.S. holiday, and the ADPH hopes to see more people vaccinated by then.

However, some residents remain hesitant. Landers encouraged residents to rely on scientific data, not opinion.

"We still have our control over our ability to get ourselves out of this pandemic, and that is by utilizing the tools that we have," Landers said. "Last year, we did not have vaccines. This year, we do."

Landers said ADPH will continue to educate people on how the vaccine helps more than hurts. She also said she hopes people will continue to take this pandemic seriously.
The Athens City School System is dropping its mask-wearing requirement.

This begins Monday, and is due to a decrease in positive Covid-19 cases, according to Superintendent Beth Patton.

In Pattons announcement, she said the new Mask Recommended" Policy includes:

It is recommended that masks are worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Restrictions on lunch visits will remain in place until further notice.

Masks may be required for individual classrooms, schools, or the entire school system should positivity rates increase.

Families should continue to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms at home. Do not send sick children to school. Contact your school nurse with questions concerning sickness and to report sickness.

Masks will continue to be required while students are transported on any school bus as required by the CDC.
Michelle McLeod and Jakita White work with other women to share resources and give the helping hand that they wish they once had.

Their stories are different, but they're both domestic abuse survivors.

"We share our stories so that others can be free to share their stories," said McLeod, survivor and director of Love Beyond.

White and McLeod wear a smile now, but it wasn't always that way.

"My thing was to move away and maybe the situation would leave, but it got worse actually when I got here to Huntsville," said White.

"I am a U.S. Army veteran, so mine happened many years ago when I was in active duty in the military, by another soldier, when support systems were very minuscule," said McLeod.

Working together, they formed Love Beyond.

"That's how Love Beyond is there, to bridge that gap where individuals may not have that support," said McLeod. "We want to be there as best we can for them."

The U.S. Attorney's Office sees that gap and wants to be a part of that bridge.

It's "something we call 'Operation Safe Families,'" said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona, adding it's a way for their office to help combat domestic violence.

On Friday, the USAO for the Northern District of Alabama organized a training session for law enforcement. Escalona said it was a good time for law enforcement, prosecutors and service providers to come together, "because domestic violence is a problem that needs a comprehensive solution and a comprehensive approach."

White said training like this is necessary.

"I think it comes down to educating law enforcement of what's serious, because what's serious to me may not be serious to them," White said. "I would like for each case to be looked at on a one-by-one basis."

Escalona said typically, domestic violence is charged at a state level, but when firearms are involved, the federal government can bring charges against domestic abusers.

During Friday's training, additional resources were given for law enforcement to consider, "so that they can think outside of the box about ways of taking abusers out of the home and off the streets," Escalona said.

White and McLeod encourage victims of abuse to reach out for help. They said always look for warning signs and call the police if you're in need of help.

Visit the Love Beyond website here for more resources.

Love Beyond is holding a balloon release for domestic violence at 3 p.m. Saturday at 101 Legacy Cove Drive, Madison.
The Fort Payne City School System no longer will require the wearing of masks in schools.

Superintendent Brian Jett said the system is shifting to "personal preference for masking inside our facilities" effective after school on Oct. 15.

Due to federal regulations, masks must still be worn on school buses.

See the mask-wearing rules at other North Alabama school system's HERE
The Huntsville Police Department on Friday released more information related to the death of Christina Nance.

Nance, 29, was found dead Oct. 7 inside a police van in the parking lot of the Public Safety Complex at 815 Wheeler Ave.

According to a news release from the department:

Ms. Nances body was discovered by a police officer walking in the parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 7. The officer noticed shoes next to the van and approached the vehicle, discovering Ms. Nances body inside. HPD has reviewed hours of security video to determine the events leading up to the discovery of Ms. Nance.

City of Huntsville security cameras attached to the Public Safety Complex show Ms. Nance enter the parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 25, at approximately 12:30 p.m. In the video, Ms. Nance is seen walking around the lot, lying down in the bushes, sitting on the hood of a police car, and approaching other parked and unoccupied vehicles for about 10 minutes before entering the van through the rear door.

Security video shows Ms. Nance entered the unlocked police van through the rear door and movement in the van through Tuesday, Sept. 28. Ms. Nance was reported missing by her family on Saturday, Oct. 2.

The Huntsville Police Departments thoughts are with the family during this tragedy, said Police Chief Mark McMurray. Investigators met with the family Friday morning and showed them the security video of the events leading up to Ms. Nances death. We will continue to work with them through this difficult time.

Madison County Coroner Dr. Tyler Berryhill announced an autopsy performed at the Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville on Tuesday, Oct. 12, showed no foul play or trauma in Ms. Nances death. The official cause of death will be ruled by the State Medical Examiner once additional studies, including toxicology, are complete.

The van was purchased by HPD in 1995 to transport inmates. In the early 2000s, the van was repurposed and used by civilian employees to transfer evidence approved for destruction from cleared cases. The van was last used in March 2021.
The Alabama Department of Transportation announced it will detour southbound traffic at Exit 347, or the Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road exit, on Interstate 65 next week.

The detours will be in effect from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19; Wednesday, Oct. 20; and Thursday, Oct. 21. Traffic will be rerouted to the off-ramp, across Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road, to the on-ramp and back onto I-65 South.

ALDOT said this is so workers can remove temporary safety measures at the overpass. Drivers should expect delays, plan accordingly and reduce speed in the area as they merge and exit the interstate.

Alabama State Troopers will assist with traffic.

The ongoing roadwork is part of Rebuild Alabama and a project that will ultimately widen the Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road overpass. Construction of a related $13.3-million project to add lanes to the road from U.S. 31 to I-65 began in September. The City of Huntsville plans to widen the segment of the road east of I-65 to Greenbrier Parkway in another project.
Meat prices at the grocery stores are skyrocketing, and many consumers are revisiting their local, small farms as an alternative.

Beef prices have jumped more than 12% over the last year, and pork is up nearly 10%. As those prices for meat continue to climb, more people are finding their way to local farms like Pilaroc Farm in southern Lincoln County, Tennessee, to fill their freezers.

The beef, pork and lamb operation is a family business, and it is growing.

They are saying, 'If Im gonna spend my dollar, maybe I should spend it locally,'" farm owner Jennie Schutte Patrick told WAAY 31 on Friday.

The farm sells directly to consumers and restaurants, cutting out the middle man. A lot more people are requesting meat, buying a half- or whole cow to fill their freezer as customers worry about possible shortages and rising prices, Patrick said.

It is tough, because the prices in the stores are rising but we have yet to raise our prices, even though all of our inputs are up double, if not triple," she said.

Smaller operations typically cant compete strictly on price with big box stores. Instead, their customers are seeking out high-quality and humanely raised proteins.

Say we charge $7 a pound for a pack of ground beef," Patrick said.

"Walmart now is charging $6 a pound, and ours is a single-sourced animal, its dry-aged, which we think makes the quality more, but were only a dollar more.

Work is underway to create a farmers market-style store on the property and open Pilaroc up for farm tours and events in the future.

I think a lot of it is the story," Patrick said. Customers "are becoming more aware of where their products come from, and theyre more interested how food ends up on their plate. They want to know the family and the story behind a small producer versus a larger packinghouse."
More than 700 fallen officers were added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial on Thursday, including Officer Billy Clardy III with the Huntsville Police Department.

On Friday morning, the Huntsville Police Department read off the names of their 12 officers who've made the ultimate sacrifice. Leslie Freeman, wife of the fallen officer Eric Freeman, said it doesn't get any easier hearing her husband's name read aloud, but it's crucial to have these memorials so people can remember the sacrifices that were made to keep everyone safe.

The Huntsville Police Department honors fallen officers The Huntsville Police Department honors fallen officers

It takes you back instantly to that moment of all that happened, but theres a sense of pride in it," she said.

Eric Freeman died in the line of duty in December 2007. He was shot after responding to a car accident and died from his injuries the next day.

"He knew the risk of the job, and he was willing to go out and protect this community and others beyond just his family and himself," said Leslie Freeman. "I mean, that is such a huge sacrifice, but Im so proud of that.

With the shooting death of Sheffield Police Sgt., Nick Risner, Freeman said it's frustrating that another family has to go through this. She said officers like Risner and her husband don't risk their lives every day for the money  they do it because they love their community.

"They do it for people theyve never met," Freeman said. "They do it for people that love them. They do it for people that hate them. And the fact that people do this to officers for seemingless, you know, un-understandable reasons, it creates an anger, and I dont understand. I cant comprehend that."

Other families of the fallen officers came to the memorial. Some said they're thankful that HPD continues to honor the fallen officers, no matter how long it's been.

Freeman reminds other families that it's OK to ask for some support if you've lost a loved one in the line of duty.

Lean on your department," she said. "Lean on the men and women of that department, because youre hurt, yes  completely understand  but theyre hurting, also. They have lost a brother. Come together, and lean on one another."

Below is the list of officers honored by HPD at the annual service:

 Officer William J. Street, killed in 1883 while investigating a disturbance near the city's fairgrounds;

 Officer Frank McKissack, shot and killed in 1916 while attempting two stop two boys from getting on a train;

 Officer Ewell B. Starr, who died in 1953 after being injured in a motorcycle wreck while on duty;

 Officer Alan S. Logel Jr., who suffered a fatal heart attack in 1956 while responding to an incident;

 Officer Charles E. Drake Jr., killed in a motorcycle wreck in 1962 while responding to another wreck;

 Officer Preston R. Butler, who died after being severely burned in a motorcycle wreck in 1966;

 Officer William T. Gaskin, shot and killed during a traffic stop in 1968;

 Officer Billy Fred Clardy Jr., killed in a car wreck in 1978 while on his way to meet another officer;

 Officer Daniel Howard Golden, shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call in 2005;

 Officer William Eric Freeman, shot while attempting to arrest a DUI suspect in 2007;

 Officer Keith O'Neal Earle, who died of injuries from a car wreck in 2018; and

 Agent Billy Fred Clardy III, shot and killed during a narcotics operation in 2019.
Rome rally organised in response to attack on CGIL trade union base.

A major anti-fascist rally in defence of "work and democracy" is to be held in Rome on the afternoon of Saturday 16 October.

The demonstration has been called by the CGIL trade union whose Rome headquarters was stormed during a protest last weekend against the Green Pass, a certificate showing that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19.

As of Friday 15 October the Green Pass is required by all public and private sector workers in Italy.

CGIL has been joined by the CISL and UIL unions in calling the 'Mai piu fascismi' demonstration, scheduled at 14.00 in Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano, an historic venue associated with trade unions and the left.

The attack on the CGIL base was condemned by the government and across the political spectrum.

Leaders of the neo-fascist Forza Nuova were subsequently arrested on charges of allegedly orchestrating the violence and the group's website was taken offline pending a criminal investigation.

"It was an attack on democracy" - said CGIL secretary general Maurizio Landini - "If anyone has thought of intimidating us... they must know that CGIL and the workers' movement have defeated fascism in this country and regained democracy...they don't scare us".

Landini appealed to "to all associations, political forces, democratic citizens, to all be united on the 16th to give an answer to the country and give a sign to Europe."

During the rally union leaders will call for the dissolution by law of all pro-fascist organisations, a prospect that is already under debate at parliamentary level in relation to Forza Nuova.

Rome votes for new mayor

Saturday's demonstration has political support from the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and left-wing LeU group of health minister Roberto Speranza.

However the right-wing Lega is boycotting the event, which is being held on the eve of a run-off mayoral vote between the centre-right Enrico Michetti and the centre-left Roberto Gualtieri (PD).

Lega leader Matteo Salvini claimed the Rome rally is being "organised by the left on the day of electoral silence, before the run-off".

Green Pass

The anti-fascist rally also takes place against the backdrop of tensions over Italy's Green Pass. Workers who violate the rules risk heavy fines and being suspended from their jobs without pay.

Protests against the Green Pass in Italy had begun to fizzle out over the summer however there have been renewed tensions in recent days.

Details about the Green Pass can be found - in Italian - on the Certificazione Verde website. For official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy - in English - see the health ministry website.
Rome commemorates deportation of Jews in 1943 as leader of far-right Fratelli d'Italia postpones visit to Jewish Ghetto on eve of election.

Rome's Jewish community commemorates today the 78th anniversary of the deportation of more than 1,000 of the citys Jews to the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz.

The raid occurred at dawn on 16 October 1943, when 1,024 Roman Jews, including 200 children, were rounded up in the citys Ghetto district and taken across the Tiber to the Collegio Militare on Via della Lungara.

Two days later they were sent to Auschwitz on a sealed train from Tiburtina station.

Only 16 were to make it back to Rome alive: 15 men and one woman, Settimia Spizzichino, who died in the Garbatella neighbourhood in 2000.

The white steel bridge connecting the Ostiense and Garbatella districts was named in Spizzichino's honour when it opened in 2012.

This is the third year that the anniversary occurs without any of the 16 survivors, the last of whom, Lello Di Segni , died on 26 October 2018.

Political controversy

This year's anniversary occurs against the backdrop of new tensions between Italy's Jewish community and the far-right Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) over recent scandals linked to the political party.

The first controversy came a few weeks ago after an investigative report by Fanpage uncovered alleged money laundering and illicit financing involving senior FdL figures and their associates in Milan.

Footage of the report aired on Italian television included explicit racist and fascist jokes as well as anti-Semitic comments and references to Hitler.

FdI leader Giorgia Meloni said subsequently that there was no space for racism or anti-Semitism in her party.

A week later the centre-right candidate in the race to become Rome's next mayor, Enrico Michetti - who is backed by the FdI - became embroiled in a scandal over an article he wrote last year.

In Michetti's essay, published on the Radio Radio website, he argued that the Holocaust is commemorated more than other massacres in history, such as the Foibe , because the Jews "control the banks."

Michetti subsequently offered a "sincere apology" for his words which were "dangerous and hide a disturbing prejudice, according to the president of Rome's Jewish community, Ruth Dureghello.

In an attempt to calm the situation, FdI leader Meloni had decided to go in person to lay a wreath at the Synagogue on Saturday, the day before a mayoral run-off in which Michetti faces centre-left candidate Roberto Gualtieri.

However this was deemed "inappropriate" by Rome's Jewish community, with Dureghello requesting Meloni to postpone her visit until after the elections.

Coinciding with the anniversary of the Nazi raid on the Jewish Ghetto is a major anti-fascist rally in Rome, held in response to the storming of the CGIL trade union headquarters last weekend, involving activists on the extreme right, during a No Green Pass protest.

Photo credit: NICOLA MESSANA PHOTOS / Shutterstock.com.
The optimistic take is that the political desire for lower oil prices is temporary and will vanish in a year or two. But I am worried that the opposite scenario is unfolding. If there is any time to introduce higher energy prices, it is during the chaos of a pandemic, when there is an easy scapegoat. If America flinches from accepting higher fossil-fuel prices now, politicians might learn the lesson that such prices never will be popular. That, in turn, will encourage continuing investments in fossil fuels around the world. It could be that we end up with both more renewable energy and more fossil-fuel energy, which hardly will solve climate change problems.
Lavie: I feel you have an unfair advantage, in that you actually wrote a vampire novel and I didnt! I know whatever we do people will say, How could you not mention . . . ? So, yes, Richard Mathesons I Am Legend (1954) is a vampire novel  a very good one. But we like to focus on books that have gotten less notice. So, from Russia, theres Sergei Lukyanenkos Night Watch (and its sequels), translated by Andrew Bromfield. The book isnt about vampires exclusively, but the ones that are there are great. In modern-day Moscow, supernatural creatures battle each other, some taking the side of the dark and some of the light. Huge bestsellers in Russia, I came to them through the two Timur Bekmambetov film adaptations.
In July 2010, Franklin saw an ear, nose and throat specialist for episodes of vertigo and pulsatile tinnitus, a rhythmic whooshing or thumping sound that can signal a serious disorder. He ordered scans, which were normal, and ruled out an aneurysm or an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain. The doctor told Franklin that her thyroid problem might be related to tinnitus; an overactive thyroid can cause a racing pulse and heart palpitations that could explain the sound that echoed in her ears. Another specialist worked Franklin up for a pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal tumor that can cause sweating. Testing showed nothing abnormal.
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Im calling for the Rule of Law Defense Fund with an important message, stated the robocall, which was first reported by Documented, a watchdog group that focuses on corporate influence. The March to Save America is tomorrow in Washington D.C. at the Ellipse in Presidents Park between E St. and Constitution Avenue on the south side of the White House, with doors opening at 7 a.m. At 1 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal. We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections. For more information, visit MarchtoSaveAmerica.com. This call is paid for and authorized by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, 202-796-5838.
Those who closely follow zebra news may have noticed that the Maryland zebras are not the first ones to escape captivity this year, although they are the only ones who managed to stay free for more than a few hours. In May, an agitated zebra escaped the Triple W livestock auction in Cookeville, Tenn., and ran onto a highway. Earlier this month, two zebras escaped from an Illinois pumpkin patch  to the surprise of Jacob Goebbert, whod gotten the zebras on loan from an exotic animal farm in Wisconsin to jazz up the fall festivities at Goebberts Farm. Their enclosure had high fences, Goebbert told The Post. Were still doing somewhat of an internal investigation of how exactly they were able to escape.
He then helped liberate the city of Toulon, the Rhone valley and the city of Lyon. In April 1945, he and his Free French joined with British forces in the Battle of Authion, in the French Alps, driving the Germans off their mountaintop fortress and opening up a strategic route between France and Italy. It effectively marked the end of the war in France, and within a month Germany had surrendered to the Allies.
The standoff began when police said they were called to the home shortly after noon for a report that Wimbish had shot someone with a BB gun. Police said officers found Wimbish outside holding a weapon that did not match the description of the BB gun and a large knife that police described as a machete. The mother told WRC-TV that her son was not holding the knife when police arrived.
Michelle Bounds, a Portland resident, said she accidentally shot herself after picking up a gun during an argument with her former partner. She said she picked up the weapon to make the point he should not have brought it into their house, but it went off and a bullet went through her chin and exited near her temple.
That has made it harder for Ayala to distinguish herself in what polls say is an increasingly tight election where either she or Republican Winsome E. Sears will become the first woman of color to hold a statewide office in Virginia. Ayala identifies as Afro-Latina, Lebanese and Irish. Sears, a former state delegate in Norfolk, is Black and was born in Jamaica.
In Jamaica, we know that Black people can be anything they want to be, Sears said in an interview. She recounted a childhood where, after immigrating to the United States with her father, she was sent back to the Caribbean nation for elementary school every fall because its public school curriculum was more rigorous than what she was getting in the Bronx section of New York.
The reason that people are so upset on social media right now is not because the Marine on the battlefield let someone down, Scheller said in the video, which he posted to Facebook and LinkedIn. That service member has always rose to the occasion and done extraordinary things. People are upset because their senior leaders let them down, and none of them are raising their hands and saying, We messed this up.
In an Aug. 26 video posted on Facebook, Scheller said he was willing to risk his career to call out military leaders regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan after 13 U.S. troops were killed in Kabul. Scheller followed that comment with a series of social media posts, including an Aug. 29 video in which he resigned his commission. On Thursday, he said that remark was meant in a constitutional manner.
Other studies have had similar findings. An August 2020 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that 41 percent of Black businesses had folded amid the pandemic  the highest share among all racial and ethnic groups. This year, a survey by a coalition of Federal Reserve Banks found that Black business owners were the most likely to draw from their personal funds to help keep their businesses afloat. They also were five times more likely to not receive any of the PPP funding they had requested, compared with White-owned businesses. While 79 percent of White-owned firms received all of the PPP funding they sought, only 43 percent of Black-owned firms did, the report found.
Richmond argued that these actions reflect the White House approach of taking the actions that will accomplish the most, not those that are necessarily the loudest or most public. Many people may want to see the presidents involvement on cable news or on TV, but thats probably not the most effective way to get this legislation done, he said. This is not about ego for us. This is about results.
Weeks before Biden makes a second trip to Europe as president, Hartford and the Dodd Center, located in a community called Storrs, became the latest places for him to tout both his infrastructure plan and his worldview. In Hartford, he toured the Capitol Child Development Center, where he argued that his infrastructure plan would help build a care economy that safeguards the most vulnerable members of society and eases the financial burden on caretakers.
We face an inflection point, the president said in a statement after the meeting. The battle for the soul of America has been a constant push-and-pull between the American ideal that were all created equal and the harsh reality that racism has long torn us apart. At our best, the American ideal wins out. It must again.
No one is predicting such a big defeat for Democrats next year, as the Trump presidency forced a political sorting of so many congressional districts. Many strategists think that neither party will push much above 235 seats for years to come: Democrats currently hold 220 seats, with two more that are vacant and very likely to be in their fold after special elections next month, while Republicans hold 212 seats and have another likely to be claimed next month.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson carries an American flag outside the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick, Ga., on Thursday. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Closing arguments are expected Monday morning after 10 days of witness testimony.
Police said Saturday evening that a warrant of further detention was granted, meaning detectives have until Oct. 22 to question the suspect regarding ties to terrorism. The BBC said that several years ago, Ali had been referred to Prevent, the governments counter-extremism program, but that he was not known to the security services.
June Mattingly, 73, passed away at her home surrounded by her family Nov. 10, 2021. She was born Sept. 23, 1948, in Washington, Indiana, to Elmo and Maxine (Thomas) Ledgerwood. On May 24, 1969, she married Gary Mattingly. A 1967 graduate of Washington High School, June was a homemaker who pr
BIG DEAL

New miniseries, Tuesday, 8.30pm, ABC

Christiaan Van Vuuren of Bondi Hipsters fame is not a political animal. Before embarking on Big Deal, a two-part analysis of Australias political donations system directed by Craig Reucassel, he wore his ignorance as a badge of honour.

Christiaan Van Vuuren in Big Deal: woke up to the power of politics. Credit:

His rude awakening to the monetary machinations of the halls of power and their effects on our democracy, captured during revealing interviews with politicians, lobbyists and journalists, should rouse the similarly complacent.

I thought my cynicism and my disengagement from politics was empowering  that it was a choice that allowed me to feel better about myself, says the comedian. I learnt that it was the opposite  that in fact by disengaging with the system, youre only empowering the people who benefit from it.
This paves the way for many Australians to return home, but more detail is needed on how to facilitate unvaccinated passengers within the revised international arrival caps that will come into effect from 1 November 2021, he said. We look forward to receiving clarification from the Commonwealth and NSW governments on these key issues and remain committed to working closely with all levels of Government to operationalise the plans to support the safe and sustainable re-opening of Australias borders. More Australians will be touching down at Changi airport following Singapore Airlines decision to sell more than 32,000 tickets between Sydney and Singapore before Christmas. Credit:Bloomberg The outstanding issues include how aircrew are expected to verify a persons vaccination, how to treat children aged between 12 and 15 who are from countries where the vaccine is not available to teens and how to treat foreign nationals who are valid visa-holders. Qantas, which grounded its fleet during the pandemic and operated freight-only and taxpayer-subsidised repatriation flights, has brought forward its schedule from November 14.

From November 1, it will operate five weekly flights between London and Sydney and four to Los Angeles, and said it could bring forward flights between Fiji, Singapore and Vancouver which are currently slated to restart December 18. Removing quarantine for the fully vaccinated is a sensible approach and brings New South Wales into line with many other global cities, CEO Alan Joyce said. Time to prioritise human rights and wellbeing While Premier Perrottets decision to reopen the state caught everyone by surprise, it is being backed by health experts. Professor Greg Dore, an infectious diseases expert with the Kirby Institute said the announcement was hardly novel given most European countries removed quarantine for returnees with much lower vaccine coverage.

Loading This is fabulous news for stranded Australians and those here seeking to connect with family and partners overseas, Professor Dore said. Given low estimated positive rate among fully vaccinated returnees  probably around 1 per thousand  large number of local cases, and increasing vaccine coverage, the potential impact on transmission and disease burden is minimal. Stranded Australians have been the casualties of our zero COVID pursuit. Given that ship has sailed, its time to prioritise their human rights and wellbeing, he said.

Phil Lynch, an Australian and director at the Geneva-based International Service for Human Rights, said families betrayed by Australia would finally be able to reunite after being separated for two years. It should never have come to this, but is nevertheless cause for celebration, Lynch said. Australias management of this pandemic has involved a massive betrayal of citizens and permanent residents abroad, as well as those in Australia with family and loved ones abroad, all of whose human and citizenship rights were sacrificed on the altar of zero COVID, he said. With NSW removing travel caps and quarantine requirements, those people will now be able to reconnect with families and loved ones; I look forward to Victoria and other states similarly restoring and respecting the human and citizenship rights of those living abroad or with family overseas, he said. Adam Schwab, founder of travel company Luxury Escapes, called on the other states to follow NSWs lead.

Loading Its time that every state followed the lead of the Perrottet government in getting Australia out of the pandemic and reuniting families after two years of incredible difficulty, he said. Parents but not students or tourists welcome While Prime Minister Scott Morrison quickly kyboshed NSWs attempt to open up to a wider cohort of people, including tourists and international students, he did widen the definition of immediate family, who are allowed to enter from November 1, to include parents. US-born Emily Upton moved to Australia nine years ago. Her mother would visit regularly before the pandemic to spend time with her two grandchildren and was due to visit on March 27 last year, a week after the border closed.

The mother-of-two said the heartache of nearly two years of not knowing when their family would ever reunite had taken a huge toll on the entire familys mental health. She said todays announcement meant that she could tell her children that their grandmother would be able to come home soon. US grandmother Lisa pictured with her Queensland grandchildren Rosie and Atty in March 2019. We are living in Queensland so we do still have some hurdles to overcome before we can be reunited but I have been crying happy tears ever since the Premiers announcement, she said. I feel a huge sense of relief, like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Not knowing when we would see each other again has been a constant stress since the border closure was announced, and Im glad to see that the government has decided to take this step toward family reunification.
LMPD is investigating after a man was shot multiple times at a gas station on Preston Highway on Oct. 15, 2021.
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HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - President Joe Biden is making a couple of stops in Connecticut on Friday.

According to the White House, Biden will promoted his Build Back Better Agenda and "highlight the importance of investing in child care to keep costs down for working families" before heading to a dedication ceremony at the University of Connecticut.

Stream live coverage below:

Biden left the White House at 11 a.m. on Friday.

He arrived at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks around 12:25 p.m.

Around 1:45 p.m., Biden is expected to deliver remarks in Hartford about investing in child care.

President Biden plans visit to CT on Friday President Joe Biden is coming to Connecticut on Friday for two reasons.

The White House argues that the U.S. invests far less than other countries in children. It said advanced countries invest an average of $14,000 per year for a toddler's childcare, compared to $500 in the U.S.

The Biden Administration also said the average annual cost of a child care center for a toddler in Hartford and statewide in Connecticut is $16,000. A typical four-person household in the state would need to spend more than 26 percent of their income for two young children each year.

It said that the lack of affordable child care and preschool also makes it more difficult for parents, and especially mothers, to remain in their jobs, contributing to the 29 percent gender gap in workforce participation between mothers and fathers in Connecticut.

Biden said his plan calls for child care subsidy, which would provide low- and middle-income Americans with subsidies that would cut their spending on child care for young children in half.

It would also provide free preschool for all 3 and 4-year-olds.

The president posted a tweet from his Twitter account while en route to his Hartford appearance.

We cant go back to the way things were before the pandemic, we have to build back better. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and my Build Back Better Agenda will lower everyday costs and build an economy where everyone has a fair shotnot just the wealthy.Lets get this done.  President Biden (@POTUS) October 15, 2021

"We cant go back to the way things were before the pandemic, we have to build back better," Biden wrote. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and my Build Back Better Agenda will lower everyday costs and build an economy where everyone has a fair shotnot just the wealthy. Lets get this done."

Travel impact

Hartford police released a list of road closures for Friday that will impact drivers.

The following are scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

Broad Street at Russ Street  No northbound traffic

Broad Street at Asylum Avenue  No southbound traffic

Broad Street at I-84 East on-ramp  No southbound traffic

Capitol Avenue at Oak Street  No westbound traffic

Capitol Avenue at Lawrence Street  No eastbound traffic

There will also be intermittent closures at 11 a.m. in the areas of Maxim Road, Reserve Road, Airport Road and Brainard Road.

Police said all of the roadways are expected to reopen by 2 p.m. on Friday.

After Biden departs Hartford, he's scheduled to head to the University of Connecticut's campus in Storrs. He's scheduled to arrive there at 2:50 p.m.

There, he'll join former Sen. Chris Dodd and other dignitaries for a dedication ceremony.

The ceremony is for The Dodd Center for Human Rights, which will be a home for UConn's human rights programs.

Biden is expected to make remarks at 4 p.m.

The event is invitation-only; however, UConn said it would livestream it for public viewing.

Campus impact

UConn released a list of areas on campus that the president's visit will impact.

The McMahon/South parking lot and loading dock, all loading zones along Gilbert Road, the HEART House parking lot, The Dodd Center lot, and the Budds Building parking lot will be closed on Friday.

The roof and upper level of the South Garage will also be closed beginning midday.

The Student Recreation Center will be closed beginning at 10 a.m. Friday and will remain closed though late Friday afternoon following the conclusion of the event at The Dodd Center. This is in addition to the closures of Homer Babbidge, Whetten, and Bousfield.

While other buildings in the area of The Dodd Center will remain open, access may be restricted to doors facing away from The Dodd Center, including in the West Campus residence halls. The buildings will be accessible, but the doors that can be used will be restricted.

Gilbert Road will be closed beginning at approximately noon on Friday through the end of the event at The Dodd Center late Friday afternoon.

There will be other temporary, intermittent road closures in the area of The Dodd Center during Friday afternoon.

Jim Calhoun Way will be closed Friday afternoon and evening as part of First Night.

President Biden delivers commencement speech at Coast Guard graduation President Joe Biden delivered the keynote address at the U.S. Coast Guard graduation.

Presidential departure

UConn warned people on campus that helicopters carrying the president will be loud when they land and depart.

Biden is expected to leave Storrs around 5 p.m. and depart from Bradley at 5:25 p.m.

He's scheduled to return to Joint Base Andrews at 6:40 p.m. and return to the White House at 7 p.m.

The visit to Connecticut will mark the president's second. Biden gave the commencement ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London.
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Scientist (Quality Support Panels), Geneva, Switzerland

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)

Country: Switzerland

City: Geneva

Office: WHO Geneva, Switzerland

Grade: P-4

Closing date: Thursday, 28 October 2021

Scientist (Quality Support Panels)

( 2103603 )

Grade : P4

Contractual Arrangement : Temporary appointment of 60 days or less

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 60 days

Job Posting: Oct 14, 2021, 2:56:04 PM

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme): The QNS Department sits within the Science Division. Its mandate is structured around four key roles:

Ensure that all normative and standard-setting (N&S) products meet WHO highest quality standards by providing tailored, state of the art methodological support and guidance

Support project teams developing N&S products by ensuring the utmost efficiency of the N&S process

Secure maximum country impact by helping to develop fit for purpose N&S products

Advance and ensure timely, peer-reviewed, and accessible scientific evidence and information, through the WHO Library and Digital Information Outreach, and the WHO Press

The QNS Department is made up of 5 units: Methods and Standards, Process Efficiency, Product Design and Impact, WHO Library and the Office of the Publisher. Within the department, the Methods and Standards unit is more specifically dedicated to:

Producing and continuously update robust quality-assured methodologies, building upon best practices as well as internal and external expertise

Providing tailored methodological support and guidance to Technical Dept. project teams, and consultation with regions

Ensuring highest-quality services from technically skilled subject matter experts in a diverse array of standard-setting methods, including but not limited to public engagement, clinical and social epidemiology, modelling, and implementation studies.

Organizational Context

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit, the Scientist is responsible for technical oversight and coordination of the quality assurance process for all N&S products that are not guidelines. The Scientist provides specialist advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal. The Scientist is the technical focal point within the Organization for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panels (QSP).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As Secretary and Manager of the QSP, provide the specialist technical advice and guidance to technical units on methodological and procedural issues at initiation, planning, execution and finalization stages go the development of N&S products that are not guidelines.

Review all submissions, request clarifications and reply to queries from technical units with submissions to the QSP; attend all meetings of the QSP; finalize the QSP annual report;

Evaluate the quality, consistency, timeliness of the reviews and feedback from the QSP; evaluate and improve the efficiency, effectiveness of the QSP; assess the current processes and procedures to meet the needs of WHO;

Build and expand the roster of members and chairs of the QSP with gender balance and diversity in expertise, perspective and geographical representation;

Organize training, build capacity of the QSP reviewers and contribute to the overall Organizational capacity to develop and quality appraise NS products; coordinate with Regional and Country Offices for needs assessment and capacity building for the development and review of N&S products; cv0JFsM-Dh7qKS

Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and partners to ensure the effective, efficient functioning of the QSP to ensure high-quality WHO N&S products.

Main achievements include: Secretary and manage the QSP to provide consistent, predictable, timely and agile support to technical units in the quality appraisal of N&S products that are not guidelines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (corresponding to a Doctorate level degree) in public health, epidemiology, medicine or other related field.

Desirable: Additional post-graduate training courses in advanced epidemiology and research.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7 years experience in the field of guideline development, research, policy or patient management.

Desirable: Experience with WHO, the UN or other international organizations; Familiarity with WHO technical/administrative systems.

Use of language skills

Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Skills

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit, the Scientist is responsible for technical oversight and coordination of the quality assurance process for all N&S products that are not guidelines. The Scientist provides specialist advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal. The Scientist is the technical focal point within the Organization for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panels (QSP).

Specific skills required:

Familiarity with software applications used in evidence synthesis and guideline development (e.g. GRADEpro, MAGICapp, RevMan, Panelview, Covidence)

REMUNERATION

The salary is made up of two components: daily net base salary, which is linked to the grade and step 1, and a variable post adjustment that reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station (and which is subject to fluctuations on a monthly or mid-monthly basis).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location: Off site

work can be performed via teleworking from any location respecting Geneva local time office hours.

Another 60 days contract may be offered subject to funding, continued need of functions and performance .

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: : http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

For information on WHOs operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

WHOs workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme): The QNS Department sits within the Science Division. Its mandate is structured around four key roles:

Ensure that all normative and standard-setting (N&S) products meet WHO highest quality standards by providing tailored, state of the art methodological support and guidance

Support project teams developing N&S products by ensuring the utmost efficiency of the N&S process

Secure maximum country impact by helping to develop fit for purpose N&S products

Advance and ensure timely, peer-reviewed, and accessible scientific evidence and information, through the WHO Library and Digital Information Outreach, and the WHO Press

The QNS Department is made up of 5 units: Methods and Standards, Process Efficiency, Product Design and Impact, WHO Library and the Office of the Publisher. Within the department, the Methods and Standards unit is more specifically dedicated to:

Producing and continuously update robust quality-assured methodologies, building upon best practices as well as internal and external expertise

Providing tailored methodological support and guidance to Technical Dept. project teams, and consultation with regions

Ensuring highest-quality services from technically skilled subject matter experts in a diverse array of standard-setting methods, including but not limited to public engagement, clinical and social epidemiology, modelling, and implementation studies.

Organizational Context

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit, the Scientist is responsible for technical oversight and coordination of the quality assurance process for all N&S products that are not guidelines. The Scientist provides specialist advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal. The Scientist is the technical focal point within the Organization for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panels (QSP).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As Secretary and Manager of the QSP, provide the specialist technical advice and guidance to technical units on methodological and procedural issues at initiation, planning, execution and finalization stages go the development of N&S products that are not guidelines.

Review all submissions, request clarifications and reply to queries from technical units with submissions to the QSP; attend all meetings of the QSP; finalize the QSP annual report;

Evaluate the quality, consistency, timeliness of the reviews and feedback from the QSP; evaluate and improve the efficiency, effectiveness of the QSP; assess the current processes and procedures to meet the needs of WHO;

Build and expand the roster of members and chairs of the QSP with gender balance and diversity in expertise, perspective and geographical representation;

Organize training, build capacity of the QSP reviewers and contribute to the overall Organizational capacity to develop and quality appraise NS products; coordinate with Regional and Country Offices for needs assessment and capacity building for the development and review of N&S products;

Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and partners to ensure the effective, efficient functioning of the QSP to ensure high-quality WHO N&S products.

Main achievements include: Secretary and manage the QSP to provide consistent, predictable, timely and agile support to technical units in the quality appraisal of N&S products that are not guidelines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (corresponding to a Doctorate level degree) in public health, epidemiology, medicine or other related field.

Desirable: Additional post-graduate training courses in advanced epidemiology and research.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7 years experience in the field of guideline development, research, policy or patient management.

Desirable: Experience with WHO, the UN or other international organizations; Familiarity with WHO technical/administrative systems.

Use of language skills

Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Skills

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit, the Scientist is responsible for technical oversight and coordination of the quality assurance process for all N&S products that are not guidelines. The Scientist provides specialist advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal. The Scientist is the technical focal point within the Organization for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panels (QSP).

Specific skills required:

Familiarity with software applications used in evidence synthesis and guideline development (e.g. GRADEpro, MAGICapp, RevMan, Panelview, Covidence)

REMUNERATION

The salary is made up of two components: daily net base salary, which is linked to the grade and step 1, and a variable post adjustment that reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station (and which is subject to fluctuations on a monthly or mid-monthly basis).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location: Off site

work can be performed via teleworking from any location respecting Geneva local time office hours.

Another 60 days contract may be offered subject to funding, continued need of functions and performance .

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: : http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

For information on WHOs operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

WHOs workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1634235375840
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 44F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 27F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Inside Hook

Anyone who has ever tried to travel with a musical instrument knows that airlines generally dont make it easy; no matter how valuable or fragile the instrument may be, if it doesnt fit in the overhead compartment, theyll likely make you check it, and theyre not exactly known for handling them with care. The latest example of this unfortunate phenomenon comes from Tommy Prine, son of the late John Prine, who claims that American Airlines damaged a guitar that belonged to his father after forcing him to check it.

Prine told Nashvilles WSMV that he and his fiance traveled to Ireland to celebrate his birthday and attend a remembrance concert for his father. He had a couple of guitars up in the house we have in Ireland and I wanted to take one of them home, he explained. Anything that I have now that my dads ever given to me or got me through one reason or another, its priceless.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Netflix said Friday that it had fired an employee for disclosing confidential financial information about what it paid for Dave Chappelles comedy special The Closer," which some condemned as being transphobic.

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2018 file photo, Dave Chappelle poses in the press room with the best comedy album award for "The Age of Spin" and "Deep in the Heart of Texas" at the 60th annual Grammy Awards in New York. Netflix said Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 that it had fired an employee for disclosing confidential financial information about what it paid for Dave Chappelles comedy special The Closer," which some condemned as being transphobic. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Netflix said Friday that it had fired an employee for disclosing confidential financial information about what it paid for Dave Chappelles comedy special The Closer," which some condemned as being transphobic.

The employee, who wasn't named, shared confidential, commercially sensitive information outside the company," a Netflix statement said.

We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company, the statement said.

The statement said the information was referenced in a Bloomberg news article, which reported that Netflix spent $24.1 million on The Closer, which first aired last week. The article also mentioned the lower budgets for a 2019 Chapelle special, a Bo Burnham special and the nine-episode hit Squid Game.

Netflix said a review of its internal access logs pinpointed the information to a single person, who admitted that they downloaded and shared sensitive company information externally.

The Closer," first aired on Oct. 1 and had gained at least 10 million views. However, Chapelle's remarks about the transgender community raised protests within Netflix and from LGBTQ activists.

The media watchdog group GLAAD said that anti-LGBTQ content violates Netflixs policy to reject programs that incite hate or violence.

However, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told managers in an internal memo that the show doesn't cross the line on hate" and will remain on the streaming service.

Several Netflix employees, including a software engineer who identifies as transgender, had criticized the special. Transgender employees and their co-workers are being urged to stage a walkout next Wednesday in protest.

Our leadership has shown us that they do not uphold the values for which we are held, said a Monday post on a public company Slack channel, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A pair of Exchange District mainstays are venturing into new territory.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chef Emily Butcher (left) and Mike Del Buono at Nola, their fun, unique, simple and elegant new restaurant on Marion Street in St. Boniface.

After years of working in neighbouring restaurants, Mike Del Buono, owner of King + Bannatyne, and chef Emily Butcher, formerly of Deer + Almond, have teamed up to open not one, but two new eateries in the middle of St. Boniface. And the neighbouring concepts couldnt be more different.

On one side is Nola, a long dining room with dark walls, warm accents and a wide bank of windows looking out onto Marion Street. The space is designed to complement Butchers whimsical fine-dining menu and the name is an invention meant to capture the essence of the business.

"We had four words that were guiding us the whole way," Del Buono says. "Fun, unique, simple and elegant."

Round the corner of the bar and youre en route to Second Spot, a casual sandwich shop in the style of King + Bannatyne. The two spaces share a kitchen and were a holdover from previous tenants  Bouchee Boucher knocked down a wall separating the units to open a butcher shop and Black Bird Brasserie ran a coffee shop in the storefront on Tache Avenue.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The interior of Nola

Del Buono wasnt planning on opening another sandwich place, but when life hands you bright white subway tiles and pre-existing deli counters, you roll with it.

"Ive been at (King + Bannatyne) for almost eight years now and that brand has been kind of tattooed on my forehead I wanted to break free from that and cross over into full service," he says. "Now, Im looking at this as an opportunity."

Second Spot is set to open for lunch this month with a different menu than its sister shop  though the brisket sandwich will be available at both locations.

Nola opened to the public on Oct. 6 and the first few days of service were a welcome whirlwind.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chef Emily Butcher prepares seared scallops.

"People are very excited to be here," Butcher says. "Weve already had people come multiple times."

Butcher was ready for a change when Del Buono approached her about opening a restaurant. She had been chef de cuisine at Deer + Almond for six years and was coming off the high of competing on Season 9 of Top Chef Canada.

"It was really good timing for me," she says. Even if it was nerve-racking to create a new, personal menu from scratch. "Its always a lot of pressure to come up with your own menu, especially after spending so much time working on your craft, to then step into that creative space (but) I feel really good about the food were putting forward."

The plates are shareable and the dishes are a colourful twist on Butchers upbringing on the West Coast, with seafood, vegetables and acidity playing a starring role. Corn and nori fritters mingle with loaded baked potato gnocchi and maple-cured Arctic char.

photos by MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chef Emily Butcher and Mike Del Buono with signature dishes at Nola, their new restaurant, in St. Boniface.

There are also nods to her Chinese heritage in items such as the seared scallops and lo bak go  the latter is a turnip cake based on a recipe created by Butchers aunt.

"I was lucky to get a transcribed copy in English and theres these funny little notes like, Use a coconut spoon to see if the textures right," she says, laughing. "And I use smoked goldeye from Gimli instead of the traditional smoked Chinese sausage, so Im trying to bring a little bit of me and Winnipeg together."

As is Butchers style, its high-end, technical food made approachable. The reuben gyozas are a prime example  and a connection to the sandwich shop down the hall.

"That one was a partnership," she says. "Dumplings, for me, thats the ultimate labour of love."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chef Emily Butcher prepares dishes in the kitchen at Nola.

For two people keenly aware of the ups and downs of the restaurant industry amid the pandemic, theyre both feeling positive about the future.

"I think people miss dining, so we put a lot of work into the details of the dining experience," Butcher says. "People want to be taken care of, theyve been stuck at home cooking for themselves."

Del Buono  who launched Nola under the banner of his new restaurant group, Burnley Place Hospitality  agrees and is looking forward to making St. Boniface home.

"Im a firm believer in trying to build a stronger city by strengthening neighbourhoods. You shouldnt have to drive across the city to get something you really want.  Mike Del Buono, chef

"Things are different now; not everyones going to be working downtown," he says. "And Im a firm believer in trying to build a stronger city by strengthening neighbourhoods. You shouldnt have to drive across the city to get something you really want."

Nola, located at 101-300 Tache Ave., is open for lunch Tuesday to Friday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Visit nolawpg.com for a full menu and to reserve a table. Visit secondspotwpg.com for updates.

eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @evawasney
SAINT JOHN, N.B.  A New Brunswick pastor is in custody after a court hearing Friday over his alleged breaches of COVID-19 public health rules was adjourned until next week.

The law courts are seen in Saint John, N.B., on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

SAINT JOHN, N.B.  A New Brunswick pastor is in custody after a court hearing Friday over his alleged breaches of COVID-19 public health rules was adjourned until next week.

The Crown has alleged Philip James Hutchings, the pastor of His Tabernacle Family Church in Saint John, is in contempt of court for not abiding by a consent order signed on Oct. 8 requiring congregants to follow health orders such as masking.

Prosecutors say Hutchings held a service two days later during which health officials observed people entering and leaving the church building without masks, and they say security agents barred officials from entering.

The Crown also alleges Hutchings held a service at a secret location that flouted health orders and that he used social media to promote non-compliance with COVID-19 rules.

The two prosecutors have asked that Hutchings be found in contempt of court and given a jail sentence or a warning that he would be jailed if he breaks any more COVID-19 rules.

New Brunswick public health rules require church congregants to wear masks. The law also requires that congregants either show proof of vaccination or keep socially distanced and that they not sing during services, which can be held at up to 50 per cent capacity.

A group of about 70 to 80 of Hutchings' supporters were outside the court Friday during the proceedings, some of them singing and praying.

Hutchings has said on social media that the government "has no grounds" to tell his church when and where it should meet. "These tyrannical bullies will be stopped," he wrote on Facebook Wednesday.

David Lutz, the lawyer who represented the landowner in the proceedings, said his client, Saint John Cornerstone Properties, supports the public safety measures applied to the church, which rents the property.

Lutz said Justice Hugh McLellan of the Court of Queen's Bench adjourned the matter until Oct. 22. "In the meantime, pastor Phil has been remanded to the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre. He (the judge) didn't make a finding of contempt yet," Lutz said.

Evangelical churches and the message a small minority of preachers have been providing to congregants regarding public health rules have been making headlines in both Newfoundland and Labrador and in New Brunswick in recent weeks.

In Bishop's Falls, N.L., the First United Pentecostal Church was at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak this month that ultimately involved 56 infections and killed at least one unvaccinated congregant. Premier Andrew Furey responded by convening a meeting of religious leaders, including Pentecostals, to discuss the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In New Brunswick, a Pentecostal church, Amazing Grace, was named as the location of an exposure notification in the northwest of the province on Aug. 29.

Joe Gee, a resident of the nearby town of Carlingford, N.B., said in a recent telephone interview he believes some of his family members were exposed to the virus as a result of its spread in the church, and he wants health officials to investigate what happened. He said his unvaccinated father died as a result of the outbreak.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.

 By Michael Tutton in Halifax with files from Global News
CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday that she took her fight with the head of the city's police officers union to court, arguing that his call for officers to ignore the order to report their COVID-19 vaccination status was illegal.

FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2021, file photo, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara speaks to reporters at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago. Catanzara, the head of the Chicago police officers union, has called on its members to defy the city's requirement to report their COVID-19 vaccination status by Friday or be placed on unpaid leave. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday that she took her fight with the head of the city's police officers union to court, arguing that his call for officers to ignore the order to report their COVID-19 vaccination status was illegal.

The mayor said in a statement that the city's law department filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court for injunctive relief against Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, whom she accused of "engaging in, supporting and encouraging work stoppage or strike."

A judge Friday evening granted the citys request for a temporary injunction barring Catanzara from making any public comments that encourage FOP members to disobey the citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate until the next hearing on the citys lawsuit on Oct. 25.

Judge Cecilia Horan ruled there was potential irreparable harm if Catanzara continued such statements. City attorneys argued they were tantamount to him advocating "sedition" and "anarchy" because he was directing members to disobey an order from their superiors.

Lightfoot asked the court to prohibit the union and its officers from "engaging in any concerted refusal to submit vaccination status information" to the city's portal. She also asked it to order Catanzara to stop urging members to refuse to provide their vaccination status information and to "issue a retraction and disavowal of his ... directives to FOP members that they refuse to submit vaccination status information."

Lightfoot said that by urging union members to not report their COVID-19 by Friday's deadline, Catanzara put the public in danger.

"By doing so, and by predicting that 50% or more officers will violate their oaths and not report for duty, Catanzara is encouraging an unlawful strike and work stoppage which carries the potential to undermine public safety and expose our residents to irreparable harm, particularly during an ongoing pandemic," she wrote in the court filing.

Catanzara has maintained that the officers have a legal right to follow his request to show up for work and be sent home for refusing to fill out the city's COVID-19 portal. "This is not a job action, not a call for a strike  none of that illegal stuff that Im sure the city is going to make it out to be," he said in a video posted Tuesday.

Then on Friday, the FOP filed its own complaint seeking a temporary restraining order to compel the city to go into arbitration over the mandate.

"They can take us to court all they want," he said in a video posted on the union's website along with a copy of the complaint. "We already are filing paperwork to dismiss that silly motion."

In a video posted Thursday, he told union members that if a superior orders them to submit their vaccination status to the portal, they should refuse because he said it would be an improper and illegal order. He also called on members to try to record any attempts to force them to comply with the city's order on their body cameras.

On Thursday afternoon, Lightfoot and top police officials tried to assuage public concerns that the department would be severely understaffed this weekend, saying officers would not be sent home if they showed up to work Friday and refused to go onto the portal and provide the vaccination status.

Lightfoot said officers who do refuse to the provide the information will be placed on unpaid leave, but that it wouldn't happen until after the weekend because confirming compliance would take a few days. She did make it clear, though, that there would be consequences for refusing to provide the information, which Lightfoot said would constitute an act of insubordination.

First Deputy Eric Carter said that officers were expected to meet Friday's deadline unless they had an approved medical or religious exemption. Those who don't comply could face discipline as severe as being fired. He also said that under the city's rules, those who arent vaccinated by Friday must get tested twice per week on their own time and at their own expense until the end of the year, when they would be required to be vaccinated.
CHARLOTTETOWN - Prince Edward Island is reporting three new COVID-19 cases today.

Dr. Heather Morrison, chief medical officer for Prince Edward Island, speaks to the media on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brian McInnis

CHARLOTTETOWN - Prince Edward Island is reporting three new COVID-19 cases today.

Dr. Heather Morrison, chief public health officer, says the cases involve one person in their 30s, one aged between 12 and 19 and a child under 12 years old.

In a news release, Morrison says all three recently travelled off the Island.

She says they were diagnosed as positive in a followup test after initially testing negative.

No links to schools or daycare centres have been established.

The province currently has seven active cases of novel coronavirus and has had 312 positive cases since the pandemic began.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.
REGINA - Saskatchewan is asking other provinces if they have health-care workers they could send if needed in the coming days to help its struggling intensive care units.

A basket of needles containing Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine waits to be administered to patients at a COVID-19 clinic in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

REGINA - Saskatchewan is asking other provinces if they have health-care workers they could send if needed in the coming days to help its struggling intensive care units.

Marlo Pritchard, head of the government's emergency operations centre, says half of the provinces contacted have indicated they are unable to help with Saskatchewan's COVID-19 crisis. He did not say which provinces might be able to provide workers.

Saskatchewan is looking for people who typically work in ICUs, including nurses, respiratory therapists and perfusionists  staff who operate heart-lung machines.

Pritchard said the province will monitor its need for out-of-province workers over the weekend and into next week.

Saskatchewan has already said it is preparing to send COVID-19 patients to Ontario and possibly to Manitoba.

The province has been running out of intensive care unit space and staff, as mostly unvaccinated COVID-19 patients overwhelm its health-care system.

Derek Miller of the Saskatchewan Health Authority said the province has redeployed 600 health-care workers from surgeries and other services to deal with the province's fourth wave. Additionally, 175 workers have been redeployed to ICU wards.

"We are currently managing a high level of patients in our ICUs, and we've been doing that for a number of weeks now, and the priority is to provide the best possible care," Miller said Friday.

The federal government recently sent eight critical care nurses to Alberta to help in its ICUs.

The Saskatchewan Party government said it has not yet requested health-care workers from Ottawa, but has asked for supplies.

Health Canada said it has approved Saskatchewan's request for four million rapid antigen tests for October and four million for November, all of which will be made available to residents for free.

Saskatchewan will also be getting doses of monoclonal antibody treatments, which helps treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, including hospitalizations and death, said a Health Canada spokesperson.

The province said it is also preserving health-care workers by implementing a proof-of-vaccination policy to ensure they are safe.

About 98 per cent of the 40,000 health-care workers in Saskatchewan have declared they are or intend to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the province's November deadline, Miller said.

He added that 400 people are declaring they will show a proof of negative test to attend work, with another 400 people declaring a medical or religious exemption, but they will also have to show proof of negative test.

Those who don't follow the health authority's policy will be let go.

On Friday, Saskatchewan reported 312 new cases, with 339 people in hospital, including 78 in intensive care.

Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, said cases are slightly down from the previous weeks, but it's too early to tell if it's a trend.

"Even if we're plateauing, we're plateauing at a high level and that's generating fairly high rates of ICU admissions," Shahab said, adding more restrictions may be needed.

"Anytime you have to cancel (health-care services) because you have to look after a vaccine-preventable disease -- to me -- is a call to action to bring our numbers down."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.
The first astronauts were test pilots. It seemed, at the time, to make the most sense. They were creatures of military habit, healthy and focused and a little shorter than average. They followed orders. They subjected themselves to an unending barrage of physical and psychological tests. They were, for the most part, serious men.

The first astronauts were test pilots. It seemed, at the time, to make the most sense. They were creatures of military habit, healthy and focused and a little shorter than average. They followed orders. They subjected themselves to an unending barrage of physical and psychological tests. They were, for the most part, serious men.

As they pursued the tasks set before them, it was easy to celebrate them as superhuman. They were, of course, no different than the rest of us, gifted but imperfect. Still, of all their gifts, the best they possessed was a combination of training and temperament that gave them a remarkable ability to stay calm while facing their own deaths.

NASA The historic 1969 moon landing was a sudden expansion of what humans thought was possible.

By the late 1970s, as the space shuttle program began to ramp up in the U.S., the background of astronauts began to shift with it. The pilots were still there, but now there were also scientists, men and women who had devoted their lives to the pursuit of knowledge, and now offered to serve as sciences hands and minds above the sky.

They are heroes, all of them. They went all that way for us, and for us some of them gave their lives. The work they did, and still do, has enriched our understanding of everything from our place in the cosmos to how to treat cancers; the technology developed in pursuit of spaceflights goals has had innumerable terrestrial applications.

Yet space exploration no longer commands the sense of awe that it did when Neil Armstrong made his one small step, and the whole world tuned in. Back then, the effort was a sudden expansion in our entire concept of what is possible; what comes next, such as putting people on Mars, now feels more a march toward the inevitable.

Lately, though, people have been tuning back in. Because the type of astronaut we now watch leap off the Earth is changing again. The first generation were test pilots, the next were scientists. The new ones are just really rich.

(Blue Origin via AP) In case you missed it, William Shatner went to space Wednesday, the Star Trek actor boldly going, at age 90, to a place where exactly 555 other people have gone before.

In case you missed it, William Shatner went to space Wednesday, the Star Trek actor boldly going, at age 90, to a place where exactly 555 other people have gone before. It was a short flight, only 11 minutes, enough to kiss the Karman line, 100 kilometres above sea level, that serves as the boundary between "down here" and "up there."

At the moment he rose up, on Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin rocket, Shatners Twitter account issued a quote from Sir Isaac Newton: "I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore... whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."

(NASA via AP) It should be noted that space tourism is not new. It has been tossed around since the 1980s, going through spates of ambitious plans and resistance; in the 2000s, a handful of trips to orbit were sold for about US$25 million apiece.

In being blasted up to the great ocean of undiscovered truth, Shatner joined a list of other notables who have gone to space on private flights in recent months, including Bezos, Virgin Group billionaire Richard Branson and the 18-year-old son of a wealthy Dutch financier.

Here, it should be noted that space tourism is not new. It has been tossed around since the 1980s, going through spates of ambitious plans and resistance; in the 2000s, a handful of trips to orbit were sold for about US$25 million apiece. But it is poised now to accelerate amidst a new era of commercialized spaceflight.

People watch as Blue Origins New Shepard flies toward space carrying 90-year-old Star Trek actor William Shatner and three other civilians on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/TNS)

The debate around space tourism, and the commercialization of space more broadly, is longer than we have room for here. But it is now, more than ever, a topic commanding attention: on social media, supporters of Elon Musks or Bezoss spacefaring ambitions have tangled with critics on the value, or lack thereof, of those efforts.

(After the Bezos flight, a local man on Twitter declared only "communists" oppose funding for spaceflight, forgetting, apparently, that not only did communists get to space first, but the Soviets achieved dozens of other firsts, including the first spacewalk and the first space station. Our road to the cosmos was paved by public investment.)

In this July 15, 1961 picture, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, stands in an open car outside the Russian embassy in London and waves to the crowd as he departs for home. Not only did communists get to space first, but the Soviets achieved dozens of other firsts, including the first spacewalk and the first space station. (AP Photo/File)

Yet it occurs to me that many of these debates dance around something thats more difficult to quantify, something thats hard even to name. It comes down to this: there is still a wonder in space, a sense of the sacred that can be profaned, when it is opened up as a tourist destination for the famous and the ultra-wealthy.

We live in a time where everything can be bought, for a price. If you want to be famous you can buy that, provided you have enough money to pay for a good publicist and little enough shame to care what you get famous for. You can buy beauty, or a chance to kill an endangered animal or admission to the most prestigious schools.

And you can even buy a trip to the summit of Mount Everest, if you want. Your own legs have to carry you there, but you can buy the guides and Sherpas to fix the ropes and set up your tent and ferry your gear up the mountain; or, in other words, you can pay for someone else to take the biggest risks of the expedition for you.

In that light, space was one of the last dreams that could not be bought. It had to be earned, and in that way, those who earned it, whether test pilots or scientists, also served as stand-ins for all the billions of us remaining on Earth. They were the best of us, living representations of our potential, of what ability can be unlocked in the human brain.

So what do we lose, when we offer it up as an experience that can be bought? In 2012, the philosopher Michael J. Sandel authored a book, What Money Cant Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets. In a related article for The Atlantic, Sandel homed in on the central questions about what we risk when more and more things can be sold.

Putting a price on the good things in life can corrupt them."  Michael J. Sandel, philosopher

"It is not about inequality and fairness but about the corrosive tendency of markets," he wrote. "Putting a price on the good things in life can corrupt them. Thats because markets dont only allocate goods; they express and promote certain attitudes toward the goods being exchanged.... Sometimes, market values crowd out nonmarket values worth caring about."

Sandel made no mention of space in the piece; for examples, he cites how the moral refusal to treat certain things as commodities, such as votes or internal organs, reflects an insistence on valuing them in the right way. "Some of the good things in life are degraded if turned into commodities," as he wrote; they are demeaned by the selling.

I would argue that access to space could be included in this, at least at the current stage of our development. It is possible that generations far in the future will move through space as regularly as we move across continents; but for now we ought deeply consider how offering it up to the rich will change what spacefaring means.

Over the years, many astronauts have spoken about finding something sacred in the journey, as viewed through the lens of their faith. On Apollo 8, the first crewed mission to reach the Moons orbit, astronaut Jim Lovell looked out the window and covered the shining blue gem of Earth with his thumb; it brokered a deepening of his Presbyterian faith.

"In reality, if you think about it, you go to heaven when youre born," he later said, of that experience.

But oh, what harm we have done to that heaven, as we have bought and sold nearly every inch, exploiting many of its wonders to benefit the whims of the rich. Maybe its inevitable that space will become the same way; but for now, as large as it lives in our dreams, there still ought to be a sanctity in who gets to venture out in our place.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca
WASHINGTON (AP)  After their 16-year-old daughter died in a car crash, David and Wendy Mills wondered whether she would be alive if federal rules on rear seat belt warnings had been issued on time.

In this Oct. 12, 2021, photo, David and Wendy Mills, parents of Kailee Mills who was killed four years ago in an automobile accident when riding in the back seat without a seat belt, with a photo of their daughter at their home in Spring, Texas. The teenager was riding in the back seat of a car to a Halloween party in 2017 just a mile from her house when she unfastened her seat belt to slide next to her friend and take a selfie. Moments later, the driver veered off the road and the car flipped, ejecting her. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

WASHINGTON (AP)  After their 16-year-old daughter died in a car crash, David and Wendy Mills wondered whether she would be alive if federal rules on rear seat belt warnings had been issued on time.

Four years later, with no rule and traffic fatalities spiking, theyre still at a loss over the inaction.

The teenager was riding in the back seat of a car to a Halloween party in 2017 just a mile from her house in Spring, Texas, when she unfastened her seat belt to slide next to her friend and take a selfie. Moments later, the driver veered off the road and the car flipped, ejecting her.

Kailee died instantly. Her three friends who remained buckled walked away with minor scrapes.

A 2012 law had directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an agency of the Department of Transportation, to implement safety rules requiring car manufacturers to install a warning to drivers if an unbuckled passenger is sitting in a rear seat. The agency had three years to act.

But the regulation wasnt done when Kailee climbed into her friends car, though its been estimated that it could save hundreds of lives each year. It's one of more than a dozen car safety rules now years overdue, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

The ever-growing docket has become one of the biggest tests for the federal agency since its founding in 1970, when public pressure led by safety activist Ralph Nader spurred NHTSAs mission to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes.

In this Oct. 12, 2021, photo, David and Wendy Mills, parents of Kailee Mills who was killed four years ago in an automobile accident when riding in the back seat without a seat belt, with a photo of their daughter at their home in Spring, Texas. The teenager was riding in the back seat of a car to a Halloween party in 2017 just a mile from her house when she unfastened her seat belt to slide next to her friend and take a selfie. Moments later, the driver veered off the road and the car flipped, ejecting her. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Advocates worry that the agency has lost focus and risks getting bogged down under President Joe Biden, at a time of increasing road accidents and reckless driving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We need a call to action, said Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. He called the pandemic surge in accidents a car crash epidemic.

The rules backlog would only increase with the sweeping technological requirements included in a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill pending in Congress, from new breathalyzer devices that would disable a car if a driver is drunk to stiffer standards for reporting safety recalls.

Currently, the 600-employee federal agency lacks a permanent leader. Its acting administrator is Steven Cliff, a former deputy executive officer at the California Air Resources Board, which regulates auto emissions, a key component of Bidens climate agenda.

Government should not take this long to act on safety, said David Mills, who started a Houston-area foundation in Kailees honor aimed at promoting seat belt safety. The foundation keeps a list, known as Kailees Angels, of some of the teenagers around the country who died in car crashes after failing to buckle up.

Its devastating to families, he said.

The rear seat belt reminder requirement is now scheduled to start moving through the cumbersome regulatory process in January, but a final rule could be years away. The agency in the past has repeatedly blown past deadlines, including those promised in federal court.

The AP review of NHTSAs rule-making activities under the last three presidents found at least 13 auto safety rules that are years overdue based on deadlines set in laws passed by Congress.

In this Oct. 12, 2021, photo, David and Wendy Mills, parents of Kailee Mills who was killed four years ago in an automobile accident when riding in the back seat without a seat belt, with a photo of their daughter at their home in Spring, Texas. The teenager was riding in the back seat of a car to a Halloween party in 2017 just a mile from her house when she unfastened her seat belt to slide next to her friend and take a selfie. Moments later, the driver veered off the road and the car flipped, ejecting her. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

In most cases, those rules are opposed by powerful industries as expensive, outdated or restrictive. Other pending rules have been slowed by the bureaucracy or taken a back seat to other priorities under Democratic presidents. For example, a 2011 initiative that large commercial vehicles be equipped with devices to limit their speed was recently put on indefinite hold by Biden.

President Donald Trump sidetracked at least four major road safety proposals, including medical evaluations of commercial truck drivers for sleep apnea.

Pending rules include side-impact standards for child car seats, originally due in 2014. Attorneys general of 17 states and the District of Columbia wrote to the Biden administration in July, urging immediate action. Other pending rules would require car manufacturers to maintain records of safety defects for at least 10 years, as required by Congress and originally due in 2017, and anti-ejection protection measures for larger buses, due in 2014.

Standards for smart car headlights, begun in 2018, are incomplete despite car industry support. Smart headlights would adjust a high intensity light to oncoming traffic, so drivers dont have to toggle between high and low beams.

NHTSA declined to make Cliff available for comment. The agency instead released a list of steps it has taken to address auto safety, including recently announced proposed fuel economy standards that Biden has promoted to confront climate change.

The agency points in part to plans to require or set standards for automatic emergency braking systems on new passenger vehicles and heavy trucks, a reversal from the Trump administration, and to move forward on some of the delayed regulations, though it did not offer firm guarantees on timing.

NHTSA has pledged to require what it said are rigorous testing standards for autonomous vehicles and set up a national database to document automated-vehicle crashes. It has prodded electric vehicle maker Tesla to recall dark touch screens and is investigating the companys Autopilot partially automated driving systems failure to stop for parked emergency vehicles.

In recent public remarks, Cliff said the agency is committed to address rising traffic fatalities and he stressed a transformational and collaborative approach to safety.

In this Oct. 12, 2021, photo, David and Wendy Mills, parents of Kailee Mills who was killed four years ago in an automobile accident when riding in the back seat without a seat belt, with a photo of their daughter at their home in Spring, Texas. The teenager was riding in the back seat of a car to a Halloween party in 2017 just a mile from her house when she unfastened her seat belt to slide next to her friend and take a selfie. Moments later, the driver veered off the road and the car flipped, ejecting her. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Jason Levine, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, and other consumer groups have been urging Biden to quickly nominate an agency leader. The last Senate-confirmed NHTSA administrator served under President Barack Obama until 2017.

You have a Biden administration it seems across the board more interested in acting in a regulatory fashion than the previous administration, Levine said. Thats why theres so much excitement, but also quite frankly frustration that things arent moving with a greater sense of urgency.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the trade association representing all auto manufacturers but Tesla, declined to comment for this story.

Automakers have made some progress on safety issues on their own or in voluntary agreements with the government. For instance, 20 companies agreed with NHTSA in 2016 to make automatic emergency braking standard on at least 95% of their new passenger vehicles by Sept. 1, 2022. At least 10 have already met the goal. Two years ago, 20 auto companies agreed to install electronic reminders to check back seats so drivers dont leave children in hot cars. The industry would install the reminders in new vehicles by the 2025 model year.

The Governors Highway Safety Association has been strongly pushing for rear seat belt reminders since 2015, noting back then that fewer passengers were buckling up in the back when riding in increasingly popular Uber, Lyft and other for-hire vehicles.

Last year, over half of all crash fatalities involved unbelted drivers or occupants, the highest level since 2012, according to NHTSA.

An estimated 38,680 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2020, the highest total since 2007, even though total miles driven dropped due to stay-at-home orders at the beginning of the pandemic. In the first three months of 2021, 8,730 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, a 10.5% increase from the same period last year.

More than 800 people who were unbelted in the back seat die in car crashes each year, and an analysis of NHTSA's data by the governors' group found that wearing seat belts would have saved more than half of them.

Those grim statistics and rising fatalities have spurred states in recent months to seek ways to boost seat belt use, such as with Click it or Ticket law enforcement campaigns. In Connecticut, a law signed by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont took effect this month that requires all rear seat passengers 16 and older to wear a seat belt. Those under 16 already had been required to buckle up.

Adkins said state highway safety officials were heartened to see Biden elevate Jennifer Homendy, a former congressional staffer and member of the National Transportation Safety Board who has spent two decades working on transportation safety, to NTSB chair. In recent months, she's appeared with Lamont to promote the new rear seat belt law, railed against Tesla's misleading marketing that she says puts lives at risk and called for stronger federal safety standards.

But as NTSB head, she has no actual regulatory authority, and the buzz at a recent governors' safety conference was the impact she could have if she were NHTSA's administrator.

We need a NHTSA administrator who is confirmed and has the political ability to get some things done," Adkins said. "There's no time for a learning curve. Were in a bad spot in traffic safety. Weve got work to do. And we need the administrations attention.

Various NHTSA delays have led to a patchwork of safety features initiated by the auto industry that have no clear minimum level of standards, said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Many of the features also are typically sold in high-end cars or luxury packages, in effect imposing an upcharge for consumer safety.

She noted that a 2008 congressional mandate to install backup cameras in passenger vehicles took NHTSA 10 years and a lawsuit by her group and others before the rule was finally implemented; the original deadline was 2011.

Meanwhile, the European Union began requiring seat belt reminder systems in the front and rear seats of new cars in September 2019.

I cant say the U.S. regulator of the auto industry is at all on track, Chase said. Were years behind at this point. I dont want to be critical because they are still in their first year, but the infancy of the new administration will soon expire, and its time for them to move forward.

___

Yen reported from Washington and Austin, Texas, and Krisher from Detroit.
VANCOUVER - The head of the Metro Vancouver Regional District says it has lost confidence in the contractor hired to build a wastewater treatment plant in North Vancouver, B.C., and has terminated its contract with the company.

VANCOUVER - The head of the Metro Vancouver Regional District says it has lost confidence in the contractor hired to build a wastewater treatment plant in North Vancouver, B.C., and has terminated its contract with the company.

Jerry Dobrovolny, chief administrative officer for the regional district, says the price tag rose from $500 million to $1 billion.

Acciona, the company behind the plant's construction, was unavailable for an interview and did not immediately return a request for comment.

Dobrovolny says Acciona left the regional district with "no choice" after construction delays and the rise in price.

He says the project is 36 per cent complete when by Acciona's timeline it should be at 55 per cent, and the project was intended to be completed by 2020.

Dobrovolny says it's unusual to cut ties with a contractor, but the decision was made to shield taxpayers from further costs.

Acciona's website says the company is also responsible for the construction of the Broadway SkyTrain expansion as well as the Pattullo Bridge replacement.

"This is a last resort, certainly not something we would have wanted to do or a position we would have wanted to be in. At some point we have to say enough is enough," Dobrovolny said in an interview.

He said the regional district will now work to find a contractor on an expedited basis.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.
After full year as the president and CEO of IG Wealth Management Inc., Damon Murchison still has not been able to move to Winnipeg and into his office in the company headquarters on Portage Avenue.

After full year as the president and CEO of IG Wealth Management Inc., Damon Murchison still has not been able to move to Winnipeg and into his office in the company headquarters on Portage Avenue.

But that has not stopped the former executive vice-president of Mackenzie Investments  the other brand owned by IGM Financial Inc., the parent company of both  from marshalling a lot of momentum for the company that could be setting them up for continued success in the post-pandemic and beyond.

Damon Murchison, president and CEO of IG Wealth Management Inc., has led the company to its best year ever. (Supplied)

For starters, the company is in the midst of its best year ever.

In September, the company reported record high net inflows of investment (factoring in customers who have withdrawn funds for whatever reason) totalling $294 million compared to net outflows of $1 million in September 2020.

Second-quarter results for IG Wealth included record-setting volumes of assets under advisement. And net investment inflows set an all-time record during the quarter of $1 billion up from net outflows of $9 million in 2020.

Last year was obviously unusual. And while this year includes many of the same kinds of peculiarities and investment uncertainties, Murchison believes his companys turnaround is an indication that its value proposition  that has a lot to do with providing financial planning advice  is a winner.

Murchison said the company pivoted very quickly to remote operations  it continues to operate that way likely until the new year  but it was already well along in the process of equipping its advisers with next-generation digital tools including both investing in and purchasing a new financial planning platform from another Winnipeg firm, Conquest Planning.

"We have come from a position where we were lagging the competition to the point now we are leaders. Our advisers had everything they needed to do their jobs virtually or remotely," said Murchison in an interview with the Free Press.

The company has always been committed to the belief that Canadians need and want financial planning advice and a belief in its ability to solve complex financial problems for its clients. The company continues to maintain a dedicated force of more than 3,000 advisers, the largest by far in the country.

"Our whole value proposition is built off of that," Murchison said. "And there has never been as much demand for advice in the marketplace as there is right now."

One of the trends that has emerged out of the pandemic is that the imperative for businesses across the board to deploy digital technology has been accelerated during the shutdowns.

Some might have thought IG Wealths old-school style of sitting across the kitchen table with their clients would not work and that the company might take a step back, but the opposite has occurred and the company has doubled down on its ability to provide advice.

We are confident we have the flexibility and expertise to provide advice 100 per cent virtually, all the way to face-to-face and anything in between," he said. "We are truly agnostic and we have the ultimate flexibility here."

The company recently hired its first ever chief investment strategist, Philip Petursson, who had held the same position after many years with Manulife Investment Management. Murchison said it is part of a larger effort to bring IG Wealth Management a little more out into the public after many years of being a sleeping giant of sorts in the Canadian financial services industry.

It is the largest independent wealth management firm in the country, only exceeded by the Big Six banks.

"Canadians want to hear from IG Wealth about our view on what is going on and how it impacts their lives and portfolios," Murchison said. "It is something we have been missing, quite frankly. Were very, very excited to bring Philip here to address this need."

Murchison believes the pandemic experience has given Canadians time to think about some of those hard questions that most of us like to avoid, like retirement planning and tax planning and optimization.

"Canadians are asking themselves more questions than ever before and theyre looking for someone to answer those questions," he said. "Lots of Canadians realized during the pandemic that they may have had an investment portfolio but they did not have a financial plan."

Murchison is banking on that distinction and his companys long track record of being able to supply what he believes is a growing demand for that very service.

"That is what separates IG Wealth Management from the competition," Murchison said.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
BERLIN, El Salvador (AP)  At a geothermal power plant near El Salvadors Tecapa volcano, 300 computers whir inside a trailer as they make complex mathematical calculations day and night verifying transactions for the cryptocurrency bitcoin.

A journalist takes a photo of the cooling systems at La Geo Geothermal Power Plant in Berlin municipality, Usulutan department, El Salvador, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The government announced that it has installed 300 processors at this plant to "mine" cryptocurrency, and is using geothermal resources from the countrys volcanos to run the computers that perform the calculations to verify transactions in bitcoin, recently made legal tender. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)

BERLIN, El Salvador (AP)  At a geothermal power plant near El Salvadors Tecapa volcano, 300 computers whir inside a trailer as they make complex mathematical calculations day and night verifying transactions for the cryptocurrency bitcoin.

The pilot project has inspired a rash of volcano emojis from President Nayib Bukele, who made bitcoin legal tender in September, and promises of cheap, renewable energy for so-called bitcoin mining. Such operations, including ones industrial in scale, have been harshly criticized elsewhere in the world for the massive amounts of electricity they use and the resulting carbon footprint.

Bukele and others say El Salvadors geothermal resources  generating electricity from high-pressure steam produced by the volcanos subterranean heat  could be a solution. But the picture in the tiny Central American country is more complicated.

We dont spend resources that contaminate the environment, we dont depend on oil, we dont depend on natural gas, on any resource that isnt renewable, Daniel Alvarez, president of the Rio Lempa Hydroelectric Executive Commission, which oversees the plant, said during a tour Friday.

Cheap power and a supportive government are the two critical factors for attracting bitcoin mining operations, said Brandon Arvanaghi, a bitcoin mining consultant.

Two years ago, China provided about three-quarters of all the electricity used for crypto mining, with operations flocking to take advantage of its cheap hydroelectric power. But the government began restricting mining and in September declared all transactions involving bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies illegal.

That has led to a scramble to set up mining operations in other countries.

It would appear to be fortuitous for Bukele, who shocked the nation and many around the world with his announcement last summer that bitcoin would become legal tender beside the U.S. dollar in El Salvador. The president sold the plan in part as a way for Salvadorans living overseas  mostly in the U.S. to send money home to their families more cheaply. It also made him a darling of the bitcoin world.

But the launch has been rocky. The digital wallet Salvadorans were expected to use to perform basic transactions had a glitchy rollout. Some users said they just wanted the $30 the government offered as an incentive. There continue to be concerns that the digital currency, which touts being controlled by no government, will invite criminal activity.

So far, the United States has been a big winner in attracting more bitcoin mining operations, especially the state of Texas, which has bountiful renewable energy and a de-regulated market.

Bitcoin mining in El Salvador would appear to have a supportive government in Bukele, but cheap electricity is so far just a promise.

El Salvador imports about one-fifth to one-quarter of its electricity. The rest of production is divided among hydroelectric, geothermal and plants fired by fossil fuels.

Geothermal accounts for about a quarter of the countrys energy. El Salvador has 23 volcanoes.

When you add these renewable sources like these vast abundant areas, a ton of renewable sources and a friendly regime it can be very attractive and El Salvador may very well fit that model, Arvanaghi said.

Right now, El Salvadors electricity is not considered particularly cheap.

The website GlobalPetrolPrices.com, which publishes retail energy prices around the world, puts electric costs to households and businesses in El Salvador well above the global average.

Arvanaghi said that bitcoin mining incentivizes the expansion of renewable energy production by providing high demand for cheap power and that miners have shown themselves to be willing to pause a portion of their machines at times when there is less power available from the grid.

Bukeles promise of cheap power for bitcoin mining then would have to involve a subsidy, at least until renewable capacity expanded and rates declined.

Luis Gonzalez, public policy director at the nongovernmental organization Salvadoran Ecological Unit (UNES), said if El Salvador can manage to provide cheaper, renewable power it should go to the countrys families, not cryptocurrency mining operations.

The ideal would be that the cheapest, cleanest, most national energy would be for the people, Gonzalez said.

He also warned that advertising geothermal as clean has caveats. It is cleaner than burning fossil fuels, he said, but comes with its own impacts. The sites where wells are dug to tap into the subterranean heat impact the local habitat. He also expressed concerns that aquifers could become contaminated at geothermal sites.

Were the country with the least access to water in Central America, he said, noting that was the main reason El Salvador banned metals mining four years ago.

Many bitcoin mining operations have concentrated in cooler climates too, because beyond the electricity to power the machines more is the need to keep them cool, Gonzalez said. El Salvador has a tropical climate.

At the Berlin Geothermal plant, two hours drive east of the capital, Gustavo Cuellar, special projects adviser for the Rio Lempa Hydroelectric Executive Commission, is overseeing the mining operation. He said the specialized mining machines on the site are using 1.5 megawatts of the 102 megawatts the plant produces. El Salvadors other geothermal plant in Ahuachapan produces another 95 megawatts.

Together the plants provide power to 1.5 million of El Salvadors 6.5 million citizens.

Alvarez said that the project will grow over time because we have the renewable energy resource, we have a lot of potential to continue producing energy to mine.

__

Sherman reported from Mexico City.
Most Canadians dont know their bank teller by name.

Opinion

Most Canadians dont know their bank teller by name.

Heck, they likely havent seen one in years.

Yet its likely millions are more familiar with a digitized version.

That robot banker goes by the name of NOMI  RBC clients artificially intelligent assistant.

Canadas largest financial institution launched NOMI in 2017 to provide clients with insights about their spending along with a Find & Save tool to help them save money for a rainy day.

Now RBC has added another tool, NOMI Forecast.

The bank claims its the first financial institution in Canada to offer this artificial intelligence-backed technology, which predicts for clients what preauthorized payments are coming over the next week and, more importantly, alerting them if theres not enough money to pay these bills.

"This is about giving our customers a view of whats coming," says Peter Tilton, senior vice-president of digital at RBC.

"So in using AI (artificial intelligence) we have this enormous computing power where were crunching data on every customer we have  about eight to nine million Canadians  and doing a forward view for each client, predicting what bills they are likely to have coming due soon."

To that end the big bank has spent big money boosting its AI capabilities, funding startups and hiring big brains from universities computer science and engineering departments. These efforts have made RBC a global leader in this growing area of financial technology, he adds.

"Every bank claims theyre leading in one way or the other."

But Tilton points to RBCs backing of Borealis AI, its world-class AI research centre, that helped build NOMI Forecast, as evidence of its technological superiority.

"We really are one of the first banks in the world to get into (innovations) like AI insights."

Indeed, few if any other financial apps do exactly what NOMI does, particularly with respect to its Find & Save tool. When activated, it regularly determines how much money to take from clients main spending accounts and then puts that sum into a savings account while ensuring clients never fall short on paying bills.

"For some people that amount is $5 a day and for others, it will be $50 a day," he says.

"It is all tailored to each client."

Furthermore, a client has never defaulted on a payment since its launch a couple of years ago, Tilton says.

Of course, RBC isnt the only financial institution spending big on AI.

The Canadian Bankers Association website lists most large tech investments made by the major banks, including CIBCs Insights.

It provides clients with "personalized, actionable and data-driven" advice based on their financial transactions.

Scotiabank has also invested in a "digital factory" in downtown Toronto where researchers are developing similar applications.

And TD Bank Group recently partnered with a tech company to share its client data safely with third-party financial wellness apps.

By the way, those independent financial wellness apps  also providing budgeting and saving help  are abundant, says Enoch Omololu, founder and CEO of the popular financial blog Savvy New Canadians.

He recently listed the top ones in a blog post with Wealthsimple Save, KOHO Financials Visa card app and Moka ranking first, second and third respectively.

All three offer round-up savings tools whereby users can set an amount to round up to on every purchase, with that sum then transferred to a savings account.

Different from NOMIs savings tool, which uses AI to find free cash flow to save, round-up savings can be very effective, say Omololu. He points to his own experience with Moka, which he has used for a few years.

"I just checked recently, and it has just over $5,000 in savings."

Yet the power of these apps goes beyond saving. They are also useful for budgeting. For those really needing to track every dollar, however, a pure budgeting tool like You Need a Budget (YNAB) may be more suitable, he says.

"It is probably preferable until you get into the routine of managing your money on autopilot." Its advantage: YNAB forces users to account for every dollar coming into their account. That engagement forces users to be conscious of their spending, says Omolulu, who used YNAB a few years ago to great effect when his budget had little room for error.

Financial educator Jessica Moorhouse  who helps Canadians build sustainable budgets  is more skeptical of these apps benefits.

She notes "most dont work because they generally automate things (and) dont build or change habits."

That said, YNAB is probably most effective, she says. Thats because users are part of a larger user community of support that, when paired with the apps unrelenting demand for user participation, is more likely to result in lasting change, Moorhouse adds.

Surprisingly, NOMI didnt make Omololus list, despite him being an RBC client and familiar with the service.

Still NOMI is useful "because you dont have to scrutinize each line of your bank statement as it highlights important trends that are happening from month-to-month."

Omololu further admits he could explore NOMI a little more, given he has never used the Find & Save tool.

Yet if theres one clear advantage NOMI has over even highly rated third-party apps, its that its an in-house solution for RBC clients. In turn they do not need to synchronize their account with an outside company, potentially creating a data security concern, Omolulu says.

This along with NOMIs other traits has made it popular with more than 1.5 million active users, who have saved more than $1.7 billion since its launch, Tilton says.

Whats more, NOMIs new Forecast tool is a just harbinger of better predictive powers to come, he adds.

"As this technology develops, NOMI will only get more and more sophisticated."
OTTAWA - Military police say they are investigating historic allegations of sexual misconduct involving yet another senior commander, this time the officer responsible for human resources in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Canadian Forces flag flies outside office buildings in Ottawa, Tuesday March 9, 2021. Military police say they are investigating historic allegations of sexual misconduct involving yet another senior commander, this time the officer responsible for human resources in the Canadian Armed Forces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Military police say they are investigating "historic" allegations of sexual misconduct involving yet another senior commander, this time the officer responsible for human resources in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service revealed the investigation involving Lt.-Gen. Steven Whelan on Friday night, five months after he was installed as the head of military personnel command, which is responsible for everything from recruitment to promotions to health care.

Whelan took over from Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, who stepped aside as the head of military personnel command in March due to a police investigation after a CBC report of alleged sexual assault. Edmundson has denied the allegations.

The Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement that acting chief of defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan were informed of the allegation in early June.

Whelan himself "was not to be made aware of it due to possible impacts on the investigation," the military said.

Since then, the statement said the vice-chief of the defence staff has been assessing "victim impact, (Whelan's) continuing employment and impact on the workplace."

"Given recent developments, after discussing with the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, LGen Whelan agrees he must step aside as the Commander, Military Personnel, effective immediately."

Whelan could not immediately be reached for comment.

"The CAF is an institution built on the rule of law and the highest of expectations from Canadians, and as such, the CAF must ensure that all parties  complainants and respondents  are afforded their fundamental rights of due process, procedural fairness, safety, and privacy," the statement said.

The CFNIS revealed earlier this week that it was also investigating incoming Canadian Army commander Lt.-Gen. Trevor Cadieu for alleged sexual misconduct.

Cadieu denies any wrongdoing and said in a statement to service members that the allegation against him is false and intended to create doubt in his ability to lead the army.

Whelan told The Canadian Press in May that the militarys repeated failure to address sexual misconduct over the years has led to what feels like an "existential threat" to the institution  and demonstrates why it needs to really address the problem this time.

Earlier Friday, a war of words erupted between Eyre and Adm. Art McDonald over a letter McDonald wrote to senior officers arguing that he should be reinstated as chief of the defence staff.

McDonald stepped down in February due to a military police investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct. That investigation concluded in August without any charges being laid.

McDonald contended in his letter to senior commanders that he has been exonerated and deserves to be reinstated.

In his own missive to top brass, Eyre called McDonald's letter "shocking" and said he'll remain acting chief of defence staff until informed otherwise by the government.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan called McDonald's letter "inappropriate and unacceptable."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.
OTTAWA - Quebec is slated to lose one seat in the next redrawing of federal ridings in Canada.

The Peace Tower is pictured on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - Quebec is slated to lose one seat in the next redrawing of federal ridings in Canada.

Quebec's 78 MPs will be reduced to 77  the first time since 1966 that a province has lost a seat when the electoral map is reconfigured.

Overall, the number of seats in the House of Commons will increase by four to 342 seats to reflect Canadas growing population.

Alberta will gain three seats, Ontario one and British Columbia one, while the number of MPs in other provinces and territories, except Quebec, will remain unchanged.

The Bloc Quebecois condemned the decision to strip Quebec of a seat, and said it would fight to maintain the province's influence in Parliament.

Bloc MP Alain Therrien, party spokesman on democratic institutions, said: "It is out of the question to lose a seat in Quebec and so to see the power of francophones diminish."

The Constitution requires ridings to be redefined every 10 years, after the census, so they reflect population changes. Extra seats are typically allocated to areas where the population has grown.

"The Chief Electoral Officer completes this calculation using the population estimates provided by the Chief Statistician of Canada and a formula found in the Constitution," Elections Canada said in a statement on Friday.

Quebecs population growth rate is lower than the average rate for the other provinces. Ontario has the most seats in the House of Commons because it has the largest number of people of all Canada's provinces.

Alberta, which now has 34 seats, will get 37. British Columbia will go to 43 seats from 42, and Ontario will get an extra seat, to 122 from 121.

The size and shape of ridings will also be reviewed, starting in February next year. Ten independent electoral boundary commissions will be established across Canada to redraw ridings, and to consult on their proposals.

In the past, boundary changes have been sharply challenged by political parties if they think a tweak could lose them a seat. Boundary changes can shift communities into neighbouring ridings and influence who is elected to Parliament.

Some parties have also complained that proposed ridings are too large, and mean MPs would have too much territory to cover to meet their constituents.

Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories return only one MP each, so there will be no boundary reviews there.

The new electoral map is being designed for the next general election and Elections Canada says it does not expect the changes to be implemented until April 2024.

The independent commissions drawing the new electoral boundaries will be composed of a judge, appointed by the chief justice of the province, and two other members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The commissions will look at issues such as average population, the nature of communities in each riding and the overall size of the seat. They will conduct public hearings to hear the views of local people.

"We look forward to continuing to hear more from Elections Canada about how all parties, local riding associations and communities across Canada will be able to engage in this important part of our democratic process," said Matteo Rossi, a Liberal party spokesman.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2021.
I try hard not to think of how my daughter died at your hands, but its hard not to, a grieving Candace Volk told a Winnipeg court Friday.

"I try hard not to think of how my daughter died at your hands, but its hard not to," a grieving Candace Volk told a Winnipeg court Friday.

"Did she see your truck coming? Did she know what was going to happen? Was she in pain? Did she cry out? I wasnt there to protect my daughter or comfort her as she passed, and its pain and guilt I live with daily."

Jennifer Dethmers (Jessica Bird photo / Canadian Press files)

Volk read nearly a dozen witness statements before Judge Wanda Garreck as sentencing submissions began for a man convicted of killing a mother and her infant son in a crash while fleeing a police traffic stop.

"Do not ask me for forgiveness, that word is not in my vocabulary for you Creator have mercy on your soul," Volk said as she described the turmoil her family has experienced.

Jennifer Dethmers, 30, and nine-month-old son Anthony (nicknamed Bambino) died after a vehicle driving at high speed collided with their van near Boyd Avenue and Andrew Street on Sept. 26, 2020.

Volk told court the family had been preparing for Halloween and had been sending her videos that morning of Anthony crawling around their decorated house.

"Instead of planning a Halloween party," she said Friday through tears. "We were planning Bambino's funeral."

Armand Chartrand, 44, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal negligence causing death and three counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm during proceedings in June.

The Crown recommended nine years behind bars, while the defence argued for a seven-year jail term.

On Friday, the court heard Chartrands driver's licence had been suspended for 26 years at the time of the crash.

Crown attorney Manoja Moorthy said police attempted to stop Chartrands vehicle around Main Street and Mountain Avenue, as it had inactive plates, but the driver fled at a high speed.

In two minutes, the court heard, Chartrand drove eight city blocks at an average speed of 112 km/h and ran three stop signs before colliding with the van. At the time of the crash, Chartrand's vehicle was estimated to be going between 109 and 117 km/h on a 50 km/h road.

All four occupants of the van were injured in the crash.

Dethmers was pronounced dead on-scene; her infant son was taken to hospital in critical condition. He died a month later (Oct. 28) from his injuries. Anthony's father and his six-year-old daughter suffered multiple injuries.

Moorthy said Chartrand first told officers a passenger in his vehicle  who also suffered injuries  told him not to stop, but police later heard the passenger had asked Chartrand to stop.

Chartrand told his passenger he did not want to stop because he did not have a valid licence, the Crown said.

Police reported Chartrand was "belligerent" at the scene. Moorthy noted his lengthy record, including several convictions related to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, car thefts and Highway Traffic Act violations.

"The message has to be that the next time an individual, motivated by self-interest, such as this offender, decides to say theyre going to outrun the police impaired by nothing but their own selfishness, the message has to be the court will take this seriously," Moorthy said.

"What were left with is a family thats lost two generations."

Defence lawyer Matthew Gould told the court Chartrand had no excuses to offer, calling his clients actions a "spontaneous, incredibly stupid decision" with "catastrophic results."

Gould disputed the Crowns argument Chartrands behaviour toward police at the scene amounted to an aggravating factor, arguing his client had been remorseful throughout the process.

"I know that there are no actions that can ever change what has happened, and all my words being spoken might seem empty," Chartrand told the court.

"I know that there is no step that I can take to bring back Jennifer and Anthony I will forever be haunted by the reality of what I have done, and I am truly sorry."

Garreck is expected to deliver a sentencing decision in early December.

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers
As their neighbours celebrated the birth of the Messiah on Christmas Day 2019, Patrik Mathews  a disgraced Canadian army reservist on the run from U.S. law enforcement  and Brian Lemley Jr., an American combat veteran, were plotting the resurrection of a saint.

As their neighbours celebrated the birth of the Messiah on Christmas Day 2019, Patrik Mathews  a disgraced Canadian army reservist on the run from U.S. law enforcement  and Brian Lemley Jr., an American combat veteran, were plotting the resurrection of a "saint."

Patrik Mathews

The two men were holed up in a small apartment in Newark, Del., on a quiet, sprawling compound that features thick patches of trees and winding roads, discussing what they wanted for Christmas.

Whereas their neighbours were surrounded by holiday decorations and wrapped presents under pine-needle trees, Mathews and Lemley had filled their apartment with an assault rifle, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, a gas mask and enough food for several months.

More than anything, the two men wanted to carry out an action so brazen and unlikely to succeed it would make them "immortal" in the eyes of the neo-Nazi movement to which they belonged.

They wanted to break Dylann Roof out of prison.

WILLIAM J. HENNESSY JR COURT SKETCH From left, Brian Lemley, Mathews and William Garfield Bilbrough IV appeared in court in January 2020, in Greenbelt, Md..

"There are guard towers. Lets see, how many guard towers? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven," Mathews told Lemley, as he looked at satellite imagery of the Terre Haute maximum-security prison in Indiana.

Thats where Roof, 27, is awaiting execution for murdering nine Black parishioners during a Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., on June 17, 2015. At the time, he was a 21-year-old neo-Nazi.

After the bloody rampage, Roof became one of the "saints"  the collection of mass murderers, terrorists and serial killers that a certain brand of white supremacists, Mathews and Lemley among them, idolize and seek to imitate.

"We gotta bust him out of prison. Thats something there I think is a serious task. We should just go and just break out every f---king saint. Can you imagine?.... the Base would be known as the guys who broke out Dylann Roof," Mathews said.

CHUCK BURTON / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Dylann Roof is awaiting execution for murdering nine Black parishioners during a Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C..

As outlandish as the plot may seem from the outside, it was precisely what Roof had in mind when he told a court psychologist that his death sentence wouldnt be carried out because "white nationalists would free him from prison after an impending race war."

Defence attorneys would point to this "delusion" when appealing his death sentence, arguing Roof  a high school dropout who struggled with mental illness  was too "disconnected from reality" to represent himself during the penalty phase of his trial.

"Whats the execution date?" Lemley asked.

"I dont think we have much time," Mathews said.

"Personally, I think you have a combination of snipers placed out, just f---king dropping the guards in the towers.... Theres a chance that I could snip snip snap snap several guards before anybody even sounded an alarm," Lemley said.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND An excerpt from court documents.

Mathews and Lemley  members of a violent neo-Nazi paramilitary group called the Base  had recently manufactured a long-range assault rifle, equipped with thermal imaging, in their shared apartment.

Lemley, a former cavalry scout in the U.S. army who served a tour of duty in Iraq, boasted of his ability to repeatedly hit a target in a tight grouping of an inch-and-a-half at 300 yards.

These are just some of the disturbing new details released in a series of court documents recently submitted to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland where prosecutors are asking for Mathews, 29, and Lemley, 35, to be sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Mathews went on the run in August 2019 following an undercover investigation by the Winnipeg Free Press, which exposed him as an active combat engineer in the Canadian military moonlighting as a neo-Nazi recruiter.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND Mathews Beausejour home was raided by the RCMP, where police found a "handwritten list of mass shootings, which included the year, number of dead, number of wounded, (and) ethnicity of the shooter," the newly released court records show.

Soon after being exposed, Mathews Beausejour home was raided by the RCMP, where police found a "handwritten list of mass shootings, which included the year, number of dead, number of wounded, (and) ethnicity of the shooter," the newly released court records show.

He then illegally fled to the U.S., where he linked up with neo-Nazi comrades who provided him safe harbour and helped him travel to a paramilitary training camp in rural Georgia.

Mathews and Lemley pleaded guilty to various offences in June, following an undercover operation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau for Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

They are scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28. In total, six members of the Base were arrested during a nationwide crackdown in January 2020, including three men in Georgia accused of a double-murder plot.

There is no parole in the U.S. federal prison system; if a 25-year sentence is handed down, Mathews and Lemley will be 54 and 60, respectively, when released. As an illegal alien, Mathews would then be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation.

The recently released court records paint a chilling portrait of two violent fanatics whose hatred extended to anyone who didnt look like them: male and white.

Download Patrik Mathews case summary

Closed-circuit TV footage and a microphone secretly installed in Mathews and Lemleys Delaware apartment  where the two men prepped for the race war they believed was on the horizon and stockpiled weapons, ammunition and supplies  led to 1,136 pages of transcripts.

Mathews repeatedly rants about killing racial and religious minorities  particularly Jews and Blacks  and claims that inter-racial relationships should be punished with death. He discusses concerns over immigration to rural Canada and racial differences in IQ.

The two men fantasized about killing politicians, law-enforcement officers and journalists; of stripping women of the right to drive and vote; and of creating a white homeland in North America through a mixture of violent ethnic cleansing and deportations.

"We need to go back to the days of f---king decimating Blacks and getting rid of them where they stand. If you see a bunch of Blacks sitting on some corner you f---king shoot them," Mathews said.

"Well give them the bad guy. We will give them white-supremacist terrorists, if thats what they want. Give them what they want. Give them what they deserve."

Well give them the bad guy. We will give them whitesupremacist terrorists, if thats what they want. Give them what they want. Give them what they deserve.  Patrik Mathews

In page after page of transcripts, their language is violent, antisemitic, racist and misogynistic.

Homegrown hate: Coverage of a neo-Nazi recruiter in Winnipeg Click to Expand Posted: 11:56 AM Sep. 13, 2019 Read Ryan Thorpe's story on infiltrating a neo-Nazi paramilitary group, and the Free Press' follow-up coverage. Read Full Story

Prosecutors allege the CCTV evidence, "at minimum," demonstrates Mathews and Lemley "repeatedly confirmed on tape" they plotted to kill a federal employee, damage communication lines, damage an energy facility, damage rail lines and commit arson or bombing.

Following a summer spent attending a Base training camp  known in neo-Nazi circles as a "hate camp"  in the fall of 2019, Mathews and Lemley began turning their focus towards a pro-gun rights rally in Richmond, Va., scheduled for Jan. 20, 2020.

Democrats had recently taken over Virginias state government and proposed a sweeping slate of gun-control bills, enraging pro-Second Amendment advocates.

Mathews and Lemley focused on the rally  expected to attract tens of thousands  as the moment to strike.

You need an atrocity to make people angry enough to get serious. Open fire on the crowd.  Brian Lemley

"Its like the end of the world," Lemley said, when reviewing the proposed gun-control measures, which included things such as universal background checks, red flag laws and the banning of firearms inside the state capitol.

Mathews discussed the necessity of pitting certain groups in society against one another in an effort to increase political polarization. At one point, Lemley was more explicit: "You need an atrocity to make people angry enough to get serious. Open fire on the crowd."

The CCTV transcripts show that Mathews discussed the possibility of assassinating the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates  Eileen Filler-Corn, the first woman and Jewish person to hold that role  after he obtained her address on the Internet.

When Mathews and Lemley looked up satellite imagery of her home and realized it wouldnt be an ideal location for a sniper attack, they discussed the possibility of identifying her route to work and striking then.

Mathews believed Filler-Corns death would "accelerate their gun-control agenda," which would hopefully increase political polarization and radicalize pro-gun rights activists. He seemed particularly upset that Filler-Corn was openly Jewish.

Details of the assassination plot only recently came to light through court records.

"Its now or never; like, if we wait, its only gonna get worse. The writing is on the wall. We know what theyre doing to us. The victory is only less likely the longer we wait. We have to act. We must act now."  Brian Lemley

At one point, the two men discussed their Virginia plans with an undercover FBI agent, who they believed was a fellow member of the Base.

"Its now or never; like, if we wait, its only gonna get worse. The writing is on the wall. We know what theyre doing to us. The victory is only less likely the longer we wait. We have to act. We must act now," Lemley said, during a conversation with Mathews and the undercover agent.

"Its just that we cant live with ourselves if we dont get somebodys blood on our hands."

It was the mens planning in the leadup to the Virginia rally, which saw Gov. Ralph Northam declare a state of emergency in an effort to avoid a repeat of the bloody and deadly 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Va., that led the FBI to move in with arrests on Jan. 16, 2020.

Mathews and Lemley have been in custody ever since. The night before they were arrested, the men discussed the possibility of going to prison for their neo-Nazi activities.

"All Im saying is, (we are) going to have a jail sentence, at minimum. So the question is, if were going to go to jail anyway, might as well go to jail for something good. Might as well do some damage to the system," Mathews said.

"You realize, like, theyre just gonna call us terrorists."

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND An excerpt from court documents.

Mathews and Lemley have two court hearings scheduled for the final week of October. It is the first time they will be back in court since pleading guilty on June 11.

Lemley pleaded guilty to, among other charges, conspiracy to transport an illegal alien, disposing of a firearm and ammunition to an illegal alien, transporting a firearm and ammunition interstate with intent to commit a felony and obstruction of justice.

Mathews pleaded guilty to transporting a firearm and ammunition interstate with intent to commit a felony, obstruction of justice, and two counts of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The sentencing documents submitted by their defence attorneys have been sealed and are not publicly available.

During the Oct. 25 hearing, the prosecution will argue for stiff sentences for both men on the basis that their offences constituted hate crimes and terrorism. The defence, meanwhile, will ask for more lenient sentences.

Is he released? Tell me hes not released.  Former Beausejour neighour

The outcome of that hearing will significantly impact the amount of time Mathews and Lemley spend behind bars in a U.S. federal prison. Four days later, they will be back in court for sentencing.

During the summer, the Free Press spent time in Beausejour, where Mathews owned a small home on a quiet street prior to fleeing the country. There was a legal document from a bank posted to the front door.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she wouldnt be comfortable with Mathews ever returning to that house. During a previous court hearing, Mathews said that if his charges in the U.S. were dealt with, his intention would be to return home to Beausejour.

"Is he released? Tell me hes not released," she said as a Free Press reporter and CBC podcast producer approached.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES One of Mathews' neighbours said she had been disturbed by U.S. court records that indicated he had talked about booby-trapping his home with bombs when the RCMP conducted a raid in 2019.

The neighbour said she had been disturbed by U.S. court records that indicated Mathews had talked about booby-trapping his home with bombs when the RCMP conducted a raid on Aug. 19, 2019. As a combat engineer in the Canadian military, Mathews had been trained in the use of explosives.

"It would be hard for me to forget that Id be scared (if he ever came back). I truly would be," she said. "How can I say this diplomatically? He made his bed, so he should be spending time in prison."

The prosecutors were more blunt in their sentencing request: "The defendants pose a severe risk to public safety. They are domestic terrorists and should be sentenced accordingly."

Mathews will learn his fate Oct. 28, exactly 801 days from the morning the Free Press exposed him, following a month-long undercover investigation into a neo-Nazi recruitment campaign in Winnipeg.

What began with recruitment posters for his cause in Winnipeg will end with a prison sentence ordered in Greenbelt, Md.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe
Theres nothing new about vaccine requirements for health-care professionals in Manitoba. As students, most of them have to be immunized against a wide range of communicable diseases before they enter the workforce. As employees, many have had to show proof of vaccination for years.

Opinion

Theres nothing new about vaccine requirements for health-care professionals in Manitoba. As students, most of them have to be immunized against a wide range of communicable diseases before they enter the workforce. As employees, many have had to show proof of vaccination for years.

So why all the fuss about having to get vaccinated against COVID-19?

Since 2006, all new employees at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority who have direct contact with patients and clients have to be immunized against rubella, measles, hepatitis B, and chicken pox (or undergo testing to demonstrate immunity). The list at Shared Health is similar and includes mumps and diphtheria.

Its a condition of employment; no shots, no job.

From the beginning of their training, health-care workers not only learn about the importance of immunization and how it has eradicated (or nearly eliminated) life-threatening diseases around the world, they have to get inoculated themselves.

At the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, all students  including those in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, occupational therapy and respiratory therapy  are required (with few exceptions) to be immunized against all major vaccine-preventable diseases.

They have to sign an immune status consent form that allows the university to access their immunization records and agree that "maintaining an accurate and up-to-date immune status record is an important responsibility of being a student, to protect my own health, as well as the health of the patients with whose care I will be involved."

Failure to get immunized "may result in the student being barred from clinical activities that involving patients, and may mean the student cannot complete the program."

There are no "personal choice" options. If you want to work in health care, you have to follow evidence-based science and get vaccinated.

Frankly, I question the medical competency of any health-care worker who chooses not to get immunized, including against COVID-19. Im not sure I want someone looking after patients who has trouble understanding the basics of vaccine science. If they can't grasp that, what other medical facts do they struggle with? (And how does that affect their ability to provide quality care to patients?)

The Quebec Order of Nurses  the licensing body for nurses in Quebec  has a clear position on that. The organization announced this week it plans to suspend the licence of any nurse who is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Health care staff are at the greatest risk of any profession of contracting communicable diseases and spreading them to others. That includes transmitting viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 to patients, many of whom have weakened immune systems. Hospitals and other health-care facilities are crawling with infectious disease. The risks of transmission are extremely high, especially among the unvaccinated.

By contrast, the risks of serious adverse effects from vaccines are very low. As of Oct. 1, only 4,675 serious side-effects from over 56 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Canada (0.008 per cent) have been reported, the Public Health Agency of Canada has reported. Not all were necessarily caused by the vaccine.

Health-care workers know, or ought to know, the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the risks. If they do know, and still refuse to get vaccinated, theyve decided to enjoy the collective benefits of vaccines (eventually, most people will be protected from COVID-19 through herd immunity, including the unvaccinated), while taking no risks themselves to help achieve the broader goal. Talk about the height of selfishness.

Health-care workers in Manitoba have until Monday to get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (or undergo regular testing), or face being put on unpaid leave. Its astonishing it had to come to this. Its hard to imagine how anyone trained in the medical field would require that kind of ultimatum to protect themselves and the patients they serve from a potentially deadly disease.

tom-brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
Sometimes, politicians inadvertently tell us the truth, as former prime minister Kim Campbell famously did in 1993 when she said that an election is no time to discuss serious issues. Unfortunately, Canadas 2021 election further proved her point.

Opinion

Sometimes, politicians inadvertently tell us the truth, as former prime minister Kim Campbell famously did in 1993 when she said that an election is no time to discuss serious issues. Unfortunately, Canadas 2021 election further proved her point.

But if elections arent the time to discuss serious issues, then Parliament must be. We need Canadas 44th Parliament to focus on building a stronger, more balanced frame for Canadian societys collective house after COVID-19 exposed its rotting planks.

Theres an obvious place to start, and its a policy that was shockingly absent from the narrative in this election, aside from one question during the English language debate. Its a policy that nine in 10 Canadians support, and one where federal leadership is the only viable way forward: pharmacare.

The pandemic revealed two important truths. First, communities are only as healthy as the individuals within them. And second, when it comes to health, speed counts and delays cost lives. We must learn these lessons now and ensure that every Canadian has access to essential medications.

No more excuses

When it comes to national pharmacare, there are no more excuses.

Canada is the only high-income country in the world with a universal health-care system that doesnt include universal drug coverage. One in four Canadians has difficulty taking medications as prescribed due to cost. One in 20 hospitalizations can be attributed to people not taking their medications. The lack of pharmacare harms the health of our communities, strains our health-care system and encumbers our economy.

The Liberals, Conservatives and NDP have all acknowledged that access to medications is a serious issue. The Liberals themselves commissioned a report on pharmacare in 2019  the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare  which recommended a single-payer pharmacare system.

Despite this, the Liberal election platform was completely silent on funding or implementation. The Conservative Party platform included a plan to negotiate with industry to cut drug prices. The NDP, which continues to hold the balance of power, put forward a plan to establish universal drug coverage by 2022, promising an annual federal investment of $10 billion.

If all the parties agree there is a problem, why is the obvious solution  universal pharmacare  still an unrealized dream for Canadians? Because, for too long, we have accepted excuses from our federal leaders.

We can no longer accept the excuse that pharmacare requires more study. Report after report has recommended publicly funded universal pharmacare. Before 2019, it was the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health in 2018. And the Romanow Commission in 2002. And the National Forum on Health in 1997. It goes as far back as the Hall Commission in 1964.

However, reports dont pay for life-saving insulin for people living with diabetes.

Federal mandate

We must not accept the excuse that pharmacare is only within provincial jurisdiction. The Liberals plan to lead a national daycare program, traditionally a provincial issue. The case for federal leadership on pharmacare is even stronger.

The 2019 report explains that Canada pays more for the same drugs than any other country, except for the United States and Switzerland. National pharmacare gives us the negotiating power to keep costs down. The federal government must set standards so that every Canadian has access to high-quality, equitable and efficient health care. That includes medications.

Affordability

We must not accept the excuse that pharmacare is unaffordable. Pharmacare will require an investment from federal and provincial governments, but its an investment with a high return.

Pharmacare will save Canadians roughly $5 billion a year, with families saving $350 on average and businesses saving $750 per employee. And when you provide essential medications at no charge out-of-pocket, people improve control over their medical conditions and are more likely to be able to make ends meet.

Multiple priorities

We must not accept the excuse that there are other priorities for this Parliament. Theres no limit on the number of smart public-policy decisions a government can make  they neednt ration their good ideas over multiple elections.

Now is the time for pharmacare. More workers were entering the gig economy before the pandemic, leaving many without job-related extended health benefits. Pandemic-related job loss has made a bad situation worse, with workers losing drug coverage if they had it or desperately needed income if they didnt. National pharmacare ensures that no Canadian must choose between feeding their family or heating their home and paying for prescriptions.

Just like medicare, pharmacare supports small businesses by enabling them to compete with larger employers that offer drug benefits. A pandemic-related economic slowdown is exactly the right time to make the investment in individual Canadians and businesses.

Now that the election is over, its time for our federal leaders to get serious about health. Canadians are serious about pharmacare, and they cannot afford to wait any longer.

Hasan Sheikh is a lecturer in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Toronto.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
BACK in 2001, I led a provincial review of the report and recommendations made by then-justice Murray Sinclair following a lengthy inquest that he conducted into the tragic deaths of 12 infants in a pediatric cardiac surgery program at Health Sciences Centre. One of his recommendations was to create a whistleblower protection law covering employees of health institutions.

Opinion

BACK in 2001, I led a provincial review of the report and recommendations made by then-justice Murray Sinclair following a lengthy inquest that he conducted into the tragic deaths of 12 infants in a pediatric cardiac surgery program at Health Sciences Centre. One of his recommendations was to create a whistleblower protection law covering employees of health institutions.

As part of our review, we met with the courageous nurses who were the first to disclose to higher authorities the incompetence of a recently recruited surgeon. Sadly, their concerns were dismissed as ill-informed and excessively emotional by officials within the hospital and government.

In our meetings with them, we were impressed by their intense sense of duty and the need to be advocates for the children and their families.

At the time, whistleblower laws were not common. Instead of a law, our committee recommended that HSC experiment for a five-year period with internal policies designed to provide safe channels and protection for employees who raised serious concerns. Adoption of a law covering the entire health system might, if necessary, come later.

Eventually, in 2006, Manitoba followed most democratic jurisdictions by adopting a whistleblower law (last amended in 2021) that applies to all parts of the public sector, including regional health authorities and the institutions within them such as hospitals and personal care homes.

Based on 20 years of research and consulting on whistleblower protection, I have come to the conclusion that writing laws that are effective in encouraging, supporting and protecting whistleblowers who raise concerns about serious wrongdoing is very difficult. In part, this reflects the power imbalances within institutions that make it impossible to provide legally reliable protection against the more subtle, indirect, longer-term types of retaliation against whistleblowers.

For laws to work as intended requires organizational cultures of openness, respect, and safety. Fostering and maintaining such cultures is a slow and uncertain process that depends heavily on committed leadership at the top of an organization, especially during those defining moments when the professed values of the organization are tested by disturbing disclosures.

Available public accounts  which cover only a tiny fraction of whistleblower cases  involve depressing stories, including employers denigrating whistleblowers as malcontents or unstable, of permanent damage to careers, and negative impacts on private lives, such as poor health and family breakups.

Given the bleak fate of many whistleblowers, the obvious questions are: why do certain individuals take the potential risks, and is there commonality in terms of their backgrounds and personalities? There is a mountain of research on those questions. Having reviewed some of it, here are some brief thoughts on what we know:

The decision to disclose is closely related to the severity of the wrongdoing and the degree of certainty about what has occurred. Abrupt, dramatic events are more likely to prompt action than slow-moving, marginal forms of wrongdoing. The institutional context, consisting of structures, processes and culture, affect the propensity of employees to raise concerns.

There is no such thing as a typical whistleblower. They come from all occupational backgrounds and all levels within organizations. However, men are more likely than women to blow the whistle. Also, whistleblowers tend to have higher education, higher salaries and greater job security.

Often, to discredit their complaints, organizations portray whistleblowers as troublemakers who suffer from a kind of victim syndrome which leads them to welcome persecution. In fact, most whistleblowers have impeccable records of organizational service before raising concerns.

Moral judgments affect decisions to whistle blow. Employees with a high level of morality are more likely to judge a suspicious behavior as inappropriate. Highly moral people find it more difficult to engage in calculations of the potential costs and benefits of disclosure. The sense that whistleblowing is futile is often at the top of the list of reasons why wrongdoing is not reported.

Psychological studies have found whistleblowers tend to have high self-esteem and are confident and assertive individuals who are less concerned than others about being popular within the organization. They are more comfortable dealing with conflict and awkward situations.

Whistleblowers are not always altruistic moral heroes. There are isolated cases in which individuals make allegations based on personal animosities, resentments or bitterness about how they have been treated within an organization. Sound WB laws should not require pure motivation on the part of whistleblowers, only the good-faith, reasonable belief that serious wrongdoing has occurred.

There is a delicate balancing of values and interests involved with the operation of WB laws, and therefore organizations must provide meaningful support to help whistleblowers cope with the ambiguities, ethical dilemmas and risks involved.

Paul G. Thomas is professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.
It's official. The campaign to find the next leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is a piping-hot mess.

It's official. The campaign to find the next leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is a piping-hot mess.

From the moment the official race to succeed Brian Pallister began in late summer, it has been skewed contest.

MLA Heather Stefanson used overwhelming support in the elected caucus to force the party to adopt an unconscionably short timetable to limit the number of people who might run against her. If you start counting from mid-September, when nominations closed and official candidates were identified, through to the leadership vote on Oct. 30, the entire leadership campaign will have unfolded over only six weeks.

Meanwhile, former MP and federal cabinet minister Shelly Glover has barnstormed around the province undermining public-health orders and flirting dangerously with COVID-19 conspiracy theories.

While all this was going on, there lurked concerns about memberships sold by former party official Ken Lee, who was ultimately declared ineligible to run for leader. Manitoba's election commissioner is investigating to see whether Lee's campaign offered to buy memberships for people who wanted to vote in the leadership selection. Lee, meanwhile, is still grumbling about the decision to keep him out of the race.

JESSICA LEE / FREE PRESS FILES NDP Leader Wab Kinew revealed his party had been contacted by Shelly Glover's campaign in a bid to dish some dirt on her opponent.

This week, a woeful campaign became even more woeful when NDP Leader Wab Kinew revealed his party had been contacted by the Glover campaign in a bid to dish some dirt on Stefanson. Kinew would not detail what it was that Glover wanted the public to know about her opponent, only that she was using an opposition party to launder the information.

None of this is unprecedented. Internal party politics, in particular that which surrounds leadership races, is the dirtiest politics of all. But still, this has been a morally bankrupt campaign, even by modern standards.

It has also been alarmingly low-key, given all that is at stake.

Throughout the campaign, both candidates have maintained an eerie silence about what kind of government they would lead. Save for Stefanson's pledge to kill an education overhaul bill, and Glover's waffling on vaccine mandates and pledging to save the Dauphin jail, neither Tories nor the general public have any clear idea what either candidate stands for.

And that's a problem, given that Manitoba Tories are being afforded the rare but not unprecedented opportunity to not only pick a new leader, but a new premier as well, some 23 months before the next general election.

Throughout the campaign, both candidates have maintained an eerie silence about what kind of government they would lead.

It is not typical for a governing party to change leaders in mid-mandate. In most instances, the leader waits to pull the plug until it's closer to election day. The new leader doesn't get much time to govern after being sworn in as premier.

But there have been some exceptions.

In 2012, Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty left the leadership of the Liberal party less than two years into his mandate. Cabinet minister Kathleen Wynne won the leadership in early 2013, and the right to govern for 16 months before she had to face the electorate. She won the 2014 election but lost in 2018 to current Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford.

The rules of parliamentary democracy allow for such transitions but it's important to note the Ontario Liberal party put quite a lot of effort into forging a leadership campaign that showcased the six candidates seeking to replace McGuinty.

The timeline for that leadership campaign was also quite short  just three months  but even so, the party managed to host five debates before delegate selection meetings took place in each electoral district. Which is a good thing when a small number of citizens are given the privilege of picking the next first minister.

Manitoba PCs could have easily taken the same approach, pushing the leadership vote back until December or even January 2022. That would have given the party time to showcase the two candidates, and the public time to figure out who was going to assume the premiership.

JESSICA LEE / FREE PRESS FILES Heather Stefanson used her internal leverage to compress the campaign into a hilariously short time frame.

But that's not what happened. Stefanson used her internal leverage to compress the campaign into a hilariously short time frame. As for open debate, there has been a single leadership forum hosted by the Conservative Club of Manitoba. Tory sources say the party has not made any effort to hold any additional debates or forums, which again may speak to Stefanson's continuing control over internal party mechanisms.

However, that's hardly the only way the two candidates are steering clear of public scrutiny. They are also largely refusing to comment on major issues of the day.

Both candidates were asked to comment on the news Dr. Sandor Demeter, a key member of the Health Science Centre's nuclear medicine department, was leaving Manitoba because of years of austerity and "a dysfunctional" culture. Both Glover and Stefanson refused interview requests from the Free Press, choosing instead to release statements that said they would make efforts to stop top physicians from leaving the province but not how they would do it.

It's hard to see how a leadership process like this is going to breathe new life into the moribund PC party. One of two women will ultimately win the leadership battle. But in doing so, they may very likely lose the general election war.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba drivers and vehicle owners have seen several insurance rate cuts and rebates in the last 18 months, the result of deep, pandemic-driven reductions in claims costs. But behind all that good news, there was a troublesome story brewing.

Manitoba drivers and vehicle owners have seen several insurance rate cuts and rebates in the last 18 months, the result of deep, pandemic-driven reductions in claims costs. But behind all that good news, there was a troublesome story brewing.

The Free Press recently revealed Crown-owned Manitoba Public Insurance was taking a $113-million slice off the top of excess Autopac revenues to fund non-insurance costs. Its a decision that is wrong in many different ways.

MPI has a single, overarching mandate: to provide auto insurance to Manitobans at the lowest possible cost. Given its monopoly on basic auto insurance, MPI also has very strict rules to follow on what happens to its revenues.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES MPI has a single, overarching mandate: to provide auto insurance to Manitobans at the lowest possible cost.

Unfortunately, those rules appear to have largely been ignored by both current MPI management and the Progressive Conservative provincial government.

The $113-million diversion of funds comes from Autopac "extension" insurance  enhanced coverage Manitobans often attach to their basic policies. Two years ago, MPI reached an agreement with the Public Utilities Board to ensure all excess profits above capital reserve limits from Autopacs "basic" and "extension" insurance lines would be cycled back into rate cuts and rebates.

MPI president and CEO Eric Herbelin, who took charge of the Crown insurer in early 2020, apparently had other ideas. He devised a plan to use some of the excess revenue from Autopac extension to solve another problem: rising costs at the driver and vehicle licensing (DVL) branch.

DVL is a government service delivered by MPI but paid for by driver and vehicle licensing fees. However, in recent years, government has not transferred enough money to MPI to cover DVL costs. In addition, DVL has been made to shoulder a $50-million share of the cost of a massive IT platform upgrade. And to make matters worse, the PC government has refused to fund the shortfall or technology upgrade.

So, it seems Mr. Herbelin decided to solve his DVL problem by taking some of the money dedicated to rebates and rate cuts. Although that action is questionable, the bigger concern is that neither he nor the Tory government told the general public what was going on until after the process had begun.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton

The first $60 million of excess revenues were diverted in March of this year, apparently with the full knowledge of Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton. However, neither MPI nor Mr. Wharton made any public disclosure. The only reveal came in late June, hidden within the fine print of a PUB rate application that few Manitobans would ever take the time to review.

Interveners will certainly ask the PUB to order MPI to return this money for rate cuts and rebates. If the PUB does indeed take that action, it should come with a strict warning to MPI officials to inform Manitobans in advance about any future plans that veer away from standard or regulated practice.

The failure to alert Manitobans to this plan, and the decision to proceed under cover of administrative darkness, is a violation of the principles of open, transparent and accountable government.

Many Autopac customers will see this as a story about lost rebates. However, the true cost of this skulduggery is a profound loss of trust in the integrity of basic operations of government. And that is something that cannot be restored by the PUB.
WASHINGTONThe presumed next chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the presumed prime minister-in-waiting of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, stood together in Washington this week with the White House in the background. What a picture: the sun shining, the weather comfortably warm.

WASHINGTONThe presumed next chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the presumed prime minister-in-waiting of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, stood together in Washington this week with the White House in the background. What a picture: the sun shining, the weather comfortably warm.

For now, each is the top finance official and deputy leader of their respective countries, and both are widely expected to climb even higher (Scholz sooner, Freeland sooner or later). Together they celebrated their global leadership on an international tax accord, right in front of the most recognized seat of power in the world.

Well, not right in front. Between them and the U.S. presidents residence was an anti-pipeline protest  which wasnt the perfect image for Freeland, whose government is suing to keep a pipeline open.

Freeland made some brief and bland remarks about the tax agreement , and quickly took questions in English and French about the U.S. border. Scholz took one question in German.

Then a voice shouted from the back of the pack of reporters. One of the protesters, with a question of his own: Any comments on Enbridge putting a pipeline through Indigenous land in the United States?

Freelands assistant stepped forward and said that while the German vice-chancellor would take more questions, the deputy prime minister had to go. Freeland started walking across the park to leave as Scholz took another question.

But some protesters started shouting after Freeland, about the Indigenous childrens bodies found in graves in Canada, and about how oil spills dont respect borders.

Freeland started walking faster, her arms pumping.

F - - - Canada! they called after her.

It was one moment from a week in Washington for Freeland.

Many others were more pleasant. Representing Canada at meetings of the G20, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, she was pleased to join an agreement on a global minimum corporate tax that will, among other things, make tax evasion harder for global giants including digital corporations  something Freeland has considered a top priority. She also took one-on-one meetings with top finance officials from the U.S., U.K., Korea, Italy and Mexico.

But here in the U.S.  where Freeland is no stranger, having studied at Harvard, worked in New York as a journalist, and been a frequent visitor to Washington during the renegotiations of NAFTA when Donald Trump was president  there were also signs of a relationship facing strains.

Like those protesters cursing her, and the battle they represent. The Biden administration, after cancelling the proposed Keystone pipeline that Canadas government so ardently supported, has not rushed to Canadas side in the Michigan governments attempt to close Enbridges Line 5 pipeline.

Like the prolonged border restrictions, during which the U.S. did not immediately reciprocate when Canada reopened, and the sense emerged that President Joe Biden was more concerned about U.S. perceptions of the Mexican border than about the historically familial relationship at the Canadian one.

Like the rising fervour for economic protectionism that could see Canadian companies frozen out of U.S. government contracts and the emerging electric vehicle industry  Bidens rhetoric has been stridently buy American and members of Congress have been looking to enshrine that in law.

After four years of truculence under Trump, many expected things to be warmer by now under a new president. But despite his professed love of Canada, Biden has still not visited since his election as president. And Canada has not had a permanent ambassador from the U.S. since August 2019  Bidens nominee for the post is among the appointments held up in Congress. Some experts whove long worked on cross-border issues express fear of long-term damage to the relationship.

As the Canadian governments minister-who-handles-everything-important and presumed heir to the Liberal leadership, these are things Freeland has to confront on a visit to the U.S.  in high-level meetings and in appearances in public parks.

Someone asked me this week if Freelands background as a journalist shows in her communication skills as a politician. It does, but almost as if she learned from this side of the notepad how to avoid saying anything that would become a story. Former journalist Ralph Klein brought a city muckrakers straight-talking, sometimes off-colour sensibility with him when he became Albertas premier. When he was the federal Liberal leader, you could see Michael Ignatieff battling the competing imperatives of his talking points and his desire to think out loud. By contrast, talking to reporters Thursday at the Canadian Embassy, Freeland spoke slowly  as if reading out a phone number she expected you to copy down  and pronounced sentences that sounded like theyd been workshopped by a public relations specialist.

Work needs to be done every single day, every single hour on the Canada-U.S. relationship. It is necessarily an absolute priority for every government, and its a priority for us, Freeland said. She made reference to the NAFTA renegotiation, which she handled personally, as evidence the government she serves recognizes the importance of managing that relationship. We know, frankly, it takes a whole country approach ... And thats something that we continue to work on every day.

It got interesting when she got more specific about that work. Asked about the Buy American provisions moving through Congress, Freeland said she was very aware of the proposals, and diplomatically hinted at potential retaliation. Part of her job in Washington this week, she said, was to deliver messages.

Its important for the United States to understand that procurement is a reciprocal relationship, she said While it is certainly the case that Canadian companies can play an important, valuable role in government procurement in the United States, it is also the case that U.S. companies benefit from government procurement opportunities in Canada.

She noted that U.S. companies do about a billion dollars a year in business with Canadas government. One might interpret the subtext: Nice deal here, it would be a shame if anything happened to it, eh?

What Canada is saying to our partners is our procurement opportunities will be open to your companies just as much as your procurement opportunities are open to ours. And that is something that I discussed with the secretary of the Treasury, she said.

Canada has a very effective, very close partnership with the United States. As we should: our two countries share the worlds longest nonmilitarized border. Canada is the largest market for the United States, larger than China, Japan, and the UK combined. Our relationship with the U.S. and the U.S. relationship with Canada is important to both sides, she said. Even if that doesnt always seem outwardly apparent from the behaviour of one side in particular.

Like Freeland said, part of the job is delivering messages: That bilateral conversation, she said, is really critical.

Edward Keenan is the Stars Washington Bureau chief. He covers U.S. politics and current affairs. Reach him via email: ekeenan@thestar.ca
Cornell firefighter Justin Fredrickson says he is fully recovered from four surgeries this year after he was bizarrely struck by a bullet while extinguishing a house fire near Sheldon on Feb. 19.

Apparently, a loaded .38-caliber pistol within the house had fired, although no one was inside the structure. The gun became so hot due to conditions from the fire that it began to fire five or six rounds, leaving exit holes in the wall of the house, as bullets flew outside. One of those stray shots struck Fredrickson along his rib cage on his left side.

Fredrickson said he didnt know what hit him.

All of a sudden I felt something hit me in the side, Fredrickson recalled. It was a burning and stinging feeling. I just thought I got hit by a two-by-four or something that blew out of the house.

Other firefighters closer to the house heard the shots go off. They looked at Fredrickson and saw he had been injured. They ran over and helped him to the ground, then got his gear off of him.

Fredrickson was taken to a hospital in Ladysmith, then airlifted to the Mayo Clinic Health System hospital in Eau Claire. He had an emergency surgery that night to remove part of his colon and repair his damaged spleen, which needed to be cauterized. However, the bullet remained lodged in his back.

It missed my spine by a half-inch to an inch, Fredrickson said. Its freaky.

Cornell Fire Chief Denny Klass wasnt at the fire scene. He was dumbfounded when he got the call that Fredrickson had been struck by a bullet and needed to go to a hospital. Klass said that with COVID-19 protocols, he couldnt enter the hospital to see his injured colleague. It was nerve-wracking to wait to hear news of his condition.

When I finally got to hear his voice ... it still brings me chills, Klass said. Were very fortunate everything turned out the way it did.

Fredrickson had two more surgeries within the next week.

They cut me open and flushed me out because I was going septic, Fredrickson said. If they hadnt done that, I would have been dead by the morning.

Fredrickson would remain hospitalized for two weeks.

Coming homeWhen Fredrickson was allowed to leave the hospital, he was greeted outside by six firetrucks from different nearby firefighter agencies. They formed a parade, heading from Eau Claire to the Cornell Fire Station, with four other departments sending vehicles during the trek home.

Klass said in the days after the Feb. 19 fire, his office was inundated with calls of support from fire departments across the country. Departments sent Fredrickson their T-shirts as gifts. They heard from firefighter units from New York to Florida.

Its a brotherhood in the fire department, it really is, Klass said.

While Fredrickson was out of the hospital, he couldnt return to his job until April. A fundraiser benefit was held for him, and workers compensation covered his bills.

Its pretty amazing, a small community like this, the way they rallied together for him, Klass said.

Fredrickson was surprised that the bullet remained lodged in his back. He had another surgery in mid-May to have it removed.

They said I could have lived with the bullet in me, Fredrickson said. But it was moving. I could feel it roll with my finger.

Fredrickson has the bullet at home, a souvenir of his survival.

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Stuart Woolf, a large almond and tomato producer, recently bulldozed 400 acres of almond orchards in central California  about 50,000 trees that under normal conditions would have produced $2.5 million of nuts every year for another decade.

Its a fraction of the 25,000 acres his family farms, but razing the land was a necessary triage  Like cutting off your horribly infected hand to keep the rest of the body going, he told me.

Woolf plans to replace the trees with cover crops hell neither sell nor harvest, but will use to sequester greenhouse gasses in his soil. Hes setting aside other land for another kind of farming: industrial solar.

Woolf is among thousands of U.S. farmers whose businesses have been both damaged and transformed by historic drought and heat in recent months. And its just the beginning. Climate change is having an impact on agriculture more grave than that of the coronavirus pandemic, and far more chronic and complex  driving a paradigm shift in the business of food.

Were at a crossroads  theres no turning back from here. No return to normal, said Don Cameron, president of Californias Food and Agriculture Board and general manager of Terranova Ranch. Right now there are more farms for sale in Central California than Ive seen in my lifetime.

Producers must devise new strategies for their land: what to grow and where to grow it. Consumers will have to adjust to price increases even steeper than during the pandemic  and perhaps a less consistent supply of their favorite foods. Lawmakers will need to provide subsidies to support the transition, especially for small and midsize farms.

Farmers across North America should take heed of Woolfs journey, as theyre likely to follow a similar path in the years to come. More frequent and violent storms are flooding fields and crippling distribution infrastructure in the South and Midwest; droughts and wildfires have battered farms and ranches; shifting seasons, temperature swings and invasive insects are taking a heavy toll nationwide.

It was heat and drought that first sickened Woolfs almond trees. The dry conditions pushed the cost of clean surface water to as much as $2,500 an acre-foot  10 times more than usual. Woolf knew much of his well water had turned salty, and would kill his almond trees. His best option was letting the orchards go and using the water from his good wells for his more profitable tomatoes.

When Woolfs father ran the farm, a single question guided him: What crops do I plant to optimize some of the most productive and versatile farmland in the world? Now Woolf is guided by a different calculus: Which crops will be most profitable per acre-foot of water invested? And how can he make the most of land that no longer supports crops?

In addition to razing his almond trees, Woolf had to fallow a third of his familys 25,000 acres. He began scouting land in less drought-strapped regions of California, and also in Portugal, where he can grow the same crops in less fertile soil but with more abundant water. His team is also changing the cropping patterns on his fields, adopting new drought-tolerant and heat-resistant varietals and adding a test plot of agave cactus  which thrives in the desert  for making liquor.

Based on his new reckoning, Woolf dedicated 1,300 acres of his land to a solar installation scheduled to come online in February. Its hard to imagine covering up soil in a region once considered the American Fertile Crescent to harvest nothing but sunshine, yet thats the plan. Woolf will reap about $1,000 an acre annually from leasing his land, and hell be able to irrigate his other fields  a value of about $500 an acre.

Woolf plans to expand his solar projects to 3,000 acres by 2025, and hopes eventually to be paid for sequestering carbon. He reasons that as water supplies dwindle and he grows less food, the prices for his specialty crops will rise, stemming his revenue losses. By the end of the decade, he estimates, a quarter of his revenue could come from non-food-related use of his land, like solar.

Woolf is one of thousands of California farmers trying to adapt and survive. This summer, Joe Del Bosque, who farms 2,000 acres of fruits and vegetables near Woolf, ripped out his asparagus crop to save his cantaloupes  protecting his melon market share. Alan Boyce of Materra Farming Inc. chose not to plant his tomato crops so he could share the water for that crop with his citrus-farming neighbors. At Terranova, where Cameron farms 9,000 acres, he drilled deeper wells and expanded infrastructure to capture floodwater for future use when the rains return.

Yet Woolf, Boyce, Cameron and Del Bosque run large operations that can absorb losses and adapt. Smaller farmers will need more government help to survive. California Gov. Gavin Newsom provides a promising model for climate-smart agriculture funding, backing new programs that link emissions reductions to water-efficiency projects, and helping small and mid-size farms adapt to climate pressures.

Its hard to comprehend the immense stakes as climate change upends decades of custom. Central California grows nearly half of all the fruits, nuts and vegetables in the U.S., and a third of the worlds tomatoes. Yet predictions for this region are grim: Californias 2021 tomato yields are expected to fall 20% below normal; almond production is down about 15%; many vineyards have lost a third or more of their wine grapes. Prices will rise up to 25% for some of Californias fall crops, according to Cameron, and the drought could hurt production well into 2023.

Farming has always been a perilous industry, but now its facing levels of risk never seen before. Lets not mince words: COVID rattled our food system, but climate change could be a seismic shock. This is literally a kitchen-table issue, and industry leaders, voters, investors and policy makers need to begin treating it as such.

Amanda Little is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. She is a professor of journalism and science writing at Vanderbilt University, and the author of The Fate of Food: What Well Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World.

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Graef, who started learning piano at the age of 2 and cello just two years later, performs as a soloist, a chamber musician and an orchestral performer, frequently with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, according to her website. She performed in Carnegie Halls Weill Recital Hall, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series and Concerts from the Library of Congress.

Shes just superb. For us to be able to have access to her is just really amazing, McEvilly said, adding that he hopes people will take the opportunity to see her live.

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The theater at 136 4th Ave., Baraboo, has been open since May, hosting recitals, an opera group, movies and concerts  one of which recently brought an audience of 300  after shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic, McEvilly said. He and his staff are trying to build back to a more complete schedule of events going into the holiday season, including bringing back the Als traditional Christmas tree-lighting ceremony. Theyre also offering tours and continue to work on building maintenance and improvements despite running on a skeleton crew during COVID.

It started showing movies again at the beginning of October. McEvilly chose classic Halloween movies next with Hocus Pocus on Oct. 22 and The Shining on Oct. 29, both starting at 7 p.m.
A Fitchburg man is facing a possible homicide charge in a high-speed, wrong-way crash on Highway 51 last month that killed a Stoughton woman, authorities said.

The Dane County Sheriffs Office has asked the Dane County District Attorneys Office to file a charge of homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle against Eric G. Ignarski, 39, Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer said in a statement.

Investigators believe excess speed was the primary cause of the crash that killed Sierra L. Frisch, 47, Schaffer said.

Ignarski has not been booked into the Dane County Jail because of the extent of the injuries he sustained in the crash and the jail lacking medical housing, Schaffer said.

Frisch died at the scene after being hit head on by a 2021 Toyota Camry driving the wrong way, according to the Dane County Sheriffs Office.

The crash happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. Sept. 11 on Highway 51, just north of Lake Kegonsa Road.
Duffy came into office on the Tea Party wave of 2010 and has become an avid Trump supporter. He served a little over eight years in Wisconsins 7th Congressional District until he resigned in 2019.

Documents posted on the state Department of Revenue website show Duffy sold his Wausau home on Sept. 20. Documents list a New Jersey address for the former U.S. representative.

An endorsement from Trump could provide a considerable boost for a GOP candidate looking to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term next year after a narrow victory over former Gov. Scott Walker in 2018. Trump won the state in 2016 before losing to President Joe Biden last year by about 21,000 votes.

Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who officially declared her candidacy last month, is currently the most prominent Republican in the race leading up to next Augusts GOP gubernatorial primary.

During her campaign announcement in Butler last month, Kleefisch likened her efforts as a candidate to that of Trump, who she called one of the most pro-life presidents America has ever had.
I found the article in the Oct. 12 Daily Register concerning Michael Gableman's investigation into the 2020 election results frightening and appalling. The amount of "nearly $680,000 in taxpayer money" being spent on this venture angers me. The mysterious emails sent to election clerks, the YouTube video "featuring" Gableman, secret information and meetings, the hiring of Andrew Kloster, and questionable subpoenas being issued, are very concerning to me. I implore Attorney General Josh Kaul to continue pursuing the ending of this investigation, as it seems to be illegal, dishonest, and unnecessary.

In Debra Byers letter on Oct. 12, in expressing her concern, called this investigation "the clown show." In this same issue of the paper, was a long article entitled "GOP says no to homeless help." As I read the numbers - between 540 and 1,000 children in Madison alone. I kept thinking that $680,000 would go a long way in helping Wisconsin's homeless population. Citizens of Wisconsin, please let your feelings be known - even if they differ from mine - to your legislators. Is our money being spent the way you want it to be spent? Can we, and shall we, please move on?
An Indiana couple says they took their family to get their annual flu shot at the local Walgreens, but all of them, including their 4- and 5-year-old, were given a Covid-19 vaccine by mistake. Mistakes like this can happen, but they're incredibly rare, public health experts say.

Pharmacists and other specialists who give the shots say there are dozens of safeguards built into the system to limit the possibility of human error. And, in the case of Covid-19 vaccines, if someone is getting a second dose, for example, and accidentally gets a Moderna vaccine, when they had Pfizer's first, that likely won't cause side effects or other health problems, according to findings from an ongoing National Institutes of Health study.

"A single bad situation like that gets a lot of coverage, but hundreds of millions of doses and second doses have been administered in a very effective, accurate and careful way," said Jennifer Kertanis, the director of health for the Farmington Valley Health District in Connecticut who has overseen many public vaccination efforts. "While these types of mistakes are really unfortunate, they don't happen very often and people administering these vaccines are doing everything they can to put steps in place to reduce that potential for human error."

The CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Lori Freeman, said vaccine mistakes like this are as "rare as a plane crash, thankfully."

'Checking, double-checking and even triple-checking'

It's unclear what went wrong in the case of the Indiana family.

Joshua and Alexandra Price said they learned about the mistake from the pharmacist who called them about 90 minutes after they received the shots. The couple had already been vaccinated against Covid-19 earlier in the year, and their children aren't old enough to get a Covid-19 vaccine yet, as they're only authorized for children 12 and older. The vaccine they received was three times the dose being considered for children's vaccines. The kids experienced side effects from the shots, the family said, and are currently being treated by a cardiologist.

A Walgreens spokesperson said the company could not comment on a particular case due to privacy concerns, but released a statement that emphasized safety was a "top priority."

"Our multi-step vaccination procedure includes several safety checks to minimize the chance of human error and we have reviewed this process with our pharmacy staff in order to prevent such occurrences," a statement from the company said.

It's those safety steps that vaccine managers said are crucial to protect people who get a vaccine, particularly when more kinds of vaccines are being added to the mix, like Covid-19 boosters and flu shots, and possibly Covid-19 shots for kids that would require a different kind of dosage.

"The system that pharmacies use is very similar to what they use in medication," said Mitch Rothholz, the head of immunization policy at the American Pharmacists Association. "It's checking, double-checking and even triple-checking everything."

"It also involves putting systems in place that limit human error," Rothholz said.

Avoiding vaccine mix-ups

Vaccine safety starts with how the product is stored and labeled, Rothholz said. If products look similar, stores will keep the vaccines in different parts of storage.

At mass vaccine clinics with multiple vaccines, people seeking different shots will wait in separate sections. People who need a Moderna shot, for example, will be filtered into one section of the site, another section will be for Pfizer, another for Johnson & Johnson. Each section will be clearly marked with signs.

Often, Freeman said, clinics will provide just one kind of vaccine at a time to avoid any possible confusion.

Freeman said there is a lot of thought and redundancy that goes into giving out a vaccine. At many clinics, people will be asked to pre-register and then when they get to the clinic, a greeter will verify the person's information. Then there's registration, and then another check when the person administers the shot.

Some personal responsibility is also involved, the vaccine managers said. A vaccinator can steer that with a conversation as they give someone the vaccine.

"When I give a vaccine, I always say 'OK, I'm giving you this particular vaccine. Is this correct?'" Rothholz said. "If I'm giving out more than one vaccine at a time, I'll be sure to give one in each arm and repeat what I'm doing, and say, 'I'm giving you your Covid vaccine in your left and your flu vaccine in your right,'" Rothholz said.

Rothholz urged people to bring their vaccine cards with them as an additional check. That way, the vaccinator can reconfirm that the vaccine they are giving the person comes from the same manufacturer if it is a second or third shot.

What happens after a rare mix-up

In the extremely rare circumstance that someone gets the wrong vaccine, Freeman recommends clear communication on behalf of the person who gave the vaccine and on behalf of the person who received one.

Communication should happen immediately, and the person who got the wrong vaccine should seek care right away -- and follow up to get the vaccine they should have received in the first place.

How much the wrong shot would impact a person's health depends on a number of factors, Freeman said. If a small child gets a larger Covid-19 vaccine dose meant for an adult, they may feel side effects, for example. If someone is allergic to one of the mRNA vaccines, that could be an issue.

But if someone gets a Moderna vaccine when they were supposed to be getting a Pfizer booster, they are unlikely to notice. There's no recommendation for now to mix Covid-19 vaccines, but early study suggests no side effects result from mixing vaccine types -- especially the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which use the same mRNA technology.

Ultimately, it's always good to talk to a doctor in the unlikely event that a mix-up would happen, she said.

"I think you just want to get it checked out," Freeman said.

In the case of the Indiana family, Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said the children should "probably do OK."

"It is concerning they got a higher dose and they have to be monitored, but they should do really well," he said. "There is a lot of data out there now in 5-year-olds and older."

Pediatricians who have been testing Covid-19 vaccines in younger children tried a variety of doses, including full adult doses. And children 12 and up have been receiving the adult dose safely.

As for the parents, getting the Covid-19 vaccine would be like getting a booster shot.

"The big concern there is that it may not be as effective as it would be if they received it after six months," Hotez said.

Vaccine maker Moderna asked the FDA to authorize a booster that is half the dose of the initial two shots. To prevent mix-ups, it plans to prepare a "Dear Health Care Provider" letter explaining how the different doses will need to be administered. "We recognize that this will require some education and enforcement," the company told the FDA on Thursday.

From a provider perspective, Rothholz said, he wants to reassure people that even with all the complicated logistics of administering multiple different kinds of vaccines, providers put a lot of thought into the safety systems they use. And with the Covid-19 pandemic, they've had a lot of practice refining the vaccination process.

"It's a lot of moving parts, but we have experience with this," Rothholz said. The clinic in his community has given 50,000 vaccines without any trouble, he added.

"We've got this down to a science."

The-CNN-Wire

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(WLFI)  The Indiana Attorney General wants the State Supreme Court to take the case of a couple accused of abandoning their adopted daughter in Lafayette and then moving to another country.

Michael and Kristine Barnett had been accused of changing the girl's age from eight to 22 before leaving her, but the Court of Appeals held the age-change order stopped prosecutors from proving her actual age. The case was thrown out by the court.

Now, the Attorney General is arguing to the state Supreme Court that the age-change was fraudulent and done secretively under a confidential adoption cause.

The petition is asking the justices whether defendants can manipulate the judiciaryto obtain a court order on false pretensesand then use it to shield themselves from prosecution.
At a time when there is a growing consciousness about the need to protect the worlds environment and prevent its further degradation, one term that often stands out in the lexicon of environmental sustainability is carbon neutral. For a country to be carbon neutral, it must offset as much carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as it emits. Some countries have committed to being carbon neutral at some point, though no country has yet achieved carbon neutrality.

One country, however, has managed to move beyond carbon neutrality and make itself carbon negative. In other words, one country has managed to create a situation in which it offsets more CO2 emissions than it produces. That country is Bhutan, a small, landlocked kingdom in Southern Asia. Bhutan has been able to achieve carbon negativity by using a new measurement of sustainable development based on happiness, which is heavily dependent on protecting the environment that people live in.

Bhutan In Brief

Tiger Nest monastery in Bhutan.

The name Bhutan could be derived from either the Sanskrit word Bhu Uttan, which means high land or Bhots-ant, which means south of Tibet. Indeed, Bhutan is located high up in the Himalayan Mountains and is south of Tibet. But the Bhutanese refer to their country as Druk Yul, meaning Land of the Thunder Dragon. The country, which has a total area of 38,816 sq. km, is sandwiched in between China to the north and India to the south.

Bhutan came into being in the early 17th century. In the mid-20th century, the country began a program of modernization, backed by India. The king of Bhutan also established the countrys first legislature in 1953. In 1971, Bhutan was admitted to the United Nations. In 1998, the king of Bhutan gave up some of his powers to the countrys legislature, and even allowed himself to be impeached if a two thirds majority in the legislature voted for it. To further modernization efforts, the Bhutanese monarch legalized television and the internet, making Bhutan one of the last countries to introduce television.

Bhutan is now a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Its population is just shy of 783,000. The Bhutanese people are ethnically, culturally, and religiously very similar to the Tibetans. Most practice Buddhism as their religion and speak Dzhongka, which is one of 53 dialects in the Tibetan language family.

Farmers in an agricultural field in Bhutan.

Bhutan is largely an undeveloped country. Agriculture continues to employ more than half of the Bhutanese workforce. The private sector is dominated by small scale enterprises. Bhutan also has a very limited industrial base. In terms of trade, the country is heavily reliant on its neighbor and long-time ally India. In fact, trade with India accounts for 80% of Bhutans total trade numbers, and the percentage of the countrys imports from India is even higher. Bhutan is now considered a lower middle-income country. Poverty has been reduced significantly over a ten year period between 2007 and 2017.

Bhutanese schoolchildren returning home after school. The country measures progress in terms of happiness of its citizens. Editorial credit: Katiekk / Shutterstock.com

Bhutan has also seen steady growth in its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) since the 1980s. But the Bhutanese do not measure their success by how much their economy grows or how much development takes place in the country. Unlike most of the world, they measure success in terms of how happy their citizens are.

Gross National Happiness

GNH Commission set up by the Bhutanese government to value collective happiness as the goal of governance, and by emphasizing harmony with nature and traditional values.

Instead of using conventional economic indicators like GDP to measure its success, Bhutan has a unique measure of its own that they call Gross National Happiness (GNH). This concept was the brainchild of Bhutanese King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In 1972, the king declared that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product. By this principle, Bhutans government strives to improve the well-being of its citizens not just from an economic perspective, but also from an environmental and socio-cultural viewpoint. The GNH does include conventional measures of development such as living standards, health, and education, but it also includes less conventional measures, such as psychological wellbeing, time use, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, and ecological diversity and resilience.

Poster of Your highness king and queen of Bhutan in a park at Sandhrup Jhankhar. Editorial credit: Talukdar David / Shutterstock.com

From the perspective of the Bhutanese, economic growth is important, but it should not come at the expense of harming the countrys environment or its culture. Thus, although Bhutan may not do as well as many countries in terms of GDP growth or other conventional economic indicators, it does do well in terms of making its citizens happy, which is probably why a survey done in 2015 found that 91% of the Bhutanese are narrowly, extensively, or deeply happy. The concept of GNH has even caught on internationally. In 2011, for example, the United Nations unanimously passed a resolution, put forward by Bhutan, which called for sustainable development that promotes happiness and well-being. One year later, the UN held a high-level meeting under the headline, Happiness and Wellbeing: Defining a New Economic Paradigm, with the objective of creating a new economic vision based on the Bhutanese model.

Protecting Bhutans Environment

Large parts of Bhutan are covered by primitive forests.

Bhutan has enacted several measures to protect its pristine environment. For example, Bhutans constitution mandates that at least 60% of the country must remain forested. At present, 72% of Bhutan is covered by forests. The Bhutanese people have responded favorably to this policy, in part by planting new trees themselves at a rapid pace. In fact, the reason that Bhutan has managed to become carbon negative is because although the country emits 1.1 million tons of CO2 each year, the forests can take in much more CO2 than all of Bhutan produces.

Hydroelectric power dam on the Bhutan-India border.

Maintaining Bhutans forests, however, is not the only measure that the country has taken to protect its environment. Other measures include the use of hydroelectric power. Bhutan is able to produce a significant amount of hydroelectricity due to the presence of fast-flowing rivers in the country. The Bhutanese government has acted to increase the countrys hydroelectric capacity thereby reducing the need to burn fossil fuels. Some of Bhutans hydroelectricity is exported to neighboring India, which has also helped propel the country into carbon negative status. In fact, in 2017, it was estimated that by 2020, Bhutan would be able to export enough electricity to offset 17 million tonnes of CO 2 annually.

Bhutan has also invested in other clean and more energy efficient technologies. For instance, the Bhutanese government subsidizes the rates for LED lights and electrical public transportation. It has also promoted the sale of electric cars by lowering rates on the purchase of such vehicles. The government recently teamed up with Nissan to distribute electric cars to its citizens. Another incentive to reduce environmental degradation has been the Bhutanese governments policy of providing the countrys rural residents with free electricity so that they do not need to burn wood in order to cook.

Red panda in Bhutan's protected area. It is a threatened species.

Additionally, more than half the country has been designated as national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, all of which are connected by a network of biological corridors. The government also assists people who live close to environmentally sensitive areas in how to live in harmony with the environment, thus preventing environmentally harmful acts like poaching, mining, and hunting.
Selenga River is a major transboundary waterway in East Asia and Lake Baikals largest tributary, accounting for about half of the Lakes surface water influx. It forms at the confluence of Delgermoron and Ider Rivers in Khovsgol, Mongolia, and flows northeastwards for 1,480 kilometers before emptying into Lake Baikal in Russia. The river forms a delta as it drains into the lake, with the river delta declared a Ramsar Site. The Selenga River basin is located in a semi-arid region and covers approximately 447,000 square kilometers. Its basin is a sub-basin of the Arctic Ocean Basin and experiences warm summer and harsh winter. The name Selenga is a Mongolian word for to swim.

Overview of the River

A ferry transports a timber truck across the Selenga River in the village of Ilyinka, Republic of Buryatia. Editorial credit: ad-foto / Shutterstock.com

The headwaters of the Selenga River lie in the Sangilen Mountains on the Mongolia-Russia border and Hangayn Mountains in south Mongolia. Selenga is Mongolias main river and water source flowing into Lake Baikal. The river is about 1,480 kilometers long and drains an area of approximately 447,000 square kilometers. It discharges an average of 284 cubic meters of water per second into Lake Baikal. The Selenga floods periodically, with 26 floods recorded between the 18th and 20th centuries. The largest tributaries draining into Selenga include Ider, Orkhon, Khanul, Chikoy, Delger, Dzhida, Khilok, and Uda. The Selenga River forms a delta in the Republic of Buryatia, with the wetland area hosting several endemic and threatened species, including over 150 bird species.

River Course

Selenga River with the Sagan Daban Mountains in the background in Ulan-Ude, Russia.

Selenga River originates in Khovsgol, Mongolia, at the confluence Delgermoron and Ider Rivers. The Ider River rises from the Khangai Range in central Mongolia and flows eastwards. It receives the Chuluut River before joining the Delgermoron River in Khovsgol. The Delgermoron River originates from the Ulaan Taiga Range close to the Russia-Mongolia border and flows southwestwards for about 445 kilometers before meeting the Ider River at Tomorbulag in Khovsgol. The Selenga River flows northeastwards from the confluence of Delger and Ider. It first receives Egiin Gol River, then Orkhon River near Suhbaatar, before crossing into Russia. Shortly after crossing into Russia, the river bends eastwards to Ulan-Ude, then north to Tataurovo. Then it bends westwards and forms a 40-km-wide delta as it flows into Lake Baikal.

Brief History

Oldtime Mongolian-style hitches on the banks of Selenga River, Buryatia, Russia.

Several stone artifacts discovered in the Selenga River basin in the 19th century indicates that Native Americans and their East Asian ancestors may have inhabited the region. Additional stone artifacts and ancient sites in the 20th century also suggest the presence of Paleolithic culture in the area. Selenga River has a long history of periodic floods, with the river basin experiencing four high flooding periods between 1902 and 1998. However, the river has experienced three catastrophic or large floods. The first catastrophic flooding occurred on August 1, 1830, when the banks of Selenga and its tributaries burst. Five days later, the water flooded Ulan-Ude, with the citys water level reaching 4.2m. The floods damaged 54 buildings and destroyed pasturelands and hayfields. The river also flooded in 1869 and 1897, though the floods did not heavily impact the area as the 1830 flood. Selenga River has been modified to support hydropower generation in Russia and may soon have another power plant in Mongolia. The Irkutsk Hydroelectric power plant constructed on the Angara River causes Lake Baikals water level to fluctuate and causes waterlogging to a part of the Selenga Delta. Mongolias plan to construct a hydropower plant has been protested by environmentalists who fear such a project may affect several species and their habitats. The Shuren Hydropower Plant Project was initiated in 2013, with the World Bank freezing the tender process in 2017.

Wildlife

Scenic view of frozen Selenga River and bridge not far from Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Russia.

Selenga River is home to several endemic fish species including Kesslers sculpins. The Siberian Baikal sturgeons breed in the river and migrate into Lake Baikal during warm seasons and summer floods. The river delta is home to over 170 breeding and migrating bird species. The migrating bird species include saker falcons, gyr falcons, peregrine falcons, swan goose, imperial eagle, and golden eagles. The breeding bird species in the river delta include snipe-billed godwit, whooper swan, water-rail, corncrake, and azure tit. Other common species along the river bank are brown long-eared bat, Ikonnikovs bat, Baikal grayling, and Mongolian toad.
A British lawmaker, Conservative Member of Parliament David Amess, has been stabbed several times at a meeting in his Southend West constituency. Amess is pictured here attending a meeting in his Essex constituency.
Claims North Wales road projects are in deep freeze denied by government minister

Claims that road improvement projects in North Wales have been placed into a deep freeze have been dismissed.

The Welsh Government announced a pause on new road building schemes in June while a review is carried out to reduce carbon emissions.

The decision has resulted in several projects being put on hold in the region, including the proposed Deeside Red Route and a third Anglesey crossing.

The issue was raised in the Senedd by Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, who said it was proof that Labour ministers did not care about the area.

However, the Conservative politicians accusations were denied by the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Lesley Griffiths.

Speaking on Wednesday (October 13), Mr Millar said: The Labour Party made pre-election promises that it would deliver significant improvements to the trunk road network in North Wales.

These are big projects, which youve promised to deliver for the people of North Wales, which are now in the deep freeze as a result of the decisions being taken by this government.

People in North Wales would expect that, as the Minister for North Wales, you would be shouting out to unlock those projects and ensure their delivery.

But isnt it the truth that this Labour government simply doesnt care about North Wales, and thats why other projects are proceeding while these are on ice?

When the review was announced, Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters said the government wanted to shift money from new roads to maintaining existing routes and investing in public transport.

He said projects that were already under way, such as the Heads of the Valleys Road in South Wales, would continue.

However, Ms Griffiths, who represents Wrexham, said the suggestion North Wales was being ignored was not accurate.

She said: Darren Millar knows that that is absolutely not true. Im a member from north-east Wales and I would never allow that to happen.

The fact that we have a Minister for North Wales and we have had for a significant number of years, absolutely shows that, so please dont mislead in that way.

You say that theyre in the deep freeze; theyre not in the deep freeze. There is currently a review going on.

This is a five-year government and were five months into it, so I dont think you can say that these things will not happen.

Liam Randall  Local Democracy Reporter (more here).
A federal appeals court sided with Texas late Thursday and kept in effect an unprecedented anti-abortion law that was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on May 19.

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans ruled 2-to-1 that it would not hear a motion from the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to reinstate the October 6 decision of an Austin, Texas federal judge who had issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the law as unconstitutional.

Protesters gather outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Chevy Chase, Md., to protest a decision in which the court declined to step in to stop a Texas law banning most abortions from going into effect [Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky]

The Justice Department motion was an appeal against an order issued last week by the Fifth Circuit overturning the October 6 lower court ruling halting enforcement of the Texas anti-abortion law.

Thursdays appeals court ruling, which will be appealed to the US Supreme Court, was supported by Judge James C. Ho, a nominee of Donald Trump, and Judge Catharina Haynes, a nominee of George W. Bush. Opposing the court majority was Judge Carl E. Stewart, nominee of Bill Clinton.

In its four-sentence decision, the appeals court did not make any legal arguments, but permitted the anti-abortion law to remain in force pending the outcome of the court case filed by the Biden administrations DoJ and Attorney General Merrick Garland against the State of Texas in September.

When he issued his ruling on October 6, US District Judge Robert Pitman called the Texas lawwhich bans abortions if there is detectable embryonic cardiac activity, after about six weeks of pregnancyan aggressive scheme to deprive the states citizens of a significant and well established constitutional right.

Judge Pitman also wrote in his 113-page decision that this court will not sanction one more day of this offensive deprivation of such an important right. The law makes no exceptions for abortions in the case rape or incest.

In an earlier challenge to the law by a group of womens clinics and abortion rights groups, the Supreme Court declined in a 5-4 decision not to block the Texas Heartbeat Act (SB8), while also refusing to rule on its constitutionality.

Other states that have passed laws similar to the one in Texas have been blocked by federal judges for contravening the rights established in Roe v. Wade and other rulings. The Texas law has been written specifically to avoid judicial review by making it difficult for abortion providers and individuals to challenge it in court.

The point of law that makes it difficult to block the measure in federal court is the fact that it does not permit Texas state officials to enforce the abortion ban. Instead, the law deputizes private citizens and authorizes civil damages of $10,000 or more for successfully suing a defendant accused of performing or aiding in such an abortion, and the courts have stated it is not clear when or how the law can be challenged in a federal court.

In the 48-hour period between Judge Pitmans October 6 injunction and the restoration of the law by the appeals court, some clinicsincluding Whole Womans Health, which brought the case against the State of Texasrushed to perform abortions for woman who were past six weeks pregnant. Many of the appointments were cancelled after the Fifth Circuit court intervened. The reactionary Texas law also includes a provision for prosecution of providers who perform abortions under a temporary court order.

When the law went into effect in September, Whole Womans Health began turning away approximately 80 percent of patients seeking abortions, according to the organizations founder, Amy Hagstrom Miller.

The Biden administration said on Friday that it would appeal the decision of Fifth Circuit Court to the US Supreme Court. The DoJs chief spokesman, Anthony Coley, said, The Justice Department intends to ask the Supreme Court to vacate the Fifth Circuits stay of the preliminary injunction against Texas Senate Bill 8.

It is unlikely that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the Justice Departments emergency motion to reinstate the lower courts injunction. On the contrary, it is moving toward overturning Roe v. Wade. The high court is scheduled to hear a case in December on a Mississippi abortion law that is a direct challenge to the abortion rights established in Roe v. Wade.

In that case, the Biden administration has urged the Supreme Court to uphold the 1973 landmark decision legalizing abortion nationwide prior to approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy and invalidate the Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks.
Seven years after the Flint water crisis, which put the health and lives of 90,000 Michigan residents at risk, state officials have acknowledged large-scale lead contamination of Benton Harbors water supply.

Downtown Benton Harbor, Michigans East Main Street [Wikimedia Commons]

In 2018, increased water testing in the city of 9,600 residents revealed lead contamination at approximately 22 parts per billion, higher than the 20 parts per billion at the height of Flints crisis.

Some Benton Harbor residents tests were as high as 700 and 836 parts per billion. Until a month ago, state officials remained silent and did nothing other than distribute filters to residents, without an explanation of the crisis at hand.

The government cover-up of the lead poisoning crisis is a social crime. While the discovery of lead poisoning in Benton Harbor occurred in 2018, the condition likely predates the stepped-up testing.

Michigan officials, headed by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, did not warn the residents until October 6 of this year, when the state formally cautioned residents to switch off their taps and use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth and mixing baby formula. In a belated gesture, the state has sent more than 26,000 cases of bottled water to Benton Harbor.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin that can cause irreversible harm. Lead ingestion is associated with a host of neurological issues, especially in children.

While even low levels of lead are dangerous, high and extreme levels of lead consumption can severely damage the kidneys, general nervous system and brain development. It can also cause seizures, blackouts and even death. Until the advisory against drinking tap water, mothers were feeding their infants formula mixed with the lead-tainted water.

Earlier this year, reflecting the callous indifference of the political establishment for the health of working people, local officials presented a two-decade removal and replacement plan for the citys piping. In September, under immense pressure from residents, Governor Whitmer asked the state legislature for $20 million to replace the pipes. This amount, only two-thirds the estimated cost of replacing the piping, shortened the projected window to five years.

This month, Whitmer signed an executive directive calling on local officials to begin expediting the pipe replacement process on the basis of an 18-month timeline, while more quickly developing plans to provide safe drinking water and bottled water, and free or inexpensive lead-related health care services. In response to her initial proposal of $20 million, the state legislature passed a budget providing half that amount.

The state government has avoided making any commitment to provide financial assistance for the removal of lead piping inside homes. Instead, the latest plan pushes the bill onto residents and the financially troubled local government.

The paltry funds designated to address the water crisis are a pittance compared to the trillions spent on the US military budget and financial bailouts. Moreover, the current crisis is the outcome of decades of neglect of the water system. Prior to the stepped-up testing in 2018, the roof of Benton Harbors water treatment plant was collapsing in on itself, while the primary water supply line connected to Lake Michigan was in serious disrepair.

The dangerous conditions in Benton Harbor are far more widespread than the state government chooses to admit. In 2019, the World Socialist Web Site reported on the results of lead testing in Michigan that revealed high lead levels in the Detroit metropolitan area.

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics last month found that 78 percent of the Michigan children included in the study had detectable levels of lead in their blood. While detectable is not the same as elevatedincluding levels lower than the Centers for Disease Control base line of 5 micrograms per decilitermedical professionals note that any amount of lead in a childs system is unsafe.

Another recently published report, issued by the Natural Resource Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group, exposed the extensive use of lead pipes throughout the United States. The report estimated that between 9.2 million and 12.7 million pipes in the US contain lead, while warning that the actual figure is likely higher due to either inept reporting by state governments or the absence of any reporting. Michigan is among the highest lead pipe usage states in the country.

Governor Whitmer granted a combined $14 million to 28 Michigan communities, a miniscule amount compared to the funds needed to protect the population from lead poisoning.

It is another example of woeful underfunding of basic infrastructure. Last year, multiple privately owned dams belonging to Boyce Hydro failed after years of neglect, flooding large parts of Midland County. The resulting damage was in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The entire Village of Sanford was nearly destroyed and unknown amounts of toxic chemicals from Dow Chemical washed into the surrounding area.

Home to the corporate headquarters of appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, Benton Harbors last remaining manufacturing plant closed in 2011. In 2019, the citys per capita income was $14,828.

Benton Harbors population is roughly 9,600 according to the 2020 census. There are some 4,000 households in the city, with about 45 percent of the population living in poverty. In the face of these conditions, many residents have left the city over the last decade, leading to reduced water usage. The lack of water flow leads to stagnant water building up in pipes, eroding the system more rapidly.

The years of deindustrialization ultimately put the city at the mercy of then-Republican Governor Rick Snyders Local Government and School District Financial Accountability Act, which subordinated cities to unelected emergency managers. Acting as the agents of the banks and bond holders, these officials gutted social services and public school systems in the poorest cities across the state.

While emergency management ended in 2018, the assault on Benton Harbors public resources continued under Whitmer. In 2019, Whitmer gave the Benton Harbor school board an ultimatum: either shut down Benton Harbor High School or the state would assume control of the district and liquidate it.

While mass protests by residents and teachers staved off this initial effort, the attack did not cease. Whitmer changed course in favor of a long-run liquidation, tying the fate of the high school to standardized test performance benchmarks.

Benton Harbor High School sits on a large plot of undeveloped waterfront real estate. Demolishing the school would open up the land to private investors.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has called a public meeting on Sunday October 31 at 1 p.m. (AEDT) to discuss and explain the case for the elimination of COVID-19 internationally. The meeting will link the criminal reopening policies of governments worldwide, to the new, blatantly anti-democratic electoral laws, rushed through the Australian parliament on August 26. Click here to register.

Passed behind the back of the Australian population and with almost complete media silence, the Labor Party opposition worked hand-in-hand with the Liberal/National government to get these bills through parliament, in a little over 24 hours.

The legislation targets 36 registered political parties who do not have seats in parliament. It demands they must submit a list of 1,500 members to the Australian Electoral Commission, treble the previous number, or face deregistration.

The SEP alone is conducting a campaign against these laws, alerting the working class, youth and professionals about their anti-democratic nature, and calling on them to join the campaign to defeat them.

From the beginning, the SEP made clear that there is an intimate link between the passing of the laws and the unfolding COVID-19 catastrophe. At the time, the Delta variant was surging in Australias most populous states, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.

Governments, both state and federal, knew there was deep-rooted hostility to the lifting of safety restrictions and reopening the economy under the guise of learning to live with the virus. They passed the laws to prevent this opposition from finding political expression.

Less than two months from the legislation being enacted, the Liberal NSW and Labor Victorian state governments have made clear there will be no return to lockdowns and are accelerating the reopening drive, even with infections at the highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic, and an ever-increasing death rate.

There is a bipartisan agreement between the Liberals and Labor Party to impose a policy of learning to live with the virus no matter what the daily cases and death rates. Face to face education is resuming already, resulting in infections among children, students and teachers. This has nothing to do with the education of children; it is aimed at forcing their parents back into workplaces and factories.

Capitalism and its government representatives are implementing a policy of profit over lives. Workers and young people must oppose this deadly perspective and take matters into their own hands. Independent rank and file committees should be formed to ensure measures are adopted that prioritise health and life over profit and production.

The SEP is the only political organisation fighting for this program. As part of this fight we urge all supporters and readers to become an SEP electoral member today, join the campaign, and help the party retain its registration to defeat this attack.

Meeting time in relevant time zones:

Sydney: 1 p.m., Sunday, October 31

Brisbane: 12 noon, Sunday, October 31

Adelaide: 12:30 p.m., Sunday, October 31

Perth: 10 a.m., Sunday, October 31

Auckland: 2 p.m., Sunday, October 31

Colombo: 7:30 a.m., Sunday October 31

New Delhi: 7:30 a.m., Sunday October 31

London: 2 a.m., Sunday, October 31

New York: 9 p.m., Saturday, October 30

Los Angeles: 6 p.m., Saturday, October 30

To attend the meeting, register here.
Political hostilities have erupted once again between Britain and the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Agreed as part of the Brexit deal done in early 2020, the protocol governs the passage of goods between the UK and EU economic areas, where a hard border, or extensive border infrastructure, between Northern Ireland and EU member state the Republic of Ireland would jeopardise the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended the decades-long armed conflict in the north.

Vehicles at the port of Larne, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Under the agreement, Northern Ireland remains within the EUs single market for goods which the rest of the UK has withdrawn from. EU product inspections and customs checks on goods travelling from the UK are conducted at ports in Northern Ireland immediately after crossing the Irish Sea and can then move freely through the entire island of Ireland. This prompted opposition from large sections of the Conservative party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Northern Ireland, who complained that a border was effectively set up in the Irish Sea.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson endorsed the 2019 agreement in that years general election as a means of getting Brexit done. But antagonisms have rumbled on ever since, with the agreement threatened by both sides in the early part of this year and the EU briefly invoking Article 16, which allows one party to unilaterally suspend elements of the deal.

Talks to defuse the situation ever since have only highlighted the national tensions driving apart Britain and the EU, at a time of rising tensions within the European Union itself.

The UK Brexit Minister, Lord Frost, has called for the protocol to be scrapped and the elimination of all customs checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, allowing goods to circulate freely if they conform to either UK or EU regulations. He also wants the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to be removed from the arbitration of future disputes over the agreement, demanding international arbitration instead of a system of EU law ultimately policed in the court of one of the parties, the European Court of Justice.

On Wednesday, the EUs chief Brexit negotiator Maros Sefcovic offered a series of concessions to the UKs position, including measures to reduce checks on British retail goods by 80 percent, halve customs paperwork, waive the requirement for medical manufacturers to move out of Northern Ireland into Britain, and streamline the certification process for road freight. He declared that the EU had completely turned our rules upside down and inside out to find agreement. He insisted, Its very clear that we cannot have access to the single market without the supervision of the ECJ.

Talks on the EUs proposals will take place for a maximum of three weeks. Commentators have raised the adoption of a Swiss style treaty as a possible final compromise. Disputes between Switzerland and the EU are dealt with by an independent arbitration panel, although it must take into account the ECJs view on matters of EU law. But comments suggest that Britain will demand the moon, in the words of one EU diplomat speaking to the Financial Times (FT).

On Wednesday, the day Sefcovic announced his proposals, Johnsons former senior adviser and current political enemy Dominic Cummings tweeted that the government had signed the Brexit deal planning to ditch bits we didnt like after whacking [then Labour leader Jeremy] Corbyn [in the 2019 general election]. He continued, Our priorities meant e.g getting Brexit done is 10000x more important than lawyers yapping re international law in negotiations with people who break [international] law all the time.

Cummingss account was then confirmed by leading DUP MP Ian Paisley. He told BBC Newsnight, Boris Johnson did tell me personally that he would, after agreeing to the protocol, he would sign up to changing that protocol and indeed tearing it up, that this was just for the semantics.

Frost has admitted, cryptically, that the UK only agreed to the ECJs oversight of the protocol because of the very specific circumstances of that negotiation.

Preparations are already being made in Europe for a trade war should Britain reject the EUs proposals and trigger Article 16. According to the FT, representatives from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain met with Sefcovic Monday to demand contingency plans including tariffs on British exports, restricting the UKs access to Europes energy supplies and ending the trade agreement between the two parties.

An EU diplomat told the FT, Frost knows hes playing with fire. But when you play with fire, you get burnt. The EU has a broad palette of options for hitting back at the UK.

Britains rationale for pushing a conflict with the EU is most openly expressed in the Daily Telegraph. Columnist Nick Timothy accuses the EU of playing with fire on the Northern Ireland Protocol. He writes, The issue is sovereignty. The Government cannot allow the continued jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice over the NI Protocol.

The UK government feels sovereignty is a stick it can successfully beat the EU with, in light of the ruling last week by Polands Constitutional Court that parts of EU law are incompatible with the Polish constitution, overturning the fundamental primacy of EU law within the union. Poland has been backed by Hungary, which has also been engaged in a long-running legal dispute with the EU over legislation linking European subsidies to respect for the rule of law.

The Brexiteer press in the UK has also made much of recent statements by Michel Barnier, the EUs former chief Brexit negotiator. Barnier is now running in the French Presidential race on a fiercely anti-migrant platform, calling for France to regain its legal sovereignty by casting off the threat of a ruling or a condemnation at the level of the European Court of Justice or the European Convention on Human Rights.

Johnson gloated at last weeks Tory Party conference, That is what happens if you spend a year trying to argue with Lord Frost.

These events are proof of the analysis made by the Socialist Equality Party of Brexit as the most advanced expression of an escalating breakdown of the EU, under the pressure of mounting centrifugal forces that are intensifying conflicts not only with the US but between the European states.

The Johnson government identifies itself with this development. It hopes to use Brexit to place itself in pole position among European nations pursuing increasingly independent policies, either within or having broken loose from a paralysed EU. Leading Tory Brexiteer Sir Ian Duncan Smith MP cited Lord Palmerston in the Telegraph Thursday: We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.

Central to this policy is the UKs pitch to the United States as its most slavishly dependable ally. But this course is fraught with uncertainty. The Brexit policy in the British ruling class was spurred by the presidency of Donald Trump, who made his hostility to the major European powers, Germany and France, plain. Under President Joe Biden, the US has adopted a subtler approach.

Septembers AUKUS military alliance between the UK, US and Australia, involving the repudiation of a submarine deal between Canberra and Paris, boosted Johnsons standing in Washington. But Biden has consistently stated that his administration would respond severely over any move the UK makes jeopardising the Good Friday Agreement. He is also more determined than Trump to win the support of Europe in the escalating conflict with China.

The outcome of the dispute over the Northern Ireland Protocol is therefore bound up with calculations made in the increasingly frenzied war drive in the Asia-Pacific. Combined, these geopolitical tensions threaten an explosion of trade and military conflicts. They can find no resolution within the framework of imperialist politics. They can only be combatted through the development of a unified socialist movement of the European and international working class against nationalism, war and the pursuit of profit over human need.
A fire broke out in a working-class apartment building in the southern Taiwan port city of Kaohsiung early Thursday morning, killing at least 46 people and leaving another 41 injured. The exact cause of the fire, which resulted in the second-highest death toll of any building fire in Taiwanese history, is still under investigation, but the disaster highlights the difficult and dangerous conditions faced by workers and the poor in Taiwan.

A charred building sits empty after a major fire in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 [Credit: AP Photo/Huizhong Wu]

The 13-storey dilapidated building was a 40-year-old mixed-use building, common throughout Asia. Once a department store, the converted structure known as the Cheng Chung Cheng building contained 120 units and was home to many of the poorest in the city, including disabled and elderly residents. The building, located in the citys Yancheng district, had been partly abandoned.

Witnesses reported hearing an explosion, with people in the building screaming fire around 3 a.m. on Thursday. The fire was not put out until about 7 a.m. Many of those who died on the upper floors were killed by smoke inhalation. Three people who died were from the Chinese mainland.

Local residents described the structure as a ghost building, according to the New York Times. Abandoned sections were used by gangs, reportedly engaging in criminal activity, while stairwells and hallways were piled high with garbage and had exposed wiring.

One survivor, 58-year-old Huang Chin-chih, who was not home at the time of the fire, told the media: I was afraid of this ghost building, but I had no choice but to live here. Im just feeling lucky I was not there that night. Huang paid a third of her monthly salary, approximately $US100, for a one-room apartment in the building.

The fire reportedly started on the first floor. At present, a resident and his girlfriend are under investigation and were questioned by prosecutors on Friday. The couple had supposedly fought the previous day. No details have been announced, but authorities are suggesting that arson could be a cause of the deadly blaze. Kaohsiung police chief Huang Ming-chao said burned incense was discovered where the fire supposedly began, though it is unclear how this might have contributed to the disaster.

What is known, however, is the building did not meet fire safety standards. The bottom six floors had originally been used for commercial purposes, but had become derelict. These floors were filled with flammable materials that greatly exacerbated the intensity of the flames, according to Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai. Kaohsiung fire chief Lee Ching-hsiu also reported that the construction materials were not up to fire safety standards and contributed to the spread of the blaze.

Taiwans United Daily News reported that fire extinguishers were installed only last month, but there were just three per floor, as the residents could not afford to pay for more. This highlights the subordination of public safety to profit. The basic right to protection from disasters like fire is made available only to those who can afford it.

Mayor Chen offered crocodile tears at a news conference. For the families and Yancheng, I feel incomparable pain and I blame myself deeply, he stated. Here I want to express my deepest sorrow to all the wounded and those who died, as well as their families and all the residents.

Politicians from both the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), including President Tsai Ing-wen and the opposition Kuomintang, offered similar empty words. However, nothing will change after the deadly blaze.

The problem is not just the fire, but the many structural issues that lie behind the fire, Chen Liang-Chun, an adjunct professor of urban planning at National Taiwan University, told the New York Times. In Taiwan, it is always like this. Natural hazards happen all the time, but man-made factors are what turn those hazards into disasters.

In fact, on Friday, Kaohsiung officials already reported that there were at least 34 high risk older buildings in the city, indicating that the problem is widespread. Undoubtedly, there are many more similar buildings throughout the island that also pose significant safety risks. City officials said they would investigate these buildings for fire code violations.

None of this means any real changes will be coming for those living in the most vulnerable conditions. City officials claimed that they had investigated the Cheng Chung Cheng building four times since 2019, though no major steps to improve safety were taken.

This building was a tumor of Kaohsiung, said Hong Xian-kai, who ran an antique shop on the destroyed buildings ground floor, near where the fire reportedly started. No one managed it, and no one cared about it.

Regardless of how the fire began, the living conditions the residents faced were created by capitalism, which is defended by both the local and central governments. The couple allegedly involved, or anyone else who can be used as a scapegoat, will be demonized in the press in order to divert attention from the social conditions and avoid making any changes that would undercut the drive for profits.

Many workers and poor are unable to find or afford safe places to live as housing prices rapidly grow. A poll conducted at the end of September by the minor opposition New Power Party (NPP) found that 82.6 percent of people believed housing prices were unreasonably high. The NPP postures as a non-aligned third party in Taiwan, but is in fact a supporter of the ruling DPP.

While housing in Kaohsiung remains difficult for workers to find, the city is welcoming the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the worlds largest semiconductor manufacturer, with open arms. TSMC is expected to expand into Kaohsiung, setting up new plants beginning in 2023. The resulting speculation has further driven up housing prices in the area.

As has happened globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sharp rise of social inequality in Taiwan, even according to recent official data released by the islands Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

In 2020, income inequality on the island was the highest in eight years, with the top 20 percent of households earning 6.13 times the bottom 20 percent, according to the DGBAS. The agency said disadvantaged employees had been hit harder by the economic fallout from the pandemic, with many of them asked to take unpaid leave, for example.

Accessing safe and affordable housing is a growing problem not only in Taiwan, but in many cities throughout China, including in Hong Kong. While governments and politicians seek to drive wedges between workers in Taiwan and the mainland, and whip up animosities to justify war plans, the working class faces similar conditions throughout the region and the world.
Parents, educators, students and workers throughout the world took part in the second global school strike on Friday, October 15. The strike, organised two weeks after the first highly successful one on October 1, was called by UK parent Lisa Diaz, a member of the parent group SafeEdforAll (Safe Education for All).

The global school strikes have received massive support internationally. The central hashtag for the event, #SchoolStrike2021, has been tweeted nearly 40,000 times over the past three weeks since Lisas announcement of the first school strike. It was used roughly 11,000 times on October 1 and nearly 7,500 times on October 15, trending in the UK both days.

Support for the October 15 strike came from many countries, including Britain, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Poland, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand. The World Socialist Web Site supported the strike and again set up a Global Online Picket Line, posting many social media videos and tweets.

WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North posted the following video summarizing the significance of the second global school strike:

To participate in the strike, parents were asked to shoot a video or post a photo online of their childs uniform hanging up, along with the hashtags #October15th, #SittingDucks, and #SchoolStrike2021.

In a video released ahead of the strike Thursday evening, Lisa asked, Why support the school strike tomorrow? Easy. Another child in the UK, in Wales, has lost their life in the last 24 hours due to COVID. And that is enough reason to say: make our schools safe, and if they cannot be made safe, you shut them until they can.

Liza Diaz tweet showing school uniform of her children hung up

In his video statement, Socialist Equality Party (UK) Assistant National Secretary Thomas Scripps said the school strikes indicate the potential for a mass movement which could implement a scientific policy for the saving of health and lives, rather than profits. That potential is suppressed by the trade unions and, in the UK, the Labour Party. But it can be unleashed, if given the right political perspective.

Thomas Scripps speaking in support of the October 15 school strike [WSWS Media]

Scripps called for all opponents of herd immunity to attend the October 24 World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) global online event, How to End the Pandemic: The Case for Eradication.

Many SafeEdForAll supporters posted messages throughout the day.

Lucy Garrard, a parent and mental health worker, stated in her video, Our children cannot be placed in this position.  Schools are carrying on just as normal like the COVID cases are not rising. Yes, they are rising.  This situation is torture for parentswe worry day and nightit cannot go on.  We are sending our children into school, and they are just waiting to catch COVID.

Parent, National Health Service mental health worker and SafeEdforAll member Lucy Garrard

Parent Leah posted a photo of two school uniforms hanging up with the comment, When attendance means infection, what choices must we make?

Celi tweeted, My kids will not be part of this governments dangerous #HerdImmunity experiment. With evidence proving that even mild infections can cause long-term brain and organ damage, we need to #MakeSchoolsSafe now with all scientifically recognised mitigations in place.

Tall Paul tweeted, Schools are still without basic measures that could help prevent unnecessary infections, with at least 53,000 children suffering Long Covid, 11,000 longer than a year, 8,000 orphaned. In reference to the number of children killed by COVID in the UK so far, he added, #Uk95 Dead #Child.

Parent Lisa commented, So the latest [Imperial College London] React study confirms that Covid prevalence is currently over 3x higher in households WITH children vs those without. Any idea why?

Louise posted a photo of childrens exercise books and pencils on the table at home and tweeted, Our childrens primary school had alpha rip thru when Gov locked down too late & now suffering Delta when Gov didnt bother to mitigate. #ToriesUnfitToGovern #ChildrenDeserveProtectionFromInfection #AirFiltersAllSchoolsNOW.

Screenshot of a tweet from parent Louise

The fact that homicidal pandemic policies have been pursued by governments internationally regardless of political colouration was highlighted in the tweet of a Turkish student, Gt var who posted, My little cousin (14) died of Covid, who had no chronic illness and had been vaccinated. How many more people should die?

David OSullivan, a London bus worker who was victimised for fighting for protection against COVID at work, said that sending children into unsafe schools is the criminal policy not only the Tories  but also the Labour Party, first under Jeremy Corbyn and continued with Kier Starmer.  The policy of the Labour Party was one of constructive criticism. What this actually meant was full support for herd immunity, opposing lockdowns and demanding children going back into school, no ifs, no buts.

He added, Speaking from bitter personal experience, none of this could have been done without the collaboration of the trade unions.

Veteran Trotskyist Helen Halyard commented in her video, While politicians everywhere claim to be concerned with childrens mental health, the real purpose of sending kids back to school is to send their parents back to work producing profits for a tiny layer of billionaires. This barbaric experiment, which is being carried out by the ruling elites all over the world, must be opposed through globally-coordinated struggles of the working class like todays school strike.

Tom Peters, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand, spoke on the ending of the elimination strategy by the Labour Party government headed by Jacinda Ardern. He stated, Scientists and public health experts have expressed shock and alarm at this, and there are warnings that hospitals are soon going to be unable to cope with the number of patients.

Peters added, These developments demonstrate that the working class cant rely on any capitalist party or government, or the trade unions which support them, to treat this pandemic as a public health crisis. They all support the demands of big business for workplaces and schools to reopen, no matter how many people have to die because of this.

German bus driver Andy Niklaus posted a video in support of the global school strike, saying, The numbers of infected in Britain, Europe, America, Brazil, Australia are a disaster. Every single one is too much.  Its time for the working class to act worldwide.

Veteran Trotskyist Vicky Short explained in her video, I have just heard that my grandson, who is just 12, has tested positive for COVID and is now in bed with a sore throat and high temperature. The school sent him an appointment to have a vaccine on the 19th of November, this is more than a month away. This is outrageous. We should not tolerate it.

Tomas Castanheira, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Group in Brazil, tweeted, No more children dead or with Long COVID. Stop the pandemic right now!

Alexandra Greene, a cleaner at a campus in British Columbia, Canada, and a member of the Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, tweeted, Joining the online picket line because children here in Canada are #SittingDucks thanks to reopening policies across the country. We need to #EradicateCOVID, not mitigate, not reconcile ourselves w/ mass illness & death.

Alexandra Greene, a cleaner at a campus in British Columbia, Canada and a member of the Cross Canada Educators rank and file safety committee

Parent, retired school teacher and WSWS writer Margot Miller commented, We are not prepared to sacrifice our children and their future health for the immense profits of the few.

S.Evans747, a teacher of History, Art and Archaeology, said, It is the responsibility of all to protect and care for the children and keep our teaching colleagues safe.

Niluka, a Sri Lankan teacher, mother of three children and a member of the Teachers-Parents-Students Safety Committee of Sri Lanka, said in a video, The government is moving to reopen schools on October 21. It would be a criminal decision as children are going to be exposed to the virus.

Martin, a kindergarten teacher in Germany said, While those in power trample on any scientific recommendations, we educators, in alliance with parents and students, must rely on them. I am therefore very much looking forward to the international webinar on October 24 with Lisa Diaz and David North and a host of principled scientists such as Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding and Dr. Malgorzata Gasperowicz. We workers need science, but science also needs the working class to stop the pandemic!

All those who participated in the school strike should make plans to attend the October 24 webinar How to End the Pandemic: The Case for Eradication called by the World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). Register today, invite your coworkers, family and friends, and share the event widely on social media!
The following open letter was written by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality at the University of Michigan to David Gier, the Dean of the School of Music, Theater and Dance at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Dear Dean Gier,

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality demands the immediate reinstatement of Bright Sheng, the Leonard Bernstein Distinguished University Professor of Composition, to his position as instructor of undergraduate composition. We further demand that you and the university administration apologize to Professor Sheng and publicly repudiate all slanderous attacks on Sheng for being racist or for carrying out a racist act.

Bright Sheng [Credit: brightsheng.com]

The campaign against Sheng has absolutely nothing do to with progressive politics, let alone the universitys responsibility to educate its students.

The University of Michigan launched its attack on Professor Sheng after he screened for his class the acclaimed 1965 film version of Shakespeares Othello, directed by Stuart Burge and starring Laurence Olivier. In the race-obsessed environment of contemporary American academia, it has become a crime to have students view one of Shakespeares greatest plays as performed by one of the 20th centurys greatest actors. Othellos tragedy was that he loved not wisely, but too well. Apparently, for the Universitys race police, Oliviers fault lay in that he performed not wisely, but too black.

Professor Shengs removal followed students complaint that Olivier plays Othello, a Moorish general from North Africa in the Venetian army, with black make-up. One of these students subsequently stated to the Michigan Daily that she was shocked that [Sheng] would show something like this in something thats supposed to be a safe space. Safe from what? The emotional and intellectual complexity of Shakespeares drama? Culture? Thought? Once again, the complaints of poorly read, miseducated and disoriented students have been given privileged status.

Shamefully patronizing the students reactionary nonsense, you sent a department-wide email stating that Professor Shengs actions do not align with our Schools commitment to anti-racist action, diversity, equity and inclusion.

After pressuring Sheng to leave his position as instructor, you justified your unconscionable attack on academic freedom by absurdly claiming, with consummate cynicism, that his removal would allow for a positive learning environment. Professor Evan Chambers, who advanced his career by taking over the seminar, declared that Shengs showing of the film was in itself a racist act, regardless of the professors intentions. You then reported the incident to the universitys Office of Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX.

The actions taken against Professor Sheng, a world-renowned scholar, may well rank as the most shameful episode in the Universitys history. It exposes the extent to which the unrelenting promotion of racialist ideologiesfraudulently legitimized with pretentious postmodernist jargonhas created a thoroughly toxic environment on university campuses.

Any serious examination of Shakespeares play and the career of one of the 20th centurys greatest actors demolishes the charges of racism leveled against Olivier and the 1965 production. Comparisons to the racist depictions of African Americans in blackface are ignorant. The denunciation of Oliviers performance is particularly preposterous in that the actor was attempting to take on the timid, semi-racist approaches to the Othello character that had prevailed for a century and a half.

In representing Othello as black, as an African, Olivier was rebuffing various commentators appalled at the thought of the white maiden Desdemona falling in love with a black man. Indeed, Olivier explains in his memoir that the dominant coffee-colored compromise had arisen out of some feeling that the Moor could not be thought a truly noble Moor if he was too black and in too great contrast to the noble whites: a shocking case of pure snobbery.

Olivier, who was fastidious in his depictions of all the Shakespearean characters he played, was endeavoring to bring out in his performance as Othello the racial conflicts and prejudices that were central to Shakespeares play.

Whatever confusions students might have about the performance should have been addressed and clarified in the course itselfthat is, by fostering a positive learning environment. Instead, the university joined the assault on Professor Sheng.

The consequences of the universitys actions are far-reaching. The campaign against Sheng is aimed at intimidating faculty members and students who oppose the use of race and other elements of identity politics to stifle academic freedom.

In condemning Sheng, moreover, you, and all those participating in this campaign, are playing into the hands of the far right, which is already exploiting the antidemocratic attack for its own reactionary purposes. The fascistic forces around Trump seize on the racialized politics of the Democratic Party, aggressively promoted at the University of Michigan, to dress themselves up as defenders of democratic rights.

Professor Bright Sheng is owed a public apology. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality, which has been active on the campus for many years, calls on the university administration to retract the slanders against Professor Sheng and immediately invite him to return to the classroom from which the distinguished artist should never have been removed.

Yours Sincerely,

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

We encourage our readers to email Dean Gier, demanding the reinstatement of Professor Sheng, at dgier@umich.edu, and to copy the World Socialist Web Site, comments@wsws.org.
The Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand is holding an online public meeting on Saturday, October 23, at 4:30 p.m. (NZ time) to discuss the urgent need for working people to organise to fight for a scientific strategy to eliminate COVID-19 nationally, and eradicate the deadly virus globally.

To attend, please register via Zoom.

New Zealands outbreak of the Delta variant, centred in Auckland, is rapidly expanding and placing thousands of peoples health and lives in danger. This trend is not inevitable. It is the consequence of the Labour Party-led governments reckless and dangerous decision to lower public health restrictions, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to return to workplaces, in defiance of warnings from scientists.

On October 4, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the government will transition away from its elimination strategy of using lockdowns and public health measures to stamp out COVID-19 outbreaks, which has limited deaths from the virus to just 28.

The move came as a shock to working people and experts internationally, who had viewed New Zealands approach to the pandemic as a model. The Ardern government is riding roughshod over public sentiment and obeying the dictates of the financial and business elite. Powerful interests have determined that New Zealand must no longer serve as an example, demonstrating that the virus can be eliminated.

Worldwide, an estimated 10.1 million to 19 million people have died because governments, with the crucial support of the corporatist trade unions, have adopted criminal policies of placing profits ahead of lives, keeping schools and factories open while COVID-19 is spreading.

Working people are fighting back, including through the recent school strikes organised by parents in the UK, independently of the unions and capitalist parties. Workers, students and young people in New Zealand and other countries must prepare to follow this example.

At the October 23 meeting, speakers from the Socialist Equality Group and the International Committee of the Fourth International will refute the Ardern governments lying justifications for abandoning elimination, including the false claims that hard lockdowns dont work, and that the population can learn to live with the virus. They will examine the consequences of the homicidal let it rip policies in the UK, United States and other countries.

The meeting will make the case for workers, parents and students to form rank-and-file safety committees, completely independent of Labour and the unions, to oppose any reopening of non-essential businesses and schools while COVID-19 is spreading in the community.

We urge readers to share this meeting notice widely and register to attend this crucially important discussion.

Meeting time in different time zones:

New Zealand: Saturday October 23, 4:30 p.m.

Sydney, Australia: October 23, 2:30 p.m

Britain: October 23, 4:30 a.m.

India/Sri Lanka: October 23, 9:00 a.m.

New York: Friday October 22, 11:30 p.m.

Los Angeles: October 22, 8:30 p.m.
A teacher-led protest in Ontario advocating for the right to wear higher quality masks in classrooms has won widespread support from educators, parents, and workers across Canada. Organized independently by rank-and-file teachers, the October 14 protest was bitterly denounced by the education unions, who support the pro-business school reopening policies of the provinces Progressive Conservative government.

The protest called for school staff across Ontario to wear superior masks to work, such as N95 respirators, rather than the surgical masks mandated by the provincial government and school boards. As supporters of the protest point out, scientific evidence has established that surgical masks are inadequate to sufficiently protect the wearer from an airborne virus such as SARS-CoV-2, especially in overcrowded classrooms where children under age 12 are unvaccinated.

Since classes resumed for full in-person learning at the beginning of September, thousands of children and hundreds of educators have been infected by the virus. Of the 417 new COVID-19 infections in Ontario reported on Thursday, 126 were school-related. A total of 696 schools have reported at least one case, and four are currently closed because of outbreaks.

Thursdays protest was launched earlier this month by Ryan Imgrund, a biostatistician and high school teacher. Imgrund has gained a large following on Twitter for his detailed daily updates on the pandemic in Ontario, as well as his outspoken opposition to the governments disastrous handling of school reopenings.

The teachers unions response to Imgrunds appeal was swift and vicious, demonstrating their hostility to any independent action taken by educators to combat the pandemic.

Not long after Imgrund issued the call for school staff to don better masks, he was sent a cease-and-desist letter by his union, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA). The union censured Imgrund for calling the protest and demanded that he immediately cancel it.

This drew a furious backlash from rank-and-file educators and their supporters. One Twitter user with the alias trudat wrote, OECTA takes $1000s from teachers over their careers, but during the most severe health crisis of the century, they ACTUALLY THREATEN TEACHERS AGAINST USING THE HIGHEST QUALITY PPE!

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) soon weighed in, issuing an advisory to its members urging them not to participate in the October 14 protest. In a statement that sounded more like a threat against teachers than an advisory note, ETFO argued that participating in the protest and wearing superior masks could be deemed by the school boards as insubordination and even an illegal strike, warranting suspension or worse. The ETFO did not offer even token sympathy for the concerns animating the protest. Nor did it indicate that it would so much as lift a finger to defend any teachers victimized by school authorities for seeking to protect their health and lives and those of their loved ones.

ETFO advisory denouncing Thursday's protest for better quality masks. (Twitter)

Instead, the advisory instructed union members to lodge their concerns with their school principal or ETFO local. In other words, to appeal to and place their trust in representatives of school boards that are unapologetically supportive of school reopenings, and a union opposed to any teacher action to fight for safer classrooms.

The ETFO advisory also instructed school staff to consult the provinces Occupational Health and Safety Act to address their concerns. Yet all teachers know that the Ontario Ministry of Labour has denied every single work refusal filed by teachers throughout the pandemic, exposing the claims of the unions and their supporters that work refusals are an effective way to secure safe working conditions.

A particularly heated exchange erupted on Twitter around a circular sent to members of Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) District 24 by its president, Robert Grascho. In the letter, Grascho baselessly accused Imgrund and protest organizers of profiteering from the sale of masks and declared that it was not practical to ask administrators to check on the authenticity of non-surgical masks.

Twitter user Mamabear123, responding to Imgrunds citation of Graschos letter, wrote, Are YOU actually working in a school Rob? Are you listening to your members? Doesnt sound like it. Another user, Joanna Dent, succinctly replied, I am a member in his local union and he hasnt asked us what we want.

As protest supporters pointed out in their comments, the unions have responded to the greatest health and social crisis in a century not by fighting for the lives and health of their members and their students, but by staunchly backing the reopening drive of big-business governments at both the provincial and federal levels.

This drive, based on a mitigation framework of extremely limited public health measures that maintains non-essential economic activity and the continuation of in-classroom education, can at best slow the spread of the virus, while perpetuating mass illness and death. This has been most sharply illustrated in Canadas western provinces, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, where daily cases are in the thousands and daily deaths in the dozens as a result of the rollback of public health measures by conservative and union-backed New Democratic Party governments alike.

The teacher unions reject any program of mobilizing their members to oppose these murderous policies. When, as a result, rank-and-file school staff take matters into their own hands, the union bureaucracy responds with unrestrained hostility and threats. Their hostility reflects the fear among the six-figure-earning union officials that any independent protest, no matter how limited, could escape their control and trigger a mass working class-led movement aimed at prioritizing the needs of society instead of the profits of the corporate elite.

The union bureaucracy represents a section of the affluent middle class that is alienated from and hostile to the rank-and-file. Their material interests are closely aligned with the corporations and the governments that represent them. Schools have been forced open so that parents can continue working, churning out profits for the corporations.

In contrast, leading scientists, such as University of Calgary biologist Dr. Malgorzata Gasperowicz, have convincingly shown that an eradication strategy, including a shutdown of non-essential economic activity and schools lasting only several weeks, coupled with full and adequate compensation for workers and their families, can eliminate the virus.

This is the perspective which guided yesterdays international School Strike called by UK parent Lisa Diaz. Diaz, along with Dr. Gasperowicz and a number of other scientists and workers, are featured speakers in an international webinar scheduled for Sunday, October 24, titled How to End the Pandemic: The Case for Eradication.

Hosted by the World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, the webinar will explain why a global eradication strategy is needed to combat COVID-19 and the urgency of developing an international movement of the working class to enforce a science-based response to the pandemic. We encourage all educators and their supporters in Canada to make plans to attend this important event, and to contact the Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Committee (CERSC) to take up a genuine struggle to eradicate the virus and secure safe working conditions for all. The CERSC can be reached at: cersc.csppb@gmail.com.
Spains High Court has convicted Alberto Rodriguez, Podemos lawmaker and former organization secretary of the party, on fraudulent charges of abuse of a police officer, sentenced him to a month and 15 days in jail and a 540 fine. The conviction also disqualifies him from public office, threatening him with the loss of his parliamentary seat. A decision must be made in the coming days by Spains Central Electoral Board.

Alberto Rodriguez [Wikimedia Commons]

Rodriguez was convicted without a single piece of evidence of kicking a police officer in a protest in La Laguna, the Canary Islands, in 2014. This comes after Madrid regional lawmaker for Podemos, Isabel Serra, was convicted of insulting a police officer and throwing objects at police and sentenced to 19 months in jail. Both convictions were based solely on police testimony and medical reports.

In Rodriguezs case, the High Court judges state in their ruling that the officer did not express any doubt when identifying him, something they claimed was reinforced by the absence of animosity towards the lawmaker by the policeman and his persistence. The principal evidence is the medical report after the police officer went to the doctor to register his knee ailment as an attack.

In March, Serras appeal of her 19-month sentence was rejected. Like Rodriguez, she was convicted of throwing objects and insulting an officer. While it was not even proven that she was there, the judges ruled: We have no doubt about the certainty of the recognition of the accused. They also cited medical reports, claiming that The reality of the injuries suffered and the damages caused are proven.

The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) opposes the persecution of Rodriguez and Serra. It has unbridgeable political differences with Podemos, which is sitting in government in Spain, prioritizing profits over human lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has left over 100,000 dead in Spain. Podemos is also responsible for deepening social attacks on the working class, supporting imperialist wars and carrying out mass police repression.

However, the sentences against Serra and Rodriguezsix years and seven years, respectively after the alleged events took placeamount to an attempt by the Spanish bourgeoisie to install a police-state climate to intimidate any form of political opposition.

A dangerous precedent is being created, threatening to de facto eliminate the presumption of innocence. A police officer can accuse a lawmaker, striker or protester. Then, simply on the say-so of the officer and a medical report, the judge imposes a jail sentence and a fine.

Police agencies are not neutral arbiters, as routinely presented by the bourgeois media. As Frederick Engels wrote, they are the special bodies of armed men created to defend capitalist property, inequality and class rule. Many policemen and judges are unabashed supporters of the neo-fascist Vox party.

It is well known that local police, National Police and Civil Guard are among Voxs main constituencies. The National Polices main union, Justicia Salarial Policial (Jusapol) , was created in 2017 amid the hysterical state campaign against the Catalan independence referendum. Voxs leadership regularly participates in Jusapol protests calling for higher wages for policemen.

As for the judiciary, it has repeatedly aligned itself with Vox and passed rulings to rehabilitate Francoism. In the past year alone, courts have issued a spate of reactionary rulings, such as siding with Vox appeal to stop any restrictions on the spread of COVID-19, absolving a fascist leaders anti-Semitic statements and opposing the changing of street names honoring fascist military units and leaders.

The Supreme Court, the court that has sentenced Rodriguez to jail, endorsed Francos 1936 coup, while the Constitutional Court ruled that Franco did not commit crimes against humanity during the war or his 40-year dictatorship.

If these forces, which represent an insignificant section of the population, can determine national politics, its due to the role of Podemos. It is sitting in government supporting police state measures, while acquiescing to the persecution of its members and lawmakers.

When Isabel Serra was condemned by Madrids Higher Court last year, before her appeal was rejected earlier this year, the WSWS noted: The party leadership has acquiesced to the verdict and done everything it can to signal that it will organise no opposition to the emerging police state in Spainover which it rules, in fact, in coalition with the Spanish Socialist party (PSOE). We quoted Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias, who said: Sentences must be accepted (and in this case appealed), but a huge sense of injustice invades me.

A year later, Iglesias successor, Yolanda Diaz, who is also deputy prime minister of the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, stated that Rodriguez had all her solidarity, adding: In the first place, we respect all judicial rulings as always. I know that the lawmaker is going to file an appeal and, therefore, we are waiting for final resolution.

Such statements further align Podemos with the police state. In reality, Podemos is under no obligation to accept a reactionary sentence. It could call on its 3 million voters and 18,000 members to mobilize against the reactionary ruling. Instead, it accepts a reactionary sentence without any significant opposition. Such a reaction only serves to embolden Vox and its allies in the army and security forces to escalate their attacks.

Podemos incapacity to oppose the persecution of its members flows directly from its class character. Speaking for layers of the upper middle class, it employs democratic phraseology to attract popular support and then channel it towards the Socialist Party (PSOE), the bourgeoisies main party of government since the fascist Francoite regime fell in 1978. The PSOE has a decades-long record as a party of imperialist war and European Union (EU) austerity.

Once in power, Podemos plays the same role, claiming that any measure passed by the PSOE-Podemos government is radical and progressive. In fact, its agenda is socially reactionary. It claims to be pursuing a scientific policy on the COVID-19 pandemic, while allowing the virus to spread; endorses EU bailouts of the financial aristocracy as measures to improve workers lives; and claims that raising the retirement age will preserve the pension system.

In reality, mass anger is building against the PSOE-Podemos government and the disastrous impact of its policies on the working class. Over the past year, nurses, doctors, railway workers, educators, bus drivers, autoworkers, metalworkers, and many other sectors have been involved in strikes and protests. Virtually every layer of the working class is involved in a broader upsurge of the class struggle that is proceeding in Spain and internationally.

In the US, thousands of workers are on strike. These include Deere workers, auto workers, Kelloggs cereal workers, nurses and health care workers, distillery workers, coal miners and carpenters. In South Africa, 155,000 metalworkers launched an indefinite strike last week.

Terrified that defending its lawmakers could encourage broader opposition, Podemos prefers giving a green light to its own persecution, aware that it relies on state security forces against the workers. In government, Podemos has already attacked steelworkers striking for better COVID-19 protection measures, sent the police to attack Airbus workers, deployed the army against fleeing refugees and migrants, and incarcerated Catalan nationalists over peaceful protests.

Podemos time in government marks another bitter experience of the working class with so-called left populist parties after the 2015-2019 pro-austerity Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) government in Greece. The decisive question facing workers and youth in Spain and internationally opposing the official handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, austerity, war and military-police repression is a decisive political break with these pseudo-left parties.
On October 7, the Polish Constitutional Court ruled that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has no right to make decisions about the Polish judiciary, effectively asserting Polish national law precedence over European law.

Demonstration for the European Union in Warsaw

The ruling, which was handed down by a vote of 10 to 2, has further exacerbated the political crisis in the European Union and also within Poland. Many observers interpret the ruling, which came at the request of the right-wing nationalist PiS [Law and Justice Party] government, as a step toward Polexit, even though the government itself denies seeking Polands exit from the EU. Since the ruling, there have been calls for the EU to cut its extensive subsidies to Poland.

The specific issue in the court case was whether provisions of the EU treaties that give the EU Commission a say in questions concerning the rule of law are compatible with the Polish constitution.

The EU has long criticized the PiS for systematically subordinating the Polish judiciary, and, in particular, the Constitutional Court, to its political interests, and for undermining the principle of the separation of powers since coming to power in 2015. The Constitutional Court is now almost completely dominated by PiS. Presiding Judge Julia Przyebska is considered to be PiS-affiliated and a close confidant of PiS leader Jarosaw Kaczynski.

On March 2 of this year, the ECJ concluded that the PiS governments controversial judicial reform could partially violate EU law. It found that EU law overrides individual provisions in national law and national constitutional law, and that it could therefore force Poland to repeal parts of the controversial judicial reform.

The PiS government objected to this. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki personally appealed to the Polish Constitutional Court to review the ECJs decision. The court has now ruled in his favour and openly questioned the authority of the ECJ.

Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro celebrated the ruling in blatantly nationalistic terms. He said it was a very important decision in a situation where Brussels and Berlin were treating Poland like a quasi-colony.

The Polish opposition, led by the liberal Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska, PO), which backs greater cooperation between Warsaw and the EU, and Berlin in particular, organized protests Sunday against the Constitutional Courts ruling. Donald Tusk, the POs main leader, served five years as president of the European Council until 2019 and acquired a reputation for being close to German Chancellor Angela Merkel politically.

Tens of thousands took part in protests in the capital, Warsaw, according to media reports. Protests also took place in other cities. However, the overall number of participants fell well short of the mass protests against the abortion law last year.

The demonstrations were mainly supported by the middle-class layers that benefit economically from Polands EU integration and make up the POs social base. Former Solidarnosc leader Lech Waesa, who played a central role in the reintroduction of capitalism to Poland, supported the protests.

The Financial Times, the mouthpiece of British and European finance capital, was particularly strident in its opposition to the court decision. The newspaper called the ruling a greater challenge to EU unity than Brexit. It was a direct attack on the EUs legal order, the cement that holds the EU together, the newspaper wrote. It went on to say it was regrettable that the EU had no mechanism to exclude members like Poland. The only way to respond, therefore, was to massively cut EU funds to Poland.

As the largest net recipient, Poland receives about 12 billion euros a year from the EU budget. The EU Commission is currently examining whether Polands 36 billion euros from the EUs Coronavirus reconstruction fund can be cut. So far, it has been withholding these funds. Former Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski has publicly threatened that Poland would cancel an equally large portion of its EU contributions if this were to happen.

EU Commission President and former German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said she was deeply concerned by the Polish Constitutional Courts ruling. EU law takes precedence over national law, including constitutional provisions, she declared. We will use all the powers we have under the treaties to ensure this.

Nevertheless, many media outlets and members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have criticized von der Leyen, who was elected Commission president thanks to the votes of Poland and Hungary, saying she remains largely passive. Some MEPs have even launched a failure to act case against the Commission to force faster action against Poland.

The conflict between the EU and Poland must be understood against the backdrop of the deep crisis of European capitalism, growing tensions with the United States and preparations for war against Russia and China.

Berlin has so far kept a relatively low profile not only because the PiS supported von der Leyens election, but also because German companies are among the main beneficiaries of massive EU subsidies to Poland. According to a report in business weekly WirtschaftsWoche, more and more German companies are closing their sites in Germany and relocating production to Poland, where they benefit both from EU subsidies and the extremely low wages of well-trained Polish workers.

Among the 5,800 companies with subsidiaries in Poland are Lufthansa and Siemens. Economic ties between Poland and Germany have been growing steadily for years. Germany is by far the most important export and import trading partner for Poland, accounting for around 28 percent in each direction. Since 1990, German capital has invested around 40 billion euros in the neighbouring country.

The chairman of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, Oliver Hermes, has warned against restricting EU payments to Poland or even Hungary. He wrote that Delays in the allocation of EU funds also affect German companies in Poland and Hungary, because EU co-financed investments have been a key growth driver since 2004.

Poland is also of crucial geopolitical importance. It plays a key role in the expansion of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), as all direct land links to the three Baltic EU states, Ukraine and Russia run through Poland.

The Polish government, which emerged from the restoration of capitalism, plays a key role in NATOs war preparations against Russia. Most recently it has been at the centre of NATO manoeuvrers such as Defender-Europe 20.

Since 1989, the Polish bourgeoisie has been oriented primarily toward a military alliance with the United States. In contrast to the previous PO administration, the PiS government has refrained from closer military cooperation with Germany. Instead, it is seeking to build an alliance of Eastern European states along the lines of the Intermarium, directed against both Russia and Germany.

Under Donald Trump, Washington openly supported this policy. The Biden administrations growing focus on war preparations against China and its efforts to somewhat dampen the conflict with Russia, at least temporarily, may now undermine Warsaws adoption of this orientation.

At the same time, there are discussions in Germany about whether the Intermarium strategy could be used in its own interests. A strategy paper by the pro-government Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (Science and Politics Foundation) argued that Berlin should pursue a policy of interested and benevolent involvement despite Polish resistance to admitting Germany in order to position itself in the region as a geo-economic actor alongside the United States as well as China and Russia.

The conflicts within the Polish bourgeoisie, the dispute between the EU and Poland, and the growing threat of war are ultimately the result of the intensification of international conflicts and class tensions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

As in other Eastern European countries, the pandemic has claimed a particularly large number of lives in Poland, mainly as a result of the disastrous consequences of capitalist restoration 30 years ago, and it has exacerbated the political crisis of the PiS government, which is now rejected by more than two-thirds of the population. With its aggressive nationalist course, the PiS is trying, not least, to distract attention from the growing protests and strikes at home.

On the basis of the struggle for a United Socialist States of Europe, the working class must formulate its own response to the crisis of European and world capitalism, independent of all factions of the ruling class.
Transdev bus drivers in the regions of Seine-et-Marne and Val dOise, near the French capital, are striking against the plans to open the regional bus network to competition from private providers. As they enter their sixth week of strike action, with new depots joining the struggle and the possibility of the strike spreading throughout Ile-de-France, the regional authorities are demanding that the police intervene and break the picket lines set up by the drivers.

A Transdev bus [Credit: Flickr/Semvatac]

The board of directors of the Ile-de-France bus network met on Monday, chaired by the president of Ile-de-France, the former minister of education and finances, Valerie Pecresse. In a press release, the board of directors asked the State to intervene in the most appropriate conditions to ensure the unblocking of bus depots and thus allow the functioning of the minimum service legitimately expected by users.

At the same time, the former president of the postal service and Parisian rail network, Jean-Paul Bailly, would lead a mission to reconcile the points of view between the strikers and Transdev management.

Pecresses call for the police to crush the pickets is a frontal attack on the right to strike. This is in line with Transdevs provocative and false statements that the strike has created a climate of urban guerrilla warfare in the Paris region. The aim is to suppress the legitimate demands of the workers in the face of the social attacks against them, and to prepare the ground for a police assault on the strikers.

The state fears an eruption of class struggle against the attacks on workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, while workers anger is rising in the transport sector. German railway workers struck for weeks this summer, and private bus drivers have launched strike action in the UK. Transport strikes have broken out in Lyon and Chambery in France, while a strike by garbage collectors in the Aix-Marseille area began on September 30 against an increase in working hours.

At Transdev, the workers are opposing the restructuring of working conditions, which is the outcome of a regressive agreement negotiated with the companys main trade unions. It provides for longer hours at the wheel, a wage freeze and a loss of paid days off.

The opening of the public transport network to private competition is being pursued over the next two decades in France. It began this year with the Optile bus networks in the greater Paris area. It is to continue with Parisian metropolitan buses (2025), national suburban trains (2023 to 2033), streetcars (2030), and finally metros and regional trains (2040).

Patricia, a striker, explained to France-Bleu that the agreement is totally disadvantageous for the staff. Previously, we were paid 39 hours and had 22 days of paid days off. Now, we are at 37 hours and they have taken away 11 days of RTT. Vacation vouchers are being reduced from 750 per year to 250.

Freddy, a bus driver of 15 years, described a lengthening of working time behind the wheel, while the time allocated to taking over the shiftin particular to perform vehicle checkshas been reduced from 20 minutes to 10. He added: As soon as you start your shift, you are under pressure.  Before, when I had a seven-hour shift, I worked two hours more, which meant two extra hours paid. Now, with 42-, 43-, 45-hour weeks, I dont want to work any more. Everything has been done to freeze our wages.

New bus depots have recently joined the strike, such as at Rambouillet. While some are opting for rotating strikes (as in Nemours and Rambouillet), many are maintaining a continuous strike (Chelles, Marne-la-Vallee, Saint-Gratien, Vulaines-sur-Seine, Vaux-le-Penil).

The struggle of Transdev workers cannot be left in the hands of the trade unions. They were forced to call a strike at the Transdev depots, even though they had negotiated the agreement with management that provides for increases in working hours.

Now the unions are demoralizing the workers by isolating them, depot by depot, in order to weaken the movement. Jamel Abdelmoumni, Transdev central delegate for Sud-Rail in Ile-de-France, said: Managements strategy is first to try to weaken the movement, to suffocate it; then, to reach agreements on a case-by-case basis in order to get the most precarious workers back to work.

But this strategy of the management, well described by the Sud-Rail union, is implemented by the union leaders themselves.

At Senart, for example, an agreement has been signed by two out of three trade unions. On Monday, October 11, a negotiations meeting for the Vaux-le-Penil depot was held at the Cite administrative building in Melun. On Tuesday, October 12, a meeting was held at Marne-la-Vallee, again in the presence of officials from the labour ministry. Two meetings have taken place in Vulaines-sur-Seine, one on October 12, the other on October 14, this time without a labour ministry mediator. At the other depots in Fontainebleau, Melun and Marne le Vallee, the unions are continuing negotiations.

While the Transdev strike began in early September, the unions have isolated the workers from other transport strikes in Lyon and Chambery, striking garbage collectors in Aix-Marseille, and especially from their international counterparts. In the UK, truck drivers went on strike for one day in August to protest longer working hours, low pay, intolerable conditions and the consequences of a staffing crisis of 100,000 drivers. In anticipation of the strike, the British military was placed on high alert.

To oppose the straitjacket of the union apparatuses over the strike, and mobilize workers more broadly against the danger of police repression, workers should establish their own independent rank-and-file committees at the struggling depots and other workplaces. The Transdev strikers have powerful support across France and internationally. But to unify and mobilize that support, workers cannot leave the initiative in the hands of the union apparatuses.

The yellow vests movement, which was organised on social media, as well as the coronavirus pandemic itself, have discredited the union apparatuses, which have collaborated with reopening workplaces and schools in unsafe conditions. The ruling class itself is no longer sure of the ability of the trade unions to suppress the class struggle. That is why its representatives turn to the police and the army.

This is a warning that capitalism is incompatible with the most elemental struggle by workers to defend their social and democratic rights. It is essential to organise workers independently of the unions, to defend their social and democratic rights, and impose a scientific strategy to stop the pandemic and eradicate the coronavirus. This means forging the unity of the international working class in the struggle for socialism.
The Australian ruling elite and all of its political representatives are responding to the countrys greatest surge of the coronavirus yet, with a frenzied campaign to lift all restrictions and force the population to live with the virus. Virtually every day, reports of thousands of infections and growing numbers of deaths are accompanied by announcements winding back the inadequate safety measures currently in place.

The Victorian Labor government is leading the charge, demonstrating the entirely bipartisan character of the official herd immunity campaign.

A queue of people waiting to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in Melbournes west [Credit: @Lisylou via Twitter]

Its roadmap to reopen the economy, in line with a national plan for the imminent lifting of all restrictions, not only threatens to completely overwhelm the states chronically-underfunded hospital system. Labor is also establishing precedents that will be picked up by Australian jurisdictions, which can only be described as a deliberate attempt to infect tens of thousands of school children with a potentially lethal disease.

On Thursday, Victoria registered 2,297 infections, exceeding the previous daily case high in any Australian state by 330. Eleven fatalities in the state were also reported.

In August last year, the state Labor government of Premier Daniel Andrews responded to then daily record infections of 725 by belatedly instituting a sharp stage four lockdown, including a retail shutdown, workplace closures and protracted online learning. In the first six months of this year, the government introduced limited snap lockdowns in response to case numbers in the several dozen.

Now, the opposite is the case. Thursdays infection tally was downplayed by Andrews, who insisted that the primary issue was that the state continue to increase vaccination rates so that the current limited lockdown could be ended as scheduled, sometime next week.

We are going to deliver the roadmap, Andrews declared, adding that additional steps, i.e., an even faster lifting of restrictions, could be possible based on inoculation levels. Andrews spoke of a very important agreement with the Victorian community. You get vaccinated and we will open up, and I do what I say. Infection numbers would become less relevant, as the reopening, literally days away proceeded.

The Labor premiers comments were indistinguishable from similar, callous statements made by the federal Liberal-National Coalition government and its state administration in New South Wales.

All of them are invoking inoculation levels to end all other public health measures. The Australian targets, of 70 percent adult vaccination for lifting lockdowns and 80 percent for the removal of most remaining restrictions, are similar to those used to justify reopenings abroad, which have led to a massive surge of the virus.

As in NSW, Andrews agreement is not with the Victorian people, but a pact with the largest banks and corporations against the population. In order to ensure the resumption of full profit-making activities, all imposts on business operations must be overturned, whatever the infections and deaths.

The brutal class character of this program is summed up by Labors drive to reopen the schools. While the government is cynically branding the mental health crisis among young people, their need for social interaction and the benefits of in-person learning, the clear motivation is to get them back in the classrooms so that their parents can be herded into workplaces.

The irrationality of the policy, from the standpoint of the needs of children and educators, is demonstrated by the fact that the school calendar is already several weeks into its final term of the year. If the governments actions were dictated by science and public health, there would be no problem in extending online learning for the less than two months remaining of the school year. This, however, would obstruct the broader drive to reopen the economy.

Even prior to the end of the lockdown, classroom teaching has resumed. Year 12 students began returning to the schools last week. They will be followed by Prep, year 1 and 2 students next week, and most other cohorts on a part-time basis from October 26, ahead of return to normal on November 5.

Already, schools are becoming centres of mass infection, as they have in every other outbreak. According to figures compiled by the Committee for Public Education, 204 Victorian schools have closed since mid-August due to COVID infections, and 109 have been forced to shut in the past two weeks alone. This includes the period when schools were operating at minimum capacity, catering primarily to the children of essential workers. In the last week, since the return of year 12, 80 schools have been hit by cases.

On Thursday, Andrews and his Education Minister James Merlino made clear that any measures to limit infections within schools were purely for show. As the record case numbers were registered, they announced that from October 27, year 12 students who were deemed primary close contacts of confirmed COVID infections would still be compelled to attend school and sit their final exams.

These students will purportedly be placed in separate rooms, where they will be supervised by teachers who are required to wear unspecified hospital grade personal protective equipment. The suggestion that the policy is aimed at assisting students is a transparent fraud. Primary close contacts are frequently individuals whose housemates have tested positive.

That means young people, whose relatives have contracted a potentially-lethal disease, and who may themselves be infected, will be made to sit a high-pressure exam. And if they are positive, they will be placed in a position of potentially spreading the virus to their teachers and classmates.

The murderous character of the school policy was underscored by the announcement today that a 15-year-old girl had passed away after contracting COVID, the states youngest victim of the pandemic thus far.

Her tragic death is one of a growing number. Hospitalisations, moreover, are increasing and spiked over the past 24-hours. There are 798 admissions, up from 706 a day ago, 163 of them in intensive care units (ICU). The government has touted the fact that hospitalisations allegedly only account for five percent of infections at this stage, as a sign that the healthcare system may cope. Even if that figure is correct, however, COVID patients already account for more than a third of the states existing ICU capacity, with 106 of them on ventilation, indicating they are critically-ill and require constant care.

Doctors have already warned that patients are dying from other conditions, because of the strain being placed on the system. Andrews announced last year that his government would create 4,000 additional ICU beds, but he walked back that promise the same time he was unveiling the states reopening in September.

Modelling commissioned by the government and conducted by the Burnet Institute found a 61 percent likelihood that the current reopening plan would result in the hospital system being overwhelmed, with an accompanying 2,000 deaths by the end of the year. The variables in that modelling included the proportion of COVID cases that required hospital treatment.

Another key variable, however, was the effectiveness of contact-tracing, which is now being all but abandoned. The Age reported this morning that Victorian authorities were increasingly adopting a standpoint of intense pragmatic, as they were overwhelmed by the states more than 20,000 active cases.

Many people who have tested positive for the virus, especially if they are young, are not being contacted by the health department, except in a text message informing them of their result. This means that the authorities have no idea, or interest, in where the individual contracted the virus, who their contacts are, or even the severity of their symptoms.

This is one aspect of the normalisation of COVID, which will be intensified over the coming weeks as the government oversees state-sanctioned super-spreading events, including a mass concert in late October, and the Melbourne Cup horse race in early November.

The same approach is being taken by the Coalition state government in NSW, where hundreds of daily cases are still being recorded. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, whose installation earlier this month coincided with the states reopening, announced yesterday the end of all quarantine measures for international arrivals, provided they are vaccinated and received a negative test before transit. This is another measure that will allow the virus to circulate, and will all but guarantee that new and potentially-more infectious and deadly variants rapidly enter the community as they emerge internationally.

NSW, having already lifted its limited lockdown, is preparing a second freedom day for sometime next week, based on 80 percent adult vaccination. Nightclubs will begin to reopen, masks will no longer be required in indoor offices and all caps on attendance at weddings and funerals will be lifted. A full resumption of in person teaching will occur between October 18 and 25, even though more than 200 schools have been forced to close during the current outbreak, while only the children of essential workers have been present.

In a foretaste, the Everest horse race was held in Sydney today, in front of 10,000 spectators. Perrottet, in one of his first acts as premier, doubled the permitted attendance after lobbying from the racing and gaming industry.
Asia

Unemployed Thai garment workers protest over unpaid wages

About 100 garment workers from the Brilliant Alliance Thai Global lingerie factory in Thailand protested outside Government House in Bangkok on October 7 demanding seven months of unpaid wages. The factory had closed without giving its 1,388 employees severance pay and outstanding wages.

The workers held a larger protest in June demanding that the Thai government prosecute the factory owner under the criminal law. The CILT union confederation has called on the government to assume responsibility for the workers pay and severance entitlements.

India: Ola and Uber drivers demonstrate in Tamil Nadu

Around 150 drivers working for car aggregators Ola and Uber demonstrated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on October 12 to demand increased tariffs. Tamil Nadu Call Taxi Owners and Drivers Association members demanded immediate revision of tariffs claiming that the tariff has not been revised since 2014.

They complained that rising fuel costs meant that the present tariff was inadequate for drivers to continue the job and support their families.

Tamil Nadu liquor retail workers protest over mistreatment

Workers from the government-owned liquor retail outlets of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) protested outside the Secretariat in Chennai on October 11, condemning ongoing mistreatment by authorities.

The protest was in response to attacks on two employees in Kancheepuram on October 4. Workers at liquor shops in Chennai and suburbs held a spontaneous strike the following day in protest against the attack.

Although TASMAC, which employs around 25,000 people, is wholly government owned its workers are not classed as state employees and do not get any entitlements. TASMAC workers have been campaigning through strikes and protests over several years to demand permanency and to receive the same benefits as other government employees.

TASMAC has a monopoly over the wholesale and retail vending of alcoholic beverages in Tamil Nadu and controls the Indian Made Foreign Liquor trade in the state.

Andhra Pradesh childcare workers hold sit-in

Anganwadi (childcare) workers and helpers staged a sit-in protest at the Prakasam district collectorate in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh on October 10. Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union members demanded a pay rise, a traveling allowance, tablet computers for online work, monthly project meetings and outstanding wages from 2017.

Punjab state government contract workers demand permanency

Contract workers from various government departments protested and marched towards the Punjab ministers residence in Patiala on October 10. They were demanding permanent jobs and implementation of minimum wages instead of the honorarium payment system.

Protesters included workers from the Forest Department, National Health Mission (NHM) staff nurses, contractual multipurpose health workers, employees from the Kasturba Gandhi Hostel, Punjab School Education Boards Adarsh schools and other staff. They were later offered a future meeting with the chief ministers principal secretary on October 18. Similar marches were held in Amritsar, Muktsar and Jalandhar on the same day.

Goa state government road commuter transport workers strike

Goa state-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) workers held a one-day hunger strike on Monday to demand a wage increase as per the seventh pay commission. The protest was organised by the Indian National Trade Union Congress, which is affiliated with the opposition Congress Party.

Bangladesh garment workers demand unpaid wages

Hundreds of apparel workers from the Interlink Apparels factory in Vogra and Basan in Gazipur demonstrated on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Sunday to demand unpaid wages. Traffic was disrupted for five hours. The protest was suspended after their representatives reached an agreement with police and factory authorities. The agreement details were not made clear.

Workers said that when they arrived at their factories to get their pay on Sunday there were signs on the gate saying that due to the COVID-19 pandemic production would be halted until October 24. They claimed that the factory owner did not pay on time and frequently laid off workers without giving a reason.

Australia and New Zealand

Sydney light rail drivers impose work bans

Light rail drivers at the Pyrmont depot of private commuter transport operator Transdev NSW in Sydney have imposed work bans and ad-hoc two-hour stoppages after rejecting the companys latest proposed enterprise agreement. Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members have banned overtime, refused to clean up hazardous waste on the vehicles, answer management phone calls, along with other bans.

An RBTU spokesman said the Pyrmont depot drivers (which work on the Sydney west line) are paid around 6 percent less than drivers at Transdevs Randwick depot (Sydneys east line).

The company had offered a 3 percent pay rise, backdated to November, claiming that it will prevent the pay gap widening. The union claims, however, that Randwick workers, who are on a separate EA, are promoted more quickly to the maximum pay scale and that this further widens the pay gap.

Another issue concerns the Category One medical classification required for drivers and other safety-critical workers. Imposition of the classification is not consistent between the two depots and has caused a pay anomaly. Pyrmont workers want equal pay and conditions with their Randwick depot colleagues.

Newcastle construction workers end strike

Twenty-six Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) members ended their strike at two building sites in Newcastle, New South Wales on Wednesday after the union said it had reached an agreement with I.C. Formwork for a new enterprise agreement (EA). The workers walked out on October 6 and picketed the building sites, demanding a 15 percent pay increase in a three-year agreement.

The CFMMEU demanded 2.5 percent pay increases every six months for three years, claiming that it would compensate for the insecure work and the threat of redundancy if their employer had no contracts. These increases do not make up for the effective freeze on wages when the previous agreement expired in 2018, with the last pay increase for workers in March 2019.

The CFMMEU has not revealed whether workers would receive back pay for the more than two-year wage freeze. The union has not released any further details on the deal which is still to be voted on by workers.

Queensland health workers protest over inadequate funding

Health workers from five Queensland public hospitals held a press conference outside the Ipswich Hospital on Tuesday in a protest against the ongoing Labor governments underfunding of healthcare. Present were members from the Together union, Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU), Electrical Trades Union and the United Workers Union calling for urgent action to address critical safety issues across the health system.

A QNMU representative said that hospitals were running at 100 percent capacity and that this could not go on forever. She claimed staff are overworked and burning out. Health workers in Cairns, in far north Queensland, demonstrated outside the Cairns Hospital on September 30 demanding the government fix the health system. They said the hospitals are underfunded, under-staffed and need more bed capacity.

New Zealand bus drivers union calls off planned strike

A strike planned by New Zealand bus drivers in the Canterbury region next Monday has been called off, after a living wage agreement was struck by the Amalgamated Workers Union (AWUNZ).

The union, which represents about 90 percent of the South Islands public transport workers, had given notice to all bus operators contracted to Environment Canterbury (ECan) that there would be a four-hour stoppage during the morning rush on October 18. On Wednesday, AWUNZ announced it had called off the strike as a gesture of good faith after an agreement was reached with one of the operators.

Calls for strike action were driven by a delay in drivers being paid the living wage, currently $22.75 an hour, following a Labour government directive last year that it was the bottom line for urban bus drivers nationwide. The living wage is widely promoted by the unions as the minimum necessary to live on. The amount is woefully inadequate and only marginally above the legal minimum of $20 an hour.

ECan said all Christchurch-based drivers employed by Ritchies Transport would now receive $22.75 an hour as a base pay rate and backdated. ECan also expects to finalise agreements for Ritchies Timaru-based drivers next week.
The warning was hardly veiled. Vladimir Chizhov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's tough-minded representative to the European Union, recently said that if Europe wants to resolve any future issues with its supply of natural gas quickly, treating Russia as a "partner," not an "adversary," will help.

It's not the first signal that Russia is prepared to hold Europe hostage to natural gas prices, which are escalating dramatically. But with Europe currently facing an energy crunch, the context and timing are significant -- on both sides of the Atlantic. It's quite clear that both Washington and Brussels need to mind what's on the mind of Chizhov -- and especially Putin.

For Europe, the price of not cozying up to Russia could be debilitating gas shortages this winter, not to mention exploding gas prices. Since natural gas is the primary heating fuel for Europe, this is a potentially existential threat. And lately, prices have shown a tendency to swing widely, often on the whim of, or prompted by, off-hand remarks uttered by one man: Vladimir Putin.

On October 6, for example, prices surged early in the day, reaching a level 10 times their level at the start of the year, as the Financial Times reports. Within hours, however, Putin observed, "Let's think through possibly increasing supply in the market, only we need to do it carefully. Settle with Gazprom and talk it over." (In other words, I can flip a switch and your economies and society can be turned on their head.) Within hours, prices saw a sharp reversal, the paper notes.

This kind of hardly subtle pressure comes at a most sensitive moment for Europe.

Germany is still trying to cobble together a coalition governmen -- and identify a successor to Angela Merkel as chancellor -- following an election in which no clear leader emerged. With French President Emmanuel Macron on the cusp of launching his own reelection campaign, rising gas prices heading into winter could harm his standing.

Europe could be at an inflection point in its energy-driven vulnerability to Russia, for two reasons.

A new pipeline from Russia's gas fields to Germany -- dubbed Nord Stream 2 -- is moving ahead. It figures to shore up Europe's access to gas, but also to grant Russia even more control over that access, something the US has pointed out as it opposed the project. (Recently, the Biden administration waived sanctions related to it, giving an effective green light, despite its concerns.)

At the same time, Europe is forging ahead with a transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable energy sources. But that transition hasn't happened yet. As Europe looks for a bridge from dirtier sources like oil and coal, relatively clean natural gas is seen as a good fit.

And for gas, Europe relies on imports -- particularly from Russia.

France, for instance, imports virtually all its natural gas. France is among the global leaders in nuclear technology, but Macron has previously pledged to rely on it less heavily. (Amid high energy prices and his looming reelection campaign, he has reneged on that a bit, promising swift new investments in nuclear, but nonetheless, it remains the case that Macron has committed that by 2035, France will rely on nuclear for no more than 50% of its power. That stands to boost the importance of gas.) Germany, too, is turning away from nuclear and is doing so even more quickly: Merkel's government has pledged to shutter all of Germany's nuclear plants by the end of next year.

As Germany and France seek to reduce their reliance on nuclear energy, they'll likely turn to natural gas, at least until more wind and solar projects can be brought online.

Putin, one might guess, is probably viewing this as a rare opportunity to exercise important politico-economic leverage. With Nord Stream 2 still in the works, Russia is already Europe's main gas supplier, accounting for 41% of its imports. A turn to gas by Europe, and a new pipeline to Russia to get it, only stands to boost Putin's power.

Putin has already been quietly demonstrating just what life could be like for a continent that has become deeply, perhaps existentially, reliant on the Kremlin to supply its most critical energy needs. Russia is moving only limited quantities through the current pipeline system that transits Ukraine, and its state gas producer, Gazprom, is filling domestic stocks before replenishing storage sites in Europe.

With energy prices rising and the global economy struggling to move forward after its post-2020 rebound, short gas supplies are already putting parts of Europe at risk of energy-driven stagflation. These pressures could very well intensify, providing a possible foretaste of what could be on the near-term horizon, until Europe manages a credible and sustainable transition to renewable energy.

Putin would clearly see a completed EU transition away from gas, and toward renewables, as a looming threat to his influence. It's yet another reason for Putin to look to Nord Stream 2 to reap as much profit (financial and geopolitical) as possible before the EU can pull off its green conversion.

The US may not like the pipeline -- former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called it a tool of Russian "coercion" -- but Washington probably can't do much about it. Having already irritated so many forces in Western Europe over a host of issues, including the US and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan and the secretively crafted US-UK-Australia security partnership, the Biden administration must tread very carefully indeed.

The US may have non-geopolitical reasons for opposing Nord Stream 2 -- and it might have reason to see American-supplied natural gas as a possible answer for Europe. The United States remains the largest single supplier to Europe of liquefied natural gas, which can be shipped via tankers.

Still, LNG is more expensive, relies on long-distance supply, and must be converted from liquid to gas on arrival. And there's already heavy competition from other regions, especially China, for LNG. Nord Stream 2 would result in a guaranteed supply of natural gas to Europe, presuming EU member states approve it in the next several months. So for Europe, it remains an appealing option.

From the Russian perspective, there's another beauty to Nord Stream 2, beyond serving as a potentially cheaper competitor to American LNG: It could allow Russia to scale back dramatically its natural-gas shipments through the existing pipeline that passes through Ukraine and from which Kiev now receives transit fees. That could give Putin even freer rein in his rivalry with the determinedly pro-Western government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who just this summer labeled Nord Stream 2 "a dangerous geopolitical weapon."

Russia's warnings to Europe could also be seen as a caution to the US to back off its determined opposition to Nord Stream 2 -- and its opposition to Russia's broader efforts to form more binding ties to western Europe. Nord Stream is effectively a fait accompli. Still, the perceived American hostility to it could drive yet another wedge between Europe and America, at time when the Trump and now Biden administrations have done enough to degrade transatlantic ties.

In that sense, the US should back off and let the pipeline proceed without much complaint. Until Europe breaks its reliance on fossil fuels and effects a green transition in full, Putin will keep an upper hand.

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Just weeks ago, Dylan Harrison's father tried to persuade him to leave law enforcement to be an electrician. Instead, Harrison redoubled his commitment to policing.

On his first part-time shift with a new agency, Harrison was shot dead last weekend in Middle Georgia. He'd sought the second job to supplement his full-time duties with a drug task force elsewhere in the state.

Ahead of Harrison's funeral Friday, his relatives remembered a man always drawn to public service and to doing well by his wife and infant son.

He is among at least 111 US law enforcement officers who have died this year in the line of duty from nonmedical causes, according to a nonprofit that tracks such deaths.

"(Harrison's father) was trying so hard to get him to apply for a job in the electrical field," because he had just obtained his electrician's certificate, Harrison's mother, Kathy Harrison, told CNN affiliate WGXA this week.

"(But) he told me a few weeks ago ... 'Daddy, I love what I'm doing. I love helping people,'" the father, Jeff Harrison, told WGXA.

Harrison's uncle shared a similar memory: "He told us that he wouldn't be happy unless he was a law enforcement officer," Michael Cauley told the TV station. "That's just what he loved doing."

'The kindest, sweetest soul you would ever meet'

Harrison, 26, of Dublin, Georgia, already was a full-time agent with the Oconee Drug Task Force.

But to earn extra money, his family says, he'd recently taken a part-time job as a police officer in Alamo, about a 30-mile drive from Dublin and a 160-mile drive southeast of Atlanta.

During his first shift in Alamo, Harrison was fatally shot around 1 a.m. Saturday outside the police department, police said. Investigators believe Harrison was shot "ambush-style" in retaliation for an encounter hours earlier in which he used his Taser on a known associate of the man now jailed and charged with killing him, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.

On Monday, police vehicles escorted a hearse with Harrison's remains from the bureau's crime lab in Atlanta to Dublin.

His parents and other family members stood alongside a road there and watched the hearse drive into town. WGXA interviewed Harrison's parents and Cauley then.

The 26-year-old was jovial and a prankster, Cauley told WGXA.

"He was just always happy and smiling. You see the pictures of him, he's got these two dimples, and that just sum up what he was like. He was just a very happy, jovial guy. He'll be missed."

His survivors also include his wife, Heather Milks Harrison, and son, Brody Cash Harrison.

"I wish y'all could have known him," Kathy Harrison told WGXA. "He was the kindest, sweetest soul you would ever meet."

Suspect faces murder and other charges

Authorities have arrested Damien Ferguson, 43, of Alamo, on suspicion of killing Harrison. He was charged with murder and bias motivated intimidation of first responders in connection with the shooting, and aggravated stalking for a separate incident, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Ferguson had an initial court appearance Tuesday but has not had a chance to enter a plea. He did not have a lawyer listed for him on Thursday, according to the clerk's office in Laurens County, where Ferguson was jailed.

Harrison had taken the part-time job in Alamo to earn more money "to buy a new house," the uncle, Michael Cauley, told WGXA.

But his affinity for civic service ran deep, Cauley said.

"He joined the ... volunteer fire department when he was 16, 18 years old," Cauley told the TV station. "He just dedicated his life to service, and that's what he was all about."

Harrison held several public safety jobs as an adult. He had been a full-time firefighter at Southside Fire Department on Georgia's Wilmington Island before working as a 911 operator for Laurens County, according to his obituary.

He also had been a part-time police officer with Middle Georgia College, the city of Cochran, and the East Dublin Police Department.

Harrison's funeral is scheduled for Friday morning at the DuBose Porter conference center in Dublin.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp offered his condolences to Harrison's family Saturday on Twitter.

Alamo Police Chief Karen Zanders had "never experienced a grief that I have felt since Officer Dylan Harrison's life was taken in our small, quiet town," she said.

"Officer Harrison was a husband, a son and, more importantly, he was the father of a 6-month-old boy," Zanders told reporters on Sunday.

"His life was taken from him for simply doing his job," she said. "We will never forget Officer Harrison and the fact that he made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of each one of us."

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI)- The Terre Haute Police Department has finally completed renovating a new building.

The building is located on 7th and Poplar streets. The city spent about eight months on the project. THPD officers say they have been in need of a bigger and updated building for years. Mayor Duke Bennett says he has been working on this project since 2015 and is relieved it is finally completed.

"There's more safety and security in this building. Just all the pieces really came together just the way we would wish it to and it actually came true" says Bennett.

The building is about 45,000 square feet and cost $11 million in total. The police chief, Shawn Keen, says he has worked in three different buildings during his time as a Terre Haute police officer. He is happy to have a modern space that is equipped with the necessary technology for him and his co-workers.

"So we've been in a lot of buildings that were not designed or consistent with modern-day policing, so it's been a long time. I've been working on this project since I was assistant chief since about 2009" says Keen.

The new building includes updated equipment, training rooms, and an updated camera and security system. Officers say they will be able to work more efficiently with the new technology.

"Our camera system is state of the art here, the interview rooms which are attached to the body camera and the dash camera...the amount of time that is going to save an investigation by having the prosecutor have direct access is amazing," says Keen.

THPD officers and staff will move into the new building on Monday, October 18th.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - In just a few weeks, the Garth family will move into their new home thanks to the Northeast Mississippi Habitat for Humanity.

Nicole Garth and her family are helping build their future home. She said she was concerned about the safety of her and her children at their previous home, but now they can feel secure at this new location.

"As a mother, you want a location for your children where they can be safe and you can trust that they go outside and come back in okay and not have your house robbed and things like that."

The house will have 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The Habitat for Humanity supplies all the materials for the house. The Garth family will pay an affordable mortgage rate to the habitat when it is complete.

Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Mary Ann Plasencia said this is their second house for their build season and they always need volunteers to help, especially during the pandemic.

"The volunteers help us to get the houses built quicker and about 70 percent of each our homes is built by volunteers."

Garth said she is just thankful for the support of the habitat because, without them, it wouldn't be possible.

"I thank God for letting the habitat community use them to bless our family."

Organizers said the house should be done just in time for Thanksgiving.

The habitat builds on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on volunteering, click here.
Director David Zucker (Airplane!, Naked Gun) has attacked the problems of cancel culture, saying he could only make his Airplane! film today without the jokes.

In a long essay in Fridays New York Post, Zucker  marking the 40th anniversary of the release of Airplane!  claimed Paramount Pictures actually discussed withholding the re-release over feared backlash for scenes that today would be deemed insensitive.

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The scenes include one in which two Black characters speak entirely in a jive dialect so unintelligible that it has to be subtitled. Ive lost count of the number of people who have said to me, You couldnt do that scene today, Zucker wrote.

But I always wonder, why not? Half the gags in that joke were aimed at white people, given that the translation for s- -t is golly  and the whole gag is topped off by the whitest lady on the planet, the actress who played the mom on Leave It to Beaver, translating.

The bit was evenhanded because we made fun of both points of view. No one ended up being offended by that scene, and all audiences loved it. They still do.

Zucker said Michael Eisner, then the president of Paramount, didnt feel that he had to censor, take apart or micromanage the jokes in the Airplane! script, even the ones he didnt understand. Eisner somehow knew that comedy requires a certain amount of recklessness and that comedy writers and directors need to experiment until they hit that perfect note where a joke can illuminate uncomfortable subjects by giving us permission to laugh at them.

Humor happens when you go against whats expected and surprise people with something theyre not anticipating, Zucker argued, like the New York Jets winning a game. But to find this surprise funny, people have to be willing to suppress the literal interpretations of jokes.

Story continues

The fear of audience retaliation is not unwarranted, Zucker acknowledges.

I admit that their fear of audience retaliation is not entirely unwarranted. There is a very vocal, though I believe small, percentage of the population that cant differentiate between Glue Sniffing Joke and Glue Sniffing Drug Problem. It is these people whom studio executives fear when they think twice about rereleasing Airplane! on its 40th anniversary, when they put disclaimers in front of Blazing Saddles, or when they pressure writers to remove jokes that are otherwise perfectly offensive.

Zucker said some of the best contemporary comedy minds are moving on.

Zucker summed up the general plight: Its hard to argue with 30 million people on Twitter. You just cant do it. So you just go, Im out.

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Chuck Liddell

Ethan Miller/Getty

Former UFC star Chuck Liddell has filed for divorce from his wife Heidi less than one week after he was arrested for domestic violence.

Liddell, 51, filed the dissolution in Los Angeles County court on Friday, PEOPLE confirms.

Deputies responded to Liddell's Hidden Hills, California, home around 12 a.m. on Monday after reports of a "family disturbance," a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a statement to PEOPLE.

"Upon arrival deputies determined Charles Liddell and his wife had been involved in a physical altercation," the department spokesperson wrote.

RELATED: Former UFC Champion Chuck Liddell Arrested for Domestic Violence

Chuck Liddell

Michael Tullberg/Getty

Liddell was arrested and charged with domestic battery. He was booked at the Lost Hills Sheriff Station, where he was later released on a $20,000 bond, jail records show.

RELATED: Sean Penn's Wife Actress Leila George Files for Divorce After 1 Year of Marriage

He currently is not scheduled to appear again in court. A representative for the wrestler has not responded to PEOPLE's request to comment on the allegations.

Liddell, known as "The Iceman," is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He made his debut in 1998 and retired 12 years later in 2010. He returned to the ring in 2018 to face off against an old rival, Tito Ortiz.

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He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009.

TMZ was first to report the news to his divorce filing.

Related video: 'Seeking Sister Wife' star's alleged abuse

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwan's president on Sunday vowed to defend the island from China's rising pressure for reunification, after a week of unprecedented tensions with Beijing.

Speaking at the island's National Day celebrations, a rare show of Taiwanese defense capabilities in the annual parade underlined Tsai Ing-wen's promise to resist Chinese military threats.

We will do our utmost to prevent the status quo from being unilaterally altered, President Tsai said.

We will continue to bolster our national defense and demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves in order to ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us, the Taiwanese leader added.

China claims Taiwan as part of its national territory although the island has been self-ruled since it split from the communist-ruled mainland in 1949 after a long civil war.

Tsai emphasized the island's vibrant democracy in contrast with Beijing's deeply authoritarian, single-party Communist state.

The path that China has laid out offers neither a free and democratic way of life for Taiwan, nor sovereignty for our 23 million people," Tsai said.

A choir of singers from Taiwans various indigenous tribes opened the ceremony in front of the Presidential Office Building in the center of the capital, Taipei.

Surveys show Taiwanese overwhelmingly favor their current de-facto independent state and strongly rejects unification with China, which has vowed to bring the island under its control, by military force if necessary.

Tsai rarely singles out China in her public speeches, but in this speech acknowledged the increasing tensions that Taiwan faces as Chinese military harassment intensified in the past year. Since September of last year, China has flown fighter jets more than 800 times towards Taiwan.

Since last Friday, China has sent a record-breaking number of fighter jets towards international airspace close to Taiwan.

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The island has strengthened its unofficial ties with countries like Japan, Australia and the U.S. in the face of these perceived threats.

But the more we achieve, the greater the pressure we face from China, Tsai said in her speech.

Following the address, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense showed off a range of weaponry including missile launchers and armored vehicles while fighters jets and helicopters soared overhead. These included a formation of F-16, Indigenous Defense Fighters and Mirage 2000s, which left wide white contrails in their wake.

The show of air power was followed by a group of CM32 tanks, followed later by trucks carrying missile systems.

Tsai said Taiwan wanted to contribute to peaceful regional development, even as the situation becomes more tense and complex in the Indo-Pacific.

On Saturday, China's leader Xi Jinping said that reunification with Taiwan must be realized", while claiming peaceful reunification was possible.

No one should underestimate the Chinese peoples strong determination, will and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Xi declared.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office issued a statement Sunday night in response to Tsai's speech, saying that Tsai's party, the Democratic Progressive Party, is the source of turbulence and tension in cross-strait relations, and the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The parade Sunday in Taipei also featured Taiwans Olympic athletes who won medals at the Tokyo summer games, as well as public health officials, including those who staff a daily press conference about the pandemic, wearing their distinctive neon yellow-edged vests.

Tsai also called on other legislative parties to put aside politics in order to push for the reform of the islands constitution, a document created by the then-ruling Nationalist Party in 1947 before it lost power and fled China ahead of the Communist takeover two years later.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden praised law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the attack on Jan. 6 in remarks Saturday at the National Peace Officers annual memorial service.

Biden said the officers of the U.S. Capitol Police and Washington, D.C. Metropolitan police department thwarted an unconstitutional and fundamentally un-American attack on the nations value and our votes during the events of Jan. 6.

The memorial, mourning 491 law enforcement officers around the country who died on the job in 2019 and 2020, took place in front of the U.S. Capitol. Flags were also flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen officers.

Because of you democracy survived," Biden said, "but only because of the women and men of the United States Capitol Police force, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan police department and other law enforcement agencies, who once again, literally put their bodies on the line to protect democracy.

More: Biden touts vaccination progress as cases, hospitalizations drop; FDA panel gives thumbs-up to Moderna booster: COVID-19 updates

Biden also spoke on the heavy expectations of police officers, stating that being a cop today is a hell of a lot harder than its ever been.

It always amazes me how the public doesnt fully understand what we expect of our law enforcement officers," he said. "We expect you to be people ready to stand in the way and take a bullet for us. We expect you to be able to track down the bad guys. We expect you to be everything. We expect everything of you, and its beyond the capacity of anyone to meet the expectations.

Biden vowed to continue work on police reform despite the failed attempt at a bipartisan police reform deal, which failed in Congress in September. He said he would explore possible executive actions to hold officers accountable.

More: Capitol Police officer charged with obstruction in January 6 case

Despite the failure, Biden credited the National Fraternal Order of Police, a major officers union which endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, with sincerely trying to reach an agreement on policing reform.

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Biden also promised to provide support and resources for officers and police departments, saying hes already asked Congress for hundreds of millions of dollars for training, recruitment and additional resources like mental health professionals.

The toll on this profession these past two years has been heavy," Biden said. "Unless we change the environment in which the job can be done, were going to have trouble having enough women and men come forward who want to do the job. .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden honors fallen police officers during tribute at US Capitol
Though coronavirus cases are declining throughout Virginia, public health officials worry the high level this month could create a bigger springboard for a holiday surge than last year.

The caseload entering this October was three times larger than in October 2020, according to a recent analysis by infectious disease modelers at the University of Virginias Biocomplexity Institute. With 2.7 million Virginians still completely unvaccinated, theres enough opportunity for a repeat of last years wave.

Beyond COVID-19, health officials are concerned the flu season could add more stress to hospitals. Though a so-called twindemic never happened last year, it could this season. Experts say its unlikely Virginians will match the record flu vaccination numbers of 2020, and fewer lockdown restrictions and prevention measures may make it easier for either virus to spread.

A severe flu could tip hospitalizations over the edge to exceed last Januarys peak, according to the university analysis.

The number of Virginians hospitalized for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 was 1,474 as of Friday, a 30% decrease from two weeks ago. More than one in four were in an intensive care unit, according to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Of those critical patients, 63% were on ventilators.

Statewide, 7.5% of standard nasal swab tests came back positive last week, according to Virginia Department of Health data, and close to 2,200 new cases are being diagnosed each day, about 1,000 fewer than were reported daily two weeks ago.

Confirmed cases have risen to at least 673,000 in the state, with 13,391 suspected deaths.

Eighty-one of those fatalities were reported from Hampton Roads last week. Though they appear to be climbing, epidemiologists say thats likely because deaths are a lagging indicator during a pandemic. Death reports frequently come after hospitalizations, but some are delayed weeks because of death certificate reviews.

The following localities reported deaths: 17 in Hampton; 16 in Virginia Beach; 11 in Norfolk; eight in Chesapeake; seven in Gloucester County; five each in Newport News and Portsmouth; four in York County; two in James City County; and one each in Franklin, Poquoson and Suffolk and Accomack, Isle of Wight and Middlesex counties.

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About 5.3 million Virginians are fully vaccinated  62% of the population. Some residents are now receiving third doses of either Pfizer or Moderna if they have weakened immune systems or Pfizer boosters if theyre in certain high-risk categories. So far, 286,000 more shots have been given to fully vaccinated people by the state, health care providers and pharmacies, according to the health department.

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel also has recommended boosters for Moderna recipients using the same approach. But Friday, the group backed boosters for anyone who received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is authorized for people 18 and older. The FDA will use the recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for the other two COVID-19 vaccines.

Unvaccinated people have made up the vast majority of the states serious illnesses.

Though so-called breakthrough cases, infections in fully vaccinated individuals, are happening more often, they are still considered uncommon. There have been 34,691 cases statewide, with 381 ending in death.

Some 44.8 million infections have been reported throughout the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University, and 722,000 Americans have died. About 240 million people have had confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, with 4.9 million deaths.

Back in the region, Virginia Beachs caseload continues to be the highest, with 597 new infections.

Large caseloads are expected in bigger cities, but some communities with fewer people see greater rates of new cases per capita. For last week, Franklin ranked the highest in the region again based on population size, at 43 per 100,000 people. By comparison, Virginia Beach had 19 and Norfolk had 20.

Heres a look at vaccination rates throughout the region. These figures do not include the 613,000 doses administered to Virginians by the federal government, such as military, because location information has not been provided for them:

In Virginia Beach, 69% of adults and 58% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 53% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Norfolk, 54% of adults and 47% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 41% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Newport News, 65% of adults and 53% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 47% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Chesapeake, 68% of adults and 56% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 50% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Portsmouth, 60% of adults and 49% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 43% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Hampton, 64% of adults and 54% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 48% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In James City County, 80% of adults and 68% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 62% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Poquoson, 77% of adults and 64% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 58% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In York County, 72% of adults and 60% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 54% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Suffolk, 67% of adults and 56% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 50% of all residents are fully inoculated.

In Williamsburg, 58% of adults and 53% of the entire population have at least one dose. About 48% of all residents are fully inoculated.

For other pandemic data, go to www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.

For more information on where to find vaccines, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or www.vaccines.gov. For phone assistance, call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA.

Elisha Sauers, 757-839-4754, elisha.sauers@pilotonline.com
Edouard Mendys stunning string of saves ensured Chelsea climbed back to the top of the Premier League with Ben Chilwells strike sealing a nervy 1-0 win at luckless Brentford.

England full-back Chilwells second league goal in as many games pushed Chelsea back ahead of Liverpool in the standings  but Senegal stopper Mendys inspired showing secured the points.

Bryan Mbeumo twice hit the post for Thomas Franks ever-impressive Bees, before Mendy conjured at least four last-ditch saves.

Ben Chilwell, centre, scored the only goal while Edouard Mendy, right, was Chelseas hero (John Walton/PA)

The former Rennes keeper thwarted Saman Ghoddos, Ivan Toney and Pontus Jansson  before denying Christian Norgaard from the Danes acrobatic overhead kick.

Norgaard saw an effort cleared off the line by Trevoh Chalobah too, as Chelsea refused to break despite some desperate defending.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek continued his much-merited resurgence with another powerful midfield performance, while Malang Sarr conjured an assured Premier League debut under intense pressure.

Loftus-Cheek has finally clawed back full fitness and confidence after a nasty torn Achilles tendon in May 2019.

Absolutely love to see it.  pic.twitter.com/0SDhm9qY1K  Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 16, 2021

Chelsea missed the commanding defensive duo of injured Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva, unavailable after Brazil duty, but Sarr did just enough to plug the gap.

Club-record signing Romelu Lukakus goal drought stretched to six matches in a Chelsea shirt, but the 98million man still led from the front with attitude and endeavour.

His fledgling strike partnership with Timo Werner will require time to develop on this evidence however, and Lukaku was unlucky to be the man substituted ahead of his German team-mate late on.

Romelu Lukakus goal drought went on (John Walton/PA)

Chelseas continued experiment with 3-5-2 came up short again in a staccato first half, where the visitors struggled to break down the Bees.

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Thomas Tuchels latest tactical ruse of pushing Mateo Kovacic and NGolo Kante into wider areas failed to pay dividend.

Brentford spent much of the half comfortable, prompting their cheeky supporters to volley Chelseas way: Champions of Europe, youre having a laugh.

Brentford have already proved themselves no Premier League joke, and the Bees nearly stole into the lead.

Bryan Mbeumo is fouled by Chelseas Mateo Kovacic (John Walton/PA)

Mbeumo hit the woodwork with Mendy for once beaten, so nearly capping a fluent home move with what would have proved another hugely impressive goal.

Finally Chelsea started to settle, and to find Werner in space on the left flank. But even when the forward created havoc and looked to have laid on the opener, Lukaku found himself offside when tapping into the empty net.

Chelseas creeping dominance eventually told though, when Chilwell punished a poor Brentford clearance.

The Bees failed to clear a hanging cross with Lukaku making a nuisance of himself in the area, and the Blues England left-back thundered home the opening goal.

Chilwells sweet finish again underscored his fine technical striking of the ball, allowing Chelsea to head into the changing rooms 1-0 ahead.

Chelsea returned with far greater fluidity and purpose after the break, as the upsides of Tuchels system started to gain traction.

The Blues dominance disappeared on the hour however, with more calibration problems allowing the hosts back into the clash.

Lukaku provided a key clearing header, and then Mendy palmed away a stinging effort from Bees danger man Toney.

Mbeumo hit the post again as Franks emboldened men continued to press, before Mendy saved Chelsea with another fine save to thwart Ghoddos.

Chalobah even had to clear Norgaards effort off the line in a six-yard box melee as the Blues hung by a thread to their lead.

Boy oh boy, what a performance from Mendy.  Gary Lineker  (@GaryLineker) October 16, 2021

Pontus Janssons bullet effort struck Mendy square in the face as the Senegal stopper somehow denied Brentford again.

Mendy pressed on undeterred  and even found time to palm away Norgaards goal-bound overhead strike right at the last.
If You Go

The Cornerstone Conference is sponsored by the WSCC, the public policy organization of Washingtons Catholic bishops and the Seattle Archdiocese, Spokane Diocese and Yakima Diocese. It will be held virtually from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, via the OnAIR virtual event platform.

Most keynote speakers and workshops will be offered directly in both English and Spanish. Keynote speakers include Fr. Robert Spitzer discussing A Case for the Inalienable Rights of the Pre-Born, Gloria Purvis discussing What Do the Racial Justice and Pro-Life Movements Have in Common? and Fr. Agustino Torres discussing Maintaining Christian Joy in Times of Darkness.

While there is no registration fee for the Cornerstone conference, attendees are encouraged to host watch parties in homes and parishes across the state, and donations are welcome to help cover the events cost.

To register or for more information, visit wacatholics.org.
Yankton, SD (57078)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 52F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 31F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
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Richling faced allegations of his own from his time at Christ the King Catholic Church in Omaha and at a church in Genoa, Nebraska. In 2020, the archdiocese said an investigation of Richling "led to the substantiation of multiple instances of sexual misconduct with minors."

Both charges Gutgsell is facing are felonies punishable by up to three years in prison. He is expected to face charges in Sarpy County as well.

Gutgsell was scheduled to appear Friday afternoon in Douglas County Court.

Deacon Tim McNeill, the current chancellor of the archdiocese, has said Gutgsell "wrote loans to himself"  which weren't authorized  during his time at St. Joseph. McNeill said the archdiocese recently completed its investigation into the financial records of both St. Joseph in Springfield and St. Cecilia in Omaha  two of the parishes Gutgsell served after serving as chancellor.

Officials found no evidence of financial wrongdoing at St. Cecilia, according to McNeill. At St. Joseph, McNeill said, it's not clear how many checks Gutgsell was able to write to himself  or how he was able to bypass typical safeguards requiring a second set of eyes on church transactions. The archdiocese is continuing to investigate those matters, McNeill said.
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Hear a 4-year-old New Zealand boy's emergency call asking police to come over and see his toys. An officer visited and confirmed the toys were cool.
New Delhi: Honda is all set to launch a slew of electric vehicles in the coming years, as the world moves towards an electric future. The Japanese automaker recently revealed two new electric vehicles along with three concept four-wheelers that will go into production in the next five years in the Chinese auto market.

Overall, Honda will launch 10 new electric vehicles in China in the upcoming five years to re-shape the electric market. As of now, Honda hasnt revealed when the company is planning to launch these models in markets beyond China.

In the Chinese automobile market, Honda will use new e:N Series branding for its electric vehicles. The e represents the automakers e:Technology brand. On the other hand, N represents for now and next to show the firms new value creation.

In the e:N Series, the first two models will be e:NS1 and e:NP1. Both the cars will add to Hondas electric lineup named HR-V. The cars are expected to be launched in the Chinese auto market in spring 2020.

The carmaker had launched cars under the HR-V range in a joint venture between Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda.

The architecture supporting the e:N Series electric vehicles will be developed exclusively for EVs. Honda said the upcoming series is a stretched version of the Honda E platform. All these cars will offer a sport and exhilarating driving experience, the carmaker added.

Hondas EV plans for India, however, arent clear at this point in time when other carmakers are doubling down on their electric offerings. For instance, Hondas rival Tata Motors is planning to launch 10 new electric vehicles in India to take the EV industry by storm. Also Read: Apple iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1 to launch on October 25: Check what new is coming

Other carmakers such as Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki are also pulling up their sleeves to leave a mark in the EV category. Also Read: Tata Motors to launch 10 new long range electric cars to take EV industry by storm

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New Delhi: Tata Motors appears to be all set to take the nascent electric vehicle industry in India by storm with the launch of at least 10 new electric cars. One of the leaning four-wheeler manufacturers in India, Tata Motors, is already the best selling four-wheeler in the electric vehicle segment.

The automaker also recently raised a massive investment from TPG Rise Climate. The investment firm has announced that it is investing a whopping $1 billion or Rs 7,500 crore in the Indian carmaker.

With the recently raised funds, Tata Motors appears to be all to set to launch a slew of electric four-wheelers that could fuel the transition from fuel-based vehicles to electric in the Indian automobile industry.

Tata has confirmed that the automaker plans to launch electric cars with a larger battery pack than existing models. The upcoming cars could also be more exciting with several new features to assist driving.

Tata Motors has named its newly incorporated subsidiary for electric vehicles as EVCo, which be working on the upcoming electric four-wheelers. By 2026, Tata Motors is planning to add 10 electric vehicles to its EV portfolio, according to a report by Autocar India. Also Read: Zee Digital Auto Awards 2021: 5 cars nominated for Hatchback of the Year

In an interview to the media publication, President of Passenger Vehicles Business at Tata Motors Shailesh Chandra said, We have a phased plan to move from generation one to subsequent generations of EVs and in that journey, some of our modern architectures will be adapted to make them more electric ready, specifically to accommodate more battery packs." Also Read: Apple iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1 to launch on October 25: Check what new is coming
New Delhi: India's recently launched Rs 100-lakh-crore infrastructure master plan, digitisation and the 'Make in India' initiative were among the main topics discussed as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman connected with the world's leading business officers at the Big Apple here on Saturday.

Sitharaman arrived here late Friday after her visit to Washington DC where she participated in the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

She met Mastercard Executive Chairman Ajay Banga and Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach here on Saturday.

"The initiatives and progress towards #financialinclusion and #DigitalTransformation formed part of the discussion," the Ministry of Finance said in a tweet.

In her meeting with FedEx Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Raj Subramaniam, discussions focussed on the recently launched initiative of National Infrastructure Master Plan 'Gati Shakti' and India's third largest start-up ecosystem and the unicorn base (start-up companies reaching a high valuation).

On October 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Rs 100-lakh crore national master plan for multi-modal connectivity that aims to develop infrastructure to reduce logistic costs and boost the economy.

PM Gati Shakti targets to cut logistic costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time, Modi said at a function to launch the plan.

The plan aims to lend more power and speed to projects by connecting all concerned departments onto one platform. Now, the infrastructure schemes of various ministries and state governments will be designed and executed with a common vision.

In Sitharaman's meeting with Citigroup chief executive officer (CEO) Jane Fraser, discussions focussed on the banking company's "commitment towards #MakeInIndia and focus on #Digitisation and Partnerships with #Fintechs towards #digitaltransformation," the Finance Ministry tweeted.

Later, Sitharaman also met IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna.

"IBM's interest in India in the areas of hybrid cloud, automation, 5G, cybersecurity, data, and AI (artificial intelligence) formed part of the discussion," the ministry tweeted.

Sitharaman began her week-long US visit with a trip to Boston, where she met CEOs, addressed a roundtable meeting of investors and executives and addressed students and faculty at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Srinagar: 13 terrorists have been killed in 9 encounters in Kashmir Valley in the last ten days. Jammu and Kashmir Police also claims to have killed 3 out of 5 terrorists from the Srinagar city. The increase in operations comes after 7 civilian killings in the Kashmir valley recently.

The security was put on high alert after the recent civilian killings across the Kashmir Valley. Many Cordon and Search operations were carried out by the Police, Army and ParaMilitary forces across the valley, leading to encounters.

''13 terrorists killed in 9 encounters after civilian killings. We have neutralised 3 out of 5 terrorists of Srinagar City within less than 24 hours,'' said Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir Police.

Earlier Today two terrorists including a LeT commander was killed in a gunfight in the Pampore area of Awantipora. Police had a tip off about the presence of these two terrorists in the area after which a cordon and search operation was launched. Police say they also gave them an option of surrender but they denied.

'' We offered them surrender but they kept firing, triggering an encounter. They were trapped in a three-storey building, which is a concrete one. We fired grenades and the building caught fire. One of the slain militants has been identified as Umar Khanday of LeT and the other has been identified as Muhammad Sultan, who was the LeT commander .

Police say Umar Khanday was involved in the killing of two policemen in Baghat area of Srinagar. Security still is on high alert across the Kashmir Valley.

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Police in Hyderabad have arrested four brothers for killing a Dubai-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI) businessman, it was revealed on Saturday. The accused have been identified as Raees Jabri, 23, Adil Jabri, 32, Saad Saleh Jabri, 29 and Saeed Saleh Jabri, 34.

They allegedly wanted to take revenge after the victim, Hamed Bin Ali Zubaidi, 45, refused to compensate for losses suffered by one of them following his arrest at Hyderabad Airport while carrying his gold parcel.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Gajarao Bhoopal, Raees was arrested with the gold on his arrival from Dubai, where he was employed.

Zubaidi, a businessman who was known to Raees, had handed him a packet with to deliver it at his house. Raees, reprotedly, unaware of the contents of the packet, was arrested and his passport was seized.

After this, Zubaidi had promised to help Raees and his brothers in the legal case, get him back his seized passport and provide him a job.

However, when he came to Hyderabad in April, he, reportedly, refused to fulfill his promises. Angry over this, the accused attacked him with knives and killed him on October 13.

Zubaidi was killed in Chandrayangutta and the South Zone police have recovered two motor cycles, two knives and four mobile phones from their possession, a police officer said.

The investigations revealed that Zubedi had lodged a complaint at Chandrayangutta police station after the four brothers came to his house and threatened to kill him. However, the police failed to take any action.

Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar has suspended Sub-Inspector S. Venkatesh for dereliction of duty.

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New Delhi: The Delhi Police has lodged a case after a doctor working at the All India Institute of Medical Science here alleged that she was raped by one of her senior colleagues during a birthday party inside the campus, officials said on Friday.

The accused, who is married, is at large and efforts are on to nab him, they said.

The incident took place on September 26 during a birthday party of one of her colleagues, police said.

The police received information about the incident on October 11 at the Hauz Khas police station, officials said, adding that the MLC (Medico Legal Case) was also done.

According to the police, when their team reached the hospital and met the victim, she told them that on September 26, one of her senior colleagues allegedly raped her after she went to his room for the birthday celebration.

The accused lives in the residential complex at AIIMS complex here. The woman told the police that on the day of incident, she and her colleagues had alcohol at the party and she stayed back at night there. The accused then allegedly forced himself upon her and raped her.

Based on her statement, a case was registered under sections 376 (Punishment for rape) and 377 (Unnatural offences) of the Indian Penal Code at the Hauz Khas police station, said Benita Mary Jaiker, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).

"During investigation, the statement of the victim was recorded before a magistrate under section 164 CrPC, and raids are being conducted at some hideouts of the accused. "Technical surveillance has also been mounted but the accused is still at large," she said.

The accused lived with his family inside the residential complex of AIIMS. On the night of the incident, the family of the accused was out of town, police said, adding that other doctors who had attended the birthday party will also be questioned.

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New Delhi: At least six people died and a dozen were missing on Saturday (October 16, 2021) as heavy rains lashed Kerala, prompting the state government to seek the assistance of the defence forces for rescue operations. The incessant rainfall in the state has caused flash floods and landslides in many parts.

Numerous people have been injured and displaced in rain-related incidents in the southern state where dams in many districts are nearing its full capacity and small towns and villages in the hilly areas are totally cut off from the outside world.

"The situation is serious", Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. He, however, said the latest weather forecast indicates that the situation is not going to get worse.

Many hilly areas of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta are experiencing almost similar to that of the situation the state faced during the time of devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 but authorities said everything was under control and there was no need for any panic.

However, the rescue teams of the state police and fire force could not reach the affected areas due to floods and adverse weather conditions prevailing there.

This lead to the officials calling personnel of the Army, Airforce and the Navy. An official said that the teams are on the way to Koottickal and Peruvanthanam, the two hilly villages falling under Kottayam and Idukki districts respectively, where an overflowing river swept through houses, displacing and isolating many.

State Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan, who reached the neighbourhood of these landslide-hit villages, said bodies of two women and a child who died, were recovered while search was on to recover the body of a man who also lost his life in the incident.

He said at least 12 people are missing from these villages.

In a separate rain-related incident, a man and a woman--both 30-years-old-- died as their car was swept away in the floodwaters in Kanjar in Idukki district, police said. Their bodies have been recovered, they said.

According to a defence spokesperson, Mi-17 and Sarang Helicopters are already in standby mode to meet the requirements but they could not start operations as the weather at Kottayam is still bad. Air Force assets are still at Sulur in a standby mode, she said.

"All the bases under Southern Air Command have been put on high alert in view of the prevalent weather situation at Kerala," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Indian Army has already deployed army personnel to the flood-affected areas. One column consisting of One Officer, 2 JCOs and 30 other ranks of army personnel already moved to Kanjirappally, Kottayam District from Pangode Military Station...," she said.

The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy said it is fully ready for assisting local administration in rescue operations.

"Diving and Rescue teams are ready to be deployed at short notice. Helicopters stand-by to be launched once weather is conducive for Air Ops,", it said in a tweet.

Earlier, Minister for Cooperation and Registration V N Vasavan said at least three houses have been washed away in Kottayam district and some people feared missing.

"At least four landslips have been reported from various parts of Kottayam district. We have sought the assistance of the Airforce to rescue people who are stranded in the Koottickal area. We have received information about some people missing and over 60 waiting to be rescued as water entered their homes," the Minister told PTI.

According to the latest update of the India Meteorological Department, 'Red Alert' was sounded for six districts--Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad districts.

Kottayam and Pathanamthitta are the most affected districts as of now due to heavy rains since Friday night.

Visuals have emerged on social media from various parts of Kottayam district, including a KSRTC bus stuck in floodwater and locals rescuing passengers from it.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a high-level meeting in the evening to review the rain situation and decided to strengthen rescue operations in all affected areas.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said all government agencies have been directed to take necessary steps to rescue people from the affected regions and evacuate those living in areas prone to landslides and floods. Vijayan also directed the district collectors to open relief camps to relocate the affected people.

He said the camps should function strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocol.

In the wake of the warning that the rains would continue till October 19, the meeting also decided not to allow pilgrims to trek to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, situated in a dense forest in Pathanamthitta district, till October 18. The temple was opened at 5 pm today for 'Thula Masam poojas.

Higher educational institutions, which were scheduled to open on October 18, will start on October 20, the statement said.

Appealing to the people of the state to keep extra vigil in the next 24 hours, the CM said in a Facebook post that the rains have already hit the south and central districts and it would intensify in the northern districts also by the evening as per the weather forecast.

The water level in some rivers is expected to rise and shutters of certain dams are likely to be opened, he said, adding that those living in its catchment areas should be ready to follow the instructions of authorities.

The CM also said a Red alert has been sounded for the dams under KSEB, including the Kakki dam in Pathanamthitta, Sholayar in Thrissur, Kundala and Kallarkutti in Idukki.

Meanwhile, two children had a miraculous escape after a portion of the wall of their house collapsed in incessant rains on Friday night at Chempakamangalam in the capital district where rains have been battering the city and rural areas alike since last night.

The wall collapsed on the bed, where the children were asleep, but they escaped with minor injuries, family sources said.

Government authorities have advised people against visiting tourist places and going near rivers and other water bodies in view of heavy rains in Thiruvananthapuram.

Destruction of roads was reported in many places including in Kollam and Kottayam districts while severe waterlogging made life miserable in Kuttanad region, popularly known as the 'rice bowl' of the state spread in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.

The Thrissur district administration urged people living in low-lying and other disaster-prone areas and on the banks of rivers to move to safer places.

Fishing boats have been prohibited from venturing into the sea, they added.

A red alert has also been issued for the Chulliyar dam in Palakkad and Peechi dam in Thrissur, which are under the irrigation department.

Revenue Minister K Rajan said necessary precautions have been taken."We have asked the district collectors to issue warnings to people residing along the river banks," Rajan said.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to organise a massive rally to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh`s Varanasi soon.

Sources in the party said that the Uttar Pradesh unit of the party is working on dates with the Prime Minister`s Office to finalise the massive gathering in his Lok Sabha constituency.

The move comes days after Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed a huge gathering in Kashi on October 10. Sources stated that the BJP hopes that the Prime Minister`s rally in Varanasi is expected to boost its chances in the state.

Many in the party believe that having the Prime Minister address the people of Kashi will neutralise the "little" buzz that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s visit had created.

"There was a significant crowd in the rally that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed. It has concerned few in the party. However, it must be noted that no one can ever match the popularity of PM Modi," stated a senior party leader.

Leaders in the party believe that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s effect on the voters is expected to be negligible. "If Congress does better in UP the votes will be divided. However, we should never be happy with the opposition doing better. There is a concern as well," said a highly placed leader in the party.

The party is closely looking at her effect on the Brahmin voters, a community that traditionally votes for both the parties, sources added.

While the BJP state unit is wary of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s impact after the Lakhimpur Kheri incident among voters, it hopes that PM`s rally is expected to turn the tide in favour of the BJP.

"The political atmosphere is charged any change has to be minutely analysed," added another senior leader. The Assembly polls in UP are expected to take place in early next year. There are 403 Assembly seats out of which BJP managed to win 312 constituencies.

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New Delhi: Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Friday (October 15) condemned the horrid killing of a man whose mutilated body was found near Singhu border and said the culprits should be brought to justice.

The deceased identified as Lakhbir Singh, a resident of village Cheema Khurd in Tarn Taran district of Punjab, was found tied to a police barricade with his hands chopped off near Singhu border, where farmers have been protesting against the three farms laws since November last year.

Tikait asserted the brutal incident had nothing to do with their agitation and that farmers will continue their protests. SKM has already issued its statement over the Singhu border incident. There is no place for violence in our movement. Let the law do its work and the guilty should be punished, the BKU leader told ANI.

"This incident has nothing to with our movement. We have been doing a peaceful agitation for 11 months against the three farm laws. We will continue our protest till the government fulfil our demands to repeal those laws," he added.

A Nihang group at the protest site on Singhu border had claimed responsibility for the brutal murder over sacrilege to the Sarbaloh Granth.

In a statement on Friday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) said, We want to make it clear that both the parties to this incident, the Nihang group and the deceased, have no relation with SKM. The Morcha is against sacrilege of any religious text or symbol, but that does not give anyone the right to take the law into their own hands. Further, the SKM demanded that the culprits should be punished after a lawful investigation and that they will "cooperate with the police and administration in any lawful action."

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hansraj said an FIR under IPC 302 and 34 was registered in the case. The Haryana Police detained one person in connection with the Singhu border murder case. As per Haryana police sources, efforts are on to nab the other culprits.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: A key meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, will take place on Saturday (October 16) at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi.

During the first in-person meeting of the CWC since the COVID-19 outbreak last year, upcoming assembly polls in five states next year including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, organisational elections, the current political situation, price rise, farmers' protests and the economic situation of the country are likely to be on agenda, PTI reported.

The meet would be attended by the CWC members, permanent invitees, and special invitees of the committee along with the chief ministers of the Congress-ruled states.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel confirming his presence told ANI, "I am going to attend Congress Working Committee meeting on Saturday, wherein upcoming Assembly elections, as well as organisational elections, will be discussed.

This meet becomes crucial as the party has recently been witnessing rumbling in Congress-ruled states like Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Moreover, the meet comes weeks after Gulam Nabi Azad, a G-23 member, had written a letter to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi to convene an urgent CWC meet.

After political turmoil in Punjab Congress broke out last month, Kapil Sibal had said G23 leaders' grouping is "not a Jee Huzur 23" and questioned who in the party was taking decisions in the absence of a "full-time president".

With these demands in mind, the party leadership is expected to decide on the schedule for electing the new Congress chief, PTI reported. Youth Congress, NSUI, Mahila Congress and Social Media`s National Executives have passed resolutions to appoint Rahul Gandhi as the new Congress president.

Sonia Gandhi took the baton from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he stepped down as the President of AICC accepting the responsibility of poll debacle in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party in its CWC meeting held on January 22 had decided to elect a president by June 2021, but the same was deferred at the May 10 CWC meet in the wake of the COVID-19 situation.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Over 51,000 students have secured admission to Delhi University's undergraduate courses, filling up a little over 74 per cent of the 70,000 seats available, according to official data. The third cut-off list will be released on Saturday.

The university has received a total of 1,18,878 applications under the first two cut-off lists. A total of 51,974 students had paid the fees till 5 pm on Friday, after which the payment gateway was closed, university officials said.

As many as 10,591 applications have been approved by college principals, they said.

Manoj Khanna, principal of Ramjas College, said the college authorities are treading cautiously as they do not want to admit more students than the number of seats.

"This year, we are planning to go for NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accreditation and we want to maintain a decent student-teacher ratio, which is an important criterion. We had kept the cut-off at 100 per cent for Political Science (Honours) in the second list because we had only two vacant seats. We have had 33 admissions to the course for 31 seats," he added.

Dr Jaswinder Singh, principal of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, said nearly 440 seats out of 820 have been filled up.

"We have 10 students who have applied to the B.Com programme. The cut-offs are likely to see a one per cent decline in the third list," he said.

The cut-off for the BCom programme was pegged at 100 per cent in the first cut-off list but the course did not find any takers so it was reduced in the second list.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College principal Hem Chand Jain said that the decline in the third list will range from 0.25 to 0.5 per cent with only a few courses likely to remain open.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Israel from October 17 to 21, confirmed the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday (October 16, 2021).

During his three-day visit, Jaishankar will hold a bilateral meeting with alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, and will also call on Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

This will be his first visit to the country as External Affairs Minister, the MEA said. "He will hold a bilateral meeting with the Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel. Further, he will also call on the President, the Prime Minister, and the Knesset Speaker (Mickey Levy)," the statement read.

Jaishankar will interact with the Indian-origin Jewish community in Israel, Indologists, Indian students who are currently pursuing their education in Israeli universities, and business people, including from the hi-tech industries, the MEA said.

The visit will also be an occasion to pay tribute to the valiant Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the region, especially during the First World War.

India and Israel elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during the historic visit of PM Narendra Modi to Israel in July 2017.

Since then, the relationship between the two countries has focused on expanding knowledge-based partnership, which includes collaboration in innovation and research, including boosting the `Make in India` initiative, the MEA noted.

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New Delhi: Elections for appointing a full-time Congress president will be held in September 2022, sources said amid a meeting of the Congress Working Committee in Delhi. The CWC - the party's highest decision-making body - met on Saturday to discuss issues like party leadership, and finalise the schedule for a membership drive.

Gandhi asserted that every member of the party wants a revival of the Congress, but that requires unity and keeping the party's interests paramount. "Above all, it requires self-control and discipline," she said in her opening remarks.

In an apaprent dig at the dissenting Congress leaders the G23, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said she is a full-time, hands-on party president and there is no need for leaders to speak to her through the media.

"I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands-on Congress president," Gandhi said. Though Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, during CWC meeting said, "We have full faith in Sonia Gandhi ji and nobody is questioning her leadership."

The CWC meeting was attended by former chief Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress chief ministers Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh and Charanjit Channi of Punjab.

Sonia Gandhi, who has been the interim President of the party since Rahul Gandhi's resignation in 2019, is likely to continue in that post till the internal polls conclude.

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New Delhi: In an apparent dig at her colleague and party leader Kapil Sibal and other G23 members, Sonia Gandhi on Saturday (October 16) asserted she is a full-time and hands-on Congress President.

Last month, after political turmoil in Punjab Congress spilled in public, Sibal had attacked Congress high command and said G23 leaders' grouping is "not a Jee Huzur 23". Addressing a press conference, the veteran leader said, In our party at the moment there is no president. So we don't know who is taking these decisions. We know and yet we don't know.

During her opening remarks at Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi, Sonia Gandhi said, "I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands on Congress President.

She added, "I've always appreciated frankness, no need to speak to me through media; let us all have honest discussion." Gandhi called for a united Congress and said, "We face many challenges but if we are united, focus on party's interests alone, we will do well."

"I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands on Congress President....," Sonia Gandhi during her opening remarks at Congress Working Committee meeting pic.twitter.com/SXbtI7prxe  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

Slamming the Narendra Modi-led central government, Sonia Gandhi said, Economy continues to be a cause of great concern in spite of govt propaganda to make us believe that it's not. As we all know, only answer Govt seems to have for economic recovery is selling off national assets.

Taking potshots at BJP, the Congress chief said the saffron party has betrayed its mindset. "The shocking incidents at Lakhimpur-Kheri recently betrays the mindset of BJP, how it perceives Kisan Andolan, how it has been dealing with this determined struggle by Kisans to protect their lives & livelihoods," she was quoted as saying by ANI.

This was the first in-person meeting of the CWC since the COVID-19 outbreak last year. The upcoming assembly polls in five states next year including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, organisational elections, the current political situation, price rise, farmers' protests and the economic situation of the country were on the agenda.

A total of 52 Congress leaders including former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and senior party leader P Chidambaram participated in the meeting. Five leaders including Digvijaya Singh and Dr Manmohan Singh could not attend the meeting.

The meet comes weeks after Gulam Nabi Azad, a G-23 member, had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi to convene an urgent CWC meet.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: India has proposed to host an in-person National Security Advisors (NSA) meet on Afghanistan in the month of November. Many countries in the region and key stakeholders like Russia have been invited. The meet was to take place earlier this year, but could not happen.

Pakistan received the invite last week, Pakistani sources confirmed. Pakistan's National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf has been invited to the meet. If his attendance is confirmed, this will be the first such visit of Pakistani NSA Yusuf to Delhi. Both Indian NSA Doval and Pakistani NSA Yusuf were in Dushanbe, Tajikistan earlier this year for the Shanghai cooperation organization NSA meet but no meeting happened.

The meet comes even as the situation in Afghanistan remains precarious and with the onset of winters, worries have mounted about the deterioration of humanitarian situation. Two dates have been proposed for the in person meet-- November 10 and 11 for the meeting that is expected to happen in Delhi.

Last week marked two months since the fall of Kabul to Taliban, and since then new govt has been announced by the group-- but has no representation of women or minorities like Hazaras. Taliban leadership has visited Qatar, Turkey and Uzbekistan hoping to get recognition and legitimacy for the government, but so far, no such indication has been given by the global community.

In the coming week, Russia will be hosting Moscow format of talks involving Taliban, Pakistan, China and India. India will be participating in the meet. In response to a WION question at weekly presser on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have received an invitation for the Moscow format meeting on Afghanistan on October 20. We will be participating in it. I don't have a final confirmation who will be attending but it's likely that we will have it at the Joint Secretary level."

This will be second time India will be publicly seen sitting with the Taliban. On August 31, Indian envoy to Qatar Deepak Mittal and Taliban's Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai had met at the Indian embassy in Doha. The Indian Ministry of External affairs confirming the meet said that it happened "on the request of the Taliban side". During the meet, India discussed issues like the safe return of Indian nationals in Afghanistan, concerns over the use of Afghan soil for anti-India activities.

So far, PM Narendra Modi has raised the situation of Afghanistan at special SCO meet and address to the United Nations General Assembly in September and this month at the G20 virtual meet hosted by Italy. At the SCO CSTO outreach summit, PM highlighted that the "transition of power in Afghanistan is not inclusive, and it has happened without negotiation", essentially listing out New Delhi's red lines. At the G20 virtual meet on Afghanistan, he emphasized the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has "immediate and unhindered access" to humanitarian assistance.

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Srinagar: In a shocking incident, a non-local street vendor was shot dead by militants on Saturday (October 16) in the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the police sources a non-local street vendor was shot by militants near the Eidgah park in Srinagar city.

"He was shifted to hospital for treatment where doctors said he was dead on arrival. The area has been surrounded for searches", sources told IANS.

A non-local vendor, Arvind Kumar killed by terrorists in Eidgah area of Srinagar, informed Kashmir IGP Vijay Kumar.

Sah (30), a resident of the Banka area in Bihar, was shot at by the ultras outside a park at Eidgah in Srinagar in the evening, a police official said.

A gol gappa seller Arbind Kumar Sah, from Bihar's Banka, killed by terrorists in Eidgah area of Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/xYxQlTjd4Q  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

In another incident, militants fired at and critically injured Saghir Ahmad, a carpenter hailing from Uttar Pradesh, in Pulwama district, the official said.

Earlier, militants killed a school principal and a teacher in a government higher secondary school in the same area on October 7.

Two days before that, militants had killed a famous pharmacy owner, M.L. Bindroo, a Bihari street vendor and a taxi driver in a series of attacks on civilians.

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Thiruvananthapuram: Following heavy rains in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued guidelines to prevent damage and upscale relief and rescue operations in the state.

Four people have died in landslides at Koottikkal in Kottayam and Kokkayar in Idukki districts as heavy rain is continuing in Kerala, with six districts put on red alert.

Considering the seriousness of the situation, the State Emergency Management Centre has been made more active and representatives from KSEB and Irrigation Departments have been deployed to assess the condition of the dams.

All concerned department heads have been directed to be prepared to deal with any emergency. The official release by the Chief Minister`s office informed that one team of NDRF each has already been deployed in Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Malappuram districts.

Chief Minister also requested that one of the two Army teams be deployed in Thiruvananthapuram and the other in Kottayam. In addition, a team of DSC was directed to deploy one in Kannur and one in Kozhikode. The Air Force was also directed to be ready for emergencies.

The Air Force has been requested to assist in the rescue operation in Kottayam. The Volunteer Force and Civil Defense are ready to deal with emergencies.Among the dams under the Kerala State Electricity Board, a red alert has been issued for Kaki in Pathanamthitta district, Sholayar in Thrissur district, Kundala and Kallarkutty in Idukki district at 11 am.

An orange alert has been issued in Mattupetty in Idukki district and Peringalkuthu in Thrissur district.A red alert has been issued for Chulliyar in Palakkad and Peechi in Thrissur district at 11 am on the watch list of dams under the Irrigation Department, the official release by the Kerala CMO read.

The Chief Minister directed that the police force be fully equipped for rescue operations in case of emergencies. District police chiefs have been directed to open special control rooms in the districts. The police system will work with the District Collector and the District Disaster Management Authority.

Necessary precautions will be taken in areas prone to landslides and floods. He also directed the district police chiefs to provide special police security at the relief centres.

"In case of heavy rains, people should be vigilant and follow the instructions given by the government without compromise. In case of emergency, the public can call 112 at any time," the official statement said.

The state is getting heavy rains as a low-pressure area formed in the Arabian Sea. The India Meteorological Department has issued red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts.

An orange alert has been declared in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts and yellow alert in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

The central weather agency has warned of possible thundershowers and strong winds throughout Kerala in the coming days.



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Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rains lashed Kerala, especially the south and central regions on Saturday, causing water-logging in several areas and leaving many rivers in spate, as the weathermen sounded 'red alert' predicting extremely heavy rainfall in five districts of the state. According to the latest update of the Indian Meteorological Department, the 'Red Alert' was sounded for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur districts.

An orange alert, warning of very heavy rainfall was issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.

Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram receives rainfall IMD predicts rain or thundershowers for the city till 20th October pic.twitter.com/iFcd2Ziz5Y  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the India Meteorological Department has warned of widespread heavy rains in the state due to the Low-Pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea. Appealing to the people of the state to keep extra vigil in the next 24 hours, he said in a Facebook post that the rains already hit the south and central districts and it would intensify in the northern districts also by the evening as per the weather forecast.

The water level in some rivers is expected to rise and certain dams are likely to overflow, he said adding that those living in its catchment areas should be ready to follow the instructions of authorities.

Two children had a miraculous escape after a portion of the wall of their house collapsed in incessant rains on Friday night at Chempakamangalam in the capital district where rains has been battering the city and rural areas alike since last night. The wall collapsed on the bed, where the children were asleep, but they escaped with minor injuries, family sources said.

District Collector Navjot Khosa advised people to avoid visiting tourist places and going near rivers and other water bodies in view of heavy rains in Thiruvananthapuram.

Four shutters of Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram were raised by a total of 240 cm in view of the rising water level, the authorities said adding that the shutters of Aruvikkara Dam would be raised to 350 cm from the present 310 cm in the afternoon.

Destruction of roads was reported in many places including in Kollam and Kottayam districts while severe waterlogging made life miserable in the Kuttanad region, popularly known as the 'rice bowl' of the state spread in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.

#WATCH Waterlogged street in Kanjirappally, Kottayam district as the area continues to receive heavy rainfall IMD has issued a Red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts of Kerala pic.twitter.com/LocqwW3CfL  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

The intermittent downpour also lashed high range areas in Kottayam and the hill district Idukki.

The Thrissur district administration urged people living in low-lying and other disaster prone areas and on the banks of rivers to move to safer places as per the instructions received from the authorities. Fishing boats are prohibited from venturing into the sea, they added.

Revenue Minister K Rajan called a meeting of district collectors this afternoon to coordinate with the disaster management programmes and take stock of the damage caused by the rains across the state.

Health Minister Veena George convened a virtual meeting of MLAs at the collectorate in Pathanamthitta, the district which had witnessed widespread destruction during the massive floods in 2018.

The water level is rising steadily in many rivers including Meenachal and Manimala.

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New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday (October 16, 2021) informed that Umar Mustaq Khandey, a Lashkar-e-Toiba commander and one of the top 10 terrorists, is trapped in an encounter with security forces in the Pampore area of Pulwama district.

Khandey, the police informed, is among the top militants whom the security forces are targeting since they released a hitlist in August this year. He was also involved in the killing of two policemen at Baghat in Srinagar district earlier this year.

"LeT commander amongst top 10 terrorists namely Umar Mustaq Khandey who was involved in killing of two police personnel at Baghat Srinagar and other terror crimes trapped in Pampore encounter," the Kashmir Zone Police informed through a tweet.

The other top targets include Salim Parray, Yousuf Kantroo, Abbas Sheikh, Reyaz Shetergund, Farooq Nali, Zubair Wani, Ashraf Molvi, Saqib Manzoor and Wakeel Shah.

LeT commander amongst #top 10 #terrorists namely Umar Mustaq Khandey who was involved in #killing of two police personnel at Baghat #Srinagar & other terror crimes trapped in Pampore #Encounter: IGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/sM5w69fifc  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 15, 2021

J&K | An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Drangbal area of Pampore, Pulwama. Top LeT commander Umar Mustaq Khandey is trapped. He was involved in the killings of police personnel & other terror crimes. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/zGXFnXMdrC  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

ALSO READ | Terrorist involved in civilian killing neutralised in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama

Meanwhile, a search operation by security personnel continues in the Bhata-Durian area which is adjacent to the Dehra Ki Gali (DKG) forest ridge in Rajouri-Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. A counter-terrorist operation by the Army was launched in the area of Nar Khas Forest in Mendhar, Poonch on the evening of October 14. During the operation, there was a heavy exchange of fire and in the ensuing gunfight, two Army personnel, Rifleman Vikram Singh Negi and Rifleman Yogambar Singh, were critically injured and later succumbed to their injuries.

According to police, vehicular traffic had been suspended on the highway between Bhimber Gali and Surankote on Friday.

This is to be noted that five Army personnel including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) had lost their lives in anti-terrorist operations in the DKG area of Rajouri adjoining the Poonch sector on October 11.

Earlier on Friday, J&K DGP Dilbag Singh also chaired a meeting with senior officers to review the security situation.

DGP J&K Sh Dilbag Singh chairs senior officers meeting to review security scenario. Impresses upon officers that surveillance systems must be strengthened & ensured to undo nefarious plans of the enemies. pic.twitter.com/uLkjo5WoOz  J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) October 15, 2021

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New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party chief, Sharad Pawar on Saturday (October 16, 2021) said that he will be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the extension of BSF`s (Border Security Force) operational jurisdiction.

"I will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah to know his thoughts about it, said Pawar.

Pune, Maharashtra | I will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah to know his thoughts about it: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on extension of BSFs operational jurisdiction pic.twitter.com/IikKlJPgSI  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

The statement comes after the Union Home Ministrys order of extending the operational area under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) in border states including West Bengal, Punjab and Assam, giving the paramilitary personnel powers of arrest, search and seizure, on par with state police.

Additionally, the NCP chief also said that the Union government should handle the ongoing agitation against new farm laws with sensitivity, keeping in mind that majority of protesters are from Punjab, a border state.

"My advise to the Union government is, do not let farmers of Punjab get upset, it is a border state. If we upset the farmers and people from border regions, then there will be other ramifications," he said.

"Our country has paid the price of upsetting Punjab, even (then prime minister) Indira Gandhi lost her life. On the other hand, farmers of Punjab, irrespective of whether they are Sikh or Hindu, have contributed to food supply," the NCP chief said.

On the other hand, Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi also spoke about the BSF order and tweeted, I strongly condemn the GoI's unilateral decision to give additional powers to BSF within the 50 km belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on federalism. I urge the Union Home Minister @AmitShah to immediately roll back this irrational decision.

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Panaji: Goa BJP chief Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Saturday (October 16, 2021) said his party was open to alliances with like-minded outfits for the 2022 Assembly polls.

He said the entry of new political parties in the state was discussed during the recent visit of the Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah here.

Replying to a query on whether the BJP would tie-up with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, he said "the door was open for all like-minded parties who think of the welfare of Goa, including MGP".

ALSO READ | Efforts made to diminish image of many freedom fighters, time to change this: Amit Shah

However, he added that the BJP, in the current political situation, would win a majority on its own in the 40-member Assembly in the 2022 polls.

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Siddharthnagar/Gorakhpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate seven new medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh from Siddharthnagar district on October 25, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday (October 16).

The Chief Minister, who was in Siddharthnagar to review the preparations for the PM's visit, said a new golden chapter of health care facilities will start on October 25 when PM Modi will inaugurate seven new medical colleges from the land of Buddha.

Apart from the medical college in Siddharthnagar, six other medical colleges to be inaugurated by the PM are in Deoria, Etah, Hardoi, Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Pratapgarh.

While talking to newspersons after inspecting the venue of PM's programme in Siddharthnagar at the newly constructed Madhav Prasad Tripathi state autonomous medical college, the CM said his government is committed to provide best health care to the people and is forming a chain of medical colleges in the entire state.

As many as 700 MBBS seats will increase in this academic session in Uttar Pradesh after the inauguration of seven medical colleges and it will be a record, Adityanath said.

"In the coming years, there will be no dearth of doctors in the state," he said.

The Deoria medical college has been named after Maharshi Devraha Baba, Ghazipur medical college after Maharshi Vishwamitra, Mirzapur medical college after Ma Vindhyavasini, Pratapgarh medical college after Dr Sonelal Patel and Etah medical college after Virangna Avanti Bai Lodhi, he said.

Two years ago, the construction of a medical college was announced in Siddharthnagar district and now it is ready. It is named after BJP's first state unit president and Jana Sangh leader Madhav Prasad Tripathi, popularly known as Madhav Babu, he said, adding that all the seven medical colleges have got necessary approval and from this academic session itself admissions in MBBS will start through NEET.

Tripathi was a resident of Bansi assembly constituency of Siddharthnagar.

The CM also said there was earlier only BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur-Basti zone but now AIIMS is almost ready and hopefully will be inaugurated by PM Modi in the coming 1.5 months.

Adityanath, who also held a meeting with public representatives and officials on the preparations for the arrival of the PM, said health services have improved in UP. Three to five life supporting ambulances are available in every district of the state, he said.

These seven new medical colleges will not only help the people of nearby districts but also neighbouring Nepal, he added.

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New Delhi: Regimes change, empires fall, civilisations end and those in Congress who believe the grand old party will live forever must come down from the la-la land. As the seniors of the party have rightly pointed out and what even the lowest rung workers know, Congress needs immediate course correction including sweeping structural changes that are long overdue if it wants to survive the BJP onslaught.

Todays CWC meet which was called after a desperate demand by a section of the anxious party members  part of the famous G23  could have been a major opportunity to set things right. However, as it turned out quite predictably, nothing came out of it except just another assurance of holding elections and that too as late as September 2022. By then, polls in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh (not that it has a major role here) will be done, in which the lack of leadership could cost the party dearly.

In an emphatic statement, the partys interim chief Sonia Gandhi said she is the full-time, hands-on President. However, when the tussle between Amarinder Singh and Navjot Sidhu was at its height or when Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mevani were being inducted or when anything significant happens in the party, Rahul Gandhi is the one making the big decisions. When the Congress delegation tried to reach Lakhimpur Kheri, it was Rahul Gandhi who was flanked by two sitting chief ministers on either side. It is no secret that he is the de facto president of the party.

The trouble is he gave up this responsibility (officially) following the 2019 Lok Sabha debacle and has been unwilling to take it back despite repeated cajoling by party members.

Now, if Rahul Gandhi doesnt want to own the responsibility, he has no business calling the shots. Power without accountability  what a luxury! Cant have that in this situation. And party members who are hell bent on forcing the crown upon his head against his wishes should calm down. Your sycophancy is showing!

Congress is being humiliated in nearly all the elections it is contesting, be it Kerala and Assam recently or Delhi and Bihar last year. They have been struggling to hold on to even the states they won. The party fell apart in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (the so-called semifinal wins before the 2019 general elections). The murmurs rising from Punjab (Amarinder Vs Sidhu Vs Channi), Rajasthan (Gehlot Vs Pilot) and Chhattisgarh (Baghel Vs TS Singh Deo, is it?) are not comforting for the party either.

The warning bells have been ringing for far too long. How long before the castle crumbles?

In such a scenario, can the G23, which consists of some of the most committed loyalists, be blamed? They probably spoke up only because they had to, as a last resort. How is it wrong to question the lack of leadership which the rivals are joyfully taking advantage of? Should they remain mute spectators even as the party loses state after state? Sadly, leaders like Kapil Sibal are being treated as enemies, what with the disgraceful attack at his residence. All he wanted to know was who is the one leading the party.

The million-dollar question is  If not Rahul Gandhi, then who?

It is a difficult question indeed, given some of the fiercest Congress leaders, who were even being seen as the partys future, deserted the party. Jyotiraditya Scindia, for example. Jitin Prasada, another one. Even Sachin Pilot came close to quitting the party last year.

The old faithful  those in the G23 gang  seem much more reliable  leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Manish Tewari, Kapil Sibal and others. But they dont enjoy a lot of support from their own party members. This is where the baton comes back to Rahul Gandhi who seems to be the undisputed favourite.

The only way out of this puzzle for the party is to do what it has not done since 1998, which it has needlessly been withholding for a long time. Hold elections. And do it now.

Lack of leadership in the party is its biggest vulnerability and the public can see right through it. Nobody likes to bet on a losing horse. The bottom line is that it is for the CWC to sort out the leadership issue if the party is to be saved. If they let the problem linger on for too long, they could possibly lose it all. They could either bring order in the house now or risk a slow, painful death.

(Views are personal)

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New Delhi: In the latest development to the Singhu border killing, the police arrested the second accused on Saturday (October 16, 2021) in connection with the lynching of a Dalit man at a farmers' protest site at the Singhu border.

The second accused Narain Singh, who belongs to the Sikhs' Nihang order, was arrested by the Amritsar Rural police at Amarkot village in Amritsar district. After being taken into custody, Narain Singh claimed that he had surrendered before the police.

Earlier, on Friday, the police had arrested the first accused, Sarabjit Sigh, in connection with the case. Following this, Sonipat court remanded him to police custody for seven days on Saturday.

Shortly after the second arrest, the Haryana police detained two more Nihangs in connection with the Singhu Border incident.

According to police, Sarabjit Singh has claimed the involvement of a few more people in the gruesome killing, which has sparked outrage and has triggered calls for action to clear the protest sites on Delhi's borders where farmers have been camping since last November to press for the scrapping of the Centre's three agri laws.

Victim cremated amid high security

The mortal remains of Lakhbir Singh were cremated at his native village in Punjab's Tarn Taran amid tight security in the presence of his close family members. No Sikh priest was present to perform Ardas (Sikh religious prayer) and no one from his village Cheema Kalan attended the last rites.

SKM cannot escape responsibility: Haryana Deputy CM

Strongly condemning the gruesome killing of a man at the Singhu border, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and senior BJP leader Rattan Lal Kataria on Saturday said the Samyukt Kisan Morcha cannot escape from the responsibility for what happened at their protest site.

It was a barbaric crime. Police are already at the job, conducting investigations into the case... But 40 leaders (SKM leaders) cannot escape from their responsibility, Chautala, leader of the JJP, which is a coalition partner of the ruling BJP in Haryana, said.

He said the farmers movement is being spearheaded by the farm union leaders, and that in any organisation or department, its head is accountable for anything going wrong, likewise in any movement, its leader is responsible.

The responsibility of any incident happening at the protest site (of farmers) lies with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). They cannot escape from the responsibility for what has happened at their protest site, Kataria, the MP from Ambala, said.

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New Delhi: Nihang Sikh member Saravjeet Singh was produced before a court in Sonipat where he was sent to seven-day police remand. Singh took responsibility for the gruesome killing of a man at the Singhu Border on Friday. After, the body was found the police visited the site and by evening Singh surrendered for the murder.

Singh has named four others and now he will be taken Chamkaur and Gurudaspur in Punjab for identification. Also, the hunt is on for the murder weapon.

Earlier, Singh was taken to Crime Branch, Kharkhoda, then the Kundli police took him to the Civil Hospital. After his medical check-up he was presented in court on Saturday afternoon. The Crime Branch team may seek Nihang Sardar on police remand.

As per sources in the wee hours of Friday, Lakhbir who was staying with a group of Nihang Sikhs on the Singhu border for the past 3 to 4 days, was accused of desecrating the holy Sarbloh Granth.

When confronted, Lakhbir was unable to answer a barrage of questions. This lead to an argument, drawing the attention of other Nihangs. The arguments soon turned violent and the man`s hand was allegedly chopped off amid the chaos.

His body was found mutilated and tied to a police barricade at the Delhi Haryana border on Friday.

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New Delhi: The family members of the person found dead at Singhu border demanded justice and said that the guilty should be punished as soon as possible. The man identified as Lakhbir Singh was a resident of Cheema Khurd village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He was about 35-36 years old and used to work as a labourer. He had no criminal record and was not affiliated with any political party.

Lakhbir was a daily wager and used to go to different places for his work. Lakhbir Singh was separated from his wife and children for the past five years and stayed with his sister in Cheema Kalan village. He was last seen in the village on Tuesday. He has three daughters the youngest one is 8-year's old.

While talking to ANI, his father-in-law Baldev Singh said, "We do not know how he reached Singhu border and who has taken him there. I received a call from my daughter in the morning and she told me that Lakhbir is found dead at the Singhu border. How will they survive now without him? We demand justice for him and the guilty should be punished soon," he said

As per sources on Friday, Lakhbir who was staying with a group of Nihang Sikhs on the Singhu border for the past 3 to 4 days, was accused of desecrating the holy Sarbloh Granth.

When confronted, Lakhbir was unable to answer a barrage of questions. This lead to an argument, drawing the attention of other Nihangs present there. The arguments soon turned violent and the man`s hand was allegedly chopped off amid the chaos.

Meanwhile, Nihang Sikh member Saravjit Singh surrendered before the police on Friday evening, claiming responsibility for the murder. He will be produced in court on today.

A murder case under IPC 302 and 34 has been registered, while the postmortem is underway, ADGP Rohtak Sandeep Khirwar told reporters. The Superintendent of Sonipat Police said "vital clues" had been recovered from scrime scene.
New Delhi: The Haryana Police on Friday detained one person in connection with the Singhu border murder case, a member of the warrior Sikh order 'Nihang' surrendered to the police.

The incident came to light early Friday morning when a mutilated, semi-naked corpse was found hanging from an upside down police barricade at the farmers` protest site on Delhi Haryana border. The victim had been found with the right foot and left hand cut off.

Here's what we know so far:

* Nihang Sikh Saravjit Singh surrendered to the police on Friday evening, claiming responsibility for the murder. He will be produced in court on Saturday.

* "... We do not know why he was killed and hanged in such a situation and who is responsible for it. But we want justice for him at the soonest," Lakhbir's sister told ANI, seeking justice for her brother's murder.

* The Superintendent of Sonipat Police said "vital clues" had been recovered from scrime scene. Earlier Sandeep Khirwar, IGP (Rohtak Range) told ANI a forensic team examined the area.

* The deceased man has been identified as Lakhbir Singh, 35, resident of village Cheema Khurd in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. A Dalit, Lakhbir was a labourer, and is survived by a sister, a wife and three daughters.

* The Nihangs at the site say Lakhbir Singh was killed for desecrating the holy scripture Sarbaloh Granth. Singh was beaten to death and his left hand and right foot were cut off, then his body was tied to a police barricade and left it there to be discovered.

* The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has condemned the attack and distanced itself from the murder. "... want to make it clear both sides - the Nihang group (and) the deceased - have no relation with the Kisan Morcha," it said in a press statement. They said the guilty must be punished and offered the police its support.

* A murder case under IPC 302 and 34 has been registered, while the postmortem is underway, ADGP Rohtak Sandeep Khirwar told reporters.

* Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar said "action will be taken". Khattar held a meeting at his residence in Chandigarh to discuss the killing.

* Last year, a Punjab cop's hand had been chopped off with a sword by a Nihang Sikh after the latter was asked for 'movement passes' during the COVID lockdown.
New Delhi: Amritsar Rural Police arrested another accused on Saturday (October 16, 2021) in connection with the gruesome lynching and murder at the farmers' protest site at Singhu Border on Friday.

According to ANI, the accused Narayan Singh was arrested by the Amritsar Rural Police from Rakh Devidass Pura in Amarkot village of Punjab.

Singhu border incident | Amritsar Rural Police arrest the second accused in the matter, Narayan Singh from Rakh Devidass Pura, Amarkot village in Punjab. pic.twitter.com/JoHyK7Du5U  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

According to an IANS report, he surrendered at a gurdwara before the police in Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district in Punjab amidst the presence of a huge sympathizers.

The report also stated that the local police had to show patience to allow the accused to surrender on his own after paying obeisance and performing rituals in the shrine.

Earlier, another Nihang Sikh, identified as Saravjeet Singh, took the responsibility for the brutal murder and surrendered before Haryana Police. He was produced before a court on Saturday and was remanded to police custody for seven days.

The incident took place in the wee hours of Friday on the Singhu border dividing Haryana and Delhi when Lakhbir Singh (30), a resident of Tarn Taran district in Punjab, was seen carrying the Sarbloh Granth -- a holy Sikh religious scripture -- by a Nihang Sikh man.

Lakhbir was then accused of desecrating the Sarbloh Granth. The arguments soon turned violent and the man`s hand was allegedly chopped off amid the chaos.

(With IANS input)

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New Delhi: Instagram has launched a new tool that allows users to schedule IG Live broadcasts up to 90 days in advance. Instagram Live, for those unfamiliar, allows users to broadcast live videos to their followers via Instagram Stories. It's excellent for increasing user interaction, communicating with them directly, providing news, and creating your brand.

Viewers will be able to "sign up" for Instagram, according to the company "to serve as a reminder to tune in. In a statement on Instagram, the Facebook-owned social media network stated that it expects the tool will aid in "finding and dissemination." TikTok released a set of creator tools in June, including the option to schedule TikTok LIVE videos. For security reasons, the ByteDance-owned platform is still blocked in India.

Open the app and swipe left to right to open the camera to schedule an Instagram Live. Instagram defaults to the' Story' format, so scroll right to find Live. Then go to 'Schedule', give the event a name, and set the date and time. After that, users must share it as a post with an image. The post, description, and a prompt with the live link will be shown to viewers. Many creators will benefit from the functionality because they will be able to publicise their future events. Creators can upload countdown stories and much more with scheduled Live events. Also Read: Petrol, Diesel Prices Today, October 16: Fuel prices surge again, check prices in your city

Meanwhile, days after two disruptions interrupted Facebook and its services, the platform announced it is developing a feature that will warn users of outages or technical concerns directly within the app.

Instagram announced in a blog post that the test will take place in the United States and will last a few months. On October 4, the company's 3.5 billion users were unable to access its social media and messaging services, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger, due to a six-hour outage. Also Read: Bank Holidays in October, 2021: Banks to remain shut for 10 days. Check full list here

Instagram has revealed intentions to merge IGTV and feed videos into a single format called Instagram Videos. It also disclosed that a new Video tab, denoted by a triangle, would be added to the profile. It will take the place of the old IGTV box logo. The change will effectively improve how people watch content on the platform.

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#mute
New Delhi: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced the next leg of its Smart Hiring Program in a bid to make fresh graduates employable. Fresh college graduates can apply for the course to learn the skills required at IT companies.

Top performers in the TCS Smart Hiring Program will get an opportunity to land a job at the tech giant via its TCS Ignite programme.

TCS Smart Hiring Program deadlines

The last date for applying for the TCS Smart Hiring Program is November 2. Candidates applying for the programme will have to appear for a test. The test could fall on a date starting from November 19.

TCS Smart Hiring Program eligibility

Candidates from science backgrounds can apply for the course. However, only full-time graduates will be able to apply. Passouts of BCA, B.SC Math, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Biochemistry, and CS, among others, will be able to apply for the course.

However, candidates should be a pass out of 2020, 2021 and 2022. The required passing mark for the programme should be 50% or 5 CGPA or more throughout their academic career.

Meanwhile, TCS has also ramped up its hiring for the ongoing financial year. The company have recently hired 43,000 fresh graduates in the first six months of the ongoing financial year.

Moreover, the company plans to hire more than 35,000 more employees in the ongoing financial year to make up for the high attrition rates that the industry is currently faced with.
New Delhi: In the latest episode of Weekend Ka Vaar in Bigg Boss 15, Salman Khan had a serious talk with the contestants about their behaviour and aggression in the house. He called the contestants in the main house and grilled them about their performance in the last few days.

He goes on to tell them that they are too aggressive and using physical force for no reason. Later, Ieshaan Sehgaal is also questioned for his relationship with Miesha Iyer and how they're portraying it on the show.

Salman Khan asks them to be careful and reminds them that their actions are being telecasted on national television. He asks them "Yeh dikh kaisa raha hai?".

Miesha is also criticised for her messy behaviour and not following the rules of the house. Salman also asks her to speak in English and not in Hindi. Miesha is also reprimanded for smoking in the bathroom even though there is a designated smoking room in the house.

Last but not the least, Salman confronts Afsana Khan for her comments on Shamita Shetty where she age-shamed her and compared her hands to a polio patient. The actor asks her if she did the right thing.

He also confronted Afsana Khan for using a homophobic phrase against Vishal Kotian. Salman then tells her that if he had the power, he would evict her from the house stat.

Afsana is also shunned by the housemates for wishing death upon people. However, in the end, Afsana promises to change her behaviour in the future.

Do you think Afsana Khan is the next contestant to get eliminated?
As the craze around popular Netflixs Korean drama Squid Game reaches palpable heights, a sign on a highway in UK left motorists thoroughly confused. The popular symbols of a circle, triangle, and square which is used as a calling card to the invitees was spotted at a highway and it sent the inetrnet into a tizzy. Eventually the police had to step in to reassure the meme-loving generation.

The Thames Valley Police in UK took to Twitter to clarify that a road sign with an uncanny resemblance to the symbol was noticed by motorists Junction 5 of the M4 near Slough. So, We can confirm that by following this signage from the M4 Junction 5 in @TVP_Slough will not lead you to the popular @netflix series #SquidGame Its just directions for diversion routes during the roadworksphew!" the tweet read.

Evening all, So, We can confirm that by following this signage from the M4 Junction 5 in @TVP_Slough will not lead you to the popular @netflix series #SquidGame Its just directions for diversion routes during the roadworksphew! #P6110 pic.twitter.com/eIGcMJPuzf  TVP Roads Policing (@tvprp) October 11, 2021

Here's how the netizens reacted:

One user said, "Would you rather get stuck in traffic, or play Squid Game? If it was the M25 it would be no contest."

Would you rather get stuck in traffic, or play Squid Game? If it was the M25 it would be no contest.  Paul Croney (@pauljcroney) October 13, 2021

Another said, "This is missing a speed camera and asking people to smile as they pass!"

This is missing a speed camera and asking people to smile as they pass! pic.twitter.com/P3U9SyqjWz  Beauty Ties (@BeautyTies) October 13, 2021

Others had a hrad time believing the clarification. "yes, well, that is exactly what the Front Man would direct you to say."

yes, well, that is exactly what the Front Man would direct you to say.  Sergiy Bondarenko (@SerBondarenko) October 15, 2021

Some thought it was 'funny and quite creepy'.

That is funny and quite creepy  romy derman (@DermanRomy) October 15, 2021

Squid Game has now become the most-watched series on the streaming platform Netflix.
Dhaka: The perpetrators of communal violence in Bangladesh on Saturday vandalised six idols of the Daniapara Maha Shoshan Kali Mandir at Rashunia union in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj.

As per The Daily Star, the vandalism was carried out between 3 am and 4 am, confirmed Md Rashedul Islam, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sirajdikhan Circle).

"The temple had no security and only the idols were vandalised," he said.

"The main entrance lock was found broken and the tin shed was also cut and all the idols in the temple have been vandalised," said Shuvrata Dev Nath Vanu, General Secretary of the Daniapara Mahasmashan Kali Mandir Committee, reported The Daily Star.

"We are preparing to file a complaint with the police," he said.

"Such an incident had never happened before in the temple," added Shuvrata.

On Wednesday, communal violence broke out in several places in Bangladesh after news broke on social media about the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran at a Durga Puja venue on the bank of Nanuar Dighi. Several puja venues were vandalized in the area of Chandpur, Chittagong, Gazipur, Bandarban, Chapainawabganj and Moulvibazar. The clashes resulted in several casualties.

On Friday, one man named Jatan Kumar Saha was killed and 17 others were injured in an attack in Begumganj Upazila of Bangladesh's Noakhali district. Also, a mob attacked an ISKCON temple in Bangladesh's Noakhali district on Friday and according to the community, one of its members was killed.

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LEIGH-ON-SEA: A British lawmaker was stabbed to death in a church on Friday by an assailant who lunged at him during a meeting with voters from his constituency, a killing police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack.

David Amess, 69, from Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s Conservative Party, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday in the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London.

A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and detectives said specialist counter-terrorism officers from London police were leading their initial investigation. Politicians described the attack as an assault on democracy.

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we have lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague," said Johnson, who rushed back to London from the west of England after the news broke.

Armed police swooped on the church and paramedics fought to save the lawmaker`s life on the floor of the church - where a sign says "All are welcome here: where old friends meet and strangers feel at home" - but in vain.

"Tragically, he died at the scene," Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington told reporters. He said police at the time of the incident did not believe there was any immediate threat to anyone else.

"It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this may have been a terrorist incident. As always they will keep an open mind," he said.

He gave no other details about a possible motive for the killing, the second fatal attack on a British lawmaker in their constituency in the last five years, which has prompted questions about the safety of politicians.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the arrested man was believed to be a Somalian national.

Colleagues from across parliament expressed their shock and paid tribute to Amess, one of Britain`s longest-serving lawmakers who held regular meetings with voters on the first and third Friday of the month, saying he was diligent in his duties to his local area.

Flags on all British government buildings will be flown at half-mast in tribute.

Amess, married with five children, was first elected to parliament to represent Basildon in 1983, and then Southend West in 1997. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his public service in 2015.

His website listed his main interests as "animal welfare and pro-life issues". He was popular with lawmakers and known for his active contributions to debates - often about issues relating to his Essex constituency or animal rights.

In his last contribution to the House of Commons last month, he asked for a debate about animal welfare.

Residents left flowers beside the church with a tribute: "David Amess RIP Such a gentleman xxx."

TRAGIC DAY FOR DEMOCRACY

The knife attack at a meeting with constituents has echoes of a 2010 incident when Labour lawmaker Stephen Timms survived a stabbing in his constituency office, and the 2016 fatal shooting of Labour`s Jo Cox just days before the Brexit referendum.

Her husband Brendan called the attack "as cowardly as it gets", while her sister, Kim Leadbeater, who earlier this year was elected as member of parliament for the same area Cox represented, said it showed the "massive risks" lawmakers had to take.

"That another family is having to go through that again, its horrific," Leadbeater said. "So many MPs today will be scared by this. My partner came home and said: I dont want you to do this anymore, because next time that phone goes it could be a different conversation."

The speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, said the incident would send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country, adding the security of lawmakers would have to discussed.

"Questions are rightly being asked about the safety of our country`s elected representatives and I will provide updates in due course," Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said.

The Conservative Party suspended all campaigning activities until further notice. Colleagues said Amess was a dedicated parliamentarian and cast him as a true gentleman.

"Heartbreaking to hear of the death of Sir David Amess," former Prime Minister Theresa May said. "A decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties. A tragic day for our democracy."

Johnson`s wife, Carrie, said she was devastated.

"He was hugely kind and good," she said on Twitter. "An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust."
Noakhali: A mob allegedly attacked an ISKCON temple in Bangladeshs Noakhali district on Friday and according to the community, one of its members was killed.

"It is with great grief that we share the news of an ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people. His body was found in a pond next to the temple. We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action in this regard," the official Twitter handle of the ISKCON community said.

ISKCON in a further tweet said, "ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical. We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice." The ISKCON authorities urged the Bangladesh government to immediately take action, ensure the safety of all the Hindus and bring the perpetrators to justice.

ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people, his body was found in a pond next to the temple. We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action: ISKCON  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

The alleged attack on the temple took place despite assurances by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of strict action after incidents of communal violence that those who attacked Hindu temples will be hunted down and punished.

On Thursday, Sheikh Hasina assured of strict action after Wednesday`s incidents of communal violence in Cumilla."The incidents in Cumilla are being thoroughly investigated. Nobody will be spared. It doesn`t matter which religion they belong to. They will be hunted down and punished," Hasina said, reported Dhaka Tribune.

On Friday, one man named Jatan Kumar Saha was killed and 17 others were injured in an attack in Begumganj Upazila of Bangladeshs Noakhali district during Durga puja celebrations on Vijaya Dashami, Dhaka Tribune reported. The mob attacked, vandalized, and looted Hindu households, businesses, and several temples in Chaumuhani during their march, police said.

On Wednesday, communal violence broke out in several places in Bangladesh after news broke on social media about the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran at a Durga Puja venue on the bank of Nanuar Dighi. Several puja venues were vandalized in the area of Chandpur, Chittagong, Gazipur, Bandarban, Chapainawabganj, and Moulvibazar. The clashes resulted in several casualties, reported Dhaka Tribune.

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Kabul: The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the deadly mosque attack in southern Afghanistan that killed dozens of people in a Shia mosque.

Suicide bombers attacked a Shia mosque packed with worshippers attending Friday prayers in Kandahar province which killed at least 47 people and injured 70 others, Turkish public broadcaster TRT reported.

The attack follows several other recent attacks against religious institutions in Afghanistan, including last week`s attack against the Gozar-e-Sayed Abad Mosque in Kunduz.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned the `horrendous terrorist attack` against the Imam Bargah-e-Fatima Mosque and underlined the need to bring perpetrators of the attack to justice.

UN Security Council condemns in "the strongest term" the terrorist attack on Shia mosque in Afghanistan's Kandahar; underlines the need to hold accountable the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism pic.twitter.com/pdB3Tlg6Zm  ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2021

In a statement issued by the UNSC, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice," the statement said. They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, the statement said.

The United States also condemned the latest suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Afghanistan`s Kandahar province and offered condolences to the victims and their families."We strongly condemn the attack on a Shia mosque in Kandahar today, the third such attack this month, and offer our condolences to the victims and their families. The Afghan people have the right to live and worship in peace and safety whichever religion or belief they choose," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a tweet.

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LEIGH-ON-SEA: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday visited the church where lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death a day earlier in what police say they are treating as a terrorist attack.

Amess, 69, from Johnson`s Conservative Party, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday on Friday in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London, during a meeting with constituents.

Johnson, interior minister Priti Patel, and leader of the opposition Labour Party Keir Starmer were among those to lay flowers in tribute to Amess at the scene of the murder.

Johnson and Starmer stood side by side in a moment of silence before leaving.

On Friday, Johnson said Britain had lost a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague.

All our hearts are full of shock and sadness at the death of Sir David Amess MP. He was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics. pic.twitter.com/SIx6SZ1P3w  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 15, 2021

In a statement early on Saturday, police said the early investigation had revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamic extremism.

Police arrested a 25-year-old British man at the scene on suspicion of murder, adding it is believed he acted alone.

Amess in the second lawmaker in little over five years to be murdered while out meeting constituents, after Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in June 2016, a few days before Britain voted to leave the European Union.

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Kabul: Taliban authorities pledged to step up security at Shi`ite mosques after the second Islamic State attack in a week on worshippers killed more than 40 people in the Afghan city of Kandahar on Friday (October 15).

The hardline Sunni group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on the Fatima mosque in Kandahar which saw a group of suicide bombers shoot their way into the mosque before blowing themselves up among the worshippers.

A health official said the casualty toll from the attack stood at 41 dead and 70 wounded but the toll could still rise further. "Some of the wounded are in a critical condition and we are trying to transfer them to Kabul," he said.

The head of Kandahar police said units would be assigned to protect the Shi`ite mosques which have so far been guarded by local volunteer forces with special permission to carry weapons.

"Unfortunately they could not protect this area and in future we will assign special security guards for the protection of mosques and Madrasas," he said in a statement posted on Twitter by a Taliban spokesman.

The attack on the Fatima mosque, the largest Shi`ite mosque in Kandahar, also known as the Imam Bargah mosque, came a week after a similar attack on a mosque in the northern city of Kunduz, which killed as many as 80 people.

Attacks on Shi`ite mosques and targets associated with the Hazara ethnic minority, who make up the biggest Shi`ite group in Afghanistan, were regular occurrences under the former Western-backed government.

There has been deep shock as the attacks have continued since the Taliban seized power in August, tarnishing the movement`s claim to have brought peace to Afghanistan after decades of war.

Since the takeover, Islamic State has conducted dozens of operations, from small scale attacks on Taliban targets to large-scale operations such as Friday`s suicide bombing, killing scores of civilians.



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Dhaka: A three-member probe body has been formed after two more persons were killed in a fresh attack in Bangladesh. The attackers vandalised puja mandaps and carried out attacks on temples in Noakhali`s Begumganj upazila during the celebrations of Durga Puja.

The committee is being headed by Additional District Magistrate Md Tarikul Islam, confirmed Mohammad Khurshed Alam Khan, deputy commissioner of Noakhali district. The committee was asked to submit its report within seven working days, he added.

A dead body of a youth named Pranto Chandra Namodas, 20, was recovered from the pond adjacent to ISKCON temple in Chowmuhani early on Saturday (October 16). Earlier, another man was killed and 30 others were injured after locals carried out attacks on several temples in Chowmuhani area of Noakhali.

Meanwhile, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the home minister claimed everyone involved in the communal attack will be identified and punished under the law. He said the government is firmly determined to ensure that people of all religions can freely perform their religious rituals.

Tazul Islam, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development of Bangladesh, has called opon local public representatives to be alert and stand strong against those who would seek to destroy communal harmony.

"I am making a call to all public representatives at the city corporation, municipal, upazila parishad, district parishad and union parishad level, and all other institutions be ready," he said at an event in Dhaka on Saturday.

On the eighth day of Durga Puja, Quran was allegedly disrespected at a temple in Cumilla which led to attacks on Hindu places of worship which triggered clashes.

After that several incidents occurred in Chandpur, Chattogram, Cox`s Bazar, Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Gazipur, Chapainawabganj and other districts. The BGB personnel have been deployed in two dozen districts and security was beefed up at puja venues.

Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Whip of the National parliament and organising secretary of the ruling Awami League, after visiting the affected temples on Saturday, said Friday`s attacks on several temples at Chowmuhani in Noakhali were pre-planned.

He said, "A group of fanatic Bangladeshis planned to destabilise the country by carrying out the attacks on the provocation of the so-called prime minister`s spoiled child. It was not an isolated incident."

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